43 Vibrant Books With Colors in the Title

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

I have been on some weird dystopian kick recently – which is funny because I had to be forced to read the Hunger Games. Now I can’t seem to stop! I’m sure I’ll switch gears this summer, but I love this young adult fantasy novel.

In this world, those with red blood are common and those with silver blood are elite with superhuman abilities. In the war against Silvers and Reds, Mare Barrow is special and so is this book. The ending was a total shock! I couldn’t put it down.

Find this book in Books like The Hunger Games / YA Romance fantasy books / Books like ACOTAR / YA Dystopian Novels / Books Like The Selection / Books with Red in the Title

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

We don’t think about royals and the LGBTQ community because we don’t usually see openly gay royals, which is so sad in today’s society. And to think it all starts with a NYE kiss!

This charming book is a fabulous pick from LGBTQ romance novels. I crushed hard for their romance and found myself smiling the entire time. (Also love the nod to a female president…where do I sign up for one of those?) 

Why We Love It: The LGBTQ romance is charming but add in a female president and we are all in.
Find This Book in Royal Romance Books / Enemies-to-Lovers Books / New Year’s Books / British Romance Novels/ Books With a Color in the Title

Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson

I’d seen this book on many anticipated reads lists and was eager to listen when given the opportunity. This poignant tale is told, and narrated, by multiple characters and jumps between the present and the past as it weaves together the story of a family.

At Melody’s coming-of-age ceremony at 16, we discover her parents’ history. Immediately, the story engrossed me and the ending brought me to tears. I felt like I was a part of Melody’s story as I listened to the book.

I highly recommend the audiobook because of the various narrators for each part. All the different voices bring such depth to the performance. Jacqueline Woodson is even one of the narrators!

Find this book in Coming of Age Books / Books With Colors in the Title

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

If you didn’t read this book in high school, you should consider reading it now! Set in Puritan Massachusetts, The Scarlet Letter tells the story of Hester Prynne, a woman condemned to wear the letter A for the rest of her life after giving birth to a bastard child.

When her husband who is presumed dead finds out about the baby, he takes up a new name and vows to find the unknown father. As her daughter, Pearl, grows, we learn of the impact Hester’s shunning has on her life as well.

Find this book in Classic Novels to Read / Books With a Color in the Title

Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Woman’s Prison by Piper Kerman

I originally read this for a book club and it was one of my favorite non-fiction books. I don’t love the now-famous Netflix series of the same name, but I did love the book.

A suburban mother goes to prison for a crime she committed a decade before. Her inside look at the American prison system is fascinating. This is one of the OG Netflix book adaptations.

Find this book in Best Netflix Books Adaptations / Book With Color in the Title

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #2)

The second book in the Outlander series starts 20 years in the future with Claire and her Daughter Brianna on vacation in Scotland together. This is where we are first introduced to Roger Wakefield, we do not know how Claire returned to her time or when.

Then the story returns back to Paris is 1744. Here, Claire and Jamie develop relationships with people in the court of King Louis the XV including Charles Stuart. This story takes us all the way to the Battle of Culloden, where Claire assumes Jamie died while she returns to Craig na Dun to return to her time. She is pregnant with Brianna.

Find this book in Outlander Books in Order / Books With A Color in the Title

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang

July 2023 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Athena Liu is a literary star whose books are immediate best sellers. June Hayward went to school with Athena and thought she would be a star as well. However, she has found herself in literary obscurity.

One night, June and Athena are hanging out in Athena’s apartment when Athena dies in a freak accident (Content warning for graphic detail of choking). When June arrives home, she realizes she has Athena’s new unfinished, unpublished manuscript in her bag about the contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I.

June decides that she will finish the manuscript and send it to her agent as her own work. She also lets them rebrand her as Juniper Song.

Why we like it: There is so much to talk about in this book from obvious cultural appropriation and racism to secrets, lies, and entitlement.
Find this book in The Complete Reese Witherspoon Book Club List / Best Books for Book Clubs / Books with Colors in the Title

Anne of Green Gables by L.M Montgomery

My mother was the first person to read this middle grade book to me and I was immediately drawn to Anne. She was smart, precocious, and had a way of making everyone love her while simultaneously finding new ways to get into trouble. 

Anne is an orphan who is sent to live with siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert who wanted a male orphan to help them on the farm. Anne was sent to them instead. She is bright and loquacious and wins their hearts.

Something is comforting about this cozy book that makes me read it repeatedly. This is a beautiful book about friendship and found family. I am not sure if it is more popular in Canada but, one day I hope to visit Prince Edward Island. This is one of my (Jackie) all-time favorite books.

Find this book in Coming-of-Age Books / Friendship Books / Realistic Fiction / Books with Green in the Title

Greenglass House by Kate Milford

This middle grade mystery reminded me of Harry Potter in some ways. A child is trying to uncover the secrets of Greenglass House, a hotel for smugglers and spies before the adults do.

We read this as a family read-aloud and it was wonderful. It’s one of the books for an 11-year-old that younger readers might struggle with.

Find this book in Best Ghost Books / Best Winter Books / Terrific Hotel Novels / Best Mystery Books for Tweens / Best Family Audiobooks / Books With Colors in the Title

In The Great Green Room by Amy Gary

I picked up this non-fiction book about the life of author Margaret Wise Brown because I wanted to try a genre I don’t usually read. Biographies are usually too much info about one person for my liking and this book felt that way too.

Still, Margaret Wise Brown, author of Good Night, Moon, and other classics, did lead a fascinating and colorful life. If you like non-fiction, try this one!

All Boys aren’t Blue by George M Johnson

I love George M, Johnson’s voice as they talk about very difficult topics in such a way that the book is completely relatable to everyone. ⁣Everyone knows that memoirs usually aren’t my preferred genre but there was something about George’s story that hooked me from the first sentence.

This book is eye-opening and profound. It made me think about things from a different perspective and I was captivated by the story throughout the entire book. This non-fiction book is so captivating, that it reads like fiction.

Find this book in The Ultimate List of the Best Non-Fiction Books / Books With Blue in the Title

Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis

When 16-year-old Emmie sends her name and email address attached to a red balloon, it travels over 100 miles and leads her to Lucas. This one gesture sparks a friendship that lasts for 14 years. 

Now, Emmie and Lucas are best friends and he surprises her with the fact that he is getting married. The problem? Emmie is in love with Lucas. This YA romance is a best friends-to-lovers in the best possible way. This is an underappreciated book from our list of Books with Colors in the Title.

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

Omg. Is it possible for me to give this book all the heart eyes? 😍😍😍 This was my first Christina Lauren book and I don’t know how I’ve held out for this long. I mean… have I been living under a rock? Sam was Tate’s first love when she fell for him on her 18th birthday trip, but he exposed her in the worst way possible.

Now a big-name actress, the last person she expects to see on-set is the man who broke her heart. I loved this book so much. It gave me all the feels!!!

Find this book in Second-chance romance novels / Fiction Books About Celebrities / Books With Colors in the Title

House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J Klune

Linus Baker works as a caseworker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He is sent on a mission to a secret orphanage isolated on an island where 6 of the world’s most dangerous youth live. 

Linus is sent to determine if the children are being cared for properly. Linus, who lives his life by the book, will have to look deeper to try and find the real answers to his questions.

Why I Love it: This story was so much more than the sum of its parts. I felt like I had met each of the children in the story. Even though the story has magic, it somehow seems completely relevant to our society now. The magic and the orphan aspect are all reminiscent of Harry Potter.

Find this book in Magical Realism Books / Feel-Good Books / Book for Book Club / Books About Friendship / Cozy Reads / Books With Color in the Title

Violeta by Isabel Allende

How have I never read an Isabel Allende book before? SHOCKING! This is the story of Violeta, a woman whose life was bookended by two pandemics.

An ordinary citizen of South America, her life story swept me away. She goes from wealth to destitution during the Great Depression, experiences numerous marriages, and navigates the dramas of her children and grandchildren.

Ultimately, she lives a life rich in passion, loss, and joy. When the story ended, I felt like I was parting with a dear friend.

Find this book in Books About Poverty / Books by Female BIPOC Authors / Books with Colors in the Title

Acts of Violet by Margarita Montimore

I absolutely loved the GMA book club pick Oona Out of Order and it was on our list of the best of the year. I was so excited to read this witch book and it did not disappoint.

When the famous magician Violet Volk disappears without a trace, nobody can figure out where she went. Now, a decade later, her sister is wondering if Violet will finally reappear and if she can get some answers. Her fans still love and adore her but Sasha wants answers. Their relationship has left so many questions. As Sasha searches for answers, she will have to come to terms with the past.

I loved this adult fantasy novel. It is so original and unlike anything that I have read. It is magical realism at its best which is not surprising coming from this author. This is a very original pick from our list of books with colors in the title.

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly 

Based on the true story of New York socialite, Caroline Ferriday, this fictionalized account of the war is told from three perspectives.

The novel alternates between Caroline in New York, Kasia, a Polish prisoner, at Ravensbruck, and Herta, the only female doctor at that same camp.

Herta’s perspective, she was a real doctor at Ravensbruck, was particularly fascinating to read. Hearing her thoughts left a deep impact since authors rarely write from the perspective of the Nazi party members. That perspective makes this novel unique among these books about WWII and is truly a thought-provoking book.

Find this book in Books About WWII / Books Set in France / Thought Provoking Books / Books With a Color in the Title

The Pink Hotel by Liska Jacobs

If you loved White Lotus, you’ll love this snarky look at classism in this book set at The Pink Hotel (aka The Beverly Hills Hotel.)

Suburbanites Keith and Kit Collins are there are on their honeymoon, though Keith is secretly applying for a position at the illustrious hotel. As they are drawn into the glamourous trappings of the hotel, they become the playthings of the rich and famous.

Keith believes he can be one of them, but Kit feels lost. Will their marriage survive the crazy cast of characters inside and the wildfire raging outside the hotel’s walls? You’ll have to read this dark novel to find out.

Find this book in Hotel Books / Books with Colors in the Title

10 Things I Hate About Pinky by Sandhya Menon

Samir and Pinky are complete opposites. Pinky is a wild child who is tired of her family thinking the worst of her. Samir is the type of guy that all parents love. When his internship at a law firm falls through and Pinky lies to her family and tells them she has a new boyfriend, a scheme is hatched.

Samir comes to stay with Pinky’s family for the summer at their Cape Cod house and Samir does not have to go home to his over-protective mother. Of course, with the forced proximity, they both start to develop real feelings in their fake relationship.

This fake dating book was a fun read that didn’t quite have the same chemistry as Dimple and Rishi. It may be that I related less because Samir and Pinky are high school students. Did we include this in our list of books with colors in the title? Yes! We love that her name is Pinky.

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

While the main portion of this story features 3 code breakers at Bletchley during WWII, one of the main characters is dating Prince Philip. You know, the same Prince Philip who eventually marries the queen?

It’s a dual-timeline story and one of those storylines is set against the backdrop of Philip’s wedding to QE2. Plus it’s a Kate Quinn royal novel, so the writing and story are both top-notch.

Find this book in Ultimate List of Mystery Books / WWII Books / Royal Reads / Books With Color in the Title

Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel

Don’t let the gorgeous cover of this book fool you. Darling Rose Gold is a dark and sinister look at a dysfunctional, abusive mother-daughter relationship.

For 18 years, Rose Gold thought that she was always one step away from death but no tests could ever find anything wrong with her. Her mother, Patty Watts goes to jail for 5 years for child abuse and when she gets out, Rose Gold lets Patty move in with her.

I couldn’t put this book down and I can’t give much about the story away without ruining it. If you are a thriller lover, this one is for you.

Content Warning: Child Abuse
Find this book in Best Psychological Thriller Books / Best Thriller Books / Books with Colors in the Title

White Bird: A Wonder Story by R.J Palacio

This graphic novel came my way through my local bookstore and it was a beautiful surprise for me.  I loved Wonder.  The story was told beautifully and with compassion. 

I wondered if I would be disappointed with how a story about the holocaust would translate into a graphic novel and whether the story could be told with an equal amount of compassion. Happily, I was not disappointed at all. 

I loved this book.  It is so poignant and powerful with a message of kindness that is so relevant today.

Find this book in Full Cast Audiobooks / WWII Books for kids/ Books with Color in the Title

The White Queen by Philippa Gregory

The White Queen is one of my favorite Philippa Gregory novels, revolving around Elizabeth Woodville and her relationship with the King of England. I love the magical elements of this book as Elizabeth and her mother were said to be witches. We had to put this on our list of witch books.

It’s a really wonderful story. I learned so much about the tumultuous history of Britain. Also of note, Elizabeth was the mother of the boys in the tower which this book covers as well. If you love biographical novels, Philippa Gregory has written more than a dozen for you to read.

Find this book in Biographical Fiction / Best Witch Books / Books with Colors in the Title

The Girl in White Gloves by Kerri Maher

I adored this royal read about Grace Kelly and had trouble putting it down. The storyline is split between Grace’s rise to Hollywood stardom and her future as a settled princess. The writing was so captivating that I found myself sneaking pages on my Kindle all over town. 

Kerri Maher brought Grace Kelly to life in this biographical fiction book about her life. I had no idea about her home life struggles, her many romances, or the state of her marriage to Rainer. 

Find this book in Biographical Fiction / Books Like Evelyn Hugo / Books with a color in the Title / Books Like the Crown

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

A Read With Jenna Pick for February 2022

I absolutely loved this contemporary fiction which is a story about love, family, and acceptance. It captured me from the first page with the story and the writing.

When Eleanor Bennett dies, she leaves a voice recording for her two children Benny and Byron. She wants to tell them things about her life that she could not say when she was alive.

While listening to their mother’s story, Byron and Benny learn about their mother, family, and themselves. They try to piece their relationship back together. The novel looks at everyone’s lives in the present and the past, but in its essence, it is a book about motherhood.

Find this book in Books About Women in Sports / Books for Book Club / Books About Mothers / BIPOC Female Authors / Books with Color in the Title

Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour

January 2021 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick

Black Buck was everything I thought it would be and more! At times this book reminded me of the subtle racism in Such a Fun Age but it was also reminiscent of the systemic racism in The Nickel Boys.

And then there was the whole Wolf of Wall Street portion that had me picturing Leo screaming on the trading room floor.⁣ This contemporary fiction was both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Find this book in Contemporary Fiction / Books with Colors in the Title

Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates

Six students come together to play a game of dares and forfeits where the winner takes all. But what started as fun turns into something much more dangerous. Now, it has been 14 years since the start of the game and the remaining two players have to play the final round.

What started as a dark book became more twisted and convoluted with each turn of the page. However, there were elements of this story that I wish had a little more depth. Also, reading about all the pneumonic devices the character uses to get through his day became a bit tedious by the middle of the book.

Find this book in Dark Academia / Books with Color in the Title

Washington Black by Esi Edugyen

Washington Black, Wash, is a slave in a Barbados sugar plantation. When he is selected to be the manservant for the master’s brother, he does not know what to expect. Christopher Wilde is nothing like his brother. He is an explorer, an inventor, and an abolitionist. Soon the two find themselves fleeing to save Wash’s life.

This is a powerful story about what it means to be free.

Why we like it: This book is a Man Booker Prize Finalist for a reason. The writing is wonderful and the story feels magical.
Find this book in Books with a Color in the Title / Books by Canadian Authors

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold in the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown

The heroics of the team enthralled me. The sheer force of will and strength it took to get in that boat and win. I thought I would be bored by the minutia of rowing, but I wasn’t.

The mechanical part of it, the precision, just made me appreciate the skill of rowing even more. The Olympic games gave me such a heightened sense of American pride. I was rooting for the team and cheering them on the whole time. If you are looking for non-fiction books for beginners, this is one of the nonfiction books that read like fiction.

Find this book in Books with Colors in the Title / Feel Good Nonfiction Books

The Golden Hour by Beatriz Williams

This historical fiction story takes place in the Bahamas during WWII. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor are prominently featured, though the main story revolves around the murder of a man named Harry Oaks, life in Nassau, and the romance between the female lead and her beau.

There is also a bit of a flashback-type story that plays out in parts too. It’s set in a tropical location whose location sets it apart from most historical fiction stories.

Why I Like it: It’s a lovely little royal novel that had me flipping pages quickly and kept me entertained by the pool. 

Find this book in Books Like the Crown / Royal Reads Books with Colors in the Title

Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland

Last Summer at the Golden Hotel is all about 2 families who own a resort in the Catskills and are thinking of selling or overhauling the Golden. This is the ultimate in family drama books.

Three generations of the Goldmans and Weismann clans have gathered to make the decision and family secrets are unspooling left and right in the midst of goat yoga, comedy shows, and salon catastrophes.

It was a pleasure to read it while staying at the Hyatt on the Chesapeake and experiencing some resort life of my own. 

Find this book in Best Books for Book Clubs / Summer Camp Books / Books With Colors in the Title

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

I adored this YA fantasy book by Novik. I loved the strong female characters, the story, and the writing.  This book is a classic retelling of Rumplestiltskin that is complex and wonderful and the ending had me in tears.

Miryem’s family are moneylenders but her family is in poverty because her father does not collect his debts. In an effort to save her family, Miryem begins collecting the debts herself and soon a rumor begins that she can turn silver into gold. Soon, these rumors spread to the king of Staryk, and Miryem’s life changes forever when he comes to see if the rumors are true.

Find this book in YA Fantasy Books / The Best Winter Books / Fairy Tale Retellings / Books with Colors in the Title

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas does it again, which is saying something because I am not a Nesta fan and she was our main protagonist in this story. The book revolves around her love story with Cassian, but also around her overcoming her trauma from being cauldron-made.

I can’t wait to see and read the next story in this series, even if I have to wait another 2-3 years. Even though it was 800 pages, I flew through it in 3 days.

Find this book in Books Like A Court of Thorns and Roses / Grumpy Sunshine Romance Books / Books With Color in the Title

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

This was a book that I totally enjoyed.  I read reviews that people didn’t like Chloe.  They thought she was whiny and annoying.  I completely disagree. 

I thought that she was funny, quirky, and had more depth than I initially thought.  It is a well-written romance with a little more story than I usually find in this genre and for this reason

Find this book in Books like The Love Hypothesis / Books with Colors in the Title

Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James

Originally written as Twilight fan fiction, Fifty Shades of Grey tells the story of Anastasia Steele, an innocent young woman who quite literally falls at the feet of young billionaire Christian Grey.

Their up-and-down relationship had the world atwitter. He wanted a submissive, but Ana challenged him at every turn. And their red room of pain is the stuff of legend. This is the series that ignited the popularity of billionaire romance books. How could we not include this one in a list of books with colors in the title?

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

This epic love story can almost rival that of Jamie and Claire in Outlander. This saga takes place over decades and all over the world. This is an epic love story that begins in Leningrad during WWII.

Tatiana Metanova meets Alexander, an officer of the Red Army. Amid the terror of the war, the two fall in love, but Alexander is keeping a secret that can devastate them all.

This is a fantastic story from a historical fiction perspective because of the attention to detail. I learned a lot about everyday life in that era. Like Outlander, it’s a whopping 1000 pages but I couldn’t stop!

Find this book in Historical Romance / Books About WWII / Books Like Outlander / Cozy Books / Books with Colors in the Title