9 Books About Cults: Captivating Non-Fiction & Fiction Picks
Ever since reading Hollywood Park, I’ve been interested in books about cults – both fiction and nonfiction.
I’m fascinated by the reasons someone would join and then stay in a cult whether for religious, political, or wellness reasons.
Watching the Nine Perfect Strangers adaptation only furthered my interest. Since Jackie has read a few of these books about cults too, we thought we would round up our favorites and the ones we want to read for you!
*The best books about cults post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you.
Fiction Books About Cults
The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett
True crime author Amanda Bailey is looking to revive her career. She decides to write a book about The Alperton Angels, a cult that almost convinced a teenage girl that her baby was The Anti-Christ and needed to be killed. But after she calls the police and is dropped off at the hospital, she disappears and so does the baby.
Now Amanda is trying to find the perfect angle for this book when she discovers that Oliver, another author, is also on the case. When they decide to collaborate, they discover that the story goes deeper than they could have imagined.
Why I Liked It: I started reading this book but switched to the full-cast audio version and could not stop listening. The book is written as WhatsApp messages, emails, and transcripts. I loved this five-star read and highly recommend the audio version for a deeper reading experience. #gifted
Find this book in Cult Books / Full Cast Audiobooks / Ultimate List of Mystery Books / Summer Reads of 2024 / Best New Mystery Books 2024
The Family Upstairs
Author: Lisa Jewell
Year: 2019
Genre: Thriller
More info: November 2019 GMA Book Club Pick
New York Times Bestselling Author
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This book starts with Libby’s 25th birthday when she inherits a multi-million dollar home. She knows that she was adopted at 10 months old but, she doesn’t know the truth about what happened to her family. She is shocked to find that the story that she was told is not what happened to her family.
25+ years ago Henry, his sister, and his parents are living a very privileged life. When he is 12 years old, things change when David moves into the house with his wife and kids with no plans to leave. He is charismatic and alluring to everyone except Henry. The story moves between past and present until the two stories come together and you finally understand what happened in the house all those years ago. I love listening to full cast audiobooks and this popular thriller book was no exception.
Trigger Warnings
Child Abuse, Confinement
Why Jackie loves it
I love Lisa Jewell. As I read her books I find each one creepier than the last. I listened to this one and loved that it was a full cast audiobook. It brought the story to life.
Find this book in: The Best Lisa Jewell Books / Books About Cults / The Best Domestic Thriller Books / Good Morning America Book Club List /
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
Wow. This is one of those rare books that really has it all. It was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize as well as the National Book Award and definitely lives up to its hype. It is a beautifully written, powerful, and poignant book about the AIDS epidemic in Chicago in the 1980s and its aftermath 30 years later.
Yale Tishman is the development director of an art gallery that is about to bring in an extraordinary collection of art from the 1920s. He has just lost his friend Nico and is losing friends all around him. Fast forward to 2015 when Nico’s little sister is in Paris searching for her daughter who disappeared with a cult three years earlier. I cannot say enough about this book – it’s one of the best books of 2019!
Please Join Us by Catherine McKenzie
Do you love books about secret societies as I do? Then join me in diving into the world of Panthera Leo and their mission to help women conquer the world.
Nicole needs the women in her “Pride” to help her find a new apartment and get back on the partner track at her law firm. But are these women out to help her or is there something more sinister happening with Panthera Leo?
This one was so quick but also so enjoyable. It’s the perfect read for fall for anyone looking for a book about cults.
The Secret History
Author: Donna Tartt
Year: 1992
Genre: Literary Fiction
More info: December 2022 Read with Jenna Book Pick
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Richard is one of a select group of six students who have been hand-picked to work under the guidance of a classics teacher named Julian Morrow. Richard is narrating the story and he begins by telling about the death of one of the students named Bunny.
As the story progresses, it is clear that this secret society of students rides the line of morality. The strained friendships and sexual tensions continue to push the edge until Bunny is killed.
Trigger Warnings
Murder, Alcoholism, Suicide
Why Jackie loves it
This is one of the books about secret societies that was deeply disturbing and difficult to read. It certainly earns its place on our list of dark academia books and books about cults! And as with most books set in college, this one is a perfect book for fall.
Find this book in: Books set in College / Books about Cults / Books about Secret Societies / Best Fall Books / Dark Academia Books
Wellness Cult Books
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
Let me start off by saying, this is no Big Little Lies. I love Moriarty when her works are based more on events that could actually happen – My Husband’s Secret and Big Little Lies remain great contemporary fiction books on my list.
This story about nine strangers at a health retreat had an incredible start and then got insanely far-fetched. Mind you, I enjoyed it immensely, but you need to go in knowing that it’s an enjoyable read but nothing more.
I’ll Be You by Janelle Brown
Sam and Elli are identical twins and former child acting stars who are now estranged. But when Sam’s parents call her because Elli is acting oddly, the secrets from their past start unraveling.
Elli has disappeared and Sam must figure out where she is. But Sam is dealing with life as a recovering addict and through flashbacks, we learn about the root of the wedge between the once-close sisters. Can Sam figure out how to save her sister before they lose each other for good?
This was not my favorite Janelle Brown. I found the whole cult storyline to be predictable and a little silly.
Nonfiction Books about Cults
Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett
I have not read a memoir so fascinating and compelling since Educated by Tara Westover. As non-fiction books go, this is one of the best.
Jollett’s story about leaving a cult he was born into and the emotional scars his early childhood trauma left on him was so compelling. I was so impressed by his insight into himself and those around him, and his willingness to be so frank about his journey to adulthood. I can’t recommend this book about cults enough.
Plot
This coming-of-age book had me thinking about it for DAYS. I mean truly, DAYS. This story shows the impact a lack of education can have on generations. Tara tells her life story about growing up with her survivalist family, having little contact with the outside world.
Tara’s journey was inspiring, heartbreaking, and thought-provoking all in one. This nonfiction book about cults had great insight into more extremist religions and survivalists.
Trigger Warnings
Child abuse
Why Kirsten loves it
I don’t usually read memoirs but I heard great things about this book. I loved it so much- it made my list of favorites for the year. It is an amazing story that reads like a novel rather than nonfiction.
Find this book in: Books about Cults / Books about Poverty / Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Best Nonfiction Books / Best Books of 2018 / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read
More Books about Cults
If you want to read more stories featuring cults, we’ve rounded up the fiction and nonfiction books about cults that we are most interested in reading.
Which of our picks for best books about cults have you read?
21 Alluring Books About Secret Societies You Can’t Put Down
If you love fiction and nonfiction books about cults, we bet you’ll love these secret society stories too!
