Books in verse—have you tried them?

I hadn’t until recently, and let me tell you, they’ve quickly become some of my favorite reads.

Unlike traditional poetry, these books tell full stories, but they do it through short, punchy lines and a rhythm that hits differently.

There’s something so raw and real about how emotions are captured in verse, and the beauty is in the simplicity.

This post includes a variety of genres, from romance to self-discovery, so you’ll find something no matter what you’re in the mood for.

I can’t wait to share these with you!

Must-Read Novels In Verse to Check Out ASAP

1. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Xiomara feels like her world expects her to stay quiet, but she’s got so much to say.

She channels her frustration and emotions into poetry, as she tries to make sense of her family, love, and identity.

Her struggle between following her own voice and meeting her mom’s strict expectations feels so real.

Honestly, I loved how she found power in her words, even when it seemed impossible.

2. Grief Is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter

When their mom dies suddenly, two boys and their dad are left to face a world without her.

A strange crow shows up, part comfort, part chaos, and stays with them as they try to heal.

It’s such a raw, emotional read that made me think about how grief hits in unexpected ways—and how we find comfort in the strangest places.

3. Dreaming of You by Melissa Lozada-Oliva

Melissa brings Selena Quintanilla back to life, trying to connect with the pop star who meant so much to her.

It’s a quirky, sometimes eerie ride through love, loneliness, and identity.

The way Melissa searches for meaning in celebrity and personal heartbreak hit me hard.

It’s like she’s figuring out who she is by connecting with someone she can never truly have.

4. Chlorine Sky by Mahogany L. Browne

This book is all about growing up and dealing with the feeling that everything is shifting.

The main character is grappling with a friendship falling apart, and you can really feel how painful that is.

It brought back memories of times when relationships changed and I had to figure out who I was outside of those bonds.

So relatable, in the best way.

5. Don’t Call Me a Hurricane by Ellen Hagan

Eliza’s hometown was wrecked by a hurricane, and now she’s trying to save it from developers.

She’s dealing with a lot of trauma, and when she meets Milo, a guy from the “other side,” she’s torn.

Eliza’s struggles to open up to him felt so familiar.

Sometimes, letting someone in after you’ve been hurt feels impossible, but this story really gets that tension.

6. Angel & Hannah by Ishle Yi Park

Angel and Hannah’s love feels like something you just can’t have—it’s intense and forbidden.

They come from different backgrounds, but when they meet, it’s like nothing else matters.

The way the book blends hip-hop, love, and family struggles made it feel so alive.

It made me think about those intense, wild loves that just feel bigger than everything else.

7. Citizen by Claudia Rankine

Claudia Rankine takes us through moments of racism, both big and small, that accumulate over time.

It’s a tough read, but in a way that makes you think deeply.

Reading this made me reflect on how sometimes we let little slights slide, not realizing how they build up.

It’s a hard, honest look at what it means to live in a society that often doesn’t want to see you.

8. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Camino and Yahaira are two sisters, separated by distance and secrets, who find out their dad has passed away.

The way they both navigate their grief and learn about their father’s life and each other, felt so real.

It’s a book about family, loss, and the messiness of emotions that come with them.

This book really made me think about how we all carry pieces of the people we lose.

9. A Million Quiet Revolutions by Robin Gow

Aaron and Oliver are two trans guys who’ve always had each other, but when Aaron moves away, he finds comfort in the story of two trans soldiers from the Revolutionary War.

It’s about them finding their place in history, and I found myself really connected to how they were trying to understand who they were by looking at the past.

It’s such a quiet, beautiful story about self-discovery.