# R.F. Kuang's 5 must-read books

> The bestselling author shares the novels she rereads and loves across genres.
- Title: R.F. Kuang's 5 must-read books · Woman's World | Shortify
- Summary: The bestselling author shares the novels she rereads and loves across genres. R.F. Kuang recommends five books spanning classics, historical fiction, fantasy…
- Keywords: r.f. kuang, book recommendations, bestselling authors, reading list, fiction, les misérables, the name of the rose, piranesi, redwall, no one is talking about this, Kuang's, must-read
- Source: Woman's World — https://womansworld.com/entertainment/books/r-f-kuang-recommends-5-books-to-add-to-your-tbr
- Author: Carissa Mosness
- Published: 2026-09-18T18:30:38+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: r.f. kuang, book recommendations, bestselling authors, reading list, fiction, les misérables, the name of the rose, piranesi, redwall, no one is talking about this
## Kuang's favorite reads
The bestselling author of Yellowface, Babel, and Taipei Story shares five books she loves to reread across multiple genres.
## Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
Set in post-Revolutionary France, this timeless classic follows Jean Valjean's journey of redemption and transformation in Parisian society.

> Victor Hugo's Les Misérables is underrated for how goofy it is.
## Hugo's humor surprised her
Kuang found unexpected comedy in the novel, particularly in scenes of Marius courting Cosette that had her giggling on a plane.
## The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
This 1327 historical mystery follows Brother William investigating heresy at an Italian abbey, uncovering secrets that could destroy the wealthy institution.

> I read Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose in a small cottage outside Florence on my honeymoon.
## A honeymoon page-turner
Kuang brought this novel on her honeymoon and found it unforgettable, reading it in a cottage outside Florence.
## Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
A locked-room thriller where Piranesi lives in a mysterious labyrinth, investigating a Great and Secret Knowledge with a visitor called the Othero.
## Clarke cured her writer's block
Struggling with burnout and lost creativity, Kuang rediscovered her love of writing through Clarke's playful novel filled with optimism and wonder.

> It's playful and has this constant note of optimism and wonder about the world which encouraged me to start writing again.
## Redwall by Brian Jacques
Originally published in 1986, this fantasy series follows mice in Mossflower Wood racing to find the legendary sword of Martin the Warrior before Cluny conquers them.

> Those books are timeless!
## Childhood fantasy holds up
Kuang recently reread this beloved series and found it remains timeless, with rich descriptions of food and the warmth of community worth fighting for.
## No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood
A Booker Prize finalist about an unnamed woman elevated by social media fame while grappling with climate change and social injustice.
## Lockwood taught her timing
Kuang credits this novel with teaching her about comedic timing, a skill she applies to her own writing.

> Patricia Lockwood's No One Is Talking About This taught me about comedic timing.
## Key takeaway

R.F. Kuang recommends five books spanning classics, historical fiction, fantasy and contemporary literature that have shaped her as a writer.