25 Incredible Books with One Word Titles
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Are you looking for a book that packs meaning, insight, and emotion into just one word? Check out this list of incredible books with one-word titles and find your next great read!
Writing a book is no small feat – and coming up with the title is often one of the most challenging aspects of the process. However, there are some authors who have mastered this challenge by creating incredible stories with only one-word titles.
If you’re looking for some great books to add to your reading list, check out these incredible titles. From award-winning novels to memoirs and thrillers, there’s a one-word title book for everyone.
Happy Reading!
2023 One Word Title Books
Exiles
by Jane Harper
As federal investigator Aaron Falk travels to a small town in southern Australian wine country for the christening of an old friend’s baby, he is drawn into the mystery of a missing mother who vanished one year ago on the night of her daughter’s busy town festival. In the lush valley, Falk meets Kim Gillespie’s friends and loved ones as he dives into the case and uncovers long-ago truths. As he searches for answers, he must confront dark questions: What would make a mother abandon her child? And what happened to Kim Gillespie?
Wildblood
by Lauren Blackwood
Eighteen-year-old Victoria is a Wildblood, a powerful magical being who takes turns using her magic to protect travelers in the Jamaican jungle. When denied an earned promotion to team leader in favor of her ex-boyfriend, she’s determined to prove herself and takes on a mission with renowned gold miner Thorn. As they grow closer, Victoria must find the strength to battle the monsters of the jungle and her own demons to find true belonging.
Mothered
by Zoje Stage
Grace reluctantly agrees to let her newly widowed mother, Jackie, move in with her and help out with the mortgage during a pandemic. But soon their relationship begins to fracture as old wounds fester and new ones open. Grace starts having nightmares about her disabled twin sister, who died when they were kids, and Jackie discovers that Grace has been catfishing people online. Jackie’s accusation against Grace sends her spiraling into a sleep-deprived madness as the walls close in on them both.
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Homecoming
by Kate Morton
A shocking crime, an unsolved mystery, and a family saga spanning generations – Homecoming by Kate Morton is a sweeping novel of secrets, lies, and love. Set in the late 1950s in Adelaide Hills, Australia, the story begins with a shocking discovery at the grand house of Tambilla. Years later, Jess, a journalist in search of a story and getting laid off from her job, receives an unexpected call to return home to Sydney. At her grandmother’s house, she finds a book with the story of the Turner Family Tragedy of Christmas Eve 1959 – and discovers a shocking connection between her family and the once-infamous event.
Must Read One Word Title Books
Circe
by Madeline Miller
Circe, the daughter of the mighty god Helios, possesses the power of witchcraft but is not gifted with her father’s strength or her mother’s beauty. Banished to a deserted island, Circe honed her craft and encountered many of mythology’s most famous figures, including the Minotaur, Medea, and Odysseus. As she struggles to find her place in a man’s world and protect what she loves most, Circe must summon her strength to face one of the most terrifying and vengeful Olympians. With vivid characters, mesmerizing language, and suspenseful plot twists, Circe celebrates female power in an endlessly fascinating tale that readers won’t be able to put down!
Rebecca
by Daphne du Maurier
A classic psychological thriller about a young, naïve woman who marries Maxim de Winter, an older, wealthy widower with a mysterious past. Rebecca takes place mainly at Manderley, the de Winter estate in England, and follows Maxim and his new bride as they attempt to start a new life in the shadow of Maxim’s dead wife, Rebecca. As secrets from the past start to unravel, the story becomes more and more suspenseful as readers are left with questions about what will happen next.
Need ideas to reach your reading goals and diversify your reads?
Fingersmith
by Sarah Waters
This gripping novel tells the story of Sue Trinder, an orphan living with a “baby farmer” in London’s slums. When Gentleman, an elegant con man, arrives with a lucrative plan to defraud Maud Lilly, a wealthy heiress, of her inheritance by having Sue pose as her maid and aid him in seduction, Sue reluctantly agrees. But as plans unfold, Sue finds herself pitying her helpless mark and caring for Maud in unexpected ways. In this gothic thriller of thrills and reversals, nothing is as it seems and secrets long buried emerge with dangerous consequences.
Arranged
by Catherine McKenzie
Anne Blythe’s had enough of bad relationships and decides to take her love life into her own hands by enlisting the help of an exclusive, expensive arranged marriage service. She is whisked away to a Mexican resort where she will meet and marry Jack one weekend. But soon Anne discovers that Jack and the company that set them up are not what they seem. Catherine McKenzie’s novel takes readers on an unexpected journey as Anne discovers the power of true connection, even in the most unlikely circumstances.
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Emma
by Jane Austen
Jane Austen’s beloved novel Emma is a story of youth, love, and growing up. In the small village of Highbury, Emma Woodhouse is a privileged young woman with an independent spirit and sharp wit. Despite her wealth, she still feels confined by society’s restrictions and yearns for something more in life than expected. Her meddling in the affairs of friends and neighbors often leads to disastrous results, but through these misadventures, she learns important lessons about love, friendship, and self-discovery.
Dumplin’
by Julie Murphy
Dumplin’ is a heartwarming and empowering story about an ordinary girl who takes on her small town’s beauty pageant. Willowdean Dickson, or ‘Dumplin’, is unashamedly plus-sized and determined to break the status quo of what it means to be beautiful. With the help of her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, and a former hot jock named Bo, Willowdean sets out to prove she deserves to be up on stage as much as any other girl. She shocks the hell out of Clover City in the process! Full of self-discovery and unexpected friendships, Dumplin’ will make you laugh and cry equally.
Violeta
by Isabel Allende
The story of a woman’s remarkable life, set against the backdrop of some of history’s most tumultuous events. Written as a love letter to someone she loves above all others, Violeta’s evocative and passionate story speaks of the power of resilience in the face of adversity, sweeping readers through times of devastating heartbreak and passionate affairs, poverty and wealth, terrible loss, and immense joy. As Violeta navigates her way through these events with an unforgettable passion, determination, and sense of humor, Isabel Allende takes readers on a fiercely inspiring and deeply emotional epic journey.
Americanah
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A powerful story of race, identity, love, and success, Americanah tells the story of Ifemelu and Obinze, two lovers who must find their place in two different worlds. As they live through the unique challenges of Nigeria and America, they find themselves forced to confront their identities. Americanah is a gripping novel full of thought-provoking themes and vivid characters. Adichie’s writing style is captivating, and her unforgettable characters make readers feel deeply connected to the story.
Pachinko
by Min Jin Lee
Min Jin Lee’s acclaimed novel follows the life of a Korean family through four generations. Spanning from the early 1900s to 1989, the story follows Sunja, a young woman who finds herself pregnant and alone after being seduced by a wealthy stranger. She soon marries an impoverished minister bound for Japan, and together they build a life in another land. The novel is filled with multidimensional characters, from suffering mothers and sisters to ambitious sons who struggle through poverty and prejudice toward an uncertain future. With vivid detail and captivating prose, Pachinko captures the complex lives of Koreans living in Japan, exploring themes of resilience, identity, and loyalty.
Queenie
by Candice Carty-Williams
An unforgettable journey of self-discovery and celebration. The story follows Queenie as she navigates love, family, friendships, career, and life while trying to figure out who she is and wants. Queenie’s journey is full of laughter, tears, joy, and sorrow – but ultimately, a reminder that we all deserve happiness. The book paints an honest portrait of life as a young woman of color in modern-day Britain and her daily struggles. Candice Carty-Williams has written a beautiful, funny, and thought-provoking novel that will stay with readers for years to come.
Memphis
by Tara M. Stringfellow
Joan’s life is upended when her family flees Memphis in the summer of 1995 to escape her father’s explosive temper. Seeking refuge at her mother’s ancestral home, Joan encounters a mysterious neighbor who claims to know something about curses and helps her uncover her family’s secrets. Spanning seventy years and told through an unforgettable chorus of voices, Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow is a unique portrait of inheritance, exploring the complexities of what we pass down in our families and as a country: brutality and justice, faith and forgiveness, sacrifice and love.
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Insomnia
by Sarah Pinborough
Emma Averell is a woman with a seemingly perfect life—a high-powered legal career, two beautiful children, and a loving husband who stays home to take care of them. But all that perfection masks the truth of her past: Emma and her older sister were placed in foster care after a traumatic incident with their mother when she was five years old. Emma can only remember her mother as the monster who emerged on her fortieth birthday, and now that she is approaching that same milestone, the memories of her past begin to haunt her. As if sleepless nights weren’t enough to contend with, strange things start happening around her, making her wonder if the madness in her blood is beginning to take control.
Dreamland
by Nicholas Sparks
An emotionally charged story of love, loss, and the power of making dreams come true. It follows three people whose lives unexpectedly intersect: Beverly, a single mother on the run from her abusive husband; Colby, a failed musician seeking escape in Florida; and Morgan Lee, a music prodigy with big dreams of Nashville stardom. In the course of a single week, these characters’ lives will be changed forever as they search for elusive happiness and discover meaning in their unique circumstances. With its captivating narrative and powerful themes about family, identity, and love, Dreamland is sure to be a must-read novel from Nicholas Sparks.
Counterfeit
by Kirstin Chen
A sharp, fast-paced, and witty novel set in the worlds of luxury handbags and Chinese factories, it follows Ava Wong—a successful lawyer with a young son, a crumbling marriage, and an expensive law degree she hasn’t used in years—and her enigmatic college roommate Winnie Fang, who has become a world-traveling entrepreneur with an ingenious counterfeit scheme. As Ava and Winnie’s business takes off, they find themselves in over their heads, and the consequences of their choices slowly but surely catch up to them. With an unpredictable plot full of twists and turns, Counterfeit is a thrilling ride and an unforgettable novel about identity, ambition, and the lengths to pursue our dreams.
Educated
by Tara Westover
An inspiring memoir that follows Tara Westover’s journey from a constrained upbringing in the mountains of Idaho to an education at Cambridge and Harvard universities. Despite extreme violence, poverty, and mental health difficulties within her family life, Westover was able to break free from their oppressive environment and pursue an education. While this book isn’t an easy read, it is an inspiring and uplifting story of courage and perseverance.
Becoming
by Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama’s Becoming is a candid and inspiring memoir that gives readers an intimate look into her life as a young girl in Chicago to the White House years with her beloved husband, Barack Obama. She reflects on how she faced challenges and overcame obstacles to become the powerful voice in the American society that she is today. Michelle weaves in moments of strength and resilience throughout her memoir, ultimately encouraging readers to fight for their dreams. Becoming is a must-read for every woman looking for guidance and motivation to create change in their lives.
Sadie
by Courtney Summers
An unforgettable thriller that follows the desperate hunt of nineteen-year-old runaway Sadie Hunter. When popular radio personality West McCray receives a mysterious phone call imploring him to find her, he discovers that she fled home after the brutal murder of her little sister Mattie. With a switchblade in hand, Sadie is determined to make her sister’s killer pay with his own life. As West traces her path, a deeply unsettling mystery begins to unfold—one bigger than both. Alternating between Sadie’s voice and the podcast transcripts tracking her clues, this is an intensely gripping story about the lengths we go to protect the ones we love and the high price of vengeance.
Less
by Andrew Sean Greer
Less, by bestselling author Andrew Sean Greer, is a humorous and poignant story about love, loss, and self-discovery. Arthur Less embarks on a journey of self-exploration as he navigates his way through heartache and regret while trying to escape the reality of his life. His travels take him around the world in a bid to find the courage and strength he needs to come to terms with himself. During his travels, he meets a variety of people who help him gain insight into himself, ultimately leading him down the path of self-acceptance and understanding. Less is an inspiring story about finding your place in the world and learning how to love yourself.
You
by Caroline Kepnes
You is the dark and twisted story of Joe Goldberg, an enigmatic bookseller in New York City with deep dark secrets that threaten to unravel Beck’s world and expose his dark intentions. As dark events unfold, the line between love and obsession starts to blur in this page-turning thriller. A gripping story of passion, betrayal, and manipulation that, with unexpected plot twists and an unbearably tense atmosphere, will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Room
by Emma Donoghue
Room follows Jack’s journey to freedom as he and his mother attempt to re-enter the world after years in captivity. The novel explores the psychological effects of captivity on both mother and son and their longing for freedom. It is a story of resilience and hope, showing how even in the darkest of times, love can still be found, and strength can be forged. With engaging prose and a gripping plot, Room is an unforgettable read that will leave you with a lasting impression.
Wild
by Cheryl Strayed
Wild is the powerful story of one woman’s journey to find herself. Following the death of her mother and her own failed marriage, Cheryl Strayed embarks on a solo adventure along the Pacific Coast Trail, facing physical and emotional challenges she could never have anticipated. Wild captures the trail’s beauty and loneliness with vivid detail and a gripping narrative as Strayed struggles to rebuild her life and make amends with the past. Heart-wrenching and inspiring, Wild is a deeply moving look into the power of resilience.
What’s your favorite book with a single-word title? Share it with us in the comments below. I’d love to hear about why you enjoyed it and what made it stand out from other books you’ve read.
Love this compilation! Good job!
Thank you, Reeca! Glad you enjoyed it!