When he isn’t playing Nate Jacobs on Euphoria or acting as Elvis in Priscilla, Jacob Elordi is usually spotted with a vintage paperback stuffed in his back pocket.
Whether it is part of his airport outfit or he is walking to the set of Guillermo del Toro’s new Frankenstein movie, his reading rotation is always top-tier. He doesn’t read standard self-help books. He reads fast-paced literary classics about secrets, huge mistakes, and wild road trips.
If you want to see the exact aesthetic of the books he reads, watch our full visual breakdown right here:
Why Trust This Reading List?
Jacob Elordi doesn’t just carry books around to go viral on BookTok. The books he picks are actually incredible. They represent a cool “new masculinity” aesthetic that mixes high fashion with smart, socially charged texts.
These Jacob Elordi book recommendations are full of mystery, elite secret societies, and wild adventures. They are the perfect books to upgrade your style and your mind at the same time. Here are his top favorites, plus a few honorable mentions.
1. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Vibe: Rich college kids, vintage clothes, and a very dark secret.
What it is about: Imagine going to an elite college and meeting a group of students who act better than everyone else. They dress perfectly, keep to themselves, and study dead languages. The main character gets pulled into their mysterious world, but he soon realizes they are hiding a terrifying secret.
To see how far they can push the limits, the group tries a dangerous ancient ceremony in the forest. When someone ends up dead, their glamorous lives completely fall apart. It is a thrilling story about guilt, cover-ups, and how far people will go to protect themselves.
2. A Bright Ray of Darkness by Ethan Hawke
The Vibe: A leaked celebrity diary about a guy ruining his own life.
What it is about: Have you ever wondered what happens when a huge celebrity ruins their own career? This novel gives you a front-row seat to the crash. The story centers on an actor whose marriage to a famous singer falls apart because he was unfaithful.
Suddenly, the whole world turns against him. He tries to hide by taking a tough acting job on a stage in New York City. You might think this is his big comeback, but it is actually the opposite. You get to read every messy detail as he parties too hard, messes up at work, and tries to figure out how to forgive himself.
3. On the Road by Jack Kerouac
The Vibe: A gritty 1950s road trip that turns into a complete nightmare.
What it is about: This is the exact novel Jacob Elordi claims changed his whole perspective on life. It is the ultimate adventure story, but it gets very dark. A young writer who feels stuck in life meets a fast-talking, energetic guy named Dean.
Dean convinces him to leave his normal life behind and travel across America in the 1950s. At first, it is all about freedom, fast cars, and loud music. However, the fun stops when the writer realizes his travel buddy is deeply selfish. You will be on the edge of your seat watching them make terrible choices on the highway.
4. BONUS BOOK: The Stranger by Albert Camus
The Vibe: Short, moody, and highly mysterious.
What it is about: To round out this list, we had to include this short, famous masterpiece. The story is about a man named Meursault who refuses to fake his emotions. If he isn’t sad, he won’t cry, even when society expects him to.
Because he acts so differently, people start to view him as a monster. It is a quick read, but it will leave you thinking for days. It is the perfect stylish paperback to carry around and read at a coffee shop.
Other Books Spotted in His Rotation
If you blow through the main list, paparazzi and fans have also spotted him carrying these heavy hitters:
- East of Eden by John Steinbeck: A massive, classic American epic.
- The Odyssey by Homer: The ultimate ancient Greek adventure, perfect for long flights.
- Prima Facie by Suzie Miller: A highly intense, modern stage play.
- The Art of Cinema by Jean Cocteau: A must-read for anyone obsessed with the craft of filmmaking.
The Bottom Line
These four books are the perfect way to start reading like a leading man. Whether you want a dark thriller or a wild road trip, keeping one of these in your back pocket will instantly upgrade your style and your mind.
Want to build your library even more? If you want to switch from mysterious novels to intense, life-changing advice, you need to read our next list. Check out our full guide here: Joe Rogan Book Recommendations.
