When Teacher Tapp asked what teachers have been reading lately, thousands of titles poured in — from thrillers and fantasy sagas to heart-warming memoirs and educational reads. Below are the books most frequently recommended by teachers, alongside links to buy them from sites that support independent bookshops.
🔍 The Books Teachers Can’t Stop Talking About
1. The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith
The latest instalment in the Cormoran Strike series tops the list. Many teachers called it “addictive” or “unputdownable.” Galbraith’s (aka J.K. Rowling’s) mix of dark intrigue and psychological detail clearly hits the mark.
2. The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman
Described as “utterly delightful,” Osman’s crime-solving retirees continue to charm. His new release, The Impossible Fortune, was one of the most-named books in this year’s data.
3. The Names by Florence Knapp
This quiet literary debut came up again and again in responses — praised for its emotional depth and precise prose. Teachers said it “stayed with me for weeks.”
4. A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR series) by Sarah J. Maas
A runaway favourite for pure escapism. Several teachers called it “fantasy fairy smut at its best — completely addictive.”
5. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (Empyrean series)
Another major hit — with one teacher summed it up simply as “Amazing.” The trilogy (Iron Flame, Onyx Storm) was named many times by Teacher Tappers.
6. The Women by Kristin Hannah
Powerful, moving, and rooted in the Vietnam War, this novel was widely called “beautiful and heartbreaking.” Hannah’s earlier title, The Nightingale also had several mentions – clearly a staff-room favourite.
7. There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak
Teachers recommended this book, saying it was “gorgeous” and “deeply human.” Shafak’s lyrical storytelling popped up again and again in the responses.
8. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
If you loved Daisy Jones & The Six or Carrie Soto Is Back, you’re in good company. Multiple teachers praised Reid’s ability to mix glamour with emotion — though one warned: “you’ll need tissues!”
9. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Yes, Hannah appears twice. This one’s described as “heartbreaking but unforgettable.” It continues to be one of the most-mentioned novels on Teacher Tapp.
10. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Science meets storytelling. Eleven respondents rated it five stars, calling it “funny, clever, and surprisingly emotional.”
💬 What the data shows
From the responses, fiction dominates — especially crime, fantasy, and emotional historical novels. About one in five teachers mentioned a series – maybe this tells us something about teachers wanting immersive worlds that offer escape after busy school days.
Meanwhile, books by Kristin Hannah, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Robert Galbraith were cited dozens of times each — making them this year’s unofficial Teacher Tapp “most-read” authors.
❤️ Support Your Local Bookshop
Every book above is available via Bookshop.org, which shares profits with independent bookshops across the UK. By ordering there, you’re not only fuelling your reading list — you’re supporting the community businesses that keep book culture alive.
With half-term either here or on its way, try one of the above to give you a little me-time during the break.
Happy reading!
