If You Liked Euphoria, You Have to Read These Books
Okay, so Euphoria totally gave us everything we wanted, right? The wild parties, the drama, the raw emotions, and those complicated relationships… it's the kind of show that makes you feel things deeply—maybe even things you're not ready to face. But guess what? If you loved Euphoria and want to dive even deeper into the complex world of teens navigating life, love, and mental health, I’ve got you covered with these 6 books that are just as intense, emotional, and thought-provoking. Let’s get into it!
BOOKS
Sofia
11/9/20243 min read
1. The Girls by Emma Cline
If you ever thought about Euphoria’s darker side, this book is for you. The Girls is a psychological thriller that explores the chilling effects of a cult and a girl’s spiral into toxic obsession. Just like Rue’s unraveling in Euphoria, the protagonist, Evie, finds herself drawn to the dangerous charisma of a girl gang. If you're into messy relationships, mind-bending power dynamics, and trying to figure out how far someone can go for the thrill of belonging, this book will hook you.
It’s all fun and games until you realize how far you’ll go to fit in.
2. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
We all know Euphoria isn’t afraid to get deep into the darkness of mental health, trauma, and addiction—and Sharp Objects? Oh, it dives right into all of that too. This psychological thriller centers on Camille, a journalist returning to her hometown to cover the murder of two young girls, but as she digs deeper, her past starts to unravel, and her own mental health takes a huge toll. Like Rue’s struggle with addiction, Camille’s battle with her demons is impossible to ignore, and you can’t help but get sucked into her unraveling journey.
Sometimes the darkest secrets are the ones we keep hidden from ourselves.
3. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
We Were Liars is the YA book you didn’t know you needed until now. It’s got that Euphoria-esque vibe—lush summer settings, family drama, and a narrator who’s not quite telling you everything, which makes everything feel like one big mystery. The story follows Cadence, who’s trying to piece together the tragic accident that shattered her family. If you love a mix of privilege, isolation, and mind-blowing twists, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat just like the twists in Euphoria.
The truth has a way of catching up with you, even when you try to hide from it.
4. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
If you watched Euphoria and couldn’t help but relate to Rue’s struggles with mental illness, The Bell Jar should be next on your list. This classic novel explores Esther Greenwood’s descent into depression, as she grapples with societal pressures and her own sense of self. It’s raw, honest, and painfully beautiful, much like Rue’s emotional rollercoaster in Euphoria. Both works tackle the feeling of being lost in a world that feels just too much to handle—and the search for something real amidst the chaos.
Mental health can be invisible, but that doesn’t make it any less real.
5. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
We’re all about Euphoria’s depiction of mental health, right? If you loved how Euphoria captures the complexity of being a teen and dealing with anxiety and depression, then John Green’s Turtles All the Way Down is a must-read. It centers around Aza, a girl struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder while navigating a deep mystery involving a missing billionaire. Green does an amazing job of showing how mental illness affects everyday life, just like Euphoria’s portrayal of Rue’s addiction and the challenges of trying to manage it.
Mental illness is a constant battle, but there’s hope in facing it head-on.
So, there you have it! Six books that capture the raw, emotional, and often messy vibes of Euphoria. Whether you're into deep psychological twists or intense relationship drama, these picks will keep you just as hooked as Rue’s journey. Let me know which one you're diving into next. Happy reading!