Queen Camilla's Top 15 Favorite Books, Ranked By Reviews

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Queen Camilla loves books. Like, really loves books. "I've loved it since I was very small and I'd love everybody else to enjoy it as much as I do. You can escape, and you can travel, and you can laugh and you can cry. There's every type of emotion humans experience in a book," the royal said in a video shared by The Queen's Reading Room. Camilla is so determined to share her love of books that, à la Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon, she launched her own book club, The Duchess of Cornwall Reading Room, in 2021. It later became The Queen's Reading Room following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Since then, Camilla (who credits her father for her deep love of reading) has chosen four books a season.

We've compiled her top 15 favorites based on their Goodreads score out of 5.0 at the time of writing — and we found this monarch has quite eclectic taste (aside from sci-fi, because Camilla has made it very clear you won't catch her reading that genre). Peek inside the palace at the queen's bookshelf and you're likely to see everything from classic literature like "Les Misérables" to mysteries like "Where the Crawdads Sing," to historical feminist stories like "Lessons in Chemistry." And Goodreads reviews confirm she's far from the only one who loves these stories.

Though "Hamnet" by Maggie O'Farrell is the lowest-rated of Queen Camilla's top 15 book picks on our list, it can hardly be considered a low-rated Goodreads novel. It has a score of 4.20 from over 520,300 ratings at the time of writing (that's higher than the six lowest-ranked books on our list of Goodreads' top 15 most-read books of 2026!). The historical fiction novel draws inspiration from William Shakespeare's "Hamlet," in which 11-year-old Hamlet dies. "Hamnet," however, focuses on the effect Hamlet's tragic death has on his mom, Agnes, as well as her journey from young girl to wife and mom.

"One of our greatest living writers tells the story of the short life of Hamnet Shakespeare, the Bard's only son, in 1596. At the heart of this book is grief and the way Shakespeare, his wife Agnes (more famously called Anne Hathaway) and their family find their way through it," Camilla said of the novel. On Goodreads, users were full of praise for O'Farrell's writing. "It takes a master author to create a story with scant background documents that goes deep, deep into a reader's heart," they wrote. And O'Farrell has plenty of books that aren't "Hamnet" to read once you've enjoyed this one.

Queen Camilla is also a fan of "Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo, which has a 4.22 score from over 867,100 ratings at the time of writing. This classic novel centers on escaped prisoner Jean Valjean, who wants to leave his criminal life behind. When another man is arrested for a crime he committed, though, Jean has to make serious decisions about whether he should come clean or keep quiet to fulfill important promises he made to those who need his help.

"War, philosophy, justice and grace combine in this epic French novel, first published in 1862. Readers have been captivated by Jean Valjean and his moral quest for redemption ever since," Camilla said of the story, which is widely considered one of the most tragic classic books. Goodreads users were equally enchanted, including one who wrote, "It is: a love story, the love story of France as well as a romance; a tragedy, a catalogue of the miserable citizens of historic France; a historical chronicle, a mapping out of the cultural landscape of one image of time; above all it is a literary masterpiece."

Queen Camilla described "Horse" by Geraldine Brooks as "A spirited, sweeping story based on the remarkable life of the record-breaking thoroughbred, Lexington, and the injustices that surrounded him." Camilla was referring to the real-life racehorse Lexington, who, in the historical fiction novel, grows close to a man named Jarret. The novel stretches across three different timelines, including in the 1850s amid the Civil War, in 1954, and in 2019. We also meet gallery owner Martha Jackson, who stumbles across a mysterious painting of a horse with a past, as well as Jess and Theo, who bond over their love of horses. On Goodreads at the time of writing, the historical fiction has been rated over 225,600 times for a 4.23 score.

"Combining the story of a legendary race horse in the past with the racial injustice that was rampant then, with the racial injustice that is still present now, is masterful," wrote one impressed Goodreads reviewer. A second wrote, "[Brooks] created characters readers could easily care about, and a story that needed to be read. She showcased the power and pain of words."

"Girl, Woman, Other" by Bernardine Evaristo tells the stories of multiple predominantly Black British women. "Bernardine Evaristo introduces us to twelve incredible women and her accomplished writing guides us straight to the soul of her characters as they subtly influence each other's lives," Queen Camilla said of the contemporary fiction book. With an average Goodreads score of 4.25 from over 274,200 ratings at the time of writing, though, Evaristo's character-driven book has proven a hit with more than just Camilla.

One five-star review particularly praised Evaristo for the way she told her characters' stories, writing, "The attention to detail, the structure, the syntax, it's all brilliant and moving and truly represents what fiction at its finest." In a second five-star review, another impressed reader wrote, "I found it to be a profoundly moving, beautifully written and imaginative read, sensitive, compassionate, so human and ingenious in its portrayal and focus on the women."

Queen Camilla is also a fan of the classic Gothic mystery "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier, dubbed one of the most disturbing thriller books. At the time of writing, it has an impressive 4.25 score on Goodreads, from more than 770,300 ratings. The unnamed protagonist can't contain her excitement when she becomes engaged to the handsome Maxim de Winter. But as the two entwine their lives, it becomes clear her husband-to-be's late wife won't let them live happily ever after. Even after her death, Rebecca's presence threatens to tear the couple apart and derail their love story.

"Daphne du Maurier's chilling story is one that, once read, is never to be forgotten," said Camilla. "[...] I personally have returned to Manderley again and again," she added. And she's not the only one singing the praises of this popular story. "An excellent example of modern gothic literature and perfect for those who enjoy a slow paced domestic thriller," wrote one Goodreads reviewer.

Bonnie Garmus' "Lessons in Chemistry" has more than 1.9 million ratings and a Goodreads score of 4.28 at the time of writing. It's a historical romance novel that tells Elizabeth Zott's story, delving into the sexism she faces in the 1960s, particularly in the workplace. Elizabeth takes it upon herself to fight back against the patriarchy and change people's mindsets.

Queen Camilla said of the romance book that taught us some major love lessons, "Warm, witty and wise; 'Lessons in Chemistry' had me hooked from the start. Elizabeth Zott makes one feel a little bit brighter with every page turned." On Goodreads, one reader praised the way Garmus brought humor to the book and wrote, "It possesses all the hallmarks of the very best stories. It made me laugh, feel, think, and wonder. It filled me with joy and buoyed my spirits." Another wrote that the story made them reflect on their own experiences as a woman.

Another classic on Queen Camilla's list of favorites is Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." The historical romance is the most-rated book on our list, with 5.02 million Goodreads ratings at the time of writing and a 4.30 average score. The novel, which has inspired countless movies, centers on Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy's love story. Set in 19th-century England, the novel follows Elizabeth as she learns important lessons about love, including how it can be influenced by class and status.

"This witty, clever and charming classic warrants a yearly-re-read. In 'Pride and Prejudice', Austen created a masterpiece, and it's always a delight to discover another layer to it," Camilla said. That echoed several impressed Goodreads reviews, including one that read, "The writing could not have been better. It was descriptive, lush and brilliant. The story could not have been more engaging or intelligent and the characters could not have been more magnificentastic." Not only did the book make it onto The Queen's Reading Room's list of picks, but it was also chosen by Jenna Bush Hager's Read With Jenna book club and makes the perfect Valentine's read.

"A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles has more than 710,800 ratings and a 4.31 Goodreads score at the time of writing."A wonderful book which gives the reader an understanding of life in post-revolution Moscow, through the eyes of a Russian aristocrat sentenced to life in Moscow's Metropol Hotel," said Queen Camilla, referencing the book's protagonist, Count Alexander Rostov. Set in the 1920s, the novel follows Rostov as he is forced to live indoors after committing a serious crime, but he soon realizes his life actually gets bigger as it gets smaller.

"It's buoyant, charming, and so funny. There were many insightful passages into the human soul and the comedy that comes with trying to find life's meaning," wrote one Goodreads user. "This was a remarkably enchanting narrative with a charming character," wrote another, who also praised Towles' highly descriptive writing style.

With a 4.34 Goodreads score at the time of writing from more than 10,700 ratings, "Left You Dead" by Peter James has proven just as popular on Goodreads as with Queen Camilla. The book, one of the few crime mysteries on the royal's bookshelf, reunites readers with Roy Grace in the 17th installment of the series, as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of Eden Paternoster. Her husband, Niall Paternoster, is arrested for her murder, but Roy knows something isn't quite right about the case and is determined to get to the bottom of it.

"If you have never read Peter James' crime thriller series about the Sussex detective, Roy Grace, I would highly recommend you give it a try!" Camilla gushed. That sentiment was shared by several Goodreads reviewers, including one who wrote, "This was a very twisty and complex story, which I love. The ending was spectacular with a desperate cliff top situation where several lives are at extreme risk."

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Half of a Yellow Sun" has a 4.34 Goodreads score from over 193,300 ratings at the time of writing. "This vividly written book is a powerful account of the Biafran war. The author recounts the story through three main characters whose lives are swept up in the Biafran's impassioned struggle to found an independent republic in Nigeria in the 1960s," Queen Camilla said (though other readers have claimed the book actually has five main characters). The historical novel explores how their lives are changed forever by the war, which forces their paths to cross and tests them in unexpected ways.

On Goodreads, one user stated, "The strength and power of the narrative contains and strongly conveys the real dramatic power of the events." Another wrote in a five-star review, "This book is a Masterpiece. The story went from a soap opera, to historical education and then straight to a love story."

Just making it into the top five is Min Jin Lee's "Pachinko," which has a 4.34 Goodreads score from over 698,100 ratings at the time of writing. The love story follows pregnant Sunja's world coming crashing down when she discovers her boyfriend is already married. Devastated, Sunja rejects her baby's father and instead agrees to marry a more reliable stranger. But she's in for far from a quiet life if her baby's father has anything to do with it.

"This is a really powerful presentation of women's resilience and grit in the face of adversity. 'Pachinko' is an expansive, multigenerational epic which offers a fascinating insight into life for Koreans in Japan in the 20th century. A moving and memorable read," Queen Camilla said. On Goodreads, one five-star reviewer was equally enthralled, writing, "Powerful, entertaining, and thought-provoking."

"The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini is another favorite from Queen Camilla with a touching story. Set in 1970s Afghanistan, the book details a deep friendship between two boys, Amir and Hassan. Despite their vastly different circumstances, with Hassan being the son of Amir's father's servant, the two form a close bond. However, their friendship becomes deeply tested amid the unrest and upheaval in the Middle Eastern country.

Camilla described the touching fictional story, which has a 4.36 Goodreads score from more than 3.61 million ratings at the time of writing, as "A beautifully written and tear-jerking book set in a country that is in the process of being destroyed." On Goodreads, a user wrote of the modern classic that makes a great book club read, "Highly recommendable, very powerful, inexplicably painful," while another wrote that the emotional tale left them so bereft they couldn't re-read it.

Delia Owens's "Where the Crawdads Sing" made it into the top three of Queen Camilla's highest-ranked picks thanks to its 4.37 average Goodreads score at the time of writing, from over 3.8 million ratings. The book, which was adapted into a movie, tells the story of nature lover Kya Clark. She lives a remote life, but one day decides she's looking for some company. Unfortunately, though, her attempts to assimilate into society don't go well, and tragedy strikes.

Camilla was clearly impressed by the twisty drama. "All is not as it seems in this beautifully written, heart-breaking coming-of-age novel. I couldn't put it (or my handkerchief) down!" she said. An equally impressed Goodreads user wrote, "The sensory descriptions, the beautifully described landscape, the character development through the book and the storyline made this a 5-star read for me." Another wrote, "It has everything – beautiful writing, great characters and suspense. Highly recommend it!" The book is also a favorite of Reese Witherspoon and is considered one of the most iconic Reese's Book Club picks.

Narrowly missing out on the top spot is "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. In Nazi-occupied Germany in the late 1930s, Liesel finds "The Gravedigger's Handbook" beside her brother's grave. The book inspires her deep love of the written word, though she doesn't have much time for reading. Liesel's family agrees to hide a Jewish man in their basement amid the Nazis' atrocities, a decision that comes with dire consequences.

"This courageous and ambitious novel tells the story of Nazi Germany in a wholly original form. Death himself narrates this book, in a surprisingly elegant and philosophical manner," Queen Camilla said of the historical drama, which has a 4.39 Goodreads score from 2.98 million ratings at the time of writing. "This is a wonderful, lyrical, surreal, excellent book that broke my heart into tiny little pieces and yet gave me hope that even in the worst of times we can find beauty," wrote a Goodreads user in their five-star review. "Heartbreaking and heartwarming. Funny and tragic. Great story and fascinating," wrote a second. And that's little surprise, considering some Redditors have claimed this book made them fall in love with reading.

"The Mirror & the Light" by Hilary Mantel officially takes the top spot on our rundown of Queen Camilla's 15 favorite books, ranked by reviews. It has a huge 4.41 average Goodreads score at the time of writing, from more than 49,300 ratings. The historical fiction novel is the third book in the "Wolf Hall" series (also referred to as the "Thomas Cromwell" series) and is set in the 1530s. It focuses on the life of King Henry VIII's chief minister, Thomas Cromwell. Cromwell has some big ideas about what should happen in England, but his enemies are primed to make his work and life as difficult as possible.

Speaking about the novel on her website, Camilla said, "Well worth the wait for the stunning conclusion to her brilliant Wolf Hall trilogy, depicting the final stages of Thomas Cromwell's dramatic rise and fall in the court of Henry VIII." On Goodreads, one user wrote, "The dialogue is exceptional. Mantel's prose is exquisite. There is no doubt in my mind that the author has written another masterpiece."

To be considered one of Queen Camilla's favorite books, each novel had to be featured on The Queen's Reading Room's list of Books Chosen by Her Majesty. To create a top 15 and rank each book according to reader reviews, we ordered them by their user-given Goodreads score out of 5.0 at the time of writing. For the most accurate score, we only included books that had been rated at least 10,000 times on Goodreads. If multiple books had the same score, we ranked the one with more ratings higher.