Which Sally Rooney Book Should You Read First?

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“I’m not a religious person, but I do sometimes think God made you for me.”

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You’ve heard all the hype around Sally Rooney – but where do you actually start? 

With multiple bestsellers and a writing style that’s immediately recognisable, it’s easy to think there must be a clear Sally Rooney reading order. In reality, her books don’t follow a series structure, which can make deciding on your first read feel surprisingly tricky. 

If you’re trying to work out the best Sally Rooney books to start with, you’re not alone. Readers often bounce between Normal People, Conversations with Friends, and her later works without knowing which one will give them the best introduction to her distinctive style. 

Today at What We Reading, we’re breaking it all down clearly, helping you work out what each book offers, and which one is most likely to match your reading taste. Whether you want something emotionally gripping, easy to get into, or more literary complex, you’ll leave knowing precisely where to start. 

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Do You Need To Read Sally Rooney Books In Order?

Short answer: no. You don’t need to read Sally Rooney’s books in any specific order. Each of her novels is totally standalone, with separate characters, plots, and settings. There isn’t an overarching storyline that ties them all together, so you’re free to drop in wherever you like without any key context. 

That being said, a lot of people look for Sally Rooney books in order to read a list because her writing style is so consistent across her works. She is renowned for focusing on intimate relationships, emotional tension, and sharp, realistic dialogue, which can make the books feel as though they all belong in the same “universe”, even though they might not be connected narratively. 

So, whilst there is no official order to follow, a lot of us prefer opting for a starting point based on tone or accessibility rather than the publication order. If you’re wondering whether you need to read the Sally Rooney books in order, the simple answer is no – but landing on the right first book can still enhance your overall experience of her work. 

Sally Rooney’s novels include: 

• Conversations with Friends (2017)
• Normal People (2018)
• Beautiful World, Where Are You (2021)
• Intermezzo (2024)

Sally Rooney Books Ranked (Best Starter To Most Complex)

If you’re looking to choose where to begin, this Sally Rooney books ranked list can help make the decision a bit easier. Whilst none of her works is direct sequels, they do vary in accessibility, tone, and emotional intensity. This Sally Rooney novels list is ordered from the most beginner-friendly entry point to the most complex and layered read. 

1. Normal People

Often lauded as Sally Rooney’s best novel, Normal People is the most emotionally direct and accessible of Rooney’s novels. It centres around the evolving relationship between Connell and Marianne, moving between school, university, and early adulthood. The writing is stripped-back and intimate, making it easy to settle into even if you’re new to her style. 

If you’re on the hunt for emotionally grounded, character-driven stories with solid romantic tension, start here. 

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Check Out The Best Books Like Normal People 

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2. Conversations with Friends

Sally Rooney’s debut novel, Conversations with Friends, has a more detached, observational tone, following two college students ensnared in a complex relationship with an older married couple. It’s still very readable; however, the emotional distance between characters can feel more subtle and ambiguous than in Normal People. 

If messy relationships and witty dialogue are your thing, this is a strong second choice. 

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Check Out The Best Books Like Conversations With Friends 

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3. Beautiful World, Where Are You

This novel shifts into more reflective territory, blending romance with emails discussing politics, art, and meaning. It’s more introspective and less plot-driven than other Rooney novels, which can make it feel slower, but more philosophical. 

If you enjoy literary fiction with emotional relationships in the background of broader existential questions, this is a solid shout. 

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Check Out The Best Books Like Beautiful World, Where Are You

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4. Intermezzo

Rooney’s latest work at the time of writing and perhaps her most structurally ambitious novel, Intermezzo, is a story about grief, sibling relationships, and emotional disconnection through a slower, fragmented narrative style. It demands more patience from the reader, but rewards readers with depth and nuance. 

If you’re already familiar with Rooney’s writing style and want something a bit more challenging, this is the place to go. 

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Check Out Our Intermezzo Book Review

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Normal People Vs Conversations With Friends (Which Should You Pick First?)

If you’re choosing between Rooney’s two most popular books, this comparison usually boils down to tone, emotional impact, and how easy it is to get into each of them. 

Tone

Normal People has a more emotional, intimate tone, focusing clearly on the inner lives of its two main characters as they move through adolescence into adulthood. On the flip side, Conversations with Friends feels more detached and observational, often keeping readers at a slight emotional distance from the characters. 

Characters

Normal People is firmly centred around Connell and Marianne, making their relationship feel deeply personal and evolving. Conversations with Friends has a broader dynamic, involving four central characters in a more complicated relationship web, which can feel messier and less straightforward. 

Readability

When asking which Sally Rooney book is easiest to read, most readers typically point toward Normal People. Its structure is clearer, its emotional arc more direct, and its pacing more consistent. Conversations with Friends is still accessible enough; however, its subtler emotional shifts can take longer to settle into. 

Emotional Intensity

Normal People is generally considered more emotionally intense and immersive, whereas Conversations with Friends is cooler and more restrained, leaning more on catharsis and tension. 

Which Should You Pick First?

If you’re looking for a more emotionally engaging and easier introduction to Rooney’s style, Normal People is your better launchpad. If you prefer subtler, messy relationship dynamics with a more detached narrative voice, Conversations with Friends may be the better novel to turn to. 

What To Read After Sally Rooney

Once you’ve finished your first Sally Rooney book, it’s natural to want something with a similar emotional tone – quietly intense relationships, sharp dialogue, and character-driven storytelling. Depending on what you enjoyed most, there are a few clear directions you can take next. 

If you loved the emotional depth and romantic intensity of Normal People, you may enjoy writers who focus on similarly intimate relationships. Give Hanya Yanagihara (A Little Life) for something heavier and more devastating, or Douglas Stuart (Shuggie Bain) for another deeply emotional coming-of-age story with strong character focus. 

If what pulled you in was the messy, complex relationship dynamics in Conversations with Friends, you may prefer books that lean into moral ambiguity and interpersonal tension. Meg Wolitzer (The Interestings) and Emma Cline (The Girls) both explore friendships and relationships that feel complicated, shifting, and emotionally charged. 

And if you appreciated the more reflective, literary vibe present in Beautiful World, Where Are You or Intermezzo, you may enjoy authors such as Rachel Cusk (Outline) who focus on interiority, ideas, and modern relationships. 

Whichever direction you go, the key is to follow the emotional tone you connected with the most – Rooney’s books tend to open the door to a whole world of similar literary fiction once you know what to look for. 

Wrap Up

There’s no single “right” place to start with Sally Rooney, but there is a right choice for you depending on what you want from a reading experience. If you’re looking for the most accessible and emotionally engaging entry point, Normal People is usually your best bet. 

If you prefer sharper, more detached relationship dynamics, Conversations with Friends might suit you better. And for readers drawn to more reflective or complex literary fiction, her later work offers plenty to explore. The good news is that none of her books needs to be read in any order, so you really can’t make a wrong decision – just the one that best matches your reading taste right now.