10 Books That Are Perfect for Hufflepuffs (Hogwarts House Reading Lists)

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If you’re a Hufflepuff, you’ll love this Hufflepuff House reading list, created with you in mind! These 10 novels are full of literary Hufflepuffs known for their loyalty, hard work, and quiet heroism. This reading list includes YA books for Hufflepuffs and classic novels Hufflepuffs will love.

Best Books for Hufflepuffs: What to Read Based on Your Hogwarts House

Hufflepuffs know a thing or two about comfort (their Hogwarts common room is next to the kitchens, after all!). And getting lost in your favourite book? That’s pure comfort right there.

Just as I mused with Ravenclaw and Gryffindor, I wondered if there might be certain novels that Hufflepuffs especially enjoy, based on their values and character traits. In the Harry Potter series, J. K. Rowling tells us that “Those patient Hufflepuffs are true and unafraid of toil.” Hufflepuffs value loyalty, hard work and fair play. You’re lucky if you have a Hufflepuff as a friend; they’re steadfast, patient, accepting of others, and not given to drama.

So what’s not to love about Hufflepuffs? Well, each of the four houses has its weaknesses, and Hufflepuff is no different! Because they’re natural peacekeepers, Hufflepuffs can avoid conflict to the point that nothing gets resolved. (But when it matters most, they will go to bat for what’s right, just like you saw in the Battle of Hogwarts.) In addition, Hufflepuffs sometimes let other people take advantage them. They’re empathetic, but being a constant giver can leave them depleted.

What kinds of books do Hufflepuffs like to read?

Because they love familiarity and comfort, Hufflepuffs are big re-readers. They turn to their favourite novels again and again! They appreciate books and characters who have a strong sense of home and a rooted place in the world, even if that place is a humble one.

Hufflepuffs are drawn to protagonists who stand apart from the other characters in some way, and may even be considered loners. This isn’t because Hufflepuffs are oddballs! It’s more because they are not typically driven by a need to be popular or the center of attention. What I found interesting when I was curating this Hufflepuff reading list is that these stand-apart protagonists usually end up deeply changing the lives of the other characters in the story. (And I wonder if they’re able to do this because of the distance they have with their separate values and interests?) You’ll find these literary Hufflepuffs mending relationships, providing moral guidance for others, and nurturing community.

There’s some gems on this reading list! Curl up in a plush chair with a cup of hot cocoa and dive in…

10 Classic Books for Hufflepuffs

1. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Margaret Hale is a Hufflepuff through and through. Read the book and watch the way she weathers every storm that blows. She gives, and loves, and endures. And that misconception that Hufflepuffs are pushovers? Margaret shatters it when she sticks–with pride and tenacity–to her beliefs. (By the way, Margaret Hale is one of my all-time favorite literary heroines!)

2. My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George

Sam Gribley is a modern-day Newt Scamander, displaying another trait common among Hufflepuffs: a deep love of nature. At fifteen, Sam leaves home for the wilderness of the Catskill mountains, where he comes of age as he learns to live off the land.

3. Persuasion by Jane Austen

In patient, selfless Anne Elliot you’ve got a Hufflepuff at her best–and worst. She displays the Hufflepuff weakness of people pleasing when she lets Lady Russell persuade her to refuse Captain Wentworth. Anne’s lack of assertiveness also allows her family to take advantage of her. But in the end, her patience is rewarded and her weakness refined.

4. Goodbye, Mr. Chips by James Hilton

This nostalgic, gentle novella tells the story of Mr. Chipping, a beloved schoolteacher at a British boarding school for boys. It’s a wholesome and poignant read that Hufflepuffs will enjoy over a weekend–with a good cup of English tea, of course!

5. A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett

It’s unfair, but Hufflepuffs are sometimes viewed by others as not being very “special.” Their character traits don’t seem as colorful or interesting as the other houses’, and since Hufflepuffs don’t like to toot their own horn, they sometimes get overlooked. Certainly, evil Miss Minchin tries to do everything she can to ensure that Sara Crewe is forgotten and definitely not special. But Hufflepuffs will love the way that Sara’s inner strength and indomitable goodness win out.

6. Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

If you’re a Hufflepuff you’ll love the way that your house traits shine out in this novel, particularly in the person of Gabriel Oak. This hero is aptly named. Gabriel Oak is solid and reliable–the kind of man who sticks around. He’s also a healer, a hard worker, and a messenger of truth. And let’s face it: You need a good Hufflepuff hero like him to get you through those Hardian tragedies. (Oak is one of my favorite literary heroes!)

7. Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White

This is a book you probably read as a child–but it’s a rewarding and delightful read to return to as an adult! With its themes of loyalty and friendship, Charlotte’s Web is a story that will resonate with every true Hufflepuff. And with her work ethic and giving nature, Charlotte is a true literary Hufflepuff, even if she is a spider!

8. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Hufflepuffs will find a kindred spirit in Atticus Finch, the even-keeled lawyer who takes a stand against the prejudice in his town. Although his mild manner diffuses conflict on many occasions, he’s not afraid to inhabit a controversial position when it’s necessary.

9. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

All of the traveling companions in The Wizard of Oz want something, so wouldn’t this be a better reading choice for ambitious Slytherins? You might think so until you look at what, exactly, they want. Interestingly enough, you’ve got some very clear Hogwarts types displayed by what each character most values. The Scarecrow (Ravenclaw) wants a brain. The Tin Woodman (Hufflepuff) most desires a heart. The Lion (Gryffindor) wants to be brave. And the Wizard? He’s the Slytherin! Dorothy is the wildcard that doesn’t quite fit into any category, but could belong in all. Ultimately, her prevailing desire to get home–to Kansas, of all the ordinary places–sorts her into Hufflepuff, and sorts the novel nicely, too.

10. Jane of Lantern Hill by L. M. Montgomery

This novel beings as something of a Hufflepuff nightmare. Jane, the Hufflepuff heroine, lives in the least friendly environment possible, is not allowed to do anything useful, and is completely underestimated and passed over by almost everyone she knows. While Jane of Lantern Hill has some of the heaviest themes of all Montgomery’s novels, the narrative blossoms into a sweet and redemptive story that just might be a Hufflepuff dream come true(:

P.S. If you love Jane of Lantern Hill, read my whole post on L. M. Montgomery heroines!

Are you proud to be a Hufflepuff? What are your favorite books for Hufflepuffs?

Check out the other Hogwarts House reading recommendations here: