Where to Start with Adib Khorram
If you are new to Adib Khorram’s writing, the absolute best starting point is his multi-award-winning debut, Darius the Great Is Not Okay. This novel established Khorram’s signature style: emotionally resonant, funny, culturally rich, and deeply honest about mental health. From there, your reading path depends on which age group and genre you prefer, as Khorram writes across young adult contemporary fiction, adult romance, and children's picture books.
The Darius the Great Duology
This is Khorram's most famous and beloved series. It follows Darius Kellner, a half-Persian, half-white teenager living in Portland, Oregon, who loves Star Trek, high-quality tea, and struggles with clinical depression. The books should be read in strict publication order, as the second book directly continues Darius's character development, relationships, and personal growth.
- Darius the Great Is Not Okay (2018) – Darius travels to Iran for the first time to visit his ailing grandfather. There, he meets Sohrab, a neighborhood boy who changes the way Darius views friendship, his heritage, and himself.
- Darius the Great Deserves Better (2020) – Back in Portland, Darius deals with his first boyfriend, an internship at his favorite tea shop, his high school social life, and ongoing family dynamics.
Love on the Vine Series (Adult Romance)
In 2024, Khorram expanded into contemporary adult romance with the Love on the Vine series. Set in Kansas City's vibrant culinary and wine scene (with trips abroad), these books follow different couples but share a cohesive setting and recurring characters. While they can technically be read as standalones, reading them in order offers the best experience as you watch the community and relationships evolve.
- I'll Have What He's Having (2024) – A queer rom-com featuring a case of mistaken identity between a heartbroken man trying to save his family's restaurant and a talented sommelier.
- It Had to Be Him (2025) – A second-chance romance following two former high school classmates who cross paths during a wine-soaked summer in Italy.
- Isn't He Romantic? (2026) – A fake-dating romance that brings together a lovelorn cellist and his one-night stand under unexpected circumstances.
Standalone Young Adult Novels
Outside of the Darius books, Khorram has written several standalone young adult novels. These books do not share characters or plotlines and can be read in any order. They continue his tradition of exploring queer youth identity, passion for creative fields, and the complexities of modern social dynamics.
- Kiss & Tell (2022) – Hunter, the only openly gay member of a wildly popular boy band, navigates the pressures of fame, a highly publicized breakup, and a new relationship with the drummer of their opening act.
- The Breakup Lists (2024) – Jackson Ghasnavi is a high school stage manager who loves theater but prefers to stay behind the scenes. When he starts helping his sister navigate her relationships using "breakup lists," he finds his own heart tangled up with a swim team captain.
- One Word, Six Letters (2026) – Written in a striking dual-perspective format (including second-person narrative), this novel tackles the fallout of a homophobic slur shouted during a school assembly, exploring restorative justice, accountability, and the path to healing for two high school freshmen.
Children's Picture Books
Khorram has also written lyrical, beautifully illustrated children's books that celebrate Persian traditions, emotional learning, and connection. These can be read in any order.
- Seven Special Somethings: A Nowruz Story (2021) – Illustrated by Zainab Faidhi, this heartwarming tale follows a young boy named Kian who tries to find alternative items for his family's Haft-seen table after an accident disrupts their Persian New Year preparations.
- Bijan Always Wins (2024) – Illustrated by Michelle Tran, this picture book explores a young boy's obsession with winning every activity and the valuable lesson he learns when his friends stop wanting to play with him.
- Tea Is Love (2025) – Illustrated by Hanna Cha, this poetic and meditative picture book showcases how tea serves as a global symbol of comfort, hospitality, and connection.
Anthology Contributions
- Eternally Yours (2022) – Khorram contributed a short story to this young adult fantasy anthology, which features stories about paranormal and supernatural romance edited by Patrice Caldwell.