I'm just about to finish the last Wayfarers book, and have already read The Monk and the Robot series. These are my favourites from the last couple of years.
I'm looking for:
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Likable characters
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People who are (at least eventually) capable of talking things out, who want to understand and respect each other. Who are capable of self-reflecting on their values and biases.
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A compassionate approach to life in general. We're all flawed, we all struggle, but I like seeing values like "helping others pays out", "we're stronger together than separated", "everyone has a right to exist", etc.
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There can be a plot or it can be just slice of life.
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Setting can be sci-fi or fantasy or real world. I like descriptions of how things work, how culture is build etc.
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I don't mind some deaths, or there being antagonists, or the like. But I'm not up for cynicism or "the world will always kick you in the head when you least expect it" stories unless that's just the starting point and things start to get better from there.
by MryyLeathert
4 Comments
The Loop trilogy by Ben Oliver. The world is harsh but they stick together and don’t give up so I’d say it fits!
Library of the Unwritten has a similar vibe to TLWTASAP imo! Witty characters and a sense of “found family of weirdos who accept each other’s odd qualities”.
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst because its about a young woman returning to her hometown after many years and everyone is just super kind and helpful.
There is some conflict, but the solution is usually something like “what if we all worked together!” I also liked the subplot about censorship, libraries and who deserves access to knowledge.
Floating hotel by Grace Curtis has a similar vibe! Or All Systems Red by Martha Wells.
Becky Chambers books are classified as hope punk. The wiki article has a few more examples, but googling the term should also help you find books with a similar vibe. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopepunk