I’ve been listening to the Harry Potter series as an adult and forgot how wonderful it is after reading the books as a kid.
I’m going through a challenging moment in my life and the “non adult problems” in the Harry Potter books have been a great distraction before bed.
What else can I read that has similar qualities to Harry Potter? I’m looking for a book that can take me into another world, (thoigh doesnt necessarily need to be a fantasy world) without focusing on “adult problems.” I love that the Harry Potter books barely touch on things like money, beauty, career, health, success, and other ego-driven and fear-driven topics that tend to overstimulate my mind and keep me from falling asleep.
I also love how wholesome the Harry Potter books are, without being dull.
I tried listening to the Hobbit but found it to be a little “too much” for me, especially with the thick narration voices. I found it hard to stay focused.
by gangofpigeons
7 Comments
I really like the full cast redwall books on audible – they’re pretty repetitive plots but I loved them as a kid and while there’s always a battle, there’s also singing and someone who’s always hungry and a couple of feasts – they make good comfort listening.
The Artemis Fowl books also make good easy-listening. They’re written for teens, but there are good adult characters and they’re funny.
If you want a bridge back towards more grown-up literature, then His Dark Materials are great. There are dramatisation of all three books on audible, which I think are great. They deal with bigger stuff more directly than my other two suggestions, but they still aren’t beauty/mortgages/childcare kinda grown-up.
The Percy Jackson and The Olympians series. I read it at eleven, just after Harry Potter, and even if the two seemed completely different they share many qualities: a pre teen finds he has powers and is enrolled in an academy like place, he makes friends with the smart girl and the more comedic boy, they go on adventures, there are lots of twists and humor. I still can’t decide which I loved better, if Harry or Percy, but I think they’re up there together.
I really loved Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events. The audio version is delightful. It’s performed by Tim Curry. If you are ever on a road trip, I highly recommend listening to it.
Definitely Nevermoor series by Jessica Townsend!
Also Scholomance by Naomi Novik and Akata witch by Nnedi Okorafor
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett.
Genesis echo by d. Hollis Anderson – brand new ya sci-fi / fantasy that takes you to other worlds – delves into things like spirituality and real physics in an exciting adventure. If you like Harry Potter you’ll love this one. Genesis-echo.com – the audiobook was just released!
I second the [Nevermoor](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/51da4742-ca09-4638-9c93-f13440bff12b) rec!! It’s my favorite series, and the only one that makes me feel the way the Harry Potter books used to. Pretty sure it’s *exactly* what you’re looking for! Also, the audiobooks are fantastic 🙂