I’m trying to get back into reading and am looking for a book I’ll really love, but such books must cater to my very specific preferences (so please bear with me).
These are the traits of media I really love (please recommend a book or short-story that has at least 2 of these traits. Manga would also be nice)
1. Extremely character focused. I can forgive a bad pacing or plot, to an extent, as long as the characters are engaging. Kinda like The Magnus Archives.
2. Not really plot heavy – doesn’t have a large cast with many moving pieces. I don’t find mysteries or very complicated world-building very interesting.
3. An overwhelmingly strong mood. Kinda like 1984 or Limbus Canto 5.
3a. It helps if the writing style is very emotional, if that makes sense, like Bri Lee’s “Who gets to be smart” and “Eggshell Skull”
4. Some complexity of themes, supported or conveyed via symbolism or other intriguing means. (Example is like witch hat atelier, make the exorcist fall in
5. Some fantastical or supernatural elements, but their role in the story is to support character/thematic exploration and development. (E.g. Ted Chiang, Axiomatic by Greg Egan)
6. Good banter between characters. Just some nice comedic relief to alleviate the mood. (E.g. I’m a sucker for slapstick, dumb comedy for comedic relief, like toilet bound Hanako kun)
7. A happy or at least bittersweet ending. This is albeit very petty, but I can’t drag myself into reading something I know will end miserably. (I didn’t know TMA or 1984 were tragedies lmao)
Other pieces of media I truly love: the entire Project Moon franchise, Dungeon Meshi, Call of the Night, Kindergarten Wars, Summer HIkaru Died, Case study of Vanitas
Thank you!
by PearlPastryPastel