I used to really love reading but now I hardly can get through the first chapter of any book. I’d love some help finding something engaging.
Some background on my taste:
I’m a huge musical theater fan and most of the media I consume is related to it. I love the work of Sondheim whether I’m reading the script or listening to the music.
I really liked A Series of Unfortunate Events. I know it’s technically for kids but I really appreciate the dark, whimsical, and really unique style. I also loved the hunger games and enjoy poetry.
I would prefer a book with a female protagonist and the book to NOT be set in the modern day dealing with a lot of technology. I like medieval or fantasy type stories enough but my ideal time period for a book is between 1940 and 2000.
I don’t think I would like booktok books because I want something a little more innovative. I am not against romance in the book as long as it’s meaningful and interesting, not just a trope that panders to mindless reading. In general, I would like to read something creative/whimsical which explores serious themes about people, art, love, politics, etc. I want a book that can keep me interested but make me think deeply too.
Recommendations?
by Pumpkins217
3 Comments
Hmm. The book that “feels” the most like Sondheim and Lemony Snicket to me is The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. It’s incredibly atmospheric and visual, and the prose is just lovely. Almost feels like Brontë.
For instantly engaging and also with that dark, whimsical vibe you might like Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. It’s a heist story in a steampunk-adjacent fantasy world, and the cast of characters really grab you. It’s YA but only barely and it’s a lot of fun.
Maybe you’d like Goodbye to Berlin or Auntie Mame or Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
A lot of people liked Eleanor Oliphant is Completely fine. It’s set in the present day, but it does have a female protagonist who is odd. Even my mom found it engaging. It’s funny.
I haven’t read The Lost Bookshop or The Midnight Library, but they’ve been popular and have female main characters. I’m under the impression they may be somewhat whimsical.
The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson was very engaging, had a strong romantic element, and focused a lot on artists and their use of art in activism/political messaging.