After years of reading for escapism, I want something that faces life head-on.

I grew up devouring fantasy, which I will say is still my favourite genre. I loved big stories with high stakes, like The Wheel of Time or The Lord of the Rings. Not saying these books don't have more going on for them, but when I was little I related to saving the world with my friends and being the hero. My childhood wasn't easy and I was easily roped in by works of fiction that swooped me away to a place different from this one.

Well.. I'm turning 30 this year. As much as I still love my big adventures I notice that it doesn't click for me in this phase of my life. Undoubtedly I will return to my fantasy epics eventually but I crave something more intimate. Smaller stories about people and relationships or life in general.

What are books that resonated with you or had a profound impact? I notice that I feel the need to work through some of my own experiences through fiction. There's an itch that needs scratching and it's especially about abandonment, attachment and navigating relationships of all kinds, unhealthy dynamics, loss, substance abuse – just to mention things.

These are not requirements. Just some things that I feel like I could relate to at this point in life. But absolutely do feel free to recommend whatever! I'm comfortable reading difficult things and have also read classics in the past.

It does matter to me that the protagonist is a well-written woman. Not saying I can't relate to men but I have to do that 90% of the time already with fiction and it's a perspective I've seen enough of for a bit.