I’m a pretty predictable reader. My whole life I’ve LOVED fantasy, to the point it’s basically all I read. As a teenager I also read all the popular YA dystopian novels, etc. As an adult I got into romance too, so those are pretty much my vibes— romance or fantasy (but oddly enough not romantasy…)
What I love about books is the escape to another world. With fantasy, I love getting sucked into a whole new realm where the rules are different. With romance, since the ending is pre-determined (happy ever after) and the books are often contain ridiculous tropes, I love the joy of immersing myself into a relationship where it’s totally normal and logical to fake date to improve a hockey player’s public image.
However, I want to branch out a little. The books I’ve read in the past that were out-of-character have been few and far between— Ive read House of Leaves, Cat’s Cradle, (liked these for how the author did something unique). I started Dune and The Stand but DNFed both of them. I’ve read part of this book called Eve by Cat Bohanan and it is fascinating, but because it’s nonfiction I just can’t read a lot at one time before I put it down.
Aside from that I honestly can’t think of any out-of-genre books I’ve read. Some that I classify as “fantasy” might not be considered as such by everyone, but I tend to lump in anything with magic-like qualities as fantasy (Star Wars for example has the Force so I don’t consider it to be sci fi but instead fantasy)
My parameters are:
—the book must be fiction and narrative. I honestly just don’t think I’ll be able to actually finish a non-fiction book.
—if the book is fantasy or romance in genre, it must also cross genres with another (for example, romance/mystery, fantasy/horror, etc) or be noticeably unique from a typical fantasy book.
—the book should be one of your personal favorites, I want PASSIONATE suggestions. I love when people are fired up over a book.
—please include possible content warnings for anything very graphic. It’s not an automatic no for me, I just want to know what I’m getting into.
I’m hoping to build a list of like 10 books as a reading challenge to myself!
by waking_dream96
18 Comments
Two authors popped to mind:
You said it had to be fiction, but you also asked for something outside your comfort zone. So I’m going to recommend Erik Larson. It’s non-fiction, but written like fiction, so you might enjoy it.
The second author is Kazuo Ishiguro, since you asked for favorites. I particularly liked Artist of the Floating World. (When We Were Orphans does contain some graphic war scenes.)
Ilona Andrews Innkeeper Chronicles –A magic Inn, space werewolves and vampires, a lot of really unique aliens, mystery, romance, action, a fun and humorous series
**The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri**
– it’s a fantasy but such a unique and well written one that I think every fantasy reader should at least try it. The world-building is excellent, the characters are all well written, mostly strong women, and the mix of magic and politics is very interesting.
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**The Red Palace by June Hur**
– a fascinating murder mystery set in 18th century Korea. It was so well paced and interesting that I couldn’t put it down until I was done. Also has subplots with a mother-daughter relationship and a slow burn romance that I enjoyed reading too.
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**Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe**
– I’m a romance fan and a Greek mythology fan, and this blends both in a really original way. It’s a modern, feminist retelling of all kinds of Greek myths and characters. And the art is beautiful (graphic novel series). (CW: sexual assault)
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**Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion IV**
– a graphic novel series about a monster hunter who’s part of an organization that cares more about themselves than protecting people. Very unique world and the main character Erica is a badass. (CW: gore)
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**I’ll Stop the World by Lauren Thoman**
– YA coming of age story mixed with mystery. Interesting plot, great twists and turns, relatable characters you can’t help but root for even when they’re annoying you. (CW: IIRC, there was some domestic abuse)
These might be basic recommendations, but I think they’d work for your challenge.
I who have never known men by Jacqueline Harpman. 40 women are imprisoned underground and one woman is the narrator of the story. Sort of dystopian and I think the long narration and pacing will be out of your comfort zone.
The stranger by Albert Camus. A guy is narrating about a murder that happens during one summer. I also think the pacing will be a challenge.
I enjoyed both of these for having to slow down and bringing up questions about life. They’re not action packed like fantasy novels, so they might be a good read. Both are on the shorter side too
It’s a go too recommendation here we go again I’m trying to get everyone to read it lol
A gentleman in Moscow Amor Towles
A historical fiction about a count in Russia who is politically placed under house arrest at a 5 star hotel. It spans from 1922 to 1964. It’s a long book but I flew through it. Count Rostov might be the most lovable and memorable character I have read about in a long time. The subtlety of Towles’s narration to weave in true historical Russian history with his narrative was nothing short of amazing. And it had some of the best theological, psychological quotes that I have read. And it ends on a positive note
I absolutely LOVED *The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle* by Stuart Turton (sometimes sold as *The 7* ***½*** *Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle)*. It’s part sci-fi/fantasy, part thriller/crime. The vibes are also excellent – gothic stately home, Agatha Christie kind of line-up of suspects. Would recommend going in without reading too much about it, as the twisty nature is part of why I liked it so much. In terms of content warnings, I don’t think there is anything too bad in it. It’s a murder mystery, so there is crime/death, but nothing too graphic.
Megan Abbott’s novels….start with Dare Me and/or You Will Know Me…then The Fever and The Turnout …if you like those, read The End of Everything, her masterpiece. Four days of reading, max!
(I normally am a 75% fantasy 25% sci-fi reader for context)
The Murderbot Diaries(a lot of non sci-fi readers I know are loving these) a lab grown security cyborg hacks itself for freedom, does nothing different but pirate media until forced to act when a security contract with a small planetary survey team goes tits up. (if you like these next try Ancillary Justice, and if you like that, A Memory Called Empire)(violence and slavery are major themes but rarely graphic)
Gideon The Ninth(fantasy sci-fi combo) Gideon and her lifelong nemesis are forced to team up to represent their “house” in a contest to learn the ultimate secret of necromancy. (gore and death are common themes)
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell(alt. history fantasy) Real magic is coming back to napoleonic war era england through a pair of gifted true magicians. Unfortunately they’re both high class english twats. Super super rich and detailed world, written as an at the time historical account, complete with rambling foot notes and references to texts.(historical fairies get involved so all the warnings typical to fae stuff)
The Goblin Emperor(Fantasy with a touch of romance, but super character driven) The exiled half goblin 4th son of the elvish emperor has to take and keep the throne after a blimp explosion. The book deals heavily in court politics so not the typical fantasy in that manner, but even more so the deep look at how the characters are effected by racism, misogyny, homophobia, and classism. (the sequel trilogy follows a gay elvish necromancer priest detective and is exactly halfway between a noir detective story and kiki’s delivery service in tone. somehow this works perfectly)
What makes Sci-Fi good is the character development. For that reason, and for the “world-building”, try James Clavell’s *Shogun*, his magnum opus.
{{A Short Stay in Hell by Steven Peck}} is my go to recommendation. Welcome to existential horror. Man gets sent to a version of hell custom built for him and others like him.
It’s only about 100 pages so it’s not a huge time investment. But I think about this book still, years after finishing it. Only book I’ve read twice in a day.
Triggers, per StoryGraph
**Graphic:**
Death, Violence, Suicide
**Moderate:**
Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm
**Minor:**
Rape, Cancer, Alcohol
The last hour of Gann by R Lee Smith. It will suck you in and you will come out the other end shaken. Brace for a book hangover. Ignore the bad cover art.
Shining Through by Susan Isaacs
It’s got a little of everything: historical fiction, mystery, romance. Really well-written and immersive.
The Poet Empress by Shen Tao. TW: Physical and sexual abuse, murders.
Just as a general suggestion, try looking up fantastic books from major awards, like “magical realism nominated for the Booker prize”. I can assure you that will get you out of your comfort zone.
For instance I found the Korean short story anthropology Cursed Bunny that way and really enjoyed it!
I think this fits what you are looking for but not sure if you’ll enjoy it lol. The Prey Series by John Sandford is one of my favorite.
Three memorable books by Robert Coover: “The Origins of the Brunists” – the lone survivor of a mine explosion inspires the development of a religious cult. “The Public Burning” – a mythologized retelling of Nixon and the Rosenbergs. “The Universal Baseball Association, J. Henry Waugh, Proprietor” – Lonely guy creates a tabletop dice-driven baseball game and goes very, very deep into its imagined back stories.
A Psalm for the wild built by Becky Chambers
Solar punk. Very cool. This book is like a warm hug. I love it!
Try books by David baldacci there are some great action series, some great murder mystery series but all are fantastic. Check out beartown series by Frederic backman it’s a great set of characters etc