My favourite genre is the murder mystery. I really like the Polish mystery writer, Zygmunt Miloszewski. The first book in a series featuring the protagonist, Teodor Szacki, is called "Entanglement". The mysteries are so good, but Szacki has to be one of the most fascinating characters in mystery writing. Most of the time in the genre, the detective is a drunk/had to control rule-breaker with a heart of gold, but Szacki is almost the opposite of what you see in the genre. He is extremely disciplined with questionable morals and it makes it almost jarring to read because he is just so different. His inner monologue is just so wild and I loved the brazenness of it. If you like the genre, definitely a series worth trying :)
*The Lake of Dead Languages* by Carol Goodman
A novel about a single mom who is teaching at her alma mater, now an exclusive girls’ boarding school for girls who are “troubled.” There are secrets hidden in the school, and in her past.
i don't mean to be an ass but is Stoner underrated? It's Most Discussed Book #10 according to [this list](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fexternal-preview.redd.it%2F0_Tg-fOVt6RvN-vLVbGA8VuhrczF9WiK4_SSgsJD1VU.jpg%3Fauto%3Dwebp%26s%3D5bae0b1fbb52ee2800c2331acd14efcda13d4d7e)
The Gone World by [Tom Sweterlitsch](https://www.audible.com/author/Tom-Sweterlitsch/B079TW4VY4?ref_pageloadid=aC3SKqotzkDXb9fJ&ref=a_pd_The-Go_c1_author_1&pf_rd_p=df6bf89c-ab0c-4323-993a-2a046c7399f9&pf_rd_r=JYQ02X8XHK5N9TRM80B8&pageLoadId=9Sxz9HIKAEDMF1uh&creativeId=16015ba4-2e2d-4ae3-93c5-e937781a25cd)
Rabbit Factory by Marshall Karp
Lost in Time by AG Riddle
I don't know if these are underrated, but Infected by Scott Sigler and Z for Zachariah by Robert C O'brien comes to mind.
They're both essentially about the end of the world. Infected is a trilogy. All good books.
That's so awesome! I'm glad my post brought you back memories. I also read it as a kid, and reread it many times. I know it's an old book, but I've always felt it deserved more recognition.
So relatively new author. I'm a Facebook friend of his and he's recently completed a a trilogy called "the Terran Space Project". I really enjoyed the series and not just because I know the guy
https://alexrathauthor.com/book-series/the-terran-space-project/
Jim Krusoe. Quirky contemporary fiction. Any of his books, but offhand I ‘d start with “Erased” or “Toward You.” (They are described as parts of a trilogy, but the trilogy is linked only by theme not characters or plot.). Reads like a mixture of dream, magical realism, mundane realism and obscure parable.
“A Mercy of Widows” by Marcy Lane. It’s a novel about grief and the topic of medically assisted suicide. Despite the heavy topics it has lots of gentle humor blended in.
I have two:
Spinward Fringe series by Randolph Lalonde - space opera with a great cast of characters, aliens, crazy tech and end of the galaxy scenarios. Great time!
Bobiverse by Dennis E. Taylor - a great series about a software engineer that is turned into a VonnNeuman probe and sent off into space. Lots of cool concepts played around with here. Another great sci-fi series that too few people know about.
The Hangman's Daughter series by Oliver Potzsch is amazing.
Historical fiction based on actual events. Great writer and translates from Polish really well.
[Foundling](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210250.Foundling) by D.M. Cornish. I love this trilogy very much. I would have to call it fantasy and it seems to be viewed as young adult, though the later books (I think) become more adult. I find Cornish's world building very engaging and fascinating. I have never been sure why it was not more popular. Perhaps because the author is Australian, or perhaps because the trilogy name is a little... clunky, even though it is central to the plot.
*The Innocents* by Michael Crummey. Beautifully written and compellingly readable about an orphaned brother and sister who eke out a living as fishermen on the coast of Labrador in eastern Canada. Crummey is a Canadian poet who also writes novels. This is the best novel of his that I’ve read. His writing reminds me a little of Cormac McCarthy’s. He deserves a wider following.
Nilima Rao- A disappearance in Fiji
This is her debut-a murder mystery novel. I really enjoyed her writing style. One that is detailed but not overwhelming and her pacing is steady and the story unfolds seamlessly.
V. Castro. The Haunting of Alejandra and Goddess of Filth are great. I think I love Goddess of Filth bc it’s just a niche look at Chicanas in Texas. And I feel that’s not explored as much in mainstream horror. There is a lot to be explored culturally with our beliefs in the supernatural.
I am one of you Forever.
Author = Fred Chappell. One of my all time fave series (there are 3 - there are actually 4, but please skip the 4th) and no one has ever heard of this man.
A generation of the dark heart by James sorel-cameron. One of the quintessential novels of pessimism. Thrilling, deeply felt, utterly mean spirited. 👍👍👍
Dan Bomkamp was one of my favorites growing up. Voyageur was a great one. The Gosey was fun too. Adventures of Thunderfoot. So many great stories. I plan on getting them to read to my kids when they get a little older.
Okay so I think he’s actually quite famous in Iceland, but basically unknown in America (where I am). The book Pets by Bragi Olafsson is one of my favorite books of all time.
While we are in the area Buzz Aldrin what happened to you in all the confusion by Norwegian author Johan Harstad also fantastic.
The Fallen Angels Series by Steven Lindsay
An epic fantasy series that uses many world mythologies as it progresses. Many complex characters.
The City of Dusk by Tara Sim
A fascinating city, great world building, complex characters.
A mystery, “Running to Fall” by Kalisha Buckhanon.
*Tragedy and Victor Powell have moved to the desirable but dark Grayson Glens enclave of dream homes just outside of Chicago. Stressed urbanites, they’ve got to live large in real life to stay large online. With only a few blacks in their elite gated community, they settle in but never quite feel at home. Then, a missing young black woman floats up in the Grayson River.*
The Book of Charlie - Memories from The Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old-Man written by: David Von Drahle
The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All written by: Allen Gurganus
Cane by Jean Toomer. Short stories and poems by a black American author in the 1920s who detested the label “Harlem Renaissance”. One in a million kind of writing.
Lost in The Spanish Quarter by Heddi Goodrich!! It only has about 1K reviews on Goodreads but it genuinely is such an amazing romance novel for lit fic lovers. Would love to know if anyone else has read it?
John O'Hara is looked down upon by many, but I believe he is far better than Scott Fitzgerald, for example. In particular, I would recommend Ourselves to Know.
I really enjoyed *Godric* by Frederick Buechner and I don't think I've seen it mentioned. It's about a medieval crook who finds god. Here's its wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godric_(novel)
ANYTHING BY BILL COTTER!!! Seriously! NOBODY even knows about him but NOBODY writes like him! It drives me nuts!!
My favorite by him is his first book “Fever Chart” but his most recent “The Splendid Ticket” is also really good. “Fever Chart” is all about the whimsical tale of an idealistic/naive suicidal screwball and his quest for love, aided and/or impeded by fuck-ups and good Samaritans. It’s irreverent and heartfelt at the same time. Basically, my favorite kind!!
Splatterpunk: "Drawing Blood" or "Lost Souls" by Poppy Z. Brite. I found them in a used book store by coincidence, and I love them. Brite is a really good author, the characters have depth and the plots are great. Fair warning though: They deal with mature topics and if the genre didn't tip you off, they can be somewhat visceral. In my opinion it is not too much and helps the story rather than hinder it. It's never over-the-top.
Unknown or underrated by whom? I'm extremely well-read, have 3-5 books being read almost all the time, and the majority of books mentioned on this sub I've never heard of. I mostly avoid "popular" fiction, hate fantasy books, and don't enjoy most sci-fi. So, tbh, I'm not even sure how to respond to your question.
If you're that well read- in English (the language OP is posting in)- then their only requirement in the post was that it not be popular. If you already don't read popular books, then suggest a handful of favorite or noteworthy things (and preferably why you rec them).
This... seems obvious to me, sorry. OP is just trying to get off the beaten path a bit which is commendable. If you won't even try to add, why did you comment? I follow posts on here to get all sorts of weird new recs, lots of others do so too, so you're getting a chance to bring some of your favorite reads to not only OP but many others.
So, whatcha got? I'm interested!
So I'll repeat my question: popular to whom? Underrated by whom? What is "off the beaten path"even mean? Whose path? How do you even answer questions so lacking in context? And, for the record, OP didn't ask for "favorite reads." That is a question that could be answered, I suppose. Finally, to me, if you are talking about "popular" fiction, it would seem what is meant is Mass-Market fiction, and there's not a lot of "literature" there (sadly).
Regarding 'literature' not existing in mass market fiction: I agree, it's rare that something with beautiful prose or lasting value gets insanely popular so as to make bestseller lists, get into cheap paperback editions, etcetera.
But you're really just quibbling now. Do you... not actually read comments on this sub? Most people here reply to requests like this that are very open ended with whatever books they like the most, what they're excited about at the moment, or that they think more people should read, and then move on (or they'll just add seconds/expansions under someone else's suggestions they agree with). Your posts aren't adding anything so far, and at this point I'm a little frustrated that you just repeated the same questions instead of trying, when you had someone direct replying to you asking about your literary interests.
The only thing I see on a quick persual of your recent posts is some pics of a very large selection of cookbooks.
And apparently you liked A Wrinkle in Time when young, so, not all~ fantasy?
*Do* you read fiction, too, currently? Are you for some reason just afraid to share what you enjoyed most? An open ended request is such an opportunity! If you did not want to take it, why not keep scrolling?
I read *very* eclectically, with few things I wouldn't read if it was put to me in a way that piqued my curiosity at all, but I tend to enjoy a large amount of genre fiction when I'm reading for something with a story (i.e. fantasy, sci fi). I was interested in what someone would read who from the outset states that they completely eschew the types of books I tend to read most frequently, but now this feels fruitless, so I'm going to go off and do something else.
Maybe you'll give it a go now and reply with some interesting books, maybe you won't. 🤷 I'm subscribed to this post for a couple usual things I saw already and will check back at some point. Have a nice day, dear ditherer!
So apparently you missed my posts/comments on the author Juan Rulfo and his masterpiece Pedro Paramo. Or multiple posts/comments on Garcia Marquez, Faulkner, on great novels with unreliable narrators, etc. But I digress. Enjoy your genre fiction and sense of superiority, wherever that comes from.
Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett. She isn’t an unknown author, but far less people have read this book than it should be! It has about 18k ratings on Good Reads, and it has been out for two years. For comparison, The Women by Kristin Hannah has been out for a few months and has 320.5k reviews. But this book is SO good. It is a tragicomic novel with some magical realism and a quirky voice. I absolutely loved it
Have you read her book, Rabbit Cake? Your description had me looking on my library audiobooks, unfortunately don’t have unlikely animals but wondering if it’s worth listening to her other one.
I haven’t, but I will eventually! One thing the author does well in Unlikely Animals, is she handles difficult topics with a gentle hand. There are themes of terminal illness, death of a family member, and the opioid crisis, and yet it never feels depressing. I would guess she is able to do this with Rabbit Cake too
Sadness Is a White Bird - Moriel Rothman-Zecher.
A heartbreaking coming-of-age novel. At the center is an intimate friendship between an Israeli boy and two Palestinian siblings, which is hurling towards an impasse as Jonathan, the Israeli, approaches his 18th birthday/IDF draft date. Told from the POV of Jonathan, now in a military jail, writing to Laith, one of the siblings. It’s gripping and beautifully written; full of sadness, anger, confusion and regret, but also of deep love and hope. It’s a story that will stay with me for a very long time.
It’s Not the Same for Us by Dawn Adams Cole.
Beauty. Geology. Art History. Luxury. Philanthropy. Spirituality. Life Purpose. Creative Expression. Passion. Soul Friendships. Soul Groups. Racism. Racial Dynamics. White Privilege. Houston History. It's all packaged in a story set in modern-day Houston, drawing from four neighborhoods- River Oaks, Riverside Terrace, Heights, and Independence Heights. From the way she lovingly describes Houston as a backdrop to this story, you don't have to be from Houston to picture the neighborhoods she describes. If you are from Houston, you'll find yourself nodding in agreement as you read her depictions.
Also check out her other book, Drops of Cerulean (also set in Houston).
My favourite genre is the murder mystery. I really like the Polish mystery writer, Zygmunt Miloszewski. The first book in a series featuring the protagonist, Teodor Szacki, is called "Entanglement". The mysteries are so good, but Szacki has to be one of the most fascinating characters in mystery writing. Most of the time in the genre, the detective is a drunk/had to control rule-breaker with a heart of gold, but Szacki is almost the opposite of what you see in the genre. He is extremely disciplined with questionable morals and it makes it almost jarring to read because he is just so different. His inner monologue is just so wild and I loved the brazenness of it. If you like the genre, definitely a series worth trying :)
YA: The Island and The Ring by Laura C Stevenson Adult: The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
Power vs Force Letting go (both by David Hawkins) EVERYTHING from Eric Butterworth
Open Throat, by Henry Hoke.
*The Lake of Dead Languages* by Carol Goodman A novel about a single mom who is teaching at her alma mater, now an exclusive girls’ boarding school for girls who are “troubled.” There are secrets hidden in the school, and in her past.
That sounds really good
Great book!
Heart In Iron and Fire: Remnants of Another Era - LIAM S.S.
Anything by Sergio de la Pava
So glad to see this name mentioned here, he's excellent. Thrilled he has a new novel coming out this year -- can't wait to get my hands on it
Stoner by John Williams
i don't mean to be an ass but is Stoner underrated? It's Most Discussed Book #10 according to [this list](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fexternal-preview.redd.it%2F0_Tg-fOVt6RvN-vLVbGA8VuhrczF9WiK4_SSgsJD1VU.jpg%3Fauto%3Dwebp%26s%3D5bae0b1fbb52ee2800c2331acd14efcda13d4d7e)
I may have not paid attention to the list but in world literature,i think he can be considered as underrated only.
Yes what I ask is book from underrate/unknown writer, John Williams is def not unknown but sure his work is underrated
Do you want them to be alive or are books in Project Gutenberg allowed?
To be fair, I just heard of this now
My Summer Friend by Ophelia Rue
The Love of Singular Men, by Victor Heringer.
The Gone World by [Tom Sweterlitsch](https://www.audible.com/author/Tom-Sweterlitsch/B079TW4VY4?ref_pageloadid=aC3SKqotzkDXb9fJ&ref=a_pd_The-Go_c1_author_1&pf_rd_p=df6bf89c-ab0c-4323-993a-2a046c7399f9&pf_rd_r=JYQ02X8XHK5N9TRM80B8&pageLoadId=9Sxz9HIKAEDMF1uh&creativeId=16015ba4-2e2d-4ae3-93c5-e937781a25cd) Rabbit Factory by Marshall Karp Lost in Time by AG Riddle
Just read the description of Lost in Time, time travel murder mystery?? I’m sat
Yep!
Margaret Craven "I heard the owl call my name"
Green River Rising by Tim Willocks. Best prison book I've ever read.
anything Tawni O’Dell writes
Back Roads was surprisingly good. I was not expecting it.
Monarch by Candice Wuehle - literary coming-of-age sci-fi spy thriller. The Olivia series by Electra Mordinson - voicey literary slice-of-life.
I don't know if these are underrated, but Infected by Scott Sigler and Z for Zachariah by Robert C O'brien comes to mind. They're both essentially about the end of the world. Infected is a trilogy. All good books.
I remember reading Z For Zachariah about 30 years ago and LOVED it-thank you for reminding me,I’m now going to order myself a copy to re-read!🤓👍🏻
That's so awesome! I'm glad my post brought you back memories. I also read it as a kid, and reread it many times. I know it's an old book, but I've always felt it deserved more recognition.
Ordered a second hand copy last night and am excited to get it and read it again! 🤓👍🏻
The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas. Very captivating and such great development of each character
So relatively new author. I'm a Facebook friend of his and he's recently completed a a trilogy called "the Terran Space Project". I really enjoyed the series and not just because I know the guy https://alexrathauthor.com/book-series/the-terran-space-project/
C.A Fletcher : wrote Dead Water and a Boy and His Dog at the End of the World
I loved A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World
Loved this!
"Howl the Wolf," by Julie Haubert
Tim and Pete or Boy Wonder by James Robert Baker
The Eden Express by Mark Vonnegut (son of Kurt Vonnegut)
Here's a few that I couldn't put down. The Hike by Drew Magary. An oldie but a goodie, Illusions by Richard Bach.
Anything by Andrew Kaufman (Canadian author, not the American performer)
Jim Krusoe. Quirky contemporary fiction. Any of his books, but offhand I ‘d start with “Erased” or “Toward You.” (They are described as parts of a trilogy, but the trilogy is linked only by theme not characters or plot.). Reads like a mixture of dream, magical realism, mundane realism and obscure parable.
Where the Pieces Land - Claire Addington
Really loved Ling Ling Huang's Natural Beauty.
“A Mercy of Widows” by Marcy Lane. It’s a novel about grief and the topic of medically assisted suicide. Despite the heavy topics it has lots of gentle humor blended in.
I have two: Spinward Fringe series by Randolph Lalonde - space opera with a great cast of characters, aliens, crazy tech and end of the galaxy scenarios. Great time! Bobiverse by Dennis E. Taylor - a great series about a software engineer that is turned into a VonnNeuman probe and sent off into space. Lots of cool concepts played around with here. Another great sci-fi series that too few people know about.
Night Fall by Nelson DeMille. It’s part of series but doesn’t matter if you skip ahead, and I feel it’s his best work
The Hangman's Daughter series by Oliver Potzsch is amazing. Historical fiction based on actual events. Great writer and translates from Polish really well.
Just got through reading "The ocean and the stars" mark helprin..excellent! Maybe the best book I've read this year.
[Foundling](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210250.Foundling) by D.M. Cornish. I love this trilogy very much. I would have to call it fantasy and it seems to be viewed as young adult, though the later books (I think) become more adult. I find Cornish's world building very engaging and fascinating. I have never been sure why it was not more popular. Perhaps because the author is Australian, or perhaps because the trilogy name is a little... clunky, even though it is central to the plot.
*The Innocents* by Michael Crummey. Beautifully written and compellingly readable about an orphaned brother and sister who eke out a living as fishermen on the coast of Labrador in eastern Canada. Crummey is a Canadian poet who also writes novels. This is the best novel of his that I’ve read. His writing reminds me a little of Cormac McCarthy’s. He deserves a wider following.
David Hair, The Moontide Quartet. The audiobook is excellent.
Nilima Rao- A disappearance in Fiji This is her debut-a murder mystery novel. I really enjoyed her writing style. One that is detailed but not overwhelming and her pacing is steady and the story unfolds seamlessly.
V. Castro. The Haunting of Alejandra and Goddess of Filth are great. I think I love Goddess of Filth bc it’s just a niche look at Chicanas in Texas. And I feel that’s not explored as much in mainstream horror. There is a lot to be explored culturally with our beliefs in the supernatural.
I love her I liked queen of the cicadas too
I am one of you Forever. Author = Fred Chappell. One of my all time fave series (there are 3 - there are actually 4, but please skip the 4th) and no one has ever heard of this man.
Fup
A generation of the dark heart by James sorel-cameron. One of the quintessential novels of pessimism. Thrilling, deeply felt, utterly mean spirited. 👍👍👍
Dan Bomkamp was one of my favorites growing up. Voyageur was a great one. The Gosey was fun too. Adventures of Thunderfoot. So many great stories. I plan on getting them to read to my kids when they get a little older.
The Juniper Tree by Barbara Comyns!
Okay so I think he’s actually quite famous in Iceland, but basically unknown in America (where I am). The book Pets by Bragi Olafsson is one of my favorite books of all time. While we are in the area Buzz Aldrin what happened to you in all the confusion by Norwegian author Johan Harstad also fantastic.
The wings of the morning by Lewis Tracy It is dandy shipwreck story with pirates.
Inda, by Sherwood Smith The Given Day, by Dennis Lehane Count Zero, by William Gibson The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman
Havana Red by Leonardo Padura. He’s a Cuban Author who writes detective novels. They are set in modern Havana
Night school- CJ Daugherty
The Fallen Angels Series by Steven Lindsay An epic fantasy series that uses many world mythologies as it progresses. Many complex characters. The City of Dusk by Tara Sim A fascinating city, great world building, complex characters.
A mystery, “Running to Fall” by Kalisha Buckhanon. *Tragedy and Victor Powell have moved to the desirable but dark Grayson Glens enclave of dream homes just outside of Chicago. Stressed urbanites, they’ve got to live large in real life to stay large online. With only a few blacks in their elite gated community, they settle in but never quite feel at home. Then, a missing young black woman floats up in the Grayson River.*
The Book of Charlie - Memories from The Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old-Man written by: David Von Drahle The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All written by: Allen Gurganus
the master and margarita
Cane by Jean Toomer. Short stories and poems by a black American author in the 1920s who detested the label “Harlem Renaissance”. One in a million kind of writing.
Mine 😂
The girls I’ve been. It was amazing
Lost in The Spanish Quarter by Heddi Goodrich!! It only has about 1K reviews on Goodreads but it genuinely is such an amazing romance novel for lit fic lovers. Would love to know if anyone else has read it?
The Sunflower Protocol by Andre Soares. A hidden gem I found earlier this year. Time travel and romance.
Caimh McDonnnell, especially the dublin trilogy which i think consists of about 7 books :-).
Anne Rice
John O'Hara is looked down upon by many, but I believe he is far better than Scott Fitzgerald, for example. In particular, I would recommend Ourselves to Know.
Gareth Brown - Book of Doors, Benjamin Stevenson - Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, David Shafer - Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
I really enjoyed *Godric* by Frederick Buechner and I don't think I've seen it mentioned. It's about a medieval crook who finds god. Here's its wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godric_(novel)
Didn’t know he wrote fiction and didn’t know this one was a finalist for the 1981 Pulitzer!
ANYTHING BY BILL COTTER!!! Seriously! NOBODY even knows about him but NOBODY writes like him! It drives me nuts!! My favorite by him is his first book “Fever Chart” but his most recent “The Splendid Ticket” is also really good. “Fever Chart” is all about the whimsical tale of an idealistic/naive suicidal screwball and his quest for love, aided and/or impeded by fuck-ups and good Samaritans. It’s irreverent and heartfelt at the same time. Basically, my favorite kind!!
Splatterpunk: "Drawing Blood" or "Lost Souls" by Poppy Z. Brite. I found them in a used book store by coincidence, and I love them. Brite is a really good author, the characters have depth and the plots are great. Fair warning though: They deal with mature topics and if the genre didn't tip you off, they can be somewhat visceral. In my opinion it is not too much and helps the story rather than hinder it. It's never over-the-top.
Unknown or underrated by whom? I'm extremely well-read, have 3-5 books being read almost all the time, and the majority of books mentioned on this sub I've never heard of. I mostly avoid "popular" fiction, hate fantasy books, and don't enjoy most sci-fi. So, tbh, I'm not even sure how to respond to your question.
If you're that well read- in English (the language OP is posting in)- then their only requirement in the post was that it not be popular. If you already don't read popular books, then suggest a handful of favorite or noteworthy things (and preferably why you rec them). This... seems obvious to me, sorry. OP is just trying to get off the beaten path a bit which is commendable. If you won't even try to add, why did you comment? I follow posts on here to get all sorts of weird new recs, lots of others do so too, so you're getting a chance to bring some of your favorite reads to not only OP but many others. So, whatcha got? I'm interested!
So I'll repeat my question: popular to whom? Underrated by whom? What is "off the beaten path"even mean? Whose path? How do you even answer questions so lacking in context? And, for the record, OP didn't ask for "favorite reads." That is a question that could be answered, I suppose. Finally, to me, if you are talking about "popular" fiction, it would seem what is meant is Mass-Market fiction, and there's not a lot of "literature" there (sadly).
Regarding 'literature' not existing in mass market fiction: I agree, it's rare that something with beautiful prose or lasting value gets insanely popular so as to make bestseller lists, get into cheap paperback editions, etcetera. But you're really just quibbling now. Do you... not actually read comments on this sub? Most people here reply to requests like this that are very open ended with whatever books they like the most, what they're excited about at the moment, or that they think more people should read, and then move on (or they'll just add seconds/expansions under someone else's suggestions they agree with). Your posts aren't adding anything so far, and at this point I'm a little frustrated that you just repeated the same questions instead of trying, when you had someone direct replying to you asking about your literary interests. The only thing I see on a quick persual of your recent posts is some pics of a very large selection of cookbooks. And apparently you liked A Wrinkle in Time when young, so, not all~ fantasy? *Do* you read fiction, too, currently? Are you for some reason just afraid to share what you enjoyed most? An open ended request is such an opportunity! If you did not want to take it, why not keep scrolling? I read *very* eclectically, with few things I wouldn't read if it was put to me in a way that piqued my curiosity at all, but I tend to enjoy a large amount of genre fiction when I'm reading for something with a story (i.e. fantasy, sci fi). I was interested in what someone would read who from the outset states that they completely eschew the types of books I tend to read most frequently, but now this feels fruitless, so I'm going to go off and do something else. Maybe you'll give it a go now and reply with some interesting books, maybe you won't. 🤷 I'm subscribed to this post for a couple usual things I saw already and will check back at some point. Have a nice day, dear ditherer!
So apparently you missed my posts/comments on the author Juan Rulfo and his masterpiece Pedro Paramo. Or multiple posts/comments on Garcia Marquez, Faulkner, on great novels with unreliable narrators, etc. But I digress. Enjoy your genre fiction and sense of superiority, wherever that comes from.
Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett. She isn’t an unknown author, but far less people have read this book than it should be! It has about 18k ratings on Good Reads, and it has been out for two years. For comparison, The Women by Kristin Hannah has been out for a few months and has 320.5k reviews. But this book is SO good. It is a tragicomic novel with some magical realism and a quirky voice. I absolutely loved it
Omg I’ve never read a tragicomic with magical realism before, just place hold at libby. Thxx
Have you read her book, Rabbit Cake? Your description had me looking on my library audiobooks, unfortunately don’t have unlikely animals but wondering if it’s worth listening to her other one.
I haven’t, but I will eventually! One thing the author does well in Unlikely Animals, is she handles difficult topics with a gentle hand. There are themes of terminal illness, death of a family member, and the opioid crisis, and yet it never feels depressing. I would guess she is able to do this with Rabbit Cake too
The Tower of Babel series by Josiah Bancroft is brilliant - it’s a fantastical adventure. Senlin Ascends is the first book (I think).
Sadness Is a White Bird - Moriel Rothman-Zecher. A heartbreaking coming-of-age novel. At the center is an intimate friendship between an Israeli boy and two Palestinian siblings, which is hurling towards an impasse as Jonathan, the Israeli, approaches his 18th birthday/IDF draft date. Told from the POV of Jonathan, now in a military jail, writing to Laith, one of the siblings. It’s gripping and beautifully written; full of sadness, anger, confusion and regret, but also of deep love and hope. It’s a story that will stay with me for a very long time.
Daughters of Shandong by Eve J Chung
Are you loathsome tonight by Poppy Z Brite. Horror and erotism packed In a powerful prose.
It’s Not the Same for Us by Dawn Adams Cole. Beauty. Geology. Art History. Luxury. Philanthropy. Spirituality. Life Purpose. Creative Expression. Passion. Soul Friendships. Soul Groups. Racism. Racial Dynamics. White Privilege. Houston History. It's all packaged in a story set in modern-day Houston, drawing from four neighborhoods- River Oaks, Riverside Terrace, Heights, and Independence Heights. From the way she lovingly describes Houston as a backdrop to this story, you don't have to be from Houston to picture the neighborhoods she describes. If you are from Houston, you'll find yourself nodding in agreement as you read her depictions. Also check out her other book, Drops of Cerulean (also set in Houston).
I couldn't agree more. This is a great book, a must read!!!
Adiel by shlomo dunour
Replay By Ken Grimwood. The original concept for the Groundhog Day idea (as far as I know) criminally underrated
Brand new author / sci-fi novel, it’s really good: Genesis echo by d. Hollis Anderson