Recs if you like The Last Unicorn...

JK Rowling is a bigot who uses her platform to hurt transfolks and other marginalized groups (plus she literally just quoted Mein Kampf on the bird site). If you're still supporting her in 2025, don't bother talking to me.

Books that inspired or are similar to Studio Ghibli films

At the request of @moss-mylk 😊🫶 I will keep updating this list, and as always, recs are welcome.

(Broadly defined) Poetic, dreamy, strange, odd fantasy/sci-fi. Doesn’t have to be all of these things at once, mostly it’s fantasy/sci-fi that ‘breaks the norm’ (in style, prose and story)- whatever that means. Or books wonderfully odd, in any sort of way.

I’m not such a fast reader, neither do I have the golden touch finding only books that fit in this list… ‘Breaking the norm’ can be seen as rather subjective, so I’d love any suggestion that you feel fit (and why do you feel they fit?).

Perfect for fantasy lovers with not enough hours in the day!

Feel free to mention any I missed in the comments 😊

Animals, Aliens, Robots, and Monsters! Books to get you out of your human skin and into something with different instincts and senses

A list to compile mythic fantasy—fantasy with a focus on, or inspiration by, mythology, folklore, and legends. A blend of more modern storytelling that still has the emotional weight, lyrical prose, and an ancient feeling.

Fantasy series that feature iconic duos -- characters that complement one another and are well-known pairings within their worlds. As always, feedback and suggestions welcome!

Non-exhaustive list of foundational reading for the fantasy genre; either foundational texts or classics that influenced the development of the genre and its conventions. Also some key modern texts + criticism.

Welcome to one of my favorite tropes: when the title of the book or series is included in the text, usually in a significant moment that makes everyone go "ohhhh that's what it means". Suggestions and corrections encouraged! Not only for books to add but also emojis :D

Classic novels for your (inner) child, with some modern staples in the mix. For reading yourself, reading aloud to little ones, and for those learning to read. Suggestions welcome, as always!

Fairy tale and folklore-inspired narratives as well as atmospheric/quiet/light fantasy with canon aspec characters, aspec-readable themes such as rejection of relationship hierarchy and meaningful companionships, or simply excluding elements of either sexuality or romance. Limiting these to books aimed at adults but will include kidlit that may resonate with older audiences too, such as classics or kidlit with older protagonists.

bards, knights, freedom, and most importantly, wine. where do all these things find a home? mondstadt, the land of freedom in teyvat.

this list is based on the first region in the game genshin impact. books that feel light like the wind, are set in nature, have a medieval setting, or are based on folklore, all of them are welcome in this list. for fans and non-fans alike!

always open to suggestions and recommendations!

"As it ever was, so it will be again."

aka you know there's gotta be a river, there's gotta be some obscure and complicated folklore, there's gotta be some sort of myth/historical reference or retelling.

unicorn books for all ages

Books with The Last Dinner Party vibe. Specifically their song The scythe. Don't cry,were bound together. Each life runs it's course. I'll see you in the next one. Next time I know you'll call.

"By the breath of Set, what sorcery is this?! These scribes of the far north and the distant west have imagined worlds that almost - almost - match the splendor of my own court. They speak of dragons? I have hunted lions in the heat of the Retjenu! They speak of rings of power? I wear the crown of the Two Lands, which binds the world from the Delta to the cataracts of Kush! ​Still... there is a certain charm to these 'high fantasies' that I can not deny."

An eclectic mix of fantasy, sci-fi, and nonfiction that either reimagines our world, builds an entirely new one, or reveals the wonders of the real world. If a book is part of a series, I’ve only included the first one.

A list created using the Reddit forum r/Fantasy 2024 fantasy (and sci-fi) standalones which was voted on by the community