Recs if you like In the Night Garden (The Orphan's Tales, #1)...
Incredible Fantasy You've Probably Never Heard Of
Do you feel like you've read everything there is to read? Or get annoyed that the same books are on all the rec lists? Well, here are some more obscure masterpieces!
Some of the covers are terrible - especially among the older or self-pubbed books; there's a few YA in here; and some that are science fantasy rather than 'pure' fantasy. But trust me: they're all EXCELLENT. (And if you already love a bunch of these, let's be friends!)
Fantasy: Myth, Folklore, and More ✨🗡️
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.
Otherwise Award Winners
Formerly the James Tiptree, Jr. Literary Award: "an annual literary prize for science fiction or fantasy that expands or explores our understanding of gender... The aim of the award is to seek out work that is thought-provoking, imaginative, and perhaps even infuriating." (from the website)
Annual award winners listed chronologically back to the award's origin in 1991; some standalone stories aren't (yet?) available to be included. Note that some years have multiple winners.
Two stories for the price of one!
I asked Pagebound for books with a book inside the book. The following list is made up out of those recommendations. In some of them the MC is writing or reading a book that you also get to read, in others it is short stories or oral histories. In all of them, you get more then just one story. I have not read all of these books. I am open to more recommendations.
NB The Book of Counted Sorrows by Dean Koontz is often referenced is his other works and only later was actually written.
Mythopoeic Awards 1992-2026 Adult Literature
Per the Mythopoeic Society "The Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature is given to the fantasy novel, multi-volume novel, or single-author story collection for adults published during the previous year that best exemplifies “the spirit of the Inklings.”"
Story Within a Story
Follow the main character as they tell (or are being told) a tale.
Please let me know of more books to add!
