Recs if you like Elantris...

Standalone fantasy books that won't make you invest your life in a dozen installments

A list of books with corrupt, evil, or just downright bad governments! I'm not sure how I ended up reading so many of these types of books (prob my love for dystopia) but here I am haha. Most of these will prob include taking down said evil government. I will update this list as I read more books with bad govs.

There are a lot of suggested Cosmere Reading orders, but I really wanted to read in the order that Sanderson himself suggested. He has a video he released on YouTube with a suggested reading order for his books, so I put together a list that reflects what he posted in that video. The short stories that aren't tied to any particular series are sprinkled in between some of the larger reads like the Stormlight Books. If you have suggestions on how to order said short stories, i'm open to move them around, but please be kind and understand that this entire thing is going to be subjective. Even Sanderson's video was loose in its suggestions, like he didn't want to dictate what his readers pick up. That said, here's the list!

Zombie reading list packed with outbreaks, survival, and the occasional accidental bite. Even the apocalypse has its awkward moments.

Cosmere Reading List by Publication Order

Short stories and novellas may overlap with Arcanum Unbounded.

If you’re planning to read White Sands go for the Omnibus version instead of the single volumes.

Brandon Sanderson universe ~ Cosmere 🌑

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

Books with immersive settings!

Books where the protagonist is anywhere from smart to genius, and that intelligence gets them through the plot. (Ie lots of characters are smart in dif ways, but these characters solve plot-based conflicts intelligently)

For people who are history buffs and fantasy nerds here is a list of fantasy books through the ages

Collection of Cosmere works. Note: Arcanum Unbounded collects many of the novellas and short stories into a single collection.

Most popular or most read books under the category of "High Fantasy" (set in a completely fictional "secondary" world, features grand stakes or a struggle between good and evil, widespread magic, mythical creatures, or an epic quest that decides the fate of the world).

Only the first book of a series will be added.

My Cosmere reading order!! There’s so many reading orders out there but this is mine for my first read through ☺️ and trust me i’m planning to reread them many more times in different orders hehe

there’s no right or wrong order for entering the Cosmere!!

a lot of the short stories/ novellas are found in arcanum unbounded!!

Sometimes we need something familiar to get us out of a slump, reading or just life in general. There's something so cozy & comforting about rereading a beloved title.

Some of these I actually prefer on audiobook and I'll try to list here: The Shining Illuminae Files Sabriel (Tim Curry edition)

Books and manga that contain at least one character about whom I have, at some point, expressed the desire to study them in a lab. Varying degrees of studyability within.

Bonus points if the MC is faking their whole personality.

Redemption arcs require fantastic psychological understanding and deep humanity from the writer. To genuinely believe someone has become a good person takes unbelievable care.

Please recommend me. I salivate over a phenomenal redemptional arc.

tired of stereotypical YA? yes, me too. these are all the books I read when the YA genre was at its peak and they gave me a welcome break from reading overused tropes and monotonous storylines. this is a completely random list, these books have little to nothing in common, they just felt original when everything felt the same :) feel free to give your suggestions!