Fantasy books you can read instead of Harry Potter
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.
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NPR’s Books We Love 2025
Books We Love from NPR began in 2013, always boasting over 200 books (almost 400 in recent years) featuring genres from memoirs, to cookbooks, to graphic novels, to children’s literature, to nonfiction, to novels. Check out NPR’s website to filter this massive list.
The list is in reverse alphabetical order directly from NPR.
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Fantasy That Does Something Weird & Compelling
fantasy/scifi/whatever that does something I find exciting and at least a bit unfamiliar (in various age categories). Doesn’t need to be a perfect story, just one that takes a stab in an interesting direction.
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Shelf Ahoy 🏴☠️
High seas, hidden treasure, questionable life choices, and a lot of dramatic shouting. Dive in if you’re ready for adventure, danger, and a little bit of glorious chaos.
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Less hyped than Harry Potter (but way better)
These middle grade series may not have seven movies, a TV show, and a literal theme park dedicated to them, but they sure deserve it! Especially because they weren't written by JKR. All recommended by Pagebound users, and suggestions are always always welcome -- middle grade fantasy/mystery series-starters only, please! Let's foster a love of reading in kids without supporting bigotry and hatred.
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read another book
please read something that isn't hp and don't give that lady money. alternatively, if you know of someone who says they like fantasy but their shelves are only filled with white guys, suggest one of these! (I've only added books I have read so if something isn't on there that you think should be lmk)
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