This book is a slog to get through. I might DNF if it's not finished by the time my book club meets again. 😵‍💫 I want to love it, but there already feels like there is so much detail that I don't need

“apologies to Edward Said” LOL

Eyoo, gonna try my luck here. I love high fantasy epics that are a nice balance between plot- and character-driven (I love getting attached to characters, but I also want to be engulfed in fantastic worldbuilding). Now I'm leaning more towards queer high fantasy epics which is just chef's kiss, I'm reading N. K. Jemisin's The Fifth Season right now.

But I was wondering for some time if there any fantasy books (stand-alones, series, etc) where much of the focus is put on the common folk like peasants etc.? I'm not looking for comfort and cozy only like Legends and Lattes, like there can be a huge plot (Chosen One, evil overlord, a brewing revolution against a tyrant, etc.) but it plays in the background because the story mostly focuses on the common folk. You can recognize the main plot because it's slowly affecting the lives of the peasants (child soldier recruitment, increased surveillance, investigations for rebels, cycle of paranoia, classism, etc.). Like just reading about a poor farmer or maid trying to survive a world that's turning into hell, and how their community combats it in their own way.

I'm an angst-lover, but I also really like that combined with the comfort of a community or found family.

Here are the vibes I can describe to get my meaning across:

• The Lord of the Rings, "Concerning Hobbits" chapter -> basically Bilbo describing wtf hobbits are and how they have such cozy vibes; also the Sacking of the Shire
• The first chapters in the Eragon series where it takes place in Eragon's home village (starting normal to villagers sensing some suspicious stuff happening)
• Essun's introduction in The Fifth Season... no more words needed
• In MDZS (Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation) Wei Wuxian watching a group of kids act out an historical event he was part of.
• Weirdly enough, that one scene from Emil from Lönnaberga, when kid Emil drives a horse cart through the blizzard all by himself to bring Alfred to a doctor

I'm weaning off white, middle-aged fantasy authors, so the more diverse the better! BIPOC cast, queer cast, inspirations from different cultures, disabilities, etc.

No romantasy - it's not my genre, and I'd rather have romance at the sidelines than as a main focus.

This seems a little too specific, but that might be because one of my writing projects kinda falls into these types of books and I'm so curious to see whether it's been written already.

Thank you so much!! ✨

EDIT: For funsies, here are some songs that describes the vibes I'm looking for:

• Árboles Bajo El Mar (Black Panther:Wakanda Forever, Vivi Quintana)
• I Lied to You (Sinners, Miles Caton)
• Wu Ji (The Untamed or Chén Qíng Lìng instrumental version)
• Krigsgaldr (Heilung)
• Helvegen & Lyfjaberg (Wardruna)
• The Old Ways (Loreena McKennitt)

I have really been making an effort recently to reduce my screentime and just rely less on technology overall. I love cooking, but would commonly spend a lot of time watching videos and reading dozens of similar recipies before preparing a meal. These things are still useful, but I would love if anyone has any cookbook or general cooking technique books to recommend. Would love to start a small collection just to have as an irl reference.