Hi there! About five years ago, you provided reading recommendations for me in the “weird western” genre. It took me on a journey that exposed me to many incredible, diverse authors and reignited my love of reading. Would you be willing to share some more book recommendations? Doesn’t have to be weird western - I like your taste and am always happy to expand my horizons.
Thank you so much for your time and I hope you’re doing well!
I haven't been reading that many English novels lately... I fell into the hole of reading Chinese danmei novels and with all its popcorn bloody drama it's been hard to turn back. If you're willing to try danmei, I rec:
Qiang Jin Jiu (officially licensed, or you can look up the English fan translation). Probably my fave danmei of all time and my fave book of the year from a couple of years back. Incredible read. Alt history novel.
Scum Villain's Self Saving System (same as above)
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (same as above). Has been adapted into an animation and a tv show that is on Netflix (The Untamed).
Devil Venerable Also Wants to Know (x)
The Demon Venerable's Wistful Desire (x)
Books by priest (Guardian, Mo Du, etc). For priest if you're unfamiliar with her work I rec starting with the tv adaptation of Tian Ya Ke (Word of Honour) that is on Netflix
For English/English Translated novels, I've always loved:
Jin Yong (The Legend of the Condor Heroes is deservedly one of the most-read books in the world. I grew up with this, as did many people across the Chinese diaspora. On the official translation it's billed as the "Chinese Lord of the Rings", but it's nothing like Lord of the Rings--it's wuxia. Hell, it's probably more read than Lord of the Rings by sheer reader volume. tbh the official English translation annoys me because of the random name translations, so I rec the fan translation here)
NK Jemisin (Fifth Season series etc, incredible books, fantasy)
Liu Cixin (Three Body Problem etc: now adapted into several tv shows, including one on Netflix. I haven't watched any of them yet but you can try those first if you don't want to commit to the books)
Claire G Coleman (Terra Nullius, The Old Lie)
Saad Z Hossain (The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday etc)
Nnedi Okorafor (Akata Witch etc)
Yoon Ha Lee (Ninefox Gambit etc)
Nahoko Uehashi (Moribito, Beast Player etc)
SA Chakraborty (City of Brass etc)
Stephen Graham Jones (The Only Good Indians etc)
... and more :) Hope that helps as a starting point!