Do you mind pulling together a book rec list?
Okay, since you didn't specify I'm just gonna throw some random books here that I read the last few years and really enjoyed
- Discworld, Terry Pratchett: if you've been following me for any significant amount of time, you'll have heard about these. A series of 40+ fantasy/steampunk books full of goodness. Read for the fantastic worldbuilding, the character evolution, the myriad awesome ladies, and the things he does with language and tropes. The first few books are bit more parody than the later ones, who are more like social criticism. There are a couple of subseries and a few standalones - if you aren't sure if it's for you, read Monstrous Regiment, Small Gods, or maaaaaybe Going Postal.
- Neil Gaiman: American Gods, Neverwhere, and Anansi Boys. Like Pratchett, Gaiman very consciously taps into legends and tropes and then does his own thing with them. His style is far more sober and understated than Pratchett, but he's still an excellent stylistic writer. Read for the language, the reimagining of myths, and the build-up of tension.
- Good Omens: written by the aforementioned two authors, a pastiche on antichrist stories, but so much more than that. You will come out shipping Crowley and Aziraphale. Style-wise more Pratchettian. Sharp, funny, chock full of references (the majority of which you'll only get after reading, in a oh so that's what that was! moment - goes for Discworld as well, btw) Read for the funnies, the extremely likeable characters, and the excellent tension-arc.
- Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Susanna Clarke: Jane Austen with magic. A very satisfying read, once you get into it. It is a bit slow at the start, but the slow build-up of plotlines and characters is worth it. Clarke imitates the early-19th century language flawlessly, and the inclusion of magic happens so seamlessly I almost started wondering whether it didn't exist after all. Read for the excellent worldbuilding and the historical fun of it.
- Night Watch, Sarah Waters: Set during WW2's London bombings, following the lives of several people (some of who are queer) in reverse chronology. Read for the evocative language, the historical queerness, and the beautiful story structure, the plot threads slowly unravelling as you read.
- Fingersmith, Sarah Waters: 19th century London, daughter of a thief infiltrates the household of a young innocent Victorian woman for criminal purposes and ends up falling in love with her. Has a twist that took me completely by surprise. Read for HISTORICAL LESBIANS, a realistic view of London's criminal world in the 19th century, and that motherfucking plot twist.
- Palimpsest, Catherynne Valente: Magic realism, four people fall into a dream world and spend the book subconsciously searching for each other. Really interesting worldbuilding, fascinating original characters (who span the globe) and the ending was gorgeous. Read for the more experimental style and build-up, the beautifully described magical world, and the insightful look into relationships.
- Regeneration Trilogy, Pat Barker: A trilogy about the war poets during WW1 and the psychologist that treated them. Mostly based on real persons and events, but contains one original character who is probably one of the most complex fictional characters I've ever come across. Read for the language (invisible, visceral), the realistic dialogue, the psychological depth, the beautiful portrayal of relationships between men - both romantic and platonic - and the feminist undercurrent.
- Double Vision, Pat Barker: My own personal favourite. Contemporary. Goes into themes like the ethics of war photography and redemption. Follows a war photographer returning to the English countryside where he starts a relationship with a younger woman, and the widow of said photographer's colleague, both coming to terms with what happened. Read, again, for the psychological depth, the relationships, and the ethical questions simmering beneath the surface.
- Blow Your House Down & Union Street, Pat Barker: If you want to understand English class anger, read these. A brutally honest portrayal of the life of working class women in 70's Northern England. Bleak and depressing, but the friendship between the women makes up for it. Read for the anger seeping from the pages, giving voice to people who hardly ever are heard.
- The Blind Assassin, Margaret Atwood: Post-war Canada, the tale of two sisters. Features a tale-within-a-tale and a tale-within-a-tale-within-a-tale. Atwood is a master of the craft and it shows. Contains a plot twist that punches you in the gut. Read for the language, the beautiful storytelling, and the ruthless social insights.
- The Bloody Chamber, Angela Carter: A collection of retellings of classic fairy tales and myths, mostly with a feminist slant. Beautiful language and perfect manipulations of old stories. Read for the poetry of it, the creative reimaginings, and the way your way of looking at those stories shifts and turns.
- The Passion, Jeanette Winterson: Follows a soldier during the Napoleontic wars and a Venetian courtesan. More accessible than most of Winterson's works, to me. Beautiful historical detail, a hint of magical realism, and fascinating characters and relationship. Read for the poetic language, the storyweaving, the artful manipulation of history, and the self-awareness of the storytelling she does. (Trust me, I'm telling you stories)
That's about all I can think of right now, so I hope this gives you something to start with.
