Like a lot of other readers, I read a ton of fantasy as a kid. I was a fast and voracious reader, who plowed through stacks of library books at the rate of five or six a week, and fantasy provided a lot to keep my attention, from elaborate extended universes to captivating stand-alones. It also felt like the dominant genre among books for young readers, perhaps because I grew up during peak Harry Potter. I remember reading some contemporary middle-grade like E.L. Konigsburg’s books and historical books like the Dear America series but the books that loomed largest for me were all fantasy. I was absolutely obsessed with Tamora Pierce, rereading my favorites over and over. (The Circle Universe books and the Tricksters duology, in case you’re interested.)
I kept on reading fantasy as a teenager and in college but when I look at my Storygraph genre charts, I can see that the number of fantasy books I read went down significantly over the years and took a big dip in 2021. (I try not to focus too much on the numbers of my reading but their stats section has been so useful when I want to look at the evolution of my reading over time.) Even before that dip happened, I remember feeling more and more adrift in the genre. I felt too old for a lot of YA but struggled to find adult books that would work for me. There were a lot of Chosen Ones, a lot of elaborate magic systems, and a lot of epic quests that involved extensive walking. There were some authors that I kept on reading, like Sarah J. Maas’ wildly entertaining chunkers, Naomi Novik’s clever spins on fairy tales and magical school, and Seanan McGuire’s reflective take on portal fantasy. But there was also a lot that fell by the wayside.
Lately, though, I’ve found myself wanting to fall back into it and feeling that gap in my reading life. Some of that has to do with the rise of romantasy, which has made me feel like there’s more room for readers like me in the genre. Some of it has to do with thinking more critically about my reading and what tends to be successful for me. And some of it has to do with wanting a little bit of that childhood reading magic back, when I could tumble down the rabbit hole for an afternoon and live entirely in another world.
So what does work for me? I lean more towards fairy-tale inspired stories than traditional swords and sorcery epics. I tend to prefer historical fantasy, especially gaslamp fantasy set in a magical equivalent of the 19th and early 20th centuries, to high fantasy and have a soft spot for an alternate history like Mary Robinette Kowal’s. I like a touch of humor, like my beloved Discworld series, and a little bit of sparkle. A prominent romantic plot is a huge plus. I’ll read an occasional epic battle but I’m much more fond of courtly intrigue and clever schemes. Most of all, I want worlds that feel luxuriously lived in and lovely line-level writing.
I believe in letting the natural dips and flows in my reading life happen. If I needed to spend a month last summer reading primarily romance and mid-century/interwar British fiction…well, that was what I needed at the time. What I want is to naturally weave fantasy back into my reading life and embrace this moment without burning myself out on the genre. One or two titles a month that have some of the elements I mentioned above and maybe a few that try something different.
A few fantasy titles on my TBR and sitting on my shelves:
The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden
Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmburg
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Torzs
Is there a genre that you’ve found yourself drawn back towards? And what are your fantasy recommendations?
Currently reading: Piglet by Lottie Hazell and I’m obsessed.
What’s bringing me joy lately:
The pitch-perfect third season of Girls5Eva on Netflix. If you missed it while the first two seasons were airing on Peacock, you need to rectify that immediately.
Blossoms finally appearing on the trees in New York! I’m keeping a watchful eye on the Central Park Conservancy’s cherry blossom tracker.
The chai snickerdoodles from Buttermilk Bakeshop in Park Slope. It’s the perfect stop after a trip to The Ripped Bodice in case you find yourself in Brooklyn. I may also write a follow-up to my NYC bookstore guide, with a bakery and bookstore itinerary so keep an eye out for that this summer…
I LOVED Keeper of Enchanted Rooms (and the whole series) and am so thrilled it’s on your list. Can’t wait to hear what you think!
YMMV But I did not enjoy Ink Blood Sister Scribe - It was too juvenile. I am bad at abandoning books but I should have abandoned this one.