When I think of fantasy fiction, my mind immediately goes to dragons and mystical creatures—but there’s so much more to this genre than that. This year’s genre challenge has opened my eyes to a wide range of subgenres I might have otherwise overlooked, and fantasy is no exception. From magic that feels like it could be drifting through the air around us to stories that whisk us away to entirely new worlds, fantasy fiction has an incredible range—and so much to offer.
I’ve loved magical realism for years. From Practical Magic to the works of Heather Webber—our featured author this week—I’m always drawn to stories where the magic feels just within reach, almost real. While I’m not as familiar with some of the other themes we’re exploring this month, I’ve been diving into recommendations from our StoryGraph community—and I have to say, there are some truly fantastic picks to discover:
- The Amalfi Curse, Sarah Penner
- The Bright Sword, Lev Grossman
- The Elsewhere Express, SAmantha Sotto Yambao
- Empire of Shadows, Jacquelyn Benson
- The House in the Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune
- Smith of Wootton Major, JRR Tolkien
- Somewhere Beyond the Sea, TJ Klune
- Spells for Forgetting, Adrienne Young
- Through Gates of Garnet and Gold, Seanan McGuire
- We Burned So Bright, TJ Klune
Fantasy fiction has a way of transporting us to entirely new worlds—one of my favorite reasons to read. Some of the most beloved films began as fantasy novels before making their way to the big screen, including The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It’s a testament to just how captivating and enduring this genre can be. What’s your favorite fantasy novel-to-screen adaptation?
Last month, I struggled to find just the right songs for our historical fiction playlist—but this month, I had the opposite problem. There were simply too many great options to choose from! From favorite movie soundtracks to songs that immediately came to mind while reading this month’s picks, the inspiration was endless.
In the end, we kept the playlist to 24 songs and right around 90 minutes. Did I miss one of your favorites? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to add it!
Grab the May reading playlist here.
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What I’m Reading
- Current print book: Tom Clancy Rules of Engagement, Ward Larson
- Current audio book: How to Sell a Haunted House, Grady Hendrix
- Book I’m most looking forward to: Pretty Dead Things, Kelsey Cox
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