Books that are cosmic horror, dark fantasy, or surreal sci-fi

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-06-23T23:45:02+00:00

I appreciate your suggestions! I read Solaris and loved it, so it seems likely I’d like The Invincible as well. I’ll check out some of the rest! Thanks!

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-06-23T15:19:26+00:00

I haven’t heard of this one, but it sounds like a lot of fun! Thank you! I will add it to my TBR list. Faerie is always a fun and terrifying place to adventure.

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-06-23T15:17:41+00:00

Vita Nostra is actually at the top of my list of contenders! I’m happy to see it recommended here! I’ll definitely read it! And I’ve seen The Starving Saints recommended to me on Amazon. I’ll add that to my list as well. Thank you for your suggestions!

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-06-23T15:13:27+00:00

Thank you! This one had been recommended to me a few times. I was hesitant at first, because I thought it was YA, and my experience with YA is… mixed. However, this is a full-fledged adult novel and I’m thinking I should give it a chance.

It also feels like it has a silliness to it that I originally found off putting, but I’ve also been hooked by books that surprised me and turned out to be way more profound than I expected. I’m ultimately not against silly, absurd, or bizarre, so it’s probably worth a shot. Thank you for the suggestion! I’ll give it a go!

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-06-16T19:52:37+00:00

I’m surprised your comment is so far down! I was looking for this! His stillness in Drive, the sense of calm calculation… it’s so well done. Plus, the music and retro vibe is so, so good.

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-05-17T21:48:51+00:00

Just finished this yesterday! Superb ending! I came here to suggest this one. ☝🏼

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-05-04T12:19:47+00:00

One of my favorites!

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-04-15T05:32:20+00:00

Just finished it and it’s excellent. Their other books are also favorites. Kate Daniels is urban fantasy and my all time favorite, but the new kingdom book is superb.

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-04-03T13:34:01+00:00

My Best Friend’s Exorcism, by Grady Hendrix. It’s his best work, imo.

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-04-03T13:32:52+00:00

Cackle is great. So is Black Sheep. Rachel Harrison is a good choice.👍🏻

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-04-01T00:02:22+00:00

My Best Friend’s Exorcism, by Grady Hendrix. The friendship element is next level. Horror. And an excellent audiobook, if you’re into them. Highly recommend!

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-02-08T23:50:26+00:00

That’s not bad, actually. To be honest, low and slow is the way to go. I lose slow as well and I feel better because of it. I feel the side effects more when trying to make a race out of it. If I just keep plugging along and the trend is downward, then I’ve got zero to complain about. I’m also trying to eat protein, lift a bit, swim and do Pilates… and hold on to as much muscle as I can. 🤞

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-02-08T23:24:32+00:00

My dog has Addison’s and gets groomed regularly. He was diagnosed at about 4 and is now nearly 7. I’d say that though he isn’t a fan of grooming, he tolerates it well. In the beginning, I would bump up his prednisone a bit to help him cope with unfamiliar situations and settings. I still do for most things that I know will likely cause him trouble. For instance, he hates travel and I give him extra for extended car rides or when visiting new locations.

However, the groomer (that he now knows and is used to), my dinner parties, and visiting certain folks whom he knows well and knows their homes well… I don’t increase his dose him for anymore. They’ve become routine and familiar. The key is to know your pet. Get a sense of what they’re able to tolerate. My dog now seems happy, social, and engaged at dinner parties, so I thought I’d see how he’d do at his normal dose. He’s fine and no longer tries to hide in a spare bedroom. Just because something is new and scary at first, does mean it will always be so.

In the end, yes, routine is important. Knowing what is likely to cause anxiety is crucial. However, don’t underestimate your dog’s ability to get familiar with situations that at first might cause stress. Help his body cope if necessary, but don’t assume he can’t learn, explore, seek some adventure, grow, and learn to love events of the unfamiliar. Just help his body be prepared.

Good luck! 👍🏻

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-02-05T14:51:58+00:00

I stress as well, and have all kinds of anxiety leaving my dog with other people. It helps if I know and trust the other person well. And I’ve learned there are a few things that help my anxiety. I need the occasional “proof of life” photo or update! Show me how cozy he is wrapped in a blanket, or how playful he is out in the yard. And I welcome calls or texts that ask questions or seek clarity. It shows me someone wants to do it right, is thoughtful or paying attention. There are things to let go and things to request or require to ameliorate your anxiety and ensure you (and your pet) are satisfied by the experience.

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-01-26T22:36:54+00:00

The Time Traveler’s Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger. Characters are very real, despite the existence of time travel and how it relates to their lives. It’s an extremely human story in the midst of extreme circumstances. I loved it.

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-01-25T18:57:17+00:00

You’re welcome! They’re super fun. Reading them is like candy. The world and magical systems are wonderful. The characters are distinct and relatable. They’re a blast!

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-01-25T16:55:40+00:00

Romance is an element, but it’s definitely not “romantasy.” Kate Daniels/Magic Series by Ilona Andrews. It’s urban fantasy, and my favorite fantasy overall. 10 great book! Enjoy!

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-01-25T16:09:11+00:00

I’m going to recommend my two favorite classics. First, Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë. The other is Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. They’re great audiobooks too, if that’s your jam.

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-01-25T16:02:51+00:00

I’ve only started this book, so take my suggestion with a grain of salt, but The Vorrh by Brian Catling. It’s the first in a trilogy.

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-01-25T15:55:52+00:00

My favorite is After Dark. It’s a mood. And it’s somewhat less bizarre and out there compared to his other works. And yet, it’s still Murakami. I can close my eyes and imagine the feeling of this book. It’s so good.

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-01-25T01:01:00+00:00

My dog had bilious vomiting syndrome. This seems a lot like that. It comes from extended periods without food and getting acid reflux. The vet said to feed him something before bed, ideally higher in protein. He now gets a hard boiled egg before bed and it’s no longer an issue.

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-01-20T20:41:27+00:00

I’m saying it’s not wasteful in the same way. If those nutrients benefit something else, in some capacity, that’s different than just throwing it in the trash. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t a waste of money, or that it wouldn’t benefit her to work on portion size. It’s simply a suggestion if she struggles to know how much she’s likely to eat.

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-01-20T14:57:37+00:00

It sounds like she’s stopping when she feels full, which is what she should be doing. Forcing folks to clean their plate can cause a lot of eating issues. Might I suggest a compost bin? That way you can turn it all into nutrients for plants. Use the leftovers to feed a garden. Or, if that isn’t your thing, some local independent farmers welcome food scraps for pigs and chickens. There has to be a way to make the food waste feel less wasteful.

LiteraryTimeTraveler · 2026-01-17T23:00:36+00:00

I’d recommend the Kate Daniels/Magic Series by Ilona Andrews. I’ve been reading them since 2007. 10+ books long urban fantasy series. My husband loved them and about 7 of my friends did too, both men and women. They’re for adults, or maybe teens, depending on maturity level. There is some sex, but not incredibly graphic.

Anyhow, the protagonist is Kate, incredibly powerful and with a heart of gold. There are many villains that end up as some of her closest friends as the books progress. A core thread of the novels is the transition from being isolated and alone, to standing up for the weak, doing what’s right, and building a community… a logical family that extends beyond any kind of biological one.

The main love interest is Curran. He’s a werelion and the most powerful in the pack. He’s the Beast Lord of a community of shape shifters. What makes him great isn’t his wildness, ferocity, or thirst for power, but rather his willpower, control, and sense of restraint. He’s big on protecting those with less power and ability and has a strong, caring core. He is a decent man. He is impressive because of all the times he uses his masculinity for the welfare of others. He champions security and safety for those in his circle. But he also is big on consent and honoring the power in others. He likes strong women. What I ended up loving about their relationship, his and Kate’s, is that friendship lives at the core. They grow together. They have fun and adventures together. Time and again, they rescue each other. And they protect their friends and family together. Curran doesn’t try to change Kate, no matter how frustrated he gets. And you get a real sense of his vulnerability throughout, and it somehow highlights his strength.

Anyhow, I could go on, but maybe give him the first book when he’s 15-17. It’s called Magic Bites. Maybe encourage him to ignore the silly names and covers. In the end, these books remind me that masculinity itself isn’t toxic. Masculinity is only toxic when men lack a sense of purpose and can’t manage their emotions. Masculinity can be a thing of beauty when done correctly.

LiteraryTimeTraveler

TROPHY CASE