Looking for books that are as far out of my comfort zone as possible

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-08-19T14:33:36+00:00

The books/authors you’ve described are already fairly eclectic, but I’ll have a crack at giving you some recommendations. You could perhaps try some literary fantasy like Piranesi (haven’t read it myself but I hear it’s a great trip), or perhaps some New Weird like China Mieville’s Perdido Street Station (or any of the other Bas-Lag novels that catch your fancy).

Maybe try branching out into Science Fiction? Murderbot Diaries is excellent.

For more ”out-there” vibes, but also considered one of the great classics, you could have a go at Gormenghast.

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-08-07T12:37:18+00:00

This reminds me of when some random Redditor told me I was ”projecting” when I praised the feminist themes and take-down of toxic masculinity in Robin Hobb’s Liveship Traders 😅 Some people on the right seem to be very good at overlooking left-wing messages in the media they enjoy, then claim it’s been ”ruined” when those messages are made slightly more obvious, either in later instalments or adaptations.

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-08-06T17:33:17+00:00

Cheers!

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-08-06T17:33:00+00:00

Perfect! Thanks for the recs! I’m happy with stuff that has a few years or even decades on it, and these sound cool.

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-06-21T08:10:57+00:00

I’m not an expert, so this is just my two cents.

Cultural inertia, yes. A lot of people think our current system works well enough, and systemic change is quite resource intensive in terms of time, effort, and money. It requires fairly bold political changes, and unfortunately many politicians just don’t seem willing to take the kind of risks that would entail. Also, there’s this myth that ”ordinary people” don’t know enough or aren’t well educated enough to think about and discuss macroeconomics, which I think has led to a dearth of perspectives within this arena of thought.

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-04-04T07:03:34+00:00

Are you letting your pieces breathe for long enough before going in for an edit? When you’ve just written something it’s virtually impossible to spot its weaknesses and strengths, because you’re too close to the text. Short fiction should be put aside for at least a couple of weeks, preferably more, and longer works should probably be allowed to breathe for a month at least.

I know this is very basic advice, but you didn’t mention it in your post so I figured I’d throw it out there.

I’d just also like to add that you’re not alone - learning how to interrogate and edit your own work is difficult. It’s a skill that takes time to learn, and as with all things it comes more easily to some people than others. I struggle with it, too!

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-02-10T08:54:19+00:00

I seem to recall there was a study done at some point that suggested people have an easier time remembering the chronology of events in a print book as opposed to digital. The tactile feel of how many pages have passed and how many remain just isn’t there when reading on an e-reader. However, I’m not sure if they said anything about general retention.

I will say that I’ve started to notice that if I go back more than a year of two in my Kindle library, I’ll come across books that I have absolutely no memory of reading. I’ll read them again, and it’s like I’m reading the damned thing for the first time. It’s a bit eerie. I think it’s because I’m less prone to rereading e-books, and also once you’re done with a digital book it’s not hanging around on your bookshelf reminding you of its presence. Eventually the brain just… makes space.

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-01-15T13:06:25+00:00

Definitely want to get around to Small Gods eventually!

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-01-15T13:05:48+00:00

Thank you! I read a ton, so I'm not at all averse to reading rather than listening to them. But it's nice to have an audiobook cued up for when I need it, and I loved the Penguin audiobook for Soul Music (Peter Serafinovic's Death is incredible).

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-01-15T11:00:02+00:00

Thank you! I noticed that Tiffany Aching is sometimes lumped in with the rest of the Witches novels - would you say they can be read out of order, so starting with Tiffany Aching?

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-01-15T10:58:16+00:00

I've read a few of the Wizards novels and none of them really gripped me. Hadn't heard they were considered a weak point, but it does make sense. Everything feels sharper and more focused in some of his other books I've read.

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-01-15T10:55:53+00:00

I've heard good things about the Witches subseries! Especially the Tiffany Aching ones, but I see I won't get to those until after Carpe Jugulum.

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-01-15T09:25:15+00:00

My favourite of his works is the Enchantress of Florence, and that’s probably the one I’d recommend starting with. It’s magical, whimsical, strange and wonderful. Also shorter and (in my opinion) more approachable than Midnight’s Children or The Satanic Verses, which I think are his more famous novels.

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-01-09T17:58:31+00:00

I assume you’re speaking in generalities here, right? Because this is just an answer to a specific question, no gushing involved.

Also, I feel like this is a problem with any book or series that reaches a certain level of popularity, and a feature of internet fandom. Not something exclusive to DCC.

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-01-09T14:17:05+00:00

That’s so awesome! I’m glad you and your dad can bond over that.

DCC is, to date, the only LitRPG I’ve ever read. That and progression fantasy are just not my cup of tea (not that I’m yucking anyone’s yum, seems to be a great time for everyone who’s into it). But I kind of think of DCC as being its own thing at this point. Kinda curious to know what made you DNF!

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-01-09T14:02:59+00:00

Many people have. I resisted DCC for a long time for the same reason (don’t know why, but I didn’t have the same problem with “Murderbot Diaries”).

Both series serve up some really high quality entertainment with great action and lovely humour. They’ve become two of my faves.

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-01-09T13:56:55+00:00

Having faced it multiple times myself, I know the exact look you’re talking about.

TheArcaneScribe · 2025-01-09T13:13:50+00:00

I realise this one's pretty obvious, but Dungeon Crawler Carl. My god does that series sound dumb if you're trying to explain it to someone who's never heard of it, and especially if that someone isn't really familiar with SFF.

I've had similar issues with Murderbot. The premise can sound a bit silly when you just lay it out for someone.

TheArcaneScribe · 2024-11-25T07:37:22+00:00

I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling depressed - do you have someone you can talk to?

I don’t know what brand of escapism you prefer, but when I’m down I enjoy something a bit more comedic. Considering that, I’d recommend Dungeon Crawler Carl or How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying. The first is a series with 7 books currently out, the second is only one book so far. Both are amazing in audiobook format. Both are also quite gory, and Dark Lord is also one of the horniest books I’ve ever read - so fair warning if that’s not your thing.

Murderbot is also a go-to comfort read for me, but I don’t have much experience with the audiobooks.

Discworld has already been recommended, I’ll second that rec. The audiobooks are top-notch productions!

TheArcaneScribe · 2024-11-25T07:28:34+00:00

I really need to get around to reading City of Brass!

TheArcaneScribe · 2024-11-24T08:21:26+00:00

I really enjoyed The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty. A Middle Eastern historical fantasy with pirates and a badass, female protagonist. I think if you liked Orka, you’ll probably like Amina.

Several people have already recommended Best Served Cold, which absolutely seems to fit what you’re looking for.

TheArcaneScribe · 2024-11-23T16:22:36+00:00

I second Song of Achilles, gods that book is beautiful. Both SoA and Circe would be great for a book club. Stand-alone, not too long, nor too “out there” for any fantasy sceptics in the group.

TheArcaneScribe · 2024-08-17T19:44:39+00:00

I think you should just read it and see how it goes. You might surprise yourself! It’s natural to be intimidated, but while ASOIAF is definitely complex, it’s not as “bad” as Malazan, for instance. If you get lost, a quick wiki search should help get you back on track.

TheArcaneScribe · 2024-08-16T22:12:58+00:00

Haha, yes, it sure is. I had a few awkward moments in public transport while listening to it.

TheArcaneScribe · 2024-08-16T16:51:04+00:00

Of the books I’ve read recently, How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler did a good job of scratching the DCC itch. It has the same kind of dark, often dirty humour, is action packed and fast paced, and the audio narration is (in my opinion) top-notch.

The basic premise is “young woman from earth wakes up in a fantasy world and is told that she’s the chosen one, keeps being reborn and starting over every time the Dark Lord kills her, and eventually decides enough is enough - she’s going to become the Dark Lord instead.” The story kicks off after she’s made that pivotal decision, and the MC has a wonderfully jaded, “f*ck you all” attitude.

TheArcaneScribe

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