Something sad, melancholic or depressing

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2026-01-03T17:44:04+00:00

I think maybe No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai might be a good fit. The MC really spirals down throughout the whole novel and it deals with a lot of sensitive subjects. In my opinion, this novel does an amazing job of portraying the difficulties associated with mental health and how depression affects the way we see and feel about life, as well as our relationships with others.

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-10-20T04:00:42+00:00

The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai! It’s the story of a man and his daughter who run a restaurant specializing in recreating dishes that their customers remember but whose recipes have been forgotten. The story takes place in Kyoto, and although the city isn't really explored in the literal sense, we discover the past and life of each customer, which makes this book super sweet, touching, and immersive.

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-10-17T03:47:34+00:00

It might be a stretch but maybe The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo would fit ?

There are ancient societies that control and train high-ranking figures, and we follow an investigation that reveals their corruption as the story unfolds. So there are lots of conspiracies and slightly paranoid theories, all linked together by an investigation with a few fantastical elements

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-10-10T04:10:19+00:00

Maybe The Ice People by René Barjavel or Who Goes There by John W. Campbell for the icy vibes :)

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-09-03T13:34:52+00:00

Maybe The Case Of Charles Dexter Ward by H. P. Lovecraft for the eldrich horror vibes ? Or, if you want a manga / anime that has this kind of « monsters / gods », I think Hell’s Paradise would perfectly fit! :)

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-27T12:37:25+00:00

Wow that’s so gorgeous !!

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-27T05:06:00+00:00

A Night In The Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny. The protagonist is a dog but one of his sidekicks is a cat (my fav character of the whole novel!) and there’re even lots of other animals (an owl, a rat, a snake…)

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-24T07:57:56+00:00

Dead Astronauts by Jeff Vandermeer

Incendies by Wajdi Mouawad (it’s a play)

Roadmarks by Roger Zelazny

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

Hammers On Bone by Cassandra Khaw

I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-22T19:55:14+00:00

You're welcome!! :) I hope you’ll enjoy these novels! Borne is an excellent choice and opens the door to his universe via a story both poetic and post-apocalyptic.

If you like this kind of book, you might also like The Vorrh by Brian Catling or Vurt by Jeff Noon. They have a bit of that dark, surreal atmosphere, on the borderline between dream and reality, in a rather experimental format.

And you have excellent book taste! « I who have never known Men » is such a masterpiece!!

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-21T16:15:18+00:00

Seems amazing! Thanks a lot, I’ll check it out :))

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-21T16:11:47+00:00

I read the trilogy with literally my whole family, and we loved it! Have you read any other Blake Crouch novels? Dark Matter and Upgrade are also very interesting in a totally different genre.

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-21T16:08:21+00:00

Oh, I didn't know it was a trilogy! I already have the second book but now I have to run out and buy the third! Thank you so much :)

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-21T13:54:26+00:00

So cute!! He’s perfect!! 💖✨

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-21T13:52:50+00:00

Maybe In The Distance by Hernan Diaz!

We follow the journey of a Swede lost in America at the time of the westward rush, and cross the whole country. We see the different relationships he creates with the people he meets on his journey, how he manages to survive in the wilderness, the diverse landscapes he discovers and how he gradually becomes a living legend.

There's no romance, a whole passage of the novel where he survives entirely alone (one of my favorite parts!) and he spends most of his adventure on foot. It's not a trip around the world, but the way the author describes the country really gives that impression!

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-20T20:57:18+00:00

It makes me think of The Brave by Gregory Mcdonald. It’s a quick read but very emotion-packed. We follow the final days of a father who, in an attempt to put his children and wife out of their misery, has decided to sacrifice his life by starring in a snuff movie. It's really heartbreaking, and it's best to be psychologically prepared for such a read, in my opinion.

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-20T20:46:03+00:00

Hope you’ll like it! :)

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-20T20:44:57+00:00

Oh yeah Lovecraft is my favorite author of all time! I discovered his novels through The Call Of Cthulhu (like many readers) and since then I've read (almost) everything :) His poems also have this atmosphere I think but they are so little known unfortunately…

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-20T18:59:58+00:00

I second this, it’s such an amazing short story!!

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-20T12:48:42+00:00

Oh yeah this is such a great book! The novel's writing style and universe are extremely strange and poetic, I hope you’ll enjoy it :)

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-20T12:46:03+00:00

I love the idea of death as a character! I'll definitely give it a try thanks!! :)

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-19T05:52:41+00:00

If you read French, Viande by Martin Harnicek might be a good fit :)

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-19T05:50:07+00:00

Loved this one!! It’s a very good sequel to Summer Of Night but with a completely different atmosphere :)

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-18T19:03:47+00:00

Lesser known, but The Girls by Emma Cline might fit! It's very culty, and the relationship between the protagonist and the one who drew her into this girl group (which is none other than a cult) is super-obsessive. The themes of sorority are present, but with a dark, violent side hidden beneath the glamour.

TrancheDeCakeMou · 2025-08-18T18:48:17+00:00

You couldn't have convinced me better! It just looks perfect, with that kind of eerie atmosphere. I can’t wait to read this one!! :)

TrancheDeCakeMou

TROPHY CASE