It’s my favorite book ever. Sometimes One Hundred Years of Solitude wrenches that title back from Jonathan Strange but then I open the book and Strange takes it back yet again.
Márquez is phenomenal—it's the short stories of his that I read first and fell in love with; they may be the reason I write magical realism, too.
Speaking of the devil, Carlos Ruiz Zafón is wonderful, too. Angel's Game has a special place in my heart, but I'd recommend the whole series, also The Mist Trilogy. (Of course I now must exorcise my Rereading Spree demon. 😮💨)
If anyone cares, another (though quite atypical) fantasy recommendation: Marlon James’ The Dark Star Trilogy. People either love it or hate it, I found it a remarkable accomplishment, shocking but also morbidly enchanting
Might Theodore Sturgeon's novel "More Than Human" be suitable for the list of "books to make us more human during inhuman times"?
Herman Meliville's "Bartleby The Scrivener," for some reason, is my favorite work of fiction that is shorter than novel-length. I remember it being both a dark story and one that conveys humor at the same time.
In an appendix of one of his editions (either the 5th or 6th edition, I think; or, maybe the 4th?; I'm unsure of which edition) of his practical book "Surviving Schizophrenia," E. Fuller Torrey asserted that "Bartelby The Scrivener" is a good depiction of someone suffering from schizophrenia (even though the term "schizophrenia" had not been coined, yet, when Herman Melville wrote the "Bartleby" story).
I wonder whether "Bartleby The Scrivener" might have been included on the posted list at least partly because it depicts a man who is not, let's say, living at fully human levels?
I don't know the real motives for why the story was included on the list, though, by the list's compilers. I suppose there could be more than one reason?
An excellent list, thankyou. Additions: The Way Home by Mark Boyle, Always Coming Home by Ursula K LeGuin, Wilderness Tips by Margaret Attwood, Lean Logic by David Fleming, Blood in the Machine by Brian Merchant, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, The Book of Chuang Tzu, Against the Machine by Paul Kingsnorth, Dark Mountain 8: Têchne.
1,2,9,19 are all Fives for me. Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck, last year’s Booker International winner, is about a retired East German professor empathizing with African refugees in Berlin. This novel slows down because it resists linearity, follows a bit of pattern structure, and is deeply introspective. The parallels the professor draws between the refugees life stories and his own narrative of life before, during, and after the wall as well as the actions he takes to help the men shows empathy to the reader. Through this empathy he learns about himself and better understands his life, both of which lead to a clearer sense of identity. Growing up in the US in 80s I had a much different impression of East Germany and the fall of the wall the Erpenbeck who came of age on the other side.
This feels like a custom list made for me. So many brilliant books here. I recently wrapped up Solenoid, which was incredible. I agree with some of the comments below that I’d love to see Olga Tokarczuk on here. Otherwise, I’m adding the books I haven’t read to my priority for next year.
Pedantic correction: it's A Wizard of Earthsea, not The. But I can attest to its excellence and I'm delighted to see it on the list. I also loved what I've read from the rest of the series, particularly The Tombs of Atuan
I can also vouch for The Memory Police. A strange, haunting book. Like a bad dream in the best way possible.
Editing to add a recommendation of my own: Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson. My favorite book that I read in 2025. Like seeing the inside of my own head reflected back to me in a frightening and moving way.
The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr by E.T.A. Hoffman. Hoffmann is most famous for writing the Nutcracker, but he also wrote this weird and wonderful tale told from the point of view of his cat Murr. Also there is another book inserted inside of the main text
The Master and Margarita was very strange in its mix of fantasy and real political intrigue. I read it over 20 years ago, and passed my copy to someone else.
Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye was a wonderful look into the breakdown of an un-valued child. Highly recomended ✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼
I remember reading Bartelby The Scrivner ( Melville) about 50 years ago, enjoyed it, and would read it again if I could find a copy. Barnes & Noble might have it.
Ursela LeGuin is a good read under any title. I’ll look for the Wizard of Earthsea. Enjoyed the list! Happy Holidays🎄🕛🎉
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, by Olga Tokarczuk.
I almost added that here. The only thing that stopped is I haven’t finished it fully yet myself.
Wait until you get to the ending. Are you surprised?
Clarke's Piranesi is brilliant. I highly recommend her debut, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell—among my favourites of all time, not just in fantasy
It’s my favorite book ever. Sometimes One Hundred Years of Solitude wrenches that title back from Jonathan Strange but then I open the book and Strange takes it back yet again.
Márquez is phenomenal—it's the short stories of his that I read first and fell in love with; they may be the reason I write magical realism, too.
Speaking of the devil, Carlos Ruiz Zafón is wonderful, too. Angel's Game has a special place in my heart, but I'd recommend the whole series, also The Mist Trilogy. (Of course I now must exorcise my Rereading Spree demon. 😮💨)
If anyone cares, another (though quite atypical) fantasy recommendation: Marlon James’ The Dark Star Trilogy. People either love it or hate it, I found it a remarkable accomplishment, shocking but also morbidly enchanting
Such an incredible list! I’m reposting for my book club, and The Vegetarian is on our list of possibilities for our January read!
Actually such a perfect book for a book club. People will have opinions!
It will certainly generate conversation! I wrote a whole article on it as part of my DIY MFA (spoilers included) here: https://alphameg.substack.com/p/seeing-red-and-blue
I remember fondly reading The Wizard of Earthsea many years ago. It may be time for a reread.
Might Theodore Sturgeon's novel "More Than Human" be suitable for the list of "books to make us more human during inhuman times"?
Herman Meliville's "Bartleby The Scrivener," for some reason, is my favorite work of fiction that is shorter than novel-length. I remember it being both a dark story and one that conveys humor at the same time.
In an appendix of one of his editions (either the 5th or 6th edition, I think; or, maybe the 4th?; I'm unsure of which edition) of his practical book "Surviving Schizophrenia," E. Fuller Torrey asserted that "Bartelby The Scrivener" is a good depiction of someone suffering from schizophrenia (even though the term "schizophrenia" had not been coined, yet, when Herman Melville wrote the "Bartleby" story).
I wonder whether "Bartleby The Scrivener" might have been included on the posted list at least partly because it depicts a man who is not, let's say, living at fully human levels?
I don't know the real motives for why the story was included on the list, though, by the list's compilers. I suppose there could be more than one reason?
An excellent list, thankyou. Additions: The Way Home by Mark Boyle, Always Coming Home by Ursula K LeGuin, Wilderness Tips by Margaret Attwood, Lean Logic by David Fleming, Blood in the Machine by Brian Merchant, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, The Book of Chuang Tzu, Against the Machine by Paul Kingsnorth, Dark Mountain 8: Têchne.
1,2,9,19 are all Fives for me. Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck, last year’s Booker International winner, is about a retired East German professor empathizing with African refugees in Berlin. This novel slows down because it resists linearity, follows a bit of pattern structure, and is deeply introspective. The parallels the professor draws between the refugees life stories and his own narrative of life before, during, and after the wall as well as the actions he takes to help the men shows empathy to the reader. Through this empathy he learns about himself and better understands his life, both of which lead to a clearer sense of identity. Growing up in the US in 80s I had a much different impression of East Germany and the fall of the wall the Erpenbeck who came of age on the other side.
Haven't read this one though I loved Kairos.
This feels like a custom list made for me. So many brilliant books here. I recently wrapped up Solenoid, which was incredible. I agree with some of the comments below that I’d love to see Olga Tokarczuk on here. Otherwise, I’m adding the books I haven’t read to my priority for next year.
I recently finished Offill's the Dept of Speculation and I'm excited to see you listed it!
I would add anything by Herve Guibert - To The Friend Who Did Not Save My Life to start.
I would only add the subsequent volumes of the calculation of volume, gets better as it goes. Three out now. Thanks for a great list. Cheers.
Master and Margarita was a beautifully baffling reading experience, and it disrupted a year-long reading slump!
If you're interested, here are some of my thoughts on The Vegetarian: https://feelingsdhaba.substack.com/p/biweekly-x-ray-bodies
The Earthsea books are incredible!
Pedantic correction: it's A Wizard of Earthsea, not The. But I can attest to its excellence and I'm delighted to see it on the list. I also loved what I've read from the rest of the series, particularly The Tombs of Atuan
I can also vouch for The Memory Police. A strange, haunting book. Like a bad dream in the best way possible.
Editing to add a recommendation of my own: Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson. My favorite book that I read in 2025. Like seeing the inside of my own head reflected back to me in a frightening and moving way.
The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr by E.T.A. Hoffman. Hoffmann is most famous for writing the Nutcracker, but he also wrote this weird and wonderful tale told from the point of view of his cat Murr. Also there is another book inserted inside of the main text
The Master and Margarita was very strange in its mix of fantasy and real political intrigue. I read it over 20 years ago, and passed my copy to someone else.
Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye was a wonderful look into the breakdown of an un-valued child. Highly recomended ✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼
I remember reading Bartelby The Scrivner ( Melville) about 50 years ago, enjoyed it, and would read it again if I could find a copy. Barnes & Noble might have it.
Ursela LeGuin is a good read under any title. I’ll look for the Wizard of Earthsea. Enjoyed the list! Happy Holidays🎄🕛🎉
Thank you! Trying to sort out my reading for the next few months :)