Haruki Murakami is one of the most popular and widely read contemporary Japanese writers and for a good reason. The best Murakami books are read by millions of dedicated fans.

While he’s a Japanese writer, he’s heavily influenced by Western culture. This makes his novels an interesting blend of Wester pop-culture references and Japanese culture.

What he’s most known for are his books of magical realism, which are full of weird, absurd and surrealistic elements. Yet, he often uses those to outline the problems of our contemporary society.

His strange, magical adventures often bring to light deeper themes, such as isolation, finding happiness and identity. Many of his novels center on our urge to explore ourselves and to understand the inner workings of human identity. They are a mixture of surrealistic fantasy and a discussion of human nature.

To do so, Murakami plunges his characters into metaphysical realms, dreamscapes, the unconscious and even the afterlife.

As much as I love Murakami’s works, I can be a bit divided on him. I’ve got a strange relationship with his works. While I enjoy some of his books massively, there are others I truly disliked.

Those are, however, a few outlines and I enjoy most of his works. It’s the strange mixture of easily digestible prose, serious topics and the myriad of strange, surreal and weird elements he employs. It’s a sense of otherworldliness that surrounds his books and that always draws me back to him.

If you’re looking for absurd novels or magical realism, you could do much worse than to pick up his books.

Murakami has written both fiction and non-fiction as well as short story collections. For this list of the best Murakami books, however, I want to focus solely on his fictional novels.

1Q84

1Q84 is probably Murakami’s most widely read book, reaching one million sales after publication.

While the setting might push it into the realm of science-fiction, it’s essentially a romance and mystery novel.

The book focuses on two different characters.

One is Aomame, a woman who works as a fitness instructor and doubles as an assassin who kills male perpetrators of domestic abuse. The other is Tengo, a math teacher and copywriter.

At the outset of the novel, Aomame realizes strange discrepancies in the world around her. She soon realizes she’s entered a parallel world, one she terms 1Q84, the Q representing a question mark.

Meanwhile, Tengo takes on another job as a copywriter. Because of this, however, he becomes entangled not only with the work but also with its unusual writer. Soon, his normal, mundane life changes.

Before long, our two characters’ lives converge.

Like other Murakami books, 1Q84 focuses on a variety of themes, but the most prevalent is that of religious groups, their power and the damage they can cause. 1Q84 focuses on a fictitious religious cult called Sakigake, which is trying to establish a connection with the spirits of the Earth, the Little People.

1Q84 is the single Murakami book I really didn’t enjoy. The story was typical Murakami and all his strange, unusual elements were there, yet the book didn’t work out for me.

The biggest problem was the length and the pacing. At almost a thousand pages, the book felt way too long, became tedious and repetitive. A lot of times, it felt like the plot wasn’t moving forward and instead, certain points were brought up again and again.

I still included the book, however. The first half of the book is fantastic and makes it a great addition to this list of the best Murakami novels. It’s only in the second half where the book becomes progressively weaker. Yet, this is merely my opinion, and I’m sure many Murakami fans will enjoy this book.

Dance Dance Dance

Dance Dance Dance is the sequel to ‘A Wild Sheep Chase’ featured later on this list and is set four years after the events of said novel.

The book focuses on a lot of themes typical for Murakami: loss, abandonment and supposedly includes some of Murakami’s real-life experiences.

Dance Dance Dance is a deconstruction of the Japanese economy and advanced capitalism. It discusses the contemporary tendency to commodify and sell anything, including relationships, friends, and family.

Our narrator Boku’s more lost in life than ever. He’s unambitious, apathetic and directionless. Even worse, his girlfriend Kiki, an ear model he got to know in ‘A Wild Sheep Chase,’ went missing.

Boku’s quest leads him through the strange, multifaceted culture of modern Japan, but also turns mystical. He’s thrown into a strange world of sexuality and metaphysical dread.

The most notable element of the novel, however, is the mysterious Sheep Man. He’s a strange figure our narrator encounters in a dimly lit hotel room. The Sheep Man’s central to the events taking place, yet he only ever offers Boku cryptic explanations.

Dance Dance Dance can be best described as a suspense novel rich in surrealistic elements.

It is, however, a slowly moving book, and one I often found too slow and a tad bit boring. While I realize the book’s often regarded as one of the best Murakami books out there, it didn’t quite work for me.

South of the Border, West of the Sun

This novel can be best described as a love story full of deep loneliness. While I think it can be a beautiful book, it’s not amongst the best Murakami books.

Our narrator Hajime’s much less likeable than those of Murakami’s other books. While he’s an unpleasant person, however, he’s also interesting. Yet, his decisions, behavior, and feelings of emptiness can be quite alienating to readers.

While most other children had siblings, Hajime grew up as an only child. He spent most of his time with Shimamoto, who was also an only child. Together, the two of them often listened to her father’s record collection. When her family moved away, however, the two of them lost contact.

In the present, Hajime is in his thirties and seems to have found happiness. He’s got a loving wife, two daughters and runs a successful jazz bar.

That’s until Shimamoto reappears at his bar. She’s beautiful, intense and mysterious and suddenly Hajime’s thrown into the past and puts everything he’s got at risk.

While Shimamoto has a secret, she’s unable to escape from, Hajime doesn’t seem to be able to escape her and soon joins her on a mysterious journey.

Yet, their affair doesn’t long, and Hajime has to return to his old life, one he thought he’d escaped from.

While I don’t think South of the Border, West of the Sun, is amongst the best Murakami books, it contains some interesting musings. The most prevalent of those are happiness and loneliness. The book makes you reflect on your own life and makes you wonder if it’s all worth it.

South of the Border, West of the Sun, is a story that begs the question ‘what if’ and showcases how much our childhood influences the rest of our life.

It’s not a bad novel, but again, it didn’t quite work for me. It’s also a book that’s rather atypical for Murakami, and doesn’t feature his usual strange and surrealistic elements.

Hear the Wind Sing

Hear the Wind Sing is Murakami’s debut novel. While I enjoyed it a lot, it’s also got its problems.

It’s less a novel that follows a coherent, developing plot, but more a collection of anecdotes that play out when a university student returns to his hometown.

Even though Murakami’s non-traditional narrative and many of his usual themes are already at play here.

Our narrator, Boku, is a man who works here and there, slipping in and out of work to figure out what will bring him the most meaning in life. His best friend is known as The Rat, who follows Boku on many of his journeys. Amongst other things, the two of them develop a deep relationship with a Chinese bartender.

Each of these characters tries to figure out where their youth has gone, what happened to their childish idealism and how they should face the uncertainty of the future with confidence.

While the novel’s plot isn’t too deep, it makes up for it with its quick, light and simple writing style. It also offers us a deeper look at young man who are lost in our modern world.

While it’s far from one of the best Murakami books out there, I enjoyed it and I think it’s definitely worth reading.

Sputnik Sweetheart

Sputnik Sweetheart can be best described as a romantic detective story. It’s a tale about attraction, desire, and self-discover, but also sexuality and the psychology of love and loss.

Our narrator, K, is a teacher who’s deeply in love with his friend Sumire, a free-spirited writer. The two of them spend hours on the phone in which Sumire talks about the big questions of life. Yet, K’s never able to reveal his feelings for her.

Before long, Sumire meets and falls in love with Miu, a woman seventeen years her senior. The two of them soon take off for a vacation in Greece.

When K gets a call from Miu that Sumire disappeared, he sets out for Greece himself to help find her. It’s there he enters Sumire’s world and realizes there’s much more to reality.

Sputnik Sweetheart is definitely one of Murakami’s stranger, more confusing books and it will leave you with more questions than answers.

It’s a novel that focuses heavily on human nature, longing and loneliness. It’s a short, yet subtle and haunting novel that definitely deserves its place on a list of the best Murakami books.

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage is one of Murakami’s more recent novels.

It’s a novel concerning one Tsukuru Tazaki and tells us about his teenage years and his present-day life. In the 90s, Tuskuru had a group of friends from high school. Each one of them had a name related to a certain color. Only Tsukuru didn’t and thus became regarded as colorless.

Their friendship was deep, but ended when Tsukuru went to college. One day, all of his friends stopped talking to him, making him depressed and suicidal.

In the present day, Tsukuru is thirty-six years old and works as an engineer. Yet, even now, he’s still haunted by the mystery of what happened.

It’s his girlfriend who finally encourages him to reach out to his friends and to find out why they cut contact. Thus, a journey of self-discovery begins in which Tsukuru has to figure out who he really is as a person.

The novel gives us both an inward and outward look at the struggle of growing up and growing as a person. His quest for understanding brings Tsukuru back to his hometown, but also all the way to Finland.

The most prevalent themes in the novel are forgiveness and being true to oneself.

What’s interesting to note is that this novel is entirely realistic and contains none of Murakami’s usual surreal and weird elements.

It’s also less epic than some of Murakami’s other books, but also much more personal. It’s a great novel for Murakami fans and is very well worth reading. The absence of any weird elements, however, makes it hard for me to consider it amongst the best Murakami books.

Pinball, 1973

Pinball, 1973 is Murakami’s second novel and the sequel to Hear the Wind Sing.

The novel explores our narrator’s relationship to a woman named Naoko who committed suicide during his college days.

While it might sound like a dark novel, it turns out to be much more lighthearted, comical and weird. This is mostly attributed to the twins. These two weird women turn up at and being staying at Boku’s apartment and help him deal with loss and loneliness.

The novel’s plot, however, centers on Boku’s quest to find his favorite pinball machine from his days with Naoko, the ‘three flipper starship.’ Yet, this quest isn’t so much about the pinball machine, but more about his reconciliation with Naoko’s memory.

While Pinball, 1973 is still somewhat unrefined, it’s full of Murakami’s usual themes and elements. The characters are quirky and the entire novel and the events taking place have an almost otherworldly feeling about it.

Similarly to Hear the Wind Sing, the book’s more a collection of different episodes in Boku’s and other character’s lives. They are, however, full of musings about life.

It’s an odd little novel, but one I enjoyed a lot and regard as one of the best Murakami novels.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is one of Murakami’s most celebrated novels, so it’s well deserving of a spot in the best Murakami novels.

It features a strange mystery that only gets stranger the longer the novel progresses. It’s an almost perfect surrealistic tale which combines quirky characters and alternate realities with suburban Japan.

Our protagonist, Toru Okada, is a man who recently quit his job and has become a house husband. His days are spent cooking, listening to music, chatting up the neighbors and waiting for his wife to return home.

When their cat goes missing, Toru’s sent out on a quest to find it. Soon enough, however, his wife acts strangely. She comes home later and later, drops him strange hints and refuses to have sex with him. Before he realizes it, she seems to have left him and so he embarks on a new search, this time for his wife.

Eventually, he learns his wife’s held in another world which has taken on the form of a labyrinthine, infinite hotel. And so, Toru has to find a way of entering this metaphorical place.

During his search, he comes across many weird characters. The standouts here are the nihilistic teenager May Kasahara and the military Lieutenant Mamiya. While May’s a fantastic character and her interactions with Toru are great, it’s Mamiya’s tale that sets him apart. He used to be a soldier during the Japanese occupation of Manchukuo and witnessed horrible things.

Yet, those are only two of all the characters Toru encounters and each one of them serves to be as weird and quirky as the next.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is a novel full of awkward moments, of violence and tension. It features themes of sex, violence, and memories lost and regained. It also deals with Japan’s painful history during World War II. Yet, it also features many of Murakami’s other typical elements.

Overall, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is a puzzle, one that only slowly comes together. It’s a detective story, but at the same time, comedy and menace. It’s, however, always weirdly imaginative and surreal.

While I liked the oddness of the plot, and many of the smaller stories, the novel itself felt a bit too unfocused and loosely structured. The mystery of Toru’s quest seemed less central and became almost a backdrop for strange, unrelated tales.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is still very much worth reading, both for fans of Murakami and those interested in surreal novels. While I had my problems with it, it’s hard to not consider it one of the best Murakami books.

Norwegian Wood

Norwegian Wood was Murakami’s breakthrough novel and made him famous both in Japan and internationally.

What’s special about Norwegian Wood is that it lacks any of the absurd or weird elements so typical in his books. It’s not a work of magical realism, but one grounded entirely in reality.

The title of the novel is taken from a 1965 Beatles song. When our narrator, Toru Watanabe, listens to this same song, he reminisces about his college days back in the 60s. It’s a time in which the Japanese students rose against the government.

Yet, it’s also the time when his best friend committed suicide and he became infatuated with two women, Naoko and Midori.

Naoko was his former best friend’s girlfriend. She’s coping with her lover’s suicide and suffers from severe mental issues. Soon enough, Naoko tells Toru that she hears her former lover’s voice who’s calling to her from another world.

Midori is the complete opposite. She’s an energetic and friendly young girl, very much in love with life.

The novel centers on Toru’s feelings and his choice between saving Naoko and his desire for Midori.

Yet, Norwegian Wood is more than a simple love story. It’s a tale of growing up and how to deal with loss. It’s a very personal and tender book. We witness Toru walking the streets of Tokyo with Naoko, or spending the evening on a rooftop with Midori.

Overall, Norwegian Wood can be dark, and there’s an almost sinister undertone prevalent throughout the novel. Yet, it also offers hope and a chance to grow up.

The only real problem I had with the book was its heavy focus on sex and sex scenes and its portrayal of mental illness.

Still, it’s a fantastic tear-jerker and regarded as one of the best Murakami books for a reason.

A Wild Sheep Chase

A Wild Sheep Chase is the third installment of Murakami’s so called ‘Trilogy of the Rat’ after Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball, 1973 and brings it to a close. It’s by far the best of the trilogy and even outshines its sequel Dance Dance Dance.

While it’s a book, that’s more straightforward compared to his later work, it’s heavy on magical realism.

Our narrator Boku’s now in his thirties and runs a publishing company in Tokyo. When his friend The Rat sends him a photograph of a herd of sheep, he uses it in an advertisement.

Unbeknownst to him, however, the photograph depicts a strange, magical sheep with a star-shaped birthmark. This soon gets him the attention of a powerful political and leader of a giant business syndicate only known as ‘The Boss.’

The man clarifies that Boku’s in trouble and gives him an ultimatum. He’s got to find the sheep or face dire consequences.

And so, our narrator sets out to the rural areas of Hokkaido to find not only the sheep but also his friend who seems to be entangled in the events at play.

From here on out the book serves to only get stranger.

What starts out as a detective novel in which one man takes on an all-powerful syndicate soon develops into a beautiful and sad tale of trauma and things lost.

A Wild Sheep Chase features many themes, such as Japanese culture and identity in post-WWII Japan, Japanese religious tradition and sexuality. At the center, however, is the conflict between individual will and the all-encompassing, impersonal power of the state.

While it features Murakami’s typical surrealist elements, it serves to be easily comprehensible, accessible and readable. Even though it’s one of his earlier works, I consider it amongst the best Murakami books.

After Dark

After Dark is one of the more cozy Murakami novels out there.

We get to know Mari, a young woman who spends her nights at a Denny’s. One night, she encounters a young man who insists he knows his older sister. This event sets in motion Mari’s odyssey through the sleeping city.

It’s a tale set in a single night, but which sheds light on the lives of a diverse cast of Tokyo residents. It’s in this setting that fantasy and reality collide.

The book features some of Murakami’s usual surreal and strange elements, but they didn’t feel as central to the plot as in others.

After Dark’s plot, too, isn’t as gripping or extensive as that of other Murakami novels, but I found its atmosphere much richer. There’s just something about the night, those who populate it, and how they spend their time during these late hours.

At the center of the novel, however, is a deep feeling of loneliness. While we all share the world together, and we all interact and affect each other’s lives, we’re all isolated.

It’s an enchanting little novel, one I truly came to love and regard as one of the best Murakami books out there.

Kafka on the Shore

Kafka on the Shore is Murakami at his best, but also his most confusing.

It’s a novel that blends pop-culture references, cats, magical realism, sexuality and Japanese religious tradition into an utterly stunning and mind-boggling journey.

The novel revolves around two characters.

One is Kafka Tamura, a fifteen-year-old boy who escapes from his father’s home to avoid an oedipal curse. After leaving, he sets out to find his long-lost mother and sister. His journey eventually leads him to a private library on the island of Shikoku. There he meets the beautiful, but odd Miss Saeki, who might or might not be his mother and the even odder Oshima.

The other character is Nakata, a strange and illiterate old man. What makes Nakata special is his ability to talk to cats. Because of this, he’s become a cat locator. His story beings when he’s hired by the mysterious Johnnie Walker to find a lost cat. As it turns out however, Johnnie Walker is a cat killer and Nakata is forced to leave Tokyo. He ends up traveling with a truck driver, Noshino, who grows fond of the old man. Eventually, their journey, too, leads them to Shikoku.

It’s there that the two narratives converge.

Kafka on the Shore features a variety of strange characters and even stranger events. While some of these might be comical, the book’s a serious tale. It’s one heavy with musings on both reality and the metaphysical world.

It’s a complex work, heavily layered with symbolism. Murakami himself once said, it’s a book full of riddles and their solution is unique for each reader.

While the book focuses heavily on spirituality and religion, it’s essentially a coming-of-age tale of a fifteen-year-old boy and his journey to become an independent adult.

Kafka on the Shore is without Murakami’s weirdest book and it will leave you utterly confused after your first read-through. Yet, it’s nothing short of a magical realism masterpiece, one that’s without a doubt one of the best Murakami books out there, if not the best.

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World is hands-down my favorite Murakami novel, even surpassing Kafka on the Shore.

It’s notable Murakami’s only pure science-fiction novel and features two seemingly unrelated narratives that couldn’t be more different.

The first focuses on a man who’s a ‘Calcutec.’ This means he’s a human data processor who specializes in using his subconscious mind for encryptions. His job is to shuffle and encrypt data so the agents of an organization known as The Factory can’t steal it. Before long, he finds himself at the center of an underground information war.

The second narrative is much stranger and set in a small town in a fantasy world. This town’s surrounded by a massive, impenetrable wall. Even more mysterious, all inhabitants seem to have lost their shadow and its only exit is protected by a fearsome gatekeeper.

After the narrator arrives in this town, his memories taken away, his shadow’s cut off from him and he gets assigned a job at the town’s library. From here on out, he tries to get back his shadow and to escape this strange town.

The most notable element of the town, however, are the many unicorns who live nearby.

These two plots are both as strange as they sound and are extremely unique to one another.

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World is an absolutely fantastic book which blew me away when I first read it.

It’s populated by a cast of characters as interesting as they are weird. While our narrator’s a human data processor, he’s far from the weirdest addition. We encounter deranged scientists, psychotic thugs, mysterious librarians and even subterranean monsters.

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, however, also features deeper elements. Its themes, such as fulfillment, choices, as well as internal and external pressure and a good chunk of existential musings.

Yet, the most prevalent theme is without a doubt the relationship between conscious and subconscious mind. It’s this relationship that also inspired, at least in part, my short story The Special Dish.

It’s an extremely interesting book, my favorite and without a doubt one of the best Murakami books. I highly recommend it to any fan of Murakami, but also to those who like unique mysteries and science-fiction.

Frank Herbert’s Dune, originally published in 1965, has become a cornerstone of science-fiction. It quickly became a fan-favorite and many science-fiction readers are looking for more books like Dune.

It’s an epic story that has been adapted for TV and movies several times.

Dune is by many seen as the greatest science-fiction novel ever written. Even today, it remains one of the most important and influential science-fiction novels ever written.

It’s set in the distant future, in a time when a huge interplanetary empire rules over various planetary fiefdoms.

Our protagonists are the member of House Atreides which is assigned fief ruler of the planet Arrakis. Arrakis is known as Dune for its inhospitable climate and shifting sands.

Yet, there’s much more to the planet. It’s the only source in the universe for the melange, or spice, a drug that not only extends life and enhances mental abilities, but is also necessary for space navigation.

Before long, however, the Emperor conspires with the House Harkonnen. They are the former stewards of Arrakis and an enemy of House Atreides.

Dune is a rich novel full of different cultures, alien ecology and political intrigue. Yet, there are more of these. It focuses heavily on climate change and environmental issues, but also features religious symbolism and physical musings.

It’s a fantastic novel of ambitious scope that will stay with you long after you finished it.

Altogether, the original Dune saga comprises six novels by Frank Herbert himself and more than a dozen written by his son Kevin J. Anderson

For this article, I’ve put together a long list of books like Dune you’re sure to enjoy. If you’re looking for more science-fiction recommendations, be sure to check out my list of the best science-fiction novels.

Ancillary Justice by Anne Leckie

Ancillary Justice by Anne Leckie is a space opera set in a massive galactic empire.

It tells the story of an AI who controls the massive spaceship Justice Toren, but is also linked to thousands of human soldiers.

When the Toren Justice is destroyed, a fragment of the AI lives on in a single human body going by the name Breq. Breq now sets out on a quest for both finding answers and vengeance.

Ancillary Justice is a mystery that’s slowly unraveled. It’s a story full of political intrigue, philosophical discussions and centers heavily on artificial intelligence. The best part, however, is the layered plot and its massive payoff.

Another point to note is that Ancillary Justice was the first novel to win the Hugo, the Nebula and the Arthur C. Clarke award.

It’s a brilliant book for those who are looking for books like Dune. It’s smart, fun, inventive and features a cast of fantastic characters.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

After its release The Fifth Season won the Hugo award for best novel, so you know it’s going to be good. Even more so when you learn all three books in the trilogy won the Hugo award.

Simply said, it’s a masterpiece which tells a similar tale to Frank Herbert’s renowned classic.

It’s set in an alternate, far-future earth set on a single, Pangea-like continent which is caught in a cycle of catastrophe and wracked by natural disasters. The titular ‘fifth season’ is what the inhabitants call the recurring periods of catastrophic climate change.

The opening of the book starts when a powerful ‘orogene,’ a human who can manipulate Earth’s crust, causes massive earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and tears the land in two.

Orogones are a race of magical users who are enslaved and oppressed. Each of our narrators is a member of this race and as their stories slowly become entwined, the complexity of the overall plot becomes clear.

The Fifth Season is a novel that centers on both a very personal, family narrative and world-spanning, cataclysmic action. Political and magical power go hand-in-hand, yet a lot is hidden under the surface.

The Fifth Season is a fantastic fusion of science-fiction and fantasy, and it more than deserves its place on this list, especially for its fantastic storytelling.

Similar to Dune, it features both theological and supernatural elements akin to those of the Bene Gesserit. It’s a book that stands out for its meticulous world-building and deep character development.

It’s again only the first book in a series and followed by two sequels, The Obelisk Gate and the Stone Key. Both two are worth reading for those who are looking for books like Dune.

Hyperion by Dan Simmons

Hyperion can be called the Canterbury Tales of science-fiction.

It’s another novel set in the far-future, the 29th century. This masterpiece is a must-read for anyone who likes books like Dune.

Taken inspiration from the way the Canterbury Tales, it comprises six novellas.

They center on several pilgrims who meet on board a ship on their way to a world called Hyperion. This world is not connected to others via a farcaster portal and beyond the reach of the galactic law. When war rages, these seven pilgrims set out on their final voyage in search of answers.

These pilgrims are the Priest, the Soldier, the Poet, the Scholar, the Detective, and the Consul. On the way, each of them tells their story about how they came to take this journey.

All those stories, however, slowly reveal a larger plot little by little.

Dan Simmons uses these stories to paint a rich picture of his universe. It’s a vast place, one populated by desert planets, ocean planets and replicas of Earth.

Hyperion is a novel that features religion, war, family strife, political intrigue and artificial intelligence.

Once more, it’s only the first in Dan Simmons’ fictional universe and is followed up by three other books in his ‘Hyperion Cantos.’ All of them are equally worth reading for those who are looking for books like Dune.

Jaran by Kate Elliott

Kate Elliot’s novel is set in an interstellar future in which the vast Chapalii Empire governs conquered planets. One of them is earth.

Similar to Dune, the novel focuses on a protagonist caught in the middle of interstellar politics, war, and intrigue. Her name is Tess Soerensen, and she’s the sister of the former leader of Earth’s rebellion against the alien invaders.

While the rebellion was a loss, however, the rebellion’s leader was given a dukedom and granted nobility.

Tess, however, leaves her home for the planet Rhui. There she meets the jaran, the natives who live as nomads and who’ve long forgotten their heritage. Before long, Tess is intrigued by their ways and comes to share an emotional connection with their charismatic leader, Ilya.

Soon enough, Tess finds herself between tradition and advancement, extinction and survival.

The most interesting thing about Jaran, however, is that it uses many established tropes, but changes them up and moves them into new directions.

Jaran is a book highly recommended for those who like books like Dune.

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Left Hand of Darkness is one of the earliest and finest examples of feminist science-fiction.

It centers on a Terran named Genly Ai who’s takes to negotiate with the planet Gethen to join a vast interstellar confederation. The inhabitants of Gethen, however, are ambisexual and their culture clashes with those of the confederacy.

It’s essentially a novel which focuses on and explores an alien culture through the eyes of a visitor.

The novel again focuses on extreme climate conditions. At one point, our main character, Gently Ai, has to travel across an ice sheet for 80 days, almost losing his life. Another similarity to Dune is the focus on religion and prophetic elements.

What The Left Hand of Darkness is best known for, however, is its study of gender.

It’s a fascinating, and thought-provoking read and one I highly recommend not only for those looking for books like Dune, but for any fan of science-fiction.

Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey

Leviathan Wakes is the first book in The Expense novel series which comprises nine novels.

Humanity has colonized the solar system, which is divided between three warring factions.

The novel itself explores two major plot points.

The first centers on James Holden, who’s working on the ice hauling ship ‘Canterbury.’ His life changes when the Canterbury responds to a distress signal. The crew stumbles upon a derelict ship, the Scopuli where they find a secret they never wanted to know and who someone’s willing to kill for.

The other centers on detective Miller, who’s looking for a lost girl. Before long, this search leads him to the Scopuli. He soon realizes this girl might be the key to everything.

These two mysteries are, of course, connected, and the clearer this connection becomes, the more the intrigue grows.

As the novel continues, our main characters are slowly brought together from different points in the solar system. Both Miller and Holden must now hold their own not only against the Earth government but also the Outer Planet revolutionaries and secretive corporations.

In the end, the stakes are high, and our heroes know that what they are after could save or destroy humanity. For out in the belts, a single ship can change the fate of the universe.

Leviathan Wakes is a fantastic book, one much closer to home than other books like Dune. It’s very worth reading, especially for its mystery elements and the fantastic narrative.

The Long Tomorrow by Leigh Brackett

The Long Tomorrow is one of the few novels on this list preceding Frank Herbert’s Dune.

It was written back in 1955 and tells the story of two boys.

In a post-apocalyptic world, science and civilization are feared. Yet, our protagonists long for something greater than their simple, agrarian life.

Together they set out, travel through a war-torn land and discover a lot about themselves, but also the basis for the beliefs that have spread.

The Long Tomorrow is an interesting and well-written book with a great premise. What makes it especially worth reading is that it precedes most of the other novels on the list.

Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny

Lord of Light is an interesting blend between science-fiction and mythology.

It might sound similar to Dune at first hand, but it’s also vastly different.

While Dune creates its own mythology from scratch, Lord of Light blends Hindu and Buddhist beliefs into a fantastic interstellar adventure.

While Earth is long dead, this novel is set on a post-Earth colony. There, a group of man has gained control of technology, become immortal and now rule their world as the Hindu pantheon.

Opposing them is Mahasamatma, once known as Siddhartha, who’s known as the Lord of Light.

Yet, where Lord of Light stands out, the most is in terms of political intrigue. Like in Dune, it’s one of the major themes of the novel. Yet, it also heavily focuses on the themes of colonialism and spirituality.

Overall, a book very worth reading for those who are looking for books like Dune.

The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe

This novel follows Severian, who’s a member of the torturer guild.

His life changes when he falls in love with one of the condemned, a young noblewoman. First, he’s delaying her torture before he eventually helps her commit suicide to save her from her dire fate.

This act leads to his exile from the guild to a distant metropolis.

This exile is the beginning of a heartbreaking adventure full of political intrigues not too different from that of Paul Atreides in Dune.

Yet, things get much more interesting when he comes into possession of a strange gem. It soon becomes clear that a variety of people seem determined to get their hand on it.

Gene Wolfe’s The Shadow of the Torturer is a masterpiece of science-fantasy and a great pick for fans of books like Dune.

The Stars are Legion by Kameron Hurley

The Stars are Legion comes with a very interesting and unique setting.

While many other books like Dune are heavily inspired by Frank Herbert’s epic, the Stars are Legion is entirely different when compared to Dune. What it stands out for, however, is its epic scale, prose, characters and storytelling.

It’s set in a collapsing mass of world-ships at the edge of the universe called Legion.

Wars about control of legion are an ever-present reality, but so far there’s been no resolution.

As world-ships die, people get desperate and different factions try to uncover the secret of the central ship around which all others orbit.

At the center of these events is Zan, an amnesiac girl who’s trying to regain control of one world-ship and leave Legion. While she’s far from the only one with this goal, she, similar to Paul Atreides in Dune, seems to be the key.

She bands together with a group of other cast-offs and starts a war that only she can hope to win. Before long, Zan will learn that she carries what could destroy all of Legion or lead to its salvation.

The Stars are Legion is a fantastically well-written novel that tackles contemporary problems such as politics, gender identity and using people as mere tools to gain power.

The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov

The Foundation Trilogy is yet another work centering on a vast galactic empire.

Yet, Asimov’s story is different, as it portrays the collapse of an empire. What’s interesting, however, is that this collapse can’t be averted. Instead, its effects on humanity can only be dampened as much as possible.

The story of The Foundation Trilogy centers on the efforts to preserve the empire’s galactic knowledge and culture and eventually establish a new galactic empire.

It’s inspired by Edward Gibbon’s The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, which is noticeable right away.

The Foundation Trilogy focuses much less on a single narrative, but presents us with various events that take place during the fall of the Galactic Empire and the subsequent rise of the Foundation. Each of these events is detailed in a short story or novella, features its own characters, plots and crises to overcome.

What’s interesting about The Foundation Trilogy is that it relies much less on gripping action and space battles, but more on clever plots, twists and political theory.

Originally published in the 1950s, The Foundation Trilogy is considered a masterpiece of science-fiction.

If you’re looking for books like Dune, a science-fiction fan and have never read it, I highly recommend it. It’s at the pinnacle of the genre and considered one of the greatest works of science-fiction at all.

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson

Kim Stanley’s Red Mars is the first in his acclaimed Mars trilogy. It’s a book like Dune, mostly for its setting.

It tells the story of an international expedition comprising one hundred colonists who set foot on the barren planet with plans to establish a colony there.

Using a variety of terraforming technology, they set out to change the planet forever. Yet, there are, of course, those who want to prevent the planet from ever changing.

Red Mars, however, as opposed to Dune, is a hard science-fiction novel. It concerns itself deeply with terraforming and dives deep into it and its intricacies.

Yet, it’s not merely a book about planetary physics, but also one about war and politics. It also discusses a variety of contemporary problems, namely environmental issues and our overreliance on certain resources such as oil.

In Red Mars, the central question is one about human nature. Is it possible to build a better society? To discuss this question, Kim Stanley Robinson uses the attempted colonization of Mars.

Red Mars is a great read for science-fiction fans, especially those who like hard science-fiction.

Riverworld by Philip Jose Farmer

Riverworld is an odd book, yet similar other books like Dune it’s set in the far future.

The ‘Riverworld’ is a terraformed planet. It comprises a single river and valley that runs the entire circumference of the planet and is fed by a polar water source.

One day, for unknown reasons, every Homo sapiens, from the first to the latest most evolved, is resurrected along the banks of the river.

Stories of the dead coming back to life are nothing new, but Riverworld is definitely different, which can be noticed by its cast of characters.

While it features its fair cast of fictional characters, it also features prominent historical figures. Those include Mozart, King John of England, Hermann Goring and Mark Twain.

Yet, what makes the book even more interesting is its focus on how a modern, futuristic society changes these characters.

While Riverworld might sound weird at first hand, it’s a very interesting book with a unique setting that tackles deeper questions than one would first imagine. It especially focuses on sexual and religious themes.

It’s definitely a must-read for fans of books like Dune and especially for those who are interested in historical figures.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

At first glance Brave New World might not appear a book like Dune, but similarly to Dune it depicts a futuristic society and people’s struggles for what’s important.

The book’s story is set in 2540 and humanity lives in an idealistic society. People aren’t born but engineered in artificial wombs. They go through childhood indoctrination before they are put in predetermined castes.

In this society, there are no long-lasting relationships and everyone belongs to everyone. Depression, doubt, and unhappiness can simply be cured by a drug called Soma.

Bernard Marx is a member of the highest caste who disapproves of this society and its methods. The plot truly starts, however, when Bernard visits a savage reservation and meets John. John is a young man born naturally who grew up in the reservation and knows nothing about the real society.

What’s interesting about Brave New World is that its society might be called a Utopia. People are happy, live peacefully. There’s no war, but it all comes at a price. It’s a terrifying concept, especially given how realistic it might become.

Brave New World is a fantastically written novel, ripe with scientific background and populated by interesting characters. It’s without a doubt one of the greatest dystopian novels ever written.

The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu

The Three-Body Problem is the first novel in the fantastic Remembrance of Earth Past trilogy. It’s yet another hard science-fiction novel.

With its focus on scale, it’s easy to see why the Three-Body Problem can be compared to Dune. However, it’s modern and nothing short of unique in the realm of science-fiction.

It tells the story of a first contact gone wrong.

During China’s Cultural Revaluation, a secret military project sends signals into space. Eventually, a signal from an alien civilization, referred to as the Trisolarans, is intercepted by the Chinese government.

A group of scientists, including Ye Wenje, is brought together to deceiver their message. The alien civilization lives in a solar system which comprises three solar-type stars orbiting each other in an unstable three-body system. It soon becomes clear that the Trisolarans are on the brink of destruction, yet this is not the only thing the scientists uncover.

The story of the novel features a huge cast of character and explores fascinating physical concepts. Yet, it also focuses on politics, government authority and other similar themes.

After reading this novel and especially the rest of the series, it’s easy to see why Cixin Liu is China’s most popular science-fiction writer. The Three-Body problem is often called the best Chinese science-fiction novel of all time and highly recommended to those who are looking for books like Dune.

Involution Ocean by Bruce Sterling

Involution Ocean is another book like Dune, which might be called a speculative fiction version of Moby Dick.

Our protagonist, John Newhouse, is hooked on a powerful narcotic drug named Flame.

There’s only one source. It’s derived from whale-like creatures native to the dust seas on planet Nullaqua.

When the drug gets outlawed by the Galactic Confederacy, however, John has no choice but to sign up as a seaman aboard a dust whaler and hunt the creature himself.

Involution Ocean features not only a setting similar to Dune, but also a cast of fantastic characters. They comprise junkies, misfits, but also weirder characters and those who hide their own dark secrets.

Yet, the plot of the book doesn’t center on political conflict or war. Instead, similar to Moby Dick, it centers on the confrontation between man and beast.

The book, however, also focuses on and studies the various aspects of human nature.

Involution Ocean presents us with an astonishing imaginative world. Yet, what makes it so similar to Dune is its focus on a rare commodity and the native megafauna which are both very reminiscent of the planet Arrakis.

A brilliant novel that is highly recommended reading for fans of science-fiction.

The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

The Windup Girl is a novel set in a dystopian future Thailand. It follows a diverse set of characters as they try to survive in this setting.

One is a man named Anderson Lake. He works as a Calorie Man for the AgriGen Corporation. Working undercover as a factory manager, he’s tasked with combing Bangkok’s street markets for foods thought to be extinct.

Emiko, on the other hand, is known as the Windup Girl. She’s a beautifully engineered being who was grown and created to satisfy the whims of a Japanese businessman. After being abandoned, she now walks the streets of Bangkok.

People like Emiko are known as New People. They are feared and regarded as soulless. They are nothing but slaves, soldiers, or toys.

The Windup Girl is a fascinating novel set in a future in which fossil fuels are a thing of the past and bio-engineering runs rampant.

The book focuses heavily on such issues as climate change, the nature of humanity and how counts as human, who doesn’t and why not. Another, more important them, however, is that of calories becoming a currency and that of bio-terrorism.

The Windup Girl is nothing short of fascinating and one of the greatest science-fiction novels of the twenty-first century. Those looking for books like Dune should definitely check it out.

The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

The Forever War starts out similar to many other science-fiction novels and space operas. Humanity gets in contact with aliens, conflict starts and war breaks out.

Our protagonist, William Mandella, becomes part of an elite military unit that travels the galaxy to fight the alien enemy in what should become known as the Forever War.

While the earlier chapters in the book which focus on military training and the first battle against the alien antagonist can be weak, the book soon gets much more interesting. It explores a variety of complex themes and draws an intricate and realistic picture of not only interstellar war but also futuristic society.

As the story continues, Mandella wants to go home, but soon realizes that what he remembers as his home might not be anymore. Because of the vast distances of space and the unexpected circumstances of space travel, he might only age months while on Earth decades and even centuries pass.

While the Forever War is a space opera, the battle scenes are actually one of its weaker elements. They are much more realistic than those in other novels, but also less exciting.

Where the book really stands out is in the exploration of its various more complex scenes. The most interesting of those is the vast changes society goes through over decades and centuries and how one adapts to them.

While the book has its weaker elements, it more than makes up for it by the complex themes it tackles.

It’s clearly one of the best science-fiction novels out there and highly recommended for those who look for books like Dune.

Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein

Starship Troopers is another classic in the realm of science-fiction. The story is set in the far future and humanity is dominated by a military elite referred to as the Terran Federation.

The novel follows Juan ‘Johnny’ Rico, a young man, through his service in the Mobile Infantry in which he goes from recruit to officer.

All this is told against the backdrop of an interstellar war between humanity and an alien species known as ‘Arachnids’ or ‘Bugs.’

As a big fan of the movie by the same name, I expected the book to be an action packed science-fiction novel, but it was a much deeper and more complex book.

Many parts of the book are devoted to classroom scenes in which Rico and others discuss philosophical and moral topics. Those include civic virtue, war, military doctrine and suffrage.

While I don’t agree with Heinlein’s ideas and find some of them questionable, these discussions were some of the most interesting parts in the book.

Yet, the book still has its scenes of brutal action, they just aren’t the focus of the novel.

Overall, Starship Troopers is a science-fiction class. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for books like Dune, but especially those who are interested in military science-fiction.

The Lord of the Rings was published in 1954 and is considered by many the fantasy series. J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic basically created the fantasy genre and serves as its foundation even today. No wonder there are so many other books like Lord of the Rings out there.

It’s known for its grand world-building, the rich history, the language and many other elements popular in today’s fantasy. It brought us wizards, dragons, magic, swords, and many more.

With 150 million copies sold, The Lord of the Rings proves to be one of the world’s best-selling novels, not merely in the fantasy genre.

Over the decades, there have been many imitators, and many other writers broke into the fantasy genre after Tolkien. Many fantasy fans are searching for something that can quell their hunger for similar novels, epic quests and adventures.

Yet, fantasy today has become much more than books about elves and hobbits. While many follow the tropes popularized in The Lord of the Rings, others are vastly different.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of Frodo’s quest or if you’re just looking for other fantasy recommendations. There’s a plethora of fantasy books and series out there since it proved to be one of literature’s most popular genres.

Even in a genre as vast as fantasy, however, only a few books ever come close to Tolkien’s great classic.

For this article, I’ve put together a list of outstanding fantasy series and books like Lord of the Rings, which I’m sure any fantasy fan will enjoy. If you’re looking for horror and science-fiction recommendations check out my list of the best horror books and the best science-fiction books.

The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan

Let’s begin this list of books like Lord of the Rings with one of the most popular and celebrated fantasy series of all times.

The Wheel of Time is often praised for its fantastic world-building. It has rightfully taken its place as a classic of the fantasy genre ever since its debut back in 1990.

Its first book tells the story of three boys, Rand, Mat and Perrin. Their home of Emond’s Field is attacked by Trollocs and a Myrddraal who are intent on capturing the boys. They are rescued by Moiraine, a powerful Aes Sedai who tells them the Dark One wants to destroy the Wheel of Time. Before long, they realize they are the only ones who can stop him. Yet, what can three boys do against the embodiment of pure evil? An epic journey foretold in prophecy begins.

The Wheel of Time comprises 15 books, so it’s a long series and a serious time investment. It comes with dozens of characters, battles and a lot more to immerse you in Robert Jordan’s extensive world.

Jordan’s writing style also adds a lot to the readability of the series. While easy to read, his writing’s extremely descriptive and has a unique style that makes it stand out amongst other series.

Even if the middle books of the series slow down a little, overall, reading The Wheel of Time is an incredible experience.

The series proved massively popular and is beloved by fans of books like Lord of the Rings. When Jordan died in 2007, Brandon Sanderson, a fellow fantasy writer, stepped up and finished the series to honor Jordan’s creation.

If you’re a fan of epic fantasy, The Wheel of Time is definitely a must read.

The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss

The Kingkiller Chronicles is another extremely popular fantasy series. It tells the tale of a man called Kvothe.

Over the course of the books we learn of his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, the time he spent as an orphan in a crime-riddled city and we learn of his entry into the legendary school of magic. It’s the story of a boy who should one day become a renowned swordsman and the most notorious magician the world has ever known. Perhaps he’s even the most wanted man in the world. It’s a tale of adventure and tragedy; a story of resilience and redemption.

While the series doesn’t stand out in terms of originality, it’s extremely immersive. The only downside is that the series isn’t finished, which is unfortunately often the case in the fantasy genre. The two books release so far, however, are excellent.

What’s most interesting about the books, however, is Rothfuss’ writing style. It’s Kvothe himself who tells his story. The books often feature stories-within stories to get a tale across. Rothfuss uses this device brilliantly to create a detailed and rich universe. The series also features one of the most unique magic systems in the genre.

The Kingkiller Chronicles is a series high on action that’s fantastically written. It’s another must-read for people who like books like Lord of the Rings.

The Legend of Drizzt Series by R. A. Salvatore

R. A. Salvatore is a name that any fantasy fan will recognize. With almost 40 novels to his name, he’s one of the most prolific and popular fantasy writers of all time.

The Legend of Drizzt Series is set in the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons and Dragons and proved massively popular.

The first book in the series gives us a detailed description of Drizzt’s earlier life. Born a male into the matriarchal society of the drow, he’s determined to leave his oppressive home of the enormous city state of Menzoberranzan. It’s a place and society full of evil and cruelty.

During his time surviving in Menzoberranzan, he develops his own moral code. He becomes a warrior, embarks on thrilling adventures and dangerous journeys. This long series details all of his exploits and conflicts. Each one of them is exciting in their own right.

The style of the world-building in this book and the entire series is very akin to that of The Lord of the Rings and comes with its typical staple of fantasy races. We meet elves, orcs, dwarfs and even halflings who are reminiscent of the Hobbits in more than one way.

It’s a fantastic series and a great read for both hardcore fans of the genre and for those who are looking to get into fantasy. I highly recommend checking out at least the first book of the series if you’re looking for books like Lord of the Rings.

The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula K. Le Guin’s series is nothing short of fantastic and some readers state its importance to the fantasy genre is second only to The Lord of the Rings.

While it’s not as popular and often overlooked, Ursula K. Le Guin is one of the most outstanding fantasy writers of our time and one of the greatest world-builders.

Yet, The Earthsea Cycle is more often compared to The Hobbit than the epic quest featured in The Lord of the Rings. It’s essentially a coming-of-age story.

Where it sticks out, however, is its use and focus on magic. It’s the story of a young man who learns how to be a wizard, written long before Harry Potter was around.

Duny is a young boy who lives in a sleepy community. Soon enough, however, his true calling and name are revealed. When his aunt recognizes his magical abilities, she teaches her nephew. Yet, his adventure only really begins with the mage Ogion, who takes him on as an apprentice at the Mage School.

It’s here he has to learn more about the nature of magic, his responsibilities as a mage, and has to balance the two. Duny, whose real name is Ged, is a different type of protagonist. He’s an arrogant prick who rubs many of his fellow students the wrong way. This, however, makes his fall from grace much more poignant. In the end, he’s nothing but a fragile boy, and thus a much more relatable character than others.

The Earthsea Cycle is a rich series that features some outstanding world-building and writing. What’s interesting to note is that it’s a series which focuses much more on characters, their personal journey and growth, and not a single epic quest.

It’s definitely worth reading for fans of books like Lord of the Rings.

The Dark Tower by Stephen King

Starting with The Gunslinger, this series is nothing short of Stephen King’s magnum opus. While Stephen King isn’t known to be a fantasy writer, the Dark Tower can be compared to The Lord of the Rings in more than one way. It’s a chilling tale of tragedy, redemption and bloody action.

The Gunslinger introduces us to Roland Deschain, who sets out after the enigmatic Man in Black. This, however, is only part of Roland’s quest, for he’s set out to reach the Dark Tower.

As the series continues, we meet various characters, villains and get to know a variety of different locations. It’s, without a doubt, an epic series about an epic quest that rivals that of Tolkien.

The Dark Tower is a dark and fascinating tale centered on a decaying fantasy world. Yet, it’s much different when compared to the books on this list. It’s part spaghetti western and part Arthurian legend, but we can clearly see the tolkienesque flavor added to the mix.

It’s at the center of Stephen King’s vast universe.

The Gunslinger and many other books in this series are amongst the best King has ever written.

While the Dark Tower might be different from the other books on this list, it’s definitely worth reading for those who are interested in books like Lord of the Rings.

The Shannara Series by Terry Brooks

There are many fantasy novels and series who are compared with and criticized for being too similar to The Lord of the Rings. The Sword of Shannara is one of them.

We meet Shea, who lives a quiet life in Shady Valley, oblivious to the world around her.

She’s eventually taken from her village by the wizard Allanon to find a magical artifact in order to stop the evil warlock Lord who threatens to destroy the Four Lands. This artifact is The Sword of Shannara which can be only used by someone of Shannara blood. By now, there’s only one decedent left, no other than Shea herself.

When you read the first chapters of The Sword of Shannara, you can’t deny that the novel was inspired by The Lord of the Rings. It’s extremely reminiscent of Tolkien’s epic, including Wraith-like beings hunting down our main characters.

After these initial chapters, however, the story forms into its own and takes on an entirely different direction.

It’s definitely a great tale and our main characters are both interesting enough to hold our attention. Especially Allanon is quite a thought provoking and significant character.

What I enjoyed especially was that the quest to destroy the warlock Lord wasn’t as drawn out as that to destroy Sauron. Instead, the series expands into several other adventures, spin-offs and sequels and creates its very own identity.

By now, the series comprises almost 40 books and has evolved from pure fantasy to a science-fantasy hybrid. While it might have started out as a clone of The Lord of the Rings, it’s by now one of the most inventive and sprawling fantasy series out there. It covers thousands of years of history, giving it the same epic and mythic feeling that made The Lord of the Rings so popular.

What’s even more interesting, however, is how many of its standard fantasy tropes featured in earlier books are revealed to be more than that in later books.

While the first book has its problems, I still consider the series a worthwhile read for those who love books like Lord of the Rings.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

It’s no surprise that C. S. Lewis and Tolkien have been best friends. At Merton College of Oxford University, the two of them got to know each other and bonded over their mutual fascination with Norse mythology.

The Chronicles of Narnia tells the story of four children, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. During World War II, they are sent from London to the home of Professor Digory Kirke. It’s there that they discover a wardrobe that leads to the magical lands of Narnia. From then on, they have to help Aslan, a talking lion, to save Narnia from the White Witch.

Each book in the series details their adventures as they protect the lands of Narnia.

While The Lord of the Rings was clearly aimed towards adults, The Chronicles of Narnia is much more tailored towards younger readers. This doesn’t mean, however, that it’s not a great read for adults as well.

While Tolkien focused on Western and Scandinavian Mythology, Lewis drew inspiration from the classics. His books are full of fauns, mermaids, minotaurs, elves and wizards.

It’s a fantastic series, one that’s very well worth reading for fans of books like Lord of the Rings.

The Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett’s Discworld Series is one of the most popular fantasy series out there. It comprises 41 books and spans a multitude of subgenres.

It’s, however, quite different from many other series on this list. The Discworld Series stands out by being comical and playing and making fun of many of the tropes established by Tolkien.

It’s a series that’s highly recommended to any fantasy fan out there, but even other readers will surely enjoy the tales of the Discworld.

You’ll find epic quests, lighthearted comedy, but it’s all slightly different from other, every day fantasy books.

What’s most interesting, however, is how Terry Pratchett often uses his comedic fantasy to shine light on real-life issues. Which is something you’ll surely notice if you read the series.

Overall, The Discworld is extremely popular for a good reason and anyone who’s a fan of books like Lord of the Rings should read it.

The Dragonlance Chronicles by Wise and Hickman

The Dragonlance books are a collection of tales inspired by the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons and Dragons.

They have taken a well-known world, fleshed it out and extended and populated it with memorable characters and plots.

While some of them can be slightly over the top, they are always a lot of fun to read.

The series blends brilliant writing with your typical fantasy tropes and clichés to create something extraordinary.

While it can be rather stereotypical as far as epic fantasy is concerned, the stories themselves are nothing short of phenomenal.

If you’re looking for more epic stories about elves, halflings and dragons, the Dragonlance Chronicles are not a terrible choice.

The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien

The Silmarillion comprises some of Tolkien’s earliest works with some stories completed in the 1910s. It’s a collection of tales and short stories that outline the mythology and history of Middle-earth.

This book is definitely a must read for fans of The Lord of the Rings and those who love books like Lord of the Rings. It gives you a lot of additional information on anything you might be interested in and fleshes out Tolkien’s universe.

The Silmarillion takes us back to Middle-earth’s first age. Many of the tales, however, aren’t fleshed out short stories, but read more like folktales or legends. Yet, this only serves to give them a certain character. The Silmarillion is a book full of lore, but a great read especially for those who love world-building.

The book, however, was never finished by Tolkien himself, but by his son Christopher.

One thing to note is that The Silmarillion is a tough book to go through. It’s extremely complex, dense and full of mythical characters, terms and places. This is the main reason it never became as popular as The Lord of the Rings.

Yet, I still regard it as a must-read for anyone who likes books like Lord of the Rings.

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

What better to read for fans of books like Lord of the Rings than The Hobbit, Tolkien’s first book published back in 1937? While it stands well on its own, many people recommend reading it as a follow-up to The Lord of the Rings. The book reveals more about Bilbo, the ring and Gandalf making it not only a great read, but it also adds to the experience of Lord of the Rings itself.

The Hobbit tells the story of Frodo’s Uncle Bilbo. One day, Gandalf shows up at his doorstep and convinces him to go on a quest with 13 dwarfs to win a treasure guarded by the terrible and wicked dragon Smaug.

The Hobbit is a much more charming and gentle story than The Lord of the Rings because it was written for children. It’s also a lot more episodic in fashion, and each chapter contains its own micro-story.

The best part of the book might be the chapter titled ‘Riddles in the dark.’ It’s here where Bilbo meets Gollum and gains a certain magical ring.

The Hobbit is a quick read, but it’s definitely worth reading, especially for fans of books like Lord of the Rings and its connection to the events therein.

The Earthsinger Chronicles by L. Penelope

Starting with Song of Blood and Stone, The Earthsinger Chronicles might be the newest entry on this list. Yet it’s a fantastic series.

It introduces us to the magical world of Earthsingers and The Silent. They are two warring worlds held apart by a fragile veil called the Mantle.

Our protagonist, Jasminda, is a farmer who wants nothing more than to live a quiet life away from judgement. She’s an Earthsinger who lives amongst The Silent. This makes her someone who possesses ancient magical powers.

For these powers and the color of her skin, she’s shunned by the people around her.

It’s a band of Lagrimari soldiers who destroy her quiet life. Because of them, however, she meets Jack, a spy from the other side of the Mantel. She soon learns that the separation between the two worlds is failing and peace might be at risk.

Jasminda’s Earthsong might be the only thing that prevents the failing of the Mantel and The True Father from crossing over into her world and taking over.

The book tackles a variety of issues, such as race, homophobia, xenophobia and much more. Yet, it all comes with some great world-building and lots of interesting political dynamics.

Penelope’s writing can be best described as lyrical prose, which is strangely reminiscent of Tolkien’s epic, which he called a poetic song.

The Earthsinger Chronicles is an interesting series, one that tackles many of the problems of our time, but mixes them with traditional fantasy elements. While it’s quite different from many other books on this list, I think more people should read it. It’s especially interesting for fans of books like Lord of the Rings.

The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn Trilogy has proven a fan favorite and has become one of the most popular fantasy series in recent years. It’s definitely worth reading for those who are looking for books like Lord of the Rings.

The series centers on Kelsier, a once hero and now slave and Vin an orphan who’s turned into a thief to survive. What’s special about them, however, is that they have extraordinary powers which are usually reserved only for the nobility.

Together, the two of them lead a band of rebels to eliminate the Lord Ruler.

What makes these books so great is the plot, which is incredibly complex and comes with many twists and turns. Yet, there’s also Vin. With her grit and tenacity, she’s become one of the series’ most beloved characters and a fan favorite.

What’s most interesting, however, is how the series was inspired by The Lord of the Rings. Sanderson didn’t merely want to write another series based on an epic quest to save the world. Instead, he thought about a world in which Frodo’s quest failed and the Dark Lord reigns supreme.

Overall, the Mistborn trilogy is an amazing fantasy series and a must-read for fantasy fans.

The Odyssey by Homer

One of the earliest work of what can be considered epic fantasy.

It’s set after the events of the Trojan War depicted in the Iliad. Odysseus and his men prepare to sail home, but after angering the god Prometheus, they spend ten years being lost. They encounter mythical enemies, endure multiple challenges and have to show wit and tenacity to overcome them.

The Odyssey is one foundation of Western literature and especially the fantasy genre. There’s no doubt that this work inspired Tolkien’s epic.

It’s a fantastic read, especially for those interested in mythology, but also any fantasy fan out there. If you like books like Lord of the Rings, give the Odyssey a try.

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Series by Tad Williams

Tad Williams is a writer I always loved. The Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series is his big venture into the realm of fantasy. It’s a series clearly inspired by Tolkien, but who shapes its own identity.

It’s set on the continent of Osten Ard. Humans, dwarf-like Qanuc and the immortal elf-like Sithi, live in peace. It’s all because of the human king, John the Presbyter.

When the king’s health fails, however, so does this peace. For the world hides a dark secret that finally beings to stir when the read priest Pryrates sets out to accomplish his scheme. Yet, there are far more terrible powers hidden in the world.

The young kitchen boy Simon knows nothing about these things, but gets caught up in the events of the novels. He’s forced to go on an adventure that takes him to places far away from his home.

This choice of character is interesting for Simon’s entirely relatable to the reader. Especially early on, he feels more like a bystander and watcher who’s dragged into the events at play.

It’s a fantastic series with some great characters and action. If you’re looking for a series of books like Lord of the Rings, Tad Williams’ epic is definitely a must-read.

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

This is probably the most famous and popular fantasy series after The Lord of the Rings. When the series first debuted, it not only revitalized but revolutionized a genre that seemed stuck.

It’s set in a medieval world in which dragons once proved to be the supreme military power and seasons lasted for years.

Yet, the story itself is low on magical elements and instead focuses on political-intrigues and power-play. While there are magical elements to be found, they are scarce. This, however, only heightens their impact. The Song of Ice and Fire is a series that focuses much more on realism than any other series on the list.

It’s set in a dark, violent world, full of intrigues, villains and anti-heroes. Its narrative is almost entirely character driven and adds a lot of emotional depth.

The story is set in Westeros, the land of the Seven Kingdoms and Essos, a continent to the East. The events in the books center on the various ruling families of the Seven Kingdoms.

Before the series’ outset, Robert Baratheon led a rebellion and took the throne from the last ruler Aerys II. Years later, the land is at peace, but trouble stirs again. The hand of the king suddenly dies and Eduard Stark, his old friend, is called to Kings Landing to become the new hand of the king. This sets into motion a series of events and ploys for the throne of the Seven Kingdoms. At the center of these and other events are the children of Eduard Stark and we follow them as they try to survive in a world that becomes increasingly violent.

Most impressive about the series is its set of characters. There are a lot of characters to be found in A Song of Ice and Fire. Yet, be they villain or protagonist, they all prove massively interesting and the many POVs give us insight into all of them. Be they Lannister, Stark, Baratheon or Targaryen, they all have set their eyes on the Iron Throne.

Yet, there’s another danger. In the north, beyond the 8000-year-old Wall, the Others loom.

Even though there’s the HBO series based on Martin’s books, I highly recommend reading the books. They far eclipse the adaption and are much more detailed. Yet, the books remain unfinished to this day and most likely will never be finished.

Even though, A Song of Ice and Fire is one of the greatest accomplishments in the fantasy genre and anyone looking for books like Lord of the Rings should read it.

The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson

Steven Erikson’s epic is my favorite fantasy series of all times. It’s raw, gritty, full of war and brutality and one of the most complex series I’ve ever come upon.

It centers on the Malazan Empire, whose armies set out to conquer the last remaining free cities on the continent of Genabackis.

The first book of the series introduces us to Whiskeyjack and what remains of the Bridgeburners, an elite unit of soldiers. They are sent to Darujhistan to prepare for the impending conquest. Yet, other powers gather around the city and soon things go out of hand.

This, however, is only the first book of this epic series about war. Over the course of the series we get to know new characters, new dangers, and, of course, The Crippled God, the major antagonist of the series.

What makes this series so great, however, are the many characters. The books are populated by a vast, yet incredible cast of characters. I’ve you read the books I’m sure you’ll come to love Whiskeyjack, Kalam, Quick Ben and especially Anomander Rake.

What makes things even better is that almost all the main characters are hardened soldiers whose talk is full of dry, crude and sarcastic soldier humor.

Yet, one thing has to be said about these books. They are brutal and unrelenting. One of the best things is that it’s a depiction of a world of war and full of dangerous creatures and ambitious gods is unforgiving. Over the course of the books, you will learn just how unrelenting it is, and that almost no one’s safe.

While it’s a series full of action and brutal battles, it also contains its fair share of philosophical musings. Especially Toll the Hounds, one of the later books in the series, is full of retrospections about life and the world.

The greatest parts about the Malazan book of the Fallen, however, are the world-building and its magic system. Over the course of the books, we slowly get to know more about the world, the Malazan Empire and many other things.

The magic system in Malazan is entirely unique and based on different planes called Warrens. Magic users can tap into them and control them. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen before and absolutely fantastically done.

The only criticism I have for the series is that there’s sometimes too much going on and one can easily get lost in a world and story that is almost too rich. The worst offender of this is book one, The Gardens of the Moon, which is arguably the worst book in the series. It throws you into the world, explains nothing and leaves you hanging while you’re trying to make sense of things. Frankly said, the Malazan world can be overwhelming. Things get better, and the book isn’t bad by any means, but it still proves a challenge.

Overall, however, I think if you’re looking for a series that’s full of magic, war and brutal battles that comes with a cast of fantastic characters, you can’t go wrong with The Malazan Book of the Fallen.

It’s one of the best epic fantasy series out there for people who look for books like Lord of the Rings. I can’t recommend it too much.

Kurt Vonnegut’s one of the most celebrated American writers of the 20th century. He was an extremely prolific writer with a career spanning over 50 years who’s published 14 novels, countless short stories, essays and a variety of other works.

The best Kurt Vonnegut Books are almost always satirical. They use dark wit and black comedy to shed light on a variety of serious issues such as war, death and environmental destruction. They are, however, always entertaining.

What propelled Kurt Vonnegut to fame was his sixth novel, Slaughterhouse Five.

Nowadays, Kurt Vonnegut is regarded as one of the most influential and popular American writers of all time and a pioneer of postmodern literature.

Best Kurt Vonnegut Books – Discovering Kurt Vonnegut

I first learned of Kurt Vonnegut back in 2010. Back then, I was relatively new, not only to American literature, but serious literature.

I made the plunge and got myself a few select books that were highly regarded. One of those books was Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. The novel’s description had caught my eyes, especially since I’m from Dresden in Germany.

Reading it was quite an experience, as those of you who’ve read it can imagine. It’s a non-linear, anti-war novel which jumps from place to place and event to event without rhyme or reason.

The moment I’d finished it, I’d become a full-blooded fan of Kurt Vonnegut.

Over the years, I’ve read almost all of his novels and quite a few of his other works, but my appreciation for him has only grown.

Best Kurt Vonnegut Books – Why You Should Read Kurt Vonnegut

There are a lot of things about the best Kurt Vonnegut books I can’t help but love.

He’s amongst the most profound American writers and he’s shed light on a lot of important issues while always remaining funny and entertaining.

His works are also easily accessible, which I still find interesting, given he’s a pioneer of postmodern literature. Whenever I think about postmodernism, the first names that come to my mind are Thomas Pynchon and David Foster Wallace. Both are writers who are infamous for how inaccessible their works can be to the normal reader.

What makes Kurt Vonnegut so interesting is his special style. He creates a certain closeness between himself and the reader. Reading one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books often feels like listening to a story told to you by an old friend.

This closeness is often supported by his many meta-fictional elements, which he uses to address the reader personally. It’s quite fascinating.

Mostly, however, I think it’s his timeless with and the many words of wisdom he shares with his readers. While his work is satirical and comical, it’s often full of deep and profound insight.

“And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.’”

For this article, I want to focus not only on his novels but also include some of his other works I deem important. If you’re looking for more recommendations, check out my list on the best Hemingway books and the best Mark Twain books.

Here’s my list of the best Kurt Vonnegut books.

Player Piano

Player Piano is Kurt Vonnegut’s first novel, but also one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books. It depicts a dystopia set in a post-World War Three America.

It’s different from many of Kurt Vonnegut’s other later novels, namely that it follows a straight-forward narrative.

In Player Piano, society has been restructured. All factories, manual labor and other jobs have been replaced by machines. This robotic workforce results in devaluing human participants and human workers have become almost entirely obsolete.

The novel’s plot centers on Dr. Paul Proteus, who manages a factory and a religious leader from a faraway land. After their meeting, Paul realizes that he’s not managing machines, but that he’s just another cog in the machine.

Before long, Paul radicalizes himself and rebels against this purposeless system.

Player Piano, like many other best Kurt Vonnegut books, is still relevant today and feels even more so in our high-tech society. It explores and showcases the dark side of modern technology.

Even though it’s Kurt Vonnegut’s first novel, one can already see his genius. It’s full of societal observations and asks the various questions we know from Kurt Vonnegut.

The only problem I have with Player Piano is that it’s a bit too similar to Aldous Huxley’s Brave new World, which is, in my opinion, the superior of the two books.

Jailbird

Jailbird is Kurt Vonnegut’s novel about Watergate. It’s a departure from Kurt Vonnegut’s usual science-fiction themes in favor of a more realistic story.

This one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books is written as a fictional memoir by Walter F. Starbuck, who was released from a minimum-security prison for his role as Watergates ‘least-known-co-conspirator.’

The novel outlines twenty-four hours of Starbuck’s life. The man’s nothing but a drone, but gets caught up in the scandal. He never quite knows what’s going on and what to make of the nonsensical events taking place around him.

It’s Kurt Vonnegut’s most explicitly political novel and also his most cynical. It explores the incompetence of bumbling government officials in a highly comical way but doesn’t fail to showcase how profoundly dangerous they can be. Yet it also focuses on such topics as economical greed, exploitation of political power, changing cultural values and how easily empathy and compassion can be lost.

While it might sound like Jailbird’s a dense, political thriller, it’s the opposite. It’s an incredibly hilarious and fast-paced satire, one which is perfectly on target and a great addition to this list of the best Kurt Vonnegut books.

Kurt Vonnegut: Letters

This is the most recently published book on the list, but also one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books.

While Kurt Vonnegut’s always put autobiographical elements in his fiction, this is probably the closest we ever come to a true autobiography of the man.

As the name states, this is a collection of letters from throughout Kurt Vonnegut’s life. It contains a multitude of letters from before he was famous.

Some are from when he served in the war, some during his time as a prisoner of war and others are letters to colleagues, friends and family. There are even letters of protest to certain school boards who had his books banned.

The ones I came to enjoy the most, however, were those about his profession, about the craft of writing.

Kurt Vonnegut: Letters is a book for those who are more interested in the man behind the typewriter.

It’s a book full of love, compassion, but also societal comments and, of course, his timeless wisdom. It’s a fantastic, insightful read.

Welcome to the Monkey House

Welcome to the Monkey House is one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books and also his best-known short story collection. It’s a kaleidoscope of wonder and weirdness.

Many of the twenty-five short stories in this collection were published during Kurt Vonnegut’s earlier career. While many of them are science-fiction stories, the collection also contains short stories of other genres, such as comedy.

The themes of the stories differ. They explore topics such as over-population, capitalism and over-consumption, the sexual revolution, technology and, of course, the ever-enlarging role of governments in society.

We encounter dystopian despots, love-poem writing computers, people who’ve reversed aging and even a ‘Handicapper General.’

The last of these is featured in my favorite story of the collection, the fantastic ‘Harrison Bergeron.’ Set in a dystopian future, the government imposes handicaps on all citizens to ensure that no one’s smarter, stronger or better looking than anyone else.

While some stories can be dated and a bit too weird, they are all enjoyable. Those who stand out, however, are amongst the best short fiction I’ve ever read and make this one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books.

Mother Night

Mother Night is one of Kurt Vonnegut’s lesser known novels, but I still regard it as one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books.

It’s written as yet another fictional memoir by one Howard W. Campbell Jr. He’s an American who lives in Germany during the 1930s. While he’s strictly apolitical, he joins the Nazi party and becomes a well-known Nazi propagandist.

Unbeknownst to the Nazis, however, he passes coded messages to the U.S. War Department via his radio program.

The novel offers an interesting glimpse into the propaganda machines so common during World War II. Yet, the central question is a much simpler one: can you do good while you pretend to do evil? It’s a question of moral, one whose answer is neither black nor white, but nothing but shades of grey.

Yet, as always, the novel’s full of Kurt Vonnegut’s dark sense of humor. It’s a thought-provoking examination of the absurdities of war and the lies we tell ourselves to justify them.

Mother night is not a straightforward novel, however. It’s a piece of metafiction in which Kurt Vonnegut himself plays the role of the memoir’s editor.

What makes it even more interesting is that it’s a prime example of the unreliable narrator. You never know if any part of Campbell’s tale is true. The more complex the story becomes, the more difficult it is to even determine if he’s guilty and what he might be guilty of.

Another interesting note about this novel is that both Kurt Vonnegut’s parents spoke German, but chose not to educate their son in the language or any German traditions. The reason was simple: the anti-German sentiment of the interwar years.

One can clearly see the parallels between Campbell and Kurt Vonnegut, namely those of cultural dislocation and restlessness.

Mother night can be seen as a predecessor of Slaughterhouse-Five, which I’ll talk about later on this list of the best Kurt Vonnegut books. It, too, is an examination of the complexities of war, but also gives us insight into the internal struggle of the ‘bad guys.’

A Man Without a Country

This collection of essays is the last thing Kurt Vonnegut published before his death and a worthy addition to this list of the best Kurt Vonnegut books.

It’s another work that comes close to an autobiography, and each essay contains a small memoir from his own life.

As with all his other works, these essays are full of humor and wit. It shares Kurt Vonnegut’s thoughts and comments on his own life, but also other topics such as the country, art and many other topics. It’s a profound read, one full of timeless wisdom and life’s many ironies.

Kurt Vonnegut addresses such topics as war, climate change, and even talks about what he presumes is our impending planetary destruction. He sheds light on the human condition and shares what he presumes are the dangers of political and religious leaders whose teachings and advice often ignore fact and foresight.

Yet, it’s not a work that’s solely apocalyptical. It’s also full of enthusiasm and sums up life in all its horrors and glories. We are messed up species, but for all our foolishness we’re loveable and precious.

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, is another one of Kurt Vonnegut’s novels not set in the realm of science-fiction. Instead, it’s a more down to Earth story.

It’s also the first novel that features Kurt Vonnegut’s in-literature alter-ego Kilgore Trout. He should become a regular in his novels and always serves as Kurt Vonnegut’s mouthpiece to share his own thoughts on the issues at play.

The novel tells the story of Eliot Rosewater, a man who’s never sober, but who’s also insanely rich. He’s a trust fund millionaire who develops a conscience, realizes the errors of his ways and leaves New York City for his hometown of Rosewater. There he sets up the Rosewater Foundation to share his unlimited amount of love and money with anyone who comes to his office.

Yet, the people of Rosewater barely deserve it and resent Eliot, who dispenses his money, advice and unwanted help.

The novel doesn’t shine so much for its plot, but for its observation and criticism of capitalism. It’s a highly comical ride through the world of extreme riches, corporate greed and extreme, even comical, family wealth.

Once again, Kurt Vonnegut’s novel proves relevant in today’s day and age given both massive wealth disparity and the idea of universal basic income.

At the end, however, there’s only one simple truth the novel mentions: regardless of who we are, we’re all human.

Breakfast of Champions

Breakfast of Champions is one of Kurt Vonnegut’s most iconic and influential novels and, in my opinion, one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books out there. It’s also his darkest and most complex one. It’s a postmodernist satire that feels as relevant today as when it was published.

The novel focuses on a variety of issues, such as suicide, free will, mental illness, racism and economic inequality, amongst other things. It’s a book that showcases just how close one can get to the edge of suicide.

Breakfast of Champions is yet another novel that focuses heavily on Kurt Vonnegut’s alter-ego, Kilgore Trout. He’s an aging science-fiction writer with little recognition and even less appreciation.

Yet there’s also Dwayne Hoover, a wealthy automobile dealer who’s on the verge of going insane. Dwayne becomes enamored with one of Trout’s novels, takes it as gospel and a message from the creator of the universe. This message entails that he’s the only person on Earth with free will. This sends him over the edge and he attacks those around him, for he takes them as nothing but robots.

It’s also an interesting novel to read from a writer’s perspective. Our protagonists, both Dwayne and Trout, might very well be two sides of Kurt Vonnegut himself. One is the writer trying to find appreciation and recognition, the other the part of him that fears going insane.

The focus of Breakfast of Champions is clearly on the question of free will, what it means to be human and our blind fate in fiction rather than fact.

While the plethora of issues tackled in this novel might make it appear dense, one couldn’t be more wrong. It’s a fantastic read, one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books and proofs as insightful as it is amusing.

The Sirens of Titan

The Sirens of Titan is by some called Kurt Vonnegut’s most creative and weirdest novel. It’s a postmodern epic, a thrilling space opera.

While it might not be amongst his most famous works, it’s definitely one of the best Kurt Vonnegut books.

The story follows Malachi Constant, the richest man on Earth on a mission to Mars to take part in an interstellar war. On his way, he collides with a ‘chrono-synclastic infundibulum.’ As a result, he’s converted into pure energy, and, amongst other things, gets to know everything that has ever happened and will happen.

The Sires of Titan is an adventurous ride through space and time. Many of the characters introduced here are featured in his later works. The most notable amongst them is the alien race from Tralfamadore, who should also be featured in Slaughterhouse-Five.

The novel’s themes are manifold, but once more they center on Kurt Vonnegut’s major ones: the negative impact of organized religion, the question of free will and the purpose of man.

As it turns out, however, man’s nothing but a giant Rube Goldberg machine created by no other than the Tralfamadorians to get a spare part for a stranded intergalactic messenger.

In The Sirens of Titan, Kurt Vonnegut conjures up a universe that’s deeply meaningless, but one that’s full of compassion and sympathy.

It’s a novel as hilarious as Kurt Vonnegut’s other works, but it proves to be much more bizarre.

Slaughterhouse-Five

“So it goes.”

It’s a line so simple, yet it completely encompasses the theme of this novel.

Slaughterhouse-Five is Kurt Vonnegut’s most popular novel, the one which caused his breakthrough and led to his commercial success.

It’s hailed as the best Kurt Vonnegut book, and one of the greatest anti-war books ever written. It showcases that not only was World War II not a good war, but that no war can ever be seen as good.

While it’s full of Kurt Vonnegut’s usual slapstick humor and black satire, it also packs a serious emotional punch. It’s an exceptional novel, one that shows optimism and cynicism, as well as compassion and disgust for humanity.

The novel’s protagonist, Billy Pilgrim, an American soldier, becomes ‘unstuck in time’ and moves uncontrollably back and forth through his life. We witness him as a young man, as a prisoner of war, but also in the future when he’s captured by the Tralfamadorians and placed in a zoo on their planet.

What’s most interesting about Slaughterhouse-Five is the non-linear narrative, which unfolds as a consequence of Billy’s condition. While it might sound confusing, it’s fantastically executed and makes the novel a hallmark of postmodernist literature.

Yet, there’s more to this structure than a mere literary gimmick. It’s often discussed as a representation of the thinking patterns of those who have PTSD. Even more so, it might represent Kurt Vonnegut’s own struggles to come to terms with the wartime atrocities he witnessed during the bombing of Dresden.

This focus on Dresden’s bombing gives us a visceral and devastating portrayal of war’s ugly side.

When the novel was first released in 1969, during the height of the Vietnam War, it received much praise, but also much criticism for its anti-war sentiment.

Either way, Slaughterhouse-Five is not only one of the most popular but also the best Kurt Vonnegut books for a reason. It’s a fantastic read and I highly recommend it to anyone.

Cat’s Cradle

Cat’s Cradle is in my opinion the best Kurt Vonnegut book, even eclipsing Slaughterhouse-Five.

Even though its prose is simple and easily digestible, it’s a postmodern masterpiece.

It was written during a time of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union when there was an uneasy sense of the world ending.

What’s interesting about Cat’s Cradle is that it’s much more accessible because its structure is straightforward as opposed to the nonlinear narrative of Slaughterhouse-Five.

Our narrator John embarks to write a book he calls ‘The Day the World Ended.’ It’s about the invention of the atomic bomb and aims to capture their lives on the day Hiroshima was obliterated.

He eventually meets the family of one of the inventors, a man named Felix Hoenikker. Central to the plot is a form of water known as ice-nine. It was developed by Hoenikker and freezes solid at much higher temperatures. It also transforms any regular water it comes into contact with into ice-nine. Nothing can go wrong with that, right?

As you can probably tell, it’s a novel about an apocalyptic event, one which unfortunately seems horrifyingly plausible. As funny and hilarious as the book is, there’s a deep sense of dread lingering below it.

Cat’s Cradle has a cast of fantastic characters and an unforgettable location. For most of the book takes place on the Caribbean island of San Lorenzo, which is ruled by a president-dictator.

The most interesting part about the island, however, is the religion of Bokononism, a religion Kurt Vonnegut created specifically for the novel. It even comes with an entire vocabulary of nonsense words. Now, this is, of course, a Kurt Vonnegut novel, so it’s not a serious religion. It’s entirely satirical, full of nonsensical ideas and lies. Yet, it showcases, however, the idea of creating a utopian society based on religion.

It’s through Bokononism that Kurt Vonnegut unmasks the grand scheme of many religions to prod those people to motivation who otherwise have none. Yet, it also shows how fantasy, however odd and unbelievable, can often be preferable to the truth.

Cat’s Cradle is a hilariously comical satire that touches on a variety of serious topics, such as weapons of war, the arms race, religion and many others. As with many other novels, it’s also full of Kurt Vonnegut’s typical dark humor and societal commentary.

Cat’s Cradle is a short book, but an outstanding one. It’s not only the best Kurt Vonnegut book out there but also one of the best books ever written.

Stranger Things is a series that has taken the world by storm. A mixture of young relatable protagonists, 80s nostalgia and Lovecraftian horror has made it a favorite of mine.

I’ve loved Stranger Things ever since its first season was released on Netflix.

I guess I’m a fan of stories about youthful protagonists encountering dangerous scenarios. It takes us back to the past, to our own youth, makes us reminisce about it, but also makes us wonder how we’d handle a situation like that.

Stranger Things, however, did even more. It combined this nostalgia and reminiscence with nothing other than Lovecraftian horror in the form of the twisted Upside Down and the terrifying Demogorgon.

It’s a series that’s nothing short of fantastic.

For those of you who can’t wait for season four, I put together a list of Stranger Things books and other, similar books you might want to read.

Here’s my list of Stranger Things books:

Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds by Gwenda Bond

Suspicious Minds is one of the Stranger Things books set before the events of the show.

This prequel shows us what happened to Eleven’s mother, while she was a text subject in the MKUltra program. The novel’s set in a mysterious lab, features sinister scientists and reveals a secret history.

We’re taken back to the year 1969. Terry Ives, Eleven’s mother, is a young college student who eventually joins the MKUltra, a secret government program about unleashing the greatest of human potentials. Soon enough, however, things turn dark as more and more about the project’s revealed.

Suspicious Mind is a great read for any fan of the show and is probably one of the most popular Stranger Things books out there.

Stranger Things: Darkness on the Edge of Town by Adam Christopher

Darkness on the Edge of Town’s is another one of the Stranger Things books set before the events of the show. This one’s all about Jim Hopper and reveals his past life as a police detective in New York City.

The year’s 1977 and Jim Hopper’s just returned from the Vietnam War and tries to return to his normal life. Things change when federal agents arrive to investigate a series of cultish murders.

Before long, however, Hopper notices things aren’t what they seem. He sets out to figure out the truth before the agents can bury it forever.

While Suspicious Minds contained many of the supernatural elements Stranger Things is known for, Darkness on the Edge of Town is much more realistic, but also grittier.

It’s a fantastic Stranger Things book and very well worth reading, not only for fans of Jim Hopper.

Stranger Things: Runaway Max by Brenna Yovanoff

Max Mayfield was a character who was introduced in the second season of Stranger Things. After her parents divorced, she and her stepbrother, Billy Hargrove, moved to the small town of Hawkins.

While Billy soon became one of the most hated characters, Max quickly became the newest member of our group of main characters.

Runaway Max sheds light on Max’s past, but that’s only the case for the first half of the book. The rest of the book, however, serves as a retelling of the events of season two from the perspective of Max. While it’s interesting to follow events through her eyes, it doesn’t add a lot to the experience.

Yet, it’s still an interesting and well written Stranger Things book, one that’s definitely worth buying for fans of the series.

Stranger Things: Rebel Robin by A.R. Capetta

Rebel Robin is a book all about season three’s Robin who quickly became a fan favorite.

It’s less a Stranger Things book, and more a novel about Robin Buckley. It’s a story of self-discovery that begins during Robin’s sophomore year. When Robin’s friends begin dating, she realizes something about herself: she likes girls.

The book follows her as she comes to terms with herself and her sexuality.

While Rebel Robin’s not a horror book, it’s still worth reading for fans of self-discovery stories and fans of Robin Buckley.

Stranger Things: The Other Side by Jody Houser and Stefano Martino

I’m usually more a fan of manga, but I’ve recently ventured into graphic novellas as well.

The Other Side is a graphic novella all about my favorite part of Stranger Things, the dark, twisted world of the Upside Down. After Will finds himself in this strange and dangerous world, we follow him as he tries his best to survive.

What makes this Stranger Thing book so interesting is the focus on the Upside Down. The moment we learned of this strange place, I was hooked and wanted to learn more about it.

While we didn’t learn too much about it in the show itself, we do in this Stranger Things book. It’s well worth reading, especially for those fans who want to learn more about the Upside Down.

It by Stephen King

Fans of Stranger Things might very well be familiar with It by Stephen King.

While the novel itself has many similarities with Stranger Things, its 2017 adaption also featured Finn Wolfhard, who played the role of Mike in Stranger Things.

The novel follows a gang of kids, the so called ‘Losers Club’ who have to fight a supernatural entity which manifests as the Pennywise.

Yet, It is more than just a horror novel, it’s a coming-of-age tale and one about a group of underdogs triumphing over a terrible evil.

The story of It, however, continues thirty years later. After the death of one of their former members, the Losers Club has to bind together once more and defeat It for good.

It is one of Stephen King’s most cherished and popular novels and I think it’s the best example of Stranger Things books not related to the show.

The Body by Stephen King

Here we have another entry by horror master Stephen King. The Body’s another coming-of-age story featuring four young boys who set out to find the body of a missing boy.

What begins as a quest to become local heroes soon turns more dangerous when the boys get more than they ever bargained for. They have to not only confront their own inner demons but also a group of local bullies.

It should become an unforgettable adventure, not only for our four heroes, but for anyone who picks up this novella.

The Body’s most known for being the basis for the 1986 movie Stand by Me, but the novella very well stands up for itself. It’s another great Stranger Things book any fan of the show should pick it up.

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

What begins when two thirteen-year-old boys, Will and Jim, attend an October carnival called “Cooger & Dark’s Pandemonium Show,” soon turns into quite an adventure.

Something Wicked This Way Comes is a dark fantasy novel penned by the great Ray Bradbury.

At the carnival, the boys witness how an adult man rides a carousel backward and turns back into a twelve-year-old boy. From here on out, things get not only stranger and more mysterious but also much more nightmarish.

It’s a fantastic novel, one full of adventure and a cast of characters as weird as they are unforgettable.

It’s a dark and weird novel, but one I highly recommend to any fans of Stranger Things.

Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero

Meddling Kids is a novel very reminiscent of Stranger Things and contains a variety of elements that made the show so popular.

The novel proves a fascinating mixture between the teen detective genre and Lovecraftian Horror.

At the outset of the novel, a group of young detectives set out to solve the mystery of Sleepy Lake. After spending a terrifying night at Deboën Mansion, they eventually learn who the culprit is.

Yet, thirteen years later, each surviving member of the group suffers from trauma related to this very night. When they learn they got the wrong guy, the group has to reunite to find out what really happened back in 1977.

Meddling Kids is a fantastic mixture of spin-tingling horror and young detective fiction, one that is both fresh and original.

If you loved Stranger Things, I’m sure you’ll love Meddling Kids.

Skeleton Crew by Stephen King

Skeleton Crew is my favorite Stephen King short story collection. It features a variety of stories, as well as King’s popular novella, The Mist.

While Stephen King’s a horror writer, some stories in this collection can be different. Examples are The Jaunt and Mrs. Todd’s Shortcut, which are both amongst the best stories in this collection.

Yet, the collection has its fair share of disturbing and terrifying stories. The best amongst them is without a doubt the suspenseful Gramma which is told entirely and intimately from the perspective of a young boy.

Overall, Skeleton Crew is amongst the best horror short story collections I’ve read and a great entry point to the works of Stephen King. Anyone who’s looking for Stranger Things books might want to give this one a try.

The Collected Works of H. P. Lovecraft

I’m a huge fan of the works of H. P. Lovecraft, as you can see in my list of the best Lovecraft stories.

Lovecraftian fiction and cosmic horror have always been amongst my favorite genres. If you, like me, enjoyed the twisted Upside Down and the many horrors it spawned, you could do much worse than to read the works of H. P. Lovecraft.

While his earlier works are more reminiscent of twisted horror stories, it’s his later works, those works who make up the Cthulhu Mythos,

While his earlier works are more reminiscent of twisted horror tales in the tradition of Edgar Allan Poe or Lord Dunsany, are not bad, it’s his later works that will be most interesting to fans of Stranger Things. It’s his great texts, those who make up the Cthulhu Mythos who were without a doubt an inspiration for Stranger Things and the Upside down.

If you like Stranger Things, the Upside Down, you could do much worse than to check out the works of H. P. Lovecraft.

Cold, Thin Air: Volume 2 by C. K. Walker

I’m a big fan of Reddit’s Nosleep. I’ve shared a fair number of my short stories on there, but have read countless others over the years.

My favorite of the many talented writers on Nosleep has to be C. K. Walker. She’s published three volumes of short fiction, but my favorite amongst them is, without a doubt, Volume 2.

It contains some of her best stories, but the most akin to Stranger Things has to be her masterpiece, Borrasca.

This long, epic tale centers on an urban legend in a small mining town and features a cast of teenage protagonists.

While it’s another anthology and not one of the official Stranger Things books, I still think the works of C. K. Walker are very worth reading, especially Borrasca.

Two Years’ Vacation by Jules Verne

This one might be a strange and unexpected addition to the list. Two Years’ Vacation by Jules Verne is an adventure novel and couldn’t be farther from the horror so prevalent in Stranger Things.

The reason I added it to the list, however, is the scenario depicted in the novel. It tells the story of a group of school boys who get stranded on a deserted island and have to struggle to survive.

It can be best described as a Robinson Crusoe-type story, but one for and with children.

Overall, I had a lot of fun reading this novel. The survival aspect was quite interesting and well done and it became rather gripping in its later half.

If you’re tired of horror and want to read something akin to a Stranger Things book in a different genre, give this one a try.