I noticed this as a hashtag from a fellow (pro!) bookstagrammer (post I saw by @toreadistovoyage, hashtag started by @Map.to.neverland) and immediately used it (for my first ever post!). It got me thinking about devising a short recommendation list of books that I think deserve more attention.
The list is eclectic and deliberately so – I’m aiming here to highlight books I think deserve a little more love and don’t seem wildly popular (to me – maybe some of them are!). Some books listed were popular when published, or books that I think a millennial or Gen Z audience may not know, but actually love if they read them!
Again, there is a caveat that I’m not saying all these books are amazing only that I enjoyed them (one way or anther). I’ve also not read every single book in all these series.
Let me know your favourite ‘uncommon’ book in the comments, I’m always keen to expand my reading!
Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake Gormenghast is a castle filled with mysterious staff and an earl. This book is all about the setting The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (original trilogy The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever) by Stephen R. Donaldson Peak high fantasy as we join Thomas Covenant (shunned by society for having leprosy) who has suddenly transported to a different world where he is hailed as ‘the Land’. The Forty Proof Series by Shannon Mayer Newly divorced 40 something old Breena returns to Savannah to rediscover her magical background and kick some serious ducking ass. I, Robot by Isaac Asimov A series of short stories exploring the rise of robots and their complicated relationship with the Three Laws of Robotics (review on my blog).
Children/Young Adult books
The Nome Trilogy/The Bromeliad Trilogy by Terry Pratchett A species called Nome are trying to safely live in the human world, while trying to navigate home. Adorable, funny…I love this series! Johnny Maxwell trilogy by Terry Pratchett Only You Can Save Mankind…no seriously, Johnny’s given a new computer game that one night merges with his dreams, making him realise that he needs to help the aliens he was destroying in the game. The Seven Fabulous Wonders by Katherine Roberts Each book has a different main cast of characters and settings, but the settings are the 7 wonders of the world! Honestly these books were fab – loads of detail and fun supernatural additions. Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin Three stories interlinked through the ‘Coram Man’ and ‘Coram Fields’ (an orphanage). Emotional.
Crime Fiction
Any Dick Francis book (see my review)
Historical fiction
Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett Lymond’s the boss. Read my reviews for more details The House of Niccolò by Dorothy Dunnett A highly detailed series tracking the rise of Niccolo, a bastard son and dyer apprentice living in 15th Century Bruges
Other
Riders (Rutshire Chronicle series) by Jilly Cooper Meet Rupert Campbell-Black and Jake Lovell British show jumping stars. This salacious novel follows Jake’s rising star in the show jumping world.
Lily & the octopus by Steven Rowley A writer wakes up to find an octopus attached to his dog’s head. An emotional read. The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle My sister’s addition…a unicorn, believing she is the last in her species, goes on a quest to find out what happened. Written in poetic prose.
Music I’m listening to: Carole and Tuesday
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