Gothic fiction has a long and lively legacy. It’s a surprisingly broad style that often crosses genre and thematic boundaries, and one that we often associate with the past, but modern gothic novels are everywhere, and they’re amazing. Essential Modern Gothic Novels by Women When we think of the gothic, names like Mary Shelley, Emily …
When we hear tales of myths and folklore, we often think of Norse and Greek mythology. But British folklore, legends, and myth are nothing short of enchanting. In our list of British books, you’ll discover folktales, meet mystical creatures, learn British songs, and more. Take a journey through wooded forests, mystical places, and beautiful countrysides. …
Scottish literature is some of the best in the world and it’s shaped many incredible writers. If you like reading dark, interesting, and thrilling, then you’ll love these Scottish books. Whether you’re looking to get inspired, spend a few hours on the edge of your seat, or catch a glimpse of another time, you’re sure …
Books about witches take many different forms. Some are horror novels; others are historical accounts. Some are charming children’s stories; others are strange and disturbing mysteries. Setting witches at the heart of a novel, a comic book, or a nonfiction book can mean many different things and can cover many different genres, settings, and styles. …
So much of our experience with a novel relies on its narrator and its protagonist. When we read, we both apply our understanding of the world to the novel, and seek to put that aside to look through the narrator’s eyes. Most protagonists and narrators feel trustworthy, pleasant, and kind; even if that protagonist has …
Dark academia is more popular than ever before — a blend of literary fiction and genre fiction, gothic and grounded. Dark academia books come in many styles, but they all share the theme of, well, dark academia. Putting a firm definition of dark academia can be tricky but it generally involves places of higher education, …
Women writers are at the forefront of historical fiction today. The best contemporary historical novels are being written by incredible women authors. Some of these are historical romance novels; others are gothic fiction; others still are supernatural horror stories. One thing they all have in common, however, is that they’re written by varied and talented …
The world wars are a fertile creative ground for literature. The politics, drama, trauma, and action of World Wars 1 & 2 provide the perfect backdrop for big themes and philosophical questions. This is evident by the sheer number of best books on World War 1 & 2 that are out there for us to …
Neil Gaiman is one of the world’s most visible, most successful, and most celebrated authors alive today. Almost all of the best Neil Gaiman books have been adapted to film, the stage, or one of those fancy audiobooks with a celebrity cast. Neil Gaiman is also a jack-of-all-trades kind of writer, having cut his teeth …
Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro is one of the world’s most revered and beloved living authors. His books have been adapted to the big screen, have established him as king of the unreliable narrator, and have explored complex but relatable and human themes. The Japanese-born British author has never written a bad book. Every one …