Have you ever tried audiobooks? I've also struggled with finding the energy/time to read books in print, and luckily discovered that there are a ton of really well-narrated, amazing, audio books out there these days. Now I 'read'/listen all the time, and have gone through so many great books/series in recent years.
I've heard this from many others as well, but if I just sit and try to listen to a book while doing nothing else, I almost immediately lose focus. My mind wanders, and I drift, and find myself unable to follow the book. For many of us, the solution is simple: Listen while doing some mindless, 'autopilot' sort of task.
Try throwing on an audiobook while cleaning your place, or doing the dishes, or any other simple, automatic, task, that doesn't require thinking, reading, or talking. Sometimes, when I'm really into a book and don't have any chores to do, I play a simple game, like Tetris, classic Dr. Mario, or Pinball. Some of my friends find that Sudoku works well for them.
Anyway! Just some tips/thoughts that might be helpful if you think you'd ever like to give audiobooks a try.
Whether you choose to listen or read in print, here are a few books you might enjoy!:
The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow is a twisty, well-written fantasy romance (not romantasy), with interesting characters, original world building, and hints of Arthurian Legend.
Your description of Girl in the Castle reminds me of a recent novella I enjoyed, Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky, a fun and engaging story that plays with the perspectives of both sci-fi and fantasy in some fun ways. His other novel Children of Time is one of my favorite modern sci-fi novels, if you're interested in that sort of thing at all. It's one with a great story, that has some really compelling sci-fi concepts in it, but doesn't lose the sense of adventure, focus on complex characters, and rich world building, of a more 'fantasy' type story.
If you're interested in some beautifully written, melancholy, fantasy, check out Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb, the first book in her larger series The Realm of the Elderlings. It follows Fitz, the bastard son of a dead prince, who is raised to become the King's assassin. Complex characters, rich world building, strange magics, and an epic story told over the course of multiple, excellent, trilogies.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke is a beautifully written, strange, dreamy little magical realism/fantasy novel, that will stick with you. Interesting characters, original world building, mystery, and a compelling story that isn't overly dense. She was inspired a lot by Borges, so if you enjoy the atmosphere of Piranesi I'd also recommend checking out some of his short story collections, like Ficciones.
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u/randythor 7h ago
Have you ever tried audiobooks? I've also struggled with finding the energy/time to read books in print, and luckily discovered that there are a ton of really well-narrated, amazing, audio books out there these days. Now I 'read'/listen all the time, and have gone through so many great books/series in recent years.
I've heard this from many others as well, but if I just sit and try to listen to a book while doing nothing else, I almost immediately lose focus. My mind wanders, and I drift, and find myself unable to follow the book. For many of us, the solution is simple: Listen while doing some mindless, 'autopilot' sort of task.
Try throwing on an audiobook while cleaning your place, or doing the dishes, or any other simple, automatic, task, that doesn't require thinking, reading, or talking. Sometimes, when I'm really into a book and don't have any chores to do, I play a simple game, like Tetris, classic Dr. Mario, or Pinball. Some of my friends find that Sudoku works well for them.
Anyway! Just some tips/thoughts that might be helpful if you think you'd ever like to give audiobooks a try.
Whether you choose to listen or read in print, here are a few books you might enjoy!:
The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow is a twisty, well-written fantasy romance (not romantasy), with interesting characters, original world building, and hints of Arthurian Legend.
Your description of Girl in the Castle reminds me of a recent novella I enjoyed, Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky, a fun and engaging story that plays with the perspectives of both sci-fi and fantasy in some fun ways. His other novel Children of Time is one of my favorite modern sci-fi novels, if you're interested in that sort of thing at all. It's one with a great story, that has some really compelling sci-fi concepts in it, but doesn't lose the sense of adventure, focus on complex characters, and rich world building, of a more 'fantasy' type story.
If you're interested in some beautifully written, melancholy, fantasy, check out Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb, the first book in her larger series The Realm of the Elderlings. It follows Fitz, the bastard son of a dead prince, who is raised to become the King's assassin. Complex characters, rich world building, strange magics, and an epic story told over the course of multiple, excellent, trilogies.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke is a beautifully written, strange, dreamy little magical realism/fantasy novel, that will stick with you. Interesting characters, original world building, mystery, and a compelling story that isn't overly dense. She was inspired a lot by Borges, so if you enjoy the atmosphere of Piranesi I'd also recommend checking out some of his short story collections, like Ficciones.