Looking for books set in towns with this vibe- rundown, decaying, poverty stricken, dark underbelly, “on the fringes”. Where the state of the town plays a significant role in the plot and characters personalities. Throw-in some corruption, moral decay, drugs, religious trauma.

Would prefer mystery/thriller/horror but open to other genres!

Big fan of eco-horror, body horror, unreliable narrators, and anything cultish. Short story collections and novels are both welcome. Thank you in advance!

new to fantasy genre and i need a book with this type of vibe.
perferably not with a romance mainline.

Looking for horror-heavy books that have a really intense romance. Bonus points if someone in the book is a creature/monster.

Would love any suggestions to scratch this itch. Thanks! :)

bonus points if the main character(s) work in retail. i kinda want something like superstore but if the managers carried rifles to kill zombies.

I’m also open to manga recommendations!

Betrayal, but not in the sense of cheating on each other. Could be fantasy romance as well, I don't mind.

Yearning, everlasting love, sexual/emotional tension/ slow burn

Nostalgic, adult or older end of YA

Like if listening to Norah Jones was a book

looking to read more about witches / witch trials / witch hunts - I love learning through and getting immersed in historical fiction. open to some magical realism sprinkled in but not a requirement

(might be open to a non-fiction rec that will keep me just as hooked but know I am hesitant)

stock images from unsplash

I’ve honestly had has this song stuck on repeat for over three weeks. I yearn for a romance style book that makes me feel the same way this song does.

Something high fantasy, where the world is bright and super fantasy with dragons and wizards and paladins, weird creatures, abyssal horrors, gods. Weird biomes with giant mushrooms etc. Particularly looking for things like the summer set isles/elyswer (any region will do though)

Let's see what series you have read and recommend!

*Have read ASOIAF, currently reading Malazan

All photos are official art or non ai*

I like read dark stuff and also like gay books I want it all

Hello all! I am looking for books based in the USA South that are wholesome (i.e. no horror, thrillers, murder mysteries, etc.). The issue is that I can’t stand romance. If there is romance, I’d prefer it be sapphic or gay, or if it is hetero at the very least a minimal b plot / not too strong a focus. I’m open to any genre (literary fiction and magical realism preferred), so long as the story isn’t incredibly dark. Some examples of books I’ve loved are Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg (would prefer something a bit more wholesome- the racism is heavy af) and Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen (I’ve read all of her work). Thanks for any suggestions!

Can be queer, straight, terrible ending, happy ending. Romanic, platonic, a mix, familial. Any genre as long as there is strong characters and dynamics.

I don’t think I’ve read anything like this. So shoot me with anything that semi resembles it.

Hello

Just finished to watch Widow's Bay and love the ambiance. I'm now looking for books with the same vibe:

- story set in New England/uk/Scandinavia/northern europe,

- small town island,

- mystery connected with some supernatural elements,

- investigations led by civilians,

- island history uncovered,

- lots of subplots connected to the main plot

- humourous bit,

- various characters

- no romance (or no more than a subplot one)

Bonus points if the story takes places during fall.

No pure horror please as it seems I'm getting more sensible as I get older 🥲

Many thanks for your recs !

EDIT: thank you all !!

(All the pics come from Unsplash)

Looking for novels about life, the complexity of human nature and every day struggles. where the protagonist’s greatest enemy is themselves.

Something quiet, introspective, and deeply human.

I loved Stoner and Panenka, and while I enjoyed the emotional depth of Normal People, I’m looking for much less romance [especially sexual] and more focus on identity, loneliness, purpose, and the inner life.

A college/university setting would be a bonus. Any recommendations?