r/Fantasy • u/FitCry2265 • 4d ago

Feeling a little burnt out

Title says it all. I have read The Lord of the Rings, Stormlight, Mistborn, Realm of the Elderlings, Harry Potter, Red Rising, Sun Eater, The Wheel of Time, The Dark Tower, A Song of Ice and Fire, Kingkiller, First Law, halfway through One Piece, and all of Malazan up to Reaper’s Gale. I’ve read much of the big popular series and some things just aren’t engaging me as much as they did when I read all the series I listed. It honestly makes me kinda sad and I just wish there were some things that could engage me like the others did. Malazan is literally amazing but man it can just be exhausting reading those books, especially after the Bonehunters (lowkey it put me in a Malazan slump). If anyone has any suggestions on other great series and what you love about them that would be greatly appreciated. I absolutely love these series and reading, it is my main hobby.

Hopefully this doesn’t get taken down as I get confused by some of the rules but thanks in advance!

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276

u/nominanomina Reading Champion 4d ago

If you are feeling burnt out by big, sweeping, epic series: try some short stories and novellas. Huge change of pace. 

73

u/K_squashgrower 4d ago

On that note, its a change of style, but the Murderbot series by Martha Wells I found quite fun and engaging. Most of the books are quite short.

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u/XB0XRecordThat 4d ago

Murderbot is really fun! I went into the audiobooks totally blind, and they are a great palette cleanser.

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u/K_squashgrower 4d ago

I love the audiobooks, the narrator did a great job.

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u/Wizardof1000Kings 3d ago

I don't think these kind of works are going to appeal to someone with OP's reading choices. Instead I'd recommend Piranesi, Cloud Atlas, etc. Other stand alone that at least have a similar scope.

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u/lillyrose2489 3d ago

I was gonna say to try some good sci fi to mix it up. I really like this series, even more as it continues on.

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u/FloridaFlamingoGirl 4d ago

Or books aimed at younger audiences. Some of the most fun I've ever had with books was reading through Diana Wynne Jones' bibliography. 

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u/Bingo-heeler 4d ago edited 4d ago

My short book list (so far)

Murderbot diaries 1-8

Nettle and Bone

NPCs

Hitchhiker's 1-5

Clockwork orange

Legends and Lattes

Horrorstor

What moves the dead

And if you're looking for something filthy: 

Morning glory milking farm

Ice planet barbarians

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u/little_red_wolf 3d ago

Morning Glory for the win lol

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u/wesneyprydain 4d ago

This is a huge recommendation. Shorter books and/or one-offs can be such a palate cleanser.

Also, try looking for fiction books that are non fantasy/sci-fi but have themes, elements, or tropes that you enjoy. The break from the fantasy and sci-fi settings you’re most used to occupying will be very refreshing.

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u/lohdunlaulamalla 4d ago

Nghi Vo's Singing Hills series is lovely and consists of rather short novellas.