Howdy friends! If, during this cold, grey month, you frequently find yourself staring woefully out a window and sighing intermittently, you should probably consider finding a goblin king (or any fae being of sufficient power) to spirit you away to a far-off fantasy world. Should no such opportunities present themselves, I suppose you could treat your autumnal malaise by checking out a new book or two. Bah humbug.

Equal Rites – Terry Pratchett

“a dying wizard tries to pass on his powers to an eighth son of an eighth son, who is just at that moment being born. The fact that the son is actually a daughter is discovered just a little too late”

It’s Pratchett. It’s magic. It’s worth it.

Mistborn – Brandon Sanderson

“Experiencing an epiphany within the most daunting prison of the monstrous Lord Ruler, half-Skaa Kelsier finds himself taking on the powers of a Mistborn, and teams up with ragged orphan Vin in a desperate plot to save their world”

Not to be pushy, but you should read this book. Like, you should really read this book. With its evocative, dark setting, lovable characters, and engaging action (not to mention a smattering of court intrigue and heist-planning goodness), Mistborn is easily my favorite fantasy novel.

Neverwhere – Neil Gaiman

“Neverwhere is the story of Richard Mayhew, a young London businessman with a good heart and an ordinary life, which is changed forever when he discovers a girl bleeding on the sidewalk. He stops to help her—an act of kindness that plunges him into a world he never dreamed existed. Slipping through the cracks of reality, Richard lands in the Neverwhere—a London of shadows and darkness, monsters and saints, murderers and angels that exists entirely in a subterranean labyrinth”

If you are the kind of person who sees moving into an abandoned subway train and learning to speak the language of sewer rats as a viable life goal, this book is for you.

Seraphina – Rachel Hartman

“In the kingdom of Goredd, dragons and humans live and work side by side – while below the surface, tensions and hostility simmer. The newest member of the royal court, a uniquely gifted musician named Seraphina, holds a deep secret of her own. One that she guards with all of her being. When a member of the royal family is brutally murdered, Seraphina is drawn into the investigation alongside the dangerously perceptive—and dashing—Prince Lucien”

Seraphina‘s atmosphere is immersive, its mysteries are engaging, and its strong emotional core is just melodramatic enough to be fun. Also dragons!

Turtles All the Way Down – John Green

“Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts”

Turtles All the Way Down is a uniquely beautiful story, one full of valuable insights into chronic anxiety, interpersonal relationships, coping with loss, and all sorts of delicious coming of age stuff.