Books Like...
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde is a whimsical and witty tale set in an alternate world where literature is a passion and characters from books come to life. The story follows Thursday Next, a SpecOps officer, as she delves into a dangerous mystery involving the kidnapping of Jane Eyre. With elements of time travel, literary references, and a touch of humor, the plot unfolds as Thursday jumps into the story to rescue Miss Eyre, navigating through different dimensions and encountering quirky characters along the way.
The writing style of The Eyre Affair is clever and imaginative, filled with puns, literary allusions, and witty wordplay. Fforde creates a society obsessed with literature, incorporating unique ideas and clever jokes that keep the reader engaged. The book offers a mix of humor, adventure, and mystery, making it a delightful read for bibliophiles and fans of speculative fiction.
If you liked The Eyre Affair, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
Save:In a dystopian world where society is determined by people's ability to see different colors of the spectrum, the novel 'Shades of Grey' by Jasper Fforde follows protagonist Eddie Russett, a Red, as he navigates a society governed by strict color perception rules. Eddie's encounter with the mysterious Grey, Jane, leads him on a journey of self-discovery and adventure, uncovering a conspiracy by the Collective to maintain control over society through arranged marriages and indoctrination. Fforde's writing style intricately weaves together elements of humor, world-building, and social commentary, creating a richly imagined future revolving entirely around color and social standing.
It began with my father not wanting to see the Last Rabbit and ended up with my being eaten by a carnivorous plant. It wasn’t really what I’d planned for myself—I’d hoped to marry into the Oxbloods an... - #2
Save:In "The Big Over Easy" by Jasper Fforde, Detective Jack Sprat and Detective Sergeant Mary Mary investigate the death of Humpty Dumpty in an alternate universe where nursery rhyme characters come to life. The book is a genre-bending mystery filled with allusions to nursery rhymes and fairy tales, offering a fresh take on murder mysteries with a touch of humor and clever wordplay that keeps readers entertained and engaged.
The story follows Inspector Jack Sprat and Mary Mary as they navigate a complex and hilarious investigation into Humpty Dumpty's death, blending elements of detective novels and fairy tales seamlessly. Fforde's writing style is described as clever, witty, and well-paced, with a perfect balance between the main plot and the allusions to nursery rhymes that add depth and charm to the narrative.
It was the week following Easter in Reading, and no one could remember the last sunny day. Gray clouds swept across the sky, borne on a chill wind that cut like a knife. It seemed that spring had fors... - #3
Save:"Midnight Riot" in the series "Rivers of London" by Ben Aaronovitch follows the story of Peter Grant, a police constable in London, who unexpectedly becomes an apprentice wizard after encountering a ghost at a crime scene. Grant's new role leads him to work on solving supernatural crimes with Chief Inspector Nightingale, blending magic and modern police work in a parallel London where magic is real but hidden from most people. offers a mix of contemporary London life, magical elements, and a touch of humor, creating an engaging and unique urban fantasy setting.
IT STARTED at one thirty on a cold Tuesday morning in January when Martin Turner, street performer and, in his own words, apprentice gigolo, tripped over a body in front of the West Portico of St. Pau... - #4
Save:"Good Omens" is a witty and humorous take on the end of the world, where an angel and a demon work together to prevent the apocalypse from happening. The story involves a mix-up at a maternity hospital that leads to the Antichrist being raised by the wrong family, setting off a chain of events involving witches, witch hunters, prophecies, and the four horsemen of the apocalypse. The writing style is described as clever, funny, and full of gentle humor, blending the unique senses of humor of both Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett seamlessly.
You may be feeling run down and always in the same old daily round. Home and family matters are highlighted and are hanging fire. Avoid unnecessary risks. A friend is important to you. Shelve major de... - #5
Save:'The Colour of Magic' by Terry Pratchett is the first book in the Discworld series, introducing readers to the adventures of Twoflower, the Disc's first tourist, and Rincewind, a failed wizard who becomes his guide. The book is a humorous and whimsical fantasy satire that cleverly turns fantasy tropes on their heads, featuring a variety of eccentric characters and imaginative situations. The writing style of Terry Pratchett is described as witty, clever, and full of clever wordplay that creates a detailed and fantastical world for readers to explore.
FIRE ROARED through the bifurcated city of Ankh-Morpork. Where it licked the Wizards’ Quarter it burned blue and green and was even laced with strange sparks of the eighth color, octarine; where its o... - #6
Save:"Just One Damned Thing After Another" by Jodi Taylor follows the adventures of Dr. Max Maxwell at St. Mary's Institute of Historical Research, where historians travel back in time to investigate important historical events. The writing style is described as intelligent, fast-paced, and filled with action, humor, and suspense. The plot revolves around time travel, historical accuracy, and the challenges faced by the characters as they navigate through various historical periods.
The first occurred when, after another disruptive day at school, I stood in front of my head teacher, Mrs De Winter. I’d done the sullen silence thing and waited for expulsion, because I was long past... - #7
Save:In "Guards! Guards!", Terry Pratchett introduces the Watch of Ankh Morpork, a group of humorous and quirky characters who stumble around trying to do as poor a job as possible, only to discover a dragon menacing the city. The book follows the Watch as they set out to save the city, dealing with social commentary, absurdity, romance, and twisted tropes in classic Discworld style. Pratchett's writing is described as hilarious, well-plotted, and just plain fun, with all the elements that readers expect from his works.
The novel is praised for introducing the City Watch characters, including the beloved Captain Vimes, and providing a humorous take on dysfunctional policing in a chaotic city. The plot involves intrigue, conspiracy, danger, and dragons, with a touch of satire and clever observations that make it a standout entry in the Discworld series.
And although the space they occupy isn’t like normal space, nevertheless they are packed in tightly. Not a cubic inch there but is filled by a claw, a talon, a scale, the tip of a tail, so the effect ...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Discworld ) - #8
Save:The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a humorous science fiction novel by Douglas Adams that follows the adventures of Arthur Dent, a mild-mannered Earthling who is saved from the destruction of Earth by his alien friend Ford Prefect. Together, they embark on a journey through space and time, encountering eccentric characters like Zaphod Beeblebrox and Marvin the Paranoid Android. The book is known for its quirky, whimsical writing style, filled with absurdity, satire, and philosophical musings on the meaning of life.
The plot revolves around Arthur and Ford's escapades as they hitchhike across the galaxy, facing bizarre situations and navigating through the absurdities of the universe. Adams' narrative style is conversational and comically bizarre, blending elements of science fiction with absurdist humor to create a unique and entertaining reading experience that challenges traditional storytelling conventions.
At eight o’clock on Thursday morning Arthur didn’t feel very good. He woke up blearily, got up, wandered blearily round his room, opened a window, saw a bulldozer, found his slippers, and stomped off ... - #9
Save:The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman is a fantasy novel that follows Irene, a Librarian from a mysterious organization that collects books from different realities. Along with her assistant Kai, she embarks on a mission to retrieve a special edition of Grimm's Fairy Tales from an alternate world, encountering vampires, werewolves, fae, and a host of adversaries along the way. The book combines elements of fantasy, mystery, steampunk, and alternate worlds, with a focus on the Librarians' quest to collect and protect rare books across dimensions.
The writing style of The Invisible Library is described as light, fun, and engaging, with a mix of supernatural thriller, science fiction, and steam punk elements. The plot involves parallel universes connected through The Library, where Librarians undertake daring missions to retrieve culturally important literature. The story unfolds with action-packed sequences, intriguing world-building, and a touch of humor, making it an entertaining read for fans of books about books and fantastical adventures.
Irene passed the mop across the stone floor in smooth, careful strokes, idly admiring the gleam of wet flagstones in the lantern-light. Her back was complaining, but that was only normal after an even... - #10
Save:'Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency' by Douglas Adams is a quirky and creative novel that follows the eccentric private detective Dirk Gently as he investigates peculiar cases involving time travel, ghosts, and interconnected plots. The book is filled with witty humor, unexpected twists, and a mix of bizarre characters like the electric monk, a disgruntled former magazine publisher, and a time-traveling university professor. The plot unfolds in a non-linear fashion, gradually weaving together seemingly disparate storylines into a cohesive and satisfying narrative.
This time there was just the dead earth, a rumble of thunder, and the onset of that interminable light drizzle from the north-east by which so many of the world’s most momentous events seem to be acco...
