Books Like...
'Her Body and Other Parties' by Carmen Maria Machado is a collection of dark and compelling short stories that delve into themes of horror, body autonomy, feminism, and sexuality. The stories range from eerie retellings of urban legends to surreal summaries of Law and Order SVU episodes, all with a focus on the struggles faced by women and LGBTQ people. Machado's writing style is described as colorful, compelling, and powerful, with each story offering a unique perspective on the female experience.
If you liked Her Body and Other Parties, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
'In the Dream House' by Carmen Maria Machado is a memoir that intricately explores the author's experience in an abusive queer relationship. Rather than following a linear narrative, the book breaks down the story into fragments, interweaving reflections on gaslighting, folklore, and the author's writing process. The writing style is described as creative, original, thought-provoking, and emotionally impactful, offering a unique and engaging approach to discussing the complexities of abuse in lesbian relationships.
I daresay you have heard of the Dream House? It is, as you know, a real place. It stands upright. It is next to a forest and at the rim of a sward. It has a foundation, though rumors of the dead burie... - #2
'The Bloody Chamber' by Angela Carter is a collection of dark and sensual retellings of classic fairy tales with a gothic and feminist twist. Carter's writing style is described as beautifully crafted, evocative, and rich in imagery, bringing new life to familiar stories like Little Red Riding Hood, Beauty and the Beast, and Bluebeard. The stories explore themes of sexuality, agency of women, and the darker aspects of human nature, creating a complex and compelling fantasy world.
The book features ten adult adaptations of fairy tales, each with a macabre and feminist undertone. Carter's storytelling is praised for its unique voice, strong connections between tales, and its feminist reinterpretation of traditional themes. The collection is a blend of reimagined myths and original stories, challenging the reader to explore a more nuanced and morally complex version of fairy tales.
- #3
'Things We Lost in the Fire' by Mariana Enriquez is a collection of 12 short stories set in Argentina that delve into horror, both supernatural and psychological. The stories explore themes of poverty, fear, heartbreak, and the supernatural, offering a glimpse into the darker side of present-day life in Argentina. The writing style is described as haunting, addictive, and beautifully written, with each story presenting a unique and unsettling perspective on Argentinean struggles and poverty.
My family thinks I’m crazy, and all because I choose to live in our old family home in Constitución, in the house that once belonged to my paternal grandparents. It’s an imposing stone building on Cal... - #4
'Our Wives Under the Sea' by Julia Armfield is a haunting and mysterious tale that delves into the deep and intensive love between Miri and her wife Leah. The story unfolds through alternating chapters, with Leah recounting a claustrophobic horror of an underwater mission gone awry, while Miri shares the emotional aftermath of Leah's return as a changed person. Armfield's prose is described as breathtaking, capturing a range of emotions beautifully and creating a weighty, claustrophobic atmosphere akin to being trapped under the ocean depths.
The novel combines elements of literary fiction, horror, and speculative fiction, offering a character-driven narrative that explores themes of grief, the dissolution of relationships, and the transformative power of love. The writing style is poetic and haunting, with a dreamlike quality that switches between past and present, different points of view, and layers of mystery, culminating in an ending that is open to interpretation and leaves a lasting impact on readers.
The deep sea is a haunted house: a place in which things that ought not to exist move about in the darkness. Unstill, is the word Leah uses, tilting her head to the side as if in answer to some sound,... - #5
'The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories' by Ken Liu is a collection of short stories that range from fantasy to science fiction to historical fiction. The stories explore themes of technology, human emotions, Asian immigrant experiences, and cultural histories. Ken Liu's writing style is described as enchanting, thought-provoking, and emotionally affecting, with a talent for weaving traditional Chinese beliefs and cultural elements into his narratives.
There is no definitive census of all the intelligent species in the universe. Not only are there perennial arguments about what qualifies as intelligence, but each moment and everywhere, civilizations... "The Dangers of Smoking in Bed: Stories" by Mariana Enriquez is a collection of twelve short stories that explore supernatural themes with a social conscience. Set mostly in the impoverished barrios of Buenos Aires, the stories are told from the perspective of sad, lonely, or disturbed female protagonists. The writing style is described as beautiful, unsettling, and profound, with a mix of horror, magical realism, and feminist themes.
The plots of the stories range from a woman haunted by a decomposing baby to young women trying to contact the spirits of disappeared friends and relatives. The book delves into themes of ghosts, curses, mutilation, and psychological horror, presenting old horror tropes in a fresh and new way. The stories are rich in detail, vivid, and often disturbing, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.
My grandma didn’t like the rain, and before the first drops fell, when the sky grew dark, she would go out to the backyard with bottles and bury them halfway, with the whole neck underground; she beli...- #7
Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung is a genre-defying collection of short stories that blur the lines between magical realism, horror, and science fiction. The stories delve into the very real horrors and cruelties of patriarchy and capitalism in modern society, using elements of the fantastic and surreal to address themes such as loneliness, exploitation, and societal norms. Chung's writing style combines horror, magic realism, supernatural elements, and folklore with contemporary storytelling, creating a unique and unsettling reading experience that explores heavy social commentary on patriarchy, greed, and generational trauma.
The stories in Cursed Bunny are a mix of horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and magical realism, offering a chilling and thought-provoking exploration of societal issues through bizarre and sometimes grotesque narratives. The collection features characters fighting against oppression and seeking acceptance, with each story resonating on different levels and showcasing Chung's ability to play with various genres while maintaining a cohesive theme of revenge and societal critique.
It was probably more accurate to refer to it as “a thing that vaguely looked like a head” than an actual head. It was about two-thirds the size of an adult’s head and resembled a lump of carelessly sl... - #8
'Nightbitch' by Rachel Yoder is a novel that delves into the complexities of motherhood, exploring the challenges and joys of being a stay-at-home mother in the US. The story follows the protagonist as she navigates the twin pulls of external acceptance and the magic of child-rearing, providing a unique perspective on procreation without sugar-coating the tribulations. Through a blend of weird yet addictive writing style, the book offers a psychological exploration of motherhood, incorporating themes of modern middle-class existence and the struggles faced by women in society.
The narrative of 'Nightbitch' weaves together elements of horror, humor, and introspection, creating a feminist manifesto that challenges traditional notions of motherhood. The book artfully blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, with a focus on the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and the raw emotions associated with maternal instincts. Yoder's unconventional approach to storytelling, including the use of unnamed characters and dark humor, adds depth to the narrative and makes the book a thought-provoking exploration of womanhood and societal expectations.
And only now in her remembering did the events of the recent weeks begin to make sense. For of course she had known about it since she was a child, growing up as she had within the old German ways, wi... - #9
'Exhalation: Stories' by Ted Chiang is a collection of thought-provoking science fiction stories that delve into philosophical questions like free will, consciousness, and the impact of technology on humanity. Chiang's writing style is described as calm, clear, and deeply engaging, allowing the meaning of the stories to shine through the scientific concepts explored. The stories cover a wide range of themes, from time travel to the nature of existence, all tied together by universal questions about humanity and the universe.
The book features a mix of speculative technologies and philosophical undertones, expertly formulated to create compact yet suggestive narratives. Chiang's storytelling is praised for its cleverness without sacrificing the human element of the stories, making readers care about both the characters and the speculative concepts presented. Each story in the collection offers a unique and immersive experience that challenges readers to think deeply about the complex issues explored.
It has long been said that air (which others call argon) is the source of life. This is not in fact the case, and I engrave these words to describe how I came to understand the true source of life and... - #10
'Stories of Your Life and Others' by Ted Chiang is a collection of thought-provoking and inventive science fiction short stories. The stories explore unique concepts and alternate realities, delving into deep philosophical and scientific ideas while also incorporating elements of spirituality and human emotions. The writing style is described as precise, analytical, and dispassionate, yet it manages to create engaging and relatable characters who navigate through the complex worlds crafted by the author. Chiang's stories are known for their originality, creativity, and the way they challenge readers to think beyond the conventional boundaries of the genre.
Were the tower to be laid down across the plain of Shinar, it would be two days’ journey to walk from one end to the other. While the tower stands, it takes a full month and a half to climb from its b...