Books Like...
'The Melancholy of Mechagirl' by Catherynne M. Valente is a collection of short stories and a novella that are heavily influenced by Japanese myths and culture. The stories are described as more like extended poetry than traditional narratives, challenging readers with their lack of straightforward narrative structure. The writing style is praised for its beauty, flow, and vivid imagery, transporting readers into a world where personal stories are intertwined with elements of science fiction and mythology.
If you liked The Melancholy of Mechagirl, here are the top 15 books to read next:
- The short novel—or the novella, as it is usually referred to in the science fiction field—is something of a literary Endangered Species, and although it once flourished in the general marketplace, it ...
In a tribute to the science fiction novella, more than a dozen masterpieces from the past three decades feature the work of Poul Anderson, Samuel R. Delany, Lucius Shepard, Cordwainer Smith, and other masters of the genre.
... - #2
Save:C.L. Moore's 'Black God's Kiss' is a collection of stories featuring Jirel of Joiry, the first female fantasy heroine known for her vengeful and harsh nature. The tales follow Jirel on her quests to vanquish foes and evil-doers, often leading her to other dimensions where she faces disturbing creatures and challenges. The writing style is described as lushly descriptive, focusing on the atmospheric effects of the surroundings, eerie creatures, and the torments and fears experienced by the main character. While the plots may seem repetitive, with Jirel typically overcoming adversaries in fantastical realms, the stories are compelling and offer a unique perspective on sword and sorcery fiction.
They brought in Joiry’s tall commander, struggling between two men-at-arms who tightly gripped the ropes which bound their captive’s mailed arms. They picked their way between mounds of dead as they c... - #3
Save:'Zima Blue and Other Stories' by Alastair Reynolds is a collection of ten short science fiction stories that showcase the author's diverse writing style and imaginative storytelling. The stories cover themes such as transhumanism, genocidal sentient machines, and the impact of technology on society. Reynolds expertly weaves together complex scientific concepts with human emotions, creating a compelling and thought-provoking read. From epic space opera narratives to personal and intimate tales, this collection offers a broad assortment of stories that will captivate both new readers and longtime fans of Reynolds's work.
There was, Merlin thought, a very fine line between beauty and terror. Most certainly where the Way was concerned. Tempting as it was to think that the thing they saw through the cutter's windows was ... - #4
Save:Stranger Things Happen by Kelly Link is a collection of short stories that are described as ghost stories without ghosts. The stories are eerie and surreal, blending elements of reality with the supernatural. The book covers a variety of themes and genres, including sci-fi, fantasy, fairy tales, horror, and comedy, creating a unique reading experience that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
Rachel Rook took Carroll home to meet her parents two months after she first slept with him. For a generous girl, a girl who took off her clothes with abandon, she was remarkably close-mouthed about s... Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders by Neil Gaiman is a collection of short stories, poems, and a novella featuring the character Shadow from American Gods. The stories cover genres like horror, dark fantasy, and mythology, with memorable diversions such as a meeting between Sherlock Holmes and Lovecraft, a tarot deck of a vampire, and an exploration of Susan post-Narnia. Gaiman's writing style is described as weird, creepy, fun, and imaginative, with each piece offering a distinct and vivid experience for the reader.
I. The New Friend FRESH FROM THEIR STUPENDOUS EUROPEAN TOUR, WHERE THEY PERFORMED BEFORE SEVERAL OF THE CROWNED HEADS OF EUROPE, GARNERING THEIR PLAUDITS AND PRAISE WITH MAGNIFICENT DRAMATIC PERFORMAN...A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories by Lucia Berlin is a collection of autobiographical short stories that offer a glimpse into the author's life experiences. The stories feature characters who navigate through challenging circumstances such as alcoholism, relationship failures, abuse, and death, all while finding moments of grace and hope. Berlin's writing style is described as blunt, gritty, and unflinching, with a focus on detail and matter-of-fact storytelling. The narratives cover a range of themes, from intimate conversations and peripatetic lives to observations of people living in the Southwest of the United States.
Lucia Berlin’s stories are electric, they buzz and crackle as the live wires touch. And in response, the reader’s mind, too, beguiled, enraptured, comes alive, all synapses firing. This is the way we ...- #7
Save:'How Long 'til Black Future Month?' by N.K. Jemisin is a collection of short stories that cover a wide range of genres, including fantasy, science fiction, and dystopian futures. The book showcases Jemisin's talent for world-building and storytelling, with each story presenting unique and thought-provoking ideas. Readers are taken on a journey through various settings and themes, from mystical realms to futuristic societies, all while exploring topics like discrimination, oppression, and the power of resistance. Jemisin's writing style is described as bold, creative, and engaging, with the ability to surprise and captivate readers with unexpected twists and turns.
It’s the Day of Good Birds in the city of Um-Helat! The Day is a local custom, silly and random as so many local customs can be, and yet beautiful by the same token. It has little to do with birds—a f... - #8
Save:Denis Johnson's 'Train Dreams' is a novella that delves into the life of Robert Grainier, a day laborer in the Pacific Northwestern US during the early 20th century. The story follows Grainier through various hardships, including the loss of his family in a fire, as he navigates the changing world around him. Johnson's writing style is described as spare, stark, and evocative, capturing the essence of the American West with vivid and detailed imagery.
In the summer of 1917 Robert Grainier took part in an attempt on the life of a Chinese laborer caught, or anyway accused of, stealing from the company stores of the Spokane International Railway in th... 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Love' by Raymond Carver is a collection of short stories that delve into the complexities of human emotions, primarily focusing on themes of love, loneliness, confusion, and discontent. Carver's writing style is described as minimalist, yet impactful, with a keen ability to capture the raw and vulnerable moments in his characters' lives. The stories often revolve around ordinary activities and interactions, but Carver's unique narrative approach leaves readers contemplating the deeper layers of each tale.
The four of us were sitting around his kitchen table drinking gin. Sunlight filled the kitchen from the big window behind the sink. There were Mel and me and his second wife, Teresa—Terri, we called h...- #10
Save:'Nine Stories' by J.D. Salinger is a collection of short stories that delve into the complexities of human emotions and relationships. The stories are described as original, well-written, and thought-provoking, with themes ranging from love and war to childhood innocence and mental instability. Salinger's writing style is praised for its ability to capture the essence of characters and evoke strong emotional responses from readers, offering a blend of humor, wit, and poignant observations on life.
THERE WERE ninety-seven New York advertising men in the hotel, and, the way they were monopolizing the long-distance lines, the girl in 507 had to wait from noon till almost two-thirty to get her call...
