My TOP 10 Standalone Fantasy!

My list, my rules. If you've seen the video, you know what I mean...
If you enjoyed the video, please feel free to check out some more, leave a like, or subscribe to the channel! All of those things help out more than you know :)
Twitter/X: / jajminton
Send me things at the address below:
John at Talking Story
475 Jake Alexander Blvd W
Ste 102 PMB 306
Salisbury, NC 28147

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Top ten lists are agonizing, which is why you do indeed get to make your own rules, John! I love that you included A Midsummer Night's Dream here -- I've had a lot of fun teaching it over the years, and you're right that it should be seen. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell definitely belongs on this sort of list, in my opinion, and so does Piranesi, so I'm glad you broke the rules for Susanna Clarke. Hooray for American Gods! Along with Piranesi, I plan to teach American Gods, among other things, in my fantasy novels course next semester. It's an excellent book for generating loads of discussion. And absolutely yes to The Hobbit, which always transports me to the comfort of the Shire and the perils of the greater world of Middle-Earth. Excellent list!

[@Talking_Story]

Thanks so much! Dr Fantasy approved my rule breaking so I am gonna breathe easy. Means the world to me my friend!

[@Johanna_reads]

Excellent list! I still haven’t watched the Good Omens adaptation, but I’ve read the book twice-before and after my brother read and reread my copy 10 times. 😂 It is your list, and I’m glad you gave it your own spin! 😊

[@Talking_Story]

Thanks so much!

[@MacScarfield]

In my book, Guy Gavriel Kay is perhaps the best standalone writer: I seriously have a hard time picking between «A Song for Arbonne» and «Under Heaven» as my personal favorite!

[@Talking_Story]

I have a buddy read set up for Song of Arbonne in February and I can't for my first GGK.

[@virginiaramirez8385]

Loved the list, I support your #10! I too am a Shakespeare Nerd and it is a fantasy tale. Thank you for these lists, they add to my and my husbands TBR list and we could not be happier adding to them! We love yuor channel and are catching up on your backlist of videos.

[@Talking_Story]

Welcome to you and your husband! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts and add to my TBR from you guys.

[@thatsci-firogue]

That's the funny thing about rules, they break easily. Piranesi is so good! Definitely one of my favourites as well!!!

[@Talking_Story]

Feels good to break a few now and again!

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Great vid! I really need to try Good Omens and Jonathan Strange. I haven’t read too many standalones but I did love Song of Achilles and the Adrian Tchaikovsky novella Ogres dearly

[@Talking_Story]

Think you would love both of those!

[@reallynotconor]

I can't believe you haven't blown up yet. This video was really entertaining and immediately got me hooked on this channel. bold choice to have Warbreaker in your top ten (I haven't read it yet, but I love Sanderson, so I'm excited to get to it). Keep up the good work, because I will definitely be a guaranteed viewer. 😁

[@Talking_Story]

Thanks so much for the kind words. Welcome! I am enjoying Sanderson so much. I did not even know who he was till this year and I am all in after starting my Cosmere catch up. Next month is Words of Radiance.

[@ryanskeff]

I love the #10 audible, when you pulled out the chonker it definitely caught me off guard. I am going to be reading #1 starting December 1, you convinced me.

[@Talking_Story]

Oh you are in for a treat!

[@esmayrosalyne]

Oh wow, I wasn't expecting some of these but I love how diverse this list is!! Addie LaRue, Piranesi and American Gods are all faves of mine as well and books I really want to reread sooner rather than later. And I love Seanan McGuire's books so I don't know why I haven't read Middlegame yet! I think there's a companion sequel out now, right? Also, I have only watched the Good Omens show and now I am hesitant to go back to the source material because I loved that version of the story so much haha. Great list, thanks for sharing!!

[@Talking_Story]

Thanks so much. Yes I have been alerted that Middlegame has a sequel and another in the series will be out in 24 so I gotta make an amendment. As well as order in the next book seeing as how I liked the first! 😀

[@esmayrosalyne]

@@Talking_StoryHope you enjoy it just as much!!

[@CNavo.TheNextChapter]

Loved American Gods, and a Shakespeare fan myself, though haven't read them all yet. Piranesi is a December read for me. Great list John. -Cheers 🤘🏼

[@Talking_Story]

Thanks so much my friend. I am hoping to put some GGK on this list next year after our buddy read!

[@BookishChas]

John this was awesome! Weaveworld is definitely on my list to read. I’ve become a huge fan of Barker. Good Omens is so good!!

[@Talking_Story]

All time classic in my eyes.

[@personmcpersonperson2893]

Great video. I'm always glad to see appreciation for Weaveworld

[@Talking_Story]

Big Barker fan! I think you can see an original sketch he did for me at a signing on the shelf behind me.

[@bardsandbooks]

A great list, I mean to get to a lot of these. I remember playing Egeus in a high school play for A Midsummer Night’s Dream

[@Talking_Story]

So awesome! Another actor in the house I love it!

[@skybelowus_]

Glad I found this channel. Subbed!

[@Talking_Story]

Awesome! Glad you found me too!

[@Talking_Story]

Thanks so much for the sub!

[@carlosbranca8080]

Great! i have in my bedside table Weaveworld and Jonathan Strange. American Gods is amazing and of course The Hobbit is a cornerstone of the genre. very interested in Piranesi too. Good video!

[@Talking_Story]

Thanks so much. Let me know what you think of Norrel and Strange and Weaveworld when you get to them.

[@someokiedude9549]

Sir, I will never groan at you for suggesting Shakespeare. Also glad to see you mentioned my favorite fantasy novel American Gods. Keep up the good work my friend!

[@Talking_Story]

Thanks brother.

[@regulah2125]

Ok, Jonathan Strange, Piranesi and American Gods are moving far up my tbr! I've been thinking about books to fill out my reading plans for the next couple of months so this is great. Addie Larue! First Schwab book I read and loved it. My one big criticism is that I would have liked more of the world to be explored through Addie's eyes in the flashbacks. Unless I remember wrong we only got to see France and Italy.

[@Talking_Story]

I would be down for more of that book, world and that lovely language any time.

[@sharihoutman]

Theater Geeks Unite! You can never go wrong with Shakespeare. I was so glad to see Addie LaRue on your list. It's one of my favorite novels but it's been hit or miss by a bunch of reviewers I really respect. The only book on your list that I haven't read was Clive Barker's. I may have to check it out.

[@Talking_Story]

The language in Addie LaRue was so lovely. Totally my jam, what can I say I love a gothic romance!

[@KaysHiddenShelf]

War breaker is one of my favourites and I have the same edition. Such a great read!

[@Talking_Story]

He really nailed it with the fish out of water love story for me as well. I have a real soft spot for it.

[@KaysHiddenShelf]

@@Talking_Story agreed! The golden child’s story line really got me as well.

[@Talking_Story]

Yes!@@KaysHiddenShelf

[@Oenloveslife]

Thank you for Shakespeare (I played Ariel in the Tempest in high school -- 1979 -- and that too has magical genre bending facets) and The Hobbit, two of my all time favorites! Brand new to your channel and glad to be here, signed, a fellow "old softy".

[@Talking_Story]

Welcome! I could not agree more! A wizard and his daughter hiding on an island with a monster living on the beach. Another great Shakespeare fantasy!

[@BrianBell7]

ha, I think I said that line in Midsummer's Night Dream! I wish I remembered more about Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrrell. I remember loving it. Piranesi is making my top 10 this year.

[@Talking_Story]

If you said that line you must have played Puck!

[@JustBSingProductions]

LOVE American Gods! Glad to see it on this list. No eye rolling for Midsummer Night’s Dream either. I dig Billy Shakes. It also helped get me a job once. Ask me about that sometime 😂

[@Talking_Story]

I will do that for sure!

[@curtjarrell9710]

Standalone fantasy favorites of mine include Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, and Jonathan Strange..., which is my most favorite of all. Happy Thanksgiving.

[@Talking_Story]

Happiest of Holidays to you as well. Night Circus is a great 1!

[@MagusMarquillin]

I can't argue with the Hobbit, even if it's part of a larger tapestry - could say that for Lord of the Rings too since it's really one book, but it's easier to read the Hobbit without tLotR than vise versa. I loved the grandeur of Weave World, though most of the details are forgotten now I do remember: the odd bird murmuration of destiny, the Carpet Tapestry, getting raped by a evil shadow woman, and a ghost of an angel being fought in the desert remains of Eden. What an imagination! I haven't read Clive's horror, but there's plenty of horror in his fantasy, have you ever read his Abarat series? It may never be finished at the rate he's going, but it's such a well realized portal fantasy land, illustrated by his oil paintings. Love Piranesi (speaking of murmurations!), and a Midsummer Night's Dream (looking forward to it's appearance in the Sandman show, hopefully), and the Good Omens adaptation (though season 2 venture beyond the book was disappointing). I have the others on my shelf waiting for me (save for Middle Game, which I never heard of, but sounds cool). I pick: 10 Peter Pan - James Barrie 9 StarDust - Neil Gaiman 8 Coraline - Neil Gaiman 7 WeaveWorld - Clive Barker 6 Pan's Labyrinth - there's a novelization of the movie by Cornella Funke that's wonderful, 5 Piranesi - Susanna Clarke 4 the Last Unicorn - Peter S. Beagle 3 The Wizard of Earthsea - Ursula K. Le Guin 2 the Neverending Story - Michael Ende 1 The Silmarillion - JRR Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien and Guy Gavriel Kay. I can't prove it, but I think I'd work on it's own for one determined, though some might want to stop short of the last section to not spoil tLotR. If you can claim the Hobbit, I can do this! 😇

[@Talking_Story]

Same world for sure but no way I could not have it on my list.

[@Kjt853]

If, like me, you love “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” by all means check out the 1968 film version starring Diana Rigg, Helen Mirren, Judy Dench, Ian Holm, and other members of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and directed by Peter Hall. The production values aren’t the greatest, but the acting is superb. It’s currently available on KZbin.

[@Talking_Story]

I have seen that but I did not know it is currently on KZbin. I will be giving it a re watch. Thanks!

[@RedFuryBooks]

I gotta say, I didn't have "Shakespeare" in the betting pool! Great list, but it's time for you to read some GGK to blow up this list!

[@Talking_Story]

Buddy read set for February. From what I hear the list will be a changin!

[@shawnlinnehan7349]

I will be a little loose too with my suggestions. I don't know if "Boy's Life" by McCammon could be considered fantasy. And "The Terror", by Simmons, same thing, but I nominate them. "Watership Down". "The Mists of Avalon". "Eaters of the Dead" by Michael Crichton. That movie the 13th Warrior was based on that I'm pretty sure. Not sure how "Life of Pi" is classified. I heard people talking about "The Forgotten Beasts of Eld" and I found it in a used books store and it was weird. Read like a fable or mythology. And last, I found this collection of a few books in one volume by this guy Richard Brautigan, whom I never heard of and one of the stories "The Hawkline Monster" was totally awesome and weird. One of my favorites now. No complaints about your list. I was an English major. I prefer Shakespeare's tragedies.

[@Talking_Story]

I considered Boy's Life and Life of Pi 2 of my favs. Also Snow Child but I was not sure if they would be considered fantasy so I moved on. Same with some titles from Christopher Moore. I will be looking for some of the others you have listed here for sure. My favorite Shakespeare would favor tragedies as well. But Midsummer too perfect not to put on this list. Tempest would be another good choice,

[@peterdeluca]

Currently reading Good omens, and have to say I’m 100 pages in and struggling with it. Find myself getting confused by the random characters that show up and just generally what’s going on. Worth it to push through?

[@Talking_Story]

It was for me but I have talked to some that the style and humor really turned them off. If you are struggling it may not be the right time. You could try the show if you have Amazon prime. It is a pretty faithful adaptation. It may be more enjoyable in a visual medium. If you are struggling though I would say find something that you love.

[@maeve_ever_manga]

I adore Shakespeare! Twelfth Night is my personal favorite. Also, Middlegame by Seanan McGuire is book 1 in a series. There are 2 other books out.

[@Talking_Story]

Whaaaaat? What is the series name? Must look into this! Thanks so much for keeping me on my toes! 😀

[@Talking_Story]

Seasonal Fears is out and Tidal Creatures is out June of 24. You not only changed my next book order you changed my most anticipated for 24 list. This is awesome!

[@maeve_ever_manga]

@@Talking_Story Glad to help! I misspoke when I said 2 more were out. I meant 2 in the series(including the first book) were out. 😅

[@Talking_Story]

@@maeve_ever_manga You were way closer to the truth than me😂

[@BeyondTheBlurb]

Intrigued by Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. Not one that has immediately landed on my Wish List but one I've seen on the bookstore shelves. As for The Hobbit. Ashamedly I've not read it despite having a copy in the house 😮. Perhaps I should stop procrastinating and dive in 🤔.

[@Talking_Story]

I think you both would be enchanted by it if you give it a chance.

[@maeve_ever_manga]

Some of my fantasy stand alone favorites are: Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson Thornhedge by T Kingfisher Driftwood by Marie Brennan The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky and Witch King by Martha Wells

[@Talking_Story]

Tchaikovsky and Kingfisher are on my list for 24. Will look all these others up thanks so much.

[@maeve_ever_manga]

@@Talking_Story Can’t wait to hear what you think of Kingfisher and Tchaikovsky!

[@amandarose603]

I got a recommendation! “Jitterbug Perfume” by Tom Robbins. Calling it fantasy might be a stretch but there are definitely very fantasy concepts in it and at its core is a romance that spans a thousand years. If you like word-smithing and unique prose he’ll open up a whole new world. He’s a verbal break-dancer.

[@Talking_Story]

Ohhhh I like the sound of this!

[@MattonBooks]

Jitterbug Perfume is a great book. 😍 I’d call it magical realism, if someone absolutely forced me to put it in a category.

[@Talking_Story]

@@MattonBooks I have that on the list as well. Not ordered in yet but on the list. Keep those recommendations coming!

[@Morfeusm]

Interesting you felt Piranesi fantasy had a bit of science fiction. For me it read like literary surrealist fiction similar to Kobo Abe. One of the best fantasy novels out there! Great pick!

[@Talking_Story]

Thanks so much. So much greatness packed into so few pages!

[@Khatoon170]

How are you doing mr John. Thank you for your wonderful cultural channel. I chose one of books you mentioned main theme and author biography briefly here it’s. First of all I looked up for meaning of standalone in book means all story and character acrs are complete there are no loose end . Gillian Flynn Stephen king gone girl are two examples of this . Standalone is equivalent feature film has final ending. American gods won several awards such as Hugo award for best novel , locus award for best fantasy novel , nebula award for best novel. Plot summary about shadow is ex convict who released from prison three days early when his wife Laura is killed in car accident . Shadow is devastated by her death , is distraught to learn that she died alongside his best friend robble , with whom she been having affair. It’s blend of American fantasy , various stands of ancient and modern mythology, all centering on mysterious and raciturn shadow.there are several adaptations of this novel in dark horse comic based on novel . Television too television developed novel into television series in 2017 . Music power metal band blind guardian wrote song titled secrets of American gods based on novel on their album 2022 the god machine.

[@Khatoon170]

Neil gaiman ( born in 1960 ) he is English author of short fiction, novels , comics graphic novels , audio theater , screen writer. His works included comic book series and novels good omens , stardust , Annsi boys , American gods , graveyard. Genre comic , fantasy , horror , dark fantasy. Thank you for giving us chance to read learn new information improve our English as well. We appreciate your great efforts as foreigners subscribers as overseas students. Good luck to you your dearest ones .

[@Talking_Story]

You are once again right on target my friend!

[@christinalangstone2520]

To be honest, I'm more inclined to read standalone horror and science fiction, but these books spring to mind: Erin Morgenstern The Night Circus Clive Barker The Thief Of Always Mike Jefferies Shadows In The Watchgate Markus Zusak The Book Thief Neil Gaiman Stardust Funnily enough, I have chosen David and Leigh Eddings The Redemption Of Althalus to read sometime this year, despite having bought it as soon as it was published in 2000. I'm fed up dusting it!

[@Talking_Story]

I have read all those except Shadows in the Watchgate. Great choices! I will be looking Watxhgate up. Hope the read you have been dusting is worth the read and the cleaning time.

[@christinalangstone2520]

I hope so too. If not, I can use it as a door stop 😂 I forgot to mention Garry Kilworth A Midsummer's Nightmare, a comedy fantasy featuring characters from your favourite play.

[@Talking_Story]

@@christinalangstone2520 wow how have I not read that?! Going on the list!

[@thatsci-firogue]

Some of my favourites are the Hobbit, Piranesi, Lions of Al-Rassan and Under Heaven are duking it out for my favourite GGK, Adrian Tchaikovsky's Guns of the Dawn and KJ Parker's Folding Knife. Folding Knife felt like I was reading about Glokta's Italian cousin. And Guns of the Dawn read like Bernard Cornwell writing a Jane Austen novel. Flintlock Fantasy with a strong female lead and Tchaikovsky wants to write a sequel and i wish he did.

[@Talking_Story]

Doing my first GGK coming up in a buddy read in February and Tchaikovsky and Parker are 2 I need to get to. So many amazing reads await us!

[@thatsci-firogue]

@@Talking_Story I sadly neglected all these authors this year but I plan on restarting Tchaikovsky's Shadows of the Apt in the coming weeks and read a few more of Parker's standalones before committing to one of his series.

[@Talking_Story]

I have City of Last Chances I want to get to. Then I will decide where to go next i think. @@thatsci-firogue

[@thatsci-firogue]

@@Talking_Story I've that one on my kindle ready to go. I think there's a sequel coming out very soon

[@Talking_Story]

Yes House of Open Wounds. Another reason I need to get to it. @@thatsci-firogue

[@RPrice-qz8wg]

Good list though I've tried to read the hobbit several times and just can't get through it.

[@Talking_Story]

No worries all books aren’t for everyone. What is your fav?

[@carsonphipps9904]

Ah yes, the famous 10 heads of Mount Rushmore

[@Talking_Story]

You know it!

[@alynam82]

I believe I own about seven of the ten books mentioned here. But I offer no excuse as to why I haven't read them yet 🤨 (other than that they stand in a very looooong line, lol) I read a book this year that no one I know, booktube or not, has heard of, and it's Power in the Blood by Greg Matthews. I still consider it a stand alone fantasy, even though it's labeled more historical fiction or western. But if one of the characters has "Carrie-like" powers and sort of drives the plot -- I call it fantasy. Anyways, it's probably considered my #1 or 2 top fave this year, and wanted to share here.

[@Talking_Story]

I am adding that to my list immediately. Western skidding into fantastical vibe try The Magic Wagon by Joe R Lansdale if you have not.

[@alynam82]

@@Talking_Story I sure will! I enjoy a good Lansdale romp!

[@DiomedesRangue]

Midsummer's is my favourite shakespere

[@Talking_Story]

It is so much fun. Love the humor of it!

[@alexm1698]

As someone who had the Hobbit a mandatory reading in high school but did not like it.... I must disagree with "everyone should read it". 😂😂😂 And thanks for the reminder that I must stop forgetting to read Good Omens!

[@Talking_Story]

I am with you! There is so much wonderful stuff out there we all should find and read what brings us joy.

[@MattonBooks]

I’ll forgive you for including Shakespeare because… well… he’s Shakespeare. 😆 It’s about time a booktuber included The Bard in a list. ♥️ I did a “booktubers recommend standalones” video a while ago, and there’s pleasantly little overlap - even more standalones to read! 😀 I’d suggest you do yourself a favour & add my 2023 BotY to your list: The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jiminez. 😍

[@Talking_Story]

I have it on the stack and it was you who pushed me over the edge my friend.

[@MattonBooks]

@@Talking_Story YES! The Spear edge is my favourite edge to push anyone over. 😀

[@heidi6281]

With the exception of the Hobbit ( really a prequel to the LOTR) I have not read anything on your list. I have seen a few Shakespearean Theater productions but never Midsummer’s Night Dream. I tried to think of any fantasy stand-alone I enjoyed and I came up with only 2 titles. Most recently Between Two Fires and Boudica: Dreaming the Eagle. It is a Quartet but so emotionally draining I am done at one. It is historical fantasy and wonderful. You will enjoy Manda’s Scott’s prose. I am stopping at the first book because who runs a marathon more than once?

[@Talking_Story]

Between 2 Fires is on my list I am adding Boudica sounds great and emotionally taxing which I can sometimes love. I get the marathon comment for sure though. Let me know if you try anything off the list. I know Hobbit is seen as a prequel but I feel it can stand on it's own and I know folks who love it and cannot get through LOTR so I went with it as it meant so much to me.

[@heidi6281]

@@Talking_Story Speaks the Nightbird is on my nightstand right now and I plan to choose Warbreaker from your list.Red Fury Josh also recommended it too. BTW the Abercrombie stand alones are not truly alone…all the books following the Last Argument of Kings are more like a continuation, albeit introducing new characters mixed in with the old.

[@Talking_Story]

I am looking forward to getting back to Abercrombie. I would vote you pick up Speaks the Nightbird asap. Great story and amazing prose style and tone. @@heidi6281

[@Zivilin]

There is always The Silmarillion and The Children of Húrin too for Tolkien. But i also call The hobbit a standalone personally. 🙂

[@heidi6281]

@@Zivilin I have not read either yet but plan on listening to Serkis’s narration of the Silmarillion, BLD gave it glowing reviews… he never liked it until this version.

[@cartoonsworld683]

Pls any recommendations what first fantacy book i buy. standalone . Cause i never read books before.😅

[@Talking_Story]

1 of my starting places for fantasy was T. H. White Sword in the Stone. Great for readers of all ages. Classic tale that really catches the wonder of fantasy.

[@cartoonsworld683]

@@Talking_Story thanks for the recomendation i will read it now .

[@Talking_Story]

@@cartoonsworld683 can’t wait to hear what you think.

[@nancywolf1467]

Huh … I couldn’t think of 10 fantasy stand alone books. Fantasy stand alones are harder to find than you think. Here are 10 stand alones off the top of my head that aren’t limited to fantasy but are pretty good. LOL Misery Project Hail Mary 1984 The Hobbit Coraline Nocturnal The Book Thief Swan Song A Gentleman in Moscow Tress of the Emerald Sea Happy Weekend! ~Twainy

[@Talking_Story]

Awesome list! Can’t wait to get to Tress in a couple months.

[@X-FAct0R]

Nice to see the American Gods love. One of my favorites.

[@Talking_Story]

Sooooo Goood!

[@mrebeast]

Just started this video and had to laugh at starting with Shakespeare!

[@Talking_Story]

I gotta be me!

[@sherribugd3799]

Stand alone fantasy is tough. The Hobbit of course is mine.

[@Talking_Story]

Classic!

[@brap7551]

why does everyone forget the princess bride?

[@Talking_Story]

You are right! That is a great 1! I read it so long ago was not on my mind. Will have to think long and hard about that when I revisit this list in ‘24.

[@brap7551]

you remind me of john sheridan

[@Talking_Story]

You are now the second person to say that. As big of a Babylon 5 fan as I am I will take it!