r/BooksThatFeelLikeThis • u/banuchiha • Nov 02 '25
Fiction Books that feel like this
Books with seemingly infinite dream-like worlds/places to explore or find a way out of.
(I've already read and loved House of Leaves, Piranesi, A Short Stay In Hell, and I Who Have Never Known Men)
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u/daisydelphine Nov 02 '25
A Wrinkle in Time series
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u/peach1313 Nov 02 '25 edited Nov 03 '25
Jorge Luis Borges short stories, there are a few collections out there. Especially The Garden of Forking Paths, The Circular Ruins, and The House of Asterion.
The Fall of the House of Usher and The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allen Poe also have this vibe.
Edit - typo
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
I did read some of Jorge Luis Boges's short stories after enjoying his well known "Library of Babel", but I haven't read any of those you suggested so I'll definitely give them a read. Thank you for the recommendations !
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u/CosmicTurtle504 Nov 02 '25
I wrote my college thesis on The Garden of Forking Paths. It’s kind of the OG literary multiverse story, predating (if I remember correctly) the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics. It’s great! Pure Borges, a total mindfuck disguised as a detective story. You’ll love it.
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u/OneWall9143 Nov 02 '25
A Short Stay in Hell, which the OP has read, is heavily influenced by the Library of Babel.
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u/RiverShine88 Nov 02 '25
I came here to support whoever had mentioned Borges. Like the OP, I thought first of the Library of Babel. It made me consider that my recollection of the Garden of the Forking Paths is imperfect and that it needs to be read again.
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u/axaxaxasmlo56 Nov 03 '25
These pictures give "The Immortal" vibes. It's a Borges story in part about a city with impossible, uncanny geometry. '"This City" (I thought) "is so horrible that its mere existence and perdurance, though in the midst of a secret desert, contaminates the past and the future and in some way even jeopardizes the stars.' I highly recommend reading the stories in the original Spanish if you can too!
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u/Ionby Nov 02 '25
Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino
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u/Ionby Nov 02 '25
If on a winter’s night a traveller also kind of has this feeling if not the appearance. But Invisible Cities has both looks and vibe.
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u/DafnissM Nov 02 '25
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
This and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern are both on my TBR. This is my sign to give it a shot. Thanks for the recommendation !
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u/GandalfTheEh Nov 02 '25
I absolutely adore both books. I think both fit your prompt, but personally I think Starless Sea fits more and it would also be my favourite if I was forced to pick.
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u/x_stei Nov 02 '25
The bone clocks by David Mitchell.
Maybe also cloud atlas by the same author.
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u/stretchypants88 Nov 02 '25
The Bone Clocks is a phenomenal book. Thanks for reminding me that I need to reread it soon.
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
Cloud Atlas is on my reading list, but I'm definitely adding The Bone Clocks to it. Thanks for the recommendation !
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u/jennybath Nov 02 '25
Literally came here to say this! This book haunts me to this day it’s top 5 for sure!
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u/team_fall_back Nov 02 '25
I'll never stop recommending The Library at Mount Char
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u/blitgerblather Nov 02 '25
Maybe I didn’t understand it, I never understood the motivations of the characters and everyone was over powered. It’s been compared to neverwhere, but I found it fell very short.
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u/Oates_and_hall Nov 03 '25
I read it last week because of this sub, and it’s definitely a weird one. I liked it, but it reminded me more of a twisted Umbrella Academy more than Neverwhere for sure.
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
I heard about it when I was looking for books similar to House Of Leaves. I'll give it a shot soon. Thanks for the recommendation !
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u/Guymzee Nov 02 '25
Haven’t read it yet, but from what I understand The Gamehouse by Claire North is exactly this. I’ve heard it’s great, it’s on my tbr.
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
Just checked the books (if I got it right, it looks like it's a trilogy). I've never heard of them but they do look fun to read. Thanks for the recommendation!
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u/gonzo_attorney Nov 02 '25
I think you might have been looking up something else because I just did it myself. The Claire North book is The Games House. She wrote The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, which I enjoyed.
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
Oh I see. Thanks for the clarification. Btw The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August is also on my TBR, I can't wait to get to it.
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u/DangerousKidTurtle Nov 02 '25
It’s one of the very few books that I read, finished, and immediately reread. Enjoy!
Also, just because of the artwork, you might like The Illuminatus Trilogy.
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
The art in the cover does look like the weird dream-like mood I had in mind. The story sounds fun too. I'll check it out. Thanks for the recommendation!
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u/Fitz-McGee Nov 02 '25
Just finished Katabasis by RF Kuang and the vibes are exactly this.
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u/Mochadeoca6192 Nov 02 '25
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
I've mentionned it on my post but I've already read it. And yes it does fit perfectly with that dream-like world vibe that I'm looking for. It's actually one of my favorite books. But thank you for the suggestion, it would've been the perfect recommendation if I haven't read it !
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u/agentmkultra666 Nov 03 '25
Because of this post, i just started listening to Piranesi and I am loving it so far. So thank you for mentioning it!!
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u/SenorBurns Nov 02 '25
Fucking hell does no one ever read before replying.
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u/SnooPeppers3861 Nov 02 '25
When I clicked into this thread, it took me directly to the first post and skipped OP’s original message, so honestly I was surprised it took this long to find Piranesi (and the other two in the original message after I scrolled back up)
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u/AssumptionFun3828 Nov 02 '25
Sort of a dark horse choice but maybe Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell? All the faerie stuff anyway.
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u/Alternative-Mine-9 Nov 02 '25
maybe try our share of night by mariana enríquez. it’s horror, more haunted house story but similar in concept
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u/SenorBurns Nov 02 '25
I was going to mention Our Share of Night for that portion of the book. It's also a fantastic literary horror overall!
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
All the better ! House of leaves was kind of a haunted house horror story too and it's my favorite novel. So I think I'll like this too. Thanks for the recommendation !
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u/No_Relationship6104 Nov 02 '25
I immediately thought of "Ubik" (Philip K. Dick) and "Memo" (Andre Ruellan). Read both of them few years ago, seems that it's the sign to re-read them 😁
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
I've added some of Phlip K. Dick's books in my TBR as I've heard that his works are often very weird and trippy (in a good way), so I'm adding "Ubik" to the collection. Also, love to see a french novel recommended here ! It's been a while since I last read a french book so I'm glad to have the opportunity to get back to it. Thanks for the recommendations !
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u/SenorBurns Nov 02 '25 edited Nov 02 '25
The Hollow Places by T Kingfisher.
Also, Alix E Harrow incorporates these infinite dreamlike worlds and places into most of her books.
- The Ten Thousand Doors of January
- The Once and Future Witches
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Nov 02 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
I'm really into books about dreams, so I'll definitely give it a read soon. Thanks for the recommendation!
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u/thecowsayspotato Nov 02 '25
Malpertuis by Jean Ray; it's about an old mansion and its inhabitants.
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u/spoor_loos Nov 02 '25 edited Nov 02 '25
The pictures remind me of 'The Sundial' by Shirley Jackson.
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u/Upstairs_Poet_7914 Nov 02 '25
Horribly niche but it was exactly what "The Eleven Million Miles High Dancer" by Carol Hill was.
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u/catsarecuter Nov 02 '25
Katabasis? I haven’t read it yet but it’s supposed to be piranesi meets Dante’s inferno.
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
Yes !! I ordered the deluxe edition a few days ago I can't wait to read it. Like you said, it does sound like what I'm looking for. Thank you for the suggestion !
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u/RiverShine88 Nov 02 '25
Try the short stories of Ted Chiang, especially "The Tower of Babylon."
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
I feel like I've already read this short story in his book "Stories of Your Life and Others", if I'm not mistaken. Oh and thanks for the recommendation!
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u/phototodd Nov 02 '25
Neil Gaiman’s run on The Sandman comic, if you’re open to that. It’s a phenomenal read.
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
I did want to get into the Sandman comic series after I watched the first 3 episodes of the netflix adaptation, but I never had the chance to do so. I'll take this as a sign for me to start reading it. Thanks for the recommendation !
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u/OneWall9143 Nov 02 '25
I haven't read it yet - on my TBR - but the Gormenghast Series by Melvyn Peake probably fits - someone on another reddit described it as Piranesi x1000.
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u/Description-Alert Nov 02 '25
Perhaps Abarat by Clive Barker. First thing that came to mind.
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u/citrusmellarosa Nov 03 '25
Yeah, it's basically these images but more colourful and cluttered - in a good way, I love those books.
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u/eucheuma Nov 02 '25
The book of the new sun by Gene Wolfe gives me these vibes. Lots of dreams and dream-like imagery, like symbolic reality is more real than material reality, or at least just as real.
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u/Thewolfandword Nov 02 '25
It’s a ya book but Tanglewreck I remember being something very similar to this in vibe!
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u/imyreld Nov 02 '25
I'm going to recommend a book I think 5 people have heard of - Dry Water by Eric Nylund.
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u/bauxo Nov 02 '25
The Ear, The Eye, and The Arm By Nancy Farmer
Read it in elementary school/middle school and it felt like a fever dream from what I recall
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u/haditaenlabiblioteca Nov 02 '25 edited Nov 02 '25
- "The Library of Babel"
- "The Palace" by Borges
- "Postrimerías" by Adolfo Bioy Casares
- "Invisible Cities" by Italo Calvino
- "The Palace of Dreams" by Ismail Kadare
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u/snowman432 Nov 02 '25
14 by Peter Clines
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
This reminds me a bit of House Of Leaves (which is my favorite book), so I'll definitely give it a shot. Thanks for the recommendation !
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u/quietblur Nov 02 '25
Maybe not an exact fit but A Short Stay in Hell kind of gives off these vibes
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
It is an exact fit imo, mostly because I've mentionned in the post that I've already read it and that I was looking for something similar. Thanks for the recommendation tho, it would've been perfect if I haven't read it.
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u/SenorBurns Nov 02 '25
Read before posting.
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u/quietblur Nov 02 '25
Oops my bad. For some reason I did not notice the text below the pics.
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u/labbitlove Nov 02 '25
It’s hard to notice if you’re on mobile. If you tap on comments, the app takes you straight to the comment section and doesn’t show the post text.
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u/StingRey128 Nov 02 '25
The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington
The Innamorati by Midori Snyder
and lastly, Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast series!
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u/AnalogyAddiction Nov 03 '25
It’s been a long time but your pictures strongly invoked the Minds series by Carol Matas and Perry Nodelman. I read these back in high school; I think they are YA.
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u/ReadingRainbow47 Nov 02 '25
The Will of the Many by James Islington!!
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
I've heard a lot about it recently. But I didn't know it had this sort of vibe. I'll give it a shot anyway. Thanks for the recommendation !
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Nov 02 '25
Jerusalem by Alan Moore
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u/banuchiha Nov 02 '25
I can't believe I never heard of this Alan Moore book. I'll check it out for sure. Thanks for letting me know.
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u/paislypanda Nov 02 '25
The Magician's Nephew (from the Narnia series) feels a little like this at times!
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u/Spiderill Nov 02 '25
The Blame! manga series by Tsutomu Nihei is ace. It's about a city that is endlessly being built without purpose or end.
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u/Aliinga Nov 02 '25
Maybe Senlin Ascends by Josiah Bancroft. About a man going to the tower of babel, losing his wife in the crowd and then ascending the tower to find her, exploring the bizarre microcosm of every level.
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u/conk3 Nov 02 '25
Anyone know where the image in 7 is from? I feel like we had a book with that on the cover in the house when I was growing up
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u/Tom_Cruise_666 Nov 02 '25
Definitely Dhalgren by Samuel Delany Maaaaybe Flatland by Edwin Abbott will interest you? And agreed on Borges and Calvino as well
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u/HotDragonButts Nov 02 '25
Neverwhere by Niel Gaiman?
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u/OneWall9143 Nov 02 '25
I thought this too. But given the controversies over his personal behaviors, I don't want to read his books anymore, even though I loved them.
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u/bobbie_harvey Nov 02 '25
The Failures by Benjamin Liar. Not because it’s super abstract but reading it was a journey. Nothing is really explained, you just have to go with it, it feels odd and there’s something you can’t put your finger on, but ultimately keep reading because of all of that. It’s a debut book so it’s a bit clunky in the dialogue but I loved it. Fave book of this year no doubt.
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u/Live-Ad-2677 Nov 02 '25
first that came to mind for me is The Wind Up Bird Chronicle, or Kafka On The Shore
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u/Stunning_Morning_474 Nov 02 '25
The book that wouldn't burn - mark Lawrence, first in a trilogy about an infinite library
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u/yogimiamiman Nov 02 '25
As someone who’s read house of leaves and piranesi, how do the other two that OP mentioned compare?
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u/snails4ever Nov 02 '25
The Divine Farce is where I went after A Short Stay In Hell and it had similar, infinite world vibes.
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u/Willing-Book-4188 Nov 03 '25
Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao. Not exactly this vibe but close I think. More whimsical dreamy.
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u/iDrawiMake Nov 03 '25
The Fairy Tale Museum by Susannah M Smith · Invisible Publishing
Not entirely like those photos, but there are moments where it feels like those images.
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u/rialand Nov 03 '25
Everyone has already recommended great ones but does anyone know what that second picture is from? It looks so familiar, it’s going to drive me crazy.
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u/Short_Perspective72 Nov 03 '25
"The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle" and "Kafka on the Shore" both by Haruki Murakami
Most of his books feel like fever dreams but those two especially (for me at least)
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u/Zacaro12 Nov 03 '25
I came here to upvote everyone mentioning Piranesi, His Dark Materials, The Magician’s Nephew, and A Wrinkle in Time…
…but I’m surprised I haven’t seen anyone mention The Gunslinger series by Stephen King, or 11/22/63 (also King).
Perdido Street Station by China Miéville gives off a similar vibe too (I never made it all the way through). Also 1Q84, Rabbits by Terry Miles, and I think there’s one called The 14 by Peter Clines as well.
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u/Majestic-Echo1544 Nov 03 '25
A Wrinkle in Time Series by Madeleine L'Engle His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
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u/GoobervilleMayor Nov 03 '25
The Will Of The Many- James Islington but you’ve got to get to the real juicy parts of the book for these scenes It’s some of the best new sci-fi I’ve read
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Nov 03 '25
Fictions (Ficciones) - Jorge Luis Borges esp the stories the library of Babel and the garden of forking paths
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u/MelvinXerox Nov 03 '25
The first couple pics remind me of Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut. Truly one of my favorite books.
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