Nine Favorite Paranormal-ish Books
Top Ten Tuesdays are hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where we make lists of our top ten books (or something else!) based on that week’s prompt. The topics are provided ahead of time and can be found here. Book links bring you to Goodreads or my review.
This week’s TTT is: Top Ten ALL TIME Favorite Books Of X Genre (I know, I know. Picking all time faves. I’m MEAN. But I like knowing people’s definitive faves). Can also break it down into sub-genre if that helps? I decided to go with a category that already doesn’t have a lot of books that I’ve read in it – paranormal-ish. I say ish because I’m pretty terrible about understanding the difference between paranormal, magical realism, sci-fi and fantasy at times. In any case, here’s my list for some of my favorite paranormal-like books.
Paranormal & Magical Elements in the Real World
I don’t read a lot of straight up paranormal books involving magical creatures. I do, however, like when paranormal or fantasy elements are integrated in the real world. Most of these books have some kind of magical element to them but also take place in our world. I guess that’s the textbook definition of paranormal, but I did keep out the books involving creatures instead of magical/fantastical things or events.
Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier • traveling into each other’s dreams
Rebel Belle trilogy by Rachel Hawkins • unique paranormal with Paladins and prophecies
Down With the Shine by Kate Karyus Quinn • magical moonshine that grants wishes
Pivot Point duology by Kasie West • people who have awesome paranormal abilities
The Raven Boys series by Maggie Stiefvater • ley lines and dreams and perfection
The Art of Wishing duology by Lindsay Ribar • genie goes to high school and grants wishes
Timey-Wimey-Parallel Universe Stuff
I absolutely love books with parallel timelines and alternate worlds. I tried to keep this list to just the ones that had a more paranormal element instead of feeling like science fiction, or even more contemporary. I looove those other flavors of parallel/time books, but these fit the paranormal side more than others.
Parallel by Lauren Miller • parallel timelines as a girl ends high school
One Past Midnight by Jessica Shirvington • girl lives two separate lives, switching at midnight
Dissonance duology by Erica O’Rourke • family can walk between parallel universes
I’m also really terrible with differentiating paranormal and magical realism! I’ve had Dissonance, Parallel and Pivot Point for so long! And The Raven Cycle and Rebel Belle are also my faves! I love how calm and dream like the Raven Cycle is, but also how fun and vivacious Rebel Belle is! 😀
I hope you get to them soon! SO GREAT.
Loved Down With The Shine. She’s a great author!
I need to read more!
Pivot Point!!! Loved that and the sequel. I have Parallel because of your rec and so need to get to it. Down with the Shine is one I am super interested in. Love magical realism/paranormal stuff and need to read more of it. Great topic and list!
OMG YES! Definitely get to Parallel. I loved that one 🙂
I don’t read a lot of paranormal books, so thanks for sharing your recs! I’m going to check them all out on GoodReads! Lovely post ^_^
Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
I hope you enjoy 🙂
Great list! I need to read some of these.
Thank you!
This is the first I have heard of Dream A Little Dream and I need it now. Also The Art of Wishing has been on my TBR forever, but I have no idea when I’ll ever get to it. Also I tend to not do well with genies/jinnis in YA, especially if it is a romance. So we will see!
It’s super interesting. The first book and its sequel aren’t completely perfect but I loved it. I need the next one!!
I don’t do a lot of genie books but I really enjoyed The Art of Wishing. Light and fun!