Looking for an escape? These 6 books are about to give you just that.
Reading has always been my number one form of self-care and my biggest escape. Whether I’m stressed or just want to relax, I turn to books for comfort. Fantasy is, by far, my favorite genre, because it is the furthest thing from reality. I could consider nearly every fantasy novel an “escape read,” but there are a few that really stand out to me.
In order for a book to really fall into this category, they have to transport me to somewhere so completely magical and unique that I can’t possibly think of reality while reading. One of my favorite feelings in the world is falling so deeply into a book that I forget where I am entirely. The books I’ve listed in this post did precisely that!
related posts
The Best Fantasy Books of All Time // How to Read More Books // Magical Realism Books to Read Right Now
6 Books to Read When You’re Craving an Escape from Reality
For each book, you can read why I think it makes such a great escape. I’ve also included the synopses as well as links to purchase these for yourself! Make sure to follow me on StoryGraph to see my book ratings and bookstagram to see my aesthetic photos of these titles and more.
Caraval
by Stephanie Garber
Why This Such a Great Escape
Trilogy / Best When Read in Print
In Caraval, nothing is real – or is it? It’s a magical game where everything is fascinating and a little frightening. You’ll be wrapped up in the world itself and the way that the characters are multi-dimensional. There are plot twists aplenty and it’s a wild page-turner that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire series.
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
The Starless Sea
by Erin Morgenstern
Why This Such a Great Escape
Standalone / Best When Listened To
The best way I could describe this book is “a bedtime story for grown-ups.” The full cast audiobook is beyond brilliant and will have you escaping into many magical worlds along the way. The plot is a little hard to follow, but you won’t mind because of how fascinating the story is.
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
The Night Circus
by Erin Morgenstern
Why This Such a Great Escape
Standalone / Best When Listened To
Just like The Starless Sea, The Night Circus is best when enjoyed as an audiobook. It’s one of the most unique stories and will fuel your dreams with thoughts of a magical circus and a wild romance.
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Into the Heartless Wood
by Joanna Ruth Meyer
Why This Such a Great Escape
Standalone / Best When Read in Print
Not only is the story of tree sirens so phenomenal I read it twice within six months, but the way that the beautiful prose is mixed in throughout the chapters is beyond stunning. It’s hauntingly beautiful and quite literally my favorite book of all time. I’ve never read anything like it.
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
The Ten Thousand Doors of January
by Alix E Harrow
Why This Such a Great Escape
Standalone / Best When Listened To
I was so entranced by this book and the story within the story that I couldn’t stop listening. A world with magical doors that can be written into existence? A little girl looking for an escape? It will bring you so much joy.
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Strange the Dreamer
by Laini Taylor
Why This Such a Great Escape
Duology / Best When Read in Print
Your attention will be captured in a heartbeat by Lazlo’s sweet character and the way that dreams can be entered by a moth resting lightly on a sleeping brow. There are so many magical moments through the duology.
Buy the book: Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
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coconut wax bookish candles (ESPRESSO10) | Caraval trilogy | single-serve French press | mug & saucer | similar birdcage | jute twine | similar pillow | sweater | blue light blocking glasses
Which books do you turn to when you’re in need of an escape?
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I recently wrote a post about escaping with novels- and books are such an amazing way to escape reality (especially when they are far from reality!). I love the sound of The Night Circus, and even though I’m not a huge fantasy enthusiast these sound like some great choices x
Great minds clearly think alike when it comes to writing articles about escape reads 🙂 The Night Circus was incredibly unique. I know I wrote it in the synopsis, but I highly, HIGHLY recommend listening to the audiobook (same goes for The Starless Sea) as they are better when experienced in that format 🙂
Shamelessly admitting that I heard plenty of praises for some of these and never read them! The starless sea and Strange the dreamer are going straight in my TBR! I usually turn to a myth retelling or fantasy too, depending on the mood and what I have on hand and sometimes I don’t mind a cheesy romcon.
I truly hope that you love them! Remember to listen to the audiobook for The Starless Sea. It’s a completely different experience. In fact, I didn’t even enjoy the physical format but LOVE the audiobook. And oh my goodness, the Strange the Dreamer duology is just so beautiful – even the books themselves are gorgeous! And if you like a retelling, then Into the Heartless Wood is the perfect choice!
These all sound wonderful! There is nothing like escaping into a good book. Thank you for sharing your suggestions! I’m looking forward to ogiving them a read.
That’s very true! I can’t help but escape into books every day. It’s what makes me the very happiest. These are the ones that really feel like a true ESCAPE too!
I love love loved the Caraval series! I also enjoyed the Night Circus although I read that years ago and might need to reread to enjoy all over again. The rest are all on my list that I’ll hopefully read over the next month or so!
Oh, that makes me SO happy! I’m doing a reread of them right now and just picking up the first one made me so emotional. I’m rediscovering what I loved about it all over again. I’m looking forward to finding out what you think of some of the others on the list 🙂
Reading is totally my escape too although I don’t normally go to fantasy. I love a quick light romance when I’m stressed.
I know that’s the case for a lot of people. Contemporary romance is one of my favorite genres, but I feel like it’s more of a comfort than an escape – and I view those as two very different things haha. And I didn’t even list all of my favorite fantasies on here (I have a post for that), but specifically just the books that really helped remove myself from reality!
I can’t believe I haven’t read any of these – although a Starless Sea has been on my list for ages because there was a lot of hype about it when it was first out. Definitely will have to check these out, escapism is a must right now. Thanks for the recommendations!
Oh my gosh, I’m surprised by that as well! I know you enjoy fantasy novels, so I think you’d really like most – if not all – of these. I hope you get a chance to check some of them out. And if you do, definitely let me know what you think!
Caraval is one of my all-time favourites! The world is so mesmerizing and magical. I’m so glad you feel the same way 🙂 Into the Heartless Wood sounds good! Will check it out.
It’s one of mine as well! I’m currently doing a reread of the trilogy and it’s making me feel nostalgic and so, so happy. Into the Heartless Wood is my favorite book OF.ALL.TIME so I really hope you enjoy it if you give it a read!
I love fantasy for that same reason. Anything is possible! Then I love contemporary romances for being grounded in possibility without stretching the imagination (except maybe for the availability of the dashing love interest…lol). Each offers a different kind of escape.
You had me at “beautiful prose” with Into the Heartless Wood. I’m a serial rereader so 2 times in 6 months is definitely a big deal. It’s been on my TBR for a while, so I’m moving it up sooner!
I’ve had this discussion with a few of my bookish friends, but I view comfort and escape as two different things, so for me, contemporary romance offers comfort but these specific, magical fantasy novels offer the best escape and that’s why I love them so much! But one of the things I love most is how every reader is different with the books they find to be the best escape! 🙂 I really hope you get a chance to read Into the Heartless Wood. It’s incredibly special to me!
I would like to read Caraval series! Sounds wonderful to me. Thanks for sharing your suggestions Steph x
It’s a phenomenal series! I was so glad I read them as they were released – before they even gained the massive popularity they have now. I’m doing a reread currently and it’s so nostalgic and wonderful. Definitely the escape I’ve needed lately!
I’ve read half of these and the other half are on my TBR haha! I generally look towards romance books nowadays for escape because of the happily ever afters and as they’re easier to read without having to use my brain. I have been feeling like picking up fantasy lately so I’m currently reading Legendborn and wow I’m losing myself in it!
The beauty of books is that “escape” means something so different for every reader. For me, it’s literally taking me as far away from reality as possible. There are tons of books I’ve lost myself in or that have given me book hangovers, but these are the ones that – even years after reading – still make me feel like I’ve gone somewhere entirely new while I’m reading. They’re not necessarily “comfort reads” like contemporary romance is for me, but they help me find somewhere magical to go for a while. I loved Legendborn as well!
I don’t know any of these books and I definitely would love an escape! I’ll have to check these out.
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Those are the best types of books! Caraval sounds so intriguing! Definitely my type of book 🙂
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
I haven’t read any of these but they sound so fun!! Perfect for summer!
These sound like great suggestions. I’ve really been enjoying books that I can just escape into during this pandemic and I think its been so beneficial for my mental health.
I gotta admit, I haven’t read any of these! I really should get on it. Most of my reads lately have been psychological/thriller ha!
I was just talking to my seven year old daughter about how books allow us to have an escape, an adventure, even more so than movies because readers also create the characters in their minds.
xo Jaimie
http://www.jaimietucker.com
I haven’t read any of these – I to be honest haven’t given magical/fantasy books a try but definitely should. My favorite part about books is the escape they provide. As always, thanks for sharing so many great recs!
xo Laura Leigh
https://louellareese.com
What great books I LOVE The Night Circus and still need to read The Starless Sea! And I’ve been wanting to reread Caraval because they’re so good!
I also love reading as a form of self-care! I typically turn to chick-lit and thrillers, but I love your explanation of why you love fantasy!
I’d always loved to read books that could get me away for a bit. Sometimes it is very peaceful and if a book could do that. To me, it’s almost like watching a movie.
I’m not sure into fantasy, although based on your descriptions I need to check some of these out. I tend to opt for a good ‘chick-lit’ type book- something with a mix of humor & cheekiness to it.
The Night Circus and A Starless Sea are on my to-read list! I love books like this that seriously whisk you away! I think we all need a bit of that right now!
WOW! first off, all these covers look amazing! Into the heartless woods would be something I’d pick up! Thanks for sharing, Stephanie! xx
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
You’d be proud of me, I actually bought a book the other day lol!! Got “A Stranger in the House” for my summer pool read 🙂
Sometimes we all just need to escape reality! Thank you for sharing these suggestions x
These books sound amazing. I love a good fantasy book. I can totally relate to enjoying a book that takes you into another world. When you finish reading those books it’s like you just awoke from another world.
I’ve seen a few of these as I scroll in my local bookstore! I’m going to have to try one of these! I get so caught up in self help books, it’s great to escape reality from time to time! Thanks girl !
Added Into the Heartless Wood to my StoyrGraph! I’m captivated!! It sounds really good 😀 thank you!
That makes me so happy! It’s my favorite book OF ALL TIME and I can’t recommend it enough!
I am always looking for good books to read. A few of these sound amazing, especially ten thousand doors of January and the Night Circus. I will definitely add these to my reading list. Thank you for sharing.
Pro tip, if you didn’t notice it in the post: LISTEN TO THOSE AS AUDIOBOOKS! They’re absolutely phenomenal in that format. It’s like an entire experience rather than just reading a story (which is already a wonderful thing)!
I’m always on the hunt for books to add to my TBR and eventually read, haha. I remember hearing so many good things about Caraval and The Night Circus when they came out, but I never got around to reading them myself. The rest of them sound quite good as well. I will admit, I tried to read Strange The Dreamer but couldn’t get into it – I did love her Daughter of Smoke & Bone series though.
I’ve reread the Caraval series a few times now and it never gets old. It’s just such an incredible story! And the spin-off series she’s begun is just as phenomenal! Unfortunately, I really disliked Daughter of Smoke & Bone, but the Strange the Dreamer duology was so beautifully atmospheric and profound to me 🙂
I’ve read all of these with the exception of Into the Heartless Wood, which I will investigate shortly! My favourite was The Starless Sea, which I have re-read 3 times now. I think you and I have very similar reading tastes – have you read Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy? I think it’s even better than her Strange the Dreamer/Muse of Nightmares duology!
I really hope you read Into the Heartless Wood, as it’s my favorite book of all time!
I did read the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, but unfortunately, I didn’t like it at all. The first book was really interesting and atmospheric, but after that, they fell super flat for me 🙁
Love it This is my type of book/TV show/movie for sure. I love fantasy and escapism!
Corinne x
What a great list of escape reads. I will have to check some of those out. Thanks so much for sharing them!
Caraval is such a perfect trilogy for this list! I read the books as they came out, so it has been ages now since I read them. I’ve been really tempted to reread the trilogy!
This is such a great selection! I loved Caraval and The Ten Thousand Doors of January is on my list!
Some really intriguing books on here. I have The Starless Sea waiting to be read, looking forward to it 😀
Caraval and The Night Circus sounds great – adding them to now an ever-growing, never shortening TBR list!
We actually haven’t read these before. We’ve heard great things about Caraval though.
NONE OF THEM!?! Well, pretty please with cherries on top, read them all!! 😉
i’ve read 4 of these and i agree that they’re escapist fantasies! the other two are on my tbr but idk when i’ll get to them 😅
I recommended Caraval to a friend of mine despite not having yet read the trilogy, so I’m glad to see you really enjoyed it! I see the author’s works pop up all the time, so I passed it along as an option to my friend since they’re not on social media. Also, YES to fantasy being the best genre for escapist reads. I rediscovered it during the pandemic and haven’t looked back.
Yes yes yes to Strange the Dreamer and The Night Circus! So many of these are just perfect choices for this list!
I’m so glad you think so! These are definitely the ones I turn to when I need an escape 🙂
Great post! I’ve been wanting to read ‘The Night Circus’ for years.
You absolutely should listen to the audiobook. It’s brilliant!
Though I haven’t read Caraval, I recommended it to my friend since I kept seeing it pop up in bookish spaces. She said she liked it! As for Laini Taylor, I literally saw one of her books pop up in an IG reel I watched yesterday and I think it might be something up my alley, too. Nice list!
I sure hope you give Caraval a try! It’s just such a phenomenal series. So unique and fun. And yes! I love Laini’s Strange the Dreamer duology. I can’t say I preferred her Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy nearly as much, but I also might’ve just read it at the wrong time. I dunno!
I’m so excited to see Caraval and Strange The Dreamer on this list. Both are on my TBR!! I also read to escape and as a form of self-care and that’s honestly why fantasy is my favorite genre. That feeling of being completely captivated by a story is so magical and special, and just unparalleled.
They’re absolutely magical! I hope you enjoy them so much!! xx