Explore the Beauty of Everyday Life with These Books
Dive into stories that capture the essence of mundane magic just like Miyazaki's films. These books celebrate the small moments and find beauty in the ordinary, inviting you to see the world through a whimsical lens. Perfect for those who appreciate the art of living beautifully.
The Blue Castle - Lucy Maud Montgomery
218 pages
This book offers a sense of magic while being grounded in reality, celebrating life, nature, and the richness of different characters. It's a perfect comfort read!
Howl's Moving Castle
336 pages
The first book is the original source material for the beloved film, making it a must-read for fans who want to explore the story in its original form.
The Wind-up Bird Chronicle
642 pages
This book beautifully explores the romance and beauty of everyday life while also revealing the absurdity hidden in our daily routines.
Kafka on the Shore
481 pages
Murakami's writing draws you into a surreal, dreamy world where the bizarre intertwines with the ordinary, making it a captivating read.
Ella Enchanted
244 pages
Upon rereading Ella Enchanted at 21, I found it surprisingly mature in prose, humorous, and nostalgic, making it a super easy and enjoyable read.
Stardust
256 pages
Stardust is very whimsical and peaceful, with nothing bad ever truly happening, making it a calming read reminiscent of Totoro.
Der Schatten des Windes
754 pages
Der unvergessliche Roman eines einzigartigen Erzählers – Carlos Ruiz Zafóns Welterfolg An einem dunstigen Sommermorgen des Jahres 1945 wird der junge Daniel Sempere von seinem Vater an einen geheimnisvollen Ort in Barcelona geführt – den Friedhof der Vergessenen Bücher. Dort entdeckt Daniel den Roman eines verschollenen Autors für sich, er heißt ›Der Schatten des Windes‹, und er wird sein Leben verändern ... Carlos Ruiz Zafón eroberte mit seinem Buch die Herzen leidenschaftlicher Leser rund um den Globus. ›Der Schatten des Windes‹ bildet den Auftakt eines einzigartigen, fesselnden und berührenden Werks, er ist der erste von vier Barcelona-Romanen um den Friedhof der Vergessenen Bücher und die Buchhändler Sempere & Söhne. Auf ›Der Schatten des Windes‹ folgten ›Das Spiel des Engels‹ und ›Der Gefangene des Himmels‹. Der vierte und abschließende Band ist in Arbeit.
Station Eleven
393 pages
Station Eleven really immerses you in a unique perspective on life and survival after a pandemic.
Post Captain (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
528 pages
This 21 book series offers a captivating blend of adventure and character-driven storytelling, featuring a navy captain and his best friend as they navigate the high seas during the Napoleonic Wars. With beautiful settings, engaging conversations about life, and a focus on the everyday experiences of sailors, it's a delightful read that balances action with the charm of daily life.
The Art of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
This manga is an incredible piece of speculative fiction, showcasing Miyazaki's unique storytelling and artistic talent.
The Gray House
This book captures small moments in a poetic way, with whimsical characters and a touch of magic, making it feel like an animated Ghibli film.
The Golem and the Djinni
525 pages
It's beautiful and kind, and dreamy in the same way 'Howl's Moving Castle' is.
The House in the Cerulean Sea
338 pages
This book has a unique, ethereal atmosphere that's vibrant and full of color, making it a captivating read.
Fünf Freunde im alten Turm
138 pages
Winterferien in den Bergen! Die Fünf Freunde sind begeistert. In der Nähe ihrer Unterkunft befindet sich ein alter Turm, in dem eine verrückte alte Frau mit ihrem Hund leben soll. Die Einheimischen erzählen sich, dass der Turm häufig in einen dichten, flimmernden Nebel eingehüllt sei und der Berg darunter magnetisch wäre. Die Freunde glauben nicht an diese Schauermärchen, bis eines nachts die Erde bebt ...
Men Without Women
227 pages
While Murakami's 'Men Without Women' showcases well-crafted prose and interesting stories, it carries a dark and isolating vibe that may not resonate with everyone.
Reflections: On the Magic of Writing
400 pages
This collection of more than twenty-five critical essays, speeches, and biographical pieces chosen by Diana Wynne Jones before her death in 2011 is essential reading for the author's many fans and for students and teachers of the fantasy genre and creative writing in general. The volume includes insightful literary criticism alongside autobiographical anecdotes, revelations about the origins of the author's books, and reflections about the life of an author and the value of writing for young people. Reflections features the author's final interview, a foreword by award-winning author Neil Gaiman, and an introduction by Charlie Butler, a senior lecturer in English at the University of West England in Bristol.
I Capture the Castle
596 pages
The protagonist's determination and the romanticization of difficult circumstances make this book a captivating read, reminiscent of an Austen heroine.
The Slow Regard of Silent Things
173 pages
This book offers a unique perspective on a girl who interacts with inanimate objects in her underground world, making it a fascinating read for those who enjoy imaginative storytelling.
Haroun and the Sea of Stories
178 pages
Haroun's father is the greatest of all storyletters. His magical stories bring laughter to the sad city of Alifbay. But one day something goes wrong and his father runs out of stories to tell. Haroun is determined to return the storyteller's gift to his father. So he flies off on the back of the Hoopie bird to the Sea of Stories - and a fantastic adventure begins.
Kitchen
162 pages
Kitchen is a beautifully written exploration of love and loss, making it a must-read for anyone who appreciates deep emotional narratives.
A Wizard of Earthsea
267 pages
The Earthsea series is a captivating journey through a magical world that inspired a Miyazaki film, perfect for fans of fantasy and adventure.
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making
256 pages
"One of the most extraordinary works of fantasy, for adults or children, published so far this century."—Time magazine, on the Fairyland series Twelve-year-old September lives in Omaha, and used to have an ordinary life, until her father went to war and her mother went to work. One day, September is met at her kitchen window by a Green Wind (taking the form of a gentleman in a green jacket), who invites her on an adventure, implying that her help is needed in Fairyland. The new Marquess is unpredictable and fickle, and also not much older than September. Only September can retrieve a talisman the Marquess wants from the enchanted woods, and if she doesn't . . . then the Marquess will make life impossible for the inhabitants of Fairyland. September is already making new friends, including a book-loving Wyvern and a mysterious boy named Saturday. With exquisite illustrations by acclaimed artist Ana Juan, Fairyland lives up to the sensation it created when author Catherynne M. Valente first posted it online. For readers of all ages who love the charm of Alice in Wonderland and the soul of The Golden Compass, here is a reading experience unto itself: unforgettable, and so very beautiful. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making is a Publishers Weekly Best Children's Fiction title for 2011.
The Girl Who Raced Fairyland All the Way Home
256 pages
The Fairyland series gives you enchanting Miyazaki-like vibes, making it a magical read that transports you to whimsical worlds.
Invisible Cities
184 pages
This book is a fascinating collection of sketches that transport you to various strange and magical worlds, making it a unique reading experience.
The Travelling Cat Chronicles
233 pages
THE PERFECT CURL-UP READ FOR CAT LOVERS *** Includes a sneak preview from the author's new bestseller, The Goodbye Cat *** 'Bewitching... as self-possessed and comforting as - well, a cat' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'A book about kindness and love, and how the smallest things can provide happiness' STYLIST ___ It's not the journey that counts, but who's at your side. Nana is on a road trip, but he is not sure where he is going. All that matters is that he can sit beside his beloved owner Satoru in the front seat of his silver van. Satoru is keen to visit three old friends from his youth, though Nana doesn't know why and Satoru won't say. Set against the backdrop of Japan's changing seasons and narrated with a rare gentleness and humour, Nana's story explores the wonder and thrill of life's unexpected detours. It is about the value of friendship and solitude, and knowing when to give and when to take. At the heart of this book is a powerful message about the importance of kindness. It shows, above all, how acts of love, both great and small, can transform our lives. ___ Readers love THE TRAVELLING CAT CHRONICLES: 'Delightful, insightful, full of warmth with plenty of humour' 5 stars ***** 'Uplifting and heart wrenching in equal measure' 5 stars ***** 'It had me in floods of tears but filled me with hope too' 5 stars *****
Spindle's End
467 pages
An exceptional retelling of The Sleeping Beauty which takes the reader into a magical world filled with modern characters, encountering adventure, love and loss. Rosie is very, very ordinary. No-one, not even an extremely powerful and evil fairy who is out for the princess's blood, would give Rosie a second glance. But then, even Rosie doesn't know the secret of her own birth...and she cannot be hidden forever as her twenty-first birthday approaches. The curse placed on her at her christening will hunt her down through the years, gathering strength, and at some point a princess must become a queen, even if she would rather just stay ordinary-
The Chronicles of Prydain
In the first book of the chronicles of Prydain, Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper at Caer Dallben, sets out on a hazardous mission to find the famous oracular pig Hen Wen and save Prydain from the forces of evil.
The Bear and the Nightingale
330 pages
This book is a captivating blend of folklore and fantasy, drawing readers into a richly woven tale that feels both magical and deeply rooted in Russian culture.
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles
882 pages
This series is a lighter fantasy adventure filled with lovable characters, making it perfect for young adults and those young at heart.
Chalice
The earthlines speak to Mirasol, but her family has lived in the demesne for centuries, and many of the old families can hear the land. She knows that the violent deaths of the last Master and Chalice have thrown Willowlands into turmoil; but she is only a beekeeper, and the problems of the Circle that govern Willowlands have nothing to do with her—although she wonders what will become of her demesne, because the Master and Chalice left no heirs to carry on their crucial duties. And then the Circle come to Mirasol, to tell her that she has been chosen to be the new Chalice; and the Master she must learn to work with is a Priest of Fire, a man no longer quite human, whose touch can burn human flesh to the bone.
Post Office
162 pages
Henry Chinaski is a low life loser with a hand-to-mouth existence. His menial Post Office day job supports a life of beer, one-night stands and racetracks. Lurid, uncompromising and hilarious, Post Office is a landmark in American literature.
The Guest Cat
111 pages
The Sunday Times and New York Times Bestseller A couple in their thirties live in a small rented cottage in a quiet part of Tokyo. They work at home as freelance writers. They no longer have very much to say to one another. One day a cat invites itself into their small kitchen. She is a beautiful creature. She leaves, but the next day comes again, and then again and again. New, small joys accompany the cat; the days have more light and colour. Life suddenly seems to have more promise for the husband and wife; they go walking together, talk and share stories of the cat and its little ways, play in the nearby garden. But then something happens that will change everything again . . . The Guest Cat is an exceptionally moving and beautiful novel about the nature of life and the way it feels to live it. Written by Japanese poet and novelist Takashi Hiraide, the book won Japan's Kiyama Shohei Literary Award. 'A rare treasure . . . beautiful and profound . . . whether you're a cat lover or not, don't pass this one up – NPR
Brave Story Volume 1
When a mysterious transfer student comes to his school, Wataru is dragged into a land of magic and monsters and must face challenges that he could not imagine in his wildest dreams.
The Origin of the Concept of Nuclear Forces
824 pages
The concept of fundamental nuclear forces emerged gradually during the start of the 1930s and reached our present level of description some time before the 1950s. The Origin of the Concept of Nuclear Forces presents a unified, comprehensive account of the history of this important part of the modern scientific worldview. In addition, the authors, foremost experts in the field, examine the sociological and philosophical aspects of the story in light of the various theories of scientific development. The book contains analyses of published work, archival materials, and original interviews. It will be appealing primarily to historians of science and physicists interested in the roots of their field.
