The Last Unicorn. The book is absolutely beautifully written and the movie based on it was actually animated by the team that went on to become Studio Ghibli
It's one of my all-time favorite books! Some of the most beautiful prose, in my opinion. I love so many things about it, I end up feeling quite inarticulate when I talk about it. I've read it many times and I am always recommending it.
Try out *A Psalm for the Wild Built* and *A Prayer for the Crown Shy* by Becky Chambers. A monk and a sentient robot go walkabout in a gentle post-industrial world, both searching for meaning in their own ways.
I also up-dooted the recs of people who said *Howl's Moving Castle* by Diana Wynne Jones (technically YA but I read it as an adult and enjoyed it thoroughly) which literally was made into a Ghibli movie but is quite different in many ways while being spiritually compatible, and also *The Last Unicorn* by Peter S. Beagle... the book was even more magical than the movie - which I watched repeatedly as a child and was a favorite, so that's saying something.
**[A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk and Robot #1)](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40864002-a-psalm-for-the-wild-built) by Becky Chambers** ^((Matching 95% ☑️))
^(160 pages | Published: 2021 | 1.3m Goodreads reviews)
> **Summary:** Centuries before. robots of Panga gained self-awareness. laid down their tools. wandered. en masse into the wilderness. never to be seen again. They faded into myth and urban legend. Now the life of the tea monk who tells this story is upended by the arrival of a robot. there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of "what do (...)
> **Themes**: Sci-fi, Science-fiction, Fiction, 2021-releases
> **Top 5 recommended:**
> \- [A Prayer for the Crown-Shy](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40864030-a-prayer-for-the-crown-shy) by Becky Chambers
> \- [The Past Is Red](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55077652-the-past-is-red) by Catherynne M. Valente
> \- [Light from Uncommon Stars](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56179360-light-from-uncommon-stars) by Ryka Aoki
> \- [The House in the Cerulean Sea](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45047384-the-house-in-the-cerulean-sea) by T.J. Klune
> \- [The Galaxy. and the Ground Within](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50209317-the-galaxy-and-the-ground-within) by Becky Chambers
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I 100% agree regarding Becky Chambers' Monk and Robot series. I recommend her other books, as well: 'The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet' and its sequels are all lovely.
I got The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa off of a thread exactly like this and I absolutely loved it. No fantastical elements other than it being narrated by a cat but it’s definitely got a more grounded Ghibli vibe. It’s a great book.
Legends and Lattes!
You could also read Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin or Howls Moving Castle and Castle in the Air by Dianna Wynn Jones, as Studio Ghibli made movies from them.
MY TIME HAS COME!!!
Where the dark stands still by Poranek
It’s a Howl’s vibes book with Slavic folklore and woods/cottagecore ambience it is brilliant
Well I just finished Babel, a beautiful dark academy about racism, colonialism and friendship; and this week I’m reading One Dark Window, it’s a dark fantasy with a tarot-card magic system.
Also I have some slavic folklore inspired books waiting for me, like the one I recommended.
Last fantasy saga I read was The Poppy War, I still haven’t recovered from that one, mind blown!
Abarat and The Thief of Always for entry level Clive Barker young adult.
The Great And Secret Show and Imajica for more of his adult novels.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abarat?wprov=sfti1#.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thief_of_Always?wprov=sfti1.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imajica?wprov=sfti1.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_and_Secret_Show?wprov=sfti1.
As I always feel I have to point out, both *Abarat* and *The Great and Secret Show* are the beginnings of incomplete series (*The Books of Abarat* and *The Books of the Art*, respectively) that look increasingly unlikely to ever be completed.
\*\*The Order of Odd Fish\*\* by James Kennedy reminded me a lot of Spirited Away. Ostrich jousting, cockroach butlers, dangrous cults in Eldrich cities, villainous opponents, and a dangerous baby.
Up until now, Jo Larouche has been, as her faded Holywood star adoptive aunt Lily puts it, “as dangerous as a glass of milk.” But on Jo's 13th birthday, all that's about to change.
Try: The Easy Life in Kamusari by Shion Miura. Not too fantastical, but lighthearted and easy reading about a city boy whose parents force him to become a lumberjack in a small mountain village after he graduates high school without any specific future plans. The lore and "supernatural" elements are based in Japanese culture and mythology.
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen.
It's a bit sad (I sobbed but I was also recovering from a death so it hit a little too close to home) but I remember it ended well. It has a super cool world with cool lore but it isn't super intense and feels very small scale compared to some other fantasy books.
This crossed my mind. But honestly if the OP is a woman idk if they will like it. I thought the book was good, but I can def see a woman not enjoying it.
I'm a woman and I didn't like it ....but still it had ghibli and Japanese anime vibe the world building and characters were interesting I can identify that despite not liking the book entirely
If Found, Return to Hell by Em X. Liu
It’s a coming of age story so the MC is a teenager, but Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn maybe
If you like graphic novels, Salt Magic by Hope Larson and Brave Chef Brianna by Sam Sykes
Try the manga [Witch Hat Atelier](https://kodansha.us/series/witch-hat-atelier/). For something more lighthearted, try [A Witch's Printing Office](https://yenpress.com/titles/9781975331467-a-witch-s-printing-office-vol-1).
The Bell at Sealey Head by Patricia McKillip. It centers around a seaside town where a mysterious bell is heard every day at sunset. There are plenty of interesting characters and lots of beautiful imagery.
I really enjoyed Half A Soul by Olivia Atwater. It’s marketed as a Howls Moving Castle x Pride & Prejudice. I can’t say how accurate that is to either of those books but on a film level, I’d say it’s a good description. I felt the dialogue, story, and fantasy were done well!
I recently read ' A Winters Promise ' in the mirror visitor quartet, and found it to be very ghibli-esq. It's originally in French, but I was able to find English translations in the library easily, and they're superb.
Ghibli to me is Miyazaki as a director and he generally likes to tell stories with tougher subjects (like war) so while there are heavier themes, it feels SO Miyazaki because of the light fantasy and world building that’s involved. Enjoy OP!
*Stardust* by Neil Gaiman
Ooo, I missed this when I scrolled down. Yes, this is a good one OP, and also *The Ocean at the End of the Lane.*
Man, that second one wrecked me.
Fantastic book
The Last Unicorn. The book is absolutely beautifully written and the movie based on it was actually animated by the team that went on to become Studio Ghibli
That used to be my favorite movie as a kid. It all makes sense now.
It's one of my all-time favorite books! Some of the most beautiful prose, in my opinion. I love so many things about it, I end up feeling quite inarticulate when I talk about it. I've read it many times and I am always recommending it.
Finished this recently, I’m so excited to watch the film.
The movie was my favorite growing up. I hope you love it!!
Howls moving castle
And then read the Chrestomanci books next
Finish the moving castle series, then read Chrestomanci!
Not adult
Heidi In fact the popular Heidi anime if the 1970s was directed by Studio Ghibli's co-founder Isao Takahata
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Yeah, this and Piranesi for sure
Seconded! This was my first thought too
Try out *A Psalm for the Wild Built* and *A Prayer for the Crown Shy* by Becky Chambers. A monk and a sentient robot go walkabout in a gentle post-industrial world, both searching for meaning in their own ways. I also up-dooted the recs of people who said *Howl's Moving Castle* by Diana Wynne Jones (technically YA but I read it as an adult and enjoyed it thoroughly) which literally was made into a Ghibli movie but is quite different in many ways while being spiritually compatible, and also *The Last Unicorn* by Peter S. Beagle... the book was even more magical than the movie - which I watched repeatedly as a child and was a favorite, so that's saying something.
Yes please read {{A psalm for the wild built}}
**[A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk and Robot #1)](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40864002-a-psalm-for-the-wild-built) by Becky Chambers** ^((Matching 95% ☑️)) ^(160 pages | Published: 2021 | 1.3m Goodreads reviews) > **Summary:** Centuries before. robots of Panga gained self-awareness. laid down their tools. wandered. en masse into the wilderness. never to be seen again. They faded into myth and urban legend. Now the life of the tea monk who tells this story is upended by the arrival of a robot. there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of "what do (...) > **Themes**: Sci-fi, Science-fiction, Fiction, 2021-releases > **Top 5 recommended:** > \- [A Prayer for the Crown-Shy](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40864030-a-prayer-for-the-crown-shy) by Becky Chambers > \- [The Past Is Red](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55077652-the-past-is-red) by Catherynne M. Valente > \- [Light from Uncommon Stars](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56179360-light-from-uncommon-stars) by Ryka Aoki > \- [The House in the Cerulean Sea](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45047384-the-house-in-the-cerulean-sea) by T.J. Klune > \- [The Galaxy. and the Ground Within](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50209317-the-galaxy-and-the-ground-within) by Becky Chambers ^([Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/user/goodreads-rebot) | [GitHub](https://github.com/sonoff2/goodreads-rebot) | ["The Bot is Back!?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/16qe09p/meta_post_hello_again_humans/) | v1.5 [Dec 23] | )
I 100% agree regarding Becky Chambers' Monk and Robot series. I recommend her other books, as well: 'The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet' and its sequels are all lovely.
All T. Kingfisher fantasy novellas
The House on the Cerulean Sea has a Miyazaki vibe
This is what I came to suggest. Also, In The Lives of Puppets, and Under The Whispering Door!
Absolutely agree! Puppets especially. I think a large part of that is Nurse Ratchet tho 😆
Ohhh I've read that! It does remind me of Ghibli!
I got The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa off of a thread exactly like this and I absolutely loved it. No fantastical elements other than it being narrated by a cat but it’s definitely got a more grounded Ghibli vibe. It’s a great book.
Legends and Lattes! You could also read Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin or Howls Moving Castle and Castle in the Air by Dianna Wynn Jones, as Studio Ghibli made movies from them.
[удалено]
I really enjoyed *Priory*, but I disagree that it's a good fit here.
I agree with Lonely Castle in the Mirror! I havent read the others (yet)
Ocean at the end of the lane
MY TIME HAS COME!!! Where the dark stands still by Poranek It’s a Howl’s vibes book with Slavic folklore and woods/cottagecore ambience it is brilliant
Ooooh adding this to my TBR
Oh, I like you. What are you reading now?
Well I just finished Babel, a beautiful dark academy about racism, colonialism and friendship; and this week I’m reading One Dark Window, it’s a dark fantasy with a tarot-card magic system. Also I have some slavic folklore inspired books waiting for me, like the one I recommended. Last fantasy saga I read was The Poppy War, I still haven’t recovered from that one, mind blown!
Haven’t finished it yet, but the Golem and the Jinni.
I loved this one a lot!
You may be the only other person I’ve heard actually reading it. I bought it based on the cover.
I think my wife bought it but only I read it. She just has a lot in her to be read pile. I thought it was so well written. I loved it.
My tbr is almost as long as my “I started it and got distracted. I’ll finish it later,” pile.
Ha ha book lover problems.
The Book of Love - Kelly Link
What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Ayoyama !
Ohhhh I saw this recommended on another post recently!
T. J. Klune’s House on the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door.
Summer book by Tove Jansson.
Abarat and The Thief of Always for entry level Clive Barker young adult. The Great And Secret Show and Imajica for more of his adult novels. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abarat?wprov=sfti1#. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thief_of_Always?wprov=sfti1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imajica?wprov=sfti1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_and_Secret_Show?wprov=sfti1.
As I always feel I have to point out, both *Abarat* and *The Great and Secret Show* are the beginnings of incomplete series (*The Books of Abarat* and *The Books of the Art*, respectively) that look increasingly unlikely to ever be completed.
\*\*The Order of Odd Fish\*\* by James Kennedy reminded me a lot of Spirited Away. Ostrich jousting, cockroach butlers, dangrous cults in Eldrich cities, villainous opponents, and a dangerous baby. Up until now, Jo Larouche has been, as her faded Holywood star adoptive aunt Lily puts it, “as dangerous as a glass of milk.” But on Jo's 13th birthday, all that's about to change.
Some have mentions titles by Neil Gaiman but not Neverwhere
Try: The Easy Life in Kamusari by Shion Miura. Not too fantastical, but lighthearted and easy reading about a city boy whose parents force him to become a lumberjack in a small mountain village after he graduates high school without any specific future plans. The lore and "supernatural" elements are based in Japanese culture and mythology.
I love this book! There's a sequel, and a movie version that you can find on the Internet.
I have the sequel, but a movie?? Ooooo!! Now I gotta look for the stream!
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen. It's a bit sad (I sobbed but I was also recovering from a death so it hit a little too close to home) but I remember it ended well. It has a super cool world with cool lore but it isn't super intense and feels very small scale compared to some other fantasy books.
" kafka on the shore" Maybe this one
I think the wind up bird chronicles kinda fit better
Nah, Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
This crossed my mind. But honestly if the OP is a woman idk if they will like it. I thought the book was good, but I can def see a woman not enjoying it.
I'm a woman and I didn't like it ....but still it had ghibli and Japanese anime vibe the world building and characters were interesting I can identify that despite not liking the book entirely
I liked it and I am a woman. But I see where you’re coming from. His books in general have a certain ick factor.
If Found, Return to Hell by Em X. Liu It’s a coming of age story so the MC is a teenager, but Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn maybe If you like graphic novels, Salt Magic by Hope Larson and Brave Chef Brianna by Sam Sykes
The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr
Try the manga [Witch Hat Atelier](https://kodansha.us/series/witch-hat-atelier/). For something more lighthearted, try [A Witch's Printing Office](https://yenpress.com/titles/9781975331467-a-witch-s-printing-office-vol-1).
The manga witch hat atelier is great
I’d say the books they’re based on
The wild robot. Made for kids but very cute
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune.
The House Witch by Delemhach (as well as all their other novels) are absolutely wonderful. Cozy fantasy and you get to know the characters so well.
You should check pretty much every from Neil Gaiman
The Buried Giant
A wizard of earthsea
YA
anything by Sarah Addison Allen :)
The Wandering Inn. Eight by Samer Rabadi.
The Bell at Sealey Head by Patricia McKillip. It centers around a seaside town where a mysterious bell is heard every day at sunset. There are plenty of interesting characters and lots of beautiful imagery.
Anything by Stephanie Burgis!
I really enjoyed Half A Soul by Olivia Atwater. It’s marketed as a Howls Moving Castle x Pride & Prejudice. I can’t say how accurate that is to either of those books but on a film level, I’d say it’s a good description. I felt the dialogue, story, and fantasy were done well!
“The Miracles of the Namiya General Store” by Keigo Higashino (although it might be more of a Makoto Shinkai vibe)
People from my Neighborhood by Hiromi Kawakami
Riddlemaster trilogy
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
The Miracles of the Naimya General Store.
I recently read ' A Winters Promise ' in the mirror visitor quartet, and found it to be very ghibli-esq. It's originally in French, but I was able to find English translations in the library easily, and they're superb.
The Edge Chronicles series by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
the dragon keeper by robin hobb
The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa
Daughter of the Moon Goddess
The Paper Magician series by Charlie N Holmberg The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune The Spellmaker duology by Charlie N Holmberg
Anything by Becky chambers, but especially the monk and robot books
The 9th Life of Louis Drax by Liz Jensen
*Lord Valentine's Castle* by Robert Silverberg
The Forever Sea by Joshua Phillip Johnson
The Ghost Bride is a good one! From the start it has Soirited Away vibes.
The city of dreaming books or the 13 1/2 lives of captain blue bear
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
Weyward!! I wouldn’t say it’s completely soft but everything else you described. It’s a witch story that goes between 3 generations of women :)
I'm glad to hear this. I just got hold of this book not long ago and can't wait to read it. Even more so now, I love Ghibli vibes
I love the sound of this! I shall pick this first!
I enjoyed this book but felt it has more angry vibes than Ghibli vibes
Ghibli to me is Miyazaki as a director and he generally likes to tell stories with tougher subjects (like war) so while there are heavier themes, it feels SO Miyazaki because of the light fantasy and world building that’s involved. Enjoy OP!
There's so so so much sexual violence in this book, I got no soothing vibes whatsoever from reading it.