Whether you’re new to the genre or a returning visitor wondering if you’ve been doing it wrong all along, if you’re wondering how to read fantasy books the right way, look no further. These tips will help you make the most of your time between the covers of the next magical novel on your reading list.

How to Read Fantasy Books: Tips for Novices

Rare is the reader who’s never picked up a fantasy book nowadays, but if you’re unfamiliar with this particular strain of fiction, it can be difficult to know where (or how) to start.

1. Consider starting with a standalone novel, a novella, or a short story collection. If you like the book or a particular story in it, you can always find more from that author or others in a similar vein. If you don’t, it will be easier to move on and find something you enjoy more.
2. Look into subgenres that relate to your interests. If you’re a history buff, for example, you might enjoy historical fantasy or even steampunk, while a horror fan might find dark fantasy an easier jumping-off point than a glittering fantasy romance.
3. If you don’t read much in general or are intimidated by longer, more complex narratives, start with an entry-level fantasy author like Neil Gaiman, Brandon Sanderson, Robin McKinley, or Ursula K. Leguin. Their down-to-earth approaches to storytelling make their books easier to get into, especially for newcomers to the genre, than denser novels intentionally targeted at voracious fantasy readers.
4. Don’t give up if you don’t like the first book you pick. There are so many different voices in the genre today, and so many flavors of fantasy, that you’re bound to come across one—or more—that don’t suit your tastes. That doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t like fantasy; it just means you haven’t found the right fantasy author yet.

Good books to start with include:

• The Ocean at the End of the Lane (Neil Gaiman): A short but poignant introduction into fantasy books, and Gaiman’s style of storytelling in particular. Also, an excellent example (one of many on this list) of a great fantasy book without a single epic war.
• Spindle’s End (Robin McKinley): A beautiful, unique retelling of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ that celebrates familial love and nature magic rather than romantic connections.
• Practical Magic (Alice Hoffman): Technically part of a series, but can easily be read as a standalone (if you hate masterfully crafted character-driven stories about witches).
• The Last Unicorn (Peter S. Beagle): A bittersweet little book about magic, and unicorns, and a wizard named Shmendrick. Also, there’s a talking cat, and if you don’t like stories about cats, you might want to look elsewhere for your reading recommendations.
• The Faery Reel: Tales from the Twilight Realm (Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling): An exquisite compilation of stories and poems from some of the best fantasy authors of all time (as well as a few lesser-knowns), from Gregory Maguire and Tanith Lee to Patricia A. McKillip and Charles de Lint.

I’m also going to recommend The Hobbit, because I can’t not recommend The Hobbit, because J.R.R. Tolkien will always come first in my heart. Just keep in mind, if you start with Tolkien, you had best be into descriptive writing, because that man was all about environmental detail. (Which I love, but not everyone does.)

Advanced Tips for Reading Fantasy Books

Want to take your fantasy reading experience to the next level? I’ve got ideas for days.

1. Get comfy. Don’t trick yourself into disliking your first fantasy book just because you’re treating it like work. If you’re at home, kick off your shoes, put on your comfiest oversized tee or sweater, and curl up in your favorite spot. If you’re out and about, make sure you won’t get a sunburn or a sore back or neck from sitting improperly—educate yourself on proper reading posture if you need to.
2. Pick a playlist. While I don’t recommend music with lyrics (it can get distracting), some quiet background music or ambience can really help set the mood—and drown out other noise that might not be so conducive to immersion. If you don’t want to take the time to make a playlist yourself, you can opt for a generic fantasy one. Or, if you’re reading a popular book, you might be able to find a few pre-made playlists curated by fellow fans—I really enjoyed this Kingkiller Chronicles playlist I listened to while reading The Wise Man’s Fear.
3. Set the scene. While you don’t have to go on a full decorating spree (unless you want to), if there’s a nice window seat or a quiet spot outdoors where you can comfortably read, this, too, can ease your transition to the otherworld of your choice. The closer your actual environment is to the fictional one you’re looking to explore, the greater the effect will be. (Just be sure the location is a safe one!)
4. Eat, drink, and be merry. I’m not saying go and roast a wild boar on a spit because you’re reading Robin Hood. But if there’s a convenient food or drink equivalent to something mentioned in the book you’re reading, why not grab a bite or a glass to enjoy while you’re curled up with it? (Wines, meads, or non-alcoholic ciders typically pair well with fantasy, as do soups, dark breads, fresh fruits and veggies, and cheeses.)
5. Light a candle or switch on a diffuser. Smell can be immersive, too! While I don’t recommend reading by candlelight (unless you don’t care about eye strain, or you have a lot of candles), a scented candle or oil diffuser offers a nice, subtle way to improve your reading atmosphere if you’re reading indoors. Woodsy scents, such as campfires, pine needles, or herbs, often make for good choices here.

Be Your Own Kind of Bookwyrm

All right, I may be getting ever so slightly carried away with that last section. But that’s what fantasy’s for—letting go of reality’s restrictions and allowing yourself to indulge in a flight of fancy. At the end of the day, all that really matters is that you’re able to find a book you can enjoy—and a safe place in which to enjoy it. 

Happy reading!

Kim Berkley is a fantasy author and avid reader. She is the creative mastermind behind interactive fiction novels such as The Harbinger’s Head, a fantasy inspired by Irish mythology and classic Halloween legends, and chiaroscuro, a low urban fantasy about inspiration and identity set in Rome.