Whether you’re climbing the walls, anxiety-watching the news, or simply lying in bed at night, wide-awake because shelter-at-home has completely thrown off your sleep schedule, you’re probably in need of a little escapism. And nothing screams full immersive escapism for me like sitting down and watching the super long director’s cuts of the Lord of the Rings movies. No matter what, watching Sam and Frodo fight to make it to Mordor always serves to distract my frazzled brain just long enough to actual relax a little.

But what if you’ve made it through all of Tolkien’s works on the page and screen, and are craving something else? Luckily, lots of authors have taken their cues from this master of fantasy and built expansive, all-encompassing worlds of wonder, whimsy, and darkness. Get ready to journey into parts unknown with these fantasy reads.

And for a condensed version of this article, check out Get Literary’s video below!

Check out Simon & Schuster’s In Other Worlds page for even more immersive book recommendations.