r/Fantasy Book Bingo 2023 - hosted by xandrade

Magical Realism or Literary Fantasy
 Read a book that portrays magical or unreal elements in an otherwise realistic or mundane environment. These books are often found on literary fiction shelves and book lists and not always shelved as genre fiction. This is a hard square to pin down as what makes something literary or magical can often come down to vibes, so use your best judgment. No saying A Game of Thrones is literary fiction since there aren’t a lot of magical elements. Check out this thread for further ideas and guidelines. HARD MODE: Not one of the thirty books in the linked thread. 
All books added
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

The Reformatory

Tananarive Due

576 pages • first pub 2023 (editions)

fiction historical horror dark emotional tense medium-paced
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking

T. Kingfisher

306 pages • first pub 2020 (editions)

fiction fantasy young adult adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
The Only Purple House in Town by Ann Aguirre

The Only Purple House in Town

Ann Aguirre

10 hours, 13 minutes • first pub 2023 (editions)

fiction fantasy romance emotional reflective medium-paced
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield

Our Wives Under the Sea

Julia Armfield

224 pages • first pub 2022 (editions)

fiction horror lgbtqia+ literary science fiction dark emotional mysterious slow-paced
Secrets of the Chocolate House by Paula Brackston

Secrets of the Chocolate House

Found Things #2

Paula Brackston

12 hours, 23 minutes • first pub 2019 (editions)

fiction fantasy historical adventurous lighthearted mysterious slow-paced
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

Susanna Clarke

782 pages • first pub 2004 (editions)

fiction fantasy historical adventurous mysterious slow-paced
Parakeet by Marie-Helene Bertino

Parakeet

Marie-Helene Bertino

224 pages • first pub 2020 (editions)

fiction contemporary literary magical realism emotional funny reflective medium-paced
The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers

The City of Stardust

Georgia Summers

352 pages • first pub 2024 (editions)

fiction contemporary fantasy adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
Elric of Melnibone by Michael Moorcock

Elric of Melnibone

The Elric Saga #1

Michael Moorcock

752 pages • first pub 1972 (editions)

fiction fantasy adventurous dark medium-paced
The General in His Labyrinth by Gabriel García Márquez

The General in His Labyrinth

Gabriel García Márquez

248 pages • first pub 1989 (editions)

fiction classics historical reflective slow-paced