10 Magical Books by Neil Gaiman

You’ve probably heard of Neil Gaiman (if you’re not living under a rock, that is). He’s up there with Stephen King when it comes to pop culture relevance. Most of his works are popular and frequently adapted for the big screen, or referenced by mainstream media.

He’s written novels and short fiction, stage plays, film and tv scripts, comic books and graphic novels, nonfiction—anything you can think of, really. What’s truly awesome about his works is that the majority of them have won many awards. Quite prestigious ones too!

Best Books by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is one of the few people who can write in any genre and form, and leave his readers wanting more. There’s just something about his writing that satisfies the audiences cravings no matter what style or approach he uses.

I have to confess that I’m one of those who consider all his books excellent, which makes writing this article all the harder. If I could, I’d list down his entire bibliography, but I’ve tried to provide you with a curated list to give you a proper introduction to his genius.

Below are some of Neil Gaiman’s best books, in no particular order.

**1. The Sandman series**

Morpheus is the king of dreams and stories. A cult has kept him imprisoned on earth for 70 years, but now he’s free and sets about rebuilding his dominion, which has fallen in disrepair. To do so, he must retrieve his three objects of power: a pouch of sand, a helm, and a ruby.

This genre-defying graphic novel series is what cemented Gaiman as a literary juggernaut. Gods and monsters, legends and immortals populate this myth-soaked saga that’ll leave you addicted to Gaiman’s works.

Bonus: The character Lucifer, whom you may know from the popular Netflix series, got his debut from this graphic novel.

2. Coraline

Coraline and her parents move to an apartment, where she finds a door that leads her to a mirror world where everything is better. The toys are better. The food tastes nicer. And her parents there pay more attention to her, especially her Other Mother. They want her to stay—even if it’s against her will.

Coraline is a dark fantasy children’s novella, but really, it’s an enjoyable read for any age. It’s deliciously creepy, and the Other Mother is one of the most disturbing villains you can imagine.

3. Neverwhere

Richard Mayhew is an ordinary man with a good heart who discovers a girl bleeding on the sidewalk. He tends to her, but his act of kindness takes him beneath London, to a subterranean city full of lurking danger. If Richard ever wants to return Above, he’s going to need to save the strange world he finds himself in.

First created as a television series, Neverwhere became Gaiman’s first novel and features all of his best tricks. Fans of the book can look forward to a possible sequel, something Gaiman himself has teased.

4. The Graveyard Book

Nobody “Bod” Owens is a child of many peculiarities. For starters, he lives in a graveyard. Tutored by ghosts, a werewolf, and a vampire, can Bod apply their antiquated teachings when he steps into the world of the living, especially when there’s a lurking evil waiting for him?

This book marks the first time a writer won the British Carnegie medal and the American Newberry medal for the same work. That alone proves how good a book this is. Just like Coraline, it’s a children’s book suitable for any age.

5. Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett)

The end of the world is nigh. The stage is all set and the actors are raring to go, but someone seems to have misplaced the anti-Christ. And an unlikely friendship between an angel and a demon forms when both are out to sabotage the Armageddon.

A perfect blend of Pratchett’s madness and Gaiman’s macabre, Good Omens is hilarious romp that will genuinely make you L-O-L. It’s also been adapted into a TV series, so if you’re not up for a read, maybe a watch instead?

6. Stardust

Tristan Thorn is out to retrieve a star, which he’s promised to his love. But beyond the Wall is a world far different and more dangerous than his own. Can he survive and return to fulfill his promise, even when the star turns out to be different from what he expected?

Stardust is one of Gaiman’s more traditional works. Make no mistake, it’s still out there—but this novel is less weird and mysterious compared to the others. If you haven’t read any of his works yet, this is a good place to start.

7. Interworld series (with Michael Reeves)

Joey Harker becomes so lost, he ends up in another dimension and discovers alternate versions of Earth, with different versions of himself. And all of them are at war. Teaming up with the other Joeys, they must stop evil magicians and keep the balance between the earths.

Interworld contains more science fiction than the usual Gaiman story. It’s a YA book, but is enjoyable for any science-fiction and fantasy nerd, with plenty of references to other beloved stories of the genres.

8. Smoke and Mirrors

Smoke and Mirrors is a collection of short stories that follow a boy bargaining for his life with a persistent troll, a lady who finds the Holy Grail in a second-hand store, assassins who advertise their services in the yellow pages—and more!

Neil Gaiman’s literary genius can often be found in his short fiction. Smoke and Mirrors is his first collection of short stories, all of which transform our mundane world into a feasibly fantastical place. Not convinced? Give Nicholas Was… a quick google search.

9. Norse Mythology

Gaiman explores the tales of the Norse gods, giving a novelistic element to the theft of Thor’s hammer, the binding of Fenrir, to Ragnarok— while still staying true to his source materials.

Much of Gaiman’s works are grounded in mythology, so its no surprise he can pull off a retelling while still maintaining his distinct voice. He breathes life into age-old tales, giving them fresh and engaging prose for fresh, new readers.

What Is Neil Gaiman’s Most Popular Book?

American Gods follows Shadow, recently released from prison, who is hired by the mysterious Mr. Wednesday, who turns out to be the Norse god Odin. Together, they journey across the country in search of allies in the coming conflict—a war to decide who owns America once and for all.

The book is more than an urban fantasy, but also a cultural analysis on how America is shaped by its people’s beliefs. Dripping with atmosphere, this is a piece of literary genius sure to endure for generations.

Reading Neil Gaiman Novels

Neil Gaiman is considered a rock star in the literary world. It helps that he looks like one, not to mention he’s close friends with one too (Tori Amos).

He’s one of the few writers who can put out works with extremely deep and philosophical meaning while managing not to sound pretentious. It’s why his stories are so accessible and enjoyable to many.

It does take time to acclimate to his writing though, probably because he uses a lot of allusions in his work. You’ll frequently get caught up with what a particular passage means. I’ve learned to just cruise past these things and let them untangle as the plot slowly reveals itself.

Don’t let that discourage you. Reading his works are a lot of fun. If you’re looking to read his “easier” works, I suggest starting with The Graveyard Book, Coraline, Stardust, or even his short fiction anthologies.

Do you have a favorite book by Neil Gaiman? Share your reading experience in the comments below!

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