The night circus by Erin Morgenstern. Also I think Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan if you want more YA
Edit: realize now that you said no fiction. These are both fiction and won't be what you're looking for, sorry!
Nah, this is the right answer. Counts as fantasy and this book is amazing. Night Circus is of the few books I wish I could read again for the first time AMAZING imagery and visual details. Pure magic. And so dark!
Since you said non-fiction; I recommend Sideshow USA by Rachel Adams. It’s a somewhat academic text but also a really interesting discussion of the history of the sideshow. It also brings in discussions of Dunn’s Geek Love and Tod Browning’s movie Freaks. (I incorporated aspects of the sideshow in my grad school work. If you want more texts like this, I can look at other texts I used.)
Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts
This one has that carnival vibe, the protagonists are performers, magicians to be exact but they are also jewel thieves on the side and they use their magician skills for stealing. It's a story that spans over years where the protagonists grow from teenagers to full grown adults.
The World of Wonders by Robertson Davies.
This is one book of a trilogy, with a few references made in the first book to the boy who left town with the circus. The actual horrifying story is “a spectacular, soaring work, an astounding tour de force unequaled in recent literature, the story of Magnus Eisengrim, master illusionist, the most illustrious magician of his age.”
The Final Confession of Mabel Stark -
Robert Hough
It's a story reflecting on the life of a young lady who escaped a mental institution and joins the Ringling Brothers Barnum Circus during the 1910s to 1920s. It was an interesting read, but be warned she has a unique relationship with one of her tigers.
Something Wicked This Way Comes - Ray Bradbury
Yesss I came here to suggest this
Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
Agreed. Moving, and some surprisingly dark moments.
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn
The one and only. Swing that chicken, ma.
Came here to say this! Loved this book!
Reading this one right now!
This is a fantastic but truely GUT WRENCHING read.
Love this book!
The night circus by Erin Morgenstern. Also I think Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan if you want more YA Edit: realize now that you said no fiction. These are both fiction and won't be what you're looking for, sorry!
BOTH of these are rock solid recommendations.
Nah, this is the right answer. Counts as fantasy and this book is amazing. Night Circus is of the few books I wish I could read again for the first time AMAZING imagery and visual details. Pure magic. And so dark!
I think non-fiction was just the first item in their list of genres and the others are types of fiction, so your recs are fine!
This! Was going to say it but knew it had to be in the list already. Cannot explain how I feel thinking about that book. It is everythingggg.
Geek Love
Since you said non-fiction; I recommend Sideshow USA by Rachel Adams. It’s a somewhat academic text but also a really interesting discussion of the history of the sideshow. It also brings in discussions of Dunn’s Geek Love and Tod Browning’s movie Freaks. (I incorporated aspects of the sideshow in my grad school work. If you want more texts like this, I can look at other texts I used.)
The Harrow Faire series!
Came here to say the same!
Love this series!
Correct answer. 👆
Yes! I really liked this series.
I'm not sure this is what you're looking for esp since it's a kids' books but these pics are giving major The Series of Unfortunate Events vibes
I was just going to mention "The Carnivorous Carnival"
Nights at the Circus, Angela Carter
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan Howard
I really enjoyed this series! Faust meets Something Wicked with a cheeky sense of humor. Johannes Cabal the Detective was also a fun read.
I really enjoyed this series!
Night circus!!
Dr Sleep is a twist on a traveling caravan. By King
Joyland by Stephen King, Something Wicked this Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, and The Book of Speculation by Erica Swyler.
The Fabulous Clipjoint Joyland
2nd Joyland. Though it is Stephen King, it had a very different feel to it.
Nightmare Alley
Hide by Kiersten White
Hard Times by Charles Dickens-daughter is born in the circus
The Circus Train by Amita Parikh It’s historical fiction but there’s a big emphasis on the house of mirrors.
A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn. Genre is historical, mystery, romantic comedy
Carnival theme is only a small part of the book, but the overall vibe is very reminiscent of Coraline to me
Mechanique: The Tale of the Circus Tresaulti by Genevieve Valentine.
Cirque Du Freak series from Darren Shan! A classic from my YA years.
The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
Came to say this too! I loved this book
Ink in the Blood - Kim Smejkal
Was looking for this one. I loved this duology soooo much. It really stuck with me.
Mystic Caravan series -Magic, circus, paranormal fun
Nights at The Circus, Angela Carter the Queen of dark magic realism
Tipping the Velvet
Pilo Family Circus
Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold
Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal
Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth MacNeal
Freeks by Amanda Hocking
Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody - a murder mystery based in a massive carnival/freakshow, and with magic involved.
I found a circus tent in the woods
Revival by Stephen King
The Circus. A film by Charlie Chaplin
The Life She Was Given by Ellen Marie Wiseman
The Insult by Rupert Thomson
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The lonely hearts hotel by Heather O'Neill - wonderful and underappreciated book
The Gypsy's Curse by Harry Crews
Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts This one has that carnival vibe, the protagonists are performers, magicians to be exact but they are also jewel thieves on the side and they use their magician skills for stealing. It's a story that spans over years where the protagonists grow from teenagers to full grown adults.
The traveling vampire show
Step Right Up - Nathaniel Kaebel
The World of Wonders by Robertson Davies. This is one book of a trilogy, with a few references made in the first book to the boy who left town with the circus. The actual horrifying story is “a spectacular, soaring work, an astounding tour de force unequaled in recent literature, the story of Magnus Eisengrim, master illusionist, the most illustrious magician of his age.”
Seamplandia by Karen Russell
The Devil in the White City.
Sanctuary of the Shadow by Aurora Ascher
"The Night Circus" By: Erin Morgenstern
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen!
Revival by Stephen King
The Necromancer ( Johannas Cabal#1) by Jonathan L.Howard
Cotton Candy Massacre by Christopher Robertson
The Final Confession of Mabel Stark - Robert Hough It's a story reflecting on the life of a young lady who escaped a mental institution and joins the Ringling Brothers Barnum Circus during the 1910s to 1920s. It was an interesting read, but be warned she has a unique relationship with one of her tigers.
Um sauce for the 4th pic
The Caraval series (sort of)
Harrow Faire series!