A book that is a story within a story

[Kate]

Misery by Stephen King has a story within a story. The character is actually writing a book in the book.

[Amanda]

American Pastoral would work.

[Denis Joplin]

I think Magpie Murders would fit here as well

[Therese]

I just finished reading a book called The Christmas Tin by Roderick J Robison that would fit the prompt a story within a story and then some more stories.

And then the other night I was also thinking about how The Hours by Michael Cunningham would also work. It has been quite some time since I read this book, but it was magnificently done because not only is it a story within a story, but three stories happening at different times.

[Robert]

What about Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs?

[Christine]

Seconding The Thirteenth Tale and House of Leaves - both great books that definitely qualify.

I'll also put in a word for The Ghost Writer, which includes several nested gothic/weird fiction short stories, which are absolute humdingers. I actually think the novel's finale is quite a mess, but I put this on to re-read because I just loved the nested stories so much!

[Randy]

Stina wrote: "Would S. count for this? Or House of Leaves?"

Definitely!

[Randy]

I suggest:

Woman with a Blue Pencil

It has an AWESOME concept: A Japanese American author is asked to reimagine his spy thriller in light of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He continues to weave his original narrative into the manuscript he prepares for his manipulative editor. In the background - we get glimpses of the writer's actual story.

I'll admit the book didn't live up to my huge expectations, but it was a cool read if you are looking to try something different (It's also a pretty quick read).

[Kirsten]

Theresa wrote: "I recommend A.S.Byatt's 'Possession' which is a contemporary story of two scholars researching a poet from the late 19th Century. story shifts back and forth between the 2 periods and is just wonde..."

I just bought the Audiobook so this sounds great!

[Sundhus]

I was wondering if The name of the wind by Patrick Rothfuss counts?

[Sarah]

Megan wrote: "Fangirl would probably work for this one. Its a story and then features the fanfiction that the character writes.

I'm looking at Afterworlds"

Yes, I'd totally recomment it too! And you can look forward to "Carry On" after finishing it ;)

[Melanie]

Sundhus wrote: "I was wondering if The name of the wind by Patrick Rothfuss counts?"

This would definitely count.

[Sundhus]

Melanie wrote: "Sundhus wrote: "I was wondering if The name of the wind by Patrick Rothfuss counts?"

This would definitely count."

Thanks! :)

[Kelli]

The Princess Bride is one of my favorites. The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult is amazing as well.

[Marisa]

Jo wrote: "Fangirl is wonderful, but the fanfiction excerpts are just chapter headings, they don't make another whole story... to the point where Rainbow Rowell has released the fanfiction story as a separate..."

Hmm I have been wanting to read Fangirl so I might read it for this prompt!

[Rels]

Would The Notebook work??

[Ashley]

Would Swimming Lessons work for this? It's the mother's story of the disastrous marriage through letters, within the daughter's present day story.

[Bryn]

Anyone read Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng? I just started it, and I'm thinking it could fit for this topic. Thoughts?

[Amy]

Danielle wrote: "I've heard good things about The Blind Assassin, and it seems to fit perfectly: "But just as the reader expects to settle into Laura's story, Atwood introduces a novel-within-a- novel...." The Blind Assassin is the first book that came to mind for this category. I read it year's ago and recommend it for those who want to read Atwood without reading her normal fare.

Booklover wrote: "I saw The Time Traveler's Wife on a list for this. Has anyone else read it? Is it a story within a story?" No. This book is a great one, but it does not fit into this category.

[Letizia]

"Fangirl" and "American Gods" are the only two that I can recall.

[Sarah]

Everything I Never Told You doesn't fit for this category. However, it's an amazing book that I highly recommend.

[Emma]

I was thinking How to Be Both but I think maybe that's two separate stories? It's been on my TBR pile for ages.

I also have The Children's Book waiting to be read, I wonder if this would qualify?

Cloud Atlas would be good but I've already read it.

[Linda]

The Breathing Method would fit this category. It's a Stephen King novella. I listened to it as an audiobook and enjoyed it.

[Anna]

Shadow of the Wind!

[Katie]

How about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies?

[Nadine in NY]

Katie wrote: "How about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies?"

I'm not sure since I never finished it, but it did not seem like a story within a story, but rather a classic story that had been tweaked to make a new story.

[Emma]

Has anyone read How to Be Both? Any thoughts on whether it qualifies?

[Heather]

A Monster Callsis what I read for this prompt. I really enjoyed it. It is about grief and coping.

[Barbara Shelton]

For those who enjoy both Nonfiction & Jane Austin - All Roads Lead to Austin: A Yearlong Journey With Jane by Amy Elizabeth Smith might actually be a good choice for this category. I read it a couple of years ago & really enjoyed it.

[Carly]

Would Neal Shusterman's Challenger Deep count?

[Rachel]

As others have said The Thirteenth Tale is great. I love the Gothic, spooky atmosphere!

Something no one has mentioned is Hyperion which is similar to the Canterbury Tales, but in space! A group of characters go on a journey to another planet and tell their backstories as they travel. I really liked it.

[Meredith]

Ed wrote: "The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde really is a story that has characters enter into the novel Jane Eyre!"

I adore that series. :)

His Nursery Crimes series would also fit, I believe. The Big Over Easy

[Britt]

Katie wrote: "How about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies?"

I'd say no, it's the same Pride and Prejudice only with added zombies and fight scenes. There's no story within a story for that one

[Pioup]

Could anyone who has read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: A Savannah Story tell me if this qualify for this? The synopsis doesn't make it very clear for me.

[Denise]

I remember reading this book a long time ago, don't know if it qualifies. If anyone is interested check it out!
Inkheart

[Juliebean]

Paulien wrote: "Neverending story, does that fits?"

I didn't see anyone answer you - I read that one last year and it definitely fits!

[Juliebean]

Pioup wrote: "Could anyone who has read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: A Savannah Story tell me if this qualify for this? The synopsis doesn't make it very clear for me."

I have to be honest, I've only seen the movie. But I would say that it would fit. There's a modern day element, but also a story about a mystery in the past.

[Aimee]

Would The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto work for this?

[Sarah (is clearing her shelves)]

I will be reading The Neverending Story . I own a paperback copy of this book which I received at least 25 years ago. I've read it many times and loved it, but I haven't read it in about 10 years and have never reviewed it. This prompt is a great reason to reread it after all these years and finally review it.

[Sheng]

Heather wrote: "A monster calls is what I read for this prompt..."

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is what I read for this prompt too. Loved it.

[Sarah]

I'm going to read Princess Bride for this one because Cary Elwes just wrote a book about the making of the movie called As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride - which I'm going to read either as my book with a subtitle or as my audio book. They seem like a good pair.

[Kate]

I just read Th1rteen R3asons Why last night, and I think it fits the category. It's a YA novel that was huge when it was released but I just now got around to it. There is a main character narrating, but he is listening to audio tapes of a different character telling the story of why she committed suicide.

Juanita wrote: "A book that is a story within a story ... this one I think will be challenging. I often don't know that the book is set up in this fashion until I'm actually reading the book.

Suggestions please!"

[Lu]

A friend recommended Miss Buncle's Book to me and I think it's absolutely perfect. It's about a woman who secretly writes a "fiction" book about the people in her town, and when they find out about it the town goes into an uproar. So far it's been REALLY good.

[Malaraa]

The Bourbon Thief would fit story within a story.

[Jill]

I am going to read The Eyre Affair for this prompt. I have wanted to read it for months, so glad that if fits a prompt in the challenge!

[Tami]

Aimee wrote: "Would The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto work for this?"

Aimee, I think Frankie Presto would be great for this prompt. I read it last year and it's one of my favorites. I heard there is even a music cd to go with the story.

[Mindy]

Sanasai wrote: "The Bourbon Thief would fit story within a story."

I just looked this up and it's currently in a giveaway if anyone wants to enter. Sounds like it could be really good!

[Sam]

I'm currently reading The Trap for this challenge, it's a perfect fit! It's about an author trying to find who killed her sister, and throughout the book are chapters of the book she's just finished writing.

[Aimee]

Thanks, Tami! It fits for several other categories as well, but I may use it for this one!

[Ashley]

Sarah wrote: "I'm going to read Princess Bride for this one because Cary Elwes just wrote a book about the making of the movie called As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of the Princess Bride - whic..."

I am looking at using The Princess Bride for this as well! Funny enough, I've seen the film version about a million times AND I've already read Cary Elwes' memoir about making the movie. Seems about time I read the actual source material, right?? LOL