Retirement is the perfect time to tackle your “someday” reading list. But let’s skip the usual beach reads and head straight into the literary twilight zone. If you’ve ever looked at a bookshelf and thought, What if I want my brain to bend a little? This list is for you.

First up is House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. It’s a book-within-a-book-within-a-footnote about a documentary that may or may not exist, filmed in a house that grows larger on the inside than the outside. It’s like HGTV meets The Twilight Zone, and you’ll never look at your hallway the same way again.

Then there’s The Third Policeman by Flann O’Brien, a novel where time is stretchy, bicycles are alive (sort of), and reality is negotiable. It’s delightfully absurdist—think of it as a Monty Python sketch written by a philosopher.

For something more contemporary and atmospheric, try Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer. This sci-fi eco-thriller drops you into “Area X,” a shimmering, unknowable landscape where biology rewrites itself, and your memory might not be your own. It’s weird, yes—but weird in the best way.

And for a short but potent punch, check out We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. Eerie, elegant, and a little unsettling, it’s the literary equivalent of sipping tea in a haunted dollhouse.

What ties all these books together? They challenge how we see the world. And isn’t that the joy of retirement? Exploring new perspectives, digging into ideas you didn’t have time for during your working years, and yes—getting a little weird with it.

But the best part? You can lose yourself in these mind-bending reads without the distraction of financial stress—if you’ve got a solid plan in place. When your income is steady and your future is secure, there’s more room for existential fiction, late-night reading sessions, and ordering that beautifully bizarre limited-edition hardcover you definitely don’t need (but do deserve).

Let’s make sure your financial story is one you love reading. Click HERE to reach out to one of our professionals at Zinnia Wealth Management today for a complimentary review of your finances—and leave the plot twists to the books.