If you enjoyed the surreal and imaginative cityscapes of Only Forward—especially how Stark navigates neighborhoods with their own bizarre logic—you'll be captivated by the twin cities of Besźel and Ul Qoma in The City & The City. Miéville crafts a world where the rules of reality are as much psychological as physical, making the city itself a puzzle to unravel.

If what drew you to Only Forward was Stark’s sardonic wit and the wild, off-kilter humor woven into even the darkest moments, you'll appreciate the absurd, darkly funny narrative voice of Slaughterhouse-Five. Vonnegut’s take on war, time, and trauma is delivered with a similar blend of irreverence and gravity.

If you found yourself compelled by Stark’s morally ambiguous decisions and the way his past is slowly revealed, The Gone-Away World offers a similarly complex hero. Harkaway’s protagonist operates in a world where right and wrong are blurred by surreal events and personal stakes, making for a rich and unpredictable read.

If it's the existential questions and mind-bending ideas—like what it means to be real or the nature of consciousness—that stuck with you in Only Forward, then Permutation City is your next must-read. Egan’s novel dives deep into simulated realities and the philosophy of self, challenging your perception at every turn.

If you loved how Only Forward constantly upends expectations, weaving together noir, science fiction, and sudden revelations (like Stark’s shifting motivations and the city’s changing rules), you'll enjoy The Yiddish Policemen's Union. Chabon’s alternate-history detective story is packed with clever twists and genre-defying surprises.