On the post-apocalyptic theme i recent read ‘Cantacle for Lieberwitz’ following a monetary over several thousand years after a nuclear war as they try to save knowledge. Parts of it are 50s futurism (published in '59). There is even a scene describing how a cop gets a self-driving car to stop. An interesting read.

Sanderson himself recommends ‘Tress of the Emerald Sea’ as a short work to get a feel for his style. I agee.

In regards to Ocean at the end of the lane. You could really broaden that out to anything by Neil Gaiman (Ocean, stardust, graveyard book, neverware, good omens, american gods, etc. Etc.)

And if you like Neil’s fairytale-esque stuff, then check out Spinning Silver and Uprooted by Naomi Novik as well.

If you’re looking for something longer, try Brandon Sanderson’s cosmere (start with either Mistborn or Stormlight Archives.)

Or perhaps Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files (hard-boiled detective who also happens to be a wizard.) First few books are a bit weak, but gets much better.

Some other ideas:

Murderbot Diaries, The Locked Tomb, Assasin’s Apprentice, Broken Earth, Kings of the Wyld.

I 2nd Kings of the Wyld. Sequal coming out soon.

Legends & Lattes was fun too, and the sequal ‘Bookshops and Bondust’ is similarly fun.

Dresden is great, though it starts weak. Like the first 3-5 books are merely OK. But if you get through those, Butcher gets pretty awesome IMHO.

nothing wrong with not caring for a book or author that everyone else seems to love. I have a list of books I DNF’d that are VERY popular. It is what it is.

His 1st written book elantris was way way too rough for me. But so far that’s the only one of his books i didn’t care for.

I love king’s little 80’s music references. The sequal is coming out at some point.

Then while you’re waiting, you can read Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book.

Assassin’s Apprentice trilogy by Robin Hobbs