I am really not enjoying reading. Any book suggestions for me?
Evening everyone.
I could really do with some help. I keep reading books and feeling disheartened. I just can’t find any that pull me in. For the first time, in a long time, I am really not enjoying reading. This makes me so sad.
If you have any suggestions for me, I would be so very grateful. I particularly like:
Fantasy (anything like HP, Eragon, Infernal Devices, Hunger Games, anything with dragons),
I like books with twists and turns like Harlen Coben,
Classics like Jane Austin (but I’ve read those)
I really love book series so that I can keep reading about the characters.
I can’t read anything super scary and I don’t fancy anything too serious atm. I would like the reading to be an escape.
Having said all of this though, I would literally try anything right now if you enjoyed it. PLEASE HELP!!!!
Thanks so much and have a great evening!
Rebecca
How about Anne of Green Gables? A charming, warm, and deep and deep series. A classic.
Excellent. That is being added to my list as we speak. I have never read that. Thank you ?
I second this suggestion, a bit different than your list but a wonderful story with great characters in a beautiful setting in a simpler time, love this series.
Perhaps Roger Zelazny’s Nine Princes in Amber – book #1 of The Chronicles of Amber.
@Rebecca they’re relatively short books, very imaginative, plenty of fantasy, and I gobbled them up. Worth finding imho.
Look at the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley. It’s a character driven, historical mystery series. If you’re interested, be sure to read the series in order.
https://www.orderofbooks.com/authors/alan-bradley/
Ooh I haven’t heard of this one. I actually love books set in historical times and mysteries too, so it sounds great. Thank you
Have you tried Sarah J. Mass she has two series that are great Throne of Glass and also Court of Thorns and Roses. Iron Butterfly series by Hahn is also great. Both fantasy.
Oh that sounds amazing. I have heard of the Throne of Glass but forgot about it. Thank you so much.?
I’m on book 3 of the Throne of Glass series and really enjoying them!
@Rebecca they are great. She has the next book in the series coming out soon. The character development is pretty great too. I’m a sucker for series and character development. Iron Butterfly is the same way.
I was going to suggest Sarah Maas. Also, Sara Beth Durst.
@Jennifer oh I’ve never read Sara Durst before
I love these as well. Sarah J Maas is great. Also for fantasy there is a writer whose last name is Stiefvater, i think. She writes fantasy and has a couple of good series out. The Raven Boys and Linger
Carl Hiassen: good, goofy twisty plots that will make you bark-laugh but actually have a lot of heart.
Hiaasen is one of my go to’s when I’m stuck, traveling, or just need something fun. Great recommendation!
@Jed I just wish he wouldn’t write so slowly!
@Mary I recently discovered him and have only read a few! So many more to read. ?
Oh a comedy.
Fab idea. I haven’t read one in ages. Thank you
@Jed well, get going! 🙂
Perhaps some historical fiction , I just went through that . It took me a while but iam reading again and really enjoying it.
Thank you. So glad you are enjoying reading again ?
This has badass dragons eventually. https://www.goodreads.com/series/43493-malazan-book-of-the-fallen
Ooh …. wow. This is on my list now. Looks amazing
Oh and thank you! ?
Have you read/tried the Outlander series?
No I haven’t actually. I will now ?
Thank you!
I had a few issues with the first book, but still really enjoyed it enough to give the second book a try. Right now I’m just forcing myself to read other things before I read book 4 so I don’t race through the series too fast lol
Read all of Cornelia Funke! Specially Dragon Rider!
Oh yes. I read Ink heart by her years ago and it was wonderful. Great idea. Thank you!
@Rebecca you’ll.love Dragonrider!
Following
The Accidental series by Dakota Cassidy has dragons in one book, genies in another, werewolves, etc. It is a lighthearted easy series with funny, loveable characters. Nothing heavy, scary, or too serious.
Oh I like the sound of that. Sounds perfect. Thank you!
@Rebecca the beginning of the series is available in paper and ebook versions, but I know partway through the author started publishing her own books and so the later books are only ebooks so far. I prefer paper, but I got the ebook versions anyway. I love them.
Cliche, but game of thrones is good if you were a Harry Potter fan
You are right, they are very good and so many books to get your teeth into. Thank you
Try The Red Rising series by Pierce Brown, it won’t disappoint! Or The Great Library series by Rachel Caine. And an old faithful if you haven’t read it, The Maze Runner series by James Dashner.
Oh those sound brilliant. I know the maze runner series but not the others. Thank you so much. ?
Another one is the Spademan series, starting with Shovel Ready by Adam Sternberg…there’s 2 in the series now, I am going crazy waiting for the 3rd installment!
In addition to seconding the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson, I would add Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss. The series is not yet complete–waiting on last book–but it’s excellent.
I also really enjoy Jeff Wheeler’s Kingfountain series!
Agreed! If you like fantasy the Kingkiller Chronicles is an absolute must
Oh these are now on my list. Thank you so so much! ?
.
Outlander!
You are the second one to suggest this so I better get cracking and reading it as I am clearly missing out ? thank you
@Rebecca no problem. I love all of them!!
Have you read anything by Maragaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman? The Darksword Trilogy is a great fun read and the Deathgate Cycle is really good. And if you don’t mind something based on the Dungeons and Dragons world, the Dragonlance chronicles are also a good fun read.
Oh these sound fab. Thank you. I can’t wait to read these! Thank you!!!
No problem. I might need to go reread them myself lol.
I do that too. I love going back to my favourite characters ?
Dragonlance is so great. From book 1, Absolutely fantastic!
They really are. I am just never sure if people who never played dungeon and dragons would care lol. Honestly though, those were were the best ones but there are few set in that world that are just good fantasy novels. Easy reads and unlike Game of Thrones you don’t have to wait 12 years for an ending….. 😉
I’ve never played D&D in my life. The books are actually what made me notice the game at all. I think David Eddings is another fantastic author as well.
I totally agree. Someone else was looking for stand alone fantasy novels so I went looking through my goodreads list and didn’t find any but I did find the Eddings ones. They were very good. So many books so little time lol
Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series – talk about lighthearted fantasy!
I need to look into these…
I have never read that. Thanks. I will give that a go! Cheers
They’re really fantastic–and Terry’s writing will have you laughing.
Sorcery and Cecelia. There are 3 of them I think. Light hearted, historical romance, fantasy.
That sounds brill. Thank you very much
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Thanks. I haven’t heard of that one but have added it to my list. Cheers
It’s a great stand alone fantasy
And don’t forget her Temeraire series, starting with His Majesty’s Dragon! I love those books!
Can I just say a huge thank you to everyone who has answered. I am so glad I could join this group. People are super helpful. ?
Have you read all of Cassandra Clare? She has about 12 out now. Im also goung to suggest a series that I absolutely lived but is a little lower reading level – Fablehaven and of course dragon lovers will love game of thrones. I think some Anne McAffrey have dragons too
She is amazing isn’t she? I have read the Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices. Loved both series, although “never trust a duck” Will is my favourite 🙂 I will read the others of hers. Good plan !
I recently heard of a series called Gender Game that has a similar utopian feel to Hunger Games and Divergent. I haven’t read it, but it’s on the list.
Thank you! I will check it out. Cheers
I really like the Shades of Magic series by V.E. Schwab.
Oh cool. Another one I haven’t tried. Thanks. That is now on my list! Thank you!
Gone Girl? Have you already read it?–plenty of twists and turns!!
Yes, I have read that. I really enjoyed it! Thank you for checking.
I really liked the first installment of the His Dark Materials series. The Girl in the Box series is also good. Both would fall under fantasy.
I have never heard of those. Thank you. I will check those out.
What about twisted fairytales?
Yes please. I also love shows like Grimm etc. so if you know any books that fall under this fairytale type genre, I would love to know. Thanks.
@Rebecca I have read Alice by Christina Henry. Also Serena Valentino does some and also Liz Braswell
How about the Red Queen serious?
Anne McCaffrey’s Pern series, starts with the Dragonriders of Pern.
I loved reading that series years ago! Also Robin Hobb has written several fantasy series (Far Seer, Live Ships, Tawny Man, …). And check out Sherwood Smith’s Inda series.
Added to my list. Thank you so much.
You may like Ben Aaronovitch Rivers of London, it’s about a
secret police force who deal in magic!
Oh I love the sound of that one. Thank you!
This is trilogy.
Beautiful cover. Sounds great. Thanks!
Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo, the Tearling trilogy by Erika Johansen, Madd Addams trilogy by Margaret Atwood.
Thank you so much! Added them
Any of the books written by Robin Hobb:
The Farseer Trilogy, (“The Assassin’s Apprentice”, “Royal Assassin”, “Assassin’s Quest”);
The Liveship Traders Trilogy, (“Ship of Magic”, “Live Ship”, “Ship of Destiny”);
The Rain Wild Chronicles (“The Dragon Keeper”, “Dragon Haven”, “City of Dragons”, “Blood of Dragons”);
The Tawny Man Trilogy, (“Fool’s Errand”, “Golden Fool”, “Fool’s Fate”),
plus several more that she has written.
I would also highly recommend the great books by Patrick Rothfuss:
“The Name of the Wind” and “Wise Man’s Fear”.
Loads here for me to enjoy. Thank you
Terry Pratchett – try I Shall Wear Midnight. And Neil Gaiman audio books. His voice will pull you out of your slump!
I remember reading a Neil Gaiman with the kids. I will take a look at those. Thanks
Temeraire series by Naomi Novik! Dragons!
No I haven’t read that one. Thank you!
Have you read the ancient future series?? By.. traci harding??
Do you have anything bothering you that you cant let your mind relax enough?
Bless you, that’s kind to ask. I’m fine to be honest. I think that as I finished a 10 book series that I enjoyed, I am disappointed in anything. I just read Where’d go Bernadette as lots of people here recommended it, but I didn’t like it at all. Thanks for your recommendation
I think you need to read something weird. Try this author who is virtually unheard of Nickolas Christopher’ Veronica is a strange read.
Elizabeth Hand’s Waking the moon
Amy Herrick’s At the sign of the Naked Waiter
And anything Haruki Murakami especially Dance Dance Dance
You may be tired of the predictable and just need to read something unusual and unpredictable.
I loved Murakami’s IQ84!
@Angela can’t wait to get to it!
@Pamela it’s not easy to thoroughly understand but you have to relax about it and not fret!
Thanks for the tip!
Veronica is one of my favorites; also A Trip to the Stars by Nicholas Christopher.
@Lea oh my God! I’ve never even heard of anyone else who knew of this book.
@Pamela I need to read both again. It’s been awhile.
I like weird so that sounds like something I would enjoy! 🙂
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch.
Oh I like the sound of that. Thanks!
My favorites so far this year:
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Poison Study by Maria V Snyder
Soulless by Gail Carriger
Scythe by Neil Shusterman
Woohoo! Soulless!
Her books are amazing!
Sounds like you have good suggestions here 🙂 Thank you!
Have you tried the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon? Has it all.
I will be adding that one, as it does seem popular. Thank you
I would like to suggest any and all written by Christopher Moore. Witty and smart, ask anyone. Enjoy!
Thank you. That sounds amazing
I had a similar experience not too long ago. I read The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder. This is a children’s book, but one I never read growing up. I loved it and it reminded me why I love to read.
That’s what I need right now to get out of this slump. Will add that too! 🙂
Outlander! Eight ? in the series, so far.
Then I can really get my teeth into that book set. Sounds great
Loved this series.
I think you’ll really like A Great and Terrible Beauty ?
Nina, have you read Rebecca by Daphne DeMaurier? Sounds a bit similar.
@Jed yes I have! But they’re not similar at all, very different ?
Sounds interesting. Love the title. Thank you
Susanna Kearsley – some of her books link, Like Winter Sea, then The Firebird . All of her books are fantastic!
Oh I do love finding a good Author when you know all of their books are good. Thanks!
I’m a Hunger Games girl myself, but this series blew me away
Then these must be for me too! 🙂 Thank you!
YES
I’ve just finished The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, a story of 2 sisters in WW2 France, it’s a long time since I finished a book in floods of tears
Yes, excellent read!
I will get the tissues ready! Thank you
Well if you like dragons, you already know I’m going to suggest A Song of Ice and Fire series by GRRM. And if you like Austen, then you might like the Bronte sisters too. Wuthering Heights is one of my favorite books of all time. Jane Eyre is also beautiful.
I thought of The Bronte Sisters as well
Thank you very much!
One of the best books I’ve read in awhile. Magic and twists!!
Sounds awesome. Thanks
A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent by Marie Brennan…Archangel by Sharon Shinn…Mystic and Rider (Twelve Houses Series Book 1) by Sharon Shinn…His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik…The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley…The Winds of War by Herman Wouk…Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak…Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset…The Silver Pigs: A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery by Lindsey Davis…The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean…Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt…The Red Tent by Anita Diament…A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness…
Wow. Thank you for all of these suggestions. Much appreciated.
Throne of Glass series and A Court of Thorns and Roses, both by Sarah J. Maas; and I liked the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
Thanks so much. These sound perfect
Definitely Louise Penny’s Gamache series starting with Still Life. Read in order. Still Life sets the scene in Three Pines in Canada and introduces characters. Well written and intelligent. Keep going… If available listen to some of the audiobooks. They’re amazing. There’s a backstory throughout but a complete mystery in each book. I’m waiting for #14. I’ve never stuck with a series this long.
Have to agree on this one. Each one is a morality tale, a discussion of the human condition with bits of humor and pathos. The characters begin to feel real and you long to know them. There is kindness in Three Pines. Along with the usual murders
Or Donna Leon.
Oh this sounds like something really different for me. Perhaps it will help me get out of the slump. Thanks!
Have you read The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss? I haven’t read the second one yet and the third isn’t out but the first was excellent.
Hi, this has nothing to do with books, but I saw that your profile picture is a lab. I have a lab puppy that has been shedding like crazy. I’ve spent HOURS today researching vacuums that would work well for her hair, since my vacuum is not working. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! ?
My Roomba works great on black Labrador hair.
@Beverly thanks so much for the suggestion! I will look that one up.
No I haven’t tried that. I will now 🙂
@Monica We have a Shark that works pretty well. It’s the one with the most suction. Love my lab! We are getting another puppy in couple weeks to give him a playmate.
@Carol Thanks! I will research that brand. Puppies are always fun! Warmest wishes for you and your pups!
@Monica Thanks! To you and your pup too!
Dragon Shadows by Rebecca Dante
Anything with Dragon in sounds brilliant! 🙂 Thank you
You are welcome ?
I’m going to take a leap of faith here and suggest that for a little while, if you don’t enjoy what you’ve been reading, you might consider reading something different, AND I have two suggestions: the Flavia de Luce mysteries by Alan Bradley and the Maisie Dobbs books by Jacqueline Winspear. They’re both series, although, of course, you don’t have to read the second book if you didn’t like the first, but I’m betting that the cast of characters in each one will become familiar, friendly family members. The first is about an 11-year-old girl in the 50’s in England, but don’t think these are YA books, because they aren’t. Flavia is a character, a real hoot, and her strange sisters are the perfect foil. The second series is about a WWI nurse who returns to England to open her own psychological detective agency. Both series will whisk you away to new and wonderful worlds, I promise. Again, start with the first book in each.
I love Flavia! Maisie’s books were a little dark for me.
@Charlene , oh, I love them. The dark is the realism, and the characters come right in the end. And Flavia and her bicycle make me happy!
Sounds like what I need. I want to try to few different things. Thank you!
The Glass Sentence trilogy by S. E. Grove
Thank you. Will add that one!
Dark Lover https://g.co/kgs/LEnw9g
Fantasy, action, romance, draw you in nonstop addicting!
I did not think I would like this type of series….but I am loving them!
I have not tried anything like this, as I don’t normally read anything romantic, but I will give it a go. Thanks!
She has a certain voice that can turn some people off. But, the original set of BDB books are pretty addictive.
Don’t be disheartened, we all have slumps. Try re-reading something you loved. Then get back to nee ones.
Actually, I hadn’t thought of that. Great tip!
Dragonriders of Pern series has already been mentioned, but I am second, third, and fourthing it! Anne McCaffrey was my gateway author to sci-fi/fantasy back in high school and it will always be my genre of choice. This series has 20+ books in it, plus short stories, and companion pieces like Dragonlover’s Guide to Pern. The world she built was so detailed and thought out…you’ll definitely be able to emerse yourself.
Oh that sounds perfect for me. Thanks. I absolutely love the idea of a 20 book series…. 🙂
@Rebecca Yay! I hope you love it!
A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES! It’s fantasy with amazing world-building, like Harry Potter, and a strong female protagonist who grows immensely over the course of the series.
I will add that to my lovely long list. Very excited to read both of these, thanks.
This is on a reading challenge list for me this year. I’m determined to read it.
Let me know how you like it! I love to talk about it!!
If you liked HP, have you tried the the Percy Jackson books (Rick Riordan)? Also, the Artemis Fowl (Eion Colfer) series is good. Another series, written at a younger level, but I still enjoyed, was The Missing series, by Margaret Peterson Haddix.
Yes I totally love Percy Jackson. I haven’t tried the other two, so I will add both of those. Thanks so much
I just finished “Education – A Memoir” …by Tara Westover. It’s one of the best books in a long while in my mind… I heard her speak on NPR …this is a true story and seriously …she is amazing.
I am a teacher, so this sounds really interesting to me. We were only talking about Malala today. Thanks for this recommendation.
Have you considered biographies or other non-fiction? I was in a reading slump and started reading about people and events that have impacted me.
I have never tried biographies to be honest. Do you have one in particular that you are fond of? I heard Trevor Noah’s is really good.
I enjoyed several SNL alumni. Rachel Dratch (Girl Walked into a Bar), Tina Fey (Bossypants), Amy Poehler (Yes, Please), and Steve Martin (Born Standing Up). Also, Mindy Kaling’s books, Aziz Ansari’s Modern Romance was fun. Carol Burnet’s autobiography was good. I’m a nurse so the book that totally changed my world was an autobiography by a Canadian nurse named Tulsa Shalof called A Nurse’s Story. I re-read that one when I get feeling uninspired.
Great thank you for that. I will take a look at those ones! 🙂
I haven’t read through the thread, so possibly someone suggested this, but have you read The Time Traveler’s Wife? Audrey Niffenegger is the author. Fantasy genre. Really quite good.
Oh that sounds lovely. I will try that one too. Thanks
I like the Chalion series by Lois McMaster Bujold, particularly Paladin of Souls.
I just looked it up on Amazon. They get great reviews. Thanks. Another cool one on my list!
Have you read any of the Tracy Crosswhite series?
I googled–these sound great–will have to try!!
No I haven’t, but it sounds like it will keep me on my toes (from the summary). Thanks. I will enjoy this!
Have you read the trilogy by Justin Cronan? The first book is, The Passage
Oh no I haven’t, but it sounds great. Thank you
Find “No Name” by Wilkie Collins!! The first 50 pages set up the story of a young girl who will do Anything to get her inheritance. From the 1800’s. I love it.
Oh that sounds different to what I normally read. I will definitely try that. Thanks
Have you tried book series by Alexander Mccall Smith? No. 1 ladies detective agency series. Isabelle dalhousie novel series. 44 scotland street series. They are my all time favorites. Very soothing. Detectuve agency is touching for its simplicity.
A suitable boy by vikram seth if you want a change of context. Smiley’s people by le carré. Read The Godfather?? Im currently reading lust for life. Its immense!! Extremely engaging..
Just added all of them. Thanks for writing them all down for me! 🙂
Happy reading! 🙂
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Alpert
oh wow. I love the synopsis of this. I love shows like Grimm and Supernatural, so this sounds perfect. Thanks!!!
Maybe “the girl with the dragon tattoo” series? Not a fantasy like Eragon but twists and turns and it’s a series. First 3 were great. Never got to the 4th but heard it wasn’t as good.
Also, it has nothing to do with dragons.
I have read these and thought they were amazing. I never read the fourth one either though coincidentally! 🙂
How about the Elizabeth Peters books that begin with The Crocodile on the Sandbank?
Oh that sounds completely different to what I read. Excellent. I look forward to this. Cheers
Hope you find what you are looking for! It’s so hard to be in a reading slump. I just finished a YA fantasy quartet called the Immortals by Tamora Pierce. It’s one of a series of novels in her Tortall universe where the main character can speak to animals and immortal creatures, including dragons.
For classics, if you like Jane Austin, have you tried Edith Wharton? Age of Innocence is one of my favorites. It deals very much with social standing in golden age New York. Really great.
I love the sound of the Immortals. Sounds amazing. I am feeling a lot more positive after all of these lovely suggestions from people. I am on my fourth page of suggestions now 🙂 I am trying to look up each book as I go as I really appreciate people taking the time to write it down. Thanks for your ideas!
Night Film by Pessl
ooh I think my husband and I will both like this one. Thank you!
@Rebecca mine did and he’s not a reader!
Go outside do morning jogging or morning walking and read some cheerful books at a library or other public book reading places.
Ah that sounds lovely – especially when summer finally comes! 🙂
Rebecca TheBob … Indeed, get out of the house as much as you can and if that doesn’t help, look for something that will. Ceasing to enjoy something you’ve always loved before may signal an overall slump. If reading is the solution, power to you, and all the best!
Rebecca TheBob ….Meanwhile, here are some great reads by a couple of good writers who are recognized less often than they should be: New England mystery writer, Jane Langton …. my favorites are Memorial Hall Murders, Divine Inspiration, Dead as a Dodo and The Dante Game — but she has plenty of other good titles. Next, potboilers by Anne Rivers Siddon…. favorites again are Peachtree Road, Outer Banks, and Fox’s Earth, and again, there are many more.
Try Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series. Good mysteries set in Quebec. You slowly get to know the characters as they appear in every book in the series.
I like the sound of this series. Thanks so much
For feisty reading like Coben, you might try Moriarty or Magpie Mystery by Anthony Horowitz. Also Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10. Good luck!
We love Anthony Horowitz. He is fabulous. The Ruth Ware sounds like one I will end up reading in one or two sittings 🙂 Thanks !
Try anything by Amy Harmon, can’t go wrong with her.
oh these look good. I just looked at the Bird and the Sword. Wow. Thanks !
Oops, what I meant was Magpie Murders.
Patrick Rothfuss. In the fantasy genre – an amazing storyteller.
Excellent. I always like having new Authors. Thanks so much! I will see what he has written. Cheers
Sorry – I need to get pack ups ready for kids. Thanks for the suggestions – I will be going through them all later. I REALLY do appreciate all of them. It has put a huge smile on my face this morning seeing all of the wonderful suggestions you are all making. I feel excited to read them. I just don’t know which one I will read first! 🙂
I haven’t had time to look through all the comments yet to see if this has been suggested yet. I just wonder if you could do with a break from reading? Maybe something in you wants to connect to life in a different way? Maybe just a different art form like music for awhile. I give up reading sometimes to clear my “palette”. I return with renewed interest from taking small breaks. Good luck whatever you choose.
I really like the idea. I just don’t honestly know if I can…. However, when I do my volunteer work with animals, I am so happy and content, so perhaps shift my focus more on those sort of things. Thanks for the comment. Much appreciated!
Dont worry, we all go through times like this. I promise you will find the right book! <3
Thank you. You’re very sweet!
Anytime xoxo
Be patient with yourself. It’ll come back to you. ?
Dark Matter
Exactly what I was going to suggest. What a ride, eh!?
Looooove this book. Great choice! Have you found anything else similar to this?
Oh that sounds good. I really like the Bourne Identity and books like that, so this sounds great. Thank you!
@Monica no but I would love to.
Did you ever read Dorothy Gilman? The Mrs. Pollifax series is great. Read in order starting with The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax.
No, I haven’t discovered her until now! 🙂 Thank you. I will add that series to my list. Thank you!
Reading The Woods by Harlan Coben. Totally drawn in, can’t put it down.
Oh I love his books. He is one of the only Authors where I have to buy on the day it is released. I read them in a day or two as I quite literally can’t put them down. The only ones I wasn’t as keen on were the Mickey Bolitar ones. All of the others, I absolutely love. Enjoy the book. 🙂
Jasper Fforde’s books: the Thursday Next series sounds great for you
I second that, along with his other series of Jack Spratt and Shades of Grey (no, not 50 Shades! ?).
Oh I had forgotten about him. A friend of mine read the Eyre Affair. I will add him. I just saw he has one called the Last Dragon slayer too, so I will add both of those. Thanks to both of you!
Can’t believe no one has suggested Terry Brooks!! Love his fantasy collection, The Sword of Shannara. Read then when I was a teenager and both of my boys read them. They are timeless for their good vs. evil theme, and great characters with amazing adventures.
The first thing I see when I google this is “Elves, Dragons, Magic, Gods, and Man.” SOLD! 🙂 Sounds amazing!
Such great books that have withstood the rest of time. He has a couple of series, but Shannara is my favorite.
If you like the classics like Jane Austen, have you tried the Brontes?
Yes, I have. Lovely books aren’t they? 🙂
@Rebecca Yes, among my favorites. Right now I’m reading Mr. Rochester by Sarah Shoemaker. She imagines his life from the time he was a young child. If you liked Jane Eyre, you might find it fun. I’m not finished, but I’m enjoying it.
Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie series, starting with Case Histories.
That sounds like there are lots of twists and turns. Thank you!
Have you tried Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn? Quick, funny and light, but if you’re looking you can see darker undertones of living under unreasonable dictatorships.
Sounds interesting. I will check that out. Thanks
Have you tried Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn? Quick, funny and light, but if you’re looking you can see darker undertones of living under unreasonable dictatorships.
How do you feel about magical realism aka early Alice Hoffman?
I just looked some up and they sound charming. Added to my list. Thanks!
I would recommend you Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson. It had got everything I need and it will help you too.
I have never read this, but I will look it up. Thank you!
The Night Circus is a good one!
Sounds really cool. Thank you! 🙂
You might like the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher.
These sound really good. Thanks so much!
May be.. try knitting for a while.. or read some of Danielle steel books. I read them as a breather between the two engaging books.
I have tried knitting before and I have to admit that I was useless. 🙂 Perhaps I can try breather books as you suggest though. Thanks!
Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay! I say the best single volume historical fantasy book written!! ( Kay was enlisted to help edit the Simarillian if that tells you something about him!)
Oh I like the sound of this. Thank you!
@Rebecca You’re in for a treat if you like it, because he is a prolific writter!
Yikes. If I am getting stale on some of my authors, I go to a book store where the employees recommend books and authors, and just branch out with experiments. And I don’t force myself to finish!
I am living in a place where English isn’t the first language, so I have to order online, otherwise I would do the same. Whenever I find any English book shops though, I am in heaven! 🙂 Yes, I stopped forcing myself to finish too.
I use Amazon for my experiments, they have free samples of most books. The rest of my experiments are used book stores (which doesn’t sound like an option for you, sadly)
One other point, I am usually reading 3-4 books at a time, sometimes I seem to prefer non fiction, or adventure, or travel, or spiritual, or etc…. It really helps to keep my interest going, I never know where I will explore next.
What about medieval murder mysteries?..try out the Brother Cadfael series by Ellis Peters.. I’ve been devouring Middle Ages mystery books since then!
I just looked it up and it said “Before CSI and Law & Order, there was Brother Cadfael”. 🙂 Sounds amazing!
Thanks to all of you, I now have 5 pages full of recommendations. Thank you SO much. I can’t wait to read them all. I just have to decide which one will come first 🙂
Queen of the Tearling series.
Sounds great. Thanks for this. 🙂
Recently, I’ve been engrossed in The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. I’m only half way through but I love it already. It’s such a beautifully written book. I can hardly put to down. They way she tells this story it’s gorgeous, precious, and captivating.
It sounds great. I will be adding that to my completely awesome list of books to read! 🙂 Thank you!
Enjoy!
@Brianna oh I think I will for sure. The synopsis sounds amazing! 🙂
@Rebecca, I picked it up because I came across the author’s newest book, Circe, and I’m really eager to read it. But then The Song of Achilles was on sale for $2. I took it as a sign to read it 1st. So happy I did!
@Brianna oh I love a bargain! ? thanks for this
@Brianna I was a little worried when I got it on my nook, but have heard positive things. Just starting A Prayer for Owen Meany now and will read that after. Is Song of Achilles recommended to read after Circe?
If you like books with dragons and magic read The Thirteenth Child series… They are really great books.
Oh that sounds intriguing. Thank you!
Currently reading “Mrs. Fletcher.” What a hoot! Reading super fast.
That does sound funny 🙂 Thank you!
Check out Read It Forward’s The Book Apothecary section. It’ll generate a book prescription for you.
oh that’s cool. Cheers!
Last year’s favorites were “News of the World” by Paulette Jiles and “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman. And I’m currently in the middle of Louise Penny’s Three Pines series featuring Chief Inspector Gamache. This series is set in Canada and most of the plots take place in a small village, populated by very interesting and varied personalities. Besides what I would call “gentle” murder mysteries, if there can be such a thing, each book develops that characters further and the reader becomes quite attached to them. And, if you like fantasy, then I would recommend Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” series (“The Golden Compass”, etc.) For me, not being able to read at all is sometimes a sign of depression. This may or may not apply to you, but take it for what it’s worth and I wish you a return to good reading!
Thank you for taking the time to write all of this. I will add these books to my list.
Louise Penny is wonderful. How about Michael Palmer? He wrote medical thrillers…and was really a doctor.
I haven’t tried either, so I will check them both out. Thanks for the suggestions!
Some of the books I just finished are Pretty Girls , and I’m on the last book of The Lying Game series. The Lying Game is YA but it is amazing. I’m also currently reading My Sisters Keeper. I’m only about 80 pages and love it. I was warned it is sad though. The first Game of Thrones book was amazing as well. I hope you don’t something cool to read soon.
Yes, Jodi Picoult has me sobbing with every book she writes. I have read about 3 or 4. They are completely gut wrenching, but compelling. I will add the Lying Game. I really like YA. Thank you for the tip!
The Wayward Pines series by Blake Crouch absolutely loved them
oh excellent. That sounds great
How about the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett? They are fantasy with a sense of humor, and it’s a long enough series that you won’t feel left wanting more.
I have read a few of his, but never this series. Sounds great. Thank you!
I liked “The Paper Magician” series. Fantasy and fun reading!
Love the sound of it. Thank you!
Have you lost yourself in Louise Penny’s Armand Gamache series? Start with Still Life and read in order.
I just heard about these and downloaded the first three. Hear nothing but good reviews.
That sounds great with all of the twists and turns. Thank you!
Deverry series by Katharine Kerr. Start with Daggerspell…
Thanks. I appreciate the suggestion! 🙂
Have you read any books that were written in the early 1900’s? I came across a collection of old books that my father had and decided to read them, knowing they were not like the books I usually read. I now count A. J. Cronin as one of my favorite authors. Here are a few of his stories – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25513058-the-keys-of-the-kingdom https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2398517.The_Stars_Look_Down https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/634757.Hatter_s_Castle
No I haven’t read anything from that time period, but based on what you have said, I would like to give them a go. Thanks for the idea! 🙂
You need to read a romance – that helped me when I had the same problem you are describing. If you have a Kindle I recommend Neanderthal Seeks Human (Knitting in the City Book 1) by Penny Reid. It is fun and easy and you may want to read all her books after.
Yes, I have a kindle. I will add that to my device. I haven’t really ever read romance, but it would be nice to have an easy, feel good book! 🙂 Thanks!
Rebecca TheBob read Beyond the Pale by E J Wood. Romantic, funny, erotic, scary, horrifying and fantastic @www.facebook.com/authorejwood
Thank you. It sounds like many books in one ?
Anne McCaffery’s Dragonriders of Pern series
Love Dragonriders, especially the ones having to do with the original characters and Jaxom and Ruth.
Sounds like just what I need. Thank you
Make sure you start with the original trilogy — Dragonflight, Dragonquest, and The White Dragon.
@Robin thank you for the tip. Will get Dragonflight first ? all the best
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Love the title. I will look it up. Thank you!
For twists and turns, “The Kind Worth Killing” really drew me right in and kept it going.
Is it really scary? I will check it out. Thank you!
The Ink Trilogy maybe? Or The City of Dreaming Books, I liked both a lot and they might fit your taste.
I loved the Ink Heart book set. Is that what you mean? I will look at the City of Dreaming. Such a lovely title. Thanks
Rebecca TheBob yes this is it, sorry I’m German so I know the German titles 🙂
City of Dreaming Books is great, but so are most of those from Walter Moers, if you haven’t discovered him yet, I hope you’ll enjoy!
I have gone through the same thing — losing interest in reading. Mild depression (as @Vona mentioned) has often been the cause, though it took me several years to figure it out. However, sometimes it’s just stress and weariness.
I’ve often found rereading old favorites very helpful, mostly because are they comforting and familiar. I’ll also find some genre of cotton candy books or fanfiction that I like and read a bunch of those. (Cotton candy books are those books that might have no nutritional value, but you enjoy them anyway. Someone in the club used this term and I acquired it as I thought it was perfect.)
Again, speaking as someone who’s been there, losing interest in reading can be concerning, but don’t stress about it too much or put pressure on yourself to find just the right book to kick-start it. Your love of reading may be dormant, but will bloom again.
Try A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg, not cotton candy more really good chocolate! A heartwarming read
@Angela sounds lovely. Thank you . Cheers
Yes, anything by Fannie Flagg is good for the soul!
I love Book Bub and enjoy looking at the weekly recommendations. Through Book Bub I found sci-fi short story collections that I really enjoy.
Have u read miss peregrines Home for peculiar children. I read all three and we’re all pretty good ready especially if u like fantasy’s and magical type books
How about the Game of Thrones series?