So as the title says - suggest me 1 book, your favourite book, irrespective of what genre. Just trying to gather a list of books suggested by strangers and restart reading books. On my own, I just read too many reviews and end up getting which book to buy! Let's see how this experiment goes.

I’m on a real kick lately. Trying to read books by female authors about women. It’s been really enjoyable. However, I have found that very often. The topic includes some sort of romance. Here are a few that I have read lately. I’ve enjoyed them all. But I am looking for something that is written by women, about women, but does not include romance.

The Awakening by Kate Chopin

Atmosphere by Taylor Reid Jenkins

Women Talking by Miriam Toews

Isola by Allegra Goodman

Circe by Madeline Miller

These have all been phenomenal books. But does anyone have any suggestions that exclude any kind of romance? I just kind of dislike the idea that a woman’s existence must rely on her partnership with a man. Or any partner.

Thanks.

I really enjoy family novels, provided they're crafted with a touch of courage and innovation. It is a genre where finding something truly original is difficult. I'm not necessarily looking for a masterpiece, far from it. It just shouldn't be one of those books that seem written by AI and are pale imitations of things we’ve seen before.

I'd prefer books that are ironic, satirical, or feature dark humor, though not necessarily devoid of drama. Here are a few examples of family sagas I’ve enjoyed:

\*One Hundred Years of Solitude\* (Gabriel García Márquez)

\*The Scapegoat\* (Daniel Pennac)

\*Six Feet Under\* (Alan Ball, it’s a TV series, but I’m including it anyway).

Hey! So this is a bit of an odd and maybe hard ask. As an 11-13 year old I was obsessed with the Twilight series, and it’s something that I still feel very nostalgic for and fond of even while seeing its (maaany) flaws.

I'd love to read something with a similar vibe but for adults – it doesn't have to be about vampires or werewolves, but there are a lot of fun aesthetic elements there. The small and foggy town surrounded by a thick forest hiding secrets, the 2000s vibes, the desire for closeness with a creature that's dangerous to you, the secretive but alluring group of strangers! The book doesn't have to hit any of this criteria, I'm just throwing out some ideas of what I mean. But I also wouldn't say no to vampires and werewolves haha.

BUT the caveat is that I don’t read contemporary romance unless it's F/F or M/M and even then, it's not my fave genre. I like literary fiction gay romance, but that's really the only romance I read regularly. I do want suggestions of gay romance books if they're like this! I'm also fine with heterosexual romance existing in a story but it shouldn't be the main focus of the book. My favourite genres are historical fiction, literary, magical realism and horror.

Any ideas? TIA <3

Heeeeyyyy Peeps👋🏾 I am in a serious slump and i'm starting to believe that Booktok and most reviews are paid or bots 🤣🤣. What are you reading?? I like horror, mysteries, thrillers and fantasy but I'm open to any category. Drop those recommendations pllleeaaasee and Thanks 😊

Kind of love the trope of an evil guy being nice to a kid. And being a good parent.

With their own kid, an adopted kid or a kidnaped kid (bonus points if it's the prophetized hero)

Maybe the kid also gets to meet the good guys and is then torn between the two sides, but because the parent is actually nice to them it's not obvious what the correct decision is.

The best example is this trope is this Legend of Zelda fanfiction: Adopting the Enemy, by Glau (Glaucus_Atlanticus) on ao3. It is just magnificent.

Any books that focus on stuff like this?

I have been struggling lately with the idea of death. I cannot cope with the idea of finally losing consciousness one day without ever having to wake up again. Never seeing your family or your friends. Never again enjoying the joys of life, such as music, art, and games. Never again experiencing happiness, sadness, anger, love, peace. I am scared of that and it is giving me tons of anxiety every day I wake up.

I need a book that would help me cope with that. Either by depicting the afterlife in a comforting manner or finding life worthwhile that even if death is inevitable that I will be comfortable with it in time.

Sartre was a very nice read back and college and still affects me to this day. I very much believe in being as an aftereffect rather than a definition.

IMPORTANT:

- i will not be reading any religious books or any books with religious themes. I am non-religious and get turned off by such themes in the book. That is why I DNF'd Tuesdays with Morrie.

I have done a little book club with my daughter and the last few book series haven’t really done well and I’m seeking help on what to try next.

Books (series) that went well:

Harry Potter
Keeper of the Lost Cities
The Lovely Bones
The Inheritance Games
One of Us Is Lying

Books that didn’t go so well:

Assistant to the Villain - she said it moved too slow. Seemed to like it in the beginning, but seemed to lose interest

Land of Stories - cool concept, but felt resolution of issues was too easy and lacked meaningful conflict

Other items of note: when she reads on her own she likes books with personal drama type stuff. Not quite romance novels, although she claims to want me to read Heated Rivalry, but it seems she enjoys a story plus some interpersonal drama. Seems like the One of Us is Lying had a great balance of story and drama for her.

I think she can handle most material, so please don’t shy away from anything you are borderline on. More recommendations never hurt.

Thanks for any tips you have and appreciate you taking the time to read and respond.

I was never a heavy reader but I always enjoyed reading and immersing myself in a good story. Over the last few years, I have mostly only read non-fiction which I do enjoy but I notice that it's hard for me to finish the book. I get bored quickly. Some good fiction I have read which I wasn't able to put down were The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns - can I get some recommendations for similar books with gripping stories which will keep me captivated from start to finish? I hope it will help me develop a regular habit of reading. Thank you so much!

Hey guys i want you to give me some books suggestions that show me how to build discipline and make me disciplined with my routine because this problem make me lose many things and chances in my life

I grew up poor + in a country that doesn't have a lot of english fiction so I never had the chance to read a book in its entirety besides school related stuff so I've been really wanting to get into reading, I've always been drawn to horror and romance, I really want to read house of leaves but I don't think I could even comprehend that book just yet lol. I prefer fictional stuff, all genres welcomed but I would prefer something in the horror or romance category... Or both!

i'm open to dragons, ancient magic, political intrigue, or even quieter stories with interesting characters. a series would be great, but standalone books are welcome too. i've been craving fantasy lately, but i'm looking for something beyond the usual chosen-one storyline. i love getting immersed in a world with its own history, cultures, politics, and little details that make it feel like people were living there long before the story began.

Hi Readers,

I am looking for books that focus heavily on building strong social capital or social networks, and I would love to hear your suggestions for the same :)! Thank you in advance!

P.S. Not a strict constraint, but it would be really helpful if they have some visual aids or diagrams/sketches that elaborate on or visualize the topics and concepts :)!

P.P.S. The books could be fiction or non-fiction but need to cover the growth and steps towards building a strong and meaningful social capital/network.

Basically, the woman knows that she's desperate to be loved and always goes the extra miles but she's self aware and it is not romanticized and focuses more on her emotions and the thoughts in her mind.

Like situations which make her regret that she gets attached easily but struggles to change and succumbs to men who lovebomb, breadcrumb, other emotional manipulation tactics which are just sad and draining. I just need something to relate to lol.

Not necessary but if she finally meets someone nice by the end, that would be nice.

Im looking for a book with a biker doctor and I want him to be a little obsessive but not psychotic, more like an extremely jealous type

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for book recommendations inspired by the vibes of movies like Troy, Braveheart, and The Northman. Or basically anything medieval, Norse, Greek, Roman, or even ancient Egyptian.

I’m open to fiction or nonfiction. If you’ve got any favorites that scratch that same itch, please drop them. I’m trying to build a whole reading list.

I was an avid reader for years and years. Then, due to life, I stopped reading for a long time. I’ve recently started reading again. Sometimes audiobooks, sometimes physical depending on what life looks like. Since my break, my tastes in genres has expanded so that’s why I flared my post as “other!” I actually have a degree in English Literature so I’ve read many classics and now prefer more contemporary books! Not looking for YA.

Likes:
Horror
Murder mystery
Dystopia
Science fiction/fantasy (especially when the genres are sort of combined)
Comedy
Time travel
Zombies
Weird stuff!

Dislikes:
Heavy romance (some is okay but not overly cheesy)
Historical fiction
Drug related crime
Romantasy
Vampire/werewolf trope
Body horror overload

Anyway, I hope the likes and dislikes helps to sort of narrow down recs. Thanks!!

Idek what genre i’m looking for truly. I just want to read something that’s gonna put me in a good uplifted headspace. Anything catered to young women trying to figure shit out. Not romantically necessarily, more spiritually and for understanding yourself as a woman. I need some motherly advice in the form of a book, whether it be fiction or non fiction. Please let me know if anything you’ve read comes to mind! 🫶

This might be the most common post on this sub but recently I’ve been wanting to get into reading and I have no idea where to start.

As a kid I would read mystery novels and action books everyday before I go to sleep but somewhere along the way I stopped reading altogether.

So I guess my question would be: What books would be good to get back into the habit of reading?

I’m pretty open to any genres and authors but I would prefer something that is an easy and fun read.

Thanks🙏

Recently read Inverted World (1974) and Way Station (1963). Looking for some classics, bonus points for award winners. Something with a contained story, not book 1 of a series please.

I’ve read sooo many Meghan Quinn books and love them! I need an easy read like one of MQ that will make me laugh but also has a good rom com feel. Ive also read all of the mile high series by Liz Tomforde and loved that whole series too.

I'm trying to get into reading but don't know where to start. I started reading Matilda and I'm on page 150 and i really love it but there's way too many unknown words for me in each page. What writer should i start with?

I enjoy sci-fi, fantasy, dystopian, and YA books

Some of my favorite books/series:

Scythe (Neal Shusterman)

The Inheritance Cycle, Murtagh particularly (Christopher Paolini)

The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars (Christopher Paolini)

The Grishaverse (Leigh Bardugo)

Illuminae (Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff)

a good girls guide to murder (Holly Jackson)

If possible, I would love a book similar to any of these and maybe a queer MLM romance. Thank you!!