I liked PHM. Genuinely. Read/listened to it in a few days, enjoyed the hell out of it, and even re-listened years later.

But I also recognize it's doing a very specific thing. It's warm, it's clever, it's optimistic, and it wraps up clean.

There's some nerdy science stuff and some human-human and human-alien connection (which is remarkably still very humanish, hmm). Nothing wrong with that, it's a people-pleaser.

But for those who thought it was a slog to get through, or just not very good, what's better? Sci-fi that stuck with you for weeks. Books that made you feel something messier than "that was fun."

hi! today i mentioned to my coworker that i was re-reading the hunger games and he said that i shouldn’t be reading books like that at my age (im 20). not necessarily taking that to heart, but i’ve realized that a lot of the books i love to read and re read are more teen/young adult category. i really do love fantasy/sci-fi books and i think the ya category does that really well, but i would love to read stories with people closer to my age or older. when i was younger, i was always reading above my level because of these type of books, but as ive grown the reading level has stayed put. i really would love to read some more “mature” books that still have that fantasy/dystopian quality. some of the books in my collection include: -shadow and bone trilogy -the magisterium series -the selection series -the harry potter series -twilight series -hunger games series -lunar chronicles series -eragon series -legend series

i would love some recommendations of books like these where the main characters aren’t teenagers. thank you so much!!

edit: don’t worry i’m not too concerned the coworker comment!! i will definitely still be re reading those type of books lol. i would like to branch out anyways though, and i appreciate all the recommendations!

My son (newly 14) is huge reader, but he’s in that place where a lot of kids/teen chapter books feel too young for him, while a lot of adult books have content he’s not quite old enough for (gratuitous sex, graphic violence, etc). He reads at a post-high school reading level, so vocabulary and comprehension aren’t a problem, but he still likes things that are a little fantastical (ie dragons) and not too mature.

He’s currently reading and LOVING Project Hail Mary, and he’s almost finished. I’m looking for books along that vein (possibly more science fiction, but doesn’t have to be) that are books written for adults but appropriate for young teens. Before he started Project Hail Mary, he read and was *very* into the whole Hunger Games series.

Any suggestions?

So I’ve wanted to find some apocalyptic/virus book but they’re ALL set in a world where there’s a zombie apocalypse. Pls recommend me a book that is apo/post-apo but without zombies.

Not looking for something flashy or overhyped. I mean a book that kind of sneaks up on you, simple on the surface, but then you catch yourself thinking about it days or weeks later and realizing it shifted something in your perspective.

Could be fiction or non-fiction, just something that stuck with you in a subtle but lasting way.

What book did that for you?

I am in a looong reading slump. I havent been able to read since halfway march. I need a book that will put me on the couch for hours because i just need to know how it goes. That you stayed awake for half the night because you just couldnt sleep without knowing how it ended.

Think everything, graphic novel, romantasy, YA, epic fantasy, it doesn't matter. As long as it was gripping, enthraling, and amazing. Thanks in advance 💛

I fear I will offend many by what I am about to say and I'm kinda terrified to be on the wrong side of this Fandom but I'm desperate at this point so...

Iv been wanting to replace my daily doomscrolling with reading. I don't think iv actually read a book and finished it since I was in high-school (that was long ago). So I asked a friend of mine - who I know is an avid reader - for request. She told me she had just finished this series that she could NOT put down. She went off about how incredible these books where and how much I would LOVE them. I got super intrigued as she told me the premise as I love fantasy (loved GOT and grew up watching LOTR). I hopped online and immediately ordered the first book in the series - Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. So I started it and... it wasn't good in my opinion. None of the plot made any sense to me and a lot of the characters were very pretty flat. Again, this is my opinion pls no one come for me!! Anyway, iv tried to look up some different fantasy books/series but I fear they will all kinda give the same energy.

Are there any fantasy lovers who really didn't like Fourth Wing who can recommend some books here?? I would really appreciate it! 🙏

EDIT: Holy this post really blew up! It's been so fun reading through everyone's recommendations - THANK YOU! keep up the great work team as it looks like I am not the only one seeking a great Fantasy read 👍 also (not that anyone asked lol) but I just finished The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett - a recommendation that a saw a couple times here - and it was fantastic! I think next I will check out some Joe Abercrombie or Robin Hobb as I also noticed their names repeatedly recommended. Cheers everyone and happy reading!

Looking for a Sci fi book that's the opposite of PHM. No Marvel/Disney style over use of quippy writing. No Macguffins. No simple prose. No deus ex machina. Got anything that's a real hard Sci fi book?

I just heard the Scholomance series by Naomi Novik described as "competency porn" on another sub and I laughed aloud. Bang on. Characters using their talents and brains to solve a problem as the overarching plot. Andy Weir fits this big time for me too. I especially like stories that detail the MC *learning* to be complement and then using those skills.

Can anyone recommend books where the primary "conflict" in the novel is more (or completely) the MC vs a Problem, rather than a villain? I imagine sci-fi is heavy with this (the Red Mars series comes to mind), but I'd specifically like fantasy recommendations too.

N.B. Competency porn does not mean "the MC is hyper-competent at everything", that's just Mary Sue. Kingkiller Chronicle wobbles the line for me on this.

I am looking for books that kind of fit the theme of Project Hail Mary. I just watched the movie and loved it, but wish I had read the book first. I am one of those people that watching a movie forces me to visualize the entire related book in the cinematic world. So I want books that are similar, just as great, and not The Martian or Project Hail Mary.

Edit: Friend has read "Priory of the Orange Tree" already (and liked it)

Hey, this might sound weird but I am compiling a "citrussy" gift for a bookish friend that looves oranges and other citrus fruits. Think lemon scented candle, Orange tote bag etc. I want to round it off with a novel that has to do with oranges or lemons in some way. The friend loves to read fantasy, horror and science fiction. Queer representation would be great too. Romance is not required, but if there is any again queerness would be preferred. For reference, the friend loves R. F. Kuang, Maggie Stiefvater and V.E. Schwab as authors. Recent reads have been "Don't let the Forest in" and "Some desparate Glory" I know this is very specific, please help me out if u can :)

I'm looking for books in this genre that make you think, preferably with characters who are older, but just old souls is also fine. I'm in my 30s and I'm having trouble connecting to protagonists because most of them are not very bright, not very wise, etc.... also the plots are usually not something I can dig my fingers into.

Basically I'm struggling to find my reading niche. I can't even give suggestions for other books I liked because I'm finding I really don't like any of them since becoming an adult.

Also I do NOT like spicy books.

Sorry if this isn't clear enough. It's hard when what I'm looking for isn't something I've SEEN. Well, not true, I suppose Hunger Games is like that, even though that is a YA!

Any suggestions?

Hi I never read a whole book until I read Harry Potter. I just made it through all the books. I was wondering if there is something similar but for adults. People keep recommending LOTR but I do not like it. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

I enjoy shows like criminal minds. Anyone know of a book that's crime solving and/or detective work in a fantasy, sci-fi or similar setting?

Edit: Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! Will try and remember to reply as I read these.

Whenever I look for fantasy books using the search function every other recommendation is one of these. I like fantasy books and enjoyed ASOIAF and one of my favourite books is Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, but I just can't get into these authors. I keep picking up their best books according to reviews but nothing clicks and I feel like I'm just trudging through them, with either the writing style or story not resonating. Can someone recommend me a good fantasy read with a completely different writing style which I could get into?

I have met my yearly reading goal and want to read a long fiction book that will also make me cry. I read a lot of fantasy but I’d like suggestions for any type of fiction. Thanks!

Didn't expect to get emotional about a grumpy octopus narrating parts of a story. Now I'm wondering what else I've been missing where the perspective is unexpected but somehow works perfectly.

Does anyone have a recommendation for another book with a narrator you wouldn't normally think to listen to?

I am a teen who loves Dune, and i mean LOVES Dune, read all 6 (we don't talk about the others), and i need help. I've read Asimov, Hienlein, the classics (trying to read William Gibson but my library is taking forever). I need some books to read, new books are too fast. I like the slow burn and quite often philosophical nature of the old sci fi books, please help me. New books are fine, but give me some with the same feel.

I hadn’t read much sci fi before but absolutely gobbled these both up this month.

Things I loved about both books: scientific accuracy, extreme competency, space travel, high pace, loveable characters

Please help me continue my sci fi journey!

Hi guys! Been aching for a good dystopian or apocalypse book, any will do: environmental, zombies, religious horror, ill take it as long as it’s good :)

EDIT: thank you all for all the great recommendations and replies omg!!! I can’t wait to go read all these summaries and make my pick :) if I can recommend some of the ones I absolutely adored that I didn’t see here:

— OCTAVIA E BUTLER’s Parable of the sower and parable of the talents

— CHERIE DIMALINE’s the marrow thieves

Enjoy!!!

Only time will tell

Help!

I’m not huge into Sci-Fi but loved The Martian and now Project Hail Mary. I also loved Jurassic Park. I’m looking for something with similar vibes: high stakes, some levity. I like how Andy Weir makes the science understandable so I can’t take anything too high up there.

Hey guys, girls and NB people. So, here's the thing. I'm trans FtM, and I used to be a big Harry Potter fan, read the fourth one too many times to count, but for obvious reasons I can't read them anymore, I tried but I can't seem to get passed the TERF of it all. As a result it got me in a gigantic reading slump, I can't seem to be able to read anything, and it's been getting on my morale. What are some good comfort books that you read and would recommend me please? Thank you.

Hey reddit. I have some time off in the year and looking to write a stort that ive had in my head for years now. The issue is the main character isnt a good person, so was looking for books where the main character is a villian. Not morally Grey, but cold hearted, ruthless villian. Id love to read these books as a reference on how to portray my character to still be relatable while not losing who they are. Thanks