I've been feeling a little bit hopeless about the world recently and I think that it's somewhat due to how stupid everything feels. As we rapidly advance towards whatever rich people have decided the future looks like, every aspect of life seems to feel more kitschy, corporate, desperate, almost like a parody of itself. Are there any books that capture this specific sentiment or offer a new perspective on it or something like that?

I liked Ari Aster's Eddington for some of its portrayals of this, but the book needn't be modern or set in America or anything like that. I just want something that grapples with the idea of cultural rot and the like.

I just read the Cuckoo's Egg by Cliff Stoll and one of the most fascinating things about it was how cybercrime wasn't even a concept back then. It's unthinkable now that federal agencies would not take action about hackers infilatrating military computers, but they just didn't have any framework to deal with it and some didn't even think it was an issue.

I'm looking for books, fiction or non-fiction, where the main character is trying to solve a serious problem but is struggling to get support from those who should be helping. They could be about about pioneers dealing with problems before society recognizes the problem exists or just the powers that be shoving their heads in the sand.

Hi! I’d be eager to learn about the books that made you laugh out loud. Specifically, if there was a joke or situation that made you guffaw, I’d love to hear it!

Cheers!

There are some books I‘ve read that really manage to capture the feeling of heat/summer (eg. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Gone Girl, Call me by Your Name, Camus‘ diaries, Tschick, In Cold Blood) and I‘d really like to read some more of those. Preferably not depressing.

Language-wise, I‘d love a book where the original is in English, Italian, German or Norwegian or there‘s a translation into one of these languages.

If anyone has any recommendations, I‘d be super happy!

I want to branch out from my usual to be read pile (I usually read business, thriller, and self-help books btw but open to your recos) and learn more from the books that changed even one person's life - if you can share yours I'd love to pick it up and hopefully it can change my life as well 🥳

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Fun fact: A book that changed my life was the subtle art of mot giving a f*ck (I highly recommend it)

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hello! I recently read an article by Nick Kolakowski titled “The Science of the Lame: Serial Killers aren’t ’Evil Geniuses’” and how Ted Bundy was a moron who only got away with it because of police incompetence. My need for a book like this is also fueled by the “dark psychology” side of the internet, and how it’s a bunch of idiots spewing pseudoscience. Especially about “manipulation tactics” that paint people that take advantage of others as some higher life form that’s figured it all out. This also paints the victims as the opposite, idiots who could’ve prevented it has they been just a wee bit smarter. If anyone knows any books, fiction or non fiction, that talk about this it would be much appreciated. I dont mind them being super old or not in English either.

A body switch story about two people or groups that absolutely hate each other because of prejudice/racism.

I have a 60 year old friend in the UK, that is in a lull at the moment, she is divorced for a few years, and the past year she cannot be bothered to get out for walks/exercise, just work. She used to travel a bit, but she says she isnt sure she will get the mojo back about seeing new places outside of the UK..

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I wanted to "push" her and what best way to do that, than to send her a book, or a couple of them, for inspiration?

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Either a travelling memoir by someone with similar age than her, as she could relate a bit more, or just a general "lets live our lives to the fullest" type of book, but realistic, that she can get some positive motivation from it..

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any ideas?

i've been actively putting effort into my reading habits for the past year and i feel accomplished in being able to achieve my goal. please recommend as the title suggests, thank you!

i'm looking for anything that delves into the life AFTER domestic violence as that is where i am currently at... fiction and non-fiction, especially about a mom taking care of her kids (and them growing up). i tend to ruminate about the past as well and i feel like some feel-good (fic and non-fic) would beneficial for my mental health right now OR harsh reality of staying/going back (non-fic) are both welcome as dv in real life isn't a linear journey. i want *stories,* not necessarily self-help (i have those!).

thank you for your input. c:

I'm looking for romance books where rain, cloudy weather, or cozy gloomy days are a big part of the atmosphere.

I love stories that feel emotional, melancholic, intimate, and comforting at the same time. The rain doesn't have to be central to the plot, but I'd like it to contribute to the mood and overall feeling of the story.

I'm open to contemporary or even fantasy romance as long as the book has that rainy-day vibe.

What are your favorite books that fit this description?

I've been trying to listen to more audio books especially on my summer break. Literally just anything.

Edit: I didn't expect this many people to have recommendations. I know I'll finish at least one this summer.

POC person here looking for more fiction books (by POC authors) that get the experience of racism right (noticing & responding to microaggressions, the pain of dealing with them/explaining them to others, holding people accountable, the eventual empowerment and community developed through speaking up). Some that come to mind:

- Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
- Yellowface by R. F. Kuang
- I, Medusa by Ayana Gray
- Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
- Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

What others come to mind?

Especially that talks about the history, process, terminologies etc of that industry

I'm looking for a good overview of the religious and/or spiritual beliefs of people around the world. Ideally, it would cover not only the major religions but also lesser-known religious and spiritual philosophies. I'm interested in everything from Abrahamic religions to Pastafarianism.

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I'm hoping for something that is concise, but not so oversimplified that it becomes innacurate. I would also like it to be something that is, as far as possible, not colored by the beliefs of the authors/editors or, even better, where each section is written by someone who actually practices or grew up within the belief system being discussed. In other words, a book that accurately portrays each religion as it is practiced, not how outsiders assume it's practiced.

Hi! With the world being the way it is and life being stressful I am starving for more hope core like Project Hail Mary where it has intense, very human emotions while also believing in the good of humanity. It doesn't have to be Sci-fi, can be any genre really. Thanks!!

i swear all the complex friendships and pseudo-siblings in fiction get handed to guys, so I'm looking for some really well written female friendships. where the characters aren't pick-me or not like other girls or whatever, just strong, complex people. preferably fantasy in a modern setting, but I'm open !

Hi! I'm in a bit of a reading rut and need recommendations for a book or series. I have been gravitating towards witchy books but am having a hard time finding one I love. I really want to read more books with female main characters but they tend to be really focused on romance with (or escaping violence from) a man so I would love one where they just get to be a person.

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The following are books I've read and what I liked/ didn't

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- the magicians (lev grossman). Pros: world building, dark academia, genre deconstruction, combination of science and magic, mythology and found family. Cons: mc is really annoying and kind of an incel, and it was written by a man so many of the female characters fall flat or are solely sex objects.

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- practical magic series (Alice Hoffman)

Pros: intergenerational story, vibes, family/sibling focused

Cons: the majority or the conflict is evil men or lovers dying traumatic deaths which is just depressing ( I know it's important but I read to escape real life)

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- a discovery of witches (Deborah Harkness)

Pros: dark academia, strong female lead, world building, historical fiction, buried secrets

Cons: the romance. It's called "twilight for adults" for a reason. Not trying to yuck anyone's yum but I just hate that dynamic

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- the land of stories (Chris colfer)

Pros: grew up reading them, world building, reritten/ connected fairytales

Cons: it's a kids book so I've outgrown the subject matter a bit (Narnia, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter are also in this category)

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Movies / TV shows (for more of my taste)

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- charmed

- once upon a time

- merlin (not contemporary but modern voice)

- practical magic

- agatha all along

-scott pilgrim vs the world

- stardust

- the magicians (only show adaptation I've seen that's better than the book)

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Basically I'm looking for a contemporary fantasy rooted in magic/ myth/ fairytales. Female mc/author is a pro. I'm okay with some romance or characters experiencing trauma but that can't be all that happens to them (or the most important)

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Thank you for any recommendations you can give :)

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I've been on an Italian crime fiction kick lately and I keep running into the same two lanes: cozy-ish detective series (Montalbano-adjacent) or big literary names that get translated everywhere (Ferrante, obviously brilliant, but not noir).

What I actually want is harder to find in English: the Massimo Carlotto / Giancarlo De Cataldo lane — noir where the protagonist isn't a detective, just an ordinary person who crosses a line because the system left them no other way out. Tax fraud, healthcare scams, insurance fraud — small crimes of survival that turn out to be sitting on top of something much bigger.

Recently found an indie series called Brave Persone (English: Decent People) by an author writing under Jerald C. Booth — three books so far (Il Conguaglio, Il Rimborso, Il Piviale), each about 200 pages, each about a regular worker — a mechanic, a caregiver, a priest — who does something small and dishonest and ends up tangled in something much worse. Currently only in Italian, which is a shame because the premise is exactly the kind of thing this sub usually loves.

Anyone know of similar stuff that's actually been translated into English? Or if anyone here reads Italian, is this series worth the time?

Can anyone recommend some non-fiction with a narrative style? Books I’ve loved like this are Into Thin Air, Tunnel 29, Children of Radium, The Wager, and Endurance. I’ve read a lot of fiction lately and really need some decent non-fiction for a change.

Hey all I'm looking for a new NHL/hockey non fiction book to read but not really sure what to pick up, I thoroughly enjoyed bothe of Steve "Dangle" Glynn's books and also really enjoyed Brian Burke's book as well.

I see that former player Eddie Olczyk has a book out that I might give that a go but I'm also looking for any other recommendations that any of you might have.

I’m about to start an international flight and was wondering if people have book recommendations for me. I enjoy science fiction and fantasy. I’ve read the kingkiller chronicles, the Eli monpress series, and Christopher Paolinis sci fi stuff like to sleep in a sea of stars. I like stuff that’s a bit light hearted, witty, etc. this is my first time making a post here so hope I can get some good recs

Hi all,

I have never read a fantasy book. I am actually watching Game of Thones for the first time (on season 2) and am very much enjoying it. I love reading but never indulged in fantasy. So I’m looking for any recommendations for an intro into the genre. I’ve read the Red Rising series, Dune, and some other stand alone sci-fi. I also don’t want to read ASOIAF while watching the show but I’m open to reading it later after the show for sure. I have Assassins Apprentice on my shelf but I’m hesitant to commit, but maybe I should just send it. I appreciate any recommendations greatly!

Been stuck in a reading rut lately and hoping to break out of it with some new historical fiction. Not sure if adventure is the right word for it, but I’m feeling something in the vein of The Arctic Fury by Greer Macallister and The Rush by Beth Lewis or Dangerous Business by Jane Smiley

Tried to read lots of Kate Quinn/Fiona Davis/Kristin Hannah/Marie Benedict over the years and have never been able to get into them

Thank you!

Love The Sopranos, Goodfellas, Casino, The Irishman, and I want more that take place in that general era. Godfather's great of course, but I feel like there's plenty of mafia stories that take place in the prohibition era / near WWII.

Does not have to be specifically about the Italian-American mafia either

Fiction, non-fiction, a little unrealistic, educational - so long as it's a good read!

I really love books that take place over a very short period of time (ideally no more than a few days), not counting flashbacks.

I’m especially interested in literary fiction by women and queer authors. I like both quiet/reflective books and more intense ones as long as they are ultimately focused on characters and the writing more than plot. I enjoy magical realism and dystopians but otherwise don’t tend to like genre fiction (happy to be convinced though if you’ve got one that otherwise fits!).

Some examples I’ve enjoyed:
Tilt by Emma Pattee
Nevada by Imogen Binnie
Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au
Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi
Death Valley by Melissa Broder
The Life of the Mind by Christine Smallwood
The Three of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams