Any fiction suggestions for a somewhat picky reader? The Expanse lasted me a long while but I’m finishing up the novellas now and need to start looking for something new. Not necessarily in the same genre.

I don’t have a lot of books under my belt as an adult, but some of my favorites have been Stoner by John Williams, Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, East of Eden, Catch 22, Flowers for Algernon, and Harry Potter. Kind of all over the place I guess. 😅

I’ve also enjoyed John Williams’ other novels, Piranesi, The Things They Carried, House of Leaves, and Ender’s Game and the sequel.

Some books I didn’t really care for include Hitchhiker’s Guide (although I loved the first half), Lolita, Sharp Objects, Turtles All the Way Down, The Stand, The Road, 1984, and Fahrenheit 451.

I’m always overwhelmed trying to find something new, so thanks for any suggestions!

EDIT: Thank you all! It’ll be a bit daunting exploring all these new books but not nearly as daunting as if I had no guidance, so I really appreciate it!

  • LerajeEnglish
    9•6 months ago

    1. The Aubrey/Maturin series. Now you might think you’d hate a series of 20 novels set in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars because when I finally gave in to my friends constant pressure to read them, so did I. I was wrong, they are brilliant. Very well written and often very, very funny. The movie Master & Commander is based on two or three of them. It’s like if Star Trek was set in the 19th century and on an actual ship.

    2. The Wolf Hall trilogy. Everyone thinks they know the story of Anne Boleyn and Henry, but this trilogy is unique - set from Cromwell’s perspective.

    3. Farseer trilogy. Fantasy fiction done right.

      • LerajeEnglish
        3•6 months ago

        Bumpers, no heel taps!

    • @qualifier982@lemmy.worldOP
      3•6 months ago

      Haha, well you’re right, the setting of the Aubrey series does not sound like my cup of tea, but you’ve convinced me!

      • LerajeEnglish
        3•6 months ago

        I think it’s because, like all good escapist fiction, the setting plays a part but it’s the people you remember. On the surface they’re novels about the Royal Navy but really, like Star Trek, they’re novels about friendship and people.