Weekly Recommendation Thread: December 30, 2022

Submitted by AutoModerator t3_zyxtsm in books

Welcome to our weekly recommendation thread! A few years ago now the mod team decided to condense the many "suggest some books" threads into one big mega-thread, in order to consolidate the subreddit and diversify the front page a little. Since then, we have removed suggestion threads and directed their posters to this thread instead. This tradition continues, so let's jump right in!

The Rules

  • Every comment in reply to this self-post must be a request for suggestions.

  • All suggestions made in this thread must be direct replies to other people's requests. Do not post suggestions in reply to this self-post.

  • All unrelated comments will be deleted in the interest of cleanliness.

How to get the best recommendations

The most successful recommendation requests include a description of the kind of book being sought. This might be a particular kind of protagonist, setting, plot, atmosphere, theme, or subject matter. You may be looking for something similar to another book (or film, TV show, game, etc), and examples are great! Just be sure to explain what you liked about them too. Other helpful things to think about are genre, length and reading level.

All Weekly Recommendation Threads are linked below the header throughout the week to guarantee that this thread remains active day-to-day. For those bursting with books that you are hungry to suggest, we've set the suggested sort to new; you may need to set this manually if your app or settings ignores suggested sort.

If this thread has not slaked your desire for tasty book suggestions, we propose that you head on over to the aptly named subreddit /r/suggestmeabook.

  • The Management
10

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

bitch_with_a_w t1_j28dals wrote

I’d love suggestions for suspenseful horror or mystery with a slow build up. Bonus points if there’s excellent character development. Some books I love include The Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson and Pet Sematary, The Shining, Doctor Sleep, and Salem’s Lot by Stephen King.

3

JasonAble t1_j28z98c wrote

I really enjoyed The Terror by Dan Simmons, so you could give that a try if the premise sounds interesting to you. It definitely nails the slow burn suspense/horror elements you mentioned, and I personally loved the survival horror aspects of the novel. Many of the characters were interesting to me but I wouldn't describe character development as a big feature.

Otherwise, Lock Every Door was a fun YAish listen, and more character driven.

I'm also a King fan – if you haven't read The Outsider or The Institute yet, you might like them. The Outsider has more of a true crime bent and The Institute is tonally similar to Doctor Sleep.

4

bitch_with_a_w t1_j2a6rfi wrote

Thanks, I’ll check those out! I actually almost bought The Institute yesterday but I put it back on the shelf because I wasn’t sure. Knowing it has similarities to Doctor Sleep has me convinced.

1

Tayreads608 t1_j2a23nu wrote

This is my go to “if you like Shirley Jackson try one of these” lists

White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi

The Icuras Girl by Helen Oyeyemi

My Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado (memoir about an abusive same sex relationship)

The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter (grotesque, erotic, gothic, feminist fairytales)

The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Mouthful of Birds by Samanta Schweblin

Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh

3

bitch_with_a_w t1_j2a6fvm wrote

Thank you so much! I’ve read The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter and I enjoyed it, so I’m keen to check out your other suggestions.

1

Wealth_and_Taste t1_j2aqr9n wrote

I cannot recommend Rebecca by Du Maurier enough. Not exactly horror or even mystery per say, but it's very unsettling, gothic, atmospheric, psychological, and very much a slow-burn. If you loved Haunting of Hill House, you'll probably love Rebecca. They actually have quite a bit of similarities between them. If Hill House was a gothic romance instead of gothic horror, it would read like Rebecca.

3

bitch_with_a_w t1_j2b0ypy wrote

That sounds like something I’d love. Definitely going to check it out. Thanks!

1

bringtimetravelback t1_j28znjm wrote

looking desperately for as many recommendations that are a blend of high fantasy/horror or sci-fantasy/horror.

can be from any year/decade as long as they are not extremely obvious (popular, acclaimed, prolific culturally among book-people, hopefully you understand this is what i mean by "obvious") suggestions in this vein, i've probably read them.

don't care if they are pulp-fiction tier or extremely polished prose, as long as they are emotionally gripping and immersive. as far as 'type' of horror within the other 2 genres goes, it doesn't matter as long as it elicits strong feelings in the reader, and strong empathy for the characters and their ordeals.

3

XBreaksYFocusGroup t1_j29b11f wrote

The Scar by China Mieville would probably appeal. Reads like Sunless Sea meets Alan Moore.

3

Raineythereader t1_j29wfga wrote

Seconding "The Scar." It's technically a sequel to "Perdido Street Station," but it's not necessary to read one, in order to follow the plot of the other.

1

Wealth_and_Taste t1_j2askqi wrote

High-Rise by J.G. Ballard

Blindness by Jose Saramago

The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells

The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

The Twenty Days of Turin by Giorgio De Maria

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

1

EloeOmoe t1_j29aaot wrote

I have a 9 year old nephew who is at an 11th grade reading level. I bought him Invention of Hugo Cabret for Christmas. He loved it but finished it in a day. I'd like to get him something more challenging but still age appropriate for a 9 year old.

Any recommendations? I'm thinking Darksword Trilogy. Haven't read any Dragonlance stuff in decades but from what I remember that might be in his wheelhouse.

2

XBreaksYFocusGroup t1_j29bd2i wrote

The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud is some of my absolute favorite YA and I read it when I was just a little older than him. Plus, the author is probably going to be doing an AMA here in the new year if he ends up having any questions he wants to ask Stroud.

4

Restimar t1_j29zwh2 wrote

I'd love any recommendations for a good non-fiction primer on science, particularly with a focus on natural history/biology.

It'll be a gift for my partner: They're far smarter than I am, but has some baffling gaps in their knowledge when it comes to science (two examples: they thought penguins were mammals, and that some islands float), and it's something we joke about a bunch.

I'd love to find an authoritative book that is pretty wide-ranging, and gives a solid grounding in a lot of areas, filling in gaps they might not realise they have in their knowledge. A lot of non-fiction science books are either more specialised, or, if broader, focused more at children. Instead, I'm thinking something more in the vein of The Penguin History of the World (strong recommend!) but for science.

They're a voracious reader (typically literary non-fiction and literary fiction), so it's not a problem if it's pretty chunky. Thank you!

2

Not_even_a_writer t1_j2bq7vj wrote

So I'm barely starting to read detective fiction– I only ever read Sherlock Holmes, Father Brown, some Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple –and I recently watched Knives Out, which has a unique take on whodunnit stories by not posing the detective as the protagonist.

Are there stories with unique takes on the whodunnit subgenre? They don't have to be like Knives Out, just have something unique to it, as I'm already a little tired of the stories' standard structure.

2

tyktako t1_j2chaor wrote

try New commer by Keigo Higashino

1

Mcpoopz1064 t1_j2cdbzf wrote

Hey everyone, I recently got a job with a ton of downtime and a lot of people read and I think it's a great opportunity for me to try reading again. It's something I've wanted to try and get into, but I never get around to it when I am home. I haven't read a lot of books, so a lot of the classic genre defining stories I haven't read, like lord of the rings for example. What should be on the top of my list for thrillers, fantasy, and horror books? I feel like those would be the genres I would most enjoy. Just a side question for those that have read the Witcher series. I am a huge fan of the lore after playing the games, and it's actually the main reason I want to pick up reading again. Are the books good? And should I prioritize other series before the Witcher?

Thanks everyone!

2

rohtbert55 t1_j2fmvot wrote

Maybe you can start small if you haven't read that much. A professor used to tell us that; that you don't run a marthon on the first go, you start training little by little. Same with literature, if you grab the Quxiote as your first book you'll feel bored, defeated and won't really want to read anymore. But maybe you can start with "easier" stuff.

If you can tell us a tad about your interests so we can better pinpoint to a book you'll really be intersted in, that'd be great.

Some books I feel that you'll love coud be:

  • The Strain: I feel this is a really good option since it's an easy read, really interesting and falls under a lot of the genres you're interested in. Just dive in without reading anything about it.
  • The Shadow of the Wind: One of my favourite reads.
  • PenPals: Scared the blyat out of me.
  • Tales From the Gridsquare: Same as the above.
  • A Wizard of Earthsea
  • The Caves of Steel
  • A Song of Ice and Fire
  • Wheel of Time
  • The Hobbit: If you want to get into Tolkien, start with this. It's pretty easy and fun.

I'll try thinking of more.

3

YourInsuranceDude t1_j2cljg2 wrote

Hello - looking for suggestions on books that involve the protagonist being...well, a cunning badass. For comparison, to name a few of my favorite characters/books would be Locke Lamora (Gentlemen Bastards series), Geralt from The Witcher, Kaiser from Mistborn series, and Batman in all media. They all pull off crazy heists/plans, but I think the controversy of these characters in their worlds is also what I enjoy (Geralt being feared from locals, Batman being 50/50 to the population, Locke being a thief).

​

I am pretty open to all genres, as I read them all.

2

Itsmiamiaa t1_j295vig wrote

Looking for recommendations for really any kind of books. I’m kind of over reading anything that has to do with the main character being a cop/detective. I recently started reading Colleen Hoover books and love everything I’ve read so far. However, I would like to take a break on her and get introduced to some new authors. I love suspenseful, but not too scary since the old time I really have to read is at night.

1

EloeOmoe t1_j29awus wrote

Maybe try Ken Follett? Historical drama, lots of suspense, can pick and choose books from lots of different historical periods, so you can find a setting that does it for you.

1

XBreaksYFocusGroup t1_j29btjq wrote

How you feel about the r/darkacademia subgenre? Maybe Bunny by Mona Awad (who will be doing an AMA here in February), If We Were Villains by M L Rio, The Magus by Jonathan Fowles, or The Secret History by Donna Tartt.

1

Fast_Split9849 t1_j29jbfk wrote

Maybe try some murder mystery? My favorite right now is In My Dreams I Hold A Knife by Ashley Winstead. The book is phenomenal.

1

tyktako t1_j2chskw wrote

try Six of crows by Leigh Bardugo The Silent Patient by Alex Michaeldies and Almond by Won Pyung Sohn if you like psychology Les miserables by Victor Hugo and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak for the classics I liked all of them ;)

1

simdaisies t1_j29cich wrote

My new year's resolution (hah!) is to read some more books.

When I was younger, I loved classic high fantasy, sword and sorcery books. I still count Lord of the Rings as a personal favourite. Another series I really enjoyed was the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn books by Tad Williams, and I do still enjoy the Song of Ice and Fire books by G.R.R. Martin. I haven't been keeping up with anything over the past decade or so. I'd prefer something that doesn't currently have a movie or tv adaptation (yet). Thank you in advance!

1

rohtbert55 t1_j29wexo wrote

>Song of Ice and Fire books by G.R.R. Martin

Maybe try The Accursed Kings? It's like ASoIaF....but historical. Also look for A Wizard of Earthsea.

2

simdaisies t1_j2aizpw wrote

>A Wizard of Earthsea

I think this one has been on my list for years. :)

Thank you for the recommendations. I'll look into Accursed Kings as well. I love good historical fiction!

2

juniperarms t1_j29fx19 wrote

I love A Bintel Brief by Isaac Metzker, and Up in the old hotel by Joseph Mitchell. Looking for similar books, not necessarily American.

1

Osoyoguiz t1_j2bf5zu wrote

Recommend books B1 - B2 English level pls

I'd like to improve my English and I am looking for books for B1 - B2 level, I like to read everything, except romantic things or dramas.

I'd prefer horror books, crime thrillers or fantasy books like League of legends stories.

1

btrerise t1_j2c3lur wrote

Hi All - new to r/books, as I just got my first eReader for Christmas; excited to get back into reading! I'm looking for a new fantasy series/world to sink my teeth into, particularly involving magic. I enjoyed the Inheritance Cycle by Paolini because of the unique approach to magic, language, and dragon bonding. I'm currently finishing the Sword of Truth series by Goodkind, which I've overall enjoyed. However, those books can be a bit wordy (it's that the right word?) When it comes to building up to a climax. I've also enjoyed Harry Potter and Artemis Fowl, though those are more teenage/young adult oriented. Thanks in advance!

1

rohtbert55 t1_j2cbmk9 wrote

A Wizard of Earthsea. I like The Witcher series, although it can be a tad controversial. There's A Song of Ice and Fire.

2

btrerise t1_j2cdfky wrote

Why is The Witcher series controversial? Thanks for the help!

1

rohtbert55 t1_j2fimht wrote

I mean, not controversial. It's that the translations aren't the best. And it's a love it or hate it deal.

1

Sep1231 t1_j2e34fw wrote

Fantasy books where each country/kingdom/faction has unique magic? Hello I look for books where the magic is different in each region/kingdom/faction/country, whit a conflict between the different forces of the world, similar to nations from The Last Airbender. A book more of action than romance. (I prefer LGBT romance) Thank you very much for any suggestion. I apologize if there is any mistake, English is not my original language.

Happy New Year!!

1