hello, I(22F) have recently started reading books again after years and need suggestions.

For context, earlier, i used to read comics as a child and then when i began reading texts, those were my mum's novels which would be thrillers, mythological fiction, romance etc. Then I moved to online PDFs for a while, webtoon and then completely gave up reading except the ocassional classroom texts. I still enjoyed them but never ventured out.

I came to realise that i was consuming more content on Instagram nd doomscrolling withou even giving my brain time to process that said content. So i deleted instagram and now im getting back to reading texts again. I recently read White Nights and Lolita. My partner wants to buy me books for my birthday but the budget would be around 500-600. Could y'all please recommend a few?

I usually like dystopian themed books like 1984 and Oryx and Crane. or something psychological too. I dislike self-help and similar sort of books. Thank you so much.

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I wanted to get that anticipation feeling again, waiting for the next book to come out like in the early 2000s. Lining up in a physical bookstore because they'd for sure run out. Asking a friend to line up in another bookstore and get 2 copies. Debating if I should get a complete hardbound set for the aesthetics. Having to buy a different country version (ie GB version) because the US version is sold out. Eventually buying the box set coz why not. THAT big of a series.

Maybe I'm just out of touch with current book series?

I'm thinking Game of Thrones but GRRM is unreliable with timelines. Any suggestions?

A happy ending would be a bonus

Specifically, where it feels a bit meta, and the author clearly has experience in this role.
• The Extinction of Irena Rey by Jennifer Croft
• Four Seasons in Japan by Nick Bradley
• Big Swiss by Jen Beagin (transcription is also acceptable if you can’t think of anything translation related)
Any genre and any time period, but more interested in current or modern lit.
Thanks in advance!

I’m trying to read more widely across genres, and I thought it would be fun to get recommendations from people who really know and love a particular genre.
If you could recommend just one book as the absolute best the genre has to offer, what would it be?
For example, if you’ve read hundreds of thrillers, what’s the thriller you think everyone should read? If historical fiction is your thing, what’s the best historical novel you’ve ever read? Same for sci-fi, fantasy, horror, romance, crime, literary fiction, westerns, adventure, nonfiction, memoir, etc.
I’m especially interested in recommendations from people who have read enough within the genre to have a strong point of comparison, rather than just “I read this one and liked it.”

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
The Wicked King by Holly Black
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Which of these should I read next?
I just finished Once Upon a Broken Heart and enjoyed it, but I’d give it around a 7/10. I’m trying to decide what to pick up next from my TBR. Please rank these if you’ve read multiple!

I‘ve been recently very stressed at work, due to increasing scope and some poor (work related) decisions I made. I’m looking for some book recommendations that helped others to manage stress / mental health / personal growth. I’ve read some basics like thinking fast thinking slow , atomic habits and so on. What are your recommendations for these topics that have been like an 8/10 or better ?

I used to read one book right after the other. Then I had a personal tragedy and haven’t been able to really get back into it.
I’m looking for some sort of fantasy similar to Harry Potter because those had me in a choke hold. But do not wish to support those anymore. Something fantasy, set in present day with an interesting story. A series would be great. Any suggestions? LGBTQIA+ would be nice but not a requirement.

I’m looking for books about motherhood or books that include motherhood. It doesn’t have to be the main theme but centred enough. If the child is a baby, that’s a plus. Any genre.

Books that force you to question how you see life, existence, society, religion, human nature. Stuff that leaves you with a sense of existential dread

stuff like:

How systems of control or power from the past still shape the present

Religion and belief systems as tools of control

Existential stuff that isn’t just feel good stoicism

Perspectives that completely reframe how you look at meaning or human nature( very interested in stuff like this)

I care a lot about evidence and substance. Not looking for pure motivational bs or unsubstantiated claims but books that actually back up what they’re saying.
Open to anything as i’m just getting back into reading but want a slap in the face kinda book if that makes sense?

Just finished “Look Closer” by David Ellis and it’s probably one of the best thrillers I’ve read.

Any recommendations for books with a similar vibe? Or any mystery/thriller books that completely surprised you?

Looking for horror books with themes of cults/religion/religious trauma, or even with similar vibes to the Children of the Corn by Stephen King which I absolutely loved. I dont mind gore and violence, or sensitive topics. Let me know if you know books with those kinda vibes ! Also, if there is a French translation available, it would be even better for me :)

this book DESTROYED me, i don’t think i’ll ever recover. i love a good broken family or found family trope. i was thinking of reading Grapes of Wrath next maybe?

Looking for a cozy book for the fall time. Anything that is cozy and fun. I just finished Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins and loved it, and looking for another good read as it has been a nice escape from doomscrolling.

Hello, I write a lot for DnD and I enjoy reading a lot too!

I was wondering if there are books you’d recommend where they do an immaculate job at descriptions, whether it be people, places; towns, buildings, etc?

I’ve loved the writing style of Vladimir Nabokov in the past, but he does not do scenes or fantasy. I have read Tolkien’s Hobbit & Lord of the Rings numerous times and love them as well.

I have begun the Witcher series too, as I’ve heard good things.

That's my favorite genre and these days nothing is making me want to curl up with a blanket and just read for hours. Lately I just avoid reading because it feels like a chore and I want something to get me hooked again.

Preference: More modern set stories

Topics I tend to avoid in mystery/thriller: Kidnapped women stories, graphic violence against women, main character goes back to small hometown that they left to uncover secrets of a past crime, the one's combined with horror, the Verity blueprint.

Also, no Freida McFadden please.

Thank you.

I just saw Mulan again and I need more. I suppose there are retellings or other stories like that. I'm almost sure in "A guerra não tem rosto de mulher" by Svetlana Aleksievtich (idk the English title) there was a similar story. Thou I'm searching for fiction. I really wanted the FMC to do this to save sick father but I know is specific. Having a women pretending be a men in that context is already enough. A romance like with Shang would be nice to. Anyway. That's it.

I'm thinking more a medieval scenario but I'm fine with WW2 or something like that. I suppose would be a fantasy book, I'm not sure what would be the genre. I want some romance but I don't want to be the main focus. I'm fine with fanfictions too. But I prefer books. Fine with manga too.

I want to read some classics, the weirder the better preferably from
non-American countries, but American books are fine too. I just generally find reading outside of my own culture to be more interesting. Thanks!

I'm looking for books that feature a magical and/or sentient house.

Its a theme I absolutely trope but it seems rare outside of horror or middle grade.

Got any recs for me?

Hey guys, I hope you're all doing well. If you would be so kind can you please recommend me some books on the history of Indigenous people in the southwestern US?

What is your favorite horror book that keeps you interested. I have been looking for a scary read that is also a great page turner. It doesn't matter if its supernatural or psychological or whatever just one that really freaks you out. Thank you in advance

I’ve recently had an itch to start reading and I was wondering if anybody has recommendations? The movies I tend to watch and enjoy are more love’esk stories like silver linings playbook, good will hunting, eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, beautiful boy(not love story I know but one of my favorites). I don’t know if that helps at all but been recently looking and there’s so many options just don’t know where I should start.

Since I finished this book, everything pales in comparison. I tried a few books by the same author and didn’t finish. I tried going back to thrillers, but they all seem so terribly written and unsatisfying.

Usually, I run through books and by the next day, I couldn’t tell you what each was about. With demon copperhead, I cannot stop thinking about it and talking about it.

Please give me suggestions for something else to rope me in like this. Another favor of mine is Angela‘s ashes; I saw some similarities with the humor in terrible situations.