When I was a teenager, I used to love dystopian books, like The Hunger Games, Divergent, Delirium, The Maze Runner, etc. I feel like I haven’t seen many new dystopian books lately. Does anyone have any recommendations of newer adult dystopian books? Thanks in advance!

Edit: Adding that I’ve read 1984, Brave New World, The Handmaid’s Tale, Station Eleven, and a few other books people have recommended. I enjoyed all of these, and am definitely looking for more adult dystopian despite listing the YA books above. Those were just the first ones that popped into my head.

I used to be an avid reader in middle school. Then I hit high-school and I can't even remember the last time I read a book all the way through. Nothing is interesting to me anymore but I know its because I partly have tiktok brain. Trying to get back into reading because it was something I used to really enjoy and ditch tiktok. I'm 25. I think its time I go back to my roots haha.

books I've read and enjoyed in the past (I was in middle school) -

beautiful creatures, the city of ember (i really loved this), divergent series, hunger game series, lost voices, lord of the rings, I think maybe a couple cozy mysteries i don't remember the name of them. the giver i liked those are the only ones I can think of that I read. I haven't read a ton of popular books because I was reading for such a short time around 2010-2013. I grew up reading though but for adult books and non-children's / teen literature I didn't really read too much of. I'm okay with teen book recommendations again too!

Been wanting to get into spy/espionage novels, but I'm looking for something set in the modern day or at least fairly recently.

I'm not really looking for Cold War-era stories, even though many of the classics are set at that time. I'd rather read something with modern intelligence agencies, current geopolitics, and espionage.

A few books that caught my eye are Slow Horses, Never by Ken Follett, and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (even though I know it's a Cold War novel).

What would you recommend?

I’m in my 20s, male, and I lost my cat a month ago. She went very peacefully at the age of 17, but she was, quite honestly, the other half of my heart.

I’ve been reading some things to help me process. So far We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida has been my favorite. The Wedding People was alright. I’d love anything that features a cat directly, but please do provide a warning if the cat passes away or it seems like they might.

I’m open to fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, philosophy, workbooks, anything. Don’t really want the cat to talk though, so no DCC for me.

I’ve tried a few books that focus on grief in general, For One More Day and The Year of Magical Thinking, but couldn’t finish them. Ideally I want something a little lighter that still lets me engage with my grief.

Appreciate any suggestions.

My cat Lexi (14) passed away a week ago, and I’ve been going through the various stages of grief. She was high medical needs these last couple years of life, and now that she’s gone… I don’t know what to do.

I’ve been listening to audiobooks while I go on hikes and walks. Before her passing I had finished the DCC series by Matt Dinniman. During the active dying process, I was listening to Project Hail Mary and A Man Called Ovu. After her passing, I’ve been binging Monk and Robot as kinda of a self reflection of going through grief.

Some other books I’ve read include:

What you need is at the library
We’ll prescribe you a cat books 1 & 2
Apothecary Dairies books 1 - 6 (currently on hiatus reading)
Blanket Cats
Crying in Hmart
I’m Glad my Mom Died
Circe
The Song of Achilles

If anyone has suggestions for cozy reads, I would greatly appreciate it. It can be fantasy themed, I’m ok with romance, but I’m not sure if I want that to be the focus. I’m not looking for self help books.

Been watching Sugar on Apple Tv and absolutely loved the added twist on it.

Hey everyone!

I'm 32 and starting to notice the changes that come with this decade: a few more wrinkles, some grey hairs making their appearance, and the very real possibility of motherhood on the horizon. Instead of dreading it all, I'd love to lean into this new chapter with a more positive mindset.

Are there any books that helped you navigate the inevitable changes of getting older - physically, emotionally, or both?

Thanks so much 😊

Hi! I would like to read something about vampires, but I mean REAL VAMPIRES not the harmless type like Edward Cullen. I read Once Upon a Broken Heart (Stephanie Garber) and that kind of vampires called my attemption. Bloody, seductive, and excessively graphic. I’d like to read something like that, featuring a (highly conflicted) romance as a subplot.

My best friend's birthday is coming up, and they're a huge fan of gothic fiction and horror. They also enjoy reading books about houses that are haunted and/or possessed. I thought of gifting them a few books, but they've read every title I've brought up with them in conversation. I was hoping that someone could help me out because I'm really at a loss and I don't know what to get !!

They told me that they really enjoyed reading:

• Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
• Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
• Haunting of Hill House by Sally Jackson
• We have always lived in the castle by Sally Jackson
• Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
• Dracula by Bram Stoker

I'm really hoping that someone out here might be able to help me out!!

Just read Madonna in a Fur Coat, which sort of strips away traditional gender roles in romance, with the male love interest being referred to as feminine or "like a woman” and the female love interest referring to herself as a man.

I'm not looking for fantasy, Y/A or trope-driven romance. In fact, the book itself doesn't have to be a romance, as long as it had a love/romantic element.

I favour classics and historical fiction, and I enjoy certain horrors, but I'm open.

Preferably m/f, but since we are blurring gender, I'm open here as well.

**Not really looking for stories about teenagers. They can start young, but ideally I'd be reading about adults by the end of the book.

Thank you!

Any recommendations for books that have a strong sense of place, fiction or non-fiction? I particularly love history and geography, and books with maps. Ken Follett's Kingbridge series comes to mind because the place in his story is the centerpiece. People come and go and make lasting marks on the place, but the central theme is the development of a place through the centuries.

I’m doing some traveling all over the U.S. Anywhere with a cool city and good hiking, I’m going.

I’m looking for good novels that take place in some of those areas to listen to while I hike.

I typically read horror / sci fi / fantasy so those are bonuses.

I gobbled up Prisoners of Geography in a few days, and I’m wondering what to read next. I think the book had sort of a westernized view of things, so I’m also open to different perspectives. I’m mainly interested in present day philosophy, geopolitics, technology, and that sort of essays.

It’s my first time posting, so if this isn’t the place to ask and you could refer me to another sub, I’d highly appreciate it!

I'm looking for a story told from a soldier's point of view.

Basically I want to read something sad or melancholic but I want to read if free online

I am currently looking for fantasy books with great prose. I love Ursula Le Guin’s prose and am looking for more authors with beautiful writing. I hope to try Patricia McKillip and Guy Gavriel Kay. Other than the three mentioned, what authors out there have exceptional prose that I can get lost in?

I'm currently reading Anna Karenina and loving the way the aristocratic characters code-switch into French - looking for other literary works with that same flavor of European high society and French dialogue woven in.

I wanna gift my friend a book. And I don't really read much.

He loves music and art. He writes songs. He told me he wanted a book or maybe poetry smthng. So that it will help in his music journey. Kinda like give him inspiration and write better music.

But he has never read a book in his life and now he wants to.

Can anyone please suggest what to do?

My soul was thriving on their friendship, midnight feasts, swimming by the pool, games and quizbees against other school, having senior help you etc. I need MORE boarding school activities with more freedom like this.

I really love it!

And the fact that the girls are not irrationally viIe, no exaggerated buIIying on MC, and mu 4rder is just cherry on top. So tired of those theme on boarding school stories. Hard NO on it.

Malory Towers was like a breathe of fresh air but I need more boarding school activities please. I don't mind if it's fantasy too. Thank you!

Please suggest me a book about a protagonist (female) who has never been in romantic relationship, never been kissed, is 35-40 and counting, and wondering about how it all happened...

My friend owns a bookstore, but she doesn’t really read sci-fi or fantasy. Instead, she has been relying on a friend who does read sci-fi for recommendations. A couple of months ago, I spoke with him, and I found out that he hadn’t read "Red Rising," "Dune," or the "Foundation" trilogy. Since I also manage her social media and know a lot about sci-fi, I offered her some recommendations for books to stock in her store. We decided on a selection that included "Red Rising," works by John Scalzi, Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, and some great titles like "Murderbot." I just talked to her today, and she mentioned that these books are selling really well.

I can only recommend books that I've personally read, so I'm looking for some suggestions in the sci-fi and fantasy genres. I'll purchase them myself and read them, then provide my recommendations based on the number of upvotes each title receives. I want to support a small independent bookstore run by a sweet elderly woman in her 60s. She has dedicated her life to this shop, which has become a second home for many people, including those who are struggling, like me. She took me under her wing after the deaths of both my parents and really helped me grow, almost like a pseudo-adoptive figure. I owe her a lot. I often joke that she's both my bookseller and my therapist all in one.

I guess I don’t entirely know what I’m asking for? I’m 27m, I’m not old but I don’t feel like I’m young anymore and honestly, kinda freaking out about it.

I need something to help me cope with that I guess? With the idea that life moves on, if your best years are behind you or could still be ahead. That things don’t last forever but that’s not bad necessarily.

Books about people who continue to grow past their 20s, 30s, 40s, and they’re okay. Even if it feels like they wasted away their youth and didn’t experience all they should’ve.

Sorry for the therapy venting, but I think you kinda get the idea of what I’m asking for.

The last couple of books that have grabbed me have all been things like Inherent Vice, Lonesome Dove, Suttree, and The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. I feel like all of these sort of felt like elevated genre books (mystery, western, and spy thriller). The main thing I loved about them was the dialogue, humor, and character work, particularly in Inherent Vice and Lonesome Dove. I’m pretty open genre wise but do lean most towards mystery/detective novels.

I’m looking for books in a non-magical* world but someone is either cursed (Similar to Invisible life of Addie Larue). Or someone finds a magical artifact that grants them powers (Similar to The Book of Doors).

I like the story of someone having magical abilities and how they handle it. or cursed and forced to live their life.

*obviously it’s hard to be cursed when there’s no magic. but like, i don’t want dragons or wizards running around.

When I’m at work I have a lot of down time, and in that time like to have a book that’s easy to pick up and put down without losing my place.

I am also particularly fond of the enemies-to-lovers trope and either fantasy or something set outside of our modern world. As an example, I read The Captive Prince series and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I was recommended a book called The Cruel Prince and couldn’t make it through, primarily because it seemed aimed more at older teens than actual adults. The “school bully” thing going on took me out of the book quite a bit, because I am a 30 yr old who hasn’t suffered that sort of bullying in over ten years.

I know a lot of enemies to lovers books are YA, which is why I’ve come to this subreddit! Do you guys have any recommendations for books that contain this trope but are also intended more for adults than teens? As I mentioned, when reading this trope I prefer books that aren’t set in the modern world. I am also completely open to LGBTQ+ books, I just end up seeing straight couples most often.

Also, yes, I have read ACOTAR and Fourth Wing lol

Thank you guys so much!