Personalized book recommendations, please
April 21, 2013 9:02 AM Subscribe
I'm in a book rut and need to find my way out. I'd love suggestions of books to read.
I know you guys are good at this stuff, so here is a brief list of stuff I have really liked (and not liked) in the past:
Fiction - I really like Murakami, I don't like most modern 'literary' authors (Eugenides, Eggers, Franzen, etc). I really like mysteries in general - I've read every Wallander book, everything from Jo Nesbo, loved the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books. Based on other MeFi recommendations I recently read Shantaram, and enjoyed the first half, but not the second. I really liked Before I Go to Sleep. I also tend to like some YA type stuff - really liked the Hunger Games, like Jasper Fforde, the Golden Compass, stuff like that. Generally, I like a fast pace, action, and nothing too heavy or literary. Stuff that's genuinely fun to read.
Non-Fiction - I like reading travelogues and books about science/sociology. I've enjoyed pretty much everything Bill Bryson has ever written; liked Tom Vanderbilt's Traffic and Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed. Barbar Demick's Nothing to Envy was also good.
So, suggestions please! Things available for Kindle are preferred, but not required.
I know you guys are good at this stuff, so here is a brief list of stuff I have really liked (and not liked) in the past:
Fiction - I really like Murakami, I don't like most modern 'literary' authors (Eugenides, Eggers, Franzen, etc). I really like mysteries in general - I've read every Wallander book, everything from Jo Nesbo, loved the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books. Based on other MeFi recommendations I recently read Shantaram, and enjoyed the first half, but not the second. I really liked Before I Go to Sleep. I also tend to like some YA type stuff - really liked the Hunger Games, like Jasper Fforde, the Golden Compass, stuff like that. Generally, I like a fast pace, action, and nothing too heavy or literary. Stuff that's genuinely fun to read.
Non-Fiction - I like reading travelogues and books about science/sociology. I've enjoyed pretty much everything Bill Bryson has ever written; liked Tom Vanderbilt's Traffic and Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed. Barbar Demick's Nothing to Envy was also good.
So, suggestions please! Things available for Kindle are preferred, but not required.
Try Tim Parks, an English author living in Verona, Italy. Italian Neighbors and An Italian Education are dryly funny, observant, and interesting. I also really like Mary Taylor Simeti's book On Persephone's Island, about Sicily and the island's mythology and food and agriculture.
posted by PussKillian at 9:09 AM on April 21, 2013
posted by PussKillian at 9:09 AM on April 21, 2013
Have you tried Mary Roach's books? They're pop science rather than serious scientific tomes but lots of fun to read.
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 9:12 AM on April 21, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 9:12 AM on April 21, 2013 [3 favorites]
You might enjoy The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler.
posted by Sternmeyer at 9:18 AM on April 21, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Sternmeyer at 9:18 AM on April 21, 2013 [1 favorite]
I liked Mothers and Others by Sarah Hrdy, an exploration of the role of empathy in primate evolution and the significant role non-maternal caregivers play.
posted by smuna at 9:25 AM on April 21, 2013
posted by smuna at 9:25 AM on April 21, 2013
For fiction/mystery: Elly Girffiths, Frank Tallis.
For travelogues, have you read Paul Theroux?
All of these are on Kindle.
posted by Snazzy67 at 9:29 AM on April 21, 2013 [1 favorite]
For travelogues, have you read Paul Theroux?
All of these are on Kindle.
posted by Snazzy67 at 9:29 AM on April 21, 2013 [1 favorite]
I would also recommend Mary Roach. They are pop-science but very interesting and informative, and very funny.
I always pick up a Michael Connelley books when I need a quick mystery. The Lincoln Lawyer is quite good.
A friend turned me on to another easy dystopian YA series (in the vein of the Hunger Games) called Uglies which I enjoyed.
posted by radioamy at 9:33 AM on April 21, 2013 [1 favorite]
I always pick up a Michael Connelley books when I need a quick mystery. The Lincoln Lawyer is quite good.
A friend turned me on to another easy dystopian YA series (in the vein of the Hunger Games) called Uglies which I enjoyed.
posted by radioamy at 9:33 AM on April 21, 2013 [1 favorite]
Megan Whalen Turner, The Thief and the three books that come after it. So good.
posted by bluedaisy at 9:37 AM on April 21, 2013
posted by bluedaisy at 9:37 AM on April 21, 2013
Non fiction: I totally loved all three of J. Maarten Troost's travelogues, you may too. I also thought Cheryl Strayed's Wild, currently a deserved bestseller, was excellent.
Fiction: You might like Tana French; I'm a little ambivalent but she's very gripping. I've also read a couple of Dana Stabenows and liked them a lot more than I expected I would. Lately, with mysteries I've been reading and rereading the classics: Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Marjorie Allingham, Georgette Heyer and I'm about to work my way through Josephine Tey. I love all of them unreservedly but Dorothy Sayers is more equal than others.
And lastly, for YA, as far as I can tell Cornelia Funke has not yet written a bad book.
posted by mygothlaundry at 9:39 AM on April 21, 2013
Fiction: You might like Tana French; I'm a little ambivalent but she's very gripping. I've also read a couple of Dana Stabenows and liked them a lot more than I expected I would. Lately, with mysteries I've been reading and rereading the classics: Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Marjorie Allingham, Georgette Heyer and I'm about to work my way through Josephine Tey. I love all of them unreservedly but Dorothy Sayers is more equal than others.
And lastly, for YA, as far as I can tell Cornelia Funke has not yet written a bad book.
posted by mygothlaundry at 9:39 AM on April 21, 2013
If you enjoy mysteries, can I ENTHUSIASTICALLY recommend Dorothy L. Sayers's Gaudy Night? It's supposedly an old (golden age) mystery, but actually it's a subtle, fascinating study of intellectual honesty and social expectations, of the academic world and early feminism, of the weight of gratitude and how you can build a relationship of equals at a time when that wasn't generally seen as possible. The only downside is that it is a little slow in the beginning, but stick with it — it's incredible.
posted by you're a kitty! at 9:42 AM on April 21, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by you're a kitty! at 9:42 AM on April 21, 2013 [2 favorites]
If you like travelogues, check out Beppe Severgnini. He's an Italian writer who lived in DC for a year and his book about the experience is very entertaining. If you like Nothing to Envy, maybe check out the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (I think it's The Orphan Master's Son)
posted by kat518 at 9:44 AM on April 21, 2013
posted by kat518 at 9:44 AM on April 21, 2013
I liked several of the books you mentioned. My most recent read that I enjoyed was Wool. It is a post-apocalyptic dystopian book, lots of fun with nice, quick pacing. It took me a few chapters to get really into it, but once I was, it really flew!
posted by firei at 9:49 AM on April 21, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by firei at 9:49 AM on April 21, 2013 [2 favorites]
I think William Boyd would be right up your alley.
If you like Murakami, give Kazuo Ishiguro a go—"Never Let Me Go" and "Remains of the Day" are beautiful, but since you want "fast pace, action, and nothing too heavy or literary", you should avoid "The Unconsoled" at all costs.
On the thriller / detective angle, try the Martin Beck series by Sjowall and Wahloo... and I can't recommend them without mentioning Ed McBain, especially all of his 87th Precinct books.
Oh! And I'd think you'd love Carl Hiaasen. He's written tons, and they're all good fun.
posted by ZipRibbons at 9:51 AM on April 21, 2013
If you like Murakami, give Kazuo Ishiguro a go—"Never Let Me Go" and "Remains of the Day" are beautiful, but since you want "fast pace, action, and nothing too heavy or literary", you should avoid "The Unconsoled" at all costs.
On the thriller / detective angle, try the Martin Beck series by Sjowall and Wahloo... and I can't recommend them without mentioning Ed McBain, especially all of his 87th Precinct books.
Oh! And I'd think you'd love Carl Hiaasen. He's written tons, and they're all good fun.
posted by ZipRibbons at 9:51 AM on April 21, 2013
My tastes read a lot (a lot!) like yours, so many of the authors I was going to recommend are already on your list! Beyond that, I second above recommendations for Camilleri (especially earlier ones - he now muses a lot on getting olllld), Paul Theroux, and Kazuo Ishiguro.
Other recommendations from me include Qiu Xiaolong (mysteries that take place in China with a strong cultural and historical component); Ms Smilla's Feeling for Snow (mystery + Scandinavia + some whimsy). You may also like Nathalie Nothomb. Of hers, since you like Hunger Games, I would recommend Sulfuric Acid and since you like travelogues and sociology I would recommend Fear and Trembling. Those are translated from French and I read them in French, no idea how they read in English. Also, have you read Margaret Atwood? If not, start with The Handmaid's Tale.
posted by whatzit at 10:07 AM on April 21, 2013
Other recommendations from me include Qiu Xiaolong (mysteries that take place in China with a strong cultural and historical component); Ms Smilla's Feeling for Snow (mystery + Scandinavia + some whimsy). You may also like Nathalie Nothomb. Of hers, since you like Hunger Games, I would recommend Sulfuric Acid and since you like travelogues and sociology I would recommend Fear and Trembling. Those are translated from French and I read them in French, no idea how they read in English. Also, have you read Margaret Atwood? If not, start with The Handmaid's Tale.
posted by whatzit at 10:07 AM on April 21, 2013
If you like foreign mysteries, you could try Jean-Claude Izzo's trilogy, which offers some excellent Mediterranean noir.
posted by .kobayashi. at 10:11 AM on April 21, 2013
posted by .kobayashi. at 10:11 AM on April 21, 2013
For mysteries, I regularly recommend Susan Hill's Simon Serrailler books and Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad. I'm not sure they are exactly action-oriented, but I like the other books you mentioned as well. You might enjoy Ariana Franklin's Mistress of the Art of Death books (medieval forensic science, also a fun standalone called City of Shadows). Jennifer Nielsen's False Prince trilogy (book 2 just came out) are fun, clever books; if you're willing to go to longer books, Scott Lynch's Gentleman Bastard books are action-paced con novels set in fantasy Venice.
I'll second Mary Roach, and also Deborah Blum for fun sciencey books. I'll also mention Nathaniel Philbrick's history, especially In The Heart of the Sea.
posted by jeather at 10:49 AM on April 21, 2013
I'll second Mary Roach, and also Deborah Blum for fun sciencey books. I'll also mention Nathaniel Philbrick's history, especially In The Heart of the Sea.
posted by jeather at 10:49 AM on April 21, 2013
fiction/mystery:
Number9Dream - David Mitchell
Alif the Unseen - Willow Wilson
The Magicians - Lev Grossman (if you can put up with the protagonist being a dick)
seconding Tana French
if you like her, try Benjamin Black's Quirke series
Against the Day - Thomas Pynchon (when you feel like something long)
YA:
Pegasus - Robin McKinley
The Raven Boys - Maggie Stiefvater
Code Name Verity - Elizabeth Wein
Demon's Lexicon Trilogy and Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
Daughter of Smoke and Bone - Laini Taylor
Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore
Seraphina - Rachel Hartman
seconding the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld
Sociology:
Amazing Grace - Jonathan Kozol
posted by unsub at 11:10 AM on April 21, 2013 [1 favorite]
Number9Dream - David Mitchell
Alif the Unseen - Willow Wilson
The Magicians - Lev Grossman (if you can put up with the protagonist being a dick)
seconding Tana French
if you like her, try Benjamin Black's Quirke series
Against the Day - Thomas Pynchon (when you feel like something long)
YA:
Pegasus - Robin McKinley
The Raven Boys - Maggie Stiefvater
Code Name Verity - Elizabeth Wein
Demon's Lexicon Trilogy and Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
Daughter of Smoke and Bone - Laini Taylor
Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore
Seraphina - Rachel Hartman
seconding the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld
Sociology:
Amazing Grace - Jonathan Kozol
posted by unsub at 11:10 AM on April 21, 2013 [1 favorite]
For mystery, action and fun, you might enjoy Donald Westlake, especially the Dortmunder series.
posted by Corvid at 11:26 AM on April 21, 2013
posted by Corvid at 11:26 AM on April 21, 2013
Seconding pretty much everything unsub said. Also:
Wildwood--Colin Meloy. Technically middle grade, but I loved it (and so did a lot of my adult friends).
Sharp Objects or Gone Girl--Gillian Flynn. Gone Girl is the one people are snapping up right now, but I liked Sharp Objects a little better--YMMV.
Sunshine--Robin McKinley.
Darkest Minds--Alexandra Bracken
posted by tan_coul at 12:34 PM on April 21, 2013
Wildwood--Colin Meloy. Technically middle grade, but I loved it (and so did a lot of my adult friends).
Sharp Objects or Gone Girl--Gillian Flynn. Gone Girl is the one people are snapping up right now, but I liked Sharp Objects a little better--YMMV.
Sunshine--Robin McKinley.
Darkest Minds--Alexandra Bracken
posted by tan_coul at 12:34 PM on April 21, 2013
John le Carre. He wrote Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy-- the movie was pretty good but the book is a work of mystery-solving genius. It can get a little heavy (end-of-life ennui and all that) but imo the spy stuff going on is compelling enough to carry that if you don't like heavy-- it's just brief flirtations with philosophy, very apt. And there are two more books in that little mini-arc, plus he's written many more (like The Constant Gardener).
posted by stoneandstar at 12:35 PM on April 21, 2013
posted by stoneandstar at 12:35 PM on April 21, 2013
I love the Elizabeth George Inspector Linley mysteries. They're pretty long but go fast. For nonfiction, I enjoy Malcolm Gladwell a lot.
posted by loveyallaround at 4:35 PM on April 21, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by loveyallaround at 4:35 PM on April 21, 2013 [1 favorite]
Try Laura lippman's stand-alones - Particularly her last one but the title escapes me!
posted by lyssabee at 5:13 PM on April 21, 2013
posted by lyssabee at 5:13 PM on April 21, 2013
Seconding the Inspector Beck series -- I read all the books straight through after finishing with Wallander. Also: P.D. James or Ian Rankin. Oh! And Arnaldur Indridason. Murder mysteries mostly on Kindle.
posted by the littlest brussels sprout at 9:55 PM on April 21, 2013
posted by the littlest brussels sprout at 9:55 PM on April 21, 2013
Mysteries:
Nthing Dorothy L Sayers, Josephine Tey, PD James. Agatha Christie is enjoyable, but IMHO much more caricature-ish. Also:
Laurie R King - her webpage explains about her different series and standalone novels.
Ruth Rendell - more in the lines of literate mystery (but not Literature).
Val McDermid. A bit gorier than the others but if you like the Girl with books it shouldn't bother you.
Minette Walters. Very gripping thrillers that can make for sleepless nights!
YA stuff:
Nthing Scott Westerfeld and Robin McKinley's Sunshine. Pegasus, recommended above, is extremely slow and also only part of the story - she hasn't written the sequel yet, which I think would be frustrating if you weren't already a McKinley convert. I would try Deerskin or Dragonhaven.
Peter Dickinson writes both YA and mysteries - not necessarily at the same time. Plus he's married to Robin McKinley! I particularly recommend the Changes trilogy, The Ropemaker and sequel Angel Isle and The Flight of Dragons.
Diana Wynne Jones is absolutely marvellous and pace, action and story are always great. Hard to know where to begin - she wrote many! - but perhaps Homeward Bounders or The Time of the Ghost. They're often quite hilarious too.
posted by Athanassiel at 10:39 PM on April 21, 2013
Nthing Dorothy L Sayers, Josephine Tey, PD James. Agatha Christie is enjoyable, but IMHO much more caricature-ish. Also:
Laurie R King - her webpage explains about her different series and standalone novels.
Ruth Rendell - more in the lines of literate mystery (but not Literature).
Val McDermid. A bit gorier than the others but if you like the Girl with books it shouldn't bother you.
Minette Walters. Very gripping thrillers that can make for sleepless nights!
YA stuff:
Nthing Scott Westerfeld and Robin McKinley's Sunshine. Pegasus, recommended above, is extremely slow and also only part of the story - she hasn't written the sequel yet, which I think would be frustrating if you weren't already a McKinley convert. I would try Deerskin or Dragonhaven.
Peter Dickinson writes both YA and mysteries - not necessarily at the same time. Plus he's married to Robin McKinley! I particularly recommend the Changes trilogy, The Ropemaker and sequel Angel Isle and The Flight of Dragons.
Diana Wynne Jones is absolutely marvellous and pace, action and story are always great. Hard to know where to begin - she wrote many! - but perhaps Homeward Bounders or The Time of the Ghost. They're often quite hilarious too.
posted by Athanassiel at 10:39 PM on April 21, 2013
I enjoy crime fiction from non-U.S. cultures that bring in addition to the mystery bring in a lot of flavor of wherever they are set. The Dragon Tattoo books and Sweden, mentioned in the post. Montalbano, mentioned up the thread, for Sicily. Differently paced, but the depiction of Botswana in the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency is excellent. And for Japan, Inspector Imanishi Investigates is a lot of fun.
posted by mcstayinskool at 9:03 AM on April 22, 2013
posted by mcstayinskool at 9:03 AM on April 22, 2013
If you like gaming at all, the following SF might interest you -- all are "near future" ideas of how computing networks might evolve:
Ready Player One
Reamde
Rainbow's End
In the SF/YA space, I enjoyed:
Shipbreaker
I haven't seen the following mystery series mentioned -- the protagonist is the National Coroner of Laos after the communists take over in 1975 -- there are several books in this series:
The Coroner's Lunch
An interesting combo of SF (what if we knew an astroid would hit the Earth on a certain date) and mystery is:
The Last Policeman
posted by elmay at 11:38 AM on April 22, 2013
Ready Player One
Reamde
Rainbow's End
In the SF/YA space, I enjoyed:
Shipbreaker
I haven't seen the following mystery series mentioned -- the protagonist is the National Coroner of Laos after the communists take over in 1975 -- there are several books in this series:
The Coroner's Lunch
An interesting combo of SF (what if we knew an astroid would hit the Earth on a certain date) and mystery is:
The Last Policeman
posted by elmay at 11:38 AM on April 22, 2013
Set This House in Order by Matt Ruff--it's sort of a mystery where the protagonist(s) is a person with multiple personalities.
Also maybe Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem? Might be too literary. But it's about a detective with Tourette's Syndrome.
posted by exceptinsects at 12:53 AM on April 23, 2013
Also maybe Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem? Might be too literary. But it's about a detective with Tourette's Syndrome.
posted by exceptinsects at 12:53 AM on April 23, 2013
I've just whipped through Gone Girl and three other women in my office are reading/have read it as well.
posted by like_neon at 4:44 AM on April 23, 2013
posted by like_neon at 4:44 AM on April 23, 2013
Non Fiction. Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power by Rachel Maddow. Fascinating, funny, scary, sarcastic. I was amazed by how much I dug this book. Pretty sure it would appeal to you based on the books you said you liked.
posted by WalkerWestridge at 3:36 PM on April 23, 2013
posted by WalkerWestridge at 3:36 PM on April 23, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by vacapinta at 9:08 AM on April 21, 2013 [2 favorites]