I just finished reading something super slow and quiet and honestly it was the most engaging thing I've read in months. There's no big plot twist or action sequences, just like... people existing and thinking about stuff. Does anyone have recommendations that hit that same vibe? I'm tired of forcing myself through books with constant drama.

The crispy fall air has finally come and me and my family are outside more. We’ve hiked this week, visited local parks, picked up trash along the beach.

I’d love some reccomendations for real stories of women hikers/climbers, women in conservation, anything environmental as the main focus of the woman’s life or book.

I hope this makes sense. I can try to clarify more if it doesn’t.

I know it's self-serving and indulgent, idc. Since most of MAGA will likely never realize it, I'd love to read something that would at least give me the feeling I would get if they did. Like if the full Epstein files were released, for example.

I tried Disgrace by JM Coetzee and it didn't work for me at all because David never admitted that he was wrong. I've ordered Crisis by Karin Boye and hoping that scratches the itch, but would love more recs in case it doesn't deliver.

Thanks in advance 🙏🏻

Next months book club’s theme is “read like a divorcee” with the description: Messy? Yes. Empowering? Absolutely. November is for midlife reinvention, post-breakup chaos, female rage, self-discovery, and the glorious glow-up that happens when someone finally walks away.

You all always have the best suggestions!

Hello! I am a lit fic/classics fan (but will read most anything recommended to me) who became a mom at the end of last year and dropped WAY down in my reading totals for 2026 (usually at 50-60 books/year, this year, sadly, sitting at 18. Boo.) I’m trying to use naptime to read as much as possible and really just need some books to finish out the year and feel like I’ve accomplished something NOT motherhood related.

Here’s what I’m thinking I’m looking for:

1. Something with genuinely good writing. I’m not a fan of “easy readers” (Kristin Hannah, Colleen Hoover etc are NOT my vibe). I appreciate beautiful literature.
2. Something classic- or classic-adjacent. I just finished The Count of Monte Cristo, and very much enjoyed it. It doesn’t have to be old, though- I want a great plot.
3. Something that’s NOT 5829285 pages long. Love me some Dumas, trying to get through Stephen King, but man, I just need some books that won’t require a month of naps to get through.

Some books I’ve read recently and enjoyed:
The Count of Monte Cristo
Shutter Island
A Woman is No Man
Holler Rat
Far from the Madding Crowd
The Lincoln Highway
I Know This Much is True
A Suitable Boy
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Lonesome Dove

As you can see, I’ve really enjoyed some LONG novels. But I need to get some new ideas that aren’t as much of a time investment and are just easier, enjoyable reads.

Thank you for any thoughts or suggestions!

I've seen plenty of people recommend excellent action novels, like The Gray Man, or Bourne, or Reacher, but nothing seems to have that sort of glamorized, fantastical, criminal underworld. With the traditions and rituals, and fancy clothes, and gold coins in the modern world, and all that stuff. Does such a novel exist? I'm just looking for something to scratch that same itch. Action novels are all well and good, but I'm wondering if I shouldn't search for something more in a criminal noir sort of genre?

Hi all! TW ‼️

My mentally unwell Dad refuses to talk to anyone or get help but he loves to read so I thought a book might be a nice way to extend my olive branch out to him.

He is 66, very obviously undiagnosed neurodivergence and possible bipolar. He had a traumatic upbringing (possible SA) that he doesn’t reveal anything about. He is separating from my mum as his mental health has destroyed their marriage. He feels like a failure of a man, a dad, a husband, a person. He isolates himself, gets very angry and is skeptical about the whole idea of ‘mental illness’ and doesn’t want to change. I don’t want him to change who he is, I want him to change his mindset. His depressive episodes have become a lot worse in recent years and I am truly worried about what he might do.

Can anyone recommend a non fiction, physical book that focuses on older men’s mental health/neurodivergence/breakdowns/how to understand himself/trauma/validates his masculinity. It needs to be non patronising, straightforward and realistic. Nothing about how neurodivergence is a ‘superpower’, or makes him feel more alienated than he already does. Something more suited to a blue collar, working class older man with lots of anger. He isn’t very academic but still loves to read so the language needs to be easy to comprehend otherwise he won’t read it, no medical jargon or scholarly terms.

Anything that will make him feel like he still has a purpose in society, is valued as a man, and that he isn’t alone. And just how to understand himself and be kinder to himself

Sorry if this is confusing I’m not even really sure what I’m looking for myself but thank you in advance x

I read my first Agatha Christie book a little over a year ago and havent been able to stop since. Im down to just about 5 of her books i havent read yet (im saving And Then There Were None for last!) But i dont want to lose my interest in reading once i make it through all of them! If anyone here loves AC as much as me I would love recommendations for other books or authors you enjoy!

Some things I like about Agatha Christie books are the mystery genre (though im open to others! Any genre except romance) and the kind of nostalgic aspect. I grew up in the US but my family is from England so bonus point for anything that would hit that same spot. I grew up reading every Enid Blyton books ever published, especially the mysteries!

Thanks so much for any suggestions!

Can anyone else relate? I want to so badly fall in love with reading but I usually can't even make it past the first couple pages. I've read the Alchemist and didn't like it. I tried reading the Lord of The Rings and it took me forever to get through it. As someone with a short attention span for books, does anyone recommend anything that could get me back into reading? I can't read any slow books; they need to pique my interest in the first page. I wish I could read books the way I can watch TV shows!

Hello

First post here! I'd love to hear some book suggestions in the style of Red Rising and Ender's Game. Honestly I'm looking for books with large scale conflicts, romance, character growth and flawed MCs. I really like war themes, and it doesn't matter if it's sci fi or not. Looking forward to hearing your recommendations!

I used to read a lot of series in middle/high school. I remember reading one about fairies, that vampire one with the smiley faces, just random fantasy novels. The books I own now are all spiritual or references. Cook books, herbalism books, general witchy diy fun stuff, astrology and dream books. But those aren’t really “reading” books.

This is super random, but I started the first book in the Welcome To Tyler series (first one is by Nancy Martin, it was published in 1992) because it was in a surprise book box I bought. It’s technically a romance, and I wouldn’t say I’m terribly into romance but this one has been interesting because it’s not too sappy. If I like it I might buy the rest of the series because I doubt it’s in libraries anymore, but I did not intend on starting a series.

I’m also VERY interested in reading The Mad Wife by Meagan Church but it’s got like 10 people in front of me on hold from the local library, so I guess it’s super popular right now.

My TV watching preferences are specific, I don’t watch a lot of TV. Brooklyn 99 and Scream Queens are 2 shows I’m watching currently. When it comes to anime I much prefer demon/creature animes but nothing that takes itself too serious. I liked Ouran High School Host Club too, because of how silly and dramatic it was, but I’m not that interested in reading mangas quite yet.

I’m 26F, a new mom with not a lot of time, but trying to reduce my screen time. I like the short books because it feels like I’m making a big dent even if I only get 30 minutes a day, but I don’t mind a longer read.

I just got my library card for the first time since middle school, so I do intend on just going to the library and looking around, but given the context of this post & the small summary of my likes/dislikes I provided, are there any recs that anyone would give to me to look at specifically before rummaging around the library?

Thank you!! 🩷

I’m currently loving the stormy weather in England and craving something to add to it.

Historical and coastal, bonus points for south coast smuggling or highwaymen.

Love a bit of Folk horror. Dark gritty vibes.

Make me want to stew whimsically out into a storm.

I read Kafka on the shore this year and honestly I think it’s my favorite book of all time. What I loved about Kafka on the shore is how it felt to capture a feeling of a daydream and loneliness so well. It’s like Haruki Murakami met my soul halfway. I’ve also read Norwegian wood, South of the border west of the Sun, and Men without women. But they didn’t connect with me like Kafka on the shore. But a book that did connect to me in a similar way was The remains of the day by Kazuo Ishiguro. Let me know any recommendations I’m open to anything! Thank you!

Going to Madeira for a week and looking for a book to get me in the spirit. Will be doing a lot of hiking and adventuring along the coast so ideally looking for an island or nautical themed adventure. Thanks!

My boyfriend and I just broke up. It wasn't unexpected, but it still hurts. I loved him a lot, even if we were together a short time in the scheme of things, and I need to know my person is still out there.

Any recommendations where the FMC is getting over a breakup and tries to find herself/her person?

One thing that fascinates me about LOTR is Tolkien’s invented languages. Elvish makes Middle-earth feel like it existed long before the first page. Are there other books where language adds that same sense of history, mystery and wonder? I’d love some suggestions!

I’m looking for books that have similar prose to V.C. Andrews (Flowers in the Attic, My Sweet Audrina, etc.) or Kate Elizabeth Russell (My Dark Vanessa). Any recommendations?

Hi friends! I am looking for suggestions for my book club. We are a birding group on the Oregon Coast. Aged 45-80, all genders and very active chapter. I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for novels specifically on PNW birds? Anything is appreciated!

Don't know why but I have a hankering for this. I've enjoyed a lot of modern murder mysteries, but realized it might be fun to see the same scenario play out in ancient Rome or Constantinople or Ur.

Edit:
Wow! I just threw this up before going to sleep and you all delivered such an amazing list! Thank you so much!

I’ve been trying to expand my Libby holds to include more nonfiction and end up dropping books with a subject i’m really excited about when I feel too bogged down by data. Any faster paced/thrilling nonfiction reccs for a horror/weird fiction lover?

Things I like, both non/fiction:

Medical curiosities/atrocities
Prehistoric beasts
Creepier or grosser side of nature
“Weird fiction” as a genre
Cryptids/folklore/hauntings
Memoirs about defying the odds or natural disasters
Banned books on queer subjects/memoirs

Some recent winners for an idea of other stuff I’m into:

Of Time and Turtles + Temple Grandin by Sy Montgomery (i love Sy!)
Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? by Caitlin Doughty
Gut by Giulia Enders
Stiff by Mary Roach
High School by Tegan & Sara
Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte

Short stories, poetry, novel, anythingg

looking for book recs where the pov character is innocent of what they're initially accused of (something serious), and is unhappy when people who they thought knew them...don't believe their innocence.

They wind up having to figure out the real culprit themselves

as in more of a being persecuted and then playing detective emphasis, not a revenge emphasis like The Count of Monte Cristo

I love the magical realism in this book, especially how trauma and folklore are tied together. Reading Beloved is such a dreamlike experience and has stuck with me ever since I read it.

I'm looking for more books dealing with memories, haunting, trauma and abuse tied together with mysticism, folklore, magical realism, and anything dreamy.

I also love: The emperor of gladness by Ocean Vuong, Carrie by Stephen King, A good man is hard to find by Flannery O'Connor and Giovannis room by James Baldwin.