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.

There's no groundhog emoji so please squint!

My very niche request is for a short term time loop. An involuntary time loop. None of this voluntary time travel spanning years stuff. I want to witness some poor bastard getting groundhog day'd.

I wanna give examples but the only book I can think of is a YA one I read 20 years ago where this boy gets trapped in the first day of summer camp and thinks it's because he participated in bullying but actually it's because he forgot to brush his teeth. I want more of that!

I'll be having surgery the week before Thanksgiving and will need to basically lay about and rest for two weeks, so naturally I want to line up some truly excellent SF to read. Strong preference for humor and interesting settings. What I don't want is enemies to lovers romantasy (unless it is hilarious sapphic romance in an interesting setting like "How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying" which I loved), books that make you stare at the wall in despair when you've finished or anything that is basically a downer. I can and do read books that would fit into all of those excluded categories - I just don't want them for this specific time frame.

Books that I have read and really enjoy (and find hilarious or at least funny enough and SF enough) include Veal, Gideon the 9th, the Dark Lord duology, most everything by T. Kingfisher, the Zoey Ashe series (reading right now, loving all day long), The Wayfarer series and the Monk and Robot series, and Murderbot (all of them). I'm sure there are other funny SF books that I've read but cannot remember right now.

I've also read a lot of Adrian Tchaikovsky, John Scalzi, and most Hugo award winners from the 80's and 90's. I truly, seriously dislike Grady Hendrix (so much promise, so much disappointment). I'm not averse to gore but please no gratuitous SA or unnecessary animal violence.

A quick summary or even an interesting line from the book helps so much my friends, and is truly appreciated. For example, for Gideon the 9th, I read someone describe it as "Teenage lesbian necromancers in space."

Heck. Yeah. (trying to be mindful of language)

-And in exchange for your time and thoughtfulness, if you would like me to blurb any of the books I've listed, I will happily do so.

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!

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!

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!

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 🙏🏻

Hi. Recently have fallen into a disability where I cannot stand phone or media stimulation. I’m also unable to leave my bed most of the time. To have the lights on.

1. AFAB but agender. Live in Chicago.

Currently really unable to browse this sub.

I’m looking for a cozy or warm book with more stimulation through illustration. Less text than I’d like generally. Or a very fast read. I’d considered coffee table books but they’re lacking in fun? I don’t know. My world needs to feel larger than it is right now. Imaginative in a way that isn’t exactly described but already depicted.

I fear that graphic novels will be too involved as well.

I was a voracious child reader and was recently getting back into books. I read horror almost exclusively. Now I’m lost on what to do.

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!

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

Can anyone recommend me a book set in a small american town, where something is off, slightly supernatural, slightly spooky vibes?

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.

It's time to set up my November TBR, and I have a book prompt for the month ahead. It's getting me to read a book with an antagonist everyone loves to hate because they're so awful. I'm at my wits' end with seeing any book on my TBR that has this! I would really love to hear everyone's recommendations!

Pretty much what it says in the title I've been looking for books with a focus on werewolf characters, prefferably with some interesting pack dynamics like the werewolves are explicitly Not human like they have a different culture/different morality that humans because they aren't human. I would prefer without romance but it wouldn't be a deal breaker. Thank you for any recs in advance.

Life is VERY heavy right now.

I usually read thrillers but I can't do anything stressful or sad.

I just burned through all Katherine Center books and loved them.

I also adore Kristan Higgans.

I like a story with depth and definitely humor! Can you recommend some books please?

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?

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!

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 a 25-year-old guy who has always struggled with reading but always had an itch to be a reader. I’ve picked it up so many times hoping to stay consistent, so I’d love some books that make me want to keep reading.

Books I’ve already read: all of LOTR (something dear to me and my mum), The Catcher in the Rye, All About Love by bell hooks, Paper Towns, Looking for Alaska (a personal fave as a teen), Normal People and The Bell Jar.

I also love graphic novels/comics: Watchmen, Sandman, The Crow and Scott Pilgrim.

To give you an understanding of what I’m hoping to find:

• Good Will Hunting: an absolute fave. The relationship and breakthrough story meant so much to child me and still does. I’m a VERY emotional man, especially with mentor/parental figure stories.
• The OC, One Tree Hill and the Before trilogy: a big lover of that romance-infused style. Connecting with people, platonically or romantically, feels like a lot of the heartbeat of life. Seth Cohen probably accounts for a lot of my sarcasm.
• Skins, Shameless, The Florida Project and Stand by Me: messy coming-of-age stories, kids from rough starts, that childlike sense of adventure, and worlds that feel deeply human.
• The Worst Person in the World and Eternal Sunshine: flawed people struggling and living their lives, with emotional depth.
• Mr Robot and Ready Player One: the techy side of things, alternate realities, and stories that make us look at society or mental health. I’m a massive gamer who grew up playing World of Warcraft, and I love a futuristic dystopia with class imbalance.
• The Social Network: adore the fast-paced dialogue and iconic lines. Also love the humour and alternative feel of Scott Pilgrim, Empire Records and Almost Famous.

Philosophy and psychology are massive interests too. I’ve been feeling a little lost at 25, like I’ve been left behind by peers, so I’d also appreciate accessible nonfiction around that.

What books would you suggest based on any of these? Fiction, graphic novels, philosophy, psychology and poetry are all welcome. Ideally, things you adore and think would help me keep picking up a book.

i just want to see myself in a book lol but i cant seem to find anything out there.

I’ve realized that I have a very specific taste in horror, and I’m desperately looking for more books that scratch that itch.

I’m drawn to Southern Gothic, historical horror, Appalachian folklore, and stories that explore the darker parts of American history. I love books set in the antebellum South, Reconstruction, Jim Crow era, and isolated rural communities, but I’m equally interested in modern stories where something sinister from the past resurfaces.

Give me decaying plantations, forgotten towns, haunted family estates, generational curses, religious fanaticism, old Appalachian communities, disturbing family secrets, and things lurking in the woods.

I’m especially interested in stories that incorporate historical injustices, slavery, folklore, and the supernatural. I love when horror is intertwined with real history rather than existing purely for shock value.

Some books I’ve already read:

Those Across the River by Christopher Buehlman
The Hollow Kind by Andy Davidson
Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
Kindred by Octavia Butler
East of Eden by John Steinbeck (not horror, but I love generational storytelling and complicated family histories)

I’m also currently reading Beloved by Toni Morrison.

What I’m looking for:

•Southern Gothic and Appalachian folk horror
•Historical horror, especially set between the 1700s and early 1900s (open to going back a few centuries)
•Stories involving slavery, Reconstruction, or Jim Crow with supernatural elements.
•Generational curses, family secrets, and inherited trauma, Rural isolation, unsettling folklore.
•Dual timelines connecting past horrors to the present.
•Slow-building dread that eventually becomes genuinely terrifying

For example: I absolutely loved how The Hollow Kind connected different generations and how Those Across the River combined historical atmosphere with something deeply sinister.

I don’t necessarily need nonstop action or gore. I want immersive writing, deeply unsettling settings, and a story that stays with me long after I’ve finished it. That said, I definitely appreciate a book that isn’t afraid to get disturbing.

Bonus points for lesser known authors, Black horror authors, or books that don’t constantly appear on every recommendation list.

I’m open to horror from other historical periods and regions, too. I just have a particular weakness for the American South and Appalachia.
What books disturbed you / lingered on your brain for a while after closing ?

The objects of my disaffection have been the tech bros of late. The broligarchy. So based on the following that I've read, what would you suggest be next:

The Nerd Reich

Enshittification

Careless People

Empire of AI

The Chaos Machine

On deck is:

More Everything Forever

The Age of Extraction

I'm becoming quite unbearable but I want to read more, especially if it is a good audio. Thanks!

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.