It's your turn to give me book suggestions!
Next semester I'm taking an Adult Reading Materials course. I hardly read adult books and if I do, I read it my typical women's fiction/chick lit/romance genre. So I need your help. I have to read adult titles in various genres and I want to know what you think I should read!
Here's the genres I'll be reading in:
Mystery
Western
Thriller
Multicultural Fiction
Romance
Graphic Novels
Inspirational/Christian Fiction
Historical Fiction
Horror
Science Fiction
Fantasy
So please suggest away!!
Next semester I'm taking an Adult Reading Materials course. I hardly read adult books and if I do, I read it my typical women's fiction/chick lit/romance genre. So I need your help. I have to read adult titles in various genres and I want to know what you think I should read!
Here's the genres I'll be reading in:
Mystery
Western
Thriller
Multicultural Fiction
Romance
Graphic Novels
Inspirational/Christian Fiction
Historical Fiction
Horror
Science Fiction
Fantasy
So please suggest away!!
I can't help with all the genres you listed, but...
ReplyDeleteMystery: try Chelsea Cain's Heartsick (sequel, Sweetheart, the third book, Night Season, will be out in March). Personally, I think this one is a combo of horror and mystery, so would that be a thriller? You could also try Jonathan Kellerman--his Alex Delaware novels are always good.
Horror: Definitely Stephen King. Try one of his earlier works, like Cujo, Christine, Carrie, or Misery.
Science Fiction: As much as I detest the Twilight books, I really enjoyed Stephanie Myers' foray into adult lit, The Host. That should fit for Sci Fi.
Sorry I can't really help with the others; like you, I mostly read YA.
Hopefully this course will touch on how so much of YA lit has crossover appeal for adults!
I've heard some really good things about True Grit, a western that's being turned into a movie. Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe is a great science fiction book. Castle Waiting is a great fantasy/graphic novel. (A lot of these are also good crossover books for teens who feel like they have out grown teen lit, why they would want to I don't know, but it does happen.)
ReplyDeleteFor science fiction give Cordelia's Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold a try. She has won many SF awards.
ReplyDeleteWestern: Something by Louis Lamour
ReplyDeleteThriller: Hold Tight by Harlan Coben
Multicultural Fiction: This is the most offensive category in the world. I'd probably go with Isabele Allende
Romance: Better experts than I out there! But I think Sarah Maclean has done a few that have gotten good reviews.
Graphic Novels: Fun Home by Alison Bechdel. Trust me on it. Also - Peanut Butter and Jeremy by James Kolchaka
Inspirational/Christian Fiction: Anything by Karen Kingsbury
Historical Fiction: you MUST read Those who save us by Jenna Blum
Horror: One Bloody Thing After Another by Joey Cormeau
Science Fiction: Ender's Game
Fantasy: The first book in discworld
I could give you a million more.
i very rarely read adult books but my favourite book ever is gone to soldiers by M.Piercey. It is set in ww2 and is amazing.
ReplyDeleteNo literary? Darn!
ReplyDeleteHistorical romance: the OUTLANDER series is fun
For mysteries I like the oldies but goodies, like PD James and Dorothy Sayer's titles.
Multicultural fiction: (all titles I can think of are literary): THE GOD OF SMALL THINGS, THE NAMESAKE, THE KITE RUNNER, anything by Amy Tan, THE SHADOW OF THE WIND
Christian ficiton: THE PREACHER'S BRIDE, and one of the funniest books I've ever read, THE SACRED DIARY OF ADRIAN PLASS, AGED 37 3/4
Mystery-love James Patterson's Alex Cross or the women's detective books.
ReplyDeleteRomance- for historical romance I love Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series. They are hilarious. Julie Garwood's highland romance books are awesome too. I'm not as much a fan of her contemporary romance stuff.
Historical Fiction-Philippa Gregory
Science Fiction-Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is a must read.
Fantasy-I love Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar books other than her newest one. Arrows of the Queen is one of my favorites.
Have fun reading!
GREAT question. I totally agree with the Julia Quinn and Julie Garwood for historical romance. I've heard awesome things for years about the Outlander series and have it downloaded on my computer for Kindle (was free about a month ago, you might check on book one) so I'm gonna read that over C'mas. It has so many good reviews.
ReplyDeleteI love One for the MOney by Janet Evanovich for contemporary romance/mystery. Very funny.
I know we've talked about this, but I can't remember, have you read Guernsey LIterary or The Help? If not, those are MUSTS.
For Christian fiction, I really liked Love Starts with Elle by Rachel Hauck. And people rave about The Stones Cry Out by Sibella Giorella, as well as When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin.
You know Susan Elizabeth Phillips is my absolute fave for contemp. romance (Natural Born Charmer!). For mystery, Mary Higgins Clark.
I second Harlan Coben, though I've never read him, but everyone else in the world seems to have, so he's on my Christmas read list. Would he be mystery or thriller? I dunno.Also Dean Koontz for thriller.
Graphic novels, this is an oldie but goodie, Maus I and II. Not fun reads--they're from a child of Holocaust survivors, but good.
I'm not a fan of westerns, but Mary Connealy writes western type of inspy romances, so maybe that would take care of 3 in one? Her books are good.
Would the Sookie Stackhouse series count as fantasy?
Can't wait to read all the responses!
Not sure what genre it counts as, but I just read the first two Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich (One for the Money, Two for the Dough) and they are seriously entertaining. They're somewhere between mystery, adventure, and romance.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've always loved John Grisham. Or you can try Scott Turow. I've only read his non-fiction book (Ultimate Punishment), but if that is any indication, his fiction will rock.
I mostly read YA fic too, but when I do read adult it is usually historical fiction. Some of my recent favorites are:
ReplyDeleteThe Virgin Queen's Daughter by Ella March Chase
Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors
And in contemporary fiction:
Which Brings Me to You: A Novel in Confessions by Steve Almond and Julianna Baggott
For historical fiction I too have heard that the Outlander series is awesome.
ReplyDeleteMystery wise you can't go wrong with either Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley (then watch the movie which is a bit different but features a hilarious Don Cheadle) or the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith.
Multicultural Fiction: You HAVE to read 32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter. "Chick lit" but goes far beyond that too. A must-read especially if you're a fan of John Hughes films. A more serious but still exxcellent read would be a short stories collection called Before You Suffocate Your own Fool Self. Simply stunning. Ooo or try Children of the Waters by Carleen Brice.
Hope this helps and enjoy the class :)
Thriller: PREY by Michael Crichton (also, this could work for Sci-Fi!)
ReplyDeleteMulticultural: I love Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni - SISTER OF MY HEART is my favorite. Also, I love INTERPRETER OF MALADIES by Jhumpa Lahiri (short stories). And anything by Amy Tan (I think THE KITCHEN GOD'S WIFE is my favorite). Oh and also THE COLOR PURPLE by Alice Walker.
Graphic Novels: I tend to like gns that aren't fiction, so I don't know if that would count for your class. I love PERSEPOLIS and PERSEPOLIS 2 by Majane Satrapi and PEDRO AND ME by Judd Winnick. Both are memoirs.
Christian Fiction: When I took my adult readers' advisory class I read CANDLE IN THE DARKNESS by Lynn Austin - historical fiction set during the Civil War. Lynn Austin's written a lot of things that have won Christian Fiction awards, so she's worth checking out! I liked this one enough that I picked up the second book in the trilogy.
Historical Fiction: This one is super long, but I loved The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber. It's about a Victorian prostitute (basically). Also, THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER AND CLAY by Michael Chabon is a great read - set in the 30s and 40s about comic book creators.
Science Fiction: I loooove DOOMSDAY BOOK by Connie Willis. I also love TO SAY NOTHING OF THE DOG (also by Connie Willis). Also, JURASSIC PARK by Michael Crichton (could also work for thriller... I really like most of what I've read by Michael Crichton).
Fantasy: STARDUST by Neil Gaiman - a very satisfying fairy tale-esque. Also, I loved HIS MAJESTY'S DRAGON by Naomi Novik - Napoleonic Wars but with dragons!
Ohh, looking back through my LibraryThing and coming up with this list reminds me of how many adult books I've really enjoyed! I really need to make more time for them. I'd love to know what you end up reading for this class and how you like them!!
Thriller: PREY by Michael Crichton (also, this could work for Sci-Fi!)
ReplyDeleteMulticultural: I love Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni - SISTER OF MY HEART is my favorite. Also, I love INTERPRETER OF MALADIES by Jhumpa Lahiri (short stories). And anything by Amy Tan (I think THE KITCHEN GOD'S WIFE is my favorite). Oh and also THE COLOR PURPLE by Alice Walker.
Graphic Novels: I tend to like gns that aren't fiction, so I don't know if that would count for your class. I love PERSEPOLIS and PERSEPOLIS 2 by Majane Satrapi and PEDRO AND ME by Judd Winnick. Both are memoirs.
Christian Fiction: When I took my adult readers' advisory class I read CANDLE IN THE DARKNESS by Lynn Austin - historical fiction set during the Civil War. Lynn Austin's written a lot of things that have won Christian Fiction awards, so she's worth checking out! I liked this one enough that I picked up the second book in the trilogy.
Historical Fiction: This one is super long, but I loved The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber. It's about a Victorian prostitute (basically). Also, THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER AND CLAY by Michael Chabon is a great read - set in the 30s and 40s about comic book creators.
Science Fiction: I loooove DOOMSDAY BOOK by Connie Willis. I also love TO SAY NOTHING OF THE DOG (also by Connie Willis). Also, JURASSIC PARK by Michael Crichton (could also work for thriller... I really like most of what I've read by Michael Crichton).
Fantasy: STARDUST by Neil Gaiman - a very satisfying fairy tale-esque. Also, I loved HIS MAJESTY'S DRAGON by Naomi Novik - Napoleonic Wars but with dragons!
Ohh, looking back through my LibraryThing and coming up with this list reminds me of how many adult books I've really enjoyed! I really need to make more time for them. I'd love to know what you end up reading for this class and how you like them!!
Historical: The Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin (medieval forensics!)
ReplyDeleteor Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian, the first book in the Aubrey-Maturin series.
For science fiction, I loved The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy because it was subverting the genre. It was absolutely hilarious.
ReplyDeleteFor multicultural, I would recommend Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
Veracity by Laura Bynum falls into dystopian/sci-fi
ReplyDeleteNora Roberts Bride Quartet Series was cute in the romance genre
I have the hardest time picking adult books! I'll try and help with a few titles.
ReplyDeleteMystery: The Millennium Trilogy by Steig Larsson.
GN: I second "Fun Home". I just read it recently and it is fantastic. Also check out "The Photographer" by Emmanuel Guilbert. I got both reviewed on my blog.
Horror: For old school try Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles. I loved the first two but didn't care for the others. Also try "Neverwhere" by Gaiman. I haven't read it but it has been always recommended to me.
Historical Fiction: "Atonement" by Ian McEwan was awesome. I also loved "Snow Falling on Cedars" by David Guterson. Also great are "The Help" by Stockett and "Guernsy" by Anna Barrows.
Fantasy: You can't go wrong with Gaiman.
Multicultural Fic: I loved "The Namesake" by Lahiri, "The Calligrapher's Daughter" by Eugenia Kim, "Girl in Translation" by Jean Kwok, "The Joyluck Club" by Amy Tan, and "Saffron Kitchen" by Yasmin Cowther.
Okay, I've got you covered in Horror and Fantasy. Horror try Joe Hill, Shirley Jackson. Or go classic horror and read Poe.
ReplyDeleteAs for fantasy, go Neil Gaiman. He is WONDERFUL. I recommend Neverwhere. Graphic novels, someone already said Maus so I will add Stitches: A Memoir, Blankets, Fun Home.
Beyond that, I only read adult lit, so I can't help with romance or westerns- oh, but check out The Outlander by Adamson about a widow on the run in the Midwest for killing her husband. That was great.
I envy you this class.
Mystery: I like Elizabeth George, Minette Walters, and Sara Paretsky. The early works of PD James. Some Kathy Reichs (but I have low tolerance for long series) and Jonathan kellerman, Case Histories by kate Atkinson.
ReplyDeleteScience Fiction: Enders Game by Orson Scott Card (and Enders Shadow), The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, anything by Charles de Lint
Thriller: Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith (this could also count as multicultural fiction), anything by Michael Chrichton
Romance: The Time Travellers Wife, by Audirey Niffenberger, Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
Fantasy: anything by Neil Gaiman (Stardust, American Gods, Anansi Boys, Good Omens), the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. Anything by Kelly Link. Kindred by Octavia Butler
Historical Fiction: Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Society, Pope Joan by Donna Cross, City of Thieves by David Benioff, Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler, Kavalier and Clay, The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti, most of the classics,
Multicultural: anything by Jumpha Lahiri (I liked The Namesake the best), White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, Shadow of the Wind, by Ruiz Zafon, Unbearable Lighness of Being, Milan Kundera, Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie, anything by Haruki Murakami ( my favorite The Wind Up Bird Chronicles), 100 Years of Solitude, Garcia Marquez (and anything else he's written), The Elegance of the Hedgehog, The Kite Runner, Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, Disgrace by Coetzee, The Book Thief by Zusak, The Tin Drum, Periodic Table by Primo Levi, The Ghost Road by Pat Barker
All but one of my books are old....and possibly you are supposed to be reading current authors? If so, sorry!
ReplyDeleteMystery: I'd go for a classic, like Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, or a Dorothy Sayers, possibly Murder Must Advertise, or Strong Poison.
Historical Fiction: Katherine, by Anya Seton
Science Fiction: another classic--The Left Hand of Darkness
Fantasy: you might like Cold Magic, by Kate Eliott
Chrisian Fiction: The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis, is fun and interesting
Multicultural: one I read in high school, that made a huge impression, is Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart
Romantic Thriller (could count for either) Have you ever tried Mary Stewart? I love The Moonspinners, Nine Coaches Waiting, Madam Will You Talk, etc
Okay, so I don't read a lot of adult...barely any. But one of my favorite all time fantasy series is the 12 Houses Series by Sharon Shinn. The first book is called Mystic and Rider. It's not really big and fat like a lot of adult fantasy. I actually thought it was YA when I first picked it up. It's wonderful. Wonderful world building, and huge charactarization. Even a love story :)
ReplyDeleteSarah!
ReplyDeleteI've read a number of great books lately. I'd recommend the following
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (multicultural nonfiction)
Twilight Queen (apparently part of a series) (historical fiction)
Travels of a TShirt in a Global Economy (nonfiction)
Packing for Mars (nonfiction)
Playing for Pizza (Multicultural)
When the Emperor was Divine (Multicultural)
Year of Wonders (historical fiction)
Digital Fortress (sci fi)
Queen of the Big Time (romance? gen fiction)
Yes Man (non fic)
Kiss of Shadows (romance)
Let the Great World Spin (fiction)
These Boots Weren't Made for Walking (inspirational)
Currently I'm reading the Art of Racing in the Rain and loving it!
I've been reading a lot lately and tracking it on shelfari.com which has been great! Find me to be friends if you're on it :)
I don't really read many adult books either, but here are a few suggestions! :)
ReplyDeleteThe Host by Stephenie Meyer (Sci-fi; basically my favorite book. It's a masterpiece)
Under the Dome by Stephen King (Horror)
Everything else by Stephen King!
Divine by Mistake by P.C. Cast (Romance/Fantasy... but I found it in a sci-fi section at Borders; I'm reading it right now... it's different. Maybe not the best thing in the world.)
Divine by Choice;
Divine by Blood by P.C. Cast (the rest of the trilogy-see above)
Mystery, might be horror too...
ReplyDeleteSharp Objects AND/OR Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
I love both of these!!
Lauren
Romance
ReplyDelete-Diana Gabaldon's Outlander Series
Graphic Novels
-Fray by Joss Whedon
-Watchmen
Inspirational/Christian Fiction
-Left Behind (only Christian fiction I've read, it had some action)
Historical Fiction
-The Skystone by Jack Whyte
Science Fiction
-Mindscan by Robert Sawyer
-The Icarus Hunt by Timothy Zahn
Fantasy
-Sword of Truth series by Goodkind
-Freedom's Landing by Anne McCaffrey
-
I took an adult reading materials class, too. We read a book a week. Definitely pick titles that are on the shorter side (so probably no Outlander or The Dome as others have suggested). I highly recommend Lily by Cindy Bonner as your Western title. It's a fun read with a bit of romance as well.
ReplyDeleteFantasy - Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. *Highly recommend* (especially since you like his Alcatraz series). You get to find out what happens if the Evil Overlord wins and what happens after (and it is so cool because the protags try to defeat the Evil Overlord with an Ocean Eleven's type heist. How much cooler can you get than that?!). I love Brandon Sanderson's work because of this one. I've also heard great things about The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.
ReplyDeleteSci-Fi - Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is considered a classic, though I haven't read it since I was twelve so don't necessarily quote me on that one. The Host is decent enough (I liked it significantly more than the Twilight series, though not the best of the sci-fi genre I would think). Fahrenheit 451 I really enjoyed and Dune is supposed to be amazing and as big as Ender's Game, if not more so. And if you're going for short, there is always The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury. I'm feeling somewhat guilty because with the exception of The Host, these are all somewhat older. I need to kick it into gear.
Graphic Novels - The Flight series by Kazu Kabuishi is STUNNING. The are like short stories for graphic novels but so beautiful and the stories range from funny to complex and very thought provoking. And The Arrival by Shaun Tan is wonderful.
Inspirational/Christian Fiction - the first one that comes to mind is Richard Paul Evans. He wrote The Christmas Box several years ago and it became an immense hit (it's short too). It was one of those originally self published to major book deal kind of situation. He's written several other books (I believe all inspirational). I think the most recent is The Walk. But The Christmas Box is considered a classic and his stuff is checked out regularly at our library. Also I've heard good thing about Tuesdays with Morrie/The Five People You Meet in Heaven. And you can never go wrong with C.S. Lewis.
Historical Fiction - I have a friend who absolutely loves The Mistress of the Art of Death. It was mentioned by someone else on your list, I think, and the premise sounds fantastic. The other one I've heard nothing but raves from is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Horror - I've heard great things about Shirley Jackson (and totally turned my world upside down when I read her short story "The Lottery" - yikes). One of hers that I've been wanting to read is We Have Always Lived in the Castle. I believe she also wrote The Haunting of Hill House (of which the two movies have been made).
I just finished Room by Emma Donoghue. Wow...on many best-seller lists and I now know why! You are whisked away by the narration of a five-year-old boy who has lived with his mother in an 11 x 11 shed where they are held captive.
ReplyDeleteI mainly read YA like yourself, but I use to read only adult books. Now I just do a sprinkling now and then.
ReplyDeleteGraphic Novel: "Blankets" by Craig Thompson.
Horror: "The Ruins" by Scott Smith. This is an older book, but sooo scary. I couldn't read it before I went to bed.
Mystery: "Still Missing" by Chevy Stevens. This is a new book about a women kidnapped and she is reliving her year with her captor. Could also count as horror...she went thru some horrible things.
Hope that helps...looks like you got a lot of good suggestions. Good luck with your class.
Recent adult books I've read and loved include 'The Shadow of the Wind' by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, 'Never let me go' by Kazuo Ishiguro and 'The Good Women of China' by Xinran
ReplyDeleteIt is such a fun class! I took it this semester and had a blast! Here is what I read for the class:
ReplyDeleteMystery
The Amelia Peabody Series by Elizabeth Peters
Western
Shane by Jack Schaeffer
Thriller
Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Multicultural Fiction
Bollywood Confidential by Sonia Singh
Romance
Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot
Graphic Novels
Flight by Kazu Kibuishi
Inspirational/Christian Fiction
Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh
Historical Fiction
The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer
Horror
House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski
Science Fiction
Solaris by Stanislaw Lem
Although a lot of people did books from the Hunger Games series.
Fantasy
The Bell at Sealey Head by Patricia A. McKillip
I really enjoyed Mary Higgins Clarks OLDER mystery novels: ex) Where are the Children, While my Pretty One Sleeps, A Cry in the Night... all so much better than her current stuff - they could also fit into the thriller category because they are much scarier & less structured than her current stuff.
ReplyDeleteFor sci-fi I agree with the commenters who suggested The Host by Stephanie Meyer - I don't usually read sci-fi & I enjoyed that book.
For historical fiction, I suggest the Help, which is easy to read & interesting, and I especially recommend Follow the River, which could be considered a historical novelization rather than fiction because it is based on an actual historic event but it is a fascinating book that I'm sure you would enjoy.
Richard Paul Evans is a great author of inspirational fiction, so that is another suggestion with which I agree.
I've only read a few graphic novels, one of which was Maus, and the other was A.D.: New Orleans after the Deluge, which was pretty interesting.
For multicultural fiction I recommend the Bonesetter's Daughter, The Joy Luck Club, Memoirs of a Geisha, as well as books by Gabriel Garcia Marquez or Isabel Allende.
Mystery: I will second some others and say Agatha Christie. I also recommend The #1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
ReplyDeleteThriller: Gillian Flynn (Sharp Objects), Chelsea Cain (Heartsick -soo good), or Tana French (In the Woods - it's literary, though)
Multicultural Fiction - lots of good stuff mentioned, but I absolutely loved In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
Romance - Jude Deveraux's older books, especially featuring the Montgomery guys.
Historical Fiction - People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
Science Fiction - The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Fantasy - The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
Good luck choosing : )
Graphic novel huh? For an adult read, I HIGHLY suggest reading Monster by Naoki Urasawa. It's a psychological thriller Japanese manga that will have you attached to it because it's so riveting
ReplyDeleteHere are my suggestions - have fun!
ReplyDeleteMystery: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie - Featuring the most adorable sleuth ever, 11 year old Flavia de Luce. It is the beginning of a series and I enjoyed the second story as well. You could also try The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo would be my recommendation. Lisabeth Salander is one of my all time favorite characters. The first part of the book is very slow, but if you can make it through, it is definitly worth it. It does have extreme sexual and physical violence, though.
Western: Hmm I don't read much of this, but you might try No Country for Old Men (pretty violent). I also keep meaning to read Lonesome Dove. It's a classic and I still see good reviews of this title on blogs every now and then.
Multicultural Fiction: You might want to try a Street Lit title. Megan Honig reviews these on her blog. It's a genre I have been meaning to check out - although depending on your professor's definition of multicultural this may not fit. Street lit is really more about socio-economic issues and urban life.
Romance: For contemporary I would recommend Susan Elizabeth Phillips - my favorites are Natural Born Charmer or This Heart of Mine. I always chuckle my way through her books. I also love Victoria Dahl's series that begins with Talk Me Down. If you want historical, try Lisa Kleypas' Wallflower or the Forbidden Rose by Joanna Bourne. I don't read much of the paranormal stuff.
Graphic Novels: I just recently fell in love with graphic novels. I would suggest Y: The Last Man, Lenore: Noogies, or Maus.
Horror: Try World War Z. It uses the zombie apocalypse to analyse social and political issues in our world. It's also funny and heartbreaking at times.
Science Fiction: Read The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russel. It is amazing - one of those books that really stays with you after you read it. I'm not much a Sci Fi person, but this is one of my all time favorite books. Ender's Game is also excellent.
Fantasy: I recently really enjoyed The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett. Very traditional fantasy and I really enjoyed both the premise and the characters. The second book in the series was very good as well.
Also, I love the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, and it could easily fit into Historical Fiction, Romance, or Fantasy.
I'm late to the game, but here are some ideas!
ReplyDeleteMystery--Agatha Christie. I read one of her's when I had a similar assignment and fell in love.
Romance--9 Rules to Break when Romancing a Rake and 10 Ways to be Adored When Landing a Lord, both by Sarah MacLean (whose first book was the YA title, The Season)
Multicultural Fiction-- Depends on how they're defining this, but Kiffe Kiffe Tomorrow is a French book about an Algerian-French teenager in Paris. Native Speaker by Chang-Rae Lee is a beautiful book featuring a Korean-American main character.
Graphic Novels--FABLES by Bill Willingham. LOVE.
Historical Fiction: Mudbound by Hillary Jordan
ReplyDeleteAs a children and YA librarian, I don't read much adult stuff but I really enjoyed Mudbound.
You're lucky to be taking an adult services class. I tried to take one when I was doing my MLS but it was never offered. Good luck!ob
My absolute favorite historical fiction novel is Desireeby Annemarie Selinko.
ReplyDeleteIt's the story of Napoleon's first love when he was a young soldier living in France.
It's super romantic and the characters bloodlines are still here today!!
Graphic Novels... ohhh boy!! There's a great site you can go to called mangafox.com that has some stuff you won't be able to find.
My two favorites are Hana to Akuma- which is a love story between a girl and a demon and Rurouni Kenshin- a warrior who falls in love with a young spirited girl who has her own dojo.
There are tons of awesome graphic novels!
Sci Fi - I agree with the Stephenie Meyer novel The Host. Think Invaders of the Body Snatchers- in the future. It has the same great writing of Twilight but is better IMO.
Oh! Awesome Fantasy Book if it qualifies as Fantasy is Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. I never ever! thought I would like a book like this. It's super smart and the ideas are crazy! It's tons of adventure too!
Western- Hate them, but I did read a Louis L'Amour titled To Tame a Land. Loved it. I even own it.
That's it for now!
Can't wait to read your reviews- I will be on the watch on goodreads! hehe
I love requests like this.
ReplyDeleteMystery: Arnaldur Indridasson's Jar City is the first in a series featuring a police detective in Reykjavik, Iceland. And I would second the recommendation for Case Histories by Kate Atkinson. Other faves are Tony Hillerman (Navajo Tribal Police), Sue Grafton, Nevada Barr, PD James.
Science Fiction: I was happy to see that someone mentioned The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Leguin. That is a meaty and absorbing book of manageable length and I recommend it very highly. I also second the recommendation for Cordelia's Honor, by Lois McMaster Bujold. It's the first in the Miles Vorkosigan series, a wonderful space opera. Nancy Kress' Beggars in Spain is the first in a great trilogy that explores Ayn Rand territory but is more thoughtful and better written than anything I've ever read by Rand herself. I could go on and on here! One last mention: The Best Science Fiction of the Year anthologies, edited by Gardner Dozois, a great way to get an overview of the current writers.
Western: For a classic, try Zane Grey's The Tonto Rim. For contemporary, Robert B. Parker's Appaloosa is a great page turner and will give you a real appreciation for the genre.
Fantasy: American Gods by Gaiman, but it's long. Neverwhere is shorter and a lovely book also.
Graphic Novels: Epileptic by David B (a memoir about growing up with an epileptic brother); get the full-length version. This is a GN that could only exist as a GN; it would be so much less without the art. It and Watchmen, recommended by someone previously, are two of the best realizations of the genre. If you read only one read Watchmen (it's iconic) but try to read more. Stitches is also incredible; David Small is an illustrator of children's books such as So You Want to Be President, but Stitches is one heck of a grown-up book. If you haven't read many grown-up GNs get going, they will blow your mind.
Christian Fiction: Ann Rice (no kidding) has written a serious and well received two-volume fictionalized life of Jesus, Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt and Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana. I just started the first, but so far so good. But the Left Behind series is the popular thing.
Historical Fiction: Kavalier & Clay (mentioned by a previous poster) is really long but is one of my favorite books from the past few years. If you don't read it for this class, read it for yourself. Shaara's The Killer Angels is great and meticulously researched, but also long. There is a subgenre/ hybrid genre called "alternate history" that you should know about; Harry Turtledove is one of the most celebrated exponents thereof and in Guns of the South he asks, "What if time-travelers from the 21st century, with an agenda of their own, armed the confederates with AK-47s?" Again, impeccably researched. But also, long.
Keep posting about what you read for the course and how you like it! Have fun!
This sounds like lots of fun! I will try to recommend books outside of the genres you named...
ReplyDeleteMystery
- Agatha Christie (as recommended by several readers) showcases the genre very well, and one of her books can be read in a few hours.
Western
- Shane (by Jack Shaefer) is a classic, but it is YA so it probably doesn't qualify for your class.
Thriller
- Fingersmith (by Sarah Waters) is a bit long if you are expected to read a book per week, but it goes very quickly once you're into it and it is both Historical Fiction as well as a great Thriller - lots of plot twists and villainy in settings that are full of menace. Definitely a book to read, even if not for this class.
Multicultural Fiction
- Shantaram (by Gregory David Roberts) is sensationalized memoir taking place in Australia/India/Middle East and can be somewhat divisive - I think people either love it or hate it. Also a bit long for a book per week.
- God of Small Things (by Arundhati Roy) has already been recommended. It is a bit predictable in plot but the language is beautiful and moving.
Romance
- Bel Canto (by Ann Patchett) was a great suggestion by another reader. She uses words so! well! She also wrote The Patron Saint of Liars, which I also thought was beautiful though less romantic.
- Blind Assassin (by Margaret Atwood) has plenty of romance, is IMO her most skillfully written book, and it is very enjoyable on top of that. Without being overdone, there are several stories within this book and even some identity sleight of hand. Gives me shivers.
Historical Fiction
- The Jungle (by Upton Sinclair) is fiction (Jurgis and family are invented) but their experience was real and an important piece of the American Dream. Short, but not a fast read.
- The Forgotten Soldier (by Guy Sajer) covers WWII from the perspective of a French/German teenager. It is honest and terrifying. People have debated for years if it is fiction or non-fiction and it is generally accepted to be fiction, today, but is still one of the most important war books ever written.
- Three Day Road (by Joseph Boyden) is one that wasn't widely promoted, but it is a STUNNING book. It is about a few Cree Native Canadians who fought as snipers in WWI.
Science Fiction
- Ender's Game was a great suggestion, but it is def. YA.
Fantasy
- Tigana (by Guy Gavriel Kay) is longer than some of his other works but it is one of his best IMO. Gripping and thought-provoking, but fun and romancical, too. (He also wrote the excellent Fionavar Tapestry trilogy = Summer Tree, Wandering Fire, Longest Road, which might be YA? I'm not sure, maybe check because if they qualify you might want to read a shorter one like The Summer Tree for your class and save the others for after?).
Nonfiction (not on your list)
- Two Lives (by Vikram Seth) because his masterpiece A Suitable Boy is probably too long for your Multicultural Fiction category in a class with a book per week! Two Lives is this brilliant author's retelling of the lives of his grandparents who raised him and I can't promote this author enough.
Have fun - I'll be checking back on these suggestions for my own reading, too! --Erin.
This sounds like lots of fun! I will try to recommend books outside of the genres you named...
ReplyDeleteMystery
- Agatha Christie (as recommended by several readers) showcases the genre very well, and one of her books can be read in a few hours.
Western
- Shane (by Jack Shaefer) is a classic, but it is YA so it probably doesn't qualify for your class.
Thriller
- Fingersmith (by Sarah Waters) is a bit long if you are expected to read a book per week, but it goes very quickly once you're into it and it is both Historical Fiction as well as a great Thriller - lots of plot twists and villainy in settings that are full of menace. Definitely a book to read, even if not for this class.
Multicultural Fiction
- Shantaram (by Gregory David Roberts) is sensationalized memoir taking place in Australia/India/Middle East and can be somewhat divisive - I think people either love it or hate it. Also a bit long for a book per week.
- God of Small Things (by Arundhati Roy) has already been recommended. It is a bit predictable in plot but the language is beautiful and moving.
Romance
- Bel Canto (by Ann Patchett) was a great suggestion by another reader. She uses words so! well! She also wrote The Patron Saint of Liars, which I also thought was beautiful though less romantic.
- Blind Assassin (by Margaret Atwood) has plenty of romance, is IMO her most skillfully written book, and it is very enjoyable on top of that. Without being overdone, there are several stories within this book and even some identity sleight of hand. Gives me shivers.
Historical Fiction
- The Jungle (by Upton Sinclair) is fiction (Jurgis and family are invented) but their experience was real and an important piece of the American Dream. Short, but not a fast read.
- The Forgotten Soldier (by Guy Sajer) covers WWII from the perspective of a French/German teenager. It is honest and terrifying. People have debated for years if it is fiction or non-fiction and it is generally accepted to be fiction, today, but is still one of the most important war books ever written.
- Three Day Road (by Joseph Boyden) is one that wasn't widely promoted, but it is a STUNNING book. It is about a few Cree Native Canadians who fought as snipers in WWI.
Science Fiction
- Ender's Game was a great suggestion, but it is def. YA.
Fantasy
- Tigana (by Guy Gavriel Kay) is longer than some of his other works but it is one of his best IMO. Gripping and thought-provoking, but fun and romancical, too. (He also wrote the excellent Fionavar Tapestry trilogy = Summer Tree, Wandering Fire, Longest Road, which might be YA? I'm not sure, maybe check because if they qualify you might want to read a shorter one like The Summer Tree for your class and save the others for after?).
Nonfiction (not on your list)
- Two Lives (by Vikram Seth) because his masterpiece A Suitable Boy is probably too long for your Multicultural Fiction category in a class with a book per week! Two Lives is this brilliant author's retelling of the lives of his grandparents who raised him and I can't promote this author enough.
Have fun - I'll be checking back on these suggestions for my own reading, too!
I mostly read and review middle grade and YA books. Here are the adult books I have read and would recommend.
ReplyDeleteChristian Romance/Suspense: In the Shadow of Evil - Robin Caroll
Christian Romance: Texas Roads and A Path Less Traveled both by Cathy Bryant
Horror: The Painted Darkness - Brian James Freeman
Thriller: Think of a Number - John Verdon
Christian Fantasy/Mystery: Rooms - James L. Rubart
Mystery/Thriller: Unseen - Nancy Bush
Mystery: Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter - Tom Franklin
Hope this helps
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry if this is a repeat, or if you've read this already, I didn't read all of the comments, but anything by Francine Rivers is excellent. Her books are easy to get into and difficult to stop reading! Most of them would fall under the Romance and/or Christian/Inspirational genres. Some of them (the Mark of the Lion trilogy) would fall under historical fiction as well.
Even if you don't read them for your class, I would highly recommend them!
I would highly recommend that you read anything by J. R. Ward. However, I would specifically recommend her Black Dagger Brotherhood series. These are some of the best books I have ever read in fiction. They are vampire, but unlike any I've ever read. They are also categorized as romance. The order of the books is: Dark Lover, Lover Eternal, Lover Awakened, Lover Revealed, Lover Unbound, Lover Enshrined, Lover Avenged, and Lover Mind.
ReplyDeleteI own them on print, electronically, and in audio, just to give you an idea of how much I love them.