New book suggestions

**CY22** · 01-19-2013, 10:34 AM

I saw the other thread about needing a new drama series to watch, and kind of chuckled because I have the same dilemma but with books instead. I'm looking for another good fiction book to read for entertainment, as I have plenty of other "intellectual/learning" books to read but am not in the mood to pick up.

For reference, I just finished the Hunger Games series and got totally sucked into it (don't knock it if you haven't read it). Great writing and I thought it brought up a lot of interesting topics. Surprised it is labeled as more of a "young adult/teen" book, as some of the things in there I don't now that I would want my kids reading it that early.

Anywho, something along the lines of that would be great. Preferably a series, as I kind of like things getting drawn out and very descriptive (like JRR Tolkein). So any suggestions?

**CycloneYoda** · 01-19-2013, 10:40 AM

Song of Ice & Fire. My wife liked it, and I like Game of Thrones.

**Cycl1** · 01-19-2013, 10:42 AM

Enders game series

**CYme** · 01-19-2013, 10:44 AM

I second Enders Game series (they're making a movie too), also James Patterson's Maximum Ride series I think would fit in well for someone who liked Hunger Games. Very easy read, it too is marketed as a young adult/teen series.

**azepp** · 01-19-2013, 10:45 AM

If you like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, try anything by Jo Nesbo.

Also, it's not fiction, but I'm reading Unbroken and it's really good. It's about a WWII bomber crew who goes down over the Pacific and their struggle to survive the rest of the war.

**Mr Janny** · 01-19-2013, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by CycloneYoda

Song of Ice & Fire. My wife liked it, and I like Game of Thrones.

Originally Posted by Cycl1

Enders game series

both of these are good choices.

Song of Fire and Ice is just plain awesome. Tons of memorable characters, suspense, intrigue....incest too, but it's hard to get very worked up about that.

Ender's game series is fantastic as well, but to do it right, in my opinion at least, read Ender's game first, then immediately read Ender's Shadow, as it tells the same story, just from a different perspective. Then read the rest of the shadow series, before you proceed to Speaker For the Dead, Xenocide, etc.

Either that, or just skip all of the Shadow books entirely, and only stick with the Ender story arc. It will be less confusing.

**CYme** · 01-19-2013, 11:05 AM

Correct sir, that is the way to read Enders series. Unfortunately I read them as they were published. Oh well, still good. I'll have to look in to this "Song of Fire & Ice".

**Angie** · 01-19-2013, 11:17 AM

I echo Ender's Game. I really liked the Speaker series the best, but the Shadow series is also good.

**CY22** · 01-19-2013, 11:20 AM

Some great suggestions, thx. Really thinking about going through the Song of Ice & Fire series. Ender's game I'm on the fence about (takes the right kind of sci-fi book to get me into it, might have to check this out from the library and go from there).

Anyone read anything else that relates more to modern times with a small twist? Think that was what really drew me into the Hunger Games, the fact that there were things that were so familiar (Panem being North America, not so distant future) and some things didn't really seem too far a stretch but were still fathomable (Mutts, genetically modified creatures, advanced technology but again not much more than we are currently).

**Mr Janny** · 01-19-2013, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by CY22

Some great suggestions, thx. Really thinking about going through the Song of Ice & Fire series. Ender's game I'm on the fence about (takes the right kind of sci-fi book to get me into it, might have to check this out from the library and go from there).

Anyone read anything else that relates more to modern times with a small twist? Think that was what really drew me into the Hunger Games, the fact that there were things that were so familiar (Panem being North America, not so distant future) and some things didn't really seem too far a stretch but were still fathomable (Mutts, genetically modified creatures, advanced technology but again not much more than we are currently).

if that's what you want, Ender's game, shadow series is what you're looking for.

**CY22** · 01-19-2013, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by Mr Janny

if that's what you want, Ender's game, shadow series is what you're looking for.

Ok, I'll take your word for it...and hold you accountable if it doesn't live up to your recommendation

**Rabbuk** · 01-19-2013, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by CY22

Ok, I'll take your word for it...and hold you accountable if it doesn't live up to your recommendation

I've never met anyone who hasn't like those books.

**Cybyassociation** · 01-19-2013, 11:40 AM

The Passage and The Twelve. First two books in the Passage trilogy so far.

**Mr Janny** · 01-19-2013, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by CY22

Ok, I'll take your word for it...and hold you accountable if it doesn't live up to your recommendation

yep. It takes place in the near future, entirely on earth and in earth's orbit.. technology is advanced, but conventional weaponry is still used. there aren't even any aliens actually appearing in the shadow series, although they're referred to.

**Rapplegt** · 01-19-2013, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by CY22

I saw the other thread about needing a new drama series to watch, and kind of chuckled because I have the same dilemma but with books instead. I'm looking for another good fiction book to read for entertainment, as I have plenty of other "intellectual/learning" books to read but am not in the mood to pick up.

For reference, I just finished the Hunger Games series and got totally sucked into it (don't knock it if you haven't read it). Great writing and I thought it brought up a lot of interesting topics. Surprised it is labeled as more of a "young adult/teen" book, as some of the things in there I don't now that I would want my kids reading it that early.

Anywho, something along the lines of that would be great. Preferably a series, as I kind of like things getting drawn out and very descriptive (like JRR Tolkein). So any suggestions?

We own The Book Racks in the Quad Cities and use this site to help identify similar authors to one customers like, if none come to mind: Literature-Map - The tourist map of literature

I would recommend Frank Herbert's Dune series as a terrific SciFi option. More complex and adult than Hunger Games. It is still being written, now by Herbert's son, and it's still well done, but the original series by Frank H is best. Also the Foundation Trilogy by Asimov which is pure, hard SciFi. Asimov has many titles, most of which can be sequenced into the Foundation saga. The original trilogy can stand alone, but over many years you can fill in a lot of spaces by reading all of his in this series. I, Robot is one of the associated titles that was turned into the Will Smith movie by the same name.

The Rama series by Arthur C Clarke is another great series and very creative. It starts with Rendevous with Rama.

I'd also recommend Lee Child, to get out of the SciFi/Fantasy genre, if you want an adrenaline pumping thriller series. The books are better than the current Reacher movie.

Ian Rankin for mystery is a good read.

Good reading!