Any fiction suggestions for a somewhat picky reader? The Expanse lasted me a long while but I’m finishing up the novellas now and need to start looking for something new. Not necessarily in the same genre.

I don’t have a lot of books under my belt as an adult, but some of my favorites have been Stoner by John Williams, Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, East of Eden, Catch 22, Flowers for Algernon, and Harry Potter. Kind of all over the place I guess. 😅

I’ve also enjoyed John Williams’ other novels, Piranesi, The Things They Carried, House of Leaves, and Ender’s Game and the sequel.

Some books I didn’t really care for include Hitchhiker’s Guide (although I loved the first half), Lolita, Sharp Objects, Turtles All the Way Down, The Stand, The Road, 1984, and Fahrenheit 451.

I’m always overwhelmed trying to find something new, so thanks for any suggestions!

EDIT: Thank you all! It’ll be a bit daunting exploring all these new books but not nearly as daunting as if I had no guidance, so I really appreciate it!

  • astreus@lemmy.mlEnglish
    5·
    6 months ago

    I’m on book 6 of the Expanse and love it! My suggestions:

    The Culture series - Iain M Banks. Space opera that gave us luxury gay space communism. You can pick up any book as a starting point - they’re set in the same universe spanning millennia and have very little interconnection. Explores themes of humanity in an AI world (choice, war, deceit, love, etc)

    Revelation Space series - Alastair Reynolds. Closest in terms of style and sweeping scope to The Expanse. Same dry humour that can get a bit much at times.

    Three Body Problem trilogy - Liu Cixin. Leans a lot heavier into the Science of sci-fi and can be very dense, but one of my favourite trilogies. What happens when you finally get a signal back from space?

    Monk & Robot series (novellas) - Becky Chambers. Pure hope punk and absolutely delightful (without any of the incredibly distateful and harmful tropes found in Midnight Library). There are only two out so far, and you’ll be able to read them in a day. Of all of the recommendations I’ve listed, I implore you to read this one.

    • andrewth09@lemmy.world
      5·
      6 months ago

      I second Monk & Robot. In fact, a lot of Becky Chambers books are good. Too much of the sci-fi genre is doom and gloom nowadays.

      To Be Taught, if Fortunate (novellas) - Becky Chambers

      The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (trilogy) - Beck Chambers

      • astreus@lemmy.ml
        2·
        6 months ago

        Right!?! I even found my own writing spiraling into “and everybody dies” endings recently, so Becky Chambers was a breath of fresh air!

        Not patronising, not naive, but utterly hopeful.

        • GayCosmicHorror@sh.itjust.works
          2·
          6 months ago

          Have you tried looking into the solarpunk genre? I am still looking for a novel that combines concepts of cosmic horror and solarpunk into some complicated jumble of lovecraftian goodness that isn’t about evil gods from the stars, in fact i am writing a novel for myself that fits what i am looking for in this “genre” i am hoping to find someday.

            • GayCosmicHorror@sh.itjust.works
              1·
              6 months ago

              :( Unfortunately no, I am actually still pretty new to solarpunk, so far i just kind of read whatever i can get my hands on. I mostly have read a bunch of random short story compilations, i had two solarpunk books that had collections of various short solarpunk stories. I am also currently on a cosmic horror tangent, and solarpunk doesn’t really scratch that itch as much personally, but i do enjoy it. It also seems there arent many writers of solarpunk fiction as well. If i keep this account for very long, and i come across anything i found really interest and i manage to remember this post i’ll try to come back and reply again with some suggestions :3

    • GayCosmicHorror@sh.itjust.works
      4·
      6 months ago

      Also recommend Three body problem, the dark forest, and death’s end by Cixin Liu. It’s the only kind of sci fi i want anymore. But the expanse show was interesting so i’ve wanted to read the expanse books as well. Cixin Liu’s trilogy was amazing, it’s the only book i’ve read where science is terrifying and every single theory they bring up makes all of my bodie’s hairs stand on end constantly as i realize terrifying implications of information that previously seemed innocuous. I LOVED the books soo much, and i was very happy to for the first time, read a book that is based in chinese culture, since i had no experience or knowledge really of chinese culture, and i very much enjoy exploring new things, it was one of my favorite parts. Also the other part is i am a huge fan of lovecraftian stories. And this feels like a new, modern take on lovecraft. A take on it that is more realistic to the reality we live in, but at the same time, Cixin Liu seems to not be afraid to delve deep into the fiction aspects of science fiction just to pull out ideas that while not exactly true in real life, work as really good metaphors for similar ideas like our lack of understanding in science, which the new James-webb telescope is already providing many new questions about humanities understandings of the cosmos.

      i would give it 3 out of 3 stars if one was not hit by a near light speed object. (if you’ve read the trilogy you’ll probably understand this reference.)

    • qualifier982@lemmy.worldOP
      2·
      6 months ago

      I gravitate toward dark and depressing media so much. I could probably stand to fit more hopeful stories into my life so I’ll check out Monk & Robot. Thanks!