i recently got interested in celebrity memoirs because i'm curious about what famous people are really like outside of interviews and social media. i'm not necessarily looking for books full of gossip, but more of the personal stuff, like their struggles, relationships, career setbacks, and what it's like growing up in the spotlight. i'd especially love memoirs that feel raw and honest instead of overly polished PR stories. musicians, actors, comedians, and even former child stars are all welcome.

i am hoping to start reading more fiction/personal narrative in an effort to continue having some escapism without so much screen. below is a list of books ive read/reread more recently. i would appreciate any recommendations that you think might swirl around in similar vibes. thanks so much!

on earth we were briefly gorgeous - ocean vuong
the bluest eye - toni morrison
earthlings - sayaka murata
borne - jeff vandermeer
demon copperhead - barbara kingsolver
grievers - adrienne maree brown
i know why the caged bird sings - maya angelou
in search of fatima - ghada kharmi
metamorphosis - franz kafka
the aleph - jorge luis borges
martyr! - kaveh akbar
parable of the sower - octavia butler
pilgrim at tinker creek - annie dillard
slaughterhouse five - kurt vonnegut
snow country - yasunari kawabata
there there  - tommy orange

I'm curious about the topic but the only book I've seen is 'The Story of Blanche and Marie' and I have heard that this novel may not be the most historically accurate.

Thank you!!

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!

I haven't read fiction in a while but I am kind of craving a fantasy fiction book. I have a short attention span so please let it full of imagery. Books I really used to love were The Night Circus, Series of Unfortunate Events, and everything by Neil Gaiman. I know reading children's books sounds silly but some of them are so well-written and have such fun worlds. I like reading to escape this reality into another reality. Any fantasy recommendations?

I’m working on an English presentation inspired by George Orwell’s 1984, and I’d like to hear different perspectives on digital freedom.

I’m interested in how people feel about expressing themselves online, privacy, and the fear of being watched. I’m not looking for one particular answer; I’m genuinely curious about your experiences and opinions.

1. Do you feel free to express your opinions online? Why or why not?

2. Have you ever stayed silent, deleted a post, or changed what you wanted to say because you feared someone’s reaction or thought you might be monitored?

3. What does digital freedom mean to you? Is it freedom of expression, privacy, control over your personal data, or something else?

Helllo, I finished reading LOTR and the Hobbit and am looking forward to reading something similar to these books.

Any help is appreciated.

Anything similar to R Lee Smith
Anything like Devils Deal
Folklore dark romance

Thank you

like not just relatable but the author somehow knew exactly what it feels like to be inside your head. looking for that experience where you're reading and suddenly you're like "how did they know that about me" even though it's fiction. what's hit you like that?

i just finished a book that felt like it was written for me at exactly the right moment, and now i'm wondering if other people experience that too. like does a story hit harder depending on what's happening in your life, or am i just being dramatic? looking for recs that people found unexpectedly meaningful during a rough patch.

Not talking about cheap, forced twists just for shock value more like subtle details woven into the story that suddenly click together perfectly at the very end.

Which book left you staring at the last page in total disbelief?

A book where the female lead is intelligent and powerful and where the male lead is equally intelligent and powerful.

No power imbalance. No toxic drama.

Well I want to promote my book but I also would love recommendations to the above themes.

Edit 1: Thank you all, I'll be sure to check them out.

no like genuinely the book is chefs kiss.

I thought ya'll might like it, I recently read it and it's AMAZING!!!

the book is...

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The medieval kingdom of Carthya is on the brink of a bloody civil war. The royal family has been secretly murdered, and the throne is completely exposed. To prevent a national collapse—and to secure his own wealth and power—a ruthless nobleman named Bevin Conner devises a treasonous plot: he will find a puppet to sit on the throne.

that's all I'm going to say about the story for now.

if you want a whole summary please tell.

i'm halfway through something everyone raves about and i'm just not feeling it yet. wondering if i should power through or if some books just aren't for you. also open to recs that started slow and actually paid off because maybe i need that reassurance rn.

Looking for weirdly specific recommendations that feature any two or more of the following symbolisms and themes together:

- Fruits and seeds

- Guilt and trauma

- Dreams and nightmares

- Sickness and illness

Reading everything with these themes and symbols from Homeric Hymns to 19th c. German Poetry to Southern Gothic novels, though things with darker or more spiritual tone are particularly welcome.

I love reading gothic fantasy / dark fantasy and would be interested in reading a book that is entirely written form the villains POV. It does not need to include romance, however if it does, please abstain from dark romance recs (i detest it).

Thank you so much!

I'm looking for books or book series centering a friend group where there is a main couple (mf or mm) but they still have chemistry with everyone in the friend group. I want it to be implied that they've all messed around with each other and/or that overtime it becomes a polyamorous relationship. Basically a book centering an "incestuous" friend group. It doesn't have to happen right away, for example, the first book could be about the main couple getting together. I just want to see obvious chemistry among the whole friend group. Some books I enjoyed but weren't what I was expecting are; The Boys of App 13 (l thought they all would've at least had a one night stand);
Hidden Scars (I don't know why | thought there would be a foursome); The Atlas Six (I was convinced something was gonna happen between Tristan and Callum); and Three Doors (I was so disappointed that there was ff scenes but no mm, sucking doesn't count).
(Side note, it's not a hard no but I'd prefer it if the girls) isn't submissive at all)
Also, I'll also take books in which there's a love triangle and they fight over the girl but eventually can't tell the difference between hate/love. It can be fmm or mm, ex: if the Twilight books ended the right way.

I found atomic habits to be very comprehensive and helpful with being productive and I want books as useful .

Can someone please recommend to me 🙏🙏