Hi everyone! I’m having trouble finding traditional romance books to read, I’m coming from AO3 where I can look up specific tags lol.

I have really fallen in love with slow burn romance books that feel REAL! I love yearning (I don’t want them to have to say that they are yearning I want to feel it). I haven’t really vibed with modern romances (I really dislike fourth wing) and don’t know where to start with my book search so I thought here would be fun!

Loves
-both queer and straight stories
-slow burn
-yearning
-enemies to friends to lovers
-friends to lovers
-forced proximity
- fiction
- age range: 20s and 30s
- a nice good mix of fluff and angst

Neutral
-miscommunication (if it’s handled well)
- fantasy or science fiction

Hates
- alpha male stereotypes!
- weak female mc
- honestly just gender stereotypes
- heavy graphic smut

That is all I can think of at the moment! I am also open to both happy endings and bone crushing endings:)

I’ve recently been very curious as to why human development has been so different in different regions of the world.

I’ve read some books about convergent evolution of some aspects of societies and civilization, like agriculture and food, but other technological and sociological advances only being restricted to some regions (or at least based on my current understanding) confounds me.

I’d love a book that has some theories on this!

i work in healthcare and have witnessed how absolutely horrid nurses are, i was curious if anyone had written about this before?! i was actually considering writing about this subject at some point as well in a horror story of my own.

I'm so frustrated with how almost every single portrayal of bisexuality/pansexuality in media is a way of making a point about a character's evilness/chaos/hedonism.

I mean, I love some of these characters just as much as the next person... And I'm happy to have some representation, I just want it to be less tropey. Right now I'm reading How to Become the Dark Lord And Die Trying, which is fun and engaging, and while I like the inclusion of bisexuality, it really feels like it might just be there to illustrate a point about the main character's IDGAF attitude.

Where are the mature, grounded, sweet, *good* bisexuals at? (Yes, I've read/seen Heartstopper, which is *perfection* but also a very small sample size).

I like fantasy, sci-fi, and books that make me feel good about the world at the end of the day. Nothing horror or too relentlessly dark.

This is my first post here, I hope I've given enough details; please let me know if I should edit my post.

EDIT: Already so many great suggestions, thank you everyone!! I can't wait to dig into these.

Hi! I’ve recently been in love with learning about racism and social injustice in the Black community, especially during the Harlem Renaissance and 1970s onward. I’m looking for books that highlight Black voices and can further educate me. I want the most famous books to the books that don’t get the light they deserve. Thank you!

Does anyone know of any historical fiction regarding the bond between the Irish and Choctaw nations?

I will admit I use ChapGPT to find and link books and authors I really enjoy. This Grit Lit came up and I was given some recommendations but, now Im looking for human input? If this makes sense to you please share.

Just finished lonesome dove and can't stop thinking about it and was wondering if anyone has recommendations of books that scratch the same itch in terms of philosophy, prose, humor, and general book layout.

I picked up lonesome dove because the author of one of my favorite series, Joe Abercrombie of First Law, said that it was one of his biggest inspirations. To anyone that likes lonesome dove and hasn't read FL, I would say you're a lucky soul, those things rock (Book 5 goes into my personal book HOF).

The big things I really enjoyed about LD was 1) the constant POV changes, really helps to keep sections of the book not feel stagnant even if not too much is going on (ex. Call is wondering why Clara seems like shes mad at him when hes never done anything to her switching to Clara who goes on an internal dialogue rant about how much she hates Call and what he stands for). 2) the undertones of humor, although Gus is the standout POV and funniest by far, all of the characters have a quirk or two that usually adds some funny little twist to any interaction at hand

I think the big thing that surprised me the most about this book is how much I liked the setting and the descriptions of the places. I am a reader who really does not enjoy whole pages of reading about beautiful countryside or dirtiness of a barn, I would much rather read this in dialogue or inner monologue form. Not sure what it was about how LD handled this but I really did feel engaged when reading about the trail through the untamed midwest.

I've seen some posts like this before so I was trying to give a bit more context about what parts hooked me about LD. I've seen recs for Shogun (TBR), Count of Monte Cristo (TBR), and East of Eden (Read) but I know there has to be more modern books, like first law, that keep the spirit of Lonesome Dove that haven't been suggested before

Hi
I'm looking for book suggestions that may interest my significant other. She is struggling to find the right media to practice her English (2nd language), and I think it might be a good idea to suggest some fascinating books!

For years, she's been passionate about Middle Eastern culture, not so much the history, but rather the aspects of everyday life. She likes learning about the lives of women in Muslim countries, how they work, how families and relationships function.
A major interest of hers is belly dance, which she began training 3 years ago.

I would be very grateful if you have any suggestions that touch on such topics. Obviously there are many different countries and very different realities in the region but anything will be appreciated:) I'm thinking more nonfiction but not academic since her English level is around B1-B2.

Thank you

Here his the message he sent :

"Thick book (optional)

Fantasy

Powers (preferably)

Tension

Good character definition

Suspense

And good definition of powers and

stuff"

He's a great kid and has a great mind but I'd still not want him to read anything too violent or dramatic just yet, he'll handle it for sure but I'd like his first book to be easy, vocabulary and emotionally.

He's very opinionated so tread lightly

I just mercy-killed my situationship of over two years on Saturday, and now I feel—not to be overly dramatic—like I'm dying. Intellectually, I know it's not that deep, but my nervous system isn't getting the memo. Please help!

For context, I'm a thirtysomething-year-old cis woman who usually dates women and queer/trans people, but this particular ex-situationship is a cis straight guy with whom I have a longstanding friendship. (So, uh, every M/F friends-to-lovers or "queer woman navigates falling for a man" romance novel I own is getting donated, lol.)

Novels or narrative nonfiction preferred. I'd love recommendations for romances where the MC is getting over something that was never fully a relationship and winds up falling in love with someone new (if the LI is male, he CANNOT be ~from the MC's past~, but if female/nonbinary that's ok). I'm generally not someone who's interested in kids or monogamy, but I'm in my feelings in a way that has me questioning whether I fucked up my whole life by not seeking that out. I'd like to avoid anything that reinforces that line of thought TOO aggressively.

Also very down for non-romance novels and narrative nonfiction, but not a fan of tear-jerkers. Potentially open to self-help etc if it actually hits and/or is practical in a day-to-day sense.

Eyes wide shut is one of my favorite films but I fail to find any media quite like it other than maybe They Live. I need book recs fiction or non fiction about secret societies having to do with the government or the celebrity class of people. No book is too stupid or crazy for me. Give me something that’s really give me goosebumps or question my reality. I sound stupid but I hope you get what I mean.

Hi, I haven't really enjoyed consistently reading in a while. There's only been 2 books and one series that I've liked: Carrie, Pet Sematary & Diary of Steve The Noob (slight outlier but genuinely so much better than you'd expect). Everything else I've tried to read has just bored me, while I literally couldn't put these books down even while walking around. Even books by the same authors just don't grip me. Any recommendations? (i do not mind nsfw themes or content_

I know there have been lots of PHM request lately, but looking for a very specific vibe. My 9yo advanced reader inhaled PHM before I could even finish it myself. He’s begging to read The Martian, but we’re waiting on the school edition (less profanity) to become available through the library.

The issue we’re running into is that he wants similar science-heavy books without as much fiction. We tried several sci-fi books like Hitchhiker’s guide to the Galaxy or A Wrinkle in Time, but they weren’t scratching that realism itch. He’s the kind of kid who likes to crack open a good space encyclopedia or What If by Randall Munroe. He said he might be open to biographies as well.

Suggested book themes:
• more sci; less fi
• no sex/gore, profanity is generally ok
• space, if possible
• comedic narrator or tone

I read Starship Troopers a while back, and the original Halo novels ages ago (not really interested in the more modern ones).

I was hoping for a story with realistic power armor, not just plot convenient protection that fails when a character needs to be offed or randomly becomes as brittle as paper.

Preferably not connected to any major setting, such as Halo, Star Wars, 40k, Battletech, etc… I was hoping to read something entirely original.

Haven't read in a few years and I just fall in love with reading again with The Midnight Library. I really enjoyed it! Then followed by Verity (which is my very first read in that genre). Now I realized I am not a psychological thriller story type of person. Makes me feel sick I want to undo reading it.

What book should I read to recover? 😩

Looking for my next audiobook to listen to during my commute to work. I like James Patterson (his older stuff before the co-writer), Jodi Picoult, Janet Evanovich, Debbie Macomber, Karin Slaughter and Freida McFadden wasn’t too bad. Just to name a few. Not a fan of sci-fi or strictly romance. Any suggestions??

Hi everyone.

I am now looking for the best books from Ethiopia for the Read the World challenge over at r/bookclub. The book can be any length and any genre. It must be set or partially set in Ethiopia, and the author should preferably be from Ethiopia, or at least currently residing in Ethiopia (or has been a resident of Ethiopia in the past). We are looking for "if you could only read one book from Ethiopia, this is the one it should be" type books

Thanks in Advance

The book must be available in English

This is such a specific ask but I'm curious. Do you all have any such suggestions that has little to no spice? I'd prefer epic fantasy with found family tropes (optional), prefer duology but max to max a trilogy

I just discovered this sub and it’s perfect timing! I’ve been dealing with some severe bipolar depression so in a month I’m taking a solo trip to the mountains to completely unplug and reconnect with myself.

I’m looking for a fiction book to read about a woman in her mid to late 20s that will be cathartic for me, something where she maybe finds and heals herself after a difficult time. But not something too super intense because I deal with enough in my own life lol. Maybe something that will even make me cry happy tears at the end and just generally move me emotionally.

I usually read romance type books (think Emily Henry) but I’d prefer something with almost zero romance at all.

I’d also prefer something set in modern times with no fantasy elements. Something I can relate to in that way.

I’m only on this trip for three days, so something that’s a bit of a quicker read would be nice. I don’t need to be able to fully finish in a weekend, but super long books are intimidating to me haha.

Let me know if anything comes to mind for you!

My girlfriend and I just ended our relationship and it’s just got my mind swirling and thinking about her and the relationship. Fortunately, it ended amicably so there is no bitterness of anger, but plenty of sadness.

I’m looking for a book that can distract my mind from running down the path of what ifs at night when I need to sleep. I want something that I can just get lost in and read until I pass out. (Books I’ve read that have encapsulated me like this: All the Pretty Horses, Demon Copperhead, East of Eden, A River Runs Through It, Wendell Berry’s Port William Series.)

I’m also looking for a collection of poetry to put words to the feelings and find ways to navigate the grief through poetry.

Hi! I’m new to this sub so feel free mods to delete if this doesn’t align with the rules.

I’m looking for psychological horror/ suspense books with a plot twist! Some of the ones i’ve already read are:
The silent patient
That’s not my name
local woman missing
the reappearance of rachel price
my all time favorite : Then she was gone

Preferably with humor. Think of the heroine from listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera, but less messy and a lot more competent and take-charge.

I loved her millennial snarky humor tho.

Most such snarky protagonists are paired with extremely messy characteristics like Finlay Donavon, or the lead from I hope this email finds you well.

I want to avoid that. But keep their brand of humor.

Please and thank you!! 💗

Hi, all! My family has begun looking for Christmas gifts. I've decided that I'd like to ask for books this year. What are some of the best books you've read from the last few years? Here are my guidelines:

I love:
-Thrillers
-Mystery
-Nonfiction
-a good plot twist
-romance can be okay
-books about cults & religious extremism

I dislike:
-cliché plots
-fantasy books
-poor writing/editing

Fav books I've read include "The Silent Patient" & "Killers of the Flower Moon," "Under the Banner of Heaven," "The Close Up" by Pip Drysdale, & similar stories. Please send me your best recs!