what are some good book (novel) recommendations for a 20 year old student. I want to start reading for fun.?

Question

I want something fictional.. but not too fictional. I don't like lord of the rings, it's well written, but I don't like the content of it. They're pretty much just wandering around a desolate forest looking for stuff and waring. I don't like war books either. I like Harry Potter. I like the relationships like teacher-student, teacher-teacher, and all the different personalities displayed in it. It's good stuff. Honestly, besides those, the last books I actually read were goosebumps when I was a KID. I actually read The Outsiders too, that was a really good book. I need some real books! Books entirely about solving a murder mystery are BORING to me I think. I like the spark notes of Les Miserables. I didn't actually read it though. hmmmm... ahhah. Give me a lot of reccomendations with a lot of different types. I like stuff that is either in the present or not so far past. Future stuff is crap too I think. I could be wrong, if something that I "don't like" is really good just tell me.

Answer 1

The Road by Cormac Mc Carthy. It won this year's Pulitzer. It will have you thinking for a very long time. Pax - C

Answer 2

Jeffery Deaver, Dennis Lehane, David Morrell and Lee Child, in my opinion they are the best thriller writers in the business!! I am a avid reader in this genre and have read Coben, King, Koontz, F. Paul Wilson, Connelly, and many others but none can touch these authors I've listed! The Deaver book I've just finished reading now is "The Sleeping Doll"--a brand new release and has literally keeped me up at nights!! I'm quite sure you'll love his other thrillers as well, such as "The Bone Collector", "A Maiden's Grave", "The Coffin Dancer", "Praying For Rain", "Cold Moon", "The Twelveth Card", "The Vanished Man", "Devil's Tear Drop" et el. For Lehane, start with "A Drink Before War" (don't let the title fool you) then "Darkness Take My Hand", "Sacred", "Gone, Baby Gone", "Prayers For Rain", "Shutter Island" and "Mystic River." For Lee Child, you can start with his first and move forward, but it's Ok if you don't. Some personal favs are: "One Shot", "Trip Wire", "Hard Luck and Trouble"--a new release, "The Persuader"-my personal fav, "The Hard Way", but they are all page turners! Also, last but definately not least is David Morrell. All his books are good, but I especially enjoy his last two releases "Creepers" and "Scavenger" which are guaranteed page-turners. Enjoy, Greg

Source(s):

http://www.leechild.com/
http://www.jefferydeaver.com
http://www.dennislehanebooks.com
http://www.davidmorrell.net

Answer 3

I have answered this question so many times, I decided to dedicate a web site to answer this question. Here it is:

http://www.life-after-harry-potter.com

Included is a list of only the best sorcery fantasy books, grade reading level, a short review of each book, and a "reader's choice" list of favorite books. I know that it has Tolkien, but you should really like some of the others, especially "The Sword in the Stone", "Tales of the Dying Earth" and "A Spell for Chameleon".

I hope this helps.

Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/

Answer 4

The His Dark Materials books are supposedly very good-I'm just starting to read them. I have heard them recommended as great reads for Harry Potter fans-also the first book, The Golden Compass, has a movie coming out this winter.
Also, if you are open to reading children's books, The Percy Jackson series is lots of fun!

Answer 5

zOMG!
Good Omens, by Terry Pratchett, and Neil Gaimen. It's a VERY well written, and witty story about the apocalypse and the rivalry between Heaven and Hell. If it sounds crappy the way I say it, then pick it up any way. Trust me, you'll like it.

Cannery Row, by John Steinbeck. A 'Ye Olde Classic', but it is NOT in any way boring. It's just too good to explain.

Hmm.. what else..

The Zombie Survival Guide, by Max Brooks.

The original graphic novels of both V For Vendetta, and League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen (Both by Alan Moore)

Eragon, and its sequel, Eldest are REALLY good.

Cat's Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut. AWESOME, and witty.

I KNOW there are more, but I can't think of them.. meh.



I really dunno what else would appeal to a 20 year old..

Just look into a library/bookshop, and poke around. You'lll almost definitly find something that appeals to you. (Used bookshops are awesome)

Answer 6

In my opinion, these are good... but I am a book nerd...

anything by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Twilight by Stephenie Meyers
Phantom of the Opera
The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis
V for vendetta (graphic novel)
Brave New World
Joshua Campbell's works
Eragon is supposed to be good, though I've never sat down with it...

Several of these are mythological (primarily vampiric) and some others are classic dystopian novels. Hope you enjoy.

Answer 7

The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy is an amazingly funny and witty romp through the cosmos. The title might sound silly, but the characters are extraordinary and their use of the language is top-notch. Great book.

Answer 8

"The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus" by L. Frank Baum (yes, I know you asked for something a twenty year old might read; this is a very good, fast read and I find the last section seems more meant for adults than kids)

"The Time Machine" by HG Welles

"The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon" by Washington Irving

Answer 9

Try a book I just finished: Love & Other Near Death Experiences by Mil Millington (you also might want to check out another of his, Things My Girlfriend & I Have Argued About). They were both a heckuva lot of fun.

Answer 10

Try going to this site for a good book www.TheCircleTrilogy.com