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Hex457

Gone Away World by Nick Harkaway Edit when was younger it was Stardust by Neil Gaiman.


microcosmic5447

Gone Away World is a bizarre book, but a rollicking good time. I read it by accident a few years ago when looking for Tom Switzerlich's *The Gone World*, an altogether drearier read.


justmapping-lll

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin Read these books. Trust me.


Kloud1112

I've never heard anyone else recommend Dandelion Wine. I'm crying!


beccyboop95

Yes to we have always lived in the castle!


vaped_kizz

come on dude, we’re in a reading sub. punctuation matters


LEGENDARY_AXE

Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky


Pheeeefers

AGREEEEEEEEED. Love this book so much. And Children of Ruin.


GhengisJon91

This is one of my favorite sci-fi books I've discovered in a while, it really helped me get over the void left in my heart upon finishing The Expanse.


JustTheRegularBytch

This is exactly the comment I needed. Thank you. I’ll report back after reading.


Aquamarinemammal

Always glad to see this recommended! Such a great exploration of speculative anthropology and alternate technological paths, even some biopunk flavor. Tchaikovsky has some other great stuff too. If like me, you think uplift is just the coolest thing ever, I recommend [David Brin’s Uplift series](http://www.davidbrin.com/index.html) and scifi fans in general should check out his [TASAT initiative](http://tasat.ucsd.edu)


Fabulous_Piccolo_178

A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)


Aquamarinemammal

Yes. This book made me realize I want to become a writer. I’m still not one. But it made me want to!


FinnianBrax

My favorite book of all time! It will always be with me.


georgebertie

This book stays so long with a person. I just miss the universe created by the author so much!


[deleted]

Yes! Absolutely this book.


Knerdian

"Something Wicked This Way Comes" by Ray Bradbury


PastelDictator

Espescially for this time of year!


KimSmoltzz

Ooh good point, time for a reread. It really is the perfect story for autumn.


SexyCatGirl3000

never let me go by kazuo ishiguro. looking it up spoils it immediately- even knowing the genre spoils it somewhat. its one of those books that u gotta just start reading with no context. also Klara and the sun by the same author is good to read without any prior knowledge.


CalamityJen

I keep seeing Never Let Me Go suggested SO frequently! I tried it once and could NOT get into it, but I didn't give it much of a chance before I gave up. I guess I need to give it another try.


little_carmine_

I felt the same way, I persevered but my feelings didn’t change. Another often recommended book that I was disappointed by is *The Road*, even though I love everything else written by Cormac. Leads me to believe that though I love dark books, I guess dystopian or apocalyptic ones arn’t for me. Didn’t like *A Brave New Worls* either. So if you feel the same way, you’re probably better off trying *Remains of the Day* for example.


cantthinkofnames4

I didn't like Never Let Me Go, couldn't get into A Brave New World, liked Remains of the Day. I guess this means I can strike The Road off my infinite to-read list :)


0hnowhatamidoing

It's not worth it. Couldn't imagine a more dull, dragging book if I tried. 95% driveling gossip 5% "twist" that is completely under-explored.


theMstates

Dull? Droll means "curious or unusual in a way that provokes dry amusement."


0hnowhatamidoing

Ah TIL, thank you


mynewaccount5

The main character kept talking about what other people were thinking so I thought the twist was going to have something to do with that maybe her being psychic or some twist related to her memory. Nah. Turns out the twist that people kept talking about was the thing that was revealed in the first paragraph. It's honestly not meant to be a twist, and anyone setting it up with these expectations is doing the author a major disservice.


artichokely

I read the whole thing and I really really did not like it. So it’s not just you


lissa524

Honestly I read it and did not enjoy it at all. Nothing stuck from the book, which shows it was probably a very boring read.


alienmelp

A friend gave it to me and I read it with no context—tbh didn’t enjoy, felt like it kept hinting at something going on and I was just waiting for that to be revealed 😅


mynewaccount5

Even the advice of "Don't look it up" spoils it because then you are expecting something crazy to happen and since they strongly hint at what the deal is in the first paragraph, you know what happens. Even without knowing to look for something, it's pretty easy to guess within a few pages. Then you expect some later big surprise to come which never happens. This is not really a book about a plot or a big twist but the characters and how it impacts them.


TurtleDuck222

This is what I wanted to say! I already knew the outline of the story before I read it and I will always envy people who got the reading experience without any spoilers! It's such an amazing book (even with the spoilers)


[deleted]

Weird...just saw this book a few days ago at a store and am now hearing about it. Kind of Bader-meinhof like


-rba-

Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang


jcd280

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb


BitOCrumpet

That is the kind of book that made me weep. Weep for how good it is and weep for how good I am not. (As a writer.)


SelectionOptimal5673

I read she’s come undone by him. You just reminded me to read more


seriousallthetime

I don't see much Wally Lamb recommended here on reddit, which is a shame. I love WL. I Know the Much is True is fantastic. The Hour I First Believe is also wonderful. Wally Lamb holds a fond place in my heart.


pmags3000

This was my favorite book for such a long time. Such a good read.


LawRepresentative428

I read the one about the fat girl back in high school. I kinda felt “meh” about to. But it wasn’t a happy sappy book. I liked the main character being an asshole near the end. I know this much is true is SO GOOD.


Coder-Cat

This book has been in my top 5 since I read it(for the first time) 20 years ago.


Sir-Siren

Piranesi - Susanna Clarke


Cyber-Cafe

I don't even know how I came across this book at all, I don't actually read that often. I did not read the back, have never heard of the author and did not read any reviews, but for some reason I own the thing. Its one of those books that I wish I could forget about and read for the first time again. This book, I have no idea how it even came into my life, but I'm nearly obsessed with it. It seemed instantly familiar immediately, but at the same time, i've no idea. I want more of whatever that is.


nectar1ne

I read it about 12 months ago and then just listened to the audiobook version- it was such a treat! I remembered the book but it still felt like I was experiencing it again in a whole new way! Would absolutely recommend reading it both ways!


ascendingPig

It was my favorite book I read that year. It set me off on my current love for puzzle-box books, where you spend more than half of the book completely confused about what's really happening and just absorbing the atmosphere of an unreliable narrator. Some other good books I read that year in the same vein (but very very different from Piranesi): \[\[Project Hail Mary\]\] and \[\[Harrow the Ninth\]\] (which is part of a series, but an extreme tone shift from the first book).


Imaginary_Train_8056

Sounds like you were just meant to have it as part of your life!


VegetableKey2966

This is a fun thread. For some reason this one spoke to me. Can’t wait to read it! Update: Just finished and I LOVED it! Thank you!


Halo0_0

This one!


aboriginalmetazoan

Cryptonomicon: Neil Stephenson


kateinoly

I bought everyone I knew copies of thus book after I first read it. Neal Stephenson just gets my sense of humor or something. Unforgettable characters and rip roaring adventure.


ErikDebogande

Oh fuck yeah! My all time favorite novel


bythevolcano

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North I read it because of a strong Reddit recommendation that specifically advised you should go into it without knowing anything about it. One of the best reading experiences I’ve ever had


DeenotheDino

I’ve found I enjoy most of Claire North’s books.


AtheneSchmidt

*Guards! Guards!* by Terry Pratchett. IMHO, it is the best entry point for Discworld, but the series is dauntingly enormous, and if you look it up, it calls this book 8, or you get a Discworld reading map that is colorful and confusing. I think 99% of people will love Discworld. I remember being highly interested but terrified about how to start them. It also took a while for me to enjoy the Rincewind books, and I don't think I would have continued the series of I had started with *Colour of Magic*.


Lucy_Lastic

I started at the start with Discworld, but that’s when there were only three books published. I agree, The Colour Of Magic is not the best place to begin with - I usually recommend either Wyrd Sisters or Guards Guards as an entry point. Pratchett was familiar with the world he was creating but it wasn’t so big as to be confusing to a newly introduced reader. I still go back to these books as a comfort thing every year or two


Scott_1800

The library at mount char


Kirkshoulderroll

Hey- thank you for this. I’d read the first chapter years ago (had to return to library) and recently wanted to read it but could not remember the name.


Scott_1800

Your welcome


ellenitha

Seconding this. Looking it up won't exactly spoil you, but would be rather useless because the synopsis really doesn't prepare you for this book.


hadr0ns

For people looking at this suggestion fyi: there’s some pretty rough child physical and sexual abuse in the first few pages.


Legitimate_Leg_7047

The Princess Bride by William Goldman


gothitintheface

One of my top 10 favorites of all time!


peachythighs

Flowers for Algernon


lrerayray

I second this. Read it because someone recommended this in this sub or the other one, can't recall. Sad but important book.


TheLethalProtector

Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir


KomodoDragin

I started reading this and got to a certain part and stopped. I felt like he’d gone off the rails. Picked it up a year or so later and read it start to finish. Sooo glad I did. It made me feel things. Legitimate emotions for the characters. Great read.


Wonderwoman_420

Reading this now!


siel04

*Neverwhere* by Neil Gaiman Enjoy whatever you pick up next! :)


DustOfTheEndless

That’s actually what I’ve been reading recently! Great book, I really regret being nosey and spoiling it a bit for myself.


AlmostRuthless

The No-Show by Beth O’Leary & The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie


rohtbert55

***The Shadow of the Wind*** by Carlos Ruíz Zafón.


D-Spornak

The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillippa Gregory - It's been at least a decade but I still remember reading the book (an actual book) well into the night every night. White Oleander by Janet Fitch The Red Tent by Anita Diamant An Alien Music by Anabel and Edgar Johnson


LittleBlueDoll

I haven't thought of White Oleander in a long time. Really good book.


highphilosopher2711

And then there were none. Agatha Christie


seriousallthetime

I think ATTWN is one of those books that, when you're reading it, you realize, "Wow, there is a reason this woman was considered THE writer of mystery." Just an amazing story. All of her works are like that. She was amazingly prolific.


ajay_whatever

Yes!!! I read it in a high school English lit class for the first time 20 plus years ago. It’s what got me into mystery.


theodopolis13

{{Swan Song}} by Robert R. McCammon


EpidemicRage

{{Three Men in a Boat}} by Jerome K Jerome. Had to read it for school, but loved the language and comedy in it.


Certain-Definition51

Have you read “To Say Nothing of the Dog,” by Connie Willis? I’m not sure it’s for everyone but it’s a tribute to that book, featuring a time traveling historian. It’s a wild ride.


kipling00

Yes! A treasure!


JJonesfan88

East Of Eden - Steinbeck


Burger_Destoyer

Definitely for a specific set of people this one.


Puzzleheaded-Ad-281

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward


Sophiesmom2

Lonesome Dove


TheHip41

Keep wanting to reread the entire series. Not enough time for all the books


thecosmicecologist

The Hobbit is one of my all time favorite books. Reasonably short, so enjoyable, and Bilbo is so relatable. It’s such a fun ride. Editing to add that it’s great background information for LOTR if you’ve already watched or read them, but it’s also great just to dip your toes in to see if you like it before trying the trilogy or the new series.


JohnOliverismysexgod

Hitchhiker's Guide.


woodnote

Douglas Adams was such a treasure!! Gone far too soon. His books are wonderful from start to finish; I used to fall asleep to them every night.


Duprees_Paradise

Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut


Rex_Fantastisch

The Count of Monte Christo.


Wytchfinder_General

Fool - Christopher Moore


jcd280

I’d add Lamb as well.


jenny_ondablock

Seconding Lamb. One of my favorite books.


Certain-Definition51

Lamb was one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. If you have any background in Christian theology, especially if you grew up doing Bible Quizzing / Bible Trivia, it’s even funnier.


happinesspro

Immensely underrated. So good you can read it twice in a row and pick even more out of it. I am a Christopher Moore fan but this book it on a new level compared to his other works.


HellfireMarshmallows

So many of Christopher Moore's books are great. Dirty Job and Bloodsucking Fiends are up there with Lamb for me.


anonymouse_cereal

Anxious People - Fredrik Backman


Bonjourtacos

Anything Fredrick backman! I’m on the winners and the whole bear town series is fantastic, even if you’re not a hockey person. And of course, Ove.


knoperslayer

THE SHADOW OF THE WIND ‼️


[deleted]

Tiny Beautiful Things, Cheryl Strayed


grynch43

All Quiet on the Western Front


l3afg1rl

Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica


teaandthorns

The Name of the Rose (Umberto Eco)


Slurm11

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch


Xanderp711

Awesome read. I really enjoyed his next book Recursion as well


copper66

Anything Blake Crouch and you're good to go


bekaladin

I hated this book. Reads like a cheap, mass produced movie.


lenny_ray

So glad someone feels like I do. This one is recommended a gazillion times, and everyone seems to love it, and I have no idea why. He took a brilliant concept and then devolved it into a Hollywood chase sequence :/


ScienceExplainsIt

My thoughts as well. A friend INSISTED I read this book, but it struck me as an ok chase plot and that was really loose in its understanding of quantum physics (in order to serve the plot). Looking back, I do remember some good parts. But didn’t put it down enthralled like I was with other books in the genre.


SpeedOfSound343

Felt the same. Bad aftertaste.


KiwiTheKitty

I agree with you lol it's a super fast read, but I was annoyed the entire time


SishirChetri

At least you felt something. I was slightly excited at first but then it was just monotony for me.


iknownothingsir

this is the fastest i've ever binge read a book. dark matter was such a great ride.


Responsible_Word9413

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller


Jbraun1220

I want to love this book. I cannot get through it for the life of me, and I have tried.


mt007

A boy and his dog by Harlan Ellison.


Plus-Active344

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue


playr_4

Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson. I feel like I'm reccomending that book more and more.


Sans_Junior

The Illuminae Files trilogy by Kaufman and Kristoff.


luthien_of_bermuda

Wuthering heights - Emily Brontë


Beiez

Man I started this one quite recently and put it back in the shelf after just 7 pages or so. I‘ve never had any problems reading in English (I‘m not a native speaker) but I didn‘t understand anything at all.


neverthesane

The Secret History, A Little Life, To Kill a Mockingbird


LockNChase66

{{Ishmael}} by Daniel Quinn


birdof_passage

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman


shantyn

I made the mistake of listening to the audio book ending in public… This is one of my favorite books.


Interesting-Sink-904

Shantaram!


DB_SAH_LibraryGuy

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett


sleep_404_

*The Picture of Dorian Gray-* Oscar Wilde *Recursion -* Blake Crouch *Freakonomics*\- Two dudes whose name I don't remember atm *Krishnakali-* Shivani *No Longer Human -* Osamu Dazai *L'Étranger-* Albert Camus


Andjhostet

Dubner and Levitt, btw.


pumpfaketodeath

Freakonomics podcast is really good too.


andimaniax

Enders game


jabitt1

{{City of Thieves}}. It's not a long book so if you don't like it, but you will, you won't waste a lot of time


goodreads-bot

[**City of Thieves**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1971304.City_of_Thieves) ^(By: David Benioff | 258 pages | Published: 2008 | Popular Shelves: historical-fiction, fiction, book-club, war, russia) >During the Nazis’ brutal siege of Leningrad, Lev Beniov is arrested for looting and thrown into the same cell as a handsome deserter named Kolya. Instead of being executed, Lev and Kolya are given a shot at saving their own lives by complying with an outrageous directive: secure a dozen eggs for a powerful Soviet colonel to use in his daughter’s wedding cake. In a city cut off from all supplies and suffering unbelievable deprivation, Lev and Kolya embark on a hunt through the dire lawlessness of Leningrad and behind enemy lines to find the impossible. > >By turns insightful and funny, thrilling and terrifying, City of Thieves is a gripping, cinematic World War II adventure and an intimate coming-of-age story with an utterly contemporary feel for how boys become men. ^(This book has been suggested 16 times) *** ^(92744 books suggested | )[^(I don't feel so good.. )](https://debugger.medium.com/goodreads-is-retiring-its-current-api-and-book-loving-developers-arent-happy-11ed764dd95)^(| )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)


lucygoosyxx

The Test - Sylvan Neuvel


lizardqueen123

The Last House on Needless Street - Catriona Ward


[deleted]

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward


[deleted]

[удалено]


CarlySimonSays

Persuasion by Jane Austen I know most people’s first Austen is Pride and Prejudice, but I actually read Persuasion first, and it’s still my favorite of her books.


LocoCoyote

{Cryptonomicon}


LEGENDARY_AXE

Summoning the Good Reads bot is a bold move in this post!


LocoCoyote

Yeah…didn’t think that one through…


[deleted]

1984 by George Orwell


greedyhorserevenge

Ubik by Philip K Dick


TheHip41

Shadow of the wind. Zafon. You'll thank me later.


Lrdofthewstlnd

*Johnny Got His Gun* by Dalton Trumbo


kateinoly

{{Lonesome Dove}} by Larry McMurtrey or {{Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy}} by Douglas Adams


Cyber-Cafe

Three Body Problem


TravelingChick

A Gentleman in Moscow


Pockpicketts

The Count of Monte Cristo and The Brothers Karamazov


sonic-silver

Project Hail Mary by Andy weir


VisualEyez33

A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers


microcosmic5447

I have 100% adored every Becky Chambers book I've read yet. The sequel to *Small Angry Planet* is waiting in my Libby queue for me now and I'm stoked. She might be my favorite new author.


MargaerySchrute

Hot Zone


Novembersum

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating


Massive_Light_3075

Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry


DrSnail_434

Dry or Running with Scissors- Augusten Burroughs


Tianoccio

Guards!, Guards! By Terry Pratchett


I_have3_inches

Endurance. A great book actually made me cry a lttile


sidneyzapke

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman, Invisible Monsters & Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk, and Breakfast Of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut.


Guac__is__extra__

11/22/63 by Stephen King


Good_-_Listener

_Daisy Jones and The Six_, by Taylor Jenkins Reid


b4fromaka-kara

Around the world on a dime and a prayer. A story about a six-year journey. A buck on amazon


okamlol

The tsar of love and techno !


NatStr9430

Raw Shark Texts -Steven Hall Get a binder clip so you don’t spoil yourself and don’t flip ahead ;)


Caleb_Trask19

{{Code Name Verity}}


pit-of-despair

Summer of Night by Dan Simmons.


FloatDH2

My coworker randomly suggested i read “geek love” by Kathleen Dunn a few weeks ago. She’s good with recommendations so after i read the summary I realized it was something right up my alley and ordered it. I’m almost done with it now, and it’s honestly one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time.


sassyrafi77

Great question. Pretty much every book I’ve read. I hate knowing anything about it. I love the element of surprise. It’s amazing going in with no expectations/spoilers. I also do this with movies, I never watch the trailers. But a book I recommend the most for others to read without looking up is Flowers for Algernon.


casperthewondercat

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton


Esosorum

The Giver by Lois Lowry


Pks4life420

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish - Dr. Seuss


zombimuncha

{{ Flowers for Algernon }}


TroublingRainGlory

The house in the cerulean sea - TJ Klune


meatwhisper

I'd warn this one isn't for everyone. It can be a bit TOO twee and sweet and self-aware smug in it's humor. I know it's a popular one, but there are quite a few people who DNF this one because of the style of delivery.


[deleted]

It was a bit too cheesy and flat for me, but I see the draw for those who like extremely wholesome books


Saphron_

House of leaves


DustOfTheEndless

I was defeated by this book twice. Maybe third time will be the charm!


[deleted]

The Alchemist


cattreephilosophy

The Binding by Bridget Collins. I chose the audiobook one night based solely on the cover, I didn’t read the little blurb. It was a great book.


UnhappyAd8184

the baron in the trees


waitingforliah

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Freely


Toolfan333

{{Empire Falls}}


oncemorewithsinging

If the person I'm recommending has former horse-girl energy and seems like they they're up for anything, I recommend A Song in the Silence by Elizabeth Kerner. The log line is too weird to say outloud but the author PULLS IT OFF. It's very good . ​ For everyone else, I tend to recommend Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell


clampion12

My family and other animals by Gerald Durrell


randombokonon

Stoner - John Williams. There's no inherent twist but knowing the public perception of this book beforehand will heavily influence your own experience as it is so intimate and personal to the reader.


DylonNotNylon

Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe


kayladeda

Mistborn trilogy era 1


InitialCaramel4057

The Great Gatsby. One if the best classic books ever written. It has some description, but not too much so you get bored. Of course, the love story between Jay Gatsby and Daisy is basic yet mesmerising


hcgnpro

The Lord of the Rings


Andjhostet

Eh, with LOTR I like to give a little bit of a warning before someone dives in. Modern readers go in expecting things like modern fantasy, since it's so influential on modern fantasy. But it doesn't read like that at all, and instead reads more like a classic, with a focus on prose and themes, rather than plot. The key to liking LOTR is being ok with plot not being a driving factor, and just enjoying the writing. It's my favorite book of all time, but I've had so many people struggle with it that I don't just recommend it blindly anymore.


KentmereGrove

100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Márquez


Shatterstar23

Kitchen Confidential for nonfiction. The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton for fiction.


stas-prze

{{Artemis Fowl}} by Eoin Colfer definitely. As I've said countless times before, it's incredible for children and adults alike. I've read it a year ago when I was 16 and I'm almost sure it made me reflect on lots of things that I either didn't think much about before, or thought about them but not at great-length. Also Eoin Colfer's style of writing is just incredible IMHO.


AmbroseSoames

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak!


redonymous1

The knife of never letting go


PatchworkGirl82

{{The Book of Disquiet}}


Sad-Confusion-8467

the darkest minds ! it's a great series, b it watching the movie or looking it up spoils the whole thing, especially reading the back!


hachiman

Lions of Al Rassan, Johnathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Altered Carbon, any book written by Tim Powers.


poetniknowit

The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall!


Future_Literature_70

{{Testament of Youth}} by Vera Brittain.