Book Recommendations

[wolflady26]

So this evening, I was trying to buy myself a couple of books, and I got totally stumped. I have one picked out -- a light, fluffy, easy-to-read bit. I'd like a second, though, but I'd like a really high-quality book, and nothing jumped out at me

Comments

[zevhonith]

I read a book a year or two ago called Galatea 2.2 by Richard Powers that I *really* loved. I am conflicted about whether or not to describe it as genre fiction, but I don't think it really is. It's got more to do with the nature of consciousness and how that's challenged by AI ~ but it's really about this man and his emotional life.

If you haven't read the Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, you should.

Also, the Road by Cormac McCarthy. And Mystic River by Dennis Lehane.

[wolflady26]

Hmm, thank you, I'll check them out! :)

[kimberly_a]

I loved Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife, which is a rather unconventional romance that isn't soppy or embarrassing. I also loved Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go, which is about a group of kids growing up in a mysterious school for some mysterious purpose (which is all clarified by the end).

[serenechaos]

Came here to post Time Traveler's Wife, but you beat me.
I suppose it's technically science fiction or something, but is also one of the best novels I have ever read.

[serenechaos]

I guess another good book I just read was Random Acts of Senseless Violence.
It is also Science Fiction I guess, but more like The Diary Of Anne Frank in a dystopian future.
Only completely different, though it is a diary and you connect with the character. The way she changes is awesome.

[wolflady26]

Thank you, I'll check it out :)

[roninspoon]

My wife has been going on and on about The Alchemist. I've not read it yet, but she's typically a discerning reader who prefers, for reasons that I don't fully understand, 18th and 19th century romance classics.

[wolflady26]

Hmm, right, I have heard good things about The Alchemist. Thanks, I'll check it out! :)

[denyer]

Sergey Lukyanenko's "Watch" series -- whilst there are plenty of fantastical elements, the setting is modern Russia and all of the books are very character-driven. Fits your other criteria, anyway. :)

[wolflady26]

That sounds like a great idea, thanks! :)