marbel Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 My daughter used to be a big reader but hasn't been so much lately. She says she wants to get back into reading but can't settle on anything. I want to give her a few books for Christmas but need some ideas. The few things I know she has liked: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (but she dislikes SciFi in general) -- this is her favorite book Georgette Heyer (best of these was The Grand Sophy) Jane Eyre Some YA writers like Veronica Roth and Cassandra Clare - those were several years ago though Cecilia and Kate novels by Patricia Wrede Anne of Green Gables (has read all) Dislikes: Jane Austen She thought a couple of John Green's books were just OK, isn't interested in more Doesn't like a lot of foul language or sex scenes She read half of I Capture the Castle and got bored with it SciFi and epic fantasy Gene Stratton Porter (Girl of the Limberlost) She says she likes light stuff, with happy endings and no pet deaths. For other reference, she is studying art in community college and also has a great interest in makeup and skincare (may go to esthetician school). Not that that's relevant, but.... who knows what ideas it might spark in someone. If you read through this long list... any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErinE Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 I'd recommend you post in the BAW thread for more eyeballs. The ladies there are a.m.a.z.i.n.g. at offering recommendations. If she liked Hitchhiker's, has she tried Terry Pratchett? Mort or The Wee Free Men would be my recommendations to start (not The Color of Magic which is the first book written). If she liked Cassandra Clare or Veronica Roth, has she tried Marissa Meyer? Cinder was a good book. I'm still working my way through the sequels. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbel Posted November 28, 2017 Author Share Posted November 28, 2017 I will see about Marissa Meyer. I think she has read Cinder and the sequels, but am not sure. I don't think she's tried Terry Pratchett. We gave The Color of Magic to our son last year and haven't heard anything about it, so I assume he rejected it (which doesn't actually have anything to do with her). I wasn't thinking to jump into the BAW thread since I'm not a regular participant there anymore. Feels like crashing a party at this point. :-) Thanks for the ideas! I will look into them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 Enchantress From The Stars Cheaper By The Dozen Christy Soul Proprietor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 Seconding Terry Pratchett (esp. Wee Free Men). How about a non-fiction book? Pink Boots and a Machete by Mireya Mayor. Inspiring, funny, & entertaining. It's a fun book. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 (edited) similar to Hitchhiker's Guide: - Bromeliad trilogy by Terry Pratchett: Truckers, Diggers, Wings sort of a cross between Jane Eyre and Hitchhiker's: - The Eyre Affair (Fforde) -- first in the Thursday Next series; the first 2-3 books are great, but the next ones feel rushed similar to Jane Eyre - Villette -- also by Charlotte Bronte - Agnes Grey -- by Anne Bronte - The Tenant of Wildfell Hall -- by Anne Bronte - Rebecca (du Maurier) some of Eva Ibbotson's books are similar to Georgette Heyer (Ibbotson's books are turn of the century/pre WW1, rather than Regency Era): - A Countess Below Stairs - The Reluctant Heiress - Madensky Square - A Song for Summer - The Morning Gift - Magic Flutes - and also check out: Flambards (by K.M. Peyton) others by Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables author): - Emily of New Moon - Jane of Lantern Hill - The Story Girl similar to Anne of Green Gables (a few of these may be too young for your DD): - Two Are Better Than One (Brink) -- such a charming book! out of print, but worth finding - Circus Sequins (Friermood) -- another well-written one; also out of print, but also worth finding - Christy (Marshall) - Little Women (Alcott) - Pollyanna (Porter) - The Little White Horse (Goudge) - A Little Princess (Burnett) - The Railway Children (Nesbit) - Emily's Runaway Imagination (Cleary) - Evolution of Calpurnia Tate (Kelly) Edited November 28, 2017 by Lori D. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raifta Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 If she like Anne of GG, she should definitely try The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (not much in the way of sex and if you stop reading after the first book of the trilogy, you'll be quite happy). Rainbow Rowell's YA books are enjoyable. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan is pretty frothy and funny (and about to be a movie). I don't remember much in the way of sex scenes. Sci-fi but fun sci-fi: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline And I'm going to throw in Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. A memoir. She's a scientist who studies plants and who has had some wild adventures along the way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 I second the suggestions for Terry Pratchett and Jasper Fforde. And these possibly? Agatha Christie Connie Willis' time travel series -- start with To Say Nothing of the Dog Laurie King's Mary Russell series -- start with The Beekeeper's Apprentice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
three4me Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Girl of the Limberlost and others by that author I like similar books and enjoy reading a chapter of James Herriot each night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbel Posted November 29, 2017 Author Share Posted November 29, 2017 Thanks for all the titles and authors! Some of them are things I remembered that she has tried and not liked. But there are lots of new ones to explore too! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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