I’m starting to read after a very long time - it has been decades, since I’ve “read” anything properly. Can I get a good recommendation?
Do you have any idea what you might be interested in? Genres, topics, non-fiction/fiction, etc.
I’m open to any format, but I would prefer something that has a lot of volume, and is in the sci-fi category. I’m also okay with non-book readings, like research papers, as long as they’re easy to follow.
You might want to try The Expanse series of books. They’re very straight forward but still are engaging with interesting ideas and they’ve certainly got volume. The language is simple, in a practical and modern kind of way, without feeling dumbed down. It doesn’t use any of the structures that can make a book challenging to follow.
I second The Expanse series as the other poster said, I started reading with these books when I had time to read during travel. I love the story and characters and the bookies have a really nice cadence to them with regular chapters breaking up the story, helping you feel the progress.
Another series I recommend is the Silo trilogy, Wool, Shift, & Dust. They’ve also just started a TV series on the first book
What do you think of the Dune series? Is that easy to read? On second thought I am a little curious about technotheism or dark-absurdism in general. I’ve enjoyed reading Samurai 8 and Ai-Ren, which are both Japanese manga, and I wanted something that has the vibe of Asura’s Wrath or Deus Ex Machina.
I don’t know if this is exactly what you’re looking for, but Neal Stephenson springs to mind. He grapples with some big ideas regarding technology and philosophy. Snow Crash is a good start. I wouldn’t say it’s an ‘easy’ read but I think it might have a similar vibe to the stuff you like
No, Dune is not easy to read and would be a terrible re-introduction to reading. I love that book and have read all of the original series, but the first page is enough that people put it down. It might be OK if you have seen one of the movies.
Just an FYI, research papers are never easy to follow. They are a nightmare to follow and sufficiently comprehend even if you are on the field
I always recommend The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out Of A Window And Disappeared
Though you might like to start with an easy thriller to get you hooked. Maybe the Jack Reacher series?
The most immediately gripping book I’ve read recently is The Breach by Patrick Lee
The Sun Also Rises, by Hemingway.
If you want sci-fi, maybe The End of Eternity by Asimov.
I always recommend anything by Raymond Chandler too.
Did you try Chat GPT for more insights?
I did actually, however, it came with a bunch of verbal vomit, all filled with made-up novel names and bogus summary.
Young Adult Fiction might be a good starting point for you. Just to flex the reading muscles. I’d second Enders Game and it’s sequels for the scifi, and for being sort of YA. Once you get the habit going I bet you’ll be ready to just keep going.
Highly recommend a long way to a small angry planet by Becky Chambers. Sci-fi book, lovely atmosphere, very cosy. Highly recommend the whole series.
Bobiverse by Dennis E. Taylor is a fun and easy read
Any short story collection.
Best mysteries/science fiction/whatever of the year.
I’d like to recommend Old Man’s War, which is the first book in a sci-fi series. I read the first 3 books in the series basically back to back within 2 months and really enjoyed them. I’m in a similar spot as you and I’m getting back into reading after not reading much for the past few years and these got me back into the habit.
Not sci-fi, but anything in the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett is also a good (and usually easy) read.
I’ve read all of them, but the Watch books are my favorite (as you can see).
I’d say they’re my favorite as well! They’re definitely the ones I tend to go to first when I get the urge to re-read any of the Discworld books.
Good choice in username by the way!
Just finished the audiobook of Starter Villain by Scalzi
Brilliant story, absolutely ruined by Wil Wheaton’s narration. Same as he did to Ready Player One
It’s almost like he’s trying to sound like the lovechild of a California Valley Girl and a neckbeard Redditor
I’ve been into Progression Fantasy lately. Everyone I know who read Naomi Navik’s Scholomance series loved it. I also really enjoyed Cradle, Menocht Loop, and … hm, others, but nothing is popping into my head.
If you don’t mind it being YA stuff, I have found “the Hunger Games” series very well written and an easy read, without being trivial. The same for “Harry Potter” (surprisingly). Yeah, the latter may seem for children, at the beginning, but it becomes rather obscure after a while.
Alternative: “The Martian” or “Project Hail Mary”. Very enjoyable books with a touch of humor and good science in them.
Martha Wells’ Murderbot series is funny, fast, and breezy. The first one, All Systems Red, is basically novella length, and a good yarn.
Short stories in your favourite genre
Read the books by Andy Weir! He most famously wrote The Martian which had a Hollywood adaptation but the others are great too, I’d say Hail Mary was even better. It’s easy to read and will suck you in, but you still feel smarter for having read it.
An ‘easy’ book I read recently was Legends & Lattes - low stakes and cosy.
But if you want something with more of a substantial plot, Children of Time has a really fascinating and easy to follow sci-fi story if that’s your thing. Or how about a Terry Pratchett novel? Guards! Guards! is a great place to start with those and they’re always great fun.
I also found the Red Rising books very gripping.
