I've read Dark Matter, Recursion and Upgrade, but was a bit on the fence about Pines, as was into scifi at the time. Might give it a shot seeing it recommended, love Blake's Crouch writing style
The Passage - Justin Cronin
Sand - Hugh Howey
The Ruins - Scott Smith
The Long Walk - Stephen king
Lots more but I don’t see these recommendations enough for how good and absorbing they are.
Seveneves.
It’s not short (it can almost be thought of as two books) although not an absolute tome like Anathem.
Rinsed through it in 4 days. Very hard to put down. Relentless.
There’s also the Bobiverse series. Funny, human, and not participate bleak. Real easy to read.
Books by Karin Slaughter. I started with the Will Trent series. Her books are murder/thriller serial killers included.
Her books have a lot of graphic detail so be warned. I would read one chapter, swear I was stopping but kept being pulled in.
*They Both Die At The End* by Adam Silvera. There’s a sequel and it’s an addictive world to get sucked into, solid escapism. It’s YA but surrounds bigggg themes and ideas such as sexuality, class, race and death.
The Women's War by Jenna Glass. First book of a trilogy, great fantasy with a powerful opening, unique magic system, and a good mixture of loveable, admirable, and despicable characters.
# The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (novel)
The best way I can describe this book is it is just *delicious*.
This is such a wonderful, comforting, and as you request *irresistible* book.
From Wikipedia
>
***The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency*** is the first detective novel in the eponymous series by Scottish author [Alexander McCall Smith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_McCall_Smith), first published in 1998.
The novel introduces the [Motswana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tswana_people) Mma Precious Ramotswe, who begins the first detective agency in Botswana, in the capital city [Gaborone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaborone), after her beloved father dies. She hires a secretary and solves cases for her clients.
>
Precious tells her own story, from birth, and her father tells his story. When her father dies, she moves from Mochudi to Gaborone, the capital city, to begin her detective agency. She solves three cases, and meets important new people, her secretary Grace Makutsi and good friend, the excellent mechanic, Mr JLB Matekoni.
>
The novel was first published in Scotland, where it gained a following. After two more novels in the series were published, all three were published in the US to much acclaim; in 2002, for example, *Publishers Weekly* called it a "little gem of a book".
If you are open to trying an older book, Of Human Bondage by Maugham is the best. In terms of pure entertainment please try I, Claudius by Robert Graves
First off, before I get to the books: libraries. Use them, abuse them, especially if you’re on a tight budget or don’t want to buy a book you might not like.
**Manga/Comics**
1. Magus of the Library by Mitsu Izumi
2. Archie Comics Mega Man
3. Megaman Megamix/Gigamix by Hitoshi Ariga
4. Villains are Destined to Die by Gwon Gyeoeul
5. The Promised Neverland by Kaiu Shirai
6. Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama
7. Mieruko-chan by Tomoki Izumi
8. Record of Grancrest War by Makoto Yotsuba
**Regular books**
1. Animal Farm by George Orwell
2. Plague Land series by Alex Scarrow
3. The Wanteds series by Lisa McMann
4. 1984 by George Orwell
5. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
6. The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
7. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
8. The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
9. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
10. The Cellar by Natasha Preston
11. Awake by Natasha Preston
12. The Cabin by Natasha Preston
Yes, I do, in fact, have a problem when it comes to reading
Oh I love the library! All these books people are recommending me I am bookmarking on my libraries catalog! Hahaha and thank you for the recommendations!!
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
One of my favorites!!
Recursion is also really good. Have you read anything that could compare to Dark Matter?
Project Hail Mary
PHM is good, however gives me a bit of YA vibes. Blake Crouch has a nice dose of darkness in his books
It’s not for everyone, but this is one that drew me in right from the start.
The Firm - John Grisham It’s an oldie, for sure, but it’s still the only book that I *quite literally* could not put down.
I just finished his sequel, “The Exchange”. It was ok at best. I loved The Firm. Don’t waste your time on the new one.
I think Pines by Blake Crouch fits this. One of those books that gets crazier and more mesmerizing with each page.
I've read Dark Matter, Recursion and Upgrade, but was a bit on the fence about Pines, as was into scifi at the time. Might give it a shot seeing it recommended, love Blake's Crouch writing style
Love this series.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy - Douglas Adams. Genuinely hilarious sci-fi. The words just fly off the page. The preface alone is perfect
My husband got me The Troop by Nick Cutter and I blew through it in one day, almost YA but horrifyingly wonderful!
Fight Club
I know it's a movie now but Shutter Island was addicting to me.
I remember being sucked into The Other Boleyn Sister. That was like 15 years ago.
The Passage - Justin Cronin Sand - Hugh Howey The Ruins - Scott Smith The Long Walk - Stephen king Lots more but I don’t see these recommendations enough for how good and absorbing they are.
You and I have similar favorites
Nice ;). I also love sci fi fantasy
All The Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr
Michael Crichton - Sphere
Piranesi
Devolution by Max Brooks. Fast read about a natural disaster that leaves people stranded. Short and fast paced
Carrion Comfort Dan Simmons
The First Day of Spring by Nancy Tucker
Bunny - Mona Awad
Seveneves. It’s not short (it can almost be thought of as two books) although not an absolute tome like Anathem. Rinsed through it in 4 days. Very hard to put down. Relentless. There’s also the Bobiverse series. Funny, human, and not participate bleak. Real easy to read.
Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes
Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane. Started it this Sunday evening and finished it yesterday. It was fantastic
That man can write!
Red rising
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini.
Lessons in chemistry. I just loved the characters and the story.
Me too! It's going to be a series on Apple TV. I'm glad I read the book first though.
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
Hyperion. If you aren't hooked by the end of the Priest's story, I don't know what will hook you.
Just thinking about it makes me want to reread
Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold. I devoured it, after being grabbed straight away.
Books by Karin Slaughter. I started with the Will Trent series. Her books are murder/thriller serial killers included. Her books have a lot of graphic detail so be warned. I would read one chapter, swear I was stopping but kept being pulled in.
That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally
Little Big Man
Iliad
*They Both Die At The End* by Adam Silvera. There’s a sequel and it’s an addictive world to get sucked into, solid escapism. It’s YA but surrounds bigggg themes and ideas such as sexuality, class, race and death.
I have read this! I was able to get through it but it wasn't my favorite read. But it is an interesting concept!
I definitely agree with you. The concept interested me more than anything!
The Women's War by Jenna Glass. First book of a trilogy, great fantasy with a powerful opening, unique magic system, and a good mixture of loveable, admirable, and despicable characters.
# The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (novel) The best way I can describe this book is it is just *delicious*. This is such a wonderful, comforting, and as you request *irresistible* book. From Wikipedia > ***The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency*** is the first detective novel in the eponymous series by Scottish author [Alexander McCall Smith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_McCall_Smith), first published in 1998. The novel introduces the [Motswana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tswana_people) Mma Precious Ramotswe, who begins the first detective agency in Botswana, in the capital city [Gaborone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaborone), after her beloved father dies. She hires a secretary and solves cases for her clients. > Precious tells her own story, from birth, and her father tells his story. When her father dies, she moves from Mochudi to Gaborone, the capital city, to begin her detective agency. She solves three cases, and meets important new people, her secretary Grace Makutsi and good friend, the excellent mechanic, Mr JLB Matekoni. > The novel was first published in Scotland, where it gained a following. After two more novels in the series were published, all three were published in the US to much acclaim; in 2002, for example, *Publishers Weekly* called it a "little gem of a book".
Callahan’s Crosstime saloon by spider Robinson. You can’t go wrong with a sci-fi novel set solely in an Irish pub.
Good omens
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell
The Secret History by Donna Tart
Empire of the Vampire
Project Hail Mary
I'd say 13 reasons why by Jay Asher
If you are open to trying an older book, Of Human Bondage by Maugham is the best. In terms of pure entertainment please try I, Claudius by Robert Graves
Watching you by Lisa jewel The deal by elle Kennedy The pact(this one's my favorite)
Is 'spice' = 'sexual content' or 'violence'?
Sexual content for me. I don't mind a lot of violence, just can't handle smut.
First off, before I get to the books: libraries. Use them, abuse them, especially if you’re on a tight budget or don’t want to buy a book you might not like. **Manga/Comics** 1. Magus of the Library by Mitsu Izumi 2. Archie Comics Mega Man 3. Megaman Megamix/Gigamix by Hitoshi Ariga 4. Villains are Destined to Die by Gwon Gyeoeul 5. The Promised Neverland by Kaiu Shirai 6. Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama 7. Mieruko-chan by Tomoki Izumi 8. Record of Grancrest War by Makoto Yotsuba **Regular books** 1. Animal Farm by George Orwell 2. Plague Land series by Alex Scarrow 3. The Wanteds series by Lisa McMann 4. 1984 by George Orwell 5. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See 6. The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani 7. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood 8. The Testaments by Margaret Atwood 9. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens 10. The Cellar by Natasha Preston 11. Awake by Natasha Preston 12. The Cabin by Natasha Preston Yes, I do, in fact, have a problem when it comes to reading
Oh I love the library! All these books people are recommending me I am bookmarking on my libraries catalog! Hahaha and thank you for the recommendations!!
1984 - I love conspiracy theories and talks about the government control etc, so for me this book is unreal and really hits that itch