I’m trying to decide what else to read before the end of the year, and I’d love some recommendations based on what I’ve read so far.
Here’s my list (very non-spoiler thoughts):
• Christine – Stephen King
Horror classic. Loved it, way more emotional than I expected.
• Dolores Claiborne – Stephen King
This one was fantastic. King at his best: character-driven, tense, and very human.
• Fairy Tale – Stephen King
Enjoyed parts of it, but not my favorite. Felt a bit too much like Narnia in places.
• Billy Summers – Stephen King
Really liked this. Different kind of King – more crime/mystery, but still a page turner.
• Stranger in a Strange Land – Robert A. Heinlein
Thought the first half was great, but the second half got pretty weird for me and lost some of its appeal.
• Project Hail Mary – Andy Weir
What a great sci-fi book. Gave me big Interstellar vibes. Super excited for the movie next year.
• My Best Friend’s Exorcism – Grady Hendrix
Cheesy in a good way, but a really fun Halloween read.
by vaderwoden
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The Passage by Justin Cronin
Big emotional stakes, found-family feel, horror elements without being “gross.” It reads like early King with a sci-fi twist.
Recursion by Blake Crouch
Fast, addictive, and very human. Sci-fi thriller with huge emotional weight — similar energy to Project Hail Mary but darker.
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
King vibes for obvious reasons, but the story stands on its own. Creepy, emotional, and surprisingly tender in moments.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Tense, smart, and a total page-turner. Sci-fi grounded in emotion, perfect fit for someone who liked PHM.
These feel right in the middle of what you loved: strong characters, tight pacing, a bit of horror/sci-fi, and nothing too off-the-rails.