I have been trying to get into fiction for a while now. Majority of books i read are fiction, but what i mean is when i go to a bookstore i want to go to the “fiction” section as opposed to sci-fi or thriller. I have a short attention span, so naturally i gravitate towards books with fast paced action and a lot going on to grab and keep hold of my attention. I’d like this to be the same for a fiction book, but every fiction novel I’ve tried is very slow paced. Suggestions?
by lancemotard
7 Comments
Maybe start w the Jack Reacher series? First book is Killing Floor. Or is that something you have already read as a ‘thriller’?
If you want to dip your toe into full on literature, maybe try Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane?
You can maybe try Michael Chabon’s the Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
Short stories might be a good option for you as you’re zeroing in on which authors work for you. Try a short story collection by George Saunders. Liberation Day will probably hold your attention pretty well.
There are a lot of sci-fi books that would be considered “literary” fiction like Station Eleven or Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel. Both are beautifully written with really well developed characters who are going through a thing… whatever that thing is.
If you’re looking for fiction that’s not sci-fi or a thriller I like Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. It’s about friendship and growing up, and video games play a pretty big part in the story.
If you like fantasy, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab is a page turner. I would also recommend Babel by R.F. Kuang – it’s a bit dense but a great example of speculative fiction.
If you want to try a quick read, I like The President’s Hat by Antoine Laurain. It’s a French novella. It’s a gentle read, and very whimisical
Literary fiction that isn’t boring:
Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr. It’s kind of long but there’s lots of action in the past, present, and future. Totally fun book that’s also serious.
The Trees, by Percival Everett. Funny, smart, serious, and a literary thriller.
I don’t know that these are fast paced per se, but to me they read like a movie where the plot is moving along and you really want to see where things are headed and what will happen next!
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
My Friends by Fredrik Backman (or Anxious People by the same author, both are great).
Someone else mentioned Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, which I could barely put down and adored until the last 20% of the book and then disliked 🙁 YMMV
Patreon – hardcore literature, amazing