Help finding a book to buddy-read with my brother

Hello! I should start this post by saying that I (F) and my brother are both in our early 20s, only about a year apart in age. I like to read more layered books while he will read purely for easy effortless entertainment, including light novels.

I'm looking for a book that's a middle ground for us both to read over the summer 🙂 I'm willing to concede more since it was my idea – I'm also pretty open minded as long as the book is good.

Me:

> I read primarily sci fi, a big fan of LeGuin, Octavia Butler, Stanislaw Lem – I also enjoy sharp satire the likes of Vonnegut, Heller's Catch-22 and Pynchon (currently reading The Crying of Lot 49). For straight up fun I'll pick up books like Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead , The Culture series by Ian Banks, Children of Time, Murderbot Diaries, Project Hail Mary.

He:

> Reads pretty much exclusively fantasy. I notice he tends to look for main characters who are strong and capable in some way, a power fantasy element. We both like gritty worlds, characters don't have to be heroes. I grilled him and he could not remember most titles even though he reads A LOT of stuff on his kindle (or maybe just didn't wanna tell :p). He is a fan of Brendan Sanderson, as a kid read Eragon and Trudi Canavan and liked those. Not a fan of LOTR.

Books we both read and our opinions:

👍The Witcher: enjoyed by us both, I in particular like the low fantasy grittiness, the memorable characters, the dialogue (read in the original Polish). Strongest candidate.

👌The Name of the Wind & sequel: he really liked that one and recommended it to me. I saw the appeal with the power fantasy element, it was addictive to read, though I wouldn't pick it up on my own time. Still, it was fun because he recommended it and that definitely contributed to my enjoyment of the books despite finding them flawed and at times eye roll worthy.

👎Mistborn by Sanderson – in similar vain read upon his recommendation. I did not like this one despite trying really hard lol. I did not enjoy much about it and unfortunately the plot or grand reveal did not justify or make up for my other qualms.

The Blade Itself by Abercrombie – technically I didn't read it – he read it long ago and doesn't remember much, but upon looking the book up I found it very interesting. Gritty with strong characters, maybe morally gray. Yes please! Because he's read it I'm not picking it as a buddy read but I would otherwise.

👍A Wizard of Earthsea – he read long ago, I don't think he recalls it much in terms of enjoyment. I love everything by LeGuin so it's no surprise that book appealed to me, I found much wisdom and emotion in it.

👎Red Rising – mutual dislike.

So far my ideas are:

> Lonesome Dove (he sounded vaguely interested)

> The Count of Monte Cristo (fun revenge story so maybe

> I think we're looking primarily at fantasy aside from that. A book that is catered more towards a male audience is fine by me. A book that is "fun", fast paced, has a power fantasy element or a character that's capable in some way. well written characters are very important to me in general (morally gray, or just complex would be great – think Witcher) and beautiful prose – I'd rather not read Sanderson-like prose for example (Think Robin Hobb, LeGuin). Im also partial to a comedic or satirical element (but unfortunately I don't think he'd wanna read Discworld with me)

> No mystery of horror novels please.

Please don't recommend Hyperion, Book of the New Sun, LOTR, ASOIAF, Dungeon Crawler Carl, just to name a few off the top of my head as I've already judged them based on our preferences.

Would really appreciate recs!