My boyfriend is obsessed with the fantasy and sci-fi genre. Some of his favorite authors are Joe Abercrombie, Robin Hobb, Brandon Sanderson, Pierce Brown, Christopher Ruocchio, Frank Herbert and Robert Jordan. He always wants me (26F) to also read all of these series, (and I’ve read a few!) but I like reading contemporary and historical fiction and I feel like every time I read a book I’m like “oh yeah I loved it, but I don’t think you would like it” (I’m an Ottessa Moshfegh, Kristin Hannah, and Fredrik Backman kind of girl). Can anyone help me find a book/author/series that’s set in the real world than him and I can read that he would like? I’m trying to push him to get out of his reading comfort zone, and also I’d just like to be able to recommend something from “my genres” instead of only reading his books.
by MaintenanceCold8465
13 Comments
Starlight by ML Briggs
I read a lot of these. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss is enjoyed by a lot of fans but it is a George R.R. Martin situation where he only wrote two out of three and will never finish the last. Hyperion by Dan Simmons and Dune by Frank Herbert would probably be his vibe. I liked Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo because it is similar to Mistborn, but it might be a little to YA for him.
Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Anything Ken Follett or Bernard Cornwell
What about “Magic for Liars”, or “The Lies of Locke Lamore”? Both have magic universes but the main characters are not magic users. If you like Frederick Bachman, it may be a stretch but try “The Measure” by Erlick. This book gave me the same feels as “Anxious People,” the feeling of everyone’s personal and interpersonal dramas being played out and the connections they make.
The Magicians , Dresden Files , Lies of Locke Lamora , Pillars of the Earth
David Mitchell – Bone Clocks or Autumn of Jacob
I like all your bf books, Mitchell is a nice cross. Not sf or fantasy as such,
“Moon of the Crusted Snow” and “Moon of the Turning Leaves” a series by Waubsgeshig Rice. A very believable end of the world scenario i think will blend his enjoyment and yours.
Maybe Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi or Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. They’re some of my favorites and I am also a sci-fi and fantasy reader.
You can meet in the middle with 1Q84
For historical fiction, Bernard Cornwell’s works would be a good fit. Check out his series or standalones.
I like Conn Iggulden as well, he might like the Emperor and Conqueror series specifically but I’m more confident that he’d like Cornwell’s works.
Maybe.. the bell jar?
Blacktop Wasteland and Razerblade Tears both by S A Cosby. Absolute bad ass books