I love reading, and during lockdown devoured books with the single-mindedness I thought I had left behind in middle school. However, once I reentered the real world, and subsequently university, it was like my concentration and attention span had just vanished.
Three ish years later, I’ve started to get back into reading; the only issue is that, while I’ve aged, all the protagonists of the YA books I used to read are perpetually 15/16. And I’m not sure where to start looking for books if not the YA section…
Does anyone have any recommendations for fiction books with protagonists that aren’t teenagers? I like fantasy, sci-fi, realistic fiction, historical fiction, & romance. I’m open to trying other genres too, those are ones I know I like. I prefer books that have a happy ending, but they can deal with heavy subject matters along the way. I like the found family trope, so if you know any with those, definitely let me know!
Adult fiction I’ve enjoyed includes Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, and the Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
YA and children’s fiction that I’ve enjoyed includes the Percy Jackson, the Hunger Games trilogy, the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo, and Solitaire by Alice Oseman
I would probably enjoy anything similar to the above books! Thanks in advance 🙂
by penderwicksongardam
9 Comments
Brando sando (Brandon Sanderson)sounds right up your alley. He’s basically YA with slightly more edge. Start with mistborn.
I think now is when you’re supposed to watch more movies rather then reading.
I think you’d like litrpg. A few good ones are
Dungeon Crawler Carl.
All the Skills.
The Wandering Inn. (First book isn’t so good)
And also some epic fantasy. Try Michael G Manning!
Fantasy and Romance are my jam! I’m a 30F With similar tastes to you. I’ve been in exactly your conundrum in my mid 20s.
1. Daevabad Trilogy by SA Chakraborty. I felt like the first book is just OK, but book 2 is AMAZING
2. Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko – this is technically YA, but I feel like it’s good when you’re between genres. I don’t typically read YA but loved this around 27.
3. Serpent and the Wings of Night – great fantasy romance that isn’t the standard ACOTAR or Fourth Wing (which you should check out both if you like Fantasy Romance as a genre)
4. The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi – the series hasn’t ended yet so I can’t guarantee it has a happy ending (she has a new book, Faebound, that I can’t wait to release!!)
5. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh – again, YA, but I think it reads older
6. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune – really happy and feel good
7. The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton – a great historical fiction where you’re not sure if there is fantasy or not
I hope that’s a good bunch to get you started and you like at least a few of those options!
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Very accessible, funny, smart.
Red, White, and Royal Blue is a great read!
I just finished The Measure by Erlick and I really was surprised how much I liked it.
Try it out!
The Expanse Series
Some favorites:
The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. Sci-Fi.
No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood. Lit fic maybe?
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall. (Contemporary mm romance).
The Sign for Home by Blair Fell. Contemporary fiction