I’ve basically been ordered to pick up any fiction book and read, after a friend discovered I’ve not read anything but non-fiction for a decade.

The ones I’ve enjoyed in the past have been short, fantastical or sci-fi (think Aldous Huxley, Ian McEwan), but crucially with amazing first person descriptive prose - the kind where you’re immersed in the writing so much you’re almost there with the character.

I liked sci-fi as the world’s constraints weren’t always predictable. Hope that makes sense.

Any recommendations?

Edit: I’m going to up the ante and, as a way of motivating myself to get off my arse and actually read a proper story, promise to choose a book from the top comment, after, let’s say arbitrarily, Friday 2200 GMT.

Edit deux: Wow ok I don’t think I’ve ever had this many responses to anything I’ve posted before. You’ve given me what looks like a whole year of interesting suggestions, and importantly, good commentary around them. I’m honouring my promise to buy the top thing in just under 4 hours.

  • Chris@feddit.ukEnglish
    3·
    9 months ago

    The Mistborn Trilogy (start with The Final Empire) by Brandon Sanderson is superb.

    After that initial trilogy they are a massive struggle, but the first three are well worth reading.

    • TheaoneAndOnly27@kbin.social
      2·
      9 months ago

      I absolutely agree with your recommendation, but man if they’re looking for something short, the mistborn series is the opposite lol

      • Chris@feddit.ukEnglish
        1·
        9 months ago

        To be fair, they say the previous books they’ve enjoyed have been short… Not that they want to read something short this time! But point taken.

        • TheaoneAndOnly27@kbin.social
          2·
          9 months ago

          Oh I absolutely agree with you about the sequels as well. I tried reading the one that takes place more of like the Victorian era and just could not get into it