Helping people find great reads that match their interests is one of my favorite aspects of my job. As an assignment for school, I came up with recommendations for six close family members. (Pro-tip: never let them choose their own aliases.) Below are some of the questions I asked; not all of them were applicable in each circumstance, but I used them to help guide our conversation.
• What are some books or authors you enjoyed reading recently?
• What kind of books are you in the mood for?
• What kind of books do you like to read? What did you enjoy about them?
• What kind of movies or TV shows do you like to watch?
• Would you prefer something like these, or are you in the mood for something new?
• What about these books/movies really appeals to you? Is it the way the plot moves, or how the characters are written, or the place and time it’s set in?
• Does it bother you when a story meanders and takes its time to unfold?
• Is there anything that really bothers you in a book?
• Are you okay with a series? How about a larger book?
• I’m getting a sense that you’d looking for... Am I on the right track, or am I missing the mark?
• Is there anything I might have missed that you would like me to take into consideration as I find books to suggest for you?
1. Jack R. (31M)
Jack R. has recently enjoyed reading book series like Percy Jackson, Odd Thomas, Jack Reacher, and Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children. He likes these books because of the descriptive and compelling writing style and the fast pacing. Jack is a fan of mystery and sci-fi genres, especially works that include paranormal elements. He enjoys reading series of books. Jack dislikes books with excessive profanity (in particular, the f-word) and works that are too simplistic or low-level, such as middle grade fiction.
My recommended reads for Jack R. are:
• 1632 by Eric Flint: “A West Virginia town is transported from the year 2000 to 1631 Germany at the height of the Thirty Years' War. Thrust into conflict, the town residents must also contend with moral issues such as who should be considered a citizen.” This gripping, fast-paced alternative history features an exciting, action-packed plot and well-researched period detail. First book in a series.
• The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes by Leonard S. Goldberg: “A highly skilled nurse with unique mental talents is recruited into the investigative team of the elderly Dr. John Watson and his handsome son before being swept up in a Holmesian mystery with ties to the Second Afghan War, a hidden treasure and a murder at the highest levels of British society.” An intricately plotted, fast-paced historical mystery with an engaging writing style and a plot-driven storyline. First book in a series.
• City of Broken Magic by Mirah Bolender: “Defending humans from a centuries-old magical weapon that consumes enemies and allies alike, a member of an elite team of magic diffusers becomes her city's only surviving protector in the wake of a massive attack.” This fast-paced fantasy fiction combines a suspenseful tone and an action-packed storyline in a compelling writing style. First book in a series.
• Pulse by Michael T. Harvey: “Investigating the murder of a Harvard football star, a pair of veteran detectives are stunned when the victim's teen-runaway brother arrives at the scene, claiming to have metaphysical knowledge of the crime before it occurred.” A supernatural mystery that pairs a suspenseful tone with a compelling writing style.
• The Fury by John Farris: “The psychic powers that bind a young heiress and the son of a government assassin threaten the existence of humanity.” This suspenseful horror novel pairs a plot-driven storyline with a fast pace and a compelling writing style. First book in a series.
Jack R. was most interested in Pulse and The Fury. He felt that these works met his reading interests quite well; he is waiting until the end of his semester to begin reading a new novel. Jack has no problem taking several months to slowly work through a good book a little at a time. Despite its suspenseful tone and elements of mystery fiction, Circle of Broken Magic was too far afield into the realm of fantasy fiction to align with Jack’s interests. He was excited to know how much gradation there is in the blending of genres: you can find books at virtually every point on the sliding scale between SFF and mystery.
2. Jeremy S. (32M)
Jeremy S. has read books by Brandon Sanderson and J.K. Rowling, and he finds many elements of these works that he enjoys. He likes reading fantasy books, especially those that include werewolves and/or witches. Magic is a big appeal for Jeremy, and he likes reading about intricate magic systems and lush, well-described fantasy worlds. While he prefers a slower pace in his literature, Jeremy isn’t a big fan of drawn out, overly detailed battle scenes (think: Tolkien's Lord of the Rings), although gory details don’t bother him. He enjoys series of long books that he can invest in and get lost in. He also likes works that are LGBTQ diverse.
My recommended reads for Jeremy S. are:
• A Discovery of Witches by Deborah E. Harkness: “Discovering a magical manuscript in Oxford's library, scholar Diana Bishop, a descendant of witches who has rejected her heritage, inadvertently unleashes a fantastical underworld of daemons, witches and vampires whose activities center around an enchanted treasure.” This intricately plotted fantasy series features a suspenseful tone and an engaging writing style. First book in a series.
• The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefwater: “Blue Sargent's gift seems to be that she makes other people's talents stronger, and when she meets Gansey, one of the Raven Boys from the Aglionby Academy, she discovers that together their talents are a dangerous mix.” This leisurely paced urban fantasy features LGBTQ diverse characters and an intricately plotted storyline. First book in a series.
• The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern: “Discovering a mysterious book of prisoner tales, a Vermont graduate student recognizes a story from his own life before following clues to a magical underground library that is being targeted for destruction.” This fantasy fiction with LGBTQ diverse characters features a compelling and lyrical writing style with a mystical and atmospheric tone.
• The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare: “High Warlock Magnus Bane learns that a demon-worshipping cult, the Crimson Hand, is wreaking havoc across Europe, threatening more than just his romantic getaway with new boyfriend, Alec Lightwood.” The descriptive writing style of this LGBTQ-diverse fantasy pairs with an action-packed storyline. First book of a series.
• The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon: “A queen who would survive assassination attempts to continue her ruling line is protected with forbidden magic by a court outsider, while a secret society works to prevent a dragon war.” This descriptive and lush epic fantasy features LGBTQ diverse characters and clocks in just above 800 pages.
Jeremy S. felt that A Discovery of Witches was a good recommendation that aligned with his reading preferences. He’s also interested in The Red Scrolls of Magic, which might be influenced by the fact that he’s read other works by Cassandra Clare before. The Priory of the Orange Tree also seemed very interesting and similar to other works he has read. My two other suggestions might have missed the mark; it was difficult for Jeremy to articulate why certain books were more compelling, but I suppose that’s the nature of human preference in general. He was able to identify in our follow-up that the worldbuilding and the rules behind the system of magic are more important to his reading preferences than he had previously realized.
3. Pearl F. (29F)
Pearl F. enjoys YA fiction like Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, and They Both Die at the End; however, she would prefer New Adult works with slightly older protagonists. She wants to avoid a big commitment with reading and prefers to read casually. Plot is a big appeal for Pearl: the characters aren’t as important to her as the storyline is. She also enjoys the feeling of the pieces falling into place towards the end of a fast-paced novel.
My recommended reads for Pearl F. are:
• After by Anna Todd: “Tessa didn't plan on meeting H. during her freshman year of college. But now that she has, her life will never be the same.” This New Adult fiction features a plot-driven storyline and a fast pace.
• Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman: “Erin is a documentary filmmaker on the brink of a professional breakthrough, Mark a handsome investment banker with big plans. Passionately in love, they embark on a dream honeymoon to the tropical island of Bora Bora, where they enjoy the sun, the sand, and each other. Then, while scuba diving in the crystal blue sea, they find something in the water.” A plot-driven storyline with a fast pace and a compelling writing style.
• A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab: “Prepare to be dazzled by a world of parallel Londons -- where magic thrives, starves, or lies forgotten, and where power can destroy just as quickly as it can create.” This gateway fantasy combines a fast pace with a plot-driven storyline and a descriptive writing style.
• Peeps by Scott Westerfeld: “Cal Thompson is a carrier of a parasite that causes vampirism and must hunt down all of the girlfriends he has unknowingly infected.” This fast-paced and story-driven horror narrative features well-crafted dialogue and a suspenseful tone.
Pearl F. was excited about Something in the Water and began reading it with a friend. She also expressed interest in A Darker Shade of Magic, but she had some trepidation about her inclination to compare it with Rowling’s Harry Potter series. She had not previously heard of the New Adult genre, and she is glad to know that there is a term to designate the group of books that she is most interested in. Pearl felt that my description of After was too vague to pique her interest, and that perhaps additional information about this book would interest her further. She rated her satisfaction with these recommendations an 8 out of 10; while she often enjoys a suspenseful tone, the horror aspects of Peeps may fall without her interest zone.
4. Nerlinda B. (65F)
Nerlinda B. is a non-native English speaker. Her preferred language of literature is Spanish, but she is okay to read works in English as well. She prefers nonfiction works that describe historical events from various points of view. The subject of the work is important to Nerlinda, and she enjoys learning about interpersonal conflict and how individuals have influenced the world around them. She has particular interest in true crime and legal drama. She has read extensively about Argentina’s Dirty War, and she is now ready to read books about other historical events, whether in the United States, Latin America, or elsewhere.
My recommended reads for Nerlinda B. are:
• Lincoln’s Last Trial by Dan Abrams: “This gripping true story recreates Abraham Lincoln’s last murder trial—a case during which he defended the son of a close friend and loyal supporter who was accused of killing Lincoln’s mentor, and was forced to form an unholy alliance with a longtime enemy to win.” Currently available only in English.
• Midnight in Mexico: A Reporter’s Journey through a Country’s Descent into the Darkness by Alfredo Corchado: “A Mexican-American journalist traces his 2007, twenty-four-hour effort to end a threat against his own life by a paramilitary group that sought to prevent his investigations into Mexico's drug trafficking and government corruption.” Available in Spanish as Medianoche en México.
• Dead Girls by Selva Almada: “In this brutal, gripping novel, Selva Almada narrates the case of three small-town teenage girls murdered in the 1980's in the interior of Argentina. Almada takes these and other tales of abused women to weave together a dry, straightforward portrait of gender violence that surpasses national borders and speaks to readers' consciousness all over the world.” Available in Spanish as Chicas muertas.
• Querida Dra. Polo by Ana María Polo: “Acclaimed television jurist Dr. Polo presents letters – many of which were vetoed for airing on television due to their explicit content – that she received from troubled people who reached out to her in the hope that her common sense and unerring ability to find justice and forgiveness can help them find their way.” Title in Spanish.
• Los dueños de América Latina: Cómo amasaron sus fortunas los personajes más ricos e influyentes de la región by Gerardo Reyes: “The entrepreneurs featured in this book are the wealthiest and most influential people in Latin America. They were chosen taking into account Forbes magazine's list of the richest in the world and the degree of political influence in each country.” Title in Spanish.
Nerlinda B. was generally pleased with the reading recommendations. She said that most of these works met her reading preferences perfectly, and she was appreciative that most of them have available translations in her native language. She was somewhat disinclined to read Querida Dra. Polo; this is because she frequently watches Dr. Polo’s television program, and she worries that the book would not match Dr. Polo’s energy on the screen. Furthermore, Nerlinda is more interested in how Dr. Polo decides legal cases, and the book seems to focus more on Dr. Polo as a person. She was very excited to begin reading Dead Girls.
5. Bingo S. (53M)
Bingo S. has not read any books recently, but he remembers reading An Inconvenient Book by Glenn Beck and enjoying the humor and light tone. A priority for him is learning something new from the nonfiction books he reads. In particular, Bingo is interested in cooking, travel, and European history, in addition to how to enjoy retirement financially (not how to prepare for retirement); the subject is more important to him than the writing style or the pacing.
My recommended reads for Bingo S. are:
• The Spice Necklace: A Food-lover’s Caribbean Adventure by Ann Vanderhoof: “Vanderhoof and her husband navigate the Caribbean on a sailboat, discovering local culture in each tiny port, and collecting sumptuous original recipes along the way.” This nonfiction work combines food writing with travel writing and presents the reader with a new world of experiences.
• Dirt: Adventures in Lyon as a Chef in Training, Father, and Sleuth Looking for the Secret of French Cooking by Bill Buford: “Buford turns his inimitable attention from Italian cuisine to the food of France. He begins what becomes a five-year odyssey by shadowing the esteemed French chef Michel Richard, in Washington, D.C. But when Buford realizes that a stage in France is necessary, he goes to Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France, to prove that he is worthy of the gastronomic secrets he's learning.” This memoir combines elements of both travel writing and food writing while imparting a strong sense of place.
• The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson: “The award-winning author presents an engaging head-to-toe tour of the human body that shares anecdotal insights into its functions, ability to heal and vulnerability to disease.” The humorous tone of this book pairs with a conversation writing style to make for an enjoyable reading experience.
• The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century by Ian Mortimer: “Profiles everyday life in fourteenth-century England, covering everything from period beliefs and styles to hygiene and medical practices, and also discusses the influence of warfare.” Combines a funny tone with well-researched historical facts in an accessible and engaging writing style.
• The 4% Rule and Safe Withdrawal Rates in Retirement by Todd R. Tresidder: “Applying a simple rule to a complex financial situation is just asking for trouble. Author and financial coach Todd R. Tresidder dives deep into the subject to provide you with a definitive, one-stop solution.”
• Keys to a Successful Retirement: Staying Happy, Active, and Productive in Your Retired Years by Fritz Gilbert: “Covering topics like finances, embracing your passions, and dealing with feelings of aimlessness, grief, and depression that may crop up, this in-depth guide to retired living answers all the burning questions you want to ask—as well as those you’re afraid to. Take a complete look at your newfound freedom and explore what it really means to have a successful retirement.”
Bingo S. began reading The Body, and (so far) he has found it quite enjoyable. He appreciates the combination of informative with entertaining. He also expressed interest in reading The Spice Necklace, The Time Traveler’s Guide, and Keys to a Successful Retirement. In Bingo’s opinion, these books seem like a good fit for his interests in the upcoming season of his life. He was less interested in Dirt and The 4% Rule, and it was somewhat difficult for him to pinpoint why this was the case. Bingo remarked that Dirt seems to be more focused on the drama of the author’s life (rather than travel and culinary experiences) and that The 4% Rule seemed too narrowly focused, as well as rudimentary for a reader who has a PhD in Economics.
6. Jane S. (31F)
Jane S. loves novels with a good plot twist. She recently read The Silent Patient and loved how the author kept her guessing until the very end. She also enjoys nonlinear storylines and the sensation of having pieces of the storyline missing until the end, including when that calls for an unreliable narrator. Dystopian universes are also entertaining, but they are not a requirement for her reading interests. While explicit language doesn’t bother her, Jane is not comfortable with sex scenes and usually skips over them. She doesn’t mind romantic overtones as long as it’s not the primary focus of the book. It’s hard for her to commit to a cast of characters for a series or a long book, but she’s found exceptions to that rule in the past.
My recommended reads for Jane S. are:
• The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Anna Todd: “Doomed to repeat the same day over and over, Aiden Bishop must solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle in order to escape the curse in a world filled with enemies where nothing and no one are quite what they seem. Stuart Turton presents a breathlessly addictive mystery with an astonishing twist that will leave readers guessing until the very last page.”
• The Second Sister by Claire Kendal: “An obsessive quest to solve the mystery of her older sister’s disappearance puts a young woman in mortal jeopardy in this taut, sophisticated novel of psychological suspense. An intoxicating cocktail of loyalty and secrets, lies and betrayal.”
• The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn: “An agoraphobic recluse languishes in her New York City home, drinking wine and spying on her neighbors, before witnessing a terrible crime through her window that exposes her secrets and raises questions about her perceptions of reality.” This compelling psychological suspense features an unreliable narrator, flawed characters, and several plot twists to keep the reader guessing.
• The Push by Ashley Audrain: “A devoted mother with a painful past gradually realizes that something is very wrong with her daughter, a fear that is complicated by her husband's dismissive views and the birth of a healthy son.” This suspenseful and heart-wrenching work of psychological suspense has an unreliable narrator and a nonlinear storyline.
• In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware: “Reluctantly accepting an old friend's invitation to spend a weekend on the English countryside, reclusive writer Leonora awakens in a hospital badly injured, unable to recall what happened and confronting a growing certainty that someone involved has died.” This intricately plotted, creepy thriller centers on a bachelorette party gone horribly wrong. Incorporates flashbacks that reveal characters’ secrets.
Jane S. was probably the most content of the people I provided reading suggestions to. She has looked into each of the titles I recommended, and they have all made it onto her “To Be Read” list. She recognized that they each are different from each other, but she thinks they all were good recommendations according to her reading interests. Jane hasn’t had time to begin reading yet, and it might be a while until she has any free time.
If you'd like your own reading suggestion, let me know! I'd be happy to chat about what you like to read and try to find something that fits your preferences.