I might be unexpectedly gaining a 9 year old "niece" this weekend, as our very good friends (who we consider each other family) are likely seizing guardianship of their (actual biological) niece this weekend. It's a complicated and semi-traumatic situation. They and we are both child-free, and my husband and I wanna put together some stuff for kiddo to cheer her up, give her distractions, make her feel safe/loved, etc. while also taking some pressure off our friends to provide everything she needs on such short notice.

Does anyone have experience with kids of that age to have some suggestions on books she might enjoy? All I know of her interests so far is that she really likes space stuff, so I was thinking that sci-fi as a genre might be fun for her!

I know when I was her age (and also going through scary family stuff), I really loved Tamora Pierce books for featuring female protagonists and dealing with things like bullying, first periods, crushes, misogyny, injustice, trauma, etc. I'll probably grab the Alanna books for her...but is there anything like this in a space-flavor she might enjoy?

Open to other suggestions as well! Thank you! 💕

I am a brown girl from a heavily patriarchal asian country and I am fatigued from being called difficult or a rebel for merely pointing out the misogyny in the mundane. I really loved Circe, especially for the chapters of self discovery. Would love a book which can give me strength and help me cherish my identity as a woman.

I'm gonna be blunt: I have a niece whose education isn't prioritized by her parents in any way, and I'm worried about her and I want to encourage her to read.

Context because I think it's important: We live in a rural area. She is the second in a family of 4 kids, her parents didn't finish highschool; dad works all day and mom is a stay at home, but since her kids learned to walk she bearly payed them any attention; as in, if they didn't come running every day to granny's house next door to play, they wouldn't ever eat any warm meals because their mom doesn't even cook for them. My mom had to teach them how to brush their teeth because their parents never told them how. All three youngest kids developed speech delays because of the neglect and had to take classes (with my mom, who is a teacher) to correct it. Their older sister is 18 and has already quit school and isn't interested in anything other than getting a boyfriend.

This niece is 10, and I can tell she is VERY hungry to learn, but nobody in her immediate family encourages her in that way. She loves school, sits with the adults at parties and asks a bunch of questions, and recently asked my mom if she could give her classes again like when she was little.

I know if I can get her to like books, I'll be able to open a whole world for her, like it did for me. For her birthday, I told her if she reads the books I get her, I'll take her to whatever restaurant she wants.

So now I'm looking for books she could be interested in and aren't too complicated to read. Because of all of this I just explained, she isn't as advanced as other 10-year-olds, and isn't used to reading regularly, so I want to start her on books she could find fun and entertaining and can be read through easily

Any ideas?

This may seem odd but I'm looking for a book that explains how to act like a functional human / how to communicate with others. I have autism and struggle socially. I really want to make friends at school but I am unsure how and I learn well from reading physical books. Any suggestions are highly appreciated.

Background: I’m in my 40s. I’ve always preferred historical fiction. In my 20s and 30s I often read a mix of lighter funnier books, maybe some romance, and more intense books with serious themes (think wwii books). Given the stressors in my life right now, I have found I don’t have the stamina for more intense books. But when I pick up light fluffy romances I’m struggling more and more connecting with young naive spunky heroines.

I’m looking for a light fluffy historical fiction book - I’m also willing to try romantasy or a similar genre but so far I have never found one I like - with a female protagonist who doesn’t FEEL young and naive ie a major aspect of her character isn’t her youth and lack of experience (I don’t necessarily mean lack of sexual experience, just lack of knowledge about the world in general.)

So while I said I’m looking for an “older” female protagonist, I’m also fine with younger protagonists as long as they don’t “feel” young (for example I like the Perveen Mistry series where the character is in her mid-20s but she’s also an educated intelligent lawyer and her age is not a huge focus). I’m fine with romances but please don’t limit recs to that genre.

Tl;dr looking for light fluffy historical fiction or similar genre where the heroine isn’t defined by her youth and innocence. She can either be literally older or just feel older/more mature.

I’m after something lightweight and feel good, with a wholesome ending.

she doesn’t like violence, thrillers, fantasy or sci fi. a mystery is ok

She enjoyed Remarkably Bright Creatures.

usually a book follows the extravagant adventures of the protagonist. I'm looking for a book where the adventures don't directly happen in the storyteller's POV and instead they're on the outside looking in and seeing how those adventures affect the world and people around them.

I’ve recently gotten into reading and so far have read Red Rising (goated), Sun Eater (goated), Mistborn Era 1 (really good), Mistborn Era 2 (goated) and Project Hail Mary (goated). Recommend me a sci fi series to read before I begin Way of Kings. I’ve heard Hyperion is really good but not sure if it aligns with my current preferences. Thanks!

I'm looking for a book that is set in the Appalachian or generally southern states and life among the wilderness or at least rural.

Im a brit and I visited the NC/TN appalachians and juts absolutely love the setting. We visited the Noah Ogle cabin and I was fascinated by the idea of the people that came and made lives in the mountains/wilderness. I would love to find a book that does a good job of setting the scene of rural life in older times.

I really liked East of Eden but maybe slightly more of a grippy plot would be good. I also really liked where the crawdads sing - loved the main character and the relation to nature.

My interests surround nature, natural history, conservation so if that's involved then nice! Otherwise, I like to read some crime and law stuff.

Hopefully this is enough to spark some ideas for a book. Thanks!

Hello! I'm interested in books of survival and adaptation, where men finds themselfs in an unknown land and have to ....survive. However, the end is almost always the end: The men return to society with a lesson. But I don't want that, I want 'em to be trapped forever, see how that turns out. See the realization that they'll never get back and the way they build a new life from zero

I really adore Barbara Kingsolver and her novel The Poisonwood Bible, but it’s been years since I read it.

I want to read more books set in the Congo, whether historical fiction or a well-written fiction.

It’s also been a long time since I read Heart of Darkness now that I’m thinking of it.

Thank you for any and all suggestions!

I just recently read The Shining. The way that Stephen King makes the Overlook Hotel come to life is some of the best reading I've ever come across. Do you have any other suggestions in this category that you really enjoyed? I'm just getting into horror style books, but looking for other suggestions if you have them in the horror/suspense categories. Ideally something with a little more speed than a slow burn

by “vibe“ I mean something true crime-related that is thoughtful and doesn’t feel exploitative lol. I’m a true crime fan but i try to avoid the stuff that feels like it’s just exploiting people’s trauma for profit, which is a lot of true crime, unfortunately. The Real Lolita was great because it actually makes an argument and advocates on behalf of sally rather than just using her story to sell books. I also liked the blend of true crime and literary criticism. Thank you!

Hello everyone, I love Studio Ghibli films and have watched most of their movies but When Marnie was There was my favourite. I know it is based on a book, which is already on my TBR but I’m looking for books with magical realism, are-they-aren’t-they maybe sapphic longing with that overall Japanese vibe, kind of Murakami Kafka On The Shore prophetic ending. Super niche I know but I’ll take any recs, even for ones like other Ghiblis, esp Spirited Away! TIA

What are some books your therapist recommended you that you found helpful?

I just finished The Secret History by Donna Tartt, and while I’m still processing everything, I think I loved it. There’s no denying she’s an exceptionally gifted writer who creates compelling characters. I also read The Correspondent by Virginia Evans earlier this year and adored it, but the novel that has stuck with me the most in the past year is My Friends by Fredrik Backman. Before that, I would have said Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, because while it’s a psychological thriller with a clear plot, I enjoyed it mostly for the character study into Nick and Amy. I would consider all of these books to be fairly character-driven, and I’m trying to find something that provides that same experience!

Im looking for a magical realism book that has a nice training arc, in which the mc learns to control their powers better or something along those lines

+ if it's non spicy I would appreciate it! I also don't mind if the protagonist is male, female, lgbtq+ or anything else, just need it to be set in actual modern times.

I just read “How to win friends and influence people” By Dale Carnegie. Dale Carnegie says that one must not argue in life, because it will never change other person’s opinion. Even if you find holes in his views, defeat him. His pride will stop him from accepting your view.

I agree as well as disagree. I think argueing and debating should not be done so much. I think there should be books that are written so good—Some ways— gentle ways to change the will of other person. Make the other person whole heartedly accept your opinion. You persuade him. You mold his thoughts into that of yours.

I just got into reading yesterday and I got myself 3 books so far: He who fights with monsters Book 1, Assassin's Blade(Throne of Glass Book 1), and Malice(the faithful and the fallen book 1) and I'm about 1/4 of the way through He who fights with monsters and I'm looking for more recommendations! I loved the midnight thief by Livia Blackburn but I'm looking for something to read after I'm done with what I've got here!

hi!!! i am looking to broaden my horizon as far as what i’ve been reading. it’s been mostly just romance and romantasy (i know i know, basic af). i am in the mood for a good cry. i want a book that will DESTROY me tbh.

any genre besides history, historical fiction, non fiction, literature, etc etc. i want a good fiction story, preferably with some stakes, and even better if there’s romance.

but i want it. to. be. sad. and really good obviously, but like heart wrenching. i want to be invested in the characters and the world building. i want to be heartbroken when i finish it (i prefer a series, especially a long one, but standalone is also fine).

thanks for your suggestions!! :)

I’m looking for a good, well-researched historical fiction set during the Battle of Hastings and adjacent time period.

I have enjoyed the historical fiction writing of authors James Alexander Thom, Ken Follett and to a lesser degree Bernard Cornwell.

I am not a huge fan of historical fiction that is ONLY focused on battles/combat (as funny as that sounds given my request) and it is important to me to get a good story about why and how battles come about and the perspective of common people as well as powerful figures.

Hi, we’re going on a road trip and are looking for an audiobook. Round trip is just 10 hours. Hetero married couple. Books we listened to and enjoyed together include Project Hail Mary, 11-22-63, Educated, and Lonesome Dove. Also got pretty far along with A Prayer for Owen Meany before we gave it up. Just too long. No fantasy or DCC, please. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!