Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

Books for daughter.

28 replies

tobee · 24/12/2014 19:26

Any recommendations for my 19 year old daughte please? She's quite old fashioned, borderline aspergic.She hates things like Twilight and just straight forward girls copping off with boys type books. As a younger teen she loved Harry Potter and James Herriott. Anything but more grown up? She read Brave New World recently which is unlike her but it's more than I've done.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
mumslife · 11/01/2015 18:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Puddingsandpiglets · 11/01/2015 14:49

I think your daughter has excellent taste!

John Wyndham is good for mild sci fi, without all the robots and space.

For fantasy/magic which is not dark or heavy handed, along the lines of Philip Pullman, Chris Wooding's trilogy which starts with The Weavers of Saramyr, and James Clemens Wit'ch series (Wit'ch Fire, Wit'ch Storm etc.) Both of those have female main characters if that helps, and pretty sure the James Clemens one has red hair!

unclerory · 08/01/2015 23:13

I was reading a lot of classics at 19, e.g. The Brontes, Jane Austen, George Elliot, Elizabeth Gaskell, Wilkie Collins (great female characters), Bram Stoker, Shelley etc. I enjoyed the comfort of them being 'good' books. Other goodies: The Secret History, Margaret Attwood, Angela Carter, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.

cdtaylornats · 08/01/2015 22:46

The Jill Kismet books starting with Night Shift might appeal. Written by a woman who had to end up writing fantasy Lilith Saintcrow.

Original poster
tobee · 07/01/2015 14:11

Still more thanks! Lol the kisses hugo.

OP posts:
Spinaroo · 06/01/2015 19:54

The Help
The Five People you meet in heaven- Mitch Albin( and others if his)
Cecelia Ahern

Jenijena · 06/01/2015 19:51

Would Roald Dahl's adult stories (some are rather macarbre) be a good place?

A gentle story series is the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

hugoagogo · 06/01/2015 19:51

Ffs kisses Blush sorry about that; I was chatting and posting at the same time.

hugoagogo · 06/01/2015 19:49

I was mad for the fionavar tapestry at that age, I wonder if it's bit dated though?
Yes to Pratchett and Neil gaiman too.
What about Tom Holt? They are funny and clever.
Bill bryson writes funny travel books which she might enjoy.
A recent find is Scarlett Thomas, also Jasper Fforde xx

slev · 06/01/2015 19:40

Another vote for Terry Pratchett. Very funny if that's your sense of humour (DH hates them but I just don't think he gets them!).

Cornishblues · 06/01/2015 19:39

She might be interested in and identify with Consequences by E. M. Delafield published by Persephone - the main character is probably what today would be recognised as aspertic, but lives in different times.

Original poster
tobee · 06/01/2015 19:33

PS I might have a go myself.

OP posts:
Original poster
tobee · 06/01/2015 19:33

Thanks again all. You're spot on with Phillip Pullman - she's already read them!

OP posts:
SkaterGrrrrl · 06/01/2015 14:34

Phillip Pullman's Dark Materials. 3 books, strong female heroine (girl of about 12) - the next step up from Harry Potter.

Northern Lights
The Subtle Knife
The Amber Spyglass

They are wonderful!

ChristmasEveSteve · 29/12/2014 09:13

Fionavar series by Guy Gabriel Kay is very good.

Hakluyt · 25/12/2014 02:49

Angela Carter. My dd is 19 and loves magic realism.

Original poster
tobee · 25/12/2014 02:47

Ps I will suggest all of these.

OP posts:
Original poster
tobee · 25/12/2014 02:47

Thanks everyone! I started to read Agatha Christie when I was a teen. (I thought I was very grown up) but she thinks reading about murder is weird but I persist in trying to persuade her. She loved Anne of Green Gables as she has red hair!

OP posts:
mmack · 24/12/2014 22:54

I liked Brave New World and James Herriot as a teen as well. I hated Twilight too I think she has excellent taste. Other things I remember really liking at that time were Agatha Christie, Ruth Rendell and the Anne of Green Gables books. Has she ever read Jodi Picoult or Diane Chamberlain? They might be good for a reader moving from teen fiction to more adult themed books.

LeBearPolar · 24/12/2014 21:22

I wonder if she'd like Agatha Raisin? Crime novels set in the Cotswolds!

ChristmasEveSteve · 24/12/2014 20:51

The hero and the crown by robin McKinley
Game of thrones

FiveGoMadInDorset · 24/12/2014 20:50

Miss read, has gone out of fashion now but she is still a fabulous writer.
Mary Wesley, compromise between chick lit and something more highbrow.
Maeve Binchey - see above

Original poster
tobee · 24/12/2014 20:48

PS she loves comedy, Python and Fonejacker etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
tobee · 24/12/2014 20:47

Oh brilliant, loads of choice, thanks!

OP posts:
Theas18 · 24/12/2014 20:01

Call the midwife and the workhouse books by the same author.

Terry Pratchett and start the the diggers / truckers/ wings bromeliad trilogy. The nomes are just the best!

Swipe left for the next trending thread