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

Anyone read anything recently that would appeal to a 16 year old boy?

55 replies

WankersHacksandThieves · 17/10/2016 20:29

As a clue to his interests, he's enjoyed in recent years:

Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy
Noughts and Crosses
The Tunnels series
Maze Runner

he's not enjoyed:
Percy Jackson
Non-modern fiction

I'm just a bit stumped and I need to add something to my Amazon order to get free delivery :)

OP posts:
Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 19/10/2016 15:08

Thanks for even more suggestions :) I'll have a look at these tonight - he has already read some of these - Patrick Ness etc but there are plenty that are new to me.

It's DS2 who is into non fiction, though mainly anything to do with the byzantine empire if anyone has any suggestions? he's 15.

OP posts:
SatsukiKusakabe · 19/10/2016 12:40

Just thought of The Circle by Dave Eggers? Disclaimer I haven't read it yet, but it is a modern dystopia about the creep of technology, specifically social media, into normal life. Probably of concern to his generation in particular!

Sadik · 19/10/2016 09:45

Non-fiction - assume he's read Bad Science by Ben Goldacre? DD enjoyed that, also liked The Life Project by Helen Pearson

Sadik · 19/10/2016 09:43

DD is a bit younger (14) but sounds like she has similar tastes. She reads quite a bit of contemporary sci fi - so she enjoyed the Ancillary Justice series, also the Dark Eden books (going to get her bk 3 for xmas), particularly liked the Three Body Problem and it's sequel.

I'd say John Green perhaps aimed rather younger than 16?

EverySongbirdSays · 18/10/2016 16:18

Have a look at all Patrick Ness' YA books

And Looking For Alaska by John Green

I came on to say Wasp Factory but I remember struggling wth how dark it is.

Catcher In The Rye maybe? Lord Of The Flies/Rings?

SatsukiKusakabe · 18/10/2016 10:18

Ender's Game. I've only read the first but it's a series if he likes the first one.

VestalVirgin · 17/10/2016 22:15

Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie, because sentient spaceships.

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison, because I really like it.

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 17/10/2016 21:37

Ds2 likes biographies but DS1 doesn't seem to. It's just typical for them to like different things :)

OP posts:
228agreenend · 17/10/2016 21:30

My 16 year dis loves biographies. He read them about an astronaut. Army colonel and lots of sportsman.

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 17/10/2016 21:26

those sound good too Lizard

OP posts:
AllPowerfulLizardPerson · 17/10/2016 21:18

Recently I reread 'Day of the Triffids' which he might like.

Or perhaps 'Death At Intervals' (sometimes called 'Death with Interruptions') by Jose Saramargo - what happens when the Grim Reaper goes on strike and no-one can die any more.

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 17/10/2016 21:17

Lots of great ideas, I'll chuck one of them in the basket and reserve some of the others on the wish list for Christmas.

Happy for any more ideas too - he likes to read and I like to encourage it :)

OP posts:
CoteDAzur · 17/10/2016 21:14

Red Rising is fantastic. Its 2 sequels are great, too.

Brilliance trilogy.

Lexicon.

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 17/10/2016 21:13

Yes, same story but the book is much better! ...as it is always! :)

OP posts:
Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 17/10/2016 21:12

I just googled Ready Player One, the cover looks familiar, I'm sure that's what he got to read on holiday. He also had Stallo which I read when I ran out of what I'd brought - it was pretty decent.

OP posts:
CosmicOwl · 17/10/2016 21:08

Yes, same story but the book is much better!

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 17/10/2016 21:08

He liked Darren Shan a lot when he was younger. I have the adult Darren Shan series but I'm in two minds as to whether I should let him read it or not....and then I think "He's 16, not a little boy" but then he'll always be my little boy :o

OP posts:
CosmicOwl · 17/10/2016 21:08

Ready Player One is another one I'dc recommend.

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 17/10/2016 21:07

Yes, he's read the Enemy series too. (recommended on here when I've asked before)

We just watched The Martian movie- i take it it is the same story?

OP posts:
Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 17/10/2016 21:05

Yup he's had divergent and hunger games - exactly his kind of thing.

I think we have John Grisham stuff in the house too - I suppose I should just have a look at what I have on the shelves :) I only need to add 13p for free delivery. Was just ordering a couple of books for DH, DS2 and I have plenty but DS1 is currently re-reading stuff, which is fine, but I'm happy to chuck in another book for him.

OP posts:
CosmicOwl · 17/10/2016 21:05

I second Red Rising, Divergent and Hunger Games series, all a similar ilk to Maze Runner. My 16 yr old nephew enjoyed them and The Martian.

BatmanLovesMarmite · 17/10/2016 21:04

Charlie Higson's 'The Enemy' series is very good - varied young people survive 'the sickness' and their stories intertwine.

MycatsaPirate · 17/10/2016 21:00

Would he like the Jack Reacher books by Lee Child?

Or maybe some of the John Grisham books which are more on the legal side but still have great stories.

blitzgirl · 17/10/2016 20:58

The Divergent series are excellent and the Hunger Games

Original poster
WankersHacksandThieves · 17/10/2016 20:53

Thanks all,

That looks another possible series lljkk. Your other book looks good, probably more up DS2s street. Though he has a humongous book on Genghis Khan he's reading at the moment - he also liked 10 cities that made an Empire - he likes non fiction better than fiction.

He doesn't like Terry Pratchett - my neighbour tried to introduce him to it but he's not having it! He also hated Roald Dahl and all the Famous Five type stuff as a child.

Hadn't thought of Iain Banks - might actually have some of those somewhere...

OP posts: