Book recommendations for 18yo ds birthday

[BellissimoGecko]

Hello! I’m looking for books for ds, books that deal with life lessons, books he should read before the age of 21 kind of thing. Can anyone suggest any? Thanks!

He likes Jack Reacher, Angie Thomas, wildlife… but am open to any suggestions.

What are some must-read books for young men today?

I think everyone should read The Gulag Archipelago. It has never stopped being politically relevant and is especially so in this age of extreme political tribalism.

It is a bit of a step up from Jack Reacher, though.

I was reading Dostoyevsky at that age: Crime and Punishment; The Brothers Karamazov

Hmm, ok, maybe a little less highbrow?

This looks great. https://www.amazon.co.uk/You-Dont-Have-Dream-Incrementally/dp/1529931827/ref=asc_df_1529931827?mcid=84ef94ee342831f986c912722125c25b&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697364111492&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6900017042297155479&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045963&hvtargid=pla-2300227191289&psc=1&gad_source=1

Don’t shy away from highbrow! It’s great to read some classics too - they’re classics for a reason. I loved Fiesta: the Sun also rises by Hemingway at that age

This book is amazing https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/shadow-of-the-wind-book-carlos-ruiz-zafon-9780753820254?sku=GOR001123737&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADZzAIDGKPvYwzsRldFc1Ah_V3nmj&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI74DambiyjAMVx5tQBh1SvgUcEAQYAiABEgJCZPD_BwE

Anything by Ali Smith - I enjoyed the seasonal books - 4 books called Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer

Gulag Archipelago is not really 'highbrow' in the sense of being impenetrable and heavy going. It is actually extremely compelling and easy to read, though the subject matter is obviously heavy. But I just think it's a book that anyone, especially a young person, can learn a lot from.

It had a huge impact on me when I read it at a similar age.

Totally agree with this suggestion - I read it as a teenager and it had a powerful impact.

Dostoyevsky tells a mean story!

To mark this year in his life why not get him all the books on the 2025 Women’s Prize for Non fiction shortlist?

https://womensprize.com/prizes/womens-prize-for-non-fiction/

You could add the Fiction list as well.

(FWIW I too was deeply immersed in Russian literature in translation in my teens. )

I read catch 22 at that age and immediately read it again. I think our school library had just got a lot of classics in so some Steinbeck went down well and some George Orwell. Other books that made a big impression on me around that age were Schindler’s list ( book might be Schindler’s arc), diary of anne frank, goodbye to all that. These all seem really war heavy but can’t seem to think of anything more cheerful right now,