Ideas for new book/series of books for DH

[CoffeeandChocolateplease]

Please help! DH has, over the last couple of years, rediscovered his love of reading and particularly likes series of books. I would like to get him a new set of books for Christmas but am stuck for ideas.

A couple of years ago I got him the Girl with a Dragon Tattoo series, which he loved. He likes Anthony Horowitz, particularly the Percy Jackson series (though not the Power of 5 series, which is a shame as there is a new book out for that), and also liked the Hunger Games.

He also likes action type books by authors such as Dan Brown, Chris Kuzneski and so on. Does anyone have any suggestions? He is spectacularly unhelpful and has suggested pants and razors!

What about Wilbur Smith's books? The early ones, not his latest. They're very action packed, although they might seem a bit dated now? I loved them though when I read them about 20 years ago and some of them follow the same family so they're like a series.

I think the Shardlake series by CH Sansom would be a great choice. Tudor lawyer acting as detective on behalf of Thomas Cromwell/Henry VIII. Murder mysteries, but like the Larssen books there's a lot more to them than that. Fascinating portrait of London in the Tudor period. About six in the series so far.

Alternatively if he likes military stuff there are the Sharpe novels by Bernard Cornwell or the Hornblower series by CS Forester. Haven't read them myself but imagine my DH would enjoy them. You'd have to like battles though ...

I'd go for Shardlake myself :)

CJ Sansom!

What about the game of thrones series. My DH loved them. You can buy the box set for about £25-30.

Marking place to ask DH

The Stephen King 'Dark Tower' series are absolutely excellent, quite difficult to categorise but addictive and not at all typical of Stephen King.

DH is more into fantasy I'm afraid, but Tad Williams - Other Land series is Sci Fi

Yes, yes, yes to King's Dark Tower - it has romance, vampires, other worlds, sexy cowboy type figures, the lot. I love it and have read it at least 8 times!

Yes to Shardlake (humpback lawyer in Tudor times and v v well researched and exciting - it has Henry the 8th's rotting legs, gruesome murders, unrequited love and much more!)

Game Of Thrones isn't v well written, but is v popular. I've given up on them because the writing makes me wince - but I am ultra fussy.

May be a bit of a mad one - but would he like Harry Potter? They are not v well written (she can't punctuate to save her life) but they are better written than Game Of Thrones and she has a real talent for names and for pulling at the heart strings. Well worth it for an easy read.

Across The Nightingale Floor is the first of a series of teenage fantasy books set in a version of Ancient Japan. They are very exciting - gruesome murders, love, falling on swords, honour etc etc.

The Lord Of The Rings - start with The Hobbit and if he hates that, don't bother with TLOTR but they are v good fun.

Stephen King's The Long Walk and The Running Man are novellas - but both of them do The Hunger Games idea way, way better than The Hunger Games does.

If these are on the right lines, I'll think of more... :)

Great ideas - thank you all for responding. I particularly like the sound of the Stephen King series and Shardlake.

I shall go and look at all of your suggestions. Thank you all, there are a few I might be interested in for myself too ...

Ooo if he liked hunger games, you could do a themed series of bleak future, "if you liked the hunger games, you'll like these.... " type thing. I'd go for battle royale, the running man, 1984, the handmaids tale, the stand and brave new world. Ooo and i am legend.

I have just ordered the first Shardlake and Dark Tower books, and the Running Man. If he likes the series ones, then I can buy him some more for his birthday in January. (and I like the look of them as well so I can borrow them after him!)

Thanks for your help again, much appreciated.

Ooh, more ideas ... ! I don't think he'd mind an all book Christmas, better than pants. Will go and look at those too, thanks. I liked the Hunger Games too so may of these are making their way onto my wishlist. Thanks.

Is 'Battle Royale' a book? I didn't know that - will google immediately.
Yes to 'I am Legend' - I didn't like it much but it's deffo in the right ball park and he'd probably enjoy it, based on what you've said he likes. And, 'The Stand' is excellent - it is huge though, so he needs to commit to it!

'The Handmaid's Tale' is good but a bit dated, and the feminism may get a bit wearing at times (I'm all Atwooded out now). Yes to 1984. How about some John Wyndham and Ray Bradbury too?

I loved John Wyndham at school, I particularly remember the Midwich Cuckoos and The Chrysalids. The Stand looks great, just his thing. He won't mind a huge book at all.

Battle Royale and The Handmaids tale have just gone on my wishlist! I am contemplating making another order for him, I like the idea of a 'if you like the Hunger Games ... ' type present.

Just looked up Ray Bradbury - yep, think he'd like that too. You are all making my present buying a lot easier!

Oh my word. Batlle royale is a great book! Just had to popback on and say that

Lee Child does macho, action packed thrillers. Op, I can thoroughly recommend them as a spiffingly good read .
If he liked Girl with Dragon Tatto series, he may well enjoy the Jo Nesbo books.

The Book People can be a great place to buy series of books, often 3 for the less than the price of 1 book, or 10 for the price of less than 2. The crime offerings change regularly.