Book recommendations for a beginner

[boringlyboring]

Not actually a beginner, I know how to read

I lost interest in reading a long time ago, and read my first book in years this week.

When I used to read it was Jeffery Archer and Joan Collins. Not interested in those any longer. I also remember enjoying ‘The C Word’, the rest I can’t remember the names of.

This week, I read 1984 for the first time. It was ok, I like the themes. I found it hard to concentrate at times (partly I think, because I’m used to the instant gratification from TV, and I can’t just skip the slow scenes in a book). Still, I enjoyed reading again.

In terms of TV these days, I love dystopian films/shows that ‘could happen’ - such as Hunger Games, Handmaids Tale (but I feel as I’ve watched them, I might not be able to get into the books. I tried with PLL and Gossip Girl, after watching, and I couldn’t enjoy the books).
I enjoy a bit of government conspiracy and I’m not the biggest fan of romance, so not really interested in a love story.

I know my criteria is vague and unhelpful, but I’m hoping someone can recommend something to get me back into reading?

you might like gather the daughters by Jennie Melamed. The link allows you to read a taster of it before you buy x

I would really, really recommend reading The Handmaid's Tale anyway - it's a great novel.

Slightly "lighter" (by which I mean less densely written) dystopian reads than 1984 are The Power and Vox. Only Ever Yours is a YA novel similar in its themes to The Handmaid's Tale, very readable.

If you fancy a straightforward action-packed thriller, I am binge-reading the Orphan X novels by Gregg Hurwitz - not demanding but loads of action and a strong lead character - quite a lot of violence though. It has a shadowy government conspiracy style backdrop.

The Postman by David Brin is good
Ashfall - Mike Mullin - Yellowstone Park blows up
Lucifer's Hammer - Larry Niven - giant comet hits earth
Eruption - Harry Turtledove - Yellowstone goes up (again) but a trilogy

Ooh, I think you might like Everything About You by Heather Child. It's set in the near future and looks at social media, immersive online games, the internet of things, and is a mystery story too.

link

Thanks all, will look into all of these😊

I've just finished The Handmaid's Tale and really enjoyed it. Another dystopian tale which is light and easy to read is Eve of Man. I flew through it and mostly enjoyed it.

Oxford Reading Level One

Ive just finished The Passengers which is set in the not too distant future. Really enjoyed it!

Try some other Margaret Atwood
oryx and crake is fantastic

for you

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/what_were_reading/3595609-Feminist-dystopian-novels