Book recommendations for teenage DS

[FeelingForced]

DS is 18 and has always been a keen reader. Some of his favourites are Isaac Asimov, The Lord of the Rings, The Hunt for Red October, Good Omens, the Asterix series, P.G. Wodehouse and Alistair MacLean.

We'd appreciate any suggestions on what he might like next. There are no bookshops or libraries near us, so he can't go and browse.

He's also in a rather intense academic course, so would prefer books that aren't sad, he says.

Thanks in advance.

He might like Jasper Fforde.

Oh yes, and I even have a couple of the books at home!

The Martian
Project hail Mary

Both by Andy Weir

Also pp posters have suggested Rivers of London. Brilliant series. Highly recommend them too!

DS is 19 and devours each new Orphan X book as it arrives so I would second that recommendation.

He loves The Martian and has read it more than once.

Bear with me - has your DS read the Calvin and Hobbes books? Best comic strip ever - so funny but so thoughtful too.

Following

More suggestions! This is so exciting

We'll look through all the recommendations and order the ones that DS wants to read now and keep the others on a reading list for the future.

Rivers of London does look like a book he'll enjoy. Calvin and Hobbes is a good idea too. He's read the comic strips in newspapers, but I had never thought of getting the books.

I second pp saying start with either "Guards! Guards!" or "Mort" if he wants to get into Terry Pratchett.

Has he read Dirk Gently by Douglas Adams?

I'd also recommend Kurt Vonnegut's books for fun light reading and "Roderick" by John Sladek.

I think he'd really enjoy the Gormenghast Trilogy.

Thank you very much to everyone who's posted. This has been an amazing collection of suggestions!

Catcher In The Rye - JD Salinger. Great teen novel.

Yes to Mort and Guards, Guards. I'd add Reaper Man too.

John Wyndham

Which Kings has he tried? he's written loads, so some might appeal even if others didn't.

A series beginning with Across the Nightingale Floor - ancient Japanese-esque warrior stuff with a love story. Highly recommended.

Maybe the Bryant and May series? I've only read one but it was quite diverting.

Definitely Ready Player One, if he's not already read it.

Yes to Red Rising - the first 3 are really good. I thought they lost it after that.

The Earthsea books by Ursula le Guin.