Choose one novel for ds (18) to get back into reading

[Trumporange]

My ds just turned 18. He used to be an avid reader when he was younger but got out of the habit after primary school.
I'm biased but based on what others say too, he's funny, clever, and he also likes observing people and society.

Quite mature for his age so wants something for adults not YA fiction.

Definitely not scifi or fantasy as that's not his thing.

I'm thinking something along the lines of Martin Amis, Ian McEwan. I definitely think the Goldfinch by Donna Tartt would appeal but it is quite long for a first foray back into reading.

So, if he were to read one novel this summer to see if he can get back into reading what could it be?

The Secret History? Another Donna Tartt but shorter and fairly easy reading.

Brideshead Revisited? Great Gatsby?

I'd go something lighthearted - Bill Bryson ? Bob Mortimer Satsuma Complex is also brilliant

The Crow Road. Iain Banks.

Great reading. Dark and amusing simultaneously.

Oh Bill Bryson could work. Which one?

I would go for something a bit more current rather than a classic. Does he like gaming? Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow is brilliant IMO.

The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks.

My crossover from children’s fiction to adult was the Tales of the City series by Armisted Maupin.

I was going to recommend this but thought it might be a bit too long.

I am Pilgrim
The Martian
Project Hail Mary

How about the girl with the dragon tattoo?

Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger
Bonjour Tristesse, Françoise Sagan

Or all 3 that @Rainbowqueeen said! I loved them all. Don’t be put off by the sci fi nature of Andy weir - they don’t read like that!

Second vote for The Secret History!

Money is the funniest Amis novel. Ian McEwan's The Cement Garden is macabre but probably appealing to an 18yo.

David Mitchell's early books (Ghostwritten, Cloud Atlas) might appeal.

If he likes indie music, For the Good Times by David Keenan.

What a Carve Up by Jonathan Coe - still makes me laugh!

Good shout, also Wasp Factory. How about Around Ireland with a Fridge?

Road to little dribbling would work for a Bill Bryson.

Does it have to be a novel? How about a biography or something like that? Does he like sport because he could read a well known sports person's book

Or if he likes observing people how about something like a Malcolm Gladwell book like Blink.

Or Obama's memoirs or something political?

I don’t usually read sci fi much but China Mieville is great. Perdido Street Station is very long but it is amazing and easy to read. My son is 13 but I might try to get him on to them soon.

... actually, cross Money off that list. A teen today would probably be appalled at the gender politics. It's very much of its time, and not always in a good way.

I think he'd be okay with Amis to be honest and would find it interesting to see how attitudes have changed.

I love Ian McEwan and have read most of his books but not The Cement Garden (might grab that for my holiday read actually!)

The Secret History sounds to have had the most votes so far though and I happen to have a copy already handily.

Definitely wants a novel not eg Gladwell.

Why not take him to Waterstones and have a browse? He can pick something that tickles his fancy.

I Am Pilgrim

Not literary but a gripping page-turner

If he likes humorous novels then maybe the Wilt series, Tom Sharpe.

They both die at the end

Piranesi
Life of Pi
Life after life
The sisters brothers
American psycho

There's a spread of genres 😁

The Road - Cormac McCarthy. Depressing, but a good read.

The Mystery Man series - Bateman. Similar vein to Bob Mortimer's novel (comic crime), but far funnier and more interesting characters. This would be my recommendation to anyone who wants to get back in the habit of reading.