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?

Death and The Penguin by Andrey Kurkov

Was also thinking maybe Trainspotting or Wasp Factory, or The Collector or something with a bit of melodrama, like Misery?

Or To Kill A Mockingbird, Beloved, Half A Yellow Sun.

The Martian.

A man is left behind on Mars when his expedition crew has to evacuate without him, and he has to science his way through it.

Wow this thread for an 18 year old boy who has fallen out of love with reading is certainly very highbrow! The Secret History? Omg what a steaming pile of boring pretentious nothingness. Just no.

The book I was going to recommend is clearly far too working class and violent so I will dumb it down and suggest any books by men who have an easy writing style and blokey sense of humour - so any Stephen King, Dean Koontz, yes to Hitchhiker's Guide series, Good Omens by Neil Gaiman, The Ritual by Adam Neville, The Felix Castor series by Mike Carey, the Bear Grylls biography books, or Chris Ryan SAS stuff, Early John Grisham, even Dan Brown.

So many brilliant suggestions!

Janina, he has read Mockingbird a few years ago (the only non-school book he read recent-ishly).

Not at all into superhero stuff - not his thing.

@Screamingabdabz I would love to know the working class and violent book please!

I think you’ll find he has to science the shit out of it 😂 (My favourite line in the film - can’t remember if it’s in the novel too!)

What about Starter for 10 or Sweet Sorrow by David Nicholls, which both have young men as the protagonist.

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons, it is hilarious!

Last Exit to Brooklyn

In Cold blood

Catch 22

I gave my DD The Island by Adrian McKinty, she raced through it - and wanted to know why it isn't a film. It would make an excellent film

Endurance by Alfred Lansing about Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure.
Touching the Void by Joe Simpson though he may have seen the film.

Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks
Anything by Tom Sharp
Anything by Bernhard Cornwall

Could you get him a Kindle or a Kobo? There are loads of free books available on them.

Piranesi by Susanna Clark. It was nominated for prizes in 2021. The story is quite surreal but explained in the end, quite a short book. I loved it but some don't.

Oh god I loved those books at that age!

Mine hasn't read in ages and is reading Bear Grylls autobiography at the moment. A friend has lent it to him and I'm amazed that he's actually reading it!

What about some John Irving? The World According to Garp or the Cider House Rules? Both are very entertaining, intelligent and have humour throughout.

Or

The Godfather?

Persepolis

An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris is a great book based on a true story.
There is a film but a 2 hour film can't pack in hours of story imv.