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Human: Just finished Dan Brown’s Di Vinci Code series! Are there any other books akin to these? These book have a lot of REAL organizations, religions, artifacts, and historical events but adds fiction and characters to it in modern day. Lots of puzzles and conspiracies. Assistant: Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco is about a global, historical conspiracy, or maybe not. His last novel Numero Uno is similar in nature. The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pintion is about a secret postal service operating in the US. Or not.	Human: Just finished Dan Brown’s Di Vinci Code series! Are there any other books akin to these? These book have a lot of REAL organizations, religions, artifacts, and historical events but adds fiction and characters to it in modern day. Lots of puzzles and conspiracies. Assistant: It’s a little different but American Gods or Good Omens by Neil Gaiman
Human: Horror/Romance, Enemies to Lovers, and your personal favorite book of all time? I've got 2 months off, so I'm looking to binge! I'm a huge fan of horror romance stories (or just horror in general) and enemies to lovers, but I also love to hear what is other people's favorite book of all time to help me broaden my horizons! Thanks everyone! Assistant: You should read imaginary friend if you are looking for an amazing horror book. I won't give to much description but I can garentee you will love it once you finish it. It's worth the 700 page wait.	Human: Horror/Romance, Enemies to Lovers, and your personal favorite book of all time? I've got 2 months off, so I'm looking to binge! I'm a huge fan of horror romance stories (or just horror in general) and enemies to lovers, but I also love to hear what is other people's favorite book of all time to help me broaden my horizons! Thanks everyone! Assistant: Dance of Thieves is great for enemies to lovers
Human: Recommend me a book as beautifully written as "All The Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr I'm open to most genres as long as it's beautifully written! Particularly would like them to be third person, but first person is acceptable too :) Assistant: Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett	Human: Recommend me a book as beautifully written as "All The Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr I'm open to most genres as long as it's beautifully written! Particularly would like them to be third person, but first person is acceptable too :) Assistant: The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Crome Yellow by Aldous Huxley, and East of Eden by John Steinbeck.
Human: Trying to see if there are any good "finite people in a space where one of them is a culprit" books FOR CHILDREN/YOUNG TEEN like...spoilers for mystery book inside Westing Game/And Then There Were None/Danganronpa/999/Clue, etc? So no adult/crime fiction preferably. I'd also be okay with something closer to middle school but mainly elementary and middle school ish levels. Or at least nothing too serious/dark/grave. If there are no suggestions, I guess I wouldn't mind hearing some others outside of children's books but mainly want childrens. Thanks. (and no, not just any old Agatha Christie mysteries like Murder on the Orient/Conan Doyle's Sherlock stories...I didnt find that/those similar to Westing Game or Ten Little Indians) Assistant: Well, as a kid I loved the Nancy Drew novels (in the yellow hardback version, none of those "nancy drew files" stuff). As an adult, you might enjoy the Diane Mott Davidson "Goldilocks" mysteries - it's about a chef who happens to stumble into murders/crimes in Aspen, Colorado. Pretty light reads and enjoyable.	Human: Trying to see if there are any good "finite people in a space where one of them is a culprit" books FOR CHILDREN/YOUNG TEEN like...spoilers for mystery book inside Westing Game/And Then There Were None/Danganronpa/999/Clue, etc? So no adult/crime fiction preferably. I'd also be okay with something closer to middle school but mainly elementary and middle school ish levels. Or at least nothing too serious/dark/grave. If there are no suggestions, I guess I wouldn't mind hearing some others outside of children's books but mainly want childrens. Thanks. (and no, not just any old Agatha Christie mysteries like Murder on the Orient/Conan Doyle's Sherlock stories...I didnt find that/those similar to Westing Game or Ten Little Indians) Assistant: Battle royale comes to mind, in the form of "characters don't know who is working with them and who is just planning to stab them in the back (literally)" Beware, this is not for children, and I would argue even teens are too young.
Human: Suggestions for pre-school picture books with good gender/race representation? My friend runs a preschool classroom comprised predominantly of Somali, Latino, and multiracial families. She often expresses her wish to have a library full of non-traditional books that feature (but are not necessarily about): Dads and children Children/ families of color Multi-racial families Adoption *Etc. I'd like to make a gift to her library, but want to make sure I'm choosing the right books! Assistant: Good Morning, Digger by Anne Rockwell is excellent and I love that the neighborhood represented is very very diverse. AND the construction workers are girls too.	Human: Suggestions for pre-school picture books with good gender/race representation? My friend runs a preschool classroom comprised predominantly of Somali, Latino, and multiracial families. She often expresses her wish to have a library full of non-traditional books that feature (but are not necessarily about): Dads and children Children/ families of color Multi-racial families Adoption *Etc. I'd like to make a gift to her library, but want to make sure I'm choosing the right books! Assistant: I don't work with kids quite that young so I don't know what books I know that would be age-appropriate for preschoolers but CNBC makes great lists that include ages. There's one specifically for books that integrate multiple languages, general multi culture, interracial families, and a host of other topics. They also select one new book per week to highlight, but that list cannot easily be sorted by age unfortunately.
Human: Southern Reach Trilogy - keep going? I read the first book, Annihilation, and loved it. The second book, however, moves so slowly and almost intentionally dodges plot progression to the point that I want to throw it out the window. I'm half-way through book 2 now, but I have to know: is it worth it? Is book 3 so good that I should power through book 2? Assistant: In addition to what everyone already said: you're almost there! The end of book 2 is actually kinda intense....things literally don't stop happening and then it's like bam and you have to read book 3	Human: Southern Reach Trilogy - keep going? I read the first book, Annihilation, and loved it. The second book, however, moves so slowly and almost intentionally dodges plot progression to the point that I want to throw it out the window. I'm half-way through book 2 now, but I have to know: is it worth it? Is book 3 so good that I should power through book 2? Assistant: I actually liked book 2 a lot since it's basically a darkly satirical look at bureaucracy and office life. I identified with Control in ways that were disturbing to me. The book also reveals more than you may be giving it credit for. And if you're worried, Book 3 goes back into area X before, during, and after which I enjoyed.
Human: Locked Room Mysteries? I am looking for suggestions for "locked room mystery" novels! I've read And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, The Hunting Party, The Guest List, The Woman in Cabin 10, and enjoyed all of them! I also really love the movies "Clue" and "Knives Out." Assistant: The Maid by Nita Prose	Human: Locked Room Mysteries? I am looking for suggestions for "locked room mystery" novels! I've read And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, The Hunting Party, The Guest List, The Woman in Cabin 10, and enjoyed all of them! I also really love the movies "Clue" and "Knives Out." Assistant: {the mystery of the Yellow Room} a classic ! (clue is truly one of my favourite movies, so good)
Human: If I like Anton Chekhov, who else do you think I'd enjoy reading ? A few months ago I started to read Anton Chekhov short stories, and absolutely love his writing, and especially how he describes his characters. I've bought several of his books. If I like Chekhov, who else do you think I'd enjoy reading ? (Short stores is my preferred format, but am open...) Assistant: Leo Tolstoy and Pushkin.	Human: If I like Anton Chekhov, who else do you think I'd enjoy reading ? A few months ago I started to read Anton Chekhov short stories, and absolutely love his writing, and especially how he describes his characters. I've bought several of his books. If I like Chekhov, who else do you think I'd enjoy reading ? (Short stores is my preferred format, but am open...) Assistant: Slightly beside the point but did the collection you picked up include the story “Man in a Case”? I found Chekhov because of Baryshnikov rather than another author as per usual. Not sure who I might compare him to... though the earlier mention of Salinger seems apropos.
Human: Books that are like “Outer Wilds” I’m looking for a book sort of similar to the game Outer Wilds. Not the RPG game, but the game about the Hearthians and Nomai. Something similar to Subnautica would work too. I’m looking for something with a sense of existential mystery which will make me invested and leave me thinking. Thank you! Assistant: {{House of Leaves}} but make sure you get a hard copy.	Human: Books that are like “Outer Wilds” I’m looking for a book sort of similar to the game Outer Wilds. Not the RPG game, but the game about the Hearthians and Nomai. Something similar to Subnautica would work too. I’m looking for something with a sense of existential mystery which will make me invested and leave me thinking. Thank you! Assistant: The only thing I can think of is Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe. The language is tricky but rewarding if you try.
Human: Book written from the POV of a computer I’m trying to find a book that is from the perspective of a computer or machine. Maybe it’s a written from ahead of time kinda thing explaining why it knows English in order to tell it’s story. Maybe an artificial intelligence discovering itself or something. It’s aware of its surroundings due to action on the computer or the camera allows it to see microphone to hear. Stuff like that. I can’t seem to find anything like that Assistant: Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells follows a defense robot that has become sentient but not evil (lazy mostly) IIRC the first book in the series is All Systems Red	Human: Book written from the POV of a computer I’m trying to find a book that is from the perspective of a computer or machine. Maybe it’s a written from ahead of time kinda thing explaining why it knows English in order to tell it’s story. Maybe an artificial intelligence discovering itself or something. It’s aware of its surroundings due to action on the computer or the camera allows it to see microphone to hear. Stuff like that. I can’t seem to find anything like that Assistant: {{the perfect wife}} The Arc of the Scythe by Neal Schusterman does this from Book 2, Book 1 sets up the future world and concepts, book 2 has POV of the AI that runs the world. Starts with {{Scythe}}
Human: Books originally written in English Ok, so the title might seem like a joke at first, but hear me out. English is not my first language, but after some years of learning i have reached the point where i can read a whole book without having a dictionary at hand. The fact that I can now compare between an original English text and its Spanish traduction has made me realize how much is lost in the last one (the prose is so much beautiful-er). That’s why when a book was originally written in English, i’d love to read it in this language. The problem is that the only books in English you can find in my country are YA fiction, The Godfather and maybe some Shakespeare. However, I am going to the US for a month in mid May, and planning to come back with a shitload of books. So, shoot. Really, whatever you feel like is greatly written and I’d be missing out if i couldn’t get it. I only have Ulysses by James Joyce and For Whom The Bell Tolls as a must. Assistant: Buy a kindle. Have fun.	Human: Books originally written in English Ok, so the title might seem like a joke at first, but hear me out. English is not my first language, but after some years of learning i have reached the point where i can read a whole book without having a dictionary at hand. The fact that I can now compare between an original English text and its Spanish traduction has made me realize how much is lost in the last one (the prose is so much beautiful-er). That’s why when a book was originally written in English, i’d love to read it in this language. The problem is that the only books in English you can find in my country are YA fiction, The Godfather and maybe some Shakespeare. However, I am going to the US for a month in mid May, and planning to come back with a shitload of books. So, shoot. Really, whatever you feel like is greatly written and I’d be missing out if i couldn’t get it. I only have Ulysses by James Joyce and For Whom The Bell Tolls as a must. Assistant: No suggestions, because I read a lot of horror and murder mystery 😅 but this is a beautiful goal and I wish you the best of luck! Not sure of your financial situation, or where you'll be visiting, but a lot of libraries have free/5¢ sections of books that they no longer need multiple copies of. Not always a gold mine, but sometimes you come across some real surprise gems, especially if you might be looking for souvenir type books. Happy hunting!!!
Human: Looking for a good serial killer book. Doesnt have to be a supernatural type of killer like Michael or Jason. Preferably not a mystery. Thank you Assistant: My Sister the Serial Killer	Human: Looking for a good serial killer book. Doesnt have to be a supernatural type of killer like Michael or Jason. Preferably not a mystery. Thank you Assistant: Devil in the White City by Erik Larsen Engaging non fiction
Human: Similar humor to P.G. Wodehouse? My dad loves P.G. Wodehouse, and I'm looking for books with a similar sense of humor to give him! It can be more modern too, I would prioritize madcap shenanigans and clever writing. He also likes Agatha Christie, if that helps. I've looked through previous posts, but there haven't been many recent ones and I really need all the help I can get. I also wouldn't mind reading these suggestions myself :) So far on my list are: Queen Lucia by E.F. Benson Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome Rumpole of the Bailey by John Mortimer Porterhouse Blue by Tom Sharpe Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams in general Charlotte MacLeod mysteries Assistant: Cosmic Banditos by A. C. Weisbecker qualifies as madcap and clever. One couldn't suggest it as an improving book, due to some drugs and violence. Is fun tho. I describe it as Douglas Adams, but on drugs.	Human: Similar humor to P.G. Wodehouse? My dad loves P.G. Wodehouse, and I'm looking for books with a similar sense of humor to give him! It can be more modern too, I would prioritize madcap shenanigans and clever writing. He also likes Agatha Christie, if that helps. I've looked through previous posts, but there haven't been many recent ones and I really need all the help I can get. I also wouldn't mind reading these suggestions myself :) So far on my list are: Queen Lucia by E.F. Benson Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome Rumpole of the Bailey by John Mortimer Porterhouse Blue by Tom Sharpe Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams in general Charlotte MacLeod mysteries Assistant: Very different feel from your list but the Vorkosigan saga by Lois McMaster Bujold has its share of shenanigans. Has he tried Dorothy L. Sayers’ Whimsey books? And I also recommend Helene Tursten’s An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good and sequel An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed.
Human: Books similar to Mary Roach’s books I have been a long time fantasy, science-fiction, and an occasional horror reader for years. Recently, I thought of dipping my toes into the fascinating world of nonfiction. I started my journey with Spook by Mary Roach and absolutely loved it! Can you wonderful folks recommend me some books that I would like? There are many choices and it’s really hard to pick one. Obviously, I am going to go through her entire bibliography but I don’t want to get burned out on her, and savor her wonderful works. Throughout the years, I have read the following nonfiction books: Steve Jobs biography Ghost in the wires The art of deception The art of intrusion Both of Randall Munroe‘s books: what if and how to We are anonymous Norse mythology by Neil Gaimen Myth by Stephen Fry Heroes by Stephen Fry I know, it’s really embarrassing de number of non-fiction that I have read. I am looking forward to correct this oversight on my end. I don’t mind reading any type of nonfiction, selfhelp books, or anything else you guys might think I would enjoy based on the things that I have read. The only criteria I have is that it should be enjoyable and not a boring/dry book. P.S. if recommending a history book, please do not recommend anything country specific, as more than likely I am not from that country. Assistant: If you like Mary Roach, you’ll love anything by Sam Kean. You might also try Oliver Sacks. And be sure to read {{The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks}} for nonfiction science that reads like a novel.	Human: Books similar to Mary Roach’s books I have been a long time fantasy, science-fiction, and an occasional horror reader for years. Recently, I thought of dipping my toes into the fascinating world of nonfiction. I started my journey with Spook by Mary Roach and absolutely loved it! Can you wonderful folks recommend me some books that I would like? There are many choices and it’s really hard to pick one. Obviously, I am going to go through her entire bibliography but I don’t want to get burned out on her, and savor her wonderful works. Throughout the years, I have read the following nonfiction books: Steve Jobs biography Ghost in the wires The art of deception The art of intrusion Both of Randall Munroe‘s books: what if and how to We are anonymous Norse mythology by Neil Gaimen Myth by Stephen Fry Heroes by Stephen Fry I know, it’s really embarrassing de number of non-fiction that I have read. I am looking forward to correct this oversight on my end. I don’t mind reading any type of nonfiction, selfhelp books, or anything else you guys might think I would enjoy based on the things that I have read. The only criteria I have is that it should be enjoyable and not a boring/dry book. P.S. if recommending a history book, please do not recommend anything country specific, as more than likely I am not from that country. Assistant: Authors I think you’ll like: Sarah Vowell, Tony Horwitz, Edward O. Wilson, Sarah Stewart Johnson, Katie Mack, Bill Bryson.
Human: What are some good stories about Revenge? Assistant: Lies of Locke Lamora is two intersecting revenge stories in the flavor of a heist story.	Human: What are some good stories about Revenge? Assistant: The revenant
Human: Looking for a sci fi space opera series I am looking for a series to get lost in. I love The Frontiers Saga by Ryk Brown and Terms of Enlistment by Marko Kloos ( sp?) but am now without a series to grab my attention. A story with depth and interesting characters would be ideal but honestly I'm open to any ideas. Thanks in advance for any suggestions! Assistant: Honestly going of your read books You're a fan of military sci-fi. Would recommend the undying mercenaries series	Human: Looking for a sci fi space opera series I am looking for a series to get lost in. I love The Frontiers Saga by Ryk Brown and Terms of Enlistment by Marko Kloos ( sp?) but am now without a series to grab my attention. A story with depth and interesting characters would be ideal but honestly I'm open to any ideas. Thanks in advance for any suggestions! Assistant: Both The Dune Chronicles by Frank Herbert and The Culture series by Iain M. Banks are truly epic space operas.
Human: Fantasy books based on Asian (especially Chinese) mythology? As a Chinese person, I was raised with Chinese mythology (though I’m not from China and did not grow up there). I recently learned that there are fantasy series based on Chinese culture and mythology, e.g. set in the Three Kingdoms period, and I’d really like to read some of this content! Please drop me your suggestions below :D Thank you! Assistant: Yangze Choo’s books fit your needs exactly.	Human: Fantasy books based on Asian (especially Chinese) mythology? As a Chinese person, I was raised with Chinese mythology (though I’m not from China and did not grow up there). I recently learned that there are fantasy series based on Chinese culture and mythology, e.g. set in the Three Kingdoms period, and I’d really like to read some of this content! Please drop me your suggestions below :D Thank you! Assistant: Check out The Warrior Mage: Chains of Honor Book 1 by Lindsay Buroker
Human: Suggestion for Fantasy book series with Romance Subplot As title suggests, looking for a Fantasy book with a romance subplot. I'm very picky when it comes to the romance story. At times it may make or break the story for me if I don't like who the main character ends up with or if one of the romantic interest dies. Romance checklist: -Male pov (romantic interest: female) - From the start you have a general idea who the Main Character will end up with - When it's all said and done They both live happily ever after. I don't think my heart can take it if one or both died lol. If it helps, I just finished The Summoner series by Taran Matharu. I really like the relationship between Fletcher and Sylva if anyone read those books. And after doing a bit of research I've read that the Codex Alera by Jim Butcher is good and might look to reading. Thanks for the suggestions in advance! Assistant: The Demon King (Seven Realm series)	Human: Suggestion for Fantasy book series with Romance Subplot As title suggests, looking for a Fantasy book with a romance subplot. I'm very picky when it comes to the romance story. At times it may make or break the story for me if I don't like who the main character ends up with or if one of the romantic interest dies. Romance checklist: -Male pov (romantic interest: female) - From the start you have a general idea who the Main Character will end up with - When it's all said and done They both live happily ever after. I don't think my heart can take it if one or both died lol. If it helps, I just finished The Summoner series by Taran Matharu. I really like the relationship between Fletcher and Sylva if anyone read those books. And after doing a bit of research I've read that the Codex Alera by Jim Butcher is good and might look to reading. Thanks for the suggestions in advance! Assistant: GA Aiken has a good fantasy romance series
Human: Magical realism in an urban setting with slice of life This is probably too specific, so I apologise if so! I am a fan of Murakami and Banana Yoshinoto, particularly for how their works often involve urban settings at night with a slice of life element, and they often feature magical realism. Besides a few authors, this is something I rarely come across in literature, so any suggestions would make me extremely happy! I have read a ton of magical realism, and often, it's not quite the same vibe due to the absence of either an urban environment or a slice of life element. Other works I have enjoyed are Untold Night and Day by Bae Suah, and One Hundred Shadows by Hwang Jungeun. I also enjoyed Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, and The Night is Short, Walk on Girl by Tomihiko Morimi. While this seems more common in Asian literature, I'm not specifically looking for Asian literature (just anything that matches!). I have enjoyed the works of Neil Gaiman and Max Porter too, but neither seem to be a perfect match (Porter comes close though). I'm also considering the city we became by N. K. Jemisin, but I was told it's more urban fantasy than magical realism. Would anyone who has read it recommend it? Anyway, apologies for the rather specific request. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks! Assistant: The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell might be worth looking into.	Human: Magical realism in an urban setting with slice of life This is probably too specific, so I apologise if so! I am a fan of Murakami and Banana Yoshinoto, particularly for how their works often involve urban settings at night with a slice of life element, and they often feature magical realism. Besides a few authors, this is something I rarely come across in literature, so any suggestions would make me extremely happy! I have read a ton of magical realism, and often, it's not quite the same vibe due to the absence of either an urban environment or a slice of life element. Other works I have enjoyed are Untold Night and Day by Bae Suah, and One Hundred Shadows by Hwang Jungeun. I also enjoyed Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, and The Night is Short, Walk on Girl by Tomihiko Morimi. While this seems more common in Asian literature, I'm not specifically looking for Asian literature (just anything that matches!). I have enjoyed the works of Neil Gaiman and Max Porter too, but neither seem to be a perfect match (Porter comes close though). I'm also considering the city we became by N. K. Jemisin, but I was told it's more urban fantasy than magical realism. Would anyone who has read it recommend it? Anyway, apologies for the rather specific request. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks! Assistant: {{storm front}} first book of the Dresden Files. Wizard that lives in Chicago.
Human: What are your absolute favorite horror genre books and why? I'd say Watchers by Dean Koontz is one of my favorites, the story is excellent and well written. Assistant: Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill (who is actually Stephen King’s son). It is very descriptive, maiming, and creepy with a paranormal twist. I liked that book a lot.	Human: What are your absolute favorite horror genre books and why? I'd say Watchers by Dean Koontz is one of my favorites, the story is excellent and well written. Assistant: The Croning by Laird Barron is probably my current favorite. He has a penchant for cults, creepy old people, and fairytales and it's all wrapped up in an awesomely terrifying novel with a creepy ending. Plus, his writing style is crazy poetic.
Human: Books like HBO's True Detective? Just finished the HBO series true detective and i want more! that show was amazing and i am not usually somone who reads crime/mystery but that series was written so well and it was so creepy and the characters were just so real that i am really interested in picking a good book with similar themes. I would prefer first person and not terribly long but i'll take any suggestions you think are worth checking out! Assistant: I really liked Tana French for the creepy thriller pyschological bits, especially the first two books. i recently also found 'broken monsters' which is said to be similar in themes to true detective. if you're looking for gruesome detective novels, Karin Slaughter has written many of those.	Human: Books like HBO's True Detective? Just finished the HBO series true detective and i want more! that show was amazing and i am not usually somone who reads crime/mystery but that series was written so well and it was so creepy and the characters were just so real that i am really interested in picking a good book with similar themes. I would prefer first person and not terribly long but i'll take any suggestions you think are worth checking out! Assistant: Blindsighted - Karin Slaughter
Human: Just finished Dresden Files, not sure what next Hi everyone. Like the title says, I just finished The Dresden files and absolutely loved it. I'd love something with a similar feel, fantasy or scifi would be preferable. I would really like a female lead (but its not necessary), but not romance. I really enjoyed Mercy Thompson, until the last book or so. Thanks again, I can't wait to see what you suggest! Assistant: Try the Iron Druid Series.	Human: Just finished Dresden Files, not sure what next Hi everyone. Like the title says, I just finished The Dresden files and absolutely loved it. I'd love something with a similar feel, fantasy or scifi would be preferable. I would really like a female lead (but its not necessary), but not romance. I really enjoyed Mercy Thompson, until the last book or so. Thanks again, I can't wait to see what you suggest! Assistant: Have you read the Kate Daniels series?
Human: Fantasy / SciFi with romance that is actually good I am sick to death of sf books that include some poorly done and barely mentioned romantic subplot just to check a box. And I’m even more sick of my woefully inexperienced friends accepting it just because they haven’t read better. Like I just read the cradle series which is AMAZING, but the romance feels like it was put there just because the two main characters are young people of different genders. I want something with more fire and tension, a sort of charged uncertainty. Since half of this is to broaden horizons of my friends, I’d prefer something that isn’t smut (there’s a great recent post about that which I WILL take advantage of). So light to no sex scenes is preferred. One example I can think of in the genre that fits well is Gentleman Joe and the Red Queen, but that’s a bit too far down a long series. Assistant: This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal el- mohtar and max Gladstone	Human: Fantasy / SciFi with romance that is actually good I am sick to death of sf books that include some poorly done and barely mentioned romantic subplot just to check a box. And I’m even more sick of my woefully inexperienced friends accepting it just because they haven’t read better. Like I just read the cradle series which is AMAZING, but the romance feels like it was put there just because the two main characters are young people of different genders. I want something with more fire and tension, a sort of charged uncertainty. Since half of this is to broaden horizons of my friends, I’d prefer something that isn’t smut (there’s a great recent post about that which I WILL take advantage of). So light to no sex scenes is preferred. One example I can think of in the genre that fits well is Gentleman Joe and the Red Queen, but that’s a bit too far down a long series. Assistant: The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord Wheel of the Infinite by Martha Wells Silver in the Wood and Drowned Country by Emily Tesh Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell
Human: Book set in a post apocalyptic world similar to game Horizon Zero Dawn Hi I am playing the game on ps4 and I fell in love with the world. So I am looking for a book similar to this game. Where a great war or something like this happened and humanity went back to stone/iron age. Robots walking around. Humans formed tribes and trying to explore ruins . Humans lost all knowledge about technology and trying to figure out robots. A Scifi mystery post apocalyptic novel. Assistant: Sea of Rust by C. Cargill Hill is a post human robot western	Human: Book set in a post apocalyptic world similar to game Horizon Zero Dawn Hi I am playing the game on ps4 and I fell in love with the world. So I am looking for a book similar to this game. Where a great war or something like this happened and humanity went back to stone/iron age. Robots walking around. Humans formed tribes and trying to explore ruins . Humans lost all knowledge about technology and trying to figure out robots. A Scifi mystery post apocalyptic novel. Assistant: Best I can come up with is the maze runner? Horizon rules btw I’ve put a solid 100+ hours into it
Human: Post Apocalyptic Book Suggestions I really enjoy watching movies and playing games set in post apocalyptic worlds, I have not been much of a reader for several years now but am starting to get back into it, the one and only book I read set in such a world was 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy and I loved that. It could be caused by nuclear war, a virus, zombies etc. not any real preference so would consider any suggestions. Thanks! Assistant: Swan song	Human: Post Apocalyptic Book Suggestions I really enjoy watching movies and playing games set in post apocalyptic worlds, I have not been much of a reader for several years now but am starting to get back into it, the one and only book I read set in such a world was 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy and I loved that. It could be caused by nuclear war, a virus, zombies etc. not any real preference so would consider any suggestions. Thanks! Assistant: {{The Girl With All The Gifts}} was pretty scary to me. {{Hollow Kingdom}} is from the point of view of the pets left behind.
Human: A book told from the POV of an artificial intelligence Assistant: The Imperial Radch series by Anne Leckie, starting with {{Ancillary Justice}}	Human: A book told from the POV of an artificial intelligence Assistant: Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson
Human: literature for a guy who hates literature Hello everyone After seeing the lovely folks at r/books gush over "classic authors" again and again, and finding my usual bastions of fantasy and pulpy sci-fi failing me for inspiring new reads, I've decided to expand my horizons. Please suggest me literature (that is to say "books with literary and artistic merit", whatever that means to you) for someone who really doesn't like literature. To help give you an idea of what might fit me, here's my experience with literature in summary: \-I bounced off The Sun Also Rises hard. I really wanted to like it, and I could feel something deep but Hemingway's writing style turned me off. I just couldn't get in a rhythm. \-Sirens of Titan is on my bedside table. I can't quite get in a groove to kill it in one go as i had expected to, but I love his writing style. \-Fahrenheit 451. I loved this book, and greatly prefer it to 1984 if given a choice (pls don't kill me) \-The Great Gatsby. Forced to read it in high school. It wasn't bad, I'd be willing to give it another shake as an adult. \-Of Mice and Men. Forced in high school again. No offense to Steinbeck, it just didn't hook me. Maybe one of his other books will land better. \-Call of the Wild, childhood me loved this book but I havent read anything else by Jack London, results may vary. \-Do Androids dream of electric sheep, was expecting blade runner novelization 0/10 not enough harrison ford, but his writing was interesting, id be willing to try a different one. My favorite "normal" books tend to be pulpy sci-fi (I read every star wars book i could get my hands on as a kid) political thrillers, and fantasy novels. I love pretty sentences and Name of the Wind was my favorite fantasy novel for years purely off the back of the prose and style of the words. All I ask is for a book that kinda sorta has a plot and actual sentences with functioning punctuation, and give me a trigger warning if its so depressing ill want to have a drink or five after reading it. Thanks yall. I'm counting on you. P.S. If you want to know why I hate literature blame my creative writing 300 teacher who was every negative stereotype of a snooty M. Fine Arts guy come to life, and told me the first day every book i liked was meritless trash Assistant: If you’re already reading Sirens of Titan and like his style I would absolutely recommend finishing it as well as pretty much any other book by him. Kurt Vonnegut is one of my favourite authors of all time I really love his writing style. I recently read Slaughterhouse-Five again and if you haven’t read it yet I would highly recommend it. It was the first book of his I read, it’s a classic for a reason.	Human: literature for a guy who hates literature Hello everyone After seeing the lovely folks at r/books gush over "classic authors" again and again, and finding my usual bastions of fantasy and pulpy sci-fi failing me for inspiring new reads, I've decided to expand my horizons. Please suggest me literature (that is to say "books with literary and artistic merit", whatever that means to you) for someone who really doesn't like literature. To help give you an idea of what might fit me, here's my experience with literature in summary: \-I bounced off The Sun Also Rises hard. I really wanted to like it, and I could feel something deep but Hemingway's writing style turned me off. I just couldn't get in a rhythm. \-Sirens of Titan is on my bedside table. I can't quite get in a groove to kill it in one go as i had expected to, but I love his writing style. \-Fahrenheit 451. I loved this book, and greatly prefer it to 1984 if given a choice (pls don't kill me) \-The Great Gatsby. Forced to read it in high school. It wasn't bad, I'd be willing to give it another shake as an adult. \-Of Mice and Men. Forced in high school again. No offense to Steinbeck, it just didn't hook me. Maybe one of his other books will land better. \-Call of the Wild, childhood me loved this book but I havent read anything else by Jack London, results may vary. \-Do Androids dream of electric sheep, was expecting blade runner novelization 0/10 not enough harrison ford, but his writing was interesting, id be willing to try a different one. My favorite "normal" books tend to be pulpy sci-fi (I read every star wars book i could get my hands on as a kid) political thrillers, and fantasy novels. I love pretty sentences and Name of the Wind was my favorite fantasy novel for years purely off the back of the prose and style of the words. All I ask is for a book that kinda sorta has a plot and actual sentences with functioning punctuation, and give me a trigger warning if its so depressing ill want to have a drink or five after reading it. Thanks yall. I'm counting on you. P.S. If you want to know why I hate literature blame my creative writing 300 teacher who was every negative stereotype of a snooty M. Fine Arts guy come to life, and told me the first day every book i liked was meritless trash Assistant: If you want to give Steinbeck another try definitely go with Grapes of Wrath
Human: True Detective like books. I want something eerie, dark and supernatural. But a cop/detective novel. Assistant: Give No Country for Old Men by McCarthy a try. It's a gritty cop/detective story with characters that are similarly given to dark philosophical ruminations.	Human: True Detective like books. I want something eerie, dark and supernatural. But a cop/detective novel. Assistant: It's historical so I don't know if it fits what you're looking for, by 'A Daughter of Time' by Josephine Tey is an excellent detective story.
Human: Books like ‘Before the cofffee gets cold’ by Toshikazu Kawaguchi ”Hidden in a side street in Tokyo, cafe Funiculi Funicula boasts many things, good coffee, good conversation, a friendly cast of regulars. But the cafe also offers its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel in time” I just completed this charming book full of an ensemble of unique characters with quiet stories about ordinary but deep pain, joy, love and regret. The fantastical premise is merely a prop to explore raw and human emotions through simple stories with great heart. The anthology-esque feel with a mostly fixed cast encountering someone new is a particular delight as you see them grow with their patrons. Now, I want more. I suppose I am looking for books that have elements of magical realism, an ensemble cast and set in a location with a real sense of place. I enjoy books that capture distinct ideas and feelings about a place - be it a country, a city or even just a neighbourhood. I am a big reader of Latin American magical realism too and I am just getting started on the genre in different countries so I would appreciate recs in that category as well. Assistant: There's also the sequel if you want more of stories from the cafe.	Human: Books like ‘Before the cofffee gets cold’ by Toshikazu Kawaguchi ”Hidden in a side street in Tokyo, cafe Funiculi Funicula boasts many things, good coffee, good conversation, a friendly cast of regulars. But the cafe also offers its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel in time” I just completed this charming book full of an ensemble of unique characters with quiet stories about ordinary but deep pain, joy, love and regret. The fantastical premise is merely a prop to explore raw and human emotions through simple stories with great heart. The anthology-esque feel with a mostly fixed cast encountering someone new is a particular delight as you see them grow with their patrons. Now, I want more. I suppose I am looking for books that have elements of magical realism, an ensemble cast and set in a location with a real sense of place. I enjoy books that capture distinct ideas and feelings about a place - be it a country, a city or even just a neighbourhood. I am a big reader of Latin American magical realism too and I am just getting started on the genre in different countries so I would appreciate recs in that category as well. Assistant: Clarice. Start with Near to the Wild Heart. Ignore translations involving that leaky colonoscopy bag, Moser.
Human: Books set during the French Revolution I just finished Assassins Creed Unity, which takes place during the French Revolution, and I'm looking for books that are also set during that time period. I'm not looking for historical non-fiction books (got plenty of those), but more like novels. A bit of action, mystery and/or romance is preferred :) I'm a history buff, so bonus points if the book mentions specific buildings/persons from that era. Thanks in advance! Assistant: A. France, Les dieux ont souf	Human: Books set during the French Revolution I just finished Assassins Creed Unity, which takes place during the French Revolution, and I'm looking for books that are also set during that time period. I'm not looking for historical non-fiction books (got plenty of those), but more like novels. A bit of action, mystery and/or romance is preferred :) I'm a history buff, so bonus points if the book mentions specific buildings/persons from that era. Thanks in advance! Assistant: A couple of classics are: The Scarlet Pimpernel, Baroness Orczy. The Three Musketeers or The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexander Dumas.
Human: Fantasy romance where the guy is sweet, mellow and protective? Kinda like Peeta from The Hunger Games. Usually in romance books for women/girls the guy is kinda cold and arrogant at first which i dont usually mind but i'd like something with a warmer sort of guy where he wants to protect her and is too nice for his own good and they have a 'knight devoted to his queen' type of relationship. Does anyone know any books like this? Assistant: Stardust by Neil Gaiman is a lovely story with a super sweet male protagonist, Tristan!	Human: Fantasy romance where the guy is sweet, mellow and protective? Kinda like Peeta from The Hunger Games. Usually in romance books for women/girls the guy is kinda cold and arrogant at first which i dont usually mind but i'd like something with a warmer sort of guy where he wants to protect her and is too nice for his own good and they have a 'knight devoted to his queen' type of relationship. Does anyone know any books like this? Assistant: Outlander, it's a very beautiful love story with an incredibly well written male character.
Human: Looking for books in the magical realism genre. I loved The Golem and the Jinni and The Hidden Palace. I also really enjoyed The Night Circus and The House of the Spirits. Assistant: You can't go wrong with Julio Cortázar's short stories. Try reading House Taken Over	Human: Looking for books in the magical realism genre. I loved The Golem and the Jinni and The Hidden Palace. I also really enjoyed The Night Circus and The House of the Spirits. Assistant: Before We Disappear by Shaun David Hutchinson is somewhat inspired by The Night Circus
Human: Suggest a wildly unique fiction or fantasy book. Creative characters and settings! No more cliches. I need my mind to explode. Assistant: Oh, do I have you covered... The Hike by Drew Magary It’s fantasy of a sort, has great characters, a dizzying story and nothing I would call cliche.	Human: Suggest a wildly unique fiction or fantasy book. Creative characters and settings! No more cliches. I need my mind to explode. Assistant: This book is a pretty odd romance: https://arthurkibertbasler.com/latest-reads/xo6pmvmrfnnxjsac24dt7rwj3w23ja
Human: The best True Crime or Serial Killer books you’ve read? Something equitable to The Stranger Beside Me or American Predator. I’ve read most of Ann Rule’s books, so I am looking for her level of interesting true crime. Same goes for James Renner’s True Crime books. I loathe cliche true crime though, where the writer tries very hard to pull off a noir-vibe, or hard-hitting detective novels of days of old. If the story starts off with an over-worked detective sipping whiskey and smoking a cigarette, I probably won’t get past the first page. Assistant: Anything by Val McDermid - careful though not for the fainthearted	Human: The best True Crime or Serial Killer books you’ve read? Something equitable to The Stranger Beside Me or American Predator. I’ve read most of Ann Rule’s books, so I am looking for her level of interesting true crime. Same goes for James Renner’s True Crime books. I loathe cliche true crime though, where the writer tries very hard to pull off a noir-vibe, or hard-hitting detective novels of days of old. If the story starts off with an over-worked detective sipping whiskey and smoking a cigarette, I probably won’t get past the first page. Assistant: People Who Eat Darkness by Richard Lloyd Parry is about a Japanese man who kidnapped and killed a woman. That was super good, but I will admit it was difficult to get past the middle of the book. Pretty boring, while the ending was quite interesting/sad/worth the read.
Human: Looking for an eclectic novel involving mythological characters (especially Greek and Nordic) and written in a more modern style. For instance, The Odyssey is one of my favorite pieces of literature. But I would love to find something written in a newer era that involves such dynamic characters with rich backgrounds. Something that allows the reader to think about the morality and actions of the characters and their flaws. Assistant: A quirky book, “The Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul” - Douglas Adams	Human: Looking for an eclectic novel involving mythological characters (especially Greek and Nordic) and written in a more modern style. For instance, The Odyssey is one of my favorite pieces of literature. But I would love to find something written in a newer era that involves such dynamic characters with rich backgrounds. Something that allows the reader to think about the morality and actions of the characters and their flaws. Assistant: The King Must Die by Mary Renault is just that. Has a sequel, too.
Human: I have no shame! Seeking an audiobook with a hot sounding male narrator... I'd prefer a book that's "good" too. Genre doesn't really matter, I'm open to a lot of things! Does not have to be a romance, haha. I know this is a strange request but one of the joys of audiobooks is hearing the narrators voice, and I just listen better if the voice is nice. So I'd love to know some of your favorites! Assistant: James Marsters has a very sexy voice. He narrates the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher, and there are a few particularly well read, er, love scenes that you don't want to listen to while you're in public. \(Warning: the first few books aren't well recorded. The 5th book in the series is the one where they actually start having good production value.\) But that isn't the only series he narrates. Definitely look up the other books he narrates, too.	Human: I have no shame! Seeking an audiobook with a hot sounding male narrator... I'd prefer a book that's "good" too. Genre doesn't really matter, I'm open to a lot of things! Does not have to be a romance, haha. I know this is a strange request but one of the joys of audiobooks is hearing the narrators voice, and I just listen better if the voice is nice. So I'd love to know some of your favorites! Assistant: Sebastian York.
Human: most epic space opera ever ? any idea ? =D Assistant: The Expanse and Commonwealth Saga are my two favorites	Human: most epic space opera ever ? any idea ? =D Assistant: Iain Banks' The Culture series is pretty dope
Human: Looking for Nordic/eastern European science fiction, fantasy, and horror Hi all! I'm attempting to read an author from every country in the world and I'm currently focusing on the Nordic and eastern European countries. If you know of any authors from the below countries who have written science fiction, fantasy, or horror which was translated into English, please rec it to me: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Moldova, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, Albania I know this is a rather specific ask, so thank you in advance to anyone who has any suggestions! Assistant: The Witcher book series by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. They are the fantasy books that inspired the extremely successful Witcher video game trilogy. The first two books are a collection of roughly linked short stories and the remaining books are full novels. They focus on Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster hunter for hire and set against a somewhat Game of Thrones like background. Highly recommended.	Human: Looking for Nordic/eastern European science fiction, fantasy, and horror Hi all! I'm attempting to read an author from every country in the world and I'm currently focusing on the Nordic and eastern European countries. If you know of any authors from the below countries who have written science fiction, fantasy, or horror which was translated into English, please rec it to me: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Moldova, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, Albania I know this is a rather specific ask, so thank you in advance to anyone who has any suggestions! Assistant: The Dedalus Book of Finnish Fantasy. It's a collection of short stories by Finnish authors. Beautiful stories! I also recommend Leena Krohn.
Human: Adventure books that are like the "INDIANA JONES" series. Assistant: Jack DuBrul, Matthew Reilly, James Rollins, Will Adams, James Becker, Christopher Cartwright, Clive Cussler, Paul Christopher, Ernest Dempsey, William Dietrich, James Douglas, David Gibbins, C. S. Graham, Tom Harper, Aiden James, J. Robert Kennedy, Gregg Loomis, Chris Kuzneski, Robert Masello, Scott Mariani, Laurence O'Bryan, Andy McDermott,	Human: Adventure books that are like the "INDIANA JONES" series. Assistant: It’s for teenagers But Thieves like us by Stephen Cole feels a lot like Indiana Jones.
Human: Looking for my second book after completing Harry Potter thrice I'm fairly new when it comes to book reading, but just reading Harry Potter made me read more books (especially fantasy books with magical elements). I would be very honored if you guys could help me with this matter. As I've said, I'm a beginner, so please recommend me something that a beginner could enjoy. Lastly, it would be very good if that book have an audio version (I love listening to audiobooks while I do my work). Thank you very much for reading. Assistant: I highly recommend "The Chronicles of Narnia". But, if you want a small taste of the series first, You can start with "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" in that series.	Human: Looking for my second book after completing Harry Potter thrice I'm fairly new when it comes to book reading, but just reading Harry Potter made me read more books (especially fantasy books with magical elements). I would be very honored if you guys could help me with this matter. As I've said, I'm a beginner, so please recommend me something that a beginner could enjoy. Lastly, it would be very good if that book have an audio version (I love listening to audiobooks while I do my work). Thank you very much for reading. Assistant: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern or The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. The Eyre Affair is the first in the Thursday Next series, but it can be read as a standalone novel.