# Hey, let me recommend your favorite books **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 28, 2005, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014 "2005-01-28T00:05:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/1 "2005-01-28T00:05:07Z")
I work at a bookstore and I’m in a rut. I recommend the same the same books over and over. I’ve sold mountains of _The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time_, _Soldier of the Great War_, _The Daily Show’s America_, _Regeneration_, _Rebecca_, Preston/Child thrillers and the _His Dark Materials_ books. I need some new fodder for the reading masses. So, pretend you’re standing on your feet for hours on end making nearly nothing, surrounded by all your favorite books. Here are some genuine questions from the last few weeks. What would _you_ suggest to the customer who says…[ol] [li]My teenage son loves science fiction, but I don’t have any idea what he’s read.[/li][li]I’m looking for something light.[/li][li]I want a good historical novel. I don’t care about when or where.[/li][li]My daughter needs a book by a British author for her 11th grade English class (she goes to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Christian Academy, so no naughty bits)[/li][li]My son (age 12) has to read a biography.[/li][li]You know of any good mysteries?[/li][li]I want to send some books to my brother. In jail.[/li][li](…and the depressingly popular) recommend a book for my kid who _never reads_.[/li][/ol] FTR, my [staff choice](http://www.straightdope.com/otheroutlets/books.html) is immutable. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/2 "2005-01-28T00:29:03Z")
I don’t read much that’s light, and I don’t read biographies, but here ya go on some of the others: Science fiction for a teenager – **Ilium by Dan Simmons** – it’s new enough that he might not have read it, and it’s a great adventure story with lots of new concepts and characters A good historical – get them started on the War of the Roses with **Katherine by Anya Seton** or **The Sunne in Splendor by Sharon Kay Penman** Mysteries – I don’t read regular mysteries, but I really like **Boris Akunin** ’s historical mysteries, and at least two have been translated to English For the brother in jail, I’ve loaned books to folks being cared for by the county – **Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison** and the first Song of Ice and Fire book – **A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin**. Both will make you forget your troubles. For the kid who never reads, **Swords for Hire by Will Allan** – funny, short, easy, a good first step to grown-up fantasy ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/3 "2005-01-28T00:43:53Z")
> [@koeeoaddi](#): > > I work at a bookstore and I’m in a rut. I recommend the same the same books over and over. I’ve sold mountains of _The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time_, _Soldier of the Great War_, _The Daily Show’s America_, _Regeneration_, _Rebecca_, Preston/Child thrillers and the _His Dark Materials_ books. I need some new fodder for the reading masses. > > So, pretend you’re standing on your feet for hours on end making nearly nothing, surrounded by all your favorite books. Here are some genuine questions from the last few weeks. What would _you_ suggest to the customer who says…[ol] > [li]My teenage son loves science fiction, but I don’t have any idea what he’s read.[/li][li]I’m looking for something light.[/li][li]I want a good historical novel. I don’t care about when or where.[/li][li]My daughter needs a book by a British author for her 11th grade English class (she goes to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Christian Academy, so no naughty bits)[/li][li]My son (age 12) has to read a biography.[/li][li]You know of any good mysteries?[/li][li]I want to send some books to my brother. In jail.[/li][li](…and the depressingly popular) recommend a book for my kid who _never reads_.[/li][/ol] > > FTR, my [staff choice](http://www.straightdope.com/otheroutlets/books.html) is immutable. Teen SciFi- Any Ray Bradbury story collection. Ayn Rand’s ANTHEM Light- Jan Karon’s AT HOME IN MITFORD Historical- PONTIUS PILATE by Paul L. Maier British 11th Grade- (depends on how cool the C’tian Academy is) C.S. Lewis OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET, PERELANDRA, THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH or THE GREAT DIVORCE or TILL WE HAVE FACES Mysteries- Sherlock Holmes Brother in Jail- any of the above or below Non-reading Kid- C.S. Lewis THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE I don’t know any 12yo boy Bios tho I’d recommend ones on a President, Douglas MacArthur, CS Lewis, St Francis of Assisi, Frederick Douglas or Booker T. Washington ---
**Author:** ![SusanStoHelit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@SusanStoHelit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SusanStoHelit)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/4 "2005-01-28T00:44:46Z")
> [@koeeoaddi](#): > > So, pretend you’re standing on your feet for hours on end making nearly nothing, surrounded by all your favorite books. Here are some genuine questions from the last few weeks. What would _you_ suggest to the customer who says…[ol] > [li]My teenage son loves science fiction, but I don’t have any idea what he’s read.[/li][li]I’m looking for something light.[/li][li]I want a good historical novel. I don’t care about when or where.[/li][li]My daughter needs a book by a British author for her 11th grade English class (she goes to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Christian Academy, so no naughty bits)[/li][li]My son (age 12) has to read a biography.[/li][li]You know of any good mysteries?[/li][li]I want to send some books to my brother. In jail.[/li][li](…and the depressingly popular) recommend a book for my kid who _never reads_.[/li][/ol] > > FTR, my [staff choice](http://www.straightdope.com/otheroutlets/books.html) is immutable. 1. [The Foundation Trilogy](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385188307/qid=1106871988/sr=8-16/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i8_xgl14/102-1343809-0553750?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) by Isaac Asimov. Even if the boy has already read these, Asimov is considered the gold standard of sf, so a hardback copy of his best work is a welcome addition to any sf nut’s library. 2 or 8. [Terry Pratchett](http://www.sfsite.com/lists/pratchet.htm), if you think they can handle satirical and irreverent humor. He is also the best observer of human nature writing today. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/5 "2005-01-28T00:48:44Z")
For something light, I’d recommend Sue Grafton or Janet Evanovich. Funny, light, quick reads. They both have done series (serieses?) that are good; Evanovich’s is better, IMO. I always recommend Ken Follett or Nelson DeMille or Jeffrey Archer for mystery/thriller type of books. Anite Shreve and Jodi Picoult write good depressing stuff. Sort of in Chick-Lit type of stuff. A. Manette Ansay is in that category, too. For kids, I’d recommend The Spiderwick Chronicles (blanking on the author) or the Captain Underpants series. My 8-year-old loves them. _Holes_ is also good. It’s by Louis Sachar. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/6 "2005-01-28T00:50:10Z")
The answer to every catagory but #5 is **Terry Pratchett**! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/7 "2005-01-28T00:56:41Z")
What a cool thread, **koeeoaddi**! 1- Sci-fi for a teenaged boy: Definitely _Ender’s Game_ by Orson Scott Card. LeGuin’s _Left Hand of Darkness_ and _The Dispossessed_ are great, too, though I’m not sure how appealing they’d be to the average teenaged boy. 2- Light: _The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency_ series. Charming and interesting, but not too serious. 3- Historical novels: I can’t recommend Patrick O’Brien’s Aubrey-Maturin series highly enough. They’re set in the British Navy during the early 1800s. Wonderful adventure stories with fascinating characters and great dry humor. The first book in the series is _Master and Commander_. 4- British author for an 11th grader: _Any_ British author? _Watership Down_ is by a Brit, right? It’s an excellent book with no naughty bits, though since it’s about rabbits, the teacher might not take it seriously. I really liked _Pride and Prejudice_ when I was in the 11th grade, but I might be an anomaly. 5- Huh. 6- Good mysteries: I love Laurie King’s contemporary (Kate Martinelli) and historical (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes) mysteries. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with Dorothy Sayers. 7- Brother in jail: _American Gods_ by Neil Gaiman has an ex-con as the main character, plus it’s a great read. 8- Book for the kid who never reads: _Holes_ by Lewis Sachaar. One of the best YA novels I’ve ever read. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/8 "2005-01-28T03:40:33Z")
> [@burundi](#): > > I really liked _Pride and Prejudice_ when I was in the 11th grade, but I might be an anomaly. That’s what I suggested, **burundi** , but mom nixed it because she thought it was “too hard.” She went home with _Rebecca_, but _Watership Down_ would have been a great choice. So would the _The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency_, now that you mention it. > [@silenus](#): > > The answer to every category but #5 is **Terry Pratchett**! 😃 You’ll be all set as soon as someone steps up to the plate and writes a Pterry biography. I’m amazed there isn’t one yet. > [@AuntiePam](#): > > For the brother in jail, I’ve loaned books to folks being cared for by the county – Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison and the first Song of Ice and Fire book – A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin. Both will make you forget your troubles. I didn’t suggest _Atonement_ for the jail guy, but it did occur to me. 🙂 _The Dispossessed, Out of the Silent Planet, Captain Underpants, Master and Commander, Janet Evanovich, The Foundation Trilogy_ – great suggestions. Keep 'em coming! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/9 "2005-01-28T04:22:12Z")
1. If he really, really, loves SF but you’re not sure what he’s read, give him something not in the genre but **about** it – e.g., _Trillion Year Spree: The History of Science Fiction,_ by Poul Anderson and David Wingrove (Atheneum 1986); _The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Of: How Science Fiction Conquered the World,_ by Thomas M. Disch (Free Press, 2000); _Literary Swordsmen and Sorcerors_ by L. Sprague de Camp (short bios of fantasy writers and their work; might be out of print, but worth tracking down). 2. A Buffy novelization. (Unless “light” in this case requires no sex or violence, in which case I don’t know what to tell you and I’m glad of that. 😃 ) 3. Mary Renault’s novels about ancient Greece (they span every period from the age of Theseus to the period after Alexander). And there’s some great stuff about ancient Rome available now: If you want a put in a lot of time reading huge tomes, try Colleen McCullough’s “Masters of Rome” novels, covering Roman war and politics from the time of Gaius Marius to the ascendancy of Octavian. If you want something shorter and more entertaining, any of several several series of “detectives in togas” novels and stories, by John Maddox Roberts (the “SPQR” novels), Stephen Saylor (the “Gordianus the Finder” books), and Lindsey Davis (the “Marcus Didius Falco” stories). 4. Anything 19th Century is safe. Thackeray, Dickens, Austen, Bronte . . . I’d recommend Thackeray, either _Vanity Fair_ or _Barry Lyndon._ Heck, even if you get into the early 20th Century, there are no “naughty bits” in P.G. Wodehouse and he’s a really **fun** read! 🙂 If you want something meaningful instead of (definitely instead of) fun, try George Orwell. I’ve never encountered graphic sex in any of his novels except for _1984._ Or just go with Pratchett, can’t go wrong with Pratchett – if that’s acceptably serious for an 11th-grade English paper. Then again, although there’s no explicit sex (only hints and allegations) in Pratchett, there is a lot of wrestling with serious spiritual themes (e.g., _Small Gods_), which might or might not be acceptable at this school. 5. See 3. Or try any of Margaret Truman’s “Capital Crimes” novels, set in Washington, DC. 6. Leaving aside obvious choices like King’s “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption,” I’d need to know more about you’re brother’s interests, and whether there’s anything he really wants but can’t find in the prison library. 7. If the kid’s a boy over 12, _Penthouse Letters._ One of the paperback collections with no pictures. He’ll start reading, all right! And exercising his imagination, too! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/10 "2005-01-28T04:40:04Z")
FriarTed writes: \> I don’t know any 12yo boy Bios tho I’d recommend ones on a President, \> Douglas MacArthur, CS Lewis, St Francis of Assisi, Frederick Douglas or Booker T. \> Washington There are no good biographies of C. S. Lewis suitable for a 12-year-old. The adult biographies are O.K., but not great. It looks like it’s going to be a while yet before we get a definitive biography of Lewis. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/11 "2005-01-28T04:55:52Z")
I find it remarkable that nobody has mentioned the historical novels of the Shaaras (father and son). _Rise to Rebellion_ covers the beginnings of the Revolutionary War, a good place to start. ---
**Author:** ![Sassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassy)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/12 "2005-01-28T04:56:07Z")
[li]My teenage son loves science fiction, but I don’t have any idea what he’s read.[/li]Young teen - Heinlein’s juvies. Older teen - Asimov. [li]I’m looking for something light.[/li]Maeve Binchey [li]I want a good historical novel. I don’t care about when or where.[/li]Gore Vidal’s american series, starting with “Burr” [li]My daughter needs a book by a British author for her 11th grade English class (she goes to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Christian Academy, so no naughty bits)[/li]Agatha Christie 🙂 [li]You know of any good mysteries?[/li]John Dickson Carr. I don’t know how many are in print, but he’s brilliant, especially with locked rooms, and has great characters. [li]I want to send some books to my brother. In jail.[/li]Another vote for “American Gods” [li](…and the depressingly popular) recommend a book for my kid who _never reads_.[/li]Graphic novels? Gaiman again 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/13 "2005-01-28T05:50:46Z")
1. James Blish’s [Cities in Flight](http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/entertainment/10583734.htm?1c) has just been reissued. What teen could resist wrapping a Spindizzy field around Scranton Pennsylvania, blasting into space, and travelling past the end of time? ---
**Author:** ![Abbie\_Carmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Abbie\_Carmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abbie_Carmichael)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/14 "2005-01-28T08:12:16Z")
**[li]My teenage son loves science fiction, but I don’t have any idea what he’s read.**[/li] He definitely hasn’t read “The Speed of Dark” by Elizabeth Moon. If he’s mature for his age, he may like it. Another one a teenage boy is more likely to enjoy is “1632” by Eric Flint. As far as short stories go, find a collection that has “Why I Left Harry’s All Night Hamburgers” by Lawrence Watt-Evans. The main character is a teenage boy. **[li]I’m looking for something light.**[/li] “Flavor of the Month” by Olivia Goldsmith. If they’re into crotch novels, “Love Wild and Fair” by Bertrice Small actually has a plot and LOTS of words. **[li]I want a good historical novel. I don’t care about when or where.**[/li] This one’s a gimme. The Colleen McCullough series about ancient Rome! And even though the books are linked, they also stand alone. I suggest starting with “Caeser’s Women” even though it’s #4 in the series. **[li]My son (age 12) has to read a biography.**[/li] Hmm. Well, what are 12 year old boys into? Explosions, right? Why not a biography about J. Robert Oppenheimer or anyone else who helped create the bomb (Fermi, Szliard, etc.)? **[li]You know of any good mysteries?**[/li] Tell them to start with “Ritual Bath” by Faye Kellerman. It’s the first in her Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series and they’re all fantastic. **[li]I want to send some books to my brother. In jail.**[/li] “The Testament” by John Grisham. It’s about redemption. Grisham’s good in general, his books are quick reads and most are in paperback. Any Jonathan Kellerman (yes, Faye’s husband) would be good as well if the brother’s into mysteries. “The Bone Collector” by Jeffrey Deaver is disturbing but good. If the brother is a religious sort (or wants to be), I highly recommend “Battlefield of the Mind” by Joyce Meyer, however anything she writes is great. Also pretty much anything by TD Jakes, he writes a lot of stuff concerning men and he is extremely realistic about being a Christian in today’s world. On the lighter side, anything by Dave Barry or Lewis Grizzard (_sigh_ I miss him and Catfish). Also never underestimate the value of a good old fashioned Far Side, Dilbert, or Peanuts collection. **[li](…and the depressingly popular) recommend a book for my kid who _never reads_.**[/li] The Anastasia Krupnik books by Lois Lowry would be good for a girl aged 7-11. Christopher Pike’s stuff is also good; of his, “Remember Me” was my favorite. ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/15 "2005-01-28T08:25:39Z")
1. My teenage son loves science fiction, but I don’t have any idea what he’s read. How about going back to some old Asmiov? _Caves of Steel_ would be good; what’s the chance that a teenager now has read that? 1. I’m looking for something light. David Brin’s _The Practice Effect_ is good light sci-fi, maybe some Pratchett would also do (_Night Watch_ was excellent and a very easy read). 1. I want a good historical novel. I don’t care about when or where. _The Girl with the Pearl Earring_ was surprisingly good & captivating. 1. My daughter needs a book by a British author for her 11th grade English class (she goes to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Christian Academy, so no naughty bits) Again, Pratchett. Maybe _Small Gods_ would be appropriate given her background (NO… joking… actual Christians might be offended. Bad wevets! Bad!). _Monstrous Regiment_, _Pyramids_; these would be safer choices. 1. My son (age 12) has to read a biography. Biography for a 12 year old? Eeek… I was about to suggest _Truman_ or _American Ceasar_, but I don’t think those will fly with most 12 year olds. 1. You know of any good mysteries? Not really my cup of tea, but they’ve recently printed a collection of the _Lord Darcy_ stories by Randall Garrett. 1. I want to send some books to my brother. In jail. I second the nomination of _American Gods_. Plus sending as much Pratchett as possible would be good, but unfortunately they’re quick reads. 1. (…and the depressingly popular) recommend a book for my kid who _never reads_. How about Neil Gaiman’s _The Books of Magic_ collected miniseries in paperback… don’t confuse it with the later Books of Magic books by Vess. It’s better to start with the beginning. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/16 "2005-01-28T08:45:39Z")
_My teenage son loves science fiction, but I don’t have any idea what he’s read._ Second the recommendation for Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. Would also recommend the Robert Asprin ‘Myth’ series, any of the Lord Of The Rings books, Caves of Steel and Robots of Dawn by Isaac Asimov, and if you can find them, the ElfQuest graphic novels (more fantasy than sci-fi, but every kid I know gets into these.) Harry Harrison’s Eden series. _I’m looking for something light._ Janet Evanovich, for sure. Also - James Herriot, Robert Fulghum, Dave Barry, Elmore Leonard, Carl Hiassen. For light romance, Teresa Medieros, Jill Barnett. Contemporary light - Marian Keyes. _I want a good historical novel. I don’t care about when or where._ Outlander by Diana Gabladon (book one of a series). Any of Anne Perry’s “Charlotte & Thomas Pitt” mysteries. Charles Todd’s “Inspector Ian Rutledge” mysteries. A lot of Maeve Binchy’s books are set in Ireland in the 50s-70s. _My daughter needs a book by a British author for her 11th grade English class (she goes to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Christian Academy, so no naughty bits)_ No help here, sorry! Always go back to the classics for good Brits, though. Or James Herriot. _My son (age 12) has to read a biography._ Can’t go wrong with sports or music figures. If you need historical, go for war heroes - for some reason, every 12-year old boy I know is really into WWII. _You know of any good mysteries?_ LOADS! The aforementioned Anne Perry books, Robert B. Parker’s “Spenser” series, J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) “In Death” series, M.C. Beaton’s Hamish MacBeth series. Caleb Carr’s The Alienist (its follow-up, The Angel of Death is not as good.) Elizabeth Peters’ “Amelia Peabody” books. _I want to send some books to my brother. In jail._ Terry Pratchett, Elmore Leonard. _(…and the depressingly popular) recommend a book for my kid who never reads._ Already finished the Harry Potters that are out? OK, then, how about the Time Warp Trio, Artemis Fowl, Captain Underpants, Junie B. Jones, Babysitters’ Club - all depending on age, of course. The teenage set is into vampires, and Lois Lowry. Books based on TV shows they know and love are all over the place, too - Charmed, Mary-Kate & Ashley, Alias, CSI, Buffy, etc. Again, choose by age range. Animal books - a kid who is into horses (see: girls, aged 8-12) would probably like Marguerite Henry. There’s a whole series of books that I THINK are called Animal Ark - Puppies On The Porch, Kittens in the Kitchen, etc. The Dear America series, and its companion series, which I think is called American Diaries. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/17 "2005-01-28T08:50:50Z")
Teenage Boy + Science Fiction = **Robert Heinlein**. Try one of these: - Citizen of the Galaxy Have Space Suit - Will Travel Starman Jones Time for the Stars The Rolling Stones Podkayne of Mars Tunnel in the Sky Farmer in the Sky The Star Beast \* If he’s an older teen, any of the above plus: \* Double Star Starship Troopers The Door into Summer The Puppet Masters The Moon is a Harsh Mistress \* If you’re looking for something light, I recommend any of the ‘juveniles’ at the top. The bottom books are also very easy and enjoyable reads, but they cover more expansive issues or delve into characters more deeply. ---
**Author:** ![JerH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@JerH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerH)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/18 "2005-01-28T15:46:46Z")
> [@koeeoaddi](#): > > last few weeks. What would _you_ suggest to the customer who says…[ol] > [li]My teenage son loves science fiction, but I don’t have any idea what he’s read.[/li][li]I’m looking for something light.[/li][li]I want a good historical novel. I don’t care about when or where.[/li][li]My daughter needs a book by a British author for her 11th grade English class (she goes to \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Christian Academy, so no naughty bits)[/li][li]My son (age 12) has to read a biography.[/li][li]You know of any good mysteries?[/li][li]I want to send some books to my brother. In jail.[/li][li](…and the depressingly popular) recommend a book for my kid who _never reads_.[/li][/ol] 1. Then don’t buy him any - he’s probably read most of what I’d recommend. Get him a gift card. 2. _e_ by Matt Beaumont - quick read, clever, and silly. 3. If it’s a guy, the _Flashman_ series by George Macdonald Fraser. 4. I’ve gotten into Christopher Brookmyre recently - he kind of Hiaasenesque, if you like that. 5. Anything, really. 6. Lemony Snicket’s _A Series of Unfortunate Events_ ---
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/19 "2005-01-28T16:00:27Z")
Hee hee! I remember working in a bookstore, about 15 years ago. “Do you have Possession?” “Sorry, it’s on back-order.” “Do you have Bridges of Madison County?” “Sorry, it’s on back-order.” My favorite was the guy who came in looking for gift for his girlfriend. After a good minute of probing, the only clue he could offer us as to her tastes was: “She likes to read.” I forget what we gave him, but it was somthing that wasn’t flying off the shelves at the time. ---
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2005, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014/20 "2005-01-28T16:03:03Z")
I also forgot to ask: How’s your coverless paperback book collection coming along, **koeeoaddi**? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-let-me-recommend-your-favorite-books/287014.md?page=2)