Suominatua
New Member
Apologies. I'm a picky reader. That said, I'm not even sure what I want...
So, maybe I can just tell you what I liked about some books, and disliked about them in a random fashion, and you might get a feel for something?
The Man in the High Castle- Loved the world relations, but it wasn't a memorable book. Good ending, but not something I'd read when I want something more actiony.
Atlas Shrugged - Love the feel of the world she built, though the ending was a bit lackadaisical for me after the explosions (which were good). Not a huge fan of her philosophy shoving, but it makes the story so it was tolerable.
The Zombie Survival Guide - Thinking back, I don't have much criticism. I heavily enjoyed it. Keep in mind, I didn't enjoy it for the zombies, but the effects. After all, it's not written like a traditional zombie book. The term 'World Building' comes to mind.
1984 - A favorite from school, I wrote 4 papers on it, one of which won me an award. The subtle nuances of the book can be read over and over, and yet, even the overarching plot lines flow well. I must admit, however, I am a sucker for happy endings, so even though I realize this book would never work with one, I can't help but ask you avoid downer endings XD
Ender's Game - Uniquely written, and I'm a space sci-fi buff, so the fact this book does well with all the aspects without focusing on them made me happy. Careful with the space genre around me though, as I actually am in this field so I can be unfortunately critical.
Raise the Titanic - I read quite a few of the Dirk Pitt series, but what sticks with me the most is the flow of technology and history mixed together. Unfortunately, I tired of the later books as they all seemed to be cookie cutter stories.
Prey - Relatively few complaints. Obviously this book is meant as an isolated incident, but I do wish maybe we'd have seen some other settings, or perhaps a larger place than the isolated factory. Still the story only worked within that framework.
Harry Potter Series - A bit young for my tastes, but what the writing lacked in description I could make up in my head from the movies I had already seen. The combination of movie descriptions and thicker plot in comparison might be the only reason I really cared for it.
Old Man's War Series - I appreciated the sci-fi aspects and the morally grey situations, though the lack of conclusive endings to the major plot elements within the frame of the same character was tiring. Realistic, of course, but who doesn't want the lead to be the one to end it all. Oh, I did like the Romance addition though. Slight happy romance in a book improves it, to me, by at least 10%.
Scarecrow by Matthew Reilly - I liked the others in the series, but this is the one I've re-read. Admittedly, it goes a bit out of realism at points, but the author writes it in so well that you believe it enough in the moment.
I got on here to look for something similar to the Harry Potter Series, but I realized later I didn't even care THAT much for it, especially after searching for books similar and finding nothing but boring (apologies if you like this kind of book) generic magic fantasy books for young adults suggested.
I will attempt to describe a book I appreciate by genre:
Action, 'epic scale', hard-sci fi or well thought up magic, Dark at points, and with a Drop of Romance (with a happy ending)
^^^^This is by no means a requirement list, just sort of a genre feel of sorts for my interests.
Think you can help me and my convoluted pickiness?
So, maybe I can just tell you what I liked about some books, and disliked about them in a random fashion, and you might get a feel for something?
The Man in the High Castle- Loved the world relations, but it wasn't a memorable book. Good ending, but not something I'd read when I want something more actiony.
Atlas Shrugged - Love the feel of the world she built, though the ending was a bit lackadaisical for me after the explosions (which were good). Not a huge fan of her philosophy shoving, but it makes the story so it was tolerable.
The Zombie Survival Guide - Thinking back, I don't have much criticism. I heavily enjoyed it. Keep in mind, I didn't enjoy it for the zombies, but the effects. After all, it's not written like a traditional zombie book. The term 'World Building' comes to mind.
1984 - A favorite from school, I wrote 4 papers on it, one of which won me an award. The subtle nuances of the book can be read over and over, and yet, even the overarching plot lines flow well. I must admit, however, I am a sucker for happy endings, so even though I realize this book would never work with one, I can't help but ask you avoid downer endings XD
Ender's Game - Uniquely written, and I'm a space sci-fi buff, so the fact this book does well with all the aspects without focusing on them made me happy. Careful with the space genre around me though, as I actually am in this field so I can be unfortunately critical.
Raise the Titanic - I read quite a few of the Dirk Pitt series, but what sticks with me the most is the flow of technology and history mixed together. Unfortunately, I tired of the later books as they all seemed to be cookie cutter stories.
Prey - Relatively few complaints. Obviously this book is meant as an isolated incident, but I do wish maybe we'd have seen some other settings, or perhaps a larger place than the isolated factory. Still the story only worked within that framework.
Harry Potter Series - A bit young for my tastes, but what the writing lacked in description I could make up in my head from the movies I had already seen. The combination of movie descriptions and thicker plot in comparison might be the only reason I really cared for it.
Old Man's War Series - I appreciated the sci-fi aspects and the morally grey situations, though the lack of conclusive endings to the major plot elements within the frame of the same character was tiring. Realistic, of course, but who doesn't want the lead to be the one to end it all. Oh, I did like the Romance addition though. Slight happy romance in a book improves it, to me, by at least 10%.
Scarecrow by Matthew Reilly - I liked the others in the series, but this is the one I've re-read. Admittedly, it goes a bit out of realism at points, but the author writes it in so well that you believe it enough in the moment.
I got on here to look for something similar to the Harry Potter Series, but I realized later I didn't even care THAT much for it, especially after searching for books similar and finding nothing but boring (apologies if you like this kind of book) generic magic fantasy books for young adults suggested.
I will attempt to describe a book I appreciate by genre:
Action, 'epic scale', hard-sci fi or well thought up magic, Dark at points, and with a Drop of Romance (with a happy ending)
^^^^This is by no means a requirement list, just sort of a genre feel of sorts for my interests.
Think you can help me and my convoluted pickiness?
Last edited:
