I read almost exclusively fantasy and sci fi. Here’s a few favourites.

Sci fi: Red Rising Trilogy Bobiverse The Martian and Project Hail Mary

Fantasy: The First Law Trilogy (my absolute favourite of everything I’ve read) Brandon Sanderson (literally any of his stuff. If you’re looking for a trilogy, start with Mistborn and if a stand alone, Warbreaker). Don’t be overwhelmed by his Cosmere world, if you only read mistborn era 1 it wraps up in a nice bow. Robin Hobbs first trilogy is a nice introduction to her series. If you don’t love it it wraps up nicely after the first trilogy.

Dystopian: Unwound by Neal Schusterman Arc of the Scythe by Neal Schusterman

Here’s some I have even reread.

• The chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever. By Stephen R. Donaldson. 10 books
• The Galactic Center Saga by Gregory Benford. 6 books
• The Culture Series by Iain M. Banks 10 books
• LOTR

Love the Murderbot series too.

A Short History of Chinese Philosophy by Fung Yu-Lan. I spent pretty much all of my time off work reading it. I found it insanely interesting since I knew almost nothing about Chinese philosophy, and the book is written specifically for people like that. The way their schools of thought developed through the ages and were influenced by each other constantly as one became dominant was very fascinating.

End of the World running club. As someone the UK the concept of a massive apocalyptic event set in the uk was intriguing. I loved the book.

Also Sphere by Michael Crichton. In my own head canon, I seem to recall reading this in one sitting over a single night I was doing an all nighter. It was just super gripping!

My favorite book that I read in one sitting (though not hard to do because it’s so short) is The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman… made me cry with its beauty!

My two favorites so far this year are Babel by RF Kuang and The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings

Here’s some I have even reread.

• The chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever. By Stephen R. Donaldson. 10 books
• The Galactic Center Saga by Gregory Benford. 6 books
• The Culture Series by Iain M. Banks 10 books
• LOTR

Love the Murderbot series too.

Hyperion Cantos -Dan Simmons Cryptonomicon - Neal Stephenson A deepness in the sly - Vernor Vinge Insane City - Dave Barry Where Eagles Dare by Alistair MacLean.

For some chill, positive vibes that had me up rather too late flipping pages, I’d recommend either or both of:

• Legends & Lattes - Travis Baldree
• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches - Sangu Mandanna

They’re basically the novel version of a slice of life comic/manga. L&L is more high fantasy, while Very Secret Society is here on Earth if witches were real. It feels like there’s a sub-genre of these kinds of stories popping up post pandemic and I’m all for it.

For something more action-packed, this one was incredibly engaging:

• The Blacktongue Thief - Christopher Buehlman

This is a hot take, but Street Lawyer, by John Grisham.

I’m actually reading a book like right now, The Bourne Identity, it’s phenomenal!

It’s probably been said, and is not exactly a hidden gem, but 1984 is something special. I read an excerpt of the first chapter and was hooked.

Imajica by Clive Barker.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Susanna Clark

• Piranesi
• The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories

Vonnegut

• Cat’s cradle
• Slaughterhouse Five

Douglas Adams

• literally anything he ever wrote

Mark Haddon

• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Margaret Atwood

• Oryx and Crake

Ursula K. Le Guin

• The Lathe of Heaven

edit: formatting

A few books that kept me captivated recently

• Blindsight by Peter Watts https://www.rifters.com/real/Blindsight.htm
• Doors of Sleep by Tim Pratt
• Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
• Edges by Linda Nagata
• Mickey7 Ashton, Edward
• Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells