Literary Classics & Library

Sometimes a book finds you at the wrong time. You read it in your 30s, 40s, or later, and can't help but wonder how things might've turned out if you'd found it sooner. So what's a book you wish had reached you earlier, one you wish you'd read in your 20s, 30s, 40s, whatever age would've made the difference? (Not necessarily your 20s, it could be your 30s, 40s, or later, or just some period in your life that could've benefited from it) And what age do you think would've been the right one?

I’m looking for a fiction book where the main character is a mom, but that’s not the only focus of the book. Thank you!

My book club functions by reading a different genre every month. I curate the options (typically 4-8) because I'm the most avid reader of the group and the other members vote one which one they want. Our "genre" for September is Indigenous fiction (and before you get on me for that not being a genre, we also do queer fiction in June so we read any book regardless of genre with queer characters).

Now my problem is that I do not have enough Indigenous fiction on my TBR to vote from. Originally it would have included Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese (which still will be one of the options) and Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Steven Graham Jones, but the latter I read as a buddy read recently so can't be included in the list. Regardless, I need at least 3 more recommendations.

The requirements for our definition of "Indigenous Fiction" include:

- Written by an Indigenous Author

- About Indigenous people/topics

-Ideally Indigenous to North America since we're Canadian, but open to any region*

Please do what you do best r/suggestmeabook and save my book club!

I’m in a funk and need to read something that is lighthearted but not “fluffy”. Nothing wrong with fluff but that’s just not what I’m looking for. I tend to read books on the depressing side (dystopian fiction, historical conflicts and tragedies, etc) and I don’t think that’s good for my mental health right now.

Here are some things I’m looking for/not looking for:
- fiction or nonfiction is fine
- no memoirs
- cool with short story collections or novels
- nothing to do with violence, mental illness, depressing history, etc
- no YA
- no manga or similar
- romance is fine but I’d prefer that it not be the overall plot line (I’m not looking for “spicy” reads lol)
- lighthearted/humorous but not too simplistic
- no self-improvement/inspirational/religious subjects (unless it’s something like “The Year of Living Biblically”)

I know this is a lot to include so I appreciate any suggestions close enough! TIA!

I read a lot of American history books, but I recently remembered I enjoy good satire, too (Mark Twain is one of my favorite authors). I want to expand into that genre. Recently read Vonnegut's "Cat's Cradle", which was fine, but I'd like more. Any recommendations?

I want a story about a woman with an appetite. I don’t want someone who is dealing with binge eating disorder or bulimia, or using over-eating as a form of self harm. I genuinely want a main character who loves food and isn’t ashamed of it

My Dearest Friends,

Are you a cat in heat after reading this?

Apologies. I am not going to summarize this section. It mirrors the first half of the Morning Glory Milking Farm from Rourke's POV. That discussion is linked Here. I think you’ve got it! So let’s stop edging and get right to the discussion.

Schedule

Would love any suggestions on this topic! Whether it's an autobiography, self help, etc. 34 years old woman and just diagnosed and would love to feel less alone!

I've read so much at this point that I genuinely can't find anything fresh anymore. Everything people recommend I've either already read or it sounds like something I've read. I want something truly niche, unexpected, the kind of book nobody talks about but should. Help me out.

Since a few of you asked, I usually dig through Knosit to find niche stuff (https://knosit.com/books).

Most of my reading has been either non-fiction (biographies and such) or technical reading (lots of engineering manuals and things of that nature). I have read a few fiction books, mostly ones that were made into movies (because I was very into movies and wanted to read the books). Those would include… High Fidelity, 2001: A Space Odyssey, No Country for Old Men, The Godfather. Loved them all.

I’m interesting in getting into reading and discovering a lot of the classics…But I don’t even know where to start. What, say, five (or even 10) books would you recommend to someone to get them started into the world of fictional literature?

Thanks

I’m usually a romance reader, but have recently flown through ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ and ‘What Rhymes With Murder?’, and have really enjoyed both of them. I’m after book recommendations of a similar style: think ‘cosy’ murder mystery, definitely nothing too scary, but where I get to also try solve the murder, and nice to haves are nice side storylines and character development. Also think The Thursday Murder Club kind of vibe! lmk if you have any suggestions

Hi! I read a lot of very heavy books. I am in a bit of a reading slump now and i want a fun and light book. Thank you for any recommendations!🥰 sorry if i write anything wrong, english is not my first language..

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for books (in English or Spanish) about the different peoples and cultures within the Russian Federation.

I'm not so much interested in books that focus solely on ethnic Russians, but rather on the many other ethnic groups that make up Russia. I'd love to learn more about their history, cultures, religions, languages, traditions, and how they fit into the broader history of the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and modern Russia.

I'm especially interested in groups such as Tatars, Bashkirs, Chuvash, Mari, Udmurts, Komis, Karelians, Mordvins (Erzya and Moksha), Buryats, Tuvans, Yakuts (Sakha), Kalmyks, Khakas, Altaians, Nenets, Khanty, Mansi, Evenks, Chukchi, Nivkhs, the peoples of the North Caucasus (Chechens, Ingush, Avars, Circassians, Ossetians, Lezgins, etc.), the indigenous peoples of Siberia and the Russian Far East, and other lesser-known communities.

I'm open to pretty much anything:

• academic books
• accessible nonfiction
• ethnographies
• history
• cultural studies
• regional overviews
• atlases or encyclopedic reference works

I'd especially appreciate books that take a broad look at Russia as a multiethnic state rather than focusing on a single group.

I'm also happy to receive recommendations for historical literature (fiction) if it's well researched and offers a good portrayal of any of these peoples or regions.

Bonus points if the book includes maps, illustrations, or discusses Russia's federal republics and autonomous regions.

Thanks in advance!

Where can I read a lot of this? I want great literary minds writing in detail about other great works of literature, they analyse, expound, dissect, sing praises and fanboy over their favourite writers and works. I want to know how differently a far superior mind reads and interprets literature than when I read them.

The best example I can think of is W.G Sebald's A Place in the Country where he writes about six different writers/poets. There's also Borges' Selected Non-fictions which contains his thoughts and reviews on different works. If you know any other such examples please recommend, the more in depth and detailed the better

We have already read some stuff about him last year, when we read the Iliad. But aren't you excited to find out more about his story?

We will be reading The Aeneid starting in August as a continuation of our journey in classic epic poems! So get your copy ready, spend a few weeks worrying about finding the perfect translation (unless you want to give it a try in Latin!) and stay tuned for a Schedule which will appear soon!

Will you join us in this literally epic journey?

If you want to check out the other discussions

• The Iliad
• The Odyssey

I need a book thatll educate me on the currect state of the world and help me form my own opinions about politics because I seriously dont have a clue about politics and Id like to become more educated so Im not so ignorant.

Do we have a definitive answer on Shakespeare beliefs? Devout Protestant? Secret Catholic or Just a atheist pretending ?

I'm new to this, so I want to know where I can start. You can recommend me anything that is travelogue, I am deeply curious what's happening in the world though their lenses outside of the internet. Thank you so much for those who rec. me