Hi! My friend's favourite book is Crime and punishment, and I wanted to get her something special for her birthday. When I looked up collector's editions, I came across a "Norton critical edition," and I was wondering if that'd be a good gift? The reviews I read mostly said it was a good source for academic use. So, I guess I'm wondering if critical editions are actually enjoyable to read or if they're just good inspiration for an analytical essay? P.s. if you have other gift recommendations let me know please

For some reason this book stood out to me cause I usually go for classic who dunnits, this book relied more on the emotional and personal storytelling. I realized I didn't really care about who the murdered was (was suspecting two anyways) but more enthralled by the writing as a whole. Similar with Taken by the Flood. There was more personal relationships and romances and family involved, making them more humane than the usual suspects.

I don't know what this genre is called maybe thriller? Any books similar to these (sorry for the rambling lol)

Looking for recommendations for books set in Edinburgh.

What it says on the tin. I need a lot of examples of oxymorons in fiction for a paper I'm writing.

I've been playing a lot of psychological horror video games lately and I'm a huge fan of noir and horror in general--and a huge fan of House of Leaves, and I've noticed that I've become fascinated with a very specific...I don't know if it's a character archetype or a theme, but it's like: I notice that I've come to really enjoy and be fascinated by humanistic stories where the main protagonist whose main flaw is some sort of major ethical failure, sometimes to the point of actually being an outright monster who committed some grievous crime against others--and is either actively struggling to reclaim their better nature or spends the majority of their arc trying to run away from it and refuse to acknowledge it. Even more specifically, the thing that I've become fascinated by is where part of the horror of the work is that it manages to make the audience empathize with--or tries to, if the story is less successful--a person who is objectively by all accounts a terrible person; a monster, to reuse the terminology.

For an example of what I'm talking about, the games I've been playing lately that inspired my line of thinking were Mouthwashing's and Silent Hill 2's respective protagonists, Jimmy and James Sunderland. For literary examples, my go-to thoughts are Johnny Truant from House of Leaves (not an immoral monster per se, but definitely a hedonistic and deeply flawed human being) or Taylor Hebert from Worm, or Mersault from The Stranger. I also rather liked the narrator's characterization in Fight Club especially with regard to that story's reveal about his identity and what it says about him as a person. In animation, Bojack Horseman would probably be my first point of reference.

I'm interested in reading more stories with protagonists like these, and especially stories that happen to belong to the horror genre, if at all possible. I'm looking for something where I can look at this character at the end of their tale and marvel not only at the depths they'd managed to sink to, but also make me wonder if something's wrong with me that I was ever able to empathize with them in the first place and having that be part of the horror that I'm meant to feel as a reader. It's a very specific itch and a little vague, I know.

Would there be anyone here who might be able to recommend any books or stories that might fit that description?

But not the Myst novels. Thank you in advance ✨

Hi everyone!

I'm on the lookout for books that do more than just tell a story. I want something that makes me think, gives me new ideas, and helps me learn. Here’s what I’m hoping to find:

What I’m Looking For:

1. New Ideas & Perspectives: Books that challenge how I see things and make me think differently.
2. Rich Content: Books with interesting topics that feel deep and meaningful.
3. Affordable: My budget is 500 INR (about 6 USD), so I’d love any good, affordable suggestions.

Genre Preferences: I'm open to different types of books. Thanks in advance for your ideas—I’m excited to find some great new reads!

I love historical fiction. I'm annoyed that we don't have many good period dramas set in America from 1795-1815. (Basically regency era, but in the USA).

I'd love your best recommendations. Preferably with a male protagonist.

I'm studying A-Level history and while I can find some good historians on my Russia module such as Orlando Figes, I can't say the same for my other module which is on Britain, more specifically "Britain: Industrialisation and the people, 1783-1885". Books obviously don't need to be stuck to that guideline and can cover a shorter period of time too, as long as it's around that time period. As a bonus, if you might know of any books on Germany as well, again there is a specific time period/name for that module which is "Germany: Democracy and Nazism, 1918-1945". Though this isn't my main request as I'd imagine it to be easier to find historians and their books on this topic. For context I have researched and tried to find some books on Britain but the only one I can find is "A short History of England" by Simon Jenkins, which I'm sure will have some brief details on my time period and some context about Britain previously, but definitely not as specific Orlando Figes on Russia for example.

Independent books

Great reads, new releases

Recommended reading.

Greasy Joe's & Other Stories

do you guys have any book recs that have a similar vibe to if we were villans?

I just finished Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder and loved it. Particularly, the flow of the writing made it really easy for me to read (neurodivergent) because it felt like I was part of a verbal conversation.

Not sure if this makes sense, but hopefully someone gets what I mean! Not fussed on genre.

Thanks so much

I got a kindle recently and am blowing through books. I have some on my TBR list but none are fascinating me like my two most recent reads:

The Midnight Library In An Instant (Zanne RedFearn)

Any suggestions for something intriguing and similar in length to these two hits for me?

Previously, I have read all sorts of books without really finding a specific niche area to live in. But, I have deeply love THG series & follow those closely if that helps in any sort of way.

What I mean by 'wholesome' is closed door romance and no overly descriptive acts of violence, not wholesome as in simplified or cosy, I like a good complex book as long as I can follow what is going on

Books I enjoyed last year:

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - wholesome in terms of content, a good degree of fantasy and mystery, the main character felt real and honest and it was meaningful and relatable to me at the time I read it, I loved it

Better than the movies by Lynn Painter - I enjoyed this because it's closed door romance with interesting characters and some cute moments, but it was a bit too childish in terms of plot and therefore unrelatable (I'd rather read about characters in their early 20s who I can relate to more)

The Good Girls Guide to Murder series - I loved book 1 and book 2 because they have everything I like, wholesome romance, mystery, decent plot twists, but again I would prefer to read about early 20s rather than teenagers, I didn't enjoy book 3 because>!characters I have grown attached to committing murder DELIBERATELY is uncomfortable and I was hoping for her to actually solve something like book 1 & 2!<

Six of Crows / Crooked Kingdom - I loved the characters in this, the fantasy conflict elements and the heist elements of this. This but with adult characters but still closed door and not too descriptive violence-wise would be perfect.

TV shows and Movies I love for further reference:

Leverage, Psych, Studio Ghibli, Mob Psycho 100, SPYxFamily, Miss Night and Day (Kdrama), Mad for Each Other (Kdrama), The Bad Guys (kids movie)

Other topics that interest me:
Mental Health (Not depression though as reading about depressed characters can influence me towards that way of thinking, but something like schizophrenia or a personality disorder would be interesting as long as it's not misrepresented, for example I love 'Mad for Each Other' which is a kdrama that has one character dealing with anger issues and the other with OCD and anxiety, but presented in a compassionate way and how love can work through it all which is pretty wholesome)

Characters with a unique ability (When I was 15, my favourite book was 'Every Day' by David Levithan, which I think I liked (I dont remember exactly) because of the unique ability of 'A' to change body every day, I love mob psycho because mob has a weird ability to repel spirits, I love Miss Night and Day because the main actress is given the ability to solve crime but as an old lady when she's really in her 30s, you get the point haha)

I am in a very fickle book slump, and it's driving me a bit mad. My favorite movie is "The Lost Boys," and I really want to read something like it, but I can't seem to find anything similar (or if it is similar, it tends to be a bad knock-off). I also really love the Vampire Diaries Tv show, especially because of Damon (chaos, sarcasm, and romance -- what's not to love?) and the horror elements. I recently watched The Changing of Wolves horror film, and I thought it was great -- especially the end when Rosaleen and The Hunter discuss whether he belongs to the wolves or to the humans.

So, I guess what I'm asking is: Are there any books that have horror elements like The Lost Boys, but have a little romance as well (in a way that is crucial to the plot, like Star is in The Lost Boys)? It can be vampires, werewolves, etc.

This is my first time truly venturing out of the fantasy novel genre, so I could really use some recommendations!

WHAT BOOKS ARE THE MOST ROMANTIC OF TH ROMANCE GENRE GIVE ME ALL THE CUTE CHEESY SHIT 💖 SMUT IS FINE BUT IF IT HAS AFTERCARE EVEN BETTER!!!! I LOVE LOVE 💞💗💘💖💞

I love Fun Home by Alison Bechdel and My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness by Nagata Kabi (as well as Nagata Kabis other autobiographical mangas.) I like the linear storytelling that is completely autobiographical (if anything slightly embellished for storytelling purposes.)

I believe I’d also enjoy non-fiction lesbian autobiographies without drawings as well.

Thanks so much.

I am a fast reader so I blow through TBR piles faster than I can buy them. I am a romance books, a history buff, I like fiction and non fiction and I’m trying to look for new books to add to my library. I think every reader has that ONE TITLE that made them feel the most, obsess over it, cry, laugh. For me, it would be The Love that Broke the World by Emily Henry. It's odd, for I have read much more elaborated and researched book, maybe even better writing but this beautiful light romance story tore my heart in half. It's just one I couldn't forget. So please, tell me your ‘the one’ no matter the type . Can’t wait to read❤️

Just wondering if anyone knows of an english translation of 광인 by 이혁진? It would be much easier for me than the korean version lol

Tom Lucitor and star butterfly should been together and I need a book with a relationship like them

Ive been searching for what feels like a really long time for a book (or multiple books) with a specific storyline/idea. I enjoy a lot of japanese literature as well as stuff like japanese urban legends and such and recently played a game called "aka manto" which is basically just about a haunted school and now im desperate for a japanese novel circled around a haunted school. Does anybody know of anything like this?

I really want to read The Broken Earth Trilogy by N. k. Jemisin and The Priory of the Orange Tree and A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon but I'm not sure if I should read them in English or in Spanish (my native language).

I usually prefer to read books in their original language if possible (they're also cheaper, usually) but since those are fantasy I'm a bit nervous if maybe it will take away from the experience and make them a bit harder/slower to read, since world building and settings descriptions sometimes use complex vocabulary.

To set up a couple examples: I read This is How You Lose The Time War, it was definitely hard to understand when it came to all the world descriptions, especially since it leans more towards science fiction but I think it was just fine (the letters truly made it for me). I recently read Six of Crows which I highly enjoyed and I'm currently reading Crooked Kingdom, I can understand them just fine, maybe I'll have to look up a few words here and there but it doesn't take away from my experience at all.

Based on that do you think I could read them in English or it would be better to buy the translated copies?

Hello! To keep things short; I’m a white author writing a novel featuring a black character in the main ensemble. Being white, I have very minimal experience and knowledge of black hair (texture, care, style, etc), but I want to be able to describe her accurately.

Does anyone know of any good books that teach about black hair, the different types, styles, basic care, etc? It would also be incredibly useful for information about how not to describe black hair. The last thing I want to do is be offensive!

Needs to be written by a black author, I want my information coming from an authentic source.

Thank you!

• I may cross-post this in other subs

Book that can help with life crisis?

hello! i am looking for a book that will teach me all about love, and explore the complexity of human relationships :’)

something that can perhaps answer these questions i have:

• what is love if not embracing the sharp edges of a person. do you truly love something if you don’t accept the ugly parts of it?

• does love hurt as much as love heals? can love be as ugly as it is beautiful?

• can love can be the root of uglier emotions, or is it obsession. where do we draw the line? what truly is love?

• when something hurts us, it only hurts us because we value it so deeply. when we feel lonely, we only feel it so deep in our bones after we know what true connection is.

• can love sometimes make way to the worst of you just as much as it can make way to the best of you — e.g. when our loved one is hurt, how are we to sit and not seethe in rage?

• is it true that love has never been about possession? but when we love something you think it’s mine to care for, mine to tend to, mine to love. so can love take root in jealousy?

• to love is not to mutually destroy, but when you love do you let yourself be ruined? when does it become too much?

• how much of a person do i hold for it to be love?

i would prefer for the writing of the book to be beautiful and heartfelt.

a book i like so far since starting on is “all about love” by bell hooks.

recommendations can be fiction or non fiction. i enjoy romance stories with complex characters. i am a huge fan of japanese literature.

Give me your best book recommendations that focus on mermaids

Im looking for dark romance smut books i can listen to with audible plus. If you have ever read haunting Adeline or little stranger, i wanna stay in close range to those type of books. Im open to any suggestions in the category tho I’m not really picky. Any help is appreciated!!!

Hi!

My long distance bestie’s birthday is coming up, and recently she came to visit me and I got her back into reading. I was thinking for her birthday I would read a book, annotate the margins w/ my thoughts and comments, and then send it to her to read. I thought it would be a cute/sweet way to “read the book together” and also be a sentimental gift.

SO! Apologizes if this is the wrong place to ask! I was wondering if there were any good book recommendations, clean close door romance or fun mystery novels that anyone could suggest?

Thank you in advance :)

Looking to read a really great horror novel before Halloween. Any recommendations?

Preferences: Not looking for anything gross but can have moments Generally like mysterious horror Slashers/campy novels are always fun too!

I like a pretty wide variety, so whatever is recommended, I'll add to my list and pick one to read over the next few days.

Thank you!