Books for a 20 year old jumping back in

[Celoost]

Hi! I’ve been thinking that I want to start reading again. The problem is I don’t know where to pick up. The last book I read for pleasure was Four (Divergent). Around that time I read The Hunger Games trilogy, all four Divergent books, John Green books, and Harry Potter. I know I liked young adult books in middle school but I’m in college now so I need something new. I just turned 20 and am at a weird phase in literature ages. I’m not old enough for books about relationship issues, mortgages, and don’t really want a book that is too serious because I see books as an escape from everyday life. I also feel like I’m too old for most young adult books where the protagonist is 16, whines a lot, and makes poor decisions. Since I haven’t read in so long I will need something that can grab and keep my attention. The best part of a story for me is connecting to characters. Some of my favorite book characters (to give you an idea of what I’m looking for) are: Dallas Winston (the outsiders), Draco Malfoy, Finnick O’Dair, Tobias Eaton… kind of the “pretty, bad boy”. I’m reading Percy Jackson aloud with my family right now. I don’t like books like the ones you have to read for school, where the sentences are run on and the words are long and outdated. I also don’t like books written in dialect. TIA for the suggestions.

[gali]

What genres do you like?

I recommend the Magisterium series by Holly Black and Cassandra Clar, The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer, books by Leigh Bardugo. You can also try "Watchers" by Dean Koontz, the "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline, and "Old man's war" by John Scalzi, and "The Martian" by Andy Weir. I loved those books!

[redknitcapgirl]

You seem to like fantasy and dystopian so I recommend Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, Gone Girl and Dark Places by Gillian Flynn, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. Gillian Flynn's and Agatha Christie's novels are more mystery and suspense. I figured that might grab your attention.

[Gravy]

Hi! I’ve been thinking that I want to start reading again. The problem is I don’t know where to pick up. The last book I read for pleasure was Four (Divergent). Around that time I read The Hunger Games trilogy, all four Divergent books, John Green books, and Harry Potter. I know I liked young adult books in middle school but I’m in college now so I need something new. I just turned 20 and am at a weird phase in literature ages. I’m not old enough for books about relationship issues, mortgages, and don’t really want a book that is too serious because I see books as an escape from everyday life. I also feel like I’m too old for most young adult books where the protagonist is 16, whines a lot, and makes poor decisions. Since I haven’t read in so long I will need something that can grab and keep my attention. The best part of a story for me is connecting to characters. Some of my favorite book characters (to give you an idea of what I’m looking for) are: Dallas Winston (the outsiders), Draco Malfoy, Finnick O’Dair, Tobias Eaton… kind of the “pretty, bad boy”. I’m reading Percy Jackson aloud with my family right now. I don’t like books like the ones you have to read for school, where the sentences are run on and the words are long and outdated. I also don’t like books written in dialect. TIA for the suggestions.

I am a broken record for recommending Seanan McGuire, but there is a very good reason for that...
She's awesome.

But seriously, her Wayward Children series is a good introduction to her (vast) catalogue of works.
The books are technically YA, but they're not your typical YA. They're also novellas, so you're not committing to a 300 page book.


If you'd rather go older...
Her Toby Daye or InCryptid series are both great (though, I'm partial to Toby).


This, of course, is if you enjoy fantasy, especially those with LGBTQ+ elements (Toby takes a little while for it to show up, but it does!)

She also writes horror (under the name Mira Grant).



I mostly lean towards fantasy and paranormal romance (I get enough reality in the real world, thank you very much ), but will try to rec something more to your tastes, if this isn't up your alley.

[Zion Mesa]

You might enjoy the circle series by Ted Dekker. It's well written and has a unique concept to it. Deals with action fantasy and time travel paradox things.

[Michael Adam Glidden Forteski]

I think you ought to give Skyward by Brandon Sanderson a shot. It is fast-paced, has great dialogue, and the characters alll have their grey and black flaws. I loved it.