First time reader looking for specific series. Please help!

magicalfatcat · 05-03-2016, 06:05 PM

Hello all! If someone can please help me with a specific type of series Im looking for, I would be so grateful!

I have never read a book for fun. Im 26 now and have always wanted to be able to say I like to read. I want to be able to, but Ive never found something that looks like it would resonated with me, and I know I need something that is easier to read. I bought GoT seroes after watching the show, but I couldn't get past the first chapter. I've thought about it though and what I think I would like, is something where I can easily relate to the character.

- Protagonist is male

- Protagonist is more on the shy/introverted side and is nice/has good intentions

- Something happens to protagonist that makes him want to make a positive change in himself and/or the world or some people

- Some romance

- Some suspense

- Setting is contemporary (or starts off contemporary, since I do like fantasy)

I know these might be somewhat vague bullet points, but if a book/series does come to someone's head when seeing these, I would be so so thankful. Thank you!

Dazrin · 05-03-2016, 08:00 PM

Welcome!

Have you tried reading Harry Potter? They are aimed for a younger audience (although you would have been a prime target growing up) but hit many of your points and are very accessible. MANY people have found them to be the "gateway drug" to reading and are very good even if you have seen the movies first.

Brandon Sanderson's Reckoner's series may also fit fairly well, starting with Steelheart.

Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series maybe? I haven't read it all though.

Jim Butcher's Dresden Files could be another good series for you, some here LOVE it (see that thread) but I haven't personally finished it all (sorry Alan!)

When I was first starting reading Fantasy was my go-to genre (still is a lot of the time) and I started with things like The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, Terry Brooks' Shannara series, Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, lots of Forgotten Realms books (Drizzt mostly), etc. None of those are in a contemporary setting though (although I enjoyed the Magic Kingdom For Sale: Sold series by Terry Brooks which starts contemporary.)

Your list hits several typical YA (young adult) themes so you might try looking around for other YA books. Since they are intended for young adults they are generally more accessible than books like Game of Thrones for someone who hasn't grown up reading a lot.

eschwartz · 05-03-2016, 09:14 PM

I will second Dazrin's suggestions, and add:

Cinda Williams Chima's Heir Chronicles series,
Jon Skovron's Man Made Boy,
Hohn Hulme & Michael Wexler's The Seems series,
Diane Duane's Young Wizards series, (not really romantic though, but still excellent. Make sure to get the New Millennium Edition if you decide to read this!)

...

Game of Thrones

that's like learning how to swim by getting thrown into the deep end. IF you survive the experience, you will graduate as a reader, but I wouldn't advise it...

cadele · 05-04-2016, 06:32 AM

Welcome magicalfatcat to Mobileread!

Except for the contemporary setting, you might like the fantasy series The Belgariad by David Eddings. The first book is Pawn Of Prophecy.

darryl · 05-04-2016, 06:45 AM

Except for the contemporary requirement, you could do worse than John Christopher's Tripod series. Very easy reading, good fast moving story.

http://www.amazon.com/Tripods-Collec...sap_bc?ie=UTF8

magicalfatcat · 05-04-2016, 03:08 PM

Thank you guys so much Dazrin, eschwartz, cadele and darryl! Ive searched a bit on a few of them and they look promising! Im excited!

Cinisajoy · 05-04-2016, 03:34 PM

Welcome to the wonderful world of reading.

eschwartz · 05-04-2016, 04:51 PM

Happy to help.

Remember to read the summaries/reviews of a book before you buy it, don't commit to buying a whole series before you read the first book, and take advantage of the beginning-of-the-book free sample offered by Amazon (and possibly other retailers) to try to see if you enjoy the writing!

darryl · 05-04-2016, 09:29 PM

We're hoping to get you hooked of course. As far as addictions go reading is one of the best to succumb to. Whilst I understand the reason people don't read it saddens me because they miss out on so much. A good friend of mine will often rave over a movie to which my response is quite often "the book was better". Which is then followed by a discussion of some of the worthwhile aspects of the book which did not make the movie.

Please let us know how you go.

05-03-2016, 06:05 PM	#1
magicalfatcat Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2016 Device: Kindle Fire HD 7	First time reader looking for specific series. Please help! Hello all! If someone can please help me with a specific type of series Im looking for, I would be so grateful! I have never read a book for fun. Im 26 now and have always wanted to be able to say I like to read. I want to be able to, but Ive never found something that looks like it would resonated with me, and I know I need something that is easier to read. I bought GoT seroes after watching the show, but I couldn't get past the first chapter. I've thought about it though and what I think I would like, is something where I can easily relate to the character. - Protagonist is male - Protagonist is more on the shy/introverted side and is nice/has good intentions - Something happens to protagonist that makes him want to make a positive change in himself and/or the world or some people - Some romance - Some suspense - Setting is contemporary (or starts off contemporary, since I do like fantasy) I know these might be somewhat vague bullet points, but if a book/series does come to someone's head when seeing these, I would be so so thankful. Thank you!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Which reader to buy with some specific wishes	MiniMouse	Which one should I buy?	2	10-23-2013 07:32 PM
How to go to a specific page # in Moon+ Reader Pro?	THenrich	Android Devices	4	07-21-2013 01:52 PM
Pdf Reader For specific document	Nenirevah	Which one should I buy?	6	05-05-2011 09:27 PM
UK Reader looking for an eReader with specific file support	ragados	Which one should I buy?	10	12-30-2010 05:48 AM

05-03-2016, 08:00 PM	#2
Dazrin Wizard Posts: 2,631 Karma: 73864785 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: PDXish Device: Kindle Voyage, various Android devices	Welcome! Have you tried reading Harry Potter? They are aimed for a younger audience (although you would have been a prime target growing up) but hit many of your points and are very accessible. MANY people have found them to be the "gateway drug" to reading and are very good even if you have seen the movies first. Brandon Sanderson's Reckoner's series may also fit fairly well, starting with Steelheart. Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series maybe? I haven't read it all though. Jim Butcher's Dresden Files could be another good series for you, some here LOVE it (see that thread) but I haven't personally finished it all (sorry Alan!) When I was first starting reading Fantasy was my go-to genre (still is a lot of the time) and I started with things like The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, Terry Brooks' Shannara series, Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, lots of Forgotten Realms books (Drizzt mostly), etc. None of those are in a contemporary setting though (although I enjoyed the Magic Kingdom For Sale: Sold series by Terry Brooks which starts contemporary.) Your list hits several typical YA (young adult) themes so you might try looking around for other YA books. Since they are intended for young adults they are generally more accessible than books like Game of Thrones for someone who hasn't grown up reading a lot.

05-03-2016, 09:14 PM	#3
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,422 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	I will second Dazrin's suggestions, and add: Cinda Williams Chima's Heir Chronicles series, Jon Skovron's Man Made Boy, Hohn Hulme & Michael Wexler's The Seems series, Diane Duane's Young Wizards series, (not really romantic though, but still excellent. Make sure to get the New Millennium Edition if you decide to read this!) ... Game of Thrones that's like learning how to swim by getting thrown into the deep end. IF you survive the experience, you will graduate as a reader, but I wouldn't advise it...

05-04-2016, 06:32 AM	#4
cadele Addict Posts: 372 Karma: 3710372 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: Kindles, Sony 650	Welcome magicalfatcat to Mobileread! Except for the contemporary setting, you might like the fantasy series The Belgariad by David Eddings. The first book is Pawn Of Prophecy.

05-04-2016, 06:45 AM	#5
darryl Wizard Posts: 3,108 Karma: 60231510 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O, Kindle Oasis, Huwei Ascend Mate 7	Except for the contemporary requirement, you could do worse than John Christopher's Tripod series. Very easy reading, good fast moving story. http://www.amazon.com/Tripods-Collec...sap_bc?ie=UTF8

05-04-2016, 03:08 PM	#6
magicalfatcat Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2016 Device: Kindle Fire HD 7	Thank you guys so much Dazrin, eschwartz, cadele and darryl! Ive searched a bit on a few of them and they look promising! Im excited!

05-04-2016, 03:34 PM	#7
Cinisajoy Just a Yellow Smiley. Posts: 19,161 Karma: 83862859 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas Device: K4, K5, fire, kobo, galaxy	Welcome to the wonderful world of reading.

05-04-2016, 04:51 PM	#8
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,422 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Happy to help. Remember to read the summaries/reviews of a book before you buy it, don't commit to buying a whole series before you read the first book, and take advantage of the beginning-of-the-book free sample offered by Amazon (and possibly other retailers) to try to see if you enjoy the writing!

05-04-2016, 09:29 PM	#9
darryl Wizard Posts: 3,108 Karma: 60231510 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O, Kindle Oasis, Huwei Ascend Mate 7	We're hoping to get you hooked of course. As far as addictions go reading is one of the best to succumb to. Whilst I understand the reason people don't read it saddens me because they miss out on so much. A good friend of mine will often rave over a movie to which my response is quite often "the book was better". Which is then followed by a discussion of some of the worthwhile aspects of the book which did not make the movie. Please let us know how you go.

Advert

Advert