Hello,
My husband has expressed some interest in starting to read a book, he has not really been into reading since we have been together. So I wanted to get him one for Xmas...but I need help finding something that will really get his interest, I want him to enjoy reading like I do and am looking for a great action, fiction book. I am not really sure what he will like but he really likes action, lord of the rings type movies so I thought a book like that might be good. Any recommendations would be appreciated, even if it's not action and you know a great book to read for a first timer.
Thanks in advance.
My husband says the same thing all the time and I tried buying sports themed books since that is his interest, and they just sit on shelves. The one book that he's read in the past few years that hasn't been a text book or college related is "Bringing Down the House". It's about the MIT graduates who counted cards in Vegas. He loved reading about how they were able to "cheat" Vegas. He loved the strategy portion of it.
The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit - Tolkien
The Wheel of Time - Robert Jordan
Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
Harry Potter Series - JK Rowling
Percy Jackson and the Olypians Series - Rick Riordan (yes, it's for kids, but it's a quick read and might be a great intro to reading. My hubby and I both loved this series)
Dragonlance Novels - various authors
Anything by Shephen King
My husband likes the Angels & Demons and the Da Vinci Code. He really enjoyed the Harry Potter series (much better than the movies). There are a ton of Sci-fi fantasy books out there...I'm sure you will get some great recommendations in the responses...
my now husband couldn't put down Bourne Identity at the time.
The "Master & Commander" books are supposed to be really good, by Patrick O'Brian. My DH flew through those.
A lot of people really like the Tom Clancy books featuring the Jack Ryan character (Clear And Present Danger; Patriot Games; The Hunt For Red October, etc.).
If he likes LOR, he might like The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay, or Tigana, another title by him.
You might stop by the bookstore or library, and share the info with the librarian or bookstore helper there--they may be able to do a search on those items and find them.
Edited to add: The Fionavar Tapestry is the name of the trilogy, not the name of one book. :) I also 2nd the Harry Potter books.
Hmmmmm.....where to start out the non-reader? My husband is a manager at a book store- he would be able to answer this a lot better- so I will just tell you some of the authors he likes to read. Mainly in Sci-Fi and Fantasy- George RR Martin is his favorite (it is a pretty big series- so just the first book for now!) but he can get pretty graphic- I can't read his novels but I love his short stories. Robin Hobbs- Assassins Apprentice, is a great book that my husband and I both loved- full of adventure(I think I would start off there) Stephen Donaldson has some great books also and his short stories are just amazing! I would start out with Donaldson's short stories before getting into his books to see if you like his writing style. Robert Jorden is pretty good- his is a long series also and the first 3 or 4 books are way better than the later ones.
Although I really enjoyed The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings- I think the books are a little too wordy if you are just trying to get back into reading- there is some great action, but a lot of "nothing is happening" here also.
There are also books published every year with different Sci-Fi/Fantasy authors and their short stories. Those usually have some good writing in them also- some bad writing too- so it is hit and miss. I love the short stories books though. Find some Martin and Donaldson- and if your husband doesn't' like them- you can always read them!
If all else fails- go to a book store and ask someone who works there. They should be able to give you some great suggestions.
~C.
If he is into fantasy like the Hobbit (which is a great book!), you could check into the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. It is exciting, and really keeps you interested.
What about a graphic novel? My husband LOVED "Watchmen." This might be a great way to get back into reading!
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and his other two books.
I think the Lord of the Rings might be too much for a non-reader, but The Da Vinci Code, suggested below, would be perfect. It's an easy, page-turning read.
eragon, eldest, brisinger, doctor who is suggested by my son who likes books like that. john grisham is what my husband likes, ra salvador, robert jordon magic the gathering these are what husband and kid and step kid said and they all like the sci fi action books. drizzit books bryan jacques he writes about animals.
I suggest Lucifer's Hammer. It is science fiction and centers around the end of the world.
My hubby likes anything by Stephen King, Anne Rice, or David Eddings.
Try a Robert Parker book - they are a very easy read, a lot of funny dialouge. He's very appealing to men and a good choice for starting back to reading books. My husband loves his books.
I'd get him started on Harry Potter. If he's into fantasy-type stuff like Lord of the Rings, I bet the Harry Potter books would be right up his alley. The first 2 books are somewhat juvenile, but not bad. After book 2, they just keep getting better and better! I am 36 and my husband is 37 and we both love the whole series.
If he would like a more generic action-packed book that's not fantasy, check out the Mitch Rapp books by Vince Flynn.
Chuck Palahniuk is a very entertaining author.
I just finished 'The Passage' bu Justin Cronin. My mom gave it to me to read because she really loved it and now I am passing it on to my hubby!
It is a sort of post- apocalypse future book with vampire-like creatures called virals and a group of survivors living in a colony. One night a mysterious girl who seems to be able to control the virals shows up. That is a very simplified version, lol.
This book had GREAT action, suspense, the characters were smart and brave and interesting and I am sure there will be a sequel coming. I'm sure MY husband will like it- maybe yours would too! :)
