book recs for college aged boy

[Anonymous]

I’m looking to stock some books for a cousin (19 year old boy) who will be staying with us part of the summer.

I have daughters and they are younger so don’t have ideas.

If you’ve read any of these, can you please comment yay or nay (or provide your own recs). Thanks!

Dune
The House of the Scorpion
Feed by MT Anderson
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
I Am the Messenger by Marcus Zusak

[Anonymous]

Do you have a public library? Might be nice to kick it old school and browse shelves? Whole family togetherness activity?

[Anonymous]

Maybe "The 3 Body Problem"?

I see your Dune pic...

[Anonymous]

What does he like?

[Anonymous]

Op here. He’s here for a M-F internship so not sure he’ll have time for the library. His mom (my cousin) told me her son is not a great sleeper, and he’ll be in an unfamiliar home, so I wanted to leave some books in his room. She appreciated the thought, generically said he likes sci fi and fantasy, but didn’t offer specific suggestions.

I didn’t realize that Three Body Problem was first a book, will check it out, thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a public library? Might be nice to kick it old school and browse shelves? Whole family togetherness activity?

I will take him to Politics and Prose- great idea.
- OP

[Anonymous]

48 Laws of Power

[Anonymous]

He is 19 he doesn't want taking anywhere.

[Anonymous]

He's probably read a lot already, so it's hard to say.

Maybe the Expanse books? Leviathan Wakes is the first one. There are 9 and they're big books. But if he's a scifi fan, good chance he's already read those.

[Anonymous]

Highly recommend the Hail Mary Project-
My college boys loved this

[Anonymous]

Put out some Diskworld. Even if he’s read before, they stand up well to rereading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He is 19 he doesn't want taking anywhere.

+1.

You seem well intentioned, but I can’t imagine curating a reading list for a 19 year old. If he asks for bookstore suggestions or wants to use the local library, sure, but otherwise it’s not something I would consider doing. If he’s a reader, he’ll already come prepared. And with electronic devices these days, you don’t need a book if you’re having trouble sleeping.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the recs.

I’m not trying to force him to read - I just want to have some books I can leave in his room that he might enjoy, and I don’t have a clue as to what books might appeal to him. I am trying to make any minor additions/adjustments to our house so that it is a comfortable and enjoyable place and he feels at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the recs.

I’m not trying to force him to read - I just want to have some books I can leave in his room that he might enjoy, and I don’t have a clue as to what books might appeal to him. I am trying to make any minor additions/adjustments to our house so that it is a comfortable and enjoyable place and he feels at home.

Can he not bring a book from home?

[Anonymous]

Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions

YA version of Unbroken by Lauren Hillenbrand

Black Hawk Down

Books by author Dan Brown

Hail Mary Project (I second this one)

The Wild Trees by Richard Preston

And, I think taking him to P&P is a fine idea. Especially if you live somewhere he can walk to it or take the bus. It will show him somewhere he can hang out just to start even if you don't buy him books there.