I’m a writer trying to strengthen my skills. I know the best authors read, so I’m looking for recommendations for award-winning or stand-out novels (specifically YA fantasy or sci-fi because that is what I write, but I’m open to pretty much any suggestions).
If I can make one request – Romantic dynamics in novels are good, but I’d like to avoid anything overly explicit. It’s just not my cup of tea, and it’s not something I plan to write about in the future.
Other than that, I’m open to any suggestions. Thank you so much!
by JadeSentinels
2 Comments
The wheel of time, red rising, dune, the storm light archive, game of thrones, station eleven. Everything except red rising and station eleven were written by some of the best authors to date. Could definitely learn from there writing. Nothing against pierce brown or st mandel but I don’t see them comparing to ones like Brandon Sanderson. Both red rising and station eleven at still good though.
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut Jr is my all time favourite sci-fi. Vonnegut has this philosophy that there’s no such thing as a background character. This sounds like it’d get annoying, hearing that *the cab driver is from an Ibo tribe, his village pooled their money so he could go to America and get an education, yada yada* — but it’s the backbone of his style, and extremely delightful. Instead of a faceless cabbie, there’s a web of new connections, each adding threads and perspectives.
The plot is: An author’s research into the life of a Manhattan Project head scientist carries him to the remote island nation of San Lorenzo, where he believes a billionaire philanthropist could unwittingly have possession of a substance which, if released, would end all life as we know it. Though a perfect vacation destination on the surface, San Lorenzo is also home to an unstable dictatorship and an offbeat religious cult that’s taken over the island despite persecution and public hangings. It’s both genuine and ridiculous, with a wry sense of humour and an absorbing collision of characters and events.
I (male) didn’t notice this, but he’d frequently admit in interviews that he’s not very good at writing women. Female friends have confirmed lol. –Not upsetting or offensively so, it’s just not his strongest area. Wanted to include that disclaimer in case it might get in the way of your enjoyment. That said, when it comes to his writing, this book really taught me so much about the freedom I have to make language my own; how the rules you learn in school become irrelevant the second they’re in your way, and if a little doodle can say a thousand words, no one’s stopping you.
If you think it might be worth a look, I found a [free ebook](https://annas-archive.org/slow_download/71efe5b978f3550f4f2b7a360474b15d/0/0?__cf_chl_tk=Fpv7LgB2EJYXQ7wOGQFL_UW1HQQKYqXQPi8LkUKc6mY-1710311016-0.0.1.1-1450)