I pasted a list of all the good books I’ve read over the past 4 years into Chat GPT and asked it for recommendations for other books I might enjoy.

It offered up quite a number that I had already read (maybe a sign that it chooses well?), but once I’d removed those I was left with an interesting selection for my future reading…

Given your eclectic and broad reading preferences, here are recommendations across several genres that align with your interests:

 Autobiography/Memoir

1. “The Sound of Gravel” by Ruth Wariner – A gripping memoir about growing up in a polygamist cult.

2. “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren – A memoir by a scientist about her life in science, exploring both her work in the lab and her human experiences.

 Historical Fiction

1. “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah – Focuses on two sisters in France during WWII and their struggle to survive and resist the German occupation of France.

2. “The Paris Wife” by Paula McLain – A novel about Ernest Hemingway’s marriage to Hadley Richardson, set in 1920s Paris.

3. “Beneath a Scarlet Sky” by Mark Sullivan – Based on the true story of a forgotten hero, Pino Lella, this novel is set in Italy during WWII.

 Science and Nature

1. “The Genius of Birds” by Jennifer Ackerman – Explores the intelligence of birds and challenges our conventional notions about what it means to be smart.

2. “The Soul of an Octopus” by Sy Montgomery – A fascinating exploration into the complex intelligence and emotion of octopuses.

3. “Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest” by Suzanne Simard – A pioneering scientist’s research into how trees communicate and cooperate through underground networks.

 Personal Growth/Learning

1. “Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi – Explains the concept of “flow,” a state of heightened focus and immersion in activities such as art, play, and work.

2. “Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise” by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool – Offers insight into the process of becoming an expert or improving skills through deliberate practice.

 Cultural and Historical Insights

1. “The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present” by David Treuer – Narrates the history of Native Americans from the massacre at Wounded Knee to the present, challenging the narrative of cultural extinction.

2. “Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes” by Tamim Ansary – Provides a perspective on world history from the viewpoint of Islamic culture.

3. “The Silk Roads: A New History of the World” by Peter Frankopan – Offers a comprehensive history that centers on the East and the historical importance of the Silk Roads. (Included as a thematic extension given its significance.)

These recommendations are tailored to align with your interests and previous readings, ensuring a mix of engaging narratives, profound insights, and enriching knowledge.

Given your extensive and varied reading history, I’ve selected a range of novels that span different genres and themes, aiming to match the depth, diversity, and quality of storytelling you seem to enjoy.

Here are some novels you might find intriguing:

• “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafón – Set in post-Spanish Civil War Barcelona, this novel follows a young boy who discovers a book that changes his life, leading him into a labyrinth of mysteries and secrets about the author.
• “The Light Between Oceans” by M.L. Stedman – A deeply moving and morally complex novel about a lighthouse keeper and his wife who find a boat washed ashore with a dead man and a living baby.
• “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel – This novel spans multiple timelines before and after a devastating flu pandemic, exploring themes of art, memory, and resilience.
• “The Master and Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgakov – A fantastical, satirical novel set in Soviet Russia, where the Devil visits Moscow and causes a series of increasingly bizarre events.
• “Circe” by Madeline Miller – A retelling of the story of Circe, a minor goddess in Greek mythology, transforming her into a complex character with powers she must learn to wield.
• “The Book of Longings” by Sue Monk Kidd – An imaginative novel about Ana, the wife of Jesus, who is a rebellious and ambitious character with a desire to write her own story.
• “Burial Rites” by Hannah Kent – Based on a true story, this novel is set in 19th-century Iceland and follows the last woman to be publicly executed there, offering a deep and moving portrait of a woman trying to survive in a man’s world.
• “The Remains of the Day” by Kazuo Ishiguro – Given your appreciation for introspective narratives and historical settings, Ishiguro’s novel about a butler reflecting on his life of service and the ethics of duty over personal happiness would likely resonate with you.
• “Beloved” by Toni Morrison – Considering your appreciation for deeply emotional narratives and historical contexts (e.g., “The Underground Railroad”), Morrison’s masterpiece about the haunting legacy of slavery in America could be a powerful addition.
• “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison – Since you’re engaged with narratives exploring identity and societal issues (similar to “The Underground Railroad”), Ellison’s exploration of race and identity in America through the lens of an unnamed African American protagonist offers profound insights.
• “Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro – Ishiguro’s ability to blend speculative fiction with deep emotional and ethical questions about humanity and memory would provide a compelling read, considering your varied interests.
• “Persepolis” by Marjane Satrapi – Although a graphic novel, Satrapi’s autobiographical account of growing up in revolutionary Iran offers a unique blend of personal narrative and historical insight, resonating with themes of personal freedom and the impact of sociopolitical upheaval.
• “Kafka on the Shore” by Haruki Murakami – Considering your enjoyment of novels that blend the real with the surreal (e.g., “The Moth and the Mountain”), Murakami’s magical realism and exploration of complex themes could offer a unique literary experience.
• “Middlesex” by Jeffrey Eugenides – Your list suggests an appreciation for rich, multigenerational narratives. Eugenides’ epic tale of a Greek American family and its exploration of identity and transformation might be a compelling read.
• “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern – Given your interest in immersive, imaginative worlds (e.g., “The Hidden Life of Trees”), Morgenstern’s novel about a magical competition between two young illusionists would be a mesmerizing addition.

These novels could provide new dimensions to your already diverse reading habits, introducing you to unique storytelling styles, complex characters, and profound themes that ponder the human condition, society, and the metaphysical world.

And what about you, dear human… what books would you recommend I read?