Books to read, for running and non-running

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Pulling this over from the MW 2026 thread.
I'm always on the lookout for new reading material, especially series of books, and figured others might be as well, so starting this as a thread to make it easier to find and make book suggestions.

>>Not a running topic but still relative as it is for race week…any book lovers out there? I’m doing my trip shopping and trying to decide on a good book to bring. Something to distract me but nothing that takes too much digesting and thought, as I fear I won’t have much focus! Any good recommendations?!

 

[avondale]

I think you need to give an idea of genres at least.... I mostly read SF and fantasy, but that's certainly not everyone's favorite.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

I also like SF and fantasy. The Mars Colony books by Kilby were good. Correia's Monster Hunters Int'l series was entertaining. Sandford's Virgil Flowers novels are fun mystery/detective books. Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books are a hoot. And I really enjoyed Daisy Goodwin's book about Queen Victoria.

 

[The Expert]

Paging @lookingforsunshine to the thread.

 

[lookingforsunshine]

Paging @lookingforsunshine to the thread.

Reporting for duty!

I read a lot. Books that are distracting but don’t take too much thought… hmmm. I would say any Dan Brown book. His new one was good. Nothing groundbreaking but a fun read! I love The Hunger Games series although they are devastating. I also love the Six of Crows duology if you like fantasy. The Twisted Tales books could be fun if you want to be truly immersed in Disney (they’re twists on the Disney stories).

For running, I enjoyed How Bad Do You Want It? by Matt Fitzgerald although the “science”/validity of his claims leaves a lot to be desired. Still inspirational stories, though. My favorite running books are Running With Sherman by Christopher McDougall and North by Scott Jurek.

 

[DianaMB333]

Fioris German recently released this book, his channel and program is very good, then I ordered the book.. (I haven't started it yet though)

https://florisgierman.com/

Oldie but good.. “Run for your life” M. Cucuzzella

 

[nancipants]

Shameless plug… I published a science fiction trilogy a few years ago. Link in case anyone is into that. https://a.co/d/9jmCsQY

I haven’t read (or written) in so long. That part of my brain just turned off a few years ago and I’ve been struggling to get it back.

when I read, I mostly read science fiction. Some of my favorite series are the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold, the Lady Astronaut series by Mary Robinette Kowal, The Interdependency series by John Scalzi, and Murderbot by Martha Wells (also a great TV show on Apple!). I was also really into Star Wars books when I was younger.

 

[bpr2002]

@nancipants That is so cool! Thanks for posting the link.

 

[pluto377]

I'm a librarian, so I read a ton and keep tabs on what's "popular". Freida McFadden is really popular these days for quick thrillers. They're perfect for airplane/vacation reading. I've recently discovered "healing fiction" too which is great vacation reading. The last one I read was the Dallergut Dream Department Store. Elin Hilderbrand and Emily Henry are also great for vacation reads.

 

[avondale]

Murderbot by Martha Wells (also a great TV show on Apple!).

I just read through this series again recently. You say the TV series is good? Is it "done" or still on-going? We don't usually have Apple TV, but I think right now there is some kind of deal with something else we subscribe to, so that we have it.

 

[nancipants]

I just read through this series again recently. You say the TV series is good? Is it "done" or still on-going? We don't usually have Apple TV, but I think right now there is some kind of deal with something else we subscribe to, so that we have it.

The first season is complete, which covers the first novella (All Systems Red). They announced Season 2, so I assume they're going to go through the rest of the books eventually, but the first storyline ends nicely. It's VERY funny, and I was skeptical of Alexander Skarsgard as Murderbot, but he does a great job. (Earns the R rating, though, in case sci-fi gore bothers you.) And they adapted scenes from Sanctuary Moon which are HILARIOUS.

 

[LatebloomerultraF3]

I read Sally McRae’s Choose Strong over the summer. She is an ultra runner but it’s not a running book per se. She had a rough childhood and it’s about overcoming adversity. (Cried a couple of times reading it.) It’s not a hard read but heart felt and inspiring and a good one IMHO.

 

[Kerry1957]

Two authors come to mind both in the genre of historical fiction.

Jeff Shaara writes series about wars/conflicts such as the Civil War, World War I, World War 2, Korea, Cuban missile crisis, etc. He writes from the perspective of individual soldiers. His most famous is probably Gods and Generals about the Civil War. He does not turn any books into a political argument.

The other is Erik Larson. He writes about important but less historically significant events. His most famous may be Devil in the White City about the 1893 Chicago 1893 Columbian Exposition, and Dead Wake about the sinking of the Lusitania. His books are a bit lighter than Jeff Shaara's and may make better vacation reading

 

[LatebloomerultraF3]

Two authors come to mind both in the genre of historical fiction.

Jeff Shaara writes series about wars/conflicts such as the Civil War, World War I, World War 2, Korea, Cuban missile crisis, etc. He writes from the perspective of individual soldiers. His most famous is probably Gods and Generals about the Civil War. He does not turn any books into a political argument.

The other is Erik Larson. He writes about important but less historically significant events. His most famous may be Devil in the White City about the 1893 Chicago 1893 Columbian Exposition, and Dead Wake about the sinking of the Lusitania. His books are a bit lighter than Jeff Shaara's and may make better vacation reading

Highly recommend Sharra. Love his books.