Need help finding a few books for my Stepdad

[Keely]

Hi all,
I have been asked to find my Stepdad a couple of books he can take on holiday to read. The problem is that he doesn't really know what he wants to read.
I am going to get him Project Hail Mary which is one I have read as I know he enjoys films about space/aliens so I thought he might like it.
Anyone know of any books similar? Other topics of interest include War (specifically WW1 or WW2), Cars (older cars as opposed to new cars), Mental Asylums (probably not horror though, more historical fiction).
He's in his mid 60's so any books that you can think of that someone in that age group might like. As I said, I've been given very little to go on. Definitely looking for fiction. I would say safe genres are Historical Fiction, Sci-Fi, Mystery, possibly Paranormal.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[Keely]

While both of those sound interesting to me, I think they might be too much fantasy for him. I'll ask him what he thinks though. Thank you for the suggestions!

[Sammy]

The Three-Body Problem is definitely very sci-fi, not fantasy.

I would suggest the Old Man's War series. And the Children of Time series as excellent sci-fi reads.
and the Bobiverse is a must! starting with We Are Legion (We Are Bob)

As for historical fiction, anything and everything written by Bernard Cornwell! His Arthurian books, starting with The Winter King are my favourites (they're more gritty and realistic than your average Arthur books, not magicky), but there his Sharpe Series and The Last Kingdom series too of course. He also wrote a series set in the US during the civil war, starting with Rebel, but while extremely good, the series is not finished, and likely never will be!

Another historical book/series well worth reading is Outlaw. Like The Winter King, this is a more realistic retelling, but of the Robin Hood legend this time. Neither of these stories are told from the obvious POV, btw.

[Sammy]

Oh, and in the sci-fi category, the Expanse series, starting with Leviathan Wakes is also excellent!

[Sammy]

I should add, my husband (who is in his 50s) loves all of the above 😁

[Keely]

Thank you Sammy! I'll look into those when I next go on my laptop

[Jenny]

More fun sci-fi-


Mystery/Suspense/Action fiction