Weekly Geeks 2010.35: Readers Advisory

Weekly Geeks this week is an intriguing assignment wherein we ask for recommendations and we give recommendations.

But first to answer some questions:

-- Where do you go for book recommendations?

It's all from you bloggers these days, seriously. Your influence over me is huge. It's a little scary, isn't it? That and just falling love with authors and then wanting to read everything by them, or things they like. That adds to my list too.

-- How often do you challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone?

Probably not really that often, though I'm not opposed to the idea. My comfort zone is pretty broad I think, so it's hard to find something "out of it" really.

-- How often do you read outside your genre?

Hmmm... so what's my genre? All types of YA? Fantasy? Classics? Contemporary, literary fiction? If I consider these "my genres" then I don't get outside of them often. I have read more non fiction this year than normal, and I love it, so that's good. I have read more horror this year and that's been fun too.

-- How often do you try a new-to-you author?

I love trying new authors, and in recent years, my list of new authors I've discovered every year grows and grows. It's very fun learning about how many authors there are out there to love and read.

-- How often do you take a chance?

Again I would say, not very often! So here goes nothing!

And now for the experiment to help me take a chance!

I'm looking for:

....something considered real true science fiction. I think I've read many science fiction type books, and they are all YA for the most part, so I want something in the adult section which is considered real true science fiction. A sub genre of this that intrigues me and which I don't really know what books would be classified as this is space opera. Tell me, what books can I read that would fall in this genre? Anyone? Anyone?

If you're looking for:

....books to help you escape real life (as my sister-in-law whose husband just died this week is asking me for) I would recommend:

Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Insatiable by Meg Cabot

....to name a few.

 (What would you add to this list for me to recommend to someone who truly needs to forget about real life pain right now?)