Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

The NY Times Book Review often asks authors this question - What subjects do you wish more authors would write about?

Maybe this subject is out there and I just haven't found it yet, but I'd be interested in coming-of-age books, but not in the usual age range (high school into young adulthood), but more middle age into early retirement. I'd love to see examples of how people handle that transition.

I know there are books like this already but I think we always need more books where people come together to accomplish things or support each other, or where ordinary people step up in difficult circumstances. And it has to be somewhat realistic, not some idyllic small town where everything is perfect. Some authors who do this are Nevil Shute, David Rhodes, Emily St. John Mandel, and Carla Kelly. In a way, Andy Weir does this too - individual intelligence, creativity and stamina are important but so is connection and cooperation. (This is probably why I don't like thrillers, the message is often that you can't trust anybody. )

I know that there is many of them out there, but I do love historical fiction mysteries. However, many of them seem to be in Victorian England. I would like to see more in other cultures and times.

I would love to see more of the lesser known mythologies coming into mainstream reading.

Sometimes I get tired of Greek/Roman, Norse, and Celtic stuff.

i can't think of any subjects I've wished I could find more books about

John wrote: "I know that there is many of them out there, but I do love historical fiction mysteries. However, many of them seem to be in Victorian England. I would like to see more in other cultures and times."

Yes, I agree. I do know of a few good ones

Gaius Petreus Ruso - starts with Medicus - set in Roman Britain

Nicolaos Athenian Mysteries - starts with The Pericles
Commission - set in ancient Athens

Brother Cadfael - A Morbid Taste for Bones - set in medieval England

Sister Fidelma - Absolution by Murder - set in the Dark Ages in England

Sir John Fielding - Blind Justice - set in 18th century England

Molly Murphy - Murphy's Law - set in late 19th century New York

Lane Winslow - A Killer in King's Cove - set in post-WWII British Columbia, Canada

Perveen Mistry - The Widows of Malabar Hill - 1920's India

Tracy wrote: "Maybe this subject is out there and I just haven't found it yet, but I'd be interested in coming-of-age books, but not in the usual age range (high school into young adulthood), but more middle age..."

Agreed, especially as I'm in that age range myself. I'm pleased that there are more of these around than there used to be, but not nearly enough. I did think that the four-book series by Victoria Ironside that starts with No! I Don't Want to Join a Book Club: Diary of a Sixtieth Year did a good job with this topic.