Book Recommendations Wanted!

Due to an amazing gift from a friend of a car, I can now make use of my local library! Years without access have made me loose track of what books I should be looking for next. So I am asking for recommendations for J and I. 

We are both Sci-Fi & fantasy fans, and tend to dislike military sci fi. J was looking for a good stand alone book, but he could provably be sucked into a series. I love series as well. We both like YA well enough. Good non fiction books on blacksmithing, stone carving or dremel use would be great as well.   

Thanks for the recommendations!