Mumsnet Talk

I've just finished Her Fearful Symmetry and need something that's not too weighty to read between now and christmas, something written in the last 10 years pref.

Any suggestions welcome

I love the time traveller's wife!

just read 'Missing' by Mary Stanley and it was very good. I loved 'The Lost Daughter' by Diane Chamberlaine.

Neither of those were in any way hard to read, but they are a bit more than 'girl scampers around town for a bit before finding a boyfriend' which I can't bear now.

Audrey Niffenegger has another book too, have you read that one?

Hi AnnaSui

yes I love ttw too which is why I rushed out and bought Her Fearful Symmetry. Haven't read any of her picture books apart from one the one they serialised in the Guardian.

I don't read a lot of chick lit (prefer chick flicks!) but think it's great for holidays and when you're feeling poorly.
I'm hoping to get a chick lit book for christmas which I can lose myself in for a few hours while dp plays with dd and her new toys!

Not heard of either of those books but will have a look on amazon at the blurb when (if) I get a few more suggestions.

Lisa Jewell and Marian Keyes are the only chick lit books I can read. But I notice reading reviews on amazon, that they might not be quite as light as they used to be. Some reviewers don't seem pleased about that but I like it when authors I am loyal too grow older with me

I love Barbara Trapido, Alice HOffman (although she's hit and miss, so check out the reviews). Philippa Gregory's Tudor series.

I have just started Woman's World by Graham Rawle(?) and it is pretty good so far. The whole book is made up of words chopped from old womans magazines, the effect is quite weird but I am enjoying it.

ooh chubbleigh that sounds interesting ... again, not one I've heard of before.

AnnaSui don't think I could do historical novels as would remind me too much of being at school!

Have just had an idea for another thread so maybe see you there!

'Paula' by Isabel Allende - tis fabbo.

Not her best work imo. Eva Luna, and The Stories of Eva Luna fantastic. Her daughter dying changed her style of writing.

MissWooWoo, I didn't think I'd like them eitehr, but I tell you, just read the first page of The Other Boleyn Girl!! snuthin like school!

Nooooooooo - Paula is way better than Eva Luna. I do agree that she's got worse as a writer but I did enjoy City Of The Beasts hugely.

MrsWW - have you read any Rose Tremain? Kate Atkinson?

Notes on a Scandal, Life of Pi, Behind the scenes at the museum, Anything by Margaret Atwood, My little friend ?

I haven't read any Rose Tremain but a friend recently recommended - she said that she didn't think she would like her but fell in love and was going to bed extra extra early to read her!

I really enjoyed Behind the Scenes at the Museum and loved loved loved Life of Pi - not read Notes but seen the film. Read Cat's Eyes and Hand Maidens Tale years and years ago, tried The Blind Assassin more recently but couldn't get into it at all.

! My Little Friend ! I have it waiting on my shelf as it goes, have read the first few chapters and think I will really enjoy so might dig that out.

thanks ladies

The Blind Assassin is the only one of Margaret Atwood's books that I have NOT enjoyed!! and it is the one that one the prize! That didn't surprise me.

Kate Atkinson's last two bboks have changed in style a bit too. There was one recent one with Brodie Jackson and it had Russian gangsters and contract killings and it was a far cry from behind the scenes at the museum.

yes not sure I would enjoy the Brodie Jackson series at all!

Notes On A Scandal was pants imvho. what about The Ninth Life Of Louie Drax (or something like that) - it's brill. Will try and pop back with more info.

Here - a couple of her others are okay too. Weird but strangely interesting.

A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz is unbelievably good. fUNNY, tender, exciting, moving its all in there. I adored it and didn't want it to end. Get it now!

The Death and Life of Charlie St.Cloud is probably the most moving love story I have read in a long time.

I have just finished The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Amazing, gripping, harrowing, poetic, touching and utterly utterly awful. I recommend it.

Anything By Dorris Lessing is always good, my favourite of her books is Mara and Dann.

Or for something truly lighthearted I'd recommend Raphaella Barker.

Great, good stuff here for me to get stuck into. Have settled on The Little Friend for now, so far so good.

thanks all

I was going to recommend Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, but I see you've already started on her new book

Hi all, a great book is NO TIME FOR GOODBYE by Linwood Barclay. I brought it from a second hand bookshop for £1 not expecting anything it was fantastic. It has now been passed to several workmates etc. At the end of each page you have to turn to the next. I read it in 7 hours. A big book reader but this is one of the best I have read in a long time.

It is about a girl that wakes up and all her family is gone and how she finds out what happened 25 years later and believe me you would not guess the ending in a million years.