Books you've read and loved that we probably haven't heard of

[IntrinsicFieldSubtractor]

Semi-inspired by the best/worst book threads that are going at the moment - I've seen the names of several bestsellers mentioned a lot, but I was wondering whether anyone has any books that they've really enjoyed that aren't as (or at all) well-known. I'd be interested in recommendations for anything I wouldn't otherwise have heard of, and plus it's always nice to see good authors getting a bit more recognition.

One I can think of off the top of my head is The Flight of Lucy Spoon, by Maggie Gibson - I picked up a second-hand copy for free somewhere expecting generic chick lit, and was surprised to find it was genuinely hilarious in a very British-feeling, tongue-in-cheek-silly way (even though it's Irish). It was just a very likeable book, full of oddities that were actually original and heartwarming rather than self-consciously 'look at me I'm so quirky' in that way that all those Ladies' Blah Blah Society books are.

I also loved Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede - I must have read it when I was about ten, but a glance through the Amazon preview suggests that I'd probably still love it now. I've forgotten the exact story but the basic premise is a tomboyish princess who escapes an arranged marriage by running away to live with dragons - it's another very funny and well-written book that's not centred around romance, with a clever and independent heroine who has to spend half her time convincing knights in shining armour to leave her alone and stop trying to 'rescue' her I really want to read it again now actually, I might have to buy it!

If anyone has any recommendations of their own to contribute then I'd love to hear them...

[KingJoffreyObviouslyWatchesHol]

The Friends by Rosa Guy.

[Norfolkandchance1234]

'He died with a falafel in his hand'

[Dapplegrey]

The Curse of the Wise Woman by Edwin Dunsany

[OhCuntmasTree]

Americanah by chimamanda ngozi adichie
The accidental by Ali smith

[snowspot]

The Louise Penny series of books with Inspector Gamache (1st book is called Still Life).
They are hugely popular where I live, but I had never heard of them in England. They're now making them into a TV series. It's got the same feeling as the Jackson Brodie series by Kate Atkinson.

[LoathsomeDrab]

A Fine and Private Place by Peter S. Beagle.

[Ludways]

The Lady Julia Grey Novels which start with Silent in the Grave. There's 5 books but only three are readily available in the UK. It's a great series which I've recommended to many and they've all loved them.

[Tobyjugg]

Jabin by Bev Allen, a science fiction/fantasy novel about an orphan teenager faced with some hard choices.

[WhatsGoingOnEh]

intrinsic, I've just bought both your recommended books on Amazon! They both sound fab. Lovely thread.

Mine is, "I Shaved My Legs for THIS?" By Holly Wright. Pure chick lit but funny and sweet. And old-fashioned too.

[turtleturtleturtle]

White lies by Jo Gatford
White lies

[alltoomuchrightnow]

Artichokes with Alice is amazing, and not known. True story too

[alltoomuchrightnow]

well, memoirs.

[saffronwblue]

Not so obscure but I adore the writing of Laurie Graham, particularly Gone With the Windsors. Funny, sharp and completely believeable.

[OneHorseOpenSandwich]

The Duncton trilogy by William Horwood. Like Watership Down (the book not the film) but with moles. Amazingly rich, exciting and beautiful.

[mrbob]

Let's pretend this never happened (jenny someone) and Worst Date Ever (Jane bussman) I almost wet myself laughing at both of them even though the latter has a fairly harrowing theme... Warped sort of sense of humour required

[hellokittymania]

Last Night I Dreamed of Peace by Dang Thuy Tram

[CheerfulYank]

I love Patricia C Wrede's books! There are others, it's a small series. :) Princess Cimorene is a badass.

I love Love Walked In and Belong to Me by Marisa De Lo Santos. They're chick lit-y but I really liked them, especially Belong to Me.

[PetulaGordino]

Lifting the latch by Sheila Stewart - memoirs of a farm worker through the 20th century in rural Oxfordshire

[DandyMott]

The Jack Daniels series by J A Konrath. Little bit silly, quite gruesome but I loved them all!

[DandyMott]

Oh mine are kindle releases only I think as well.

[InMySpareTime]

The Strangeling's Tale is lots of different stories that all come together at the end, sort of fairytale style but lovely to read.
I read "Let's pretend this never happened " too, it's hilarious and bizarre in equal measure!

[MsMarvel]

Anything by trudi canavan. She's done a couple of really good trilogies.

[parques]

Five People You meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. Not sure how 'popular' it is.

[BikeRunSki]

The Crow Road - Iain Banks

[duplodancer]

Brilliant thread, I'm getting all of these!

Mine is Between Silk and Cyanide by Leo Marks. True story about one of the women resistance fighters in the Second World War. Just amazing.