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Original poster

To ask for some book recommendations

29 replies

rightleftbabysteps · 23/12/2025 20:13

I am aware that I’m getting a £50 Waterstones voucher for Christmas.

I am a huge reader. But I’ve really fallen out of the habit lately. The last book I read was the wedding people by Alison Espach. I loved it.

i love a crime/thriller book, or a romance. I also like stories - no real plot or crime to solve, but just a nice story.

I really want two or three books that will reignite my love for reading. Any ideas?

OP posts:
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Wordsmithery · 01/01/2026 21:51

Psych suspense: Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent
Great novel based on the writing of the OED: The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
Historical fiction: English Passengers by Matthew Kneale.
All thoroughly recommended.

Rictasmorticia · 01/01/2026 19:30

For a life affirming happy ending I recommend The Healing Seasons of Pottery.

MissAmbrosia · 01/01/2026 19:27

KimberleyClark · 23/12/2025 20:43

Just finished All The Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker and I loved it.

I was going to recommend the same. Wonderful book.

CarrieMoonbeams · 01/01/2026 19:12

@rightleftbabysteps , if you haven't already spent your voucher, can I suggest The Remains of The Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro? It's an old book (1989) but absolutely magnificent.

My cousin had a long hospital stay recently and she asked people to lend her their favourite book - I gave her this one and she said she didn't want to put it down when her family arrived to visit her!

NinaGeiger · 01/01/2026 19:01

rightleftbabysteps · 23/12/2025 20:13

I am aware that I’m getting a £50 Waterstones voucher for Christmas.

I am a huge reader. But I’ve really fallen out of the habit lately. The last book I read was the wedding people by Alison Espach. I loved it.

i love a crime/thriller book, or a romance. I also like stories - no real plot or crime to solve, but just a nice story.

I really want two or three books that will reignite my love for reading. Any ideas?

Just wanted to say I'm about halfway through The Wedding People and loving it so far. Thanks for the recommendation.
What did you end up getting OP?

Lemonslemonseverywhere · 23/12/2025 21:29

Wild Dark Shore.

spellbinding and got me firmly out of a reading rut.

Yellowsubmarine55 · 23/12/2025 21:18

Penny Vincenzi - the best of times or sheer abandon.

Douglas Kennedy - the persuit of happiness or the job.

Linwood Barclay is good for thriller type books

Light reading I'd go for Adele parks, Erica James Jane Fallon or Beth O'Leary - particularly the no show for her.

Original poster
rightleftbabysteps · 23/12/2025 21:09

Rictasmorticia · 23/12/2025 21:06

Very mixed reviews on Amazon

Show quote history

I really enjoyed it! I did read it on a sun lounger in Rome though 🤣

OP posts:
Knittedanimal · 23/12/2025 21:08

I have treated myself to Daphne Du Maurier's newly published collection of short stories, and I cannot wait until Boxing Day to devour them!

Rictasmorticia · 23/12/2025 21:06

NinaGeiger · 23/12/2025 20:49

Just read the blurb for Wedding People. Sounds great - thanks.

Very mixed reviews on Amazon

lifeofashowwoman · 23/12/2025 20:53

Anything by John marrs. Recently enjoyed The Passengers and The One

Ta2025 · 23/12/2025 20:51

I'm currently reading The Favourites by Layne Fargo. It's about the lives of two ice dancers. It reads really well, almost like a thriller as it's fast paced and there's an element of "what is going on here? Where is this going?" Really enjoying it!

TheGoodOnesAreAllGone · 23/12/2025 20:50

I read 'the Women' by Kristen Hannah a few months and absolutely loved it, one of the best books I've ever read. I also really enjoyed 'the Nightingale' by the same author

Marigoldsbloom · 23/12/2025 20:49

Was also going to say The Names!

NinaGeiger · 23/12/2025 20:49

Just read the blurb for Wedding People. Sounds great - thanks.

HareTodayTomorrow · 23/12/2025 20:48

Following!

I've really enjoyed Raising Hare. True story of a woman who saves a hare and it lives with her. Lots of nice, soothing descriptions!

Remembering39862 · 23/12/2025 20:46

I tend to find that something light and fun but still well written reignites my interest whenever I’m stuck in a reading rut. Romance-wise, I would suggest anything by Emily Henry or Abby Jimenez, and the Thursday Murder Club series too.

NinaGeiger · 23/12/2025 20:46

Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers.
Or any of her books. They have great characterisation and interesting stories

CluelessAboutBiology · 23/12/2025 20:44

Any of Gemma Rogers’ books - The Good Wife, The Honeymoon, The Mistake, The Teacher, The Secret etc. they’re all really good.

Personally, I struggled to get into The Babysitter and The Stranger at No 6 as easily as I did the others, but still good.

KimberleyClark · 23/12/2025 20:43

Just finished All The Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker and I loved it.

MissyB1 · 23/12/2025 20:42

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler - my book of the year!
For thriller/Mysteries anything by Claire Douglas.

AudiobookListener · 23/12/2025 20:40

Seascraper Benjamin Wood.

NotAnotherScarf · 23/12/2025 20:39

Lee Child Jack Reacher series. Crime thrillers with a great hero who basically beats the shit out of his enemies. I'd start with "one shot"or "the visitor" as they don't need to be read in order and the first book is a little darker than the rest. Sadly the last 2 or 3 he wrote were poorer and the ones where his brother Andrew has taken over no where near as good....I still buy them because they are easy reading and are ok, just not as good as the earliest ones.
The ones I recommend are both very clever crime novels and even with the cult hero would stand alone as good books

Shoxfordian · 23/12/2025 20:36

Agree that the Names is great

One of my recent favourites is King Sorrow by Joe Hill