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Original poster

Gagging for a good read.

34 replies

bundlebelly · 04/11/2010 15:06

Please recommend something interesting for me.
BUT I don't want anything full of misery, suffering, death, just too hormonal at the moment. However, I can't stand the chicklit, meaningless unbelieveable stuff either.

Please recommend something for me, there must be a middle way!

OP posts:
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MarkMarkMarkMark · 04/05/2011 15:09

The Salt Road - Jane Johnson
Bad Mother's Handbook - Kate Long

both very different, both with a touch of intelligent chick-litery to them

tassisssss · 21/04/2011 21:19

(sorry, thought this was a recent thread!)

tassisssss · 21/04/2011 21:16

I have recently read and enjoyed:
The Help
My Last Duchess
The Distant Hours
A Place of Secrets

Original poster
bundlebelly · 08/11/2010 10:36

Thanks for all the replies. Given me some good ideas to look into. x

OP posts:
23balloons · 07/11/2010 23:13

I second LEE CHILD books, I read around 9 of his books during the summer hols & loved every single one!! Read the Steig Larsson ones & enjoyed no 2 but think Lee Child is a far easier & much more enjoyable read.

KerryMumbles · 07/11/2010 23:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

titferbrains · 07/11/2010 22:54

I thought Chris Cleaves 1st bk, Incendiary, was outstanding. Better than The other hand, but TOH got more hype.

KPidgeon · 07/11/2010 18:14

Ohhh Yes- his Dark Materials trilogy is brilliant. (Philip Pullman)- I agree!

LostArt · 06/11/2010 20:52

Have you tried Anne Tyler? I love everything she has written but would recommend digging to america for an amusing read.

BitOfFun · 06/11/2010 20:43

Agree with The Help. The Other Hand by Chris Cleaves is rather good too.

Merrylegs · 06/11/2010 20:42

The Help.

You will need no other book.

ZacharyQuack · 06/11/2010 20:41

Anything by Lee Child usually guarantees me an incommunicado 24 hours.

I've just read Room by Emma Donoghue - very very good, and (despite subject matter) not misery lit at all.

Dolanette · 06/11/2010 20:39

The Help, reading it at the moment, good read. Smile

Leo35 · 06/11/2010 20:30

Sorry just read the OP again. Don't go for the Philip Kerr's! The Bernie Gunther series is set in Nazi Germany, and Bernie is an ex-policeman turned PI. It can get quite grim. I've had to put the books down sometimes. Jojo Moyes or Laurie Graham might be a 'middle way'!!

Paul O'Grady autobiog v. funny. Hope you find something you like.

malachysmum · 06/11/2010 20:29

the dark materials series, you could read it to the kids and it would still be good, phillip pulman

Leo35 · 06/11/2010 20:25

What do you normally like? I have just finished Adventures on the High Teas by Stuart Maconie which rolled along despite being a NF title (Stuart goes in search of Middle England).

Crime fiction your thing? I really rate Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther series. New one out this autumn - can't wait!

Lighter fiction Jojo Moyes can write a yarn (got new one in my To Read pile). I also like Laurie Graham (big back catalogue to go at there)

I have the Stieg Larsson triology lined up, also The Red Queen (Philippa Gregory), the new Paul O'Grady autobiography (loved the first one - made me laugh during dreadful marathon night BF sessions with DS2), and the Alexi Sayle Stalin Ate my homework. Getting into Mr Pip (Lloyd Jones) for my book group, too early to say if it's a Good Read yet. I dont' buy books, but reserve titles on the web catalogue at the local library. I borrow them as they come in - so lots of variety that way!

I am following the thread for some more recommendations also!

MrsDrOwenHunt · 06/11/2010 20:10

anything by jeffrey deaver, karen rose or ja kerley x

TheFoosa · 06/11/2010 18:44

sorry just read your op but try it, it's good Grin

TheFoosa · 06/11/2010 18:43

I'm reading warm bodies which is rather fabulous

5Foot5 · 06/11/2010 17:30

Another Stieg Larsson fan here. I just finished reading the last in the trilogy last night (The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest) and all I can say is Wow!!

The first one is a bit slow to get going but when the story takes off it is really gripping. The second and third just get better and better.

JenniferCanesten · 05/11/2010 10:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dizzymummy · 05/11/2010 10:09

Nineteen Minutes by Jodie Picault is a really good read.

KPidgeon · 05/11/2010 10:01

I've just got about halfway through The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and thought I should warn bundlebelly that it is a bit graphic and brutal in parts! just a warning!

The little friend & The Secret History by Donna Tartt are both also compulsive reads (well I think so).

cheekyweebesom · 04/11/2010 23:24

Loved the Steig Larsson trilogy too - couldn't put them down and that's not my usual genre. Just finished Fingersmith (Sarah Waters) which is oldish, but great, and enjoyed The Little Stranger even more. The Night Watch is good too, both by SW. And I love all of Kate Atkinson's books.

Oh I loved The Help too another neglected family while I read it ...Smile

stripeywoollenhat · 04/11/2010 22:23

i am reading gilead by marilynne robinson right now: it's just lovely. also recommend star of the sea - joseph o'connor. also recently read lean on pete by willy vlautin, but think it might be a bit bleak if you are feeling vulnerable...