Need a 'can't put down'

Someone here recommeded Paulina Simmons - and I have to back that recommendation up. Her 1st book 'Tully' has never left me. I 1st read it about 12 years ago and have reread it many times and still think about it every now and again.

A 'surprise' can't-put-down book for me recently was Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier. Surprise because although I've found her others OK and perfectly readable, they didn't really grab or impress me. This one however had me gripped. Vivid brilliant characters and a fascinating story and background. Highly recommended.

great thread - will be keeping an eye on this for more summer reading!

I also loved The American Wife by Curtis Sittenfield, The Long Song by Andrea Levy, and recently read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand - true story. I was so gripped that I had to read it walking along the street and parts of it had me bursting into tears on the bus. Highly recommended. The Help is one of my all time favourites, devoured it in about a day. Absolutely mad about reading, could witter on about books I've read all day and love other people's recommendations.

The Help

The Tea Rose
The Winter Rose

I cant wait for the third one The Wild Rose.

All by Jennifer Donnelly

I highly recommend The American Wife by Curtis Sittenfield. I found I couldn't put this down, and have made encouraged most of my friends to read it too

Loved State of Grace, it's the new Ann Patchett.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

And pretty much anything by Bill Bryson.

I have just finished the most amazing book, I actually felt like reading it again as soon as I finished it: The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell.
Gripping story and beautiful writing

Marking my place.
And recommending Forgetting Zoe by Ray Robinson. Better than Room by far.

Just finished OneDay, loved it though I didn't like the ending .
Love Kate Atkinson and Maggie O'Farrel.

Cutting for Stone,by someone Verghese-read it on holday recently and couldnt put it down
Also I loved kingsolvers'The Poisonwood Bible'
anything by Kate Atkinson
Currently reading 'Scottsboro'-a novel based on a true awful miscarriage of justice in the 1930s American deep south-its brilliant! (an orange prize shortlist in 2009)

any human heart: absolutely gripping. I left like I'd lost a friend when I finished it.

small island: beautiful book, and the author has such a gift for voices.

mrsraveltine,
Oh yes! Owen Meany is a classic!

sorry, didn't realise we were on pg 3 and you've read lots already! I suspect we know each other! xx

Munzle, they are two of my favourites ever...so if we have similar taste then (and I can't remember authors!)
The Secret Life of Bees
The Kite Runner
Half of a Yellow Sun
The year of wonders (I think, about the plague)
The curious incident of the dog in the nighttime,
All 3 of Kate Mortons.. The House at Riverton, Yhe Secret Garden, and The Distant Hours
A thousand splendid suns
The Life of Pi
The Island
anything by Kate Atkinson or Charlaine Harris
(and I hope I am not 'outed' by these favourites as I have been known to waffle on about them!
Oh. and Audrey Niffennegar (Time Travellers? has a newish one called Her Fearful Symmetry - not as good but still very readable.
And Kevin and Time Travellers are amazing aren't they!

I took some great suggestions on here for my mum's birthday present today! She may be a little surprised at me buying her Water for Elephants but it sounds excellent (plus erm...I get to read it after!).

I also selected The Passage for our current book club read, and absolutely loving this. Thanks for everyone's great suggestions on this thread.

thanks upahill I may just have to check out Jar City then

munstersmum You are mentioned by Victoria Hislop is called The Return. I have just come on to this thread to recommend this.
I have finished it about 15 minutes ago.
I didn't think I would enjoy it but it was amazing. I knew very little about the Civil War but this book brings the human cost right into focus.
Utterly compelling.

I have recently discovered the poet/playwright Lorca and Hislop winds his fate into the book.

Before The Return I read Jar City which is an Icelandic Thriller. Loved it!

Sister - Rosamund Lupton. I just couldn't stop reading that one.

Sorry if already mentioned, but I've just finished one of Yrsa Sigurdardottir's - Icelandic crime, who-done-it. Just started 'last rituals' another one of hers (Ithink it's a woman?)

The Island by Victoria Hislop; anything by Kate Moreton; The Pursuit of Happiness by Douglas Kennedy; Love Always by Harriet Evans; Millenium by Stieg Larsson; The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson and The Shipping News by Annie Proulx. I also loved The Time Travellers ..... so I can 100% guarantee these.

One Day by David Nicholls. SO GOOD.

The other Victoria Hislop one about the Spanish civil war.
Crimson China this month's MN bookclub choice is proving a great read.
If you like 'We need to talk about Kevin', I think Lionel shriver's latest 'So much for that' is better than many of her other ones since Kevin.