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Original poster

Holiday reading 2012 ! Roll up with your suggestions

35 replies

jen127 · 22/06/2012 12:55

I am off on holiday next week and need some suggestions on books to read whilst away.
I am currently binning 50 shades of shite as it is awful.
I am open to any suggestions at all.
Cheers

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septembersunshine · 09/07/2012 20:07

ps - currently reading 'The poisonwood bible' but it's no hoilday read - it's too hard going for that!

septembersunshine · 09/07/2012 20:05

The night circus - love it, the idea behind it all
The art of Fielding - hard to get into but then your hooked and really fall in love with the characters - well written too
The song of Achilles - fine - but after reading I realised that I didn't enjoy it that much

The Bronze Horseman and the rest of the trilogy by Paulina Simons (re-read and adored many times - it's so perfect really, love and life and everthing really)
The Hungar Games

East of Eden - classic- I love his breezy style that hits the nail on the head without even trying
The Thorn Birds - ahhh, loved this but it could just be me. It's a dense book with a whole world in and you remember it always
Oscar and Lucinda (see above)

Runoutofideas · 09/07/2012 16:49

Revelry by Lucy Lord - glamorous and light hearted. Not for those who dislike swearing and general debauchery though!

KurriKurri · 04/07/2012 13:44

If you are looking for a big involving read about a family, - I've just finished The House of The Spirits by Isabel Allende - and loved it, - weird and wonderful.

Original poster
jen127 · 04/07/2012 13:19

Thanks elkidee! I have purchased them all for reading whilst on holiday! I can't wait to have the time to read /relax and sip cocktails...

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elkiedee · 04/07/2012 13:15

Chris/Christopher Brookmyre (most of his earlier books are published as Christopher) - I've really enjoyed the books that I've read - his first 3 or 4 books I think - they are quite funny, political-satirical crime fiction. I have most of his books but have bought far more books than I can actually read for at least the last 12 years.

Beegey · 02/07/2012 22:27

The guernsey potato peel pie book(I forget its full title) is a delightful book. I read it in 2 days on hols, really couldn't put it down, it is funny, touching and interesting too. The lady in water stones suggested it to me and I have passed it on to about 4 others who have also loved it.

Galaxymum · 27/06/2012 20:56

I am really enjoying The Thread by Victoria Hislop. I had to get up again after switching off the light to read another chapter last night! It's gripped me completely and wish I HAD taken it on holiday so more time to just read!

TheLightPassenger · 27/06/2012 16:48

The Reader is v v good but not exactly jolly. Ditto Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick about North Korean, which is probably the best book I've read all year.

yy, the Earth Hums in B Flat is quite lovely, especially if welsh village life through eyes of a child sounds like your thing.

mimbleandlittlemy · 27/06/2012 16:02

4th/5th The Corrections and absolutely agree with Gillespie & I - it achieved a book club first with us as not only did we talk about it at the book club it was meant to be talked about but we also talked about it again at the next one which given we never talk about the book and just eat/drink is quite an achievement.

I'd also recommend The Earth Hums in B Flat which is a rather lovely first novel and State of Wonder which was short listed for the Orange Prize.

Clawdy · 27/06/2012 14:35

Jane Harris's new book "Gillespie and I" is compulsive and full of twists. Don't be put off by the cover! Keeps you guessing till the last paragraph....

Original poster
jen127 · 27/06/2012 14:27

I read "help" as well and was abit so, so!
So Iwll go for corrections in addition to the other suggestions .
I suppose I should pop over to the MN link to see what other suggestions there are.
Thanks to everyone

OP posts:
Alurkatsoftplay · 27/06/2012 10:33

I second/third The Corrections. It's a great involving read.
Last year, I read 'The Help'. I thought it would be naff, but I really enjoyed it.
Where are you going? Perhaps we could match the book with the place?

MNHQ
GeraldineMumsnet · 27/06/2012 09:16

Given this thread's theme, am flagging our summer reads 2012 page in case you miss it. :)

kikidee · 26/06/2012 19:38

Stokey, I just bought that William Nicholson based on the cover reviews. Like the idea that there's more to read if the first one is good, and it sounds like it is.

Stokey · 26/06/2012 10:53

I tried the new jilly Cooper, Jump, while i was pregnant... utter pants, i couldn't finish it.
Freedom and The Corrections both great. I've got into William Nicholson recently, the secret intensity of everyday life, set in sussex, is the first of a trilogy, very well written.

Original poster
jen127 · 25/06/2012 09:50

Thank you for the suggestions ! has anyone read Chris Brookmyre? I have had him recommended? I will take a look at the suggestions and purchase a few of them Grin
jumpinginmuddypuddles I also read Danielle Steel and the flowers int he attic around that era....

OP posts:
highlandcoo · 24/06/2012 23:41

The Observations by Jane Harris

Company of Liars by Karen Maitland

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

All long, involving, well-written books - great for holidays.

AnnaMosity · 24/06/2012 19:33

I read that too was ok

clemetteattlee · 24/06/2012 19:19

I recently reread The Future Homemakers of America by Laurie Graham and was reminded of how good it is.

MJennieJ · 23/06/2012 14:30

just read My Dear I wanted to tell you by Louisa Young in a day...brill.
Also loving the Susan Hill Serrailer detective novels.

thefoosa · 23/06/2012 13:35

this

thestringcheesemassacre · 23/06/2012 13:20

jumping yes it's one of my fave books, so hilarious and brilliant. Really looking forward to Freedom.

Jumpinginmuddypuddles · 23/06/2012 13:14

stringcheese - have you read The Corrections also by Jonathan Franzen? I thoroughly enjoyed that, but haven't got round to reading Freedom yet. Also, I liked Donna Tartt's two novels - The Secret History, and The Little Friend.

jen - if you like thrillers then I'd recommend Blacklands and Darkside both by Belinda Bauer - set on Exmoor and both excellent. There's a third one also but I can't remember the title (haven't read it yet). Also recommend Sophie Hannah's crime/thriller novels.

AnnaMosity · 23/06/2012 09:06

Liked the new eugedenies