Absolutely Unputdownable Books

Ellaroo, have to agree re Tatiana and Alexander, so wonderful, think I even shed a tear or two!!!

Has anybodyread My Sister's Keeper by Judi Picoult? I've just read a review in an old Good Housekeeping and it looks like an interesting read.

Kate Fitzgerald has a rare form of leukemia. Her sister, Anna, was conceived to provide a donor match for procedures that become increasingly invasive. At 13, Anna hires a lawyer so that she can sue her parents for the right to make her own decisions about how her body is used when a kidney transplant is planned

Anything by Paullina Simons (Shrub, have you read the sequel to the Bronze Horseman - Tatiana & Alexander - even better!)

Also love Prue Leith, John O'Farrell, India Knight, Pearl Abraham & Maggie O'Farrell. Have just read the most amazing book called 'Truth or Dare' edited by Justine Picardie where different authors share their secrets - includes Julie Myerson, Nick Hornby, William Fiennes, Andrea Ashworth etc etc - it is the best thing I have read for ages - the only downside was Sophie Dahl's contribution which didn't really fit with the rest.

More & more I think it's a translation thing, Marina. You probably still won't Franny & Zooey, so perhaps you ought not to bother with it again.

And oh--Marina, that was nice of you to pick up on my J.E. comment, though I instantly regretted writing it b/c it probably seemed like I was showing off. I actually don't know if we're friends anymore because shortly after I wrote that post, I contacted him and never heard back but I think he's pretty busy & can be like that, I think. . .

It makes me a little mournful to remember this, but he & I did a reading together at an American university some years ago when I was in my 20s and had "promise" as a writer (ie before moving here, having kids & just generally getting unfocused which is no one's fault but my own.) I have a habit of reading with people who later become successful (tho J.E. was already v. well known) but going nowhere myself, so I think of myself as a sort of good luck charm to other writers, which I suppose is a useful enough purpose in life. . .

I must try him again then Expatkat, I had a go at Franny and Zooey years ago (and I do mean about 25 years ago ) and could not get on with it. I also didn't seem to enjoy/relate to Catcher in the Rye like you are supposed to

I agree with so much on this list, and am so happy to see so many Americans (incl. Canadians) on the list.

But no one mentioned J.D. Salinger. . .I wonder if he doesn't translate so well over here. I like Catcher in the Rye, but I am obsessed with the Glass family, who appear in:
9 Stories
Raise High the Roof Beams, Carpenter
Franny & Zooey

The first is a collection of stories, the second 2 are novellas you can read in a day practically without stopping to breathe, they are so engrossing. Works of genius (I think). Franny is the character is literature I most relate to. . .in fact, when my dad was laid up in hospital earlier this year, I had him read it, and he said, "I think I finally understand you now!"

Yes, I have read it, and thought it was great.
Have you read the next one "Tis"?

Has any one read Angelas Ashes by Frank Mccourt,
Its one of my all time favourites that i can read over and over. Lent it to a couple of people who gave it me back and said that they couldnt get on with it and it was rubbish....i was dumbfounded.
Other favs:
the shining,(Steven King)
To kill a mocking bird,(Harper Lee)
stories from a small Island (Bill Bryson)
Around Ireland with a fridge(Tony Hawks)
Tuppence to cross the Mersey (Helen Forrester)
Lovely bones(Alice Sebold)
Any thing by Roddy Doyle
Bridgit Jones...of course
so so so many more not mentioned!!!

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Fan-blooming-tastic.

Just reading a book called The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen. Psychological thriller and very well written. I love all Dan Browns books.

I'm off to bed now too - must get some Middlesex under my belt!

I agree emphatically with everything that sponge likes except I hate Peter Carey.

Also

Perfume by Patrick Suskind
The crimson petal and the white, can't remember who by
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

Loads more can't think now as am off to bed!

OOooh! - I read Carter Beats the Devil on recommendation from a guy at work - he really sang its praises - sadly I thought it was rubbish! He said I was the only person he knew who thought so - each to their own I say!

Another enthusiastic vote for Middlesex, I finished it not long ago and really enjoyed it. I scrolled down through this thread earlier and see that ExpatKat KNOWS Jeffrey Eugenides! You lucky woman. He's a marvellous writer, you tell him so!
Roobie, hope you can track down the Salterton Trilogy - and I also loved Carter Beats the Devil. Were you thinking of The Deptford Trilogy while reading it?

'Of Marriageable Age' by Anita Maas. Fantastic! Also 'The Red Tent' by Anita Diamant is also great, as you end up discussing it with all your friends.

Also still can't forget about any book by Judy Blume, in particular 'Forever' which was the talking point for many an hour throughout my teens - still can't meet anyone called 'Ralph' and keep a straight face. If you've read it you'd know what I mean!

I liked 'Middlesex' - found it really easy to read and really interesting. Will always remind me of ds3 as I read it in the few days up to his birth in August. I finished the evening I went into labour .

Oh, let me know how you get on with Middlesex, I've got that on my wish list at Amazon.

Demented - thanks, keep me posted! - I've just started Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides - but I haven't got very far yet - less time on here I think would be a start!

Dan Brown - The Da Vinci Code. Fab.

All time fav - To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee.

Also excited to see Robertson Davies mentioned - I thought it was only me (and my mate Richard!) who had ever read his books. The Deptford Trilogy is a fabulous read....just off the Amazon to look for the Salterton Trilogy now which I haven't read.
Would also recommend "Carter Beats the Devil" by Glen David Gold - enthralling story about the life of a magician/illusionist around the time of Houdini etc.

For real laugh out loud moments as well as plenty of empathy I would strongly recommend "I Don't Know How She Does It" by Allison Pearson. Dh even read it after me and thought it was a hoot. It's a novel about this high-powered city fund manager and how she struggles with looking after her two young children, being a good mum and wife etc. Loads of recognisable dilemmas and amusing observations (the stuck-up school gate mums are labelled "The Muffia"!!).

Joolstoo, I've just started The Little Friend, about 50 pages in, and so far I'm really enjoying it. I'm not far enough on with it to know whether I'll just get completely fed up but at the moment it's caught my attention, don't be too put off.