Absolutely Unputdownable Books

Follow your heart by Susana Tamaro (wept from beginning to end!)

The Pilars of The Earth by Ken Follet (as long as the Bible, hence... couldn't do anything but reading for a week, I don't think I slept much in that week either, the book was with me at all hours )

chinchilla, its been a while since I read The Secret History, but what I rememebr is that there is a murder right at the start and you know who did it, so instead of wondering "who", you read the book wondering "why", which I loved. I seem to recall that the narrator falls in with a hugely glamorous set and is full of insecurity about why they are accepting him, a bit like the thingy Mr Ripley when someone doesnt fit in to the glamorous set and its so cringeworthy - nasty high school girls kind of stuff. Well thats what I rememeber of it - I also tried to read her second book but couldnt get into it - there is a family tragedy at the beginning and since ds was born I cant read anything involving things happening to children - gory ends for adults are fine, but children no!

Am bumping this for chinchilla cos I haven't got the book handy, am nearly tipsy and scared of giving too much away if i try and explain the plot!!

But you should read it anyway chinchilla....

YES YEs the lovely bones, read in one day. and also the curious incident of the dog. and also if no one speaks of remarkable things...beautiful...oh i love unputdownable books!

"There be dragon's" by Sharron Penman, read when I was 16, and gav me a huge love of British history

and The lovely bones, can't remember whose it's by but was a lovely unputdownable book.

Can anyone tell me please???

My favs at the moment are "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Phillipa Gregory, historical yes but raunchy and racey and you really feel as if you are a part of what's going on. Also anything by Margaret Forster.

I've just read Riding in Cars with Boys by Bevery Donofrio. I could of read it in one sitting but unfortunately life didn't permit. Really enjoyed it, very different from the film, which I also enjoyed.

So what is it about please?

Thankyou moominmama, will look it up on Amazon!

I agree with you marsup, it is rather long - having said that I enjoyed it so much I didn't want it to end.

Chinchilla, I found The Secret History a real page-turner, but I think it is too long for what it does.

Ok Miaou, just for you

Have found it - Animal Dreams. Think it's a US edition though so don't know if it's available over here. Quite different to Poisonwood - set in 20th century USA but still really beautifully written. Well worth a look.

And while looking for that I found another I'd like to recommend - The Underground Man by Mick Jackson.

Let me know what the other one is moominmama, I love recommendations.

Brilliant isn't it, miaou! I'm actually reading an earlier one of hers now (although I haven't picked it up for a bit as I always seem to have 7 books on the go at once ) - can't remember what it's called, something about animals...is v good tho!

Have to say, though, Poisonwood Bible I read while lazing on a hot balcony in Savannah, Georgia so it could also be that it has nice memories for me! Would definitely recommend it to anyone who's seen it but hasn't tried it yet...

oooh moominmama, another person who has read poisonwood bible! I keep recommending it, even my dh loved it (I had to persuade him to read it at first, he was put off by the word bible!!)

Oooh, have only just seen this thread! The ones I can think of right now are:

Jane Eyre
Lolita
Secret History
Down and Out in Paris and London
pretty much anything by AL Kennedy
Oscar and Lucinda
Poisonwood Bible
The Complete Molesworth

there must be loads more...

Snap skerriesmum re 'A Fine Balance' but don't read it if you're pregnant or emotional! I have given it to most people I know but it is very disturbing.

The Secret History is a very different book, IMO. It's a few years since I read it but I remember feeling like it was a window into another world. I am also intrigued by books with "anti-heroes" in them, I would say it falls into this category.

PS well done on getting it for 20p, most charity shops seem to charge £2-£3 for decent books!

I got 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt in a charity bookshop today. I could not get on with 'The Little Friend' at all, so can anyone convince me that it is worth reading. I only spent 20p on it, so it is not a big problem if I don't read it, but some people on here raved about it. Can those people tell me why it was so great please...TIA

Kayleigh, I've only read BSG and Lucia,Lucia, but loved them both equally - the story and emotions in Lucia are just as good, plus it is set in 1950's New York for extra romance!

I'm just glad it arrived jan, I posted it in rather a dodgy looking postbox.... He did look cute didn't he? SiL about to turn up, so I'll ask her.

Re F & S, I think it's autobiographical. Maybe it was better to write than read?

Haven't read the whole thread so apologies for any repetition but everyone MUST MUST MUST read A Fine Balance, Rohinton Mistry... amazing, disturbing, unforgettable (and I didn't know it was on the Oprah book club list!)

oh dear - i bought frankie and stankie a while back on a waterstones 3 for 2, and is sitting their waiting to be read - sounds like it will not be a quick enjoyable read. shame as I really liked the travelling hornpipe blower one of hers

Oh bum, cross-posted, so lending you the others won't help much then.

Oh Janh, I am sorry. I did wonder whether to say anything, but it's had such good reviews, and her other books are just so utterly brilliant (as hoxtonchick says) that I thought it was churlish to stop you. Sorry . I still can't believe she was able to write anything bad. I'll lend you the others when I see you, promise!