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Original poster

enthralling books that draw you in from page 1

37 replies

bananacarnival · 01/01/2014 18:08

Is what I'm after please!

Having a very difficult time emotionally and I find that one way to help me through is getting stuck into a good book.

The trouble is I'm not very patient so the book has to 1.capture my interest from pg 1 and 2. Be easy to read, but not chick lit.

I usually go to the library, pick up a load of books that appeal, take them home, and most end up being returned unread.

These are the kinds of books I've enjoyed : Gone girl, The Help, most Tess Gerritson books, the husband's secret was ok but difficult to get into - almost put it down so many characters ! The kite runner. The Gargoyle is my all time favourite .

Books I've had recommended but couldn't sustain the interest for: The Rotters Club, Captain Correli..., Engelby...My name is Red...can't think of anymore !

If anyone can make some suggestions as to a book you think I might enjoy , please recommend !

It'll help keep me sane.

Happy new year.

OP posts:
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Caitlin17 · 03/01/2014 18:10

If you like post apocalyptic Sci-Fi then Adam Baker's Outpost and Juggernaut and Hugh Howey's Wool Trilogy.

Caitlin17 · 03/01/2014 18:05

I second The Quincunx and The Secret History but if The Goldfinch hadn't been on Kindle I'd have thrown it across the room at around page 200. I really hated it.

Bleak House and any David Mitchell, especially Ghost Written and Cloud Atlas.

bimblebee · 03/01/2014 14:02

Really easy to get into books I read last year and would recommend...
Black is the Colour by Helen Howe and Tideline by Penny Hancock.

Moggy72 · 03/01/2014 08:29

Hi OP - I just finished Gone Girl. I read The Help recently too and have just finished the third book by the author of the Kite Runner '"A thousand splendid suns".

You may like "A fine balance" by Rohinton Mistry.
Just brilliant - read it years ago and couldn't put it down.

isleangel · 03/01/2014 08:22

Banana I loved the gargoyle - its in my top 10 best ever books! The most recent books I have read that have got me hooked from the first page are The passage by Justin Cronin, The Hunger Games Trilogy, The lost symbol by Dan Brown, and I've just started The night Circus, and I'm really enjoying it even though I've only got to page 18 Grin

mynameisnotmichaelcaine · 03/01/2014 06:44

Glad you are feeling excited by reading, it really is a gift in troubled times.

Not sure if you're into fantasy, I'm not usually, but LOVED the Assassin's Apprentice and Tawny Man trilogies by Robin Hobb. Long but easy to get into Imo.

Have you read The Hunger Games? I find lots of teen fiction totally compelling. Will pm you a link to my blog, which has loads of suggestions.

Would also recommend Bill Bryson and HE Bates's The Darling Buds of May series for reading that comforts.

BikeRunSki · 03/01/2014 06:41

Anything by Douglas Kennedy, patrticularly "State of the union". All have great female leads. Ignore the silly girly covers. "A Special Relationship" and "The Pursuit of Happiness" gripping too.

georgie22 · 03/01/2014 06:21

The last real page turner I read (haven't read in ages after having ds in August!) was The Light Between Oceans by M.L.Stedman. Was recommended on here and had me gripped.

DuchessofMalfi · 03/01/2014 06:06

Just finished reading The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith/J K Rowling. Did not want to put it down Complete page-turner. Gripped by the story right from the start.

YouSirName · 02/01/2014 22:20

The hundred year old man. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone. It's an extraordinary story told in a factual manner with makes it laugh out loud funny.

glenthebattleostrich · 02/01/2014 22:15

If you like Tess Gerritson, have a look at Karin slaughter and Karen rose.

DancingLady · 02/01/2014 21:51

I loved Where'd You Go, Bernadette? from page one, ditto Gone Girl. American Wife and The Lacuna brilliant too.

MaeveBehave · 02/01/2014 21:49

Bananacarnival hope you're ok by the way. I know crime novels got me through a tough time, several tough times actually! wehn I can't bear to read about romance or love etc

MaeveBehave · 02/01/2014 21:47

I see there are two new linwood barclays out since 'trust your eyes'. I will buy them but not til they are in tesco. They are still big paperbacks. Not hardback but a BIG paper back. I hate that. I refuse to buy those stupid enormous books.

Kasterborous · 02/01/2014 21:23

Someone up thread mentioned a Linwood Barclay one, all of his are good. The Sue Grafton 'alphabet' ones are good too, maybe not quite gripping from the first two pages but are very easy to get into and are quite 'easy' reading. There are currently 22 of them so if you like them there are plenty!

MaeveBehave · 02/01/2014 18:24

Bought elizabeth haynes human remains today. Ive read the other two and they were good. I looked out for the 'one you lost/love/trust' earlier but i couldnt remember who had written them.

Belize · 02/01/2014 00:10

I've just started The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt - loved The Secret History too.

The Quincunx is excellent - Charles Palliser.

The Book Thief Markus Zusak.

Will think of more x

Earthymama · 02/01/2014 00:02

If you like Fantasy I have just read ColdMagic by Kate Elliott , first part of a trilogy and I was ShockAngrySad when I realised I was at the end.

I love Kate Atkinson,
Andrew Taylor,
Phil Rickman,
Elizabeth George,
Sara Paretsky,
Sue Grafton,
Nicola Upson,
Jacqueline Winspear.

Comfort reads if I am stressed or down
Jane Austen
Terry Pratchett
Georgette Heyer

And if you promise NEVER to tell
Nora Roberts and J D Robb!

Original poster
bananacarnival · 01/01/2014 23:56

I'm so excited! I'm supposed to be depressed but this thread has set me off on a mission.

Thankyou all...

OP posts:
ElleBellyBeeblebrox · 01/01/2014 23:08

A thousand splendid suns had me hooked from the start, I loved it. I haven't read kite runner yet so don't know how it compares.

Theonlyoneiknow · 01/01/2014 22:59

Off the top of my head, recent reads I couldn't put down

Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes
Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson
Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton
The Little House by Philipa Gregory
Cuckoo by Julia Crouch

And a few others but they are chick lit!

HarderToKidnap · 01/01/2014 22:48

State of wonder by ann patchett. Also bel canto by her. Both well written page turners!

MaeveBehave · 01/01/2014 22:47

If you like a good female crime novel then the missing and the burning very good. I also like that swedish female writer, camilla lackberg.

strawberrie · 01/01/2014 22:44

I don't know Jane Casey or Jonathan trooper, thanks for the suggestion maeve!

MaeveBehave · 01/01/2014 22:44

oh, the girl in times square by paullina simons. loved that one

Bonesandskully, which is the first in that trilogy?

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