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Original poster

I've lost my concentration span, please help me find something 'easy' but not trashy

34 replies

LowLevelBlinging · 11/09/2014 08:55

My favourite book recently by a million miles was The Goldfinch. In fact, I loved it so much that I've struggled to follow it.

I'm also studying and working, so by the time I get DCs to bed I find my concentration span is pretty poor.

So, can anyone recommend me something easy but not trashy? Non-fiction recommendations welcome too.

If it helps, these are the kind of books I've enjoyed:

The Nineteenth Wife
The Psychopath Test
All of David Sedaris' books (devoured!)
Nothing to Envy
How to be a Woman
The Song of Achilles
This Thing of Darkness (LOVED this)
The Lewis trilogy

I've just ditched a James Ellroy book as I couldn't follow who was who and the slang was hard work for me.

Any recommendations gratefully received!

OP posts:
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DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 17/09/2014 22:13

Ruining with scissors is fantastic!

A completely non taxing but thoroughly enjoyable read is The Magpies by Mark Edwards-couldn't put it down. unlike The GoldfinchWink

PeggyGuggenheim · 16/09/2014 21:45

Augusten Burroughs is a great recc if you like David Sedaris. Running with Scissors is great, as is Dry. What about Cold Comfort Farm, haven't seen that mentioned

Crouchendmummy · 16/09/2014 17:33

Kate Atkinson - Life after Life. I too really enjoyed the Goldfinch recently and since then this is the best book I've read. At first I thought I wouldn't be able to follow it but I got used to it after first couple of chapters and thought it was fab. Hope you enjoy too! Smile

Original poster
LowLevelBlinging · 15/09/2014 19:40

I've just come back on to say I'm getting stuck into I Am Pilgrim and looking forward to going to bed so I can read it!

And I have We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves lined up for next (plus a lengthy Amazon wish list!).

Thanks!

OP posts:
PrincessTheresaofLiechtenstein · 13/09/2014 21:26

Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
signature of all things
Anything by Barbara Kingsolver

JuniDD · 13/09/2014 21:20

Either of Mhairi McFarlane's books are really good. They're kinda "chick-lit" but not really and immensely funny.

bauhausfan · 13/09/2014 21:18

The Sisters Brothers is one of my favourite books but my friend thought it was appalling. I think you need to have a certain black sense of humour to appreciate it.

Original poster
LowLevelBlinging · 13/09/2014 14:02

I've just had a proper look through all those and they look brilliant. I'm a bit gutted I can only read one book at a time!

OP posts:
bauhausfan · 13/09/2014 13:48

I second The Little Stranger - what a GREAT book!

Original poster
LowLevelBlinging · 13/09/2014 13:41

oh brilliant, more recommendations, thank you!

My wish list is looking particularly healthy Smile

OP posts:
BringMeTea · 13/09/2014 13:13

If you like David Sedaris have you read Augusten Burroughs?

mupperoon · 11/09/2014 18:50

James Meek, especially The People's Act of Love and We Are Now Beginning Our Descent.

The Sisters Brothers?

BOFster · 11/09/2014 18:46

I second We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves - it sounds like we have similar taste, OP, so on that basis this thread is also going to cost me a fortune Grin.

I've just read Elizabeth Is Missing - absolutely superb.

LillianGish · 11/09/2014 18:42

if you want a Sarah Waters it's got to be the Little Stranger.

BellBookandCandle · 11/09/2014 18:41

What about something by Bill Bryson? Notes from a Small Island and Thunderbolt Kid are particular favourites of mine.

The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling is a non taxing read.

The Edible Woman or Bodily Harm by Margaret Atwood - I've always found them an easy read.

MrsBungle · 11/09/2014 17:59

You might enjoy the lighthouse by Alison Moore

Southeastdweller · 11/09/2014 17:56

What about Notes on a Scandal?

Original poster
LowLevelBlinging · 11/09/2014 09:20

this is going to cost me a fortune Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
LowLevelBlinging · 11/09/2014 09:17

OhGood, I'd forgotten I've read Fingersmith donkey's years ago - really enjoyed it!

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OhGood · 11/09/2014 09:14

Start with 'Fingersmith'.

All the best bits of Victorian England / fiction, twistily plotty, really good fun.

Original poster
LowLevelBlinging · 11/09/2014 09:12

OhGood, Any particular Sarah Waters you'd recommend? I read about half of The Night Watch and ditched it, I think I just found it quite slow, but I'd love specific suggestions.

The Amazon reviews of Water Music definitely sell it to me!

Timeforabiscuit, White Fever looks right up my street, thank you.

OP posts:
seasalt · 11/09/2014 09:10

The Cuckoo's Calling is an easy, enjoyable read.

LindaMcCartneySausage · 11/09/2014 09:07

Why don't you try We're All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler?

It's on the Booker long list, but skips along merrily, has enough long words and unravelling plot/twists to make you feel it's intellectually stretching, but has a chatty, first person narrative that I find very engaging.

Timeforabiscuit · 11/09/2014 09:06

White fever - sorry can't remember the author bit if you enjoyed nothing to envy this is about life in rural Russia - I found it fascinating.

OhGood · 11/09/2014 09:05

LowLevel we have a lot of crossover. I also LOVED 'This thing of darkness'.

Have you read Sarah Waters? If not, DEFINITELY try.

Short stories are good for concentration - Annie Proulx (brilliant but bleak); anthologies which always have something.

Later William Boyd - Waiting for Sunrise, for example?

I recently loved TC Boyle's 'Water Music', which is fiction-biography along the lines of 'Thing of Darkness', tells the story of Mungo Park in Africa. It's riotous and bawdy, though, not calm and measured like 'Darkness'.