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Original poster

What's the last brilliant book you read?

135 replies

HoggleHoggle · 04/03/2016 17:55

I'm very excited to be going to an actual bookshop on Sunday rather than buying online but I'm all out of inspiration! I read a lot and am running out of stuff I'm aware of.

Can anyone tell me the last book they read that they absolutely loved?

Mine was The Light Years by Elizabeth Jane Howard. Picked up solely because it has an outrageously beautiful cover Blush I'd never heard of it before but it was AMAZING. And the first of a five volume series so that's how I've been spending the last month of my life!

Am interested in novels mostly but also happy to hear about non-fiction. Thank you!

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apple1992 · 06/04/2016 22:30

Girl on the train - read it in an day a few weekends ago. Totally gripped!

Totally different but the last book I read and was hooked on was The Hackney Child - quite distressing but very compelling.

BaconAndAvocado · 06/04/2016 22:26

Music and Silence is my favourite Rose Tremain book.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is a beautiful book too.

proudmom135 · 06/04/2016 21:21

The last book that I read was the Trespass by Tremain. Wink

cressetmama · 06/04/2016 09:39

The Shepherd's Life, by James Rebanks. Non-fiction, brilliant. I have not enjoyed anything so much for ages so I am recommending it to anyone who will listen. It just came out in paperback.

rattata · 03/04/2016 21:49

We are not ourselves by Matthew Thomas - family saga about a New York Irish Girl Eileen Tumelty, her marriage and life - very insightful.

Not brilliant but very good: Excellent Women by Barbara Pym about a 32 year old spinster in the 1950's - so well observed.

suzannecaravaggio · 02/04/2016 09:19

Thanks I'll look into those😄

Quogwinkle · 02/04/2016 08:42

Restoration is wonderful, and its sequel Merivel.

suzannecaravaggio · 02/04/2016 08:37

Trespass is the first of hers I've read, I started listening to the abridged book at bedtime version and then moved over to the book

Catastrophica · 02/04/2016 03:06

I love some of Rose Tremain's books...Where I Found her, Restoration, and the short story collection Evangelista's Fan.

Howard Norman's The Bird Artist and The Museum Guard, and The Haunting of L and all the rest of his fiction.

Judy Budnitz's If I told you Once is an amazing feat. I wish she'd written something after this because its the only novel I can find.

suzannecaravaggio · 01/04/2016 09:56

I enjoyed Trespass by Rose Tremain

ExitPursuedByABear · 29/03/2016 13:02

I just cannot get going with The Book Thief.

I have had to put it in the pile with Middlemarch and Captain Corelli's Mandolin. All started many times and failed to finish.

Freya888 · 29/03/2016 12:59

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Fantastic books

redannie118 · 28/03/2016 21:17

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns, and so we've agreed to take this down now.

serin · 28/03/2016 20:54

redannie118...I have just ordered Witch Light on the strength of your review!

serin · 28/03/2016 20:48

I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes was so gripping, sat up all night to finish it.

Currently reading and loving Kim by Rudyard kipling.

redannie118 · 28/03/2016 20:43

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns, and so we've agreed to take this down now.

Dolly2404 · 28/03/2016 20:43

Girl on a train is good,
Love all of Dorothy koomson's books
All of Simon kernicks
Currently on Jill mandala newest which is good too

pinocchiosnose · 28/03/2016 20:30

A man called Ove. It was just such a lovely book that made me both laugh out loud and cry . A rarity for me.

I'm currently reading the versions of us by Laura Barnett. Beautifully written

notamummy10 · 28/03/2016 20:19

Asking For It and Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill. They are both rather dark and upsetting but they are worth reading!

Asking For It revolves around Irish rape culture and victim-blaming whereas Only Ever Yours' themes include: eating disorders, body dysmorphia, homophobia, anti-breastfeeding (I'm not kidding), addiction etc. So no dystopian outlook here!

iklboo · 28/03/2016 20:07

Brighton Rock. I'm kicking myself it's taken me so long to get round to it.

elmersfud · 28/03/2016 19:41

The other hand by Chris Cleave. Really good. Also loved Matt Haig The Humans. About to start in Elizabeth is missing

RupertPupkin · 28/03/2016 19:27

I've just finished the Grapes of Wrath and can't stop thinking about it. I read it for book group otherwise I probably wouldn't have. It's just phenomenal. Only book I've read that's made me cry.

Obs2016 · 28/03/2016 19:24

Recently read:
paying guests
kite runner
thousand splendid suns
and enjoyed them all.

Jujuheyhey · 28/03/2016 19:18

Everything by Sarah Waters (I have read them all except The Paying Guest which is in my To Read pile, very excited about it seeing how many votes it got on here!

Also everything by Zadie Smith - I love her and wish she would bring out a new novel, it's been too long since NW. Think On Beauty is my favourite of hers though.

whatamidoinghereanyway · 28/03/2016 18:30

I never, ever read a book in one sitting, but if you're a fan of fast-paced, psychological thrillers try 'The. quiet Ones'. Smileread the whole book this afternoon!

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