What's the last brilliant book you read?

I've just finished The Teacher by Katerina Diamond. It's a remarkably gruesome thriller but I loved it. 99p on Amazon. I got really involved with all the characters and it was, for me, a satisfying ending.

Night film by Marisha Pessl. Stunning.

Here we go again. Opens Wordery bookmark...

And 'The Art of Asking', an autobiography by Amanda Palmer, was the last brilliant book I read.

'The Spy Who Came In From The Cold' - just finished it and now want to read all of le Carre's stuff. 50/50 cross/happy that it's taken me so long to discover him v I've got lots of books to look forward to.

I'm shamelessly placemarking because I haven't been able to read a book for ages, my attention span is out the window. But I will come back to this thread when I am ready.

I've just finished Home by Marilynne Robinson which is the best thing I've read since the Goldfinch which I loved and recommend to everyone.

Another vote for I Am Pilgrim here. The best book I've read in many years. I loved The Goldfinch as well. I've got some great suggestions for my next book from this thread. Thanks everyone.

Another vote for Moving by Jenny Eclair. Going to definitely get some more of her books.

Also loved The Other Son by Nick Alexander. I enjoyed seeing both how the main character saw herself and how others saw her.

Another vote for A God in Ruins - it made me really properly weep (although there are funny parts too.)

I also very much enjoyed The Anchoress by Robyn Cadwallader. It's set in the 13th century, and about a young woman who becomes an anchorite, shut away in a cell adjoined to a church for the rest of her life, only allowed contact with her maids, her confessor and female villagers through a little curtained window if they come for counsel. It's fascinating, finding out what would make her choose that life, and the whole story of the village that you learn from brief glimpses as the women interact with her.

Also, another two books that hit me quite hard and stayed with me for a while after were Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton and Every Last One by Anna Quindlen. Both quite harrowing but great reads, in case anyone is still looking for recommendations.

Popping in to say thank you to those who recommended A Little Life. Halfway through and having to put it down in places as it's so sad and harrowing, but it is an amazing book. I also loved the Goldfinch and would totally recommend.

AlexPKeaton I bought A Little Life on your recommendation and am halfway through. Horribly sad but wonderful book.

I read The Goldfinch and The Paying Guests in 2014 and agree with other posters that they are two superb books. The Goldfinch is possibly my all-time favourite novel.

More votes here for The Paying Guests and Station Eleven. I really don't understand why Girl on the Train is so popular, I thought it was pretty poor - although admittedly quite compelling since I finished it.

I'll be picking up The Goldfinch next based on the recommendations here (loved the Secret History but found The Little Friend was a bit blah).

I let you go by Claire Mackintosh. Amazing twist half way through that kept me gripped. Now trying to find what to read next!

Also A God in Ruins and Life after Life. Everyone in book club loved as much as me our DHs reading them now

God am still in shock after reading A Little Life. Don't unless you are feeling mentally strong.

Anything by Margaret Forster
Khaled Hosseini - The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. Unputdownable, and so sad.
The Miniaturist
Anything by Mitch Alborn,. esp. Tuesdays with Morrie and The Fiev People You Meet in Heaven.

'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern - fabulous! It's like Enid Blyton's 'The Faraway Tree' series for grown-ups!

Also enjoyed Natasha Pulley's 'The Watchmaker of Filligree Street', Leah Fleming's 'The Postcard' and Kristin Hannah's 'Winter Garden'.

If you like the tv show 'Castle' the JD Robb's (Nora Robert) 'In Death' series is very similar in style and format but set in the future.

I've enjoyed all Kate Morton's books.

And Victoria Hislop.

I have just finished The Lake House, by Kate Morton.

I love the way it weaved the strands of the story over three different eras. The characters were so well drawn. Not life changing literature but very enjoyable.

Hoggle, bossing you about again - you need to read the amazing Life After Life before A God in Ruins, which is a sort of continuation. I'm finding the second one hard to get into.

I really enjoyed A God In Ruins, and although the ending seems to divide opinion, I found it incredibly poignant.