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Original poster

What's your 'Book of the Decade'?

117 replies

toomuchsplother · 27/12/2019 21:22

Someone has just asked me this! Such a hard one and obviously everyone is going to have a totally different idea.
I am going with 'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders, which I know is a 'marmite book' but blew me away when I read it.
I have reread it at least 3 times, gifted and recommended it lots too.
Watching with interest to see other people's choices..

OP posts:
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FreyaMountstuart · 13/01/2020 15:45

‘ A Brief History of Seven Killings’ by Marlon James (first published 2014) is my nomination

Am just about to read ‘Lincoln in the Bardo’!

lockelamora · 13/01/2020 14:24

Too many to choose from but here's a few of my favourites that I haven't seen mentioned already...

Wool by Hugh Howey
The Martian by Andy Weir
The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin

MarshaBradyo · 10/01/2020 15:04

I’ve just downloaded The White Tiger re pp.

auberginesrus · 10/01/2020 15:01

I concur with lots of the choices mentioned so far, particularly the Kate Atkinsons, All the Light we Cannot See, the Henry Marsh and The Narrow Road to the Deep South (which unlike the others I can't bring myself to reread, but I but think about quite a lot).

I would also give an honourable mention you Ann Patchett's Commonwealth which I thought was fantastic.

Thanks to whoever recommended the Benjamin Myers, will give that a whirl, I read The Gallows Pole quite recently and really enjoyed it.

MarshaBradyo · 10/01/2020 09:35

I read such light books that are entertaining, but not quite greatest of decade

I enjoyed Belgravia by Julian Fellowes but probably older

MarshaBradyo · 10/01/2020 09:28

I’ve read a few of these but haven’t got in with them

I need a new book so looking for more inspiration

SunshineAvenue · 10/01/2020 09:24

Too hard! My top 5 would be

The Signature of All Things - Elizabeth Gilbert

Life After Life - Kate Atkinson

The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt

The Power - Naomi Alderman

The Testaments - Margaret Atwood

TR888 · 09/01/2020 19:41

Oooh. Middlesex. Absolutely excellent.

I also loved Everything is Illuminated, but that's a bit of a Marmite book.

momtoboys · 05/01/2020 01:52

I'm an idiot. White Chrysanthemum, not Gardenia! Wink

momtoboys · 05/01/2020 01:51

I have loved so many of the books mentioned here but I really loved White Gardenia.

ComeBackPeterComeBackPaul · 05/01/2020 01:39

Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout, Sweet Caress by William Boyd and The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert.

TechnicalSergeantGarp · 04/01/2020 23:56

I'll have a think. I like all of these s one offs but I like to intertwine them with authors and series I really like.

It's interesting that books have such a polarising impact. I didn't like The Goldfinch but did like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.

I found my favourite author and it's Robert J Crane. I read anything he writes and he is prolific. I love Ian. M. Banks and Isaac Asimov too. I love Rivers of London and
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet series by Becky Chambers.

Margotshypotheticaldog · 04/01/2020 23:37

Placemarking for more recommendations ☺ Thanks for all so far!

midsomermurderess · 04/01/2020 23:33

I have a soft spot for After the Fire, A Still Small Voice by Evie Wyled (2009) although it is a tough read.

Armi · 04/01/2020 22:36

I know it was published in 2009, but I have to say Wolf Hall. I am mesmerised by it, and re-read it regularly. It’s just perfect.

workffs · 04/01/2020 21:37

I could not get on with milkman for love nor money - the only book I couldn't finish alongside the shipping news

Cakemonger · 04/01/2020 11:54

@HRHPrincessMegan It's a few years now since I read it and I keep meaning to go back to it. Such an extraordinary story and so beautifully written. It helps that I love anything to do with art history!

Original poster
toomuchsplother · 04/01/2020 11:39

Sorry wrong flipping thread!!!

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HRHPrincessMegan · 04/01/2020 11:39

@cakemonger at last someone who shares my love for this book! Probably the most moving, eloquent family history I’ve ever read. I also learnt so much from it.

Original poster
toomuchsplother · 04/01/2020 11:38

4. The Offing by Benjamin Myers set just after WW2. In the summer between school and work a coal miners son sets out to walk. He ends up in Robin Hoods Bay and meets an eccentric and intelligent women , Dulce Piper . She opens his eyes to the world of literature and poetry and demands that he thinks more of himself. He in return offers her practical help and helps her come to terms with grief. A short but quiet beautiful book with some stunning nature writing .
This quote - a short poem - I found especially beautiful-
"Fortified by laughter,
Galvanised by love
I am forever
In your atoms.”

Would recommend

OP posts:
Cakemonger · 04/01/2020 11:31

The Hare with Amber Eyes

princessspotify · 04/01/2020 01:25

Another vote for Elanor Oliphant.
I absolutely loved it

Original poster
toomuchsplother · 03/01/2020 22:30

Enjoying hearing all these.

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Helocariad · 03/01/2020 21:10

Another vote for Middlesex.
Also The Poisonwood Bible.
And The Bone Clocks by David Mittchell.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 03/01/2020 19:55

Wow, White Tiger! How could I forget that one?

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