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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:
Piggywaspushed · 30/12/2019 07:32

I have said this on the other thread before but I just don't think I have read a book in the last ten years (so, therefore, written within that time frame) that has changed my life/outlook or blown me away as much as many books written between about 1990 - 2000 ish. I don't think it's an age thing!

Admittedly, I haven't read Lincoln but I have read nearly all the others mentioned on this thread and just thought they were all 'good'.

I will ponder my books and see if I can come up with a contender!

The Atkinsons all left me cold , I'm afraid.

lovethesunshineways · 29/12/2019 23:31

@Mumofcats5 I loved A little Life too and thought about it for ages afterwards, so would also say this book.
Also loved a thousand splendid suns and the invention of wings

Palegreenstars · 29/12/2019 23:19

@onlyconnect I agree that book was perfect!

clary · 29/12/2019 21:32

The Goldfinch. My book of the century actually (which means I can consider P&P as my best-ever😄)

Big shout out to all Kate Atkinson's books esp Life After Life and Hilary Mantel's two about Thomas Cromwell.

Must try Lincoln in the Bardo then 😀

onlyconnect · 29/12/2019 21:24

The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanegan.

Mumofcats5 · 29/12/2019 20:58

My book of the decade has to be A Little Life. I honestly still think about it most days now.
Also big thumbs up for Kate Atkinson too!

RoyalCorgi · 29/12/2019 20:03

There are so many books in the past 10 years that I've loved - two, already mentioned, that come near the top of the list are Wolf Hall and The Goldfinch. But I have to agree with Permanent that Milkman is absolutely standout. I'm amazed that I hadn't heard of Anna Burns until she won the Booker.

IndigoApple · 29/12/2019 15:39

Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller or Tin Man by Sarah Winman

MrsWhites · 29/12/2019 15:00

Oh can I join in please. I’m new to ‘what we’re reading’ but my New Years resolution is to complete a 50 book challenge so this is giving me some great ideas.

My book of the decade would be The Storyteller by Jodi Piccoult or Eleanor Ophiliant is completely fine.

DownWentTheFlag · 28/12/2019 23:11

I’m torn between ‘All the light we cannot see’ and Ken Follett’s ‘Fall of Giants’. I wish I could go back and re-read them for the first time.

Heathercob · 28/12/2019 23:06

I've loved the 'Seven Sisters' series by Lucinda Riley.

HRHPrincessMegan · 28/12/2019 22:20

The Hare with the Amber Eyes - Edmund de Waal.

pallisers · 28/12/2019 22:16

In terms of what I read rather than what was published this decade undoubtedly Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglas, An American Slave I think it should be required reading to graduate from high school in the US

My favourite books from this decade were A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles and Life After Life and A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson

Dapplegrey · 28/12/2019 22:09

Goldfinch for me. I refuse to watch the film as it’ll sound it

I agree. I adored the book and I can picture all the characters and the places and the film would spoil this.
Also, the film got bad reviews.

user1487194234 · 28/12/2019 21:39

Wolf Hall and Life after Life

PermanentTemporary · 28/12/2019 19:47

Last year was incredible (read Lincoln last year and absolutely loved it) this year not so many standouts, but I'll go for Milkman by Anna Burns. Has to be a lifetime top twenty for me.

Sam1875 · 28/12/2019 19:43

Highly recommend
Clockwork Angels by Kevin J Anderson and Neil Peart (RUSH)
A story that can reflect most peoples life and battles -
With an emotional ending that is, in many ways, a summary of what life is all about...
We all are nurturing our own garden... our own family...

Original poster
toomuchsplother · 28/12/2019 17:21

So many good books I had forgotten. Close run
thing but still sticking with Lincoln at the moment...

OP posts:
southeastdweller · 28/12/2019 11:32

Has to be The Goldfinch.

CountFosco · 28/12/2019 11:30

Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel. Absolutely incredible writing, can't wait to read The Mirror and the Light.

Apix · 28/12/2019 10:56

I'd also go for all the light we cannot see but Educated by Tara Woodrow(?) and Underground Railroad were close contenders.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 28/12/2019 09:08

All The Light We Cannot See would be my choice. I chose it for book group and everyone loved it. Then dh chose it for his (all male) book group and they also thought it was wonderful.

kingsassassin · 28/12/2019 09:05

Home Fire by kamila shamsie - or the Underground Railroad by Colton whitehead. Both incredibly compelling unputdownable reads.

cakebythepound1234 · 28/12/2019 08:28

Do No Harm by Dr Henry Marsh - the first doctor's memoir that I read, and it completely blew me away. I recommend it to everyone, it's absolutely stunning and got me hooked on medical autobiographies.

Also The Power by Naomi Alderman, and The Passage by Justin Cronin.

smemorata · 28/12/2019 08:16

I saw the title of this thread and my first thought was Lincoln in the Bardo. I have read and enjoyed a lot of books but that one really stands out.

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