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Original poster

What is the most gripping, incredible book you have ever read that you just couldn't put down?

113 replies

tripletsandtwins · 23/11/2007 14:31

I desperately need an incredible book! I'm on bedrest and I'm suddenly finding myself with time to actually read, but no good books!

Currently, I'm reading Harry Potter 7, but I'm nearly finished!

Help!

OP posts:
seeker · 24/11/2007 05:31

CAn I lower the tone? Rivals, by Jilly Cooper. None of her others, just Rivals. I think it's brilliant - the best really long "light"read ever!

Jane Auster is a good "bed rest" choice. Very good for the bllod pressure - like listening to Bach!

mynameis · 24/11/2007 03:08

A book I read years ago but has always stuck in my mind for being so moving that tears were rolling down my cheeks. Lynda la Plante - Entwined. Must read it again!

anorak · 24/11/2007 01:37

Earthly Powers by Anthony Burgess, a rich tapestry of trilingual jokes and amazing happenings intertwined with real historical events.

Oenophile · 24/11/2007 01:26

Rebecca, by Daphne Du Maurier. Can still reread it and thrill from the first meeting with Maxim right to the end. Also, My Sister Rachel, same author.

BananaPudding · 24/11/2007 01:18

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Any book from the Darkover series be Marion Zimmer Bradley if you at all like fantasy

Empress Orchid by Anchee Min

I'm sure I'll think of more later

skerriesmum · 24/11/2007 01:17

Two that are disturbing in parts but utterly gripping are Memoirs of a Geisha (much better than the crap film!) and A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.
I echo The Secret History, I've reread that one so many times!
Also for a fun read Little Children is good.

moondog · 24/11/2007 01:05

Can't believe I am admitting to this but
'The Stand' by Stephen King gripped me like nowt else.

Alambil · 24/11/2007 00:16

I have been on a chick lit rampage recently!

I LOVE Marshmallows for Breakfast and My Best Friend's Girl. Kept me reading WAY past bed time!

Also, Jacqui Picoult is good; Plain Truth is very good as is My Sister's Keeper and Keeping Faith.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 23/11/2007 17:49

Garth Nix's Lireal trilogy - better than Harry Potter although not quite as good as Northern Lights. Still excellent though.

snooks · 23/11/2007 16:49

Oh and anything by Ruth Rendell or P D James. Dan Brown (da vinci code and others) is very good for making you want to read the next chapter too.

snooks · 23/11/2007 16:46

Don't know if anyone's said this already but...

any of Patricia Cornwell Dr Scarpetta series (The Body Farm for eg). Sometimes I would be reading with one eye open and one eye closed because I was so darned tired but they are IMPOSSIBLE to put down, I warn you!

Lauriefairycake · 23/11/2007 16:44

Forever Amber - set in the court of Charles 2nd it's a thrilling historical romance with some pretty good history stuff. Found it genuinely unputdownable and I've read it 3 times in the last few years.

It's strange, I read at least 2/3 books a week and I'm still recommending this book years later.

NoviceKnitter · 23/11/2007 16:15

Agree anything by Rose Tremain - engrossing but with a lovely touch of humour - Restoration my favourite

Also love Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach, Atonement by Ian McEwan, When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishaguro

JenT · 23/11/2007 16:10

Shadows of the wind "look at www.amazon.co.uk/Shadow-Wind-Carlos-Ruiz-Zafon/dp/0753819317"

or the time travellers wife

CatIsSleepy · 23/11/2007 16:07

Carter beats the devil by Glenn David Gold
and
An instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears are both big and utterly un-put-downable

anything by Rose Tremain

Bleak House
Great Expectations

NKF · 23/11/2007 16:03

I think when you're on bedrest you need big books or series books. I read Possession by A S Byatt, stacks of Balzac (talk about prolific). I imagine Northern Lights would do the job too.

imaginaryfriend · 23/11/2007 16:01

Michel Faber - The Crimson Petal and the White
Sarah Waters - The Night Watch

Two of the best, most readable yet beautifully written, stories I've read in ages.

magicfairy · 23/11/2007 16:00

Kafka on the shore by haruki murakami, odd but i couldnt put it down!

ksld · 23/11/2007 15:59

Northern Lights Trilogy - a definite must if you are enjoying Harry Potter. If you like fantasy have you tried the Lord of the Rings trilogy? Bit long and dull in places (don't slate me fans!) but kept me gripped for weeks.

Chick Lit wise I would try French Relations by Fiona Walker. Great way to escape from boredom and the cold weather.

Hope you are feeling ok tripletsandtwins?

hoxtonchick · 23/11/2007 15:47

brill, thanks.

lululemonrefuser · 23/11/2007 15:21

Hoxtonchick - do persevere with it - it is worth or (at least, I think so). I found it a bit hard to get into at first. It's describing a culture that is so very different and I think that can be hard to get your head round sometimes. Once all the characters are introduced though it really gets going - you'll by gripped once you are halfway through!

hoxtonchick · 23/11/2007 15:17

oh, my recommendations:
balkan trilogy, olivia manning
tales of the city series, armistead maupin
a vicious circle, amanda craig

Marina · 23/11/2007 15:11

yy Barbara Vine and The Secret History
To Kill a Mockingbird if you haven't already read that.

hoxtonchick · 23/11/2007 15:09

am glad the cairo trilogy is reccommended, i'm about 70 pages into the first one & it hasn't grabbed me yet, but i will persevere.

ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands · 23/11/2007 15:09

Between Two Eternities by Rosemary Kay

I wrote to the author. Only time I've ever done that. She wrote back.. tis a treasured possession!