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Original poster

What's the best books you've read in the last 12 months?

231 replies

lizkt · 03/09/2021 00:07

American Dirt really stands out for me.

Looking for some new books to read so would love to hear any ideas.

OP posts:
LethargeMarg · 28/11/2021 21:25

Just remembered another brilliant read this year - Standard deviation very funny

LethargeMarg · 28/11/2021 21:21

Still life by sarah winman was my book of the summer - took about a chapter to get into but such well written lovely characters it's a very optimistic and big hearted read ( I loved her book tinman a few years ago too)
Others I've loved already mentioned the push and girl A were brilliant as was 3 hours - all thrillers which wouldn't always be my thing but they were all so readable and gripping
Anne Tyler's red head at the side of the road was a gentler warm hug of a read
I read the glass hotel by the author of station 11 which I really enjoyed but am a bit wary of station 11 as it's pandemic themed but so many people have told me to read it and I really enjoyed the pull of the stars which is Set in the flu pandemic so I should give station 11 a try ,

Reduxrabbit · 28/11/2021 21:07

Love anything by Tana French, such a joy when you find a whole series of books by an excellent author

WhenSepEnds · 28/11/2021 08:33

@Violetparis

Just remembered My Sister, the Serial Killer was another good one I've read.
Really enjoyed that too
WhenSepEnds · 28/11/2021 08:32

@017HF

Loved American Dirt!

Shuggie Bain
The Midnight Library
Nickel Boys
Sleepers
I Am Pilgrim
The Thursday Murder Club
The Nightingale
The Beekeeper of Aleppo

Not all published in last 12 months but I’ve read them in that period, so not sure if they fit the criteria but worth a read!

Loved Thursday murder club too! I bought shuggie Bain for myself and mother in law (to put away for Xmas) but thinking it might not be a good choice for her Joe I've started reading it GrinConfused
WhenSepEnds · 28/11/2021 08:31

@AdaColeman

Piranesi ~ Susanna Clarke A Gentleman in Moscow ~ Amor Towles The Dig ~ John Preston
Loved a gentleman in Moscow too, this was our book club pick. So glad as I probably would not have chosen it myself
WhenSepEnds · 28/11/2021 08:30

@lizkt

American Dirt really stands out for me.

Looking for some new books to read so would love to hear any ideas.

Absolutely loved American dirt, think it would make a great film
Luredbyapomegranate · 28/11/2021 08:28

The Wynch Elm - Tana French - such a clever engaging whodunnit

Kiss myself goodbye - Extraordinary investigation of the author Ferdinand Mount’s mysterious aunt

Also reread The True and Amazing Adventures of the Hunt Sisters, fantastic funny novel based on the author’s family life

Have just finished and loved small pleasures.
Enjoyed the Richard Osman books - great Christmas reads.

FritataPatate · 28/11/2021 08:22

@Newpuppymummy

Love that so many people enjoyed Small pleasures. I thought it was amazing.

Also loved

Where the crawdads sing
Girl, woman other
It ends with us
Everything he never told me
Mrs England

If you're on Goodreads you can vote for Small Pleasures (I did).
FritataPatate · 28/11/2021 08:18

Popilol , I'm currently reading "The Lost Man" and I'm really impressed: it's a cut above most crime fiction.

ANameChangeAgain · 28/11/2021 08:16

I've enjoyed:
The Boy in the Red Boat by Micheal Sierton, which is too little known, unusual, twisty and emersive.
The Guernsey Literacy and Potato Peel Society.

Yusanaim · 28/11/2021 07:59

Piranesi
By: Susanna Clarke - intriguing
My Sister, the Serial Killer
By: Oyinkan Braithwaite - entertaining

AuntieMarys · 28/11/2021 07:41

Betty
American dirt

leafygarden42 · 28/11/2021 07:32

placemarking

mamaduckbone · 26/11/2021 22:09

Girl, Woman, Other
Queenie
Where the Crawdads Sing
The Midnight Library (very easy reading but the premise did really make me think)
The Poisonwood Bible

Popilol · 17/11/2021 13:34

Another vote for:

  • Hearts Invisible Furies
  • Hamnet (love most of Maggie O'Farrell's books).

Also:
The Lost Man by Jane Harper

About to start Paper Palace

DBI78 · 15/11/2021 06:56

The Duke and I Julia Quinn
Where the Crawdaws Sung
Blind faith Ben Elton
Follow you home Mark Edwards
Death of Mrs Westaway Ruth Ware
One by one Ruth Ware
The lies you told Harriet Tyce

Hazelnut5 · 14/11/2021 21:15

Americanah was my favourite. I also loved lots of the others on this thread.

Just reading Intimacies now, by Lucy Caldwell. It’s a collection of short stories, mostly about motherhood, and it’s great. Highly recommended.

Maggiethecat · 14/11/2021 19:07

Sorrow and Bliss, Meg Mason. Funny and touching. Reread it straight away - first time I’ve ever done that!

LadyFuschia · 14/11/2021 08:21

Brilliant thread, I have none to add as all have been mentioned, but have taken lots of recommendations. Thank you! Keep them coming…

Taytocrisps · 13/11/2021 23:23

Hamnet
The Sealwoman's Gift
Did ye hear Mammy died?

Mixitupalot · 13/11/2021 22:41

Currently reading American Dirt and looking forward to picking up some others from this thread!

iamloading · 13/11/2021 20:49

Sorry nothing to add but want to get back reading so placemarking!

lazyvegan · 13/11/2021 20:43

@lizkt

American Dirt really stands out for me.

Looking for some new books to read so would love to hear any ideas.

I'm loving The Manningtree Witches. Thought The Crawdads was lazily written: stereotyped characters and a fairly conventional plot structure but I know that may not be a popular view. A K Blakemore makes this 17th century Essex trial absolutely riveting and harrowing in equal measure. I loved American Dirt too.
Shenadoah · 13/11/2021 18:40

I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death
Hamnet

  • both by Maggie O'Farrell
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