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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:
Ulysses · 03/09/2021 18:08

That would be a great idea @AdaColeman.

Apparently the paperback has footnotes and extras that the Kindle doesn't and explains about the history going on in the background. I am ashamed to admit that I didn't even realise it was an actual hotel until you said there. Away to Google!

Blackcountryexile · 03/09/2021 17:07

Three Hours Rosamund Lupton
Florence Adler Swims Forever Rachel Beanland
Troubled Blood Robert Galbraith
We Must be Brave Frances Liardet

LubaLuca · 03/09/2021 15:48

Hamnet - I wasn't expecting much, but I found it very moving and have thought about it a lot.

Station Eleven was another one that I enjoyed more than I expected to.

In an Instant by Suzanne Redfearn.

Indecisivelurcher · 03/09/2021 15:45

I enjoyed saving missy. Not sure it makes the top 10 ever or anything, but a good book.

thisplaceisapigsty · 03/09/2021 15:45

@RiverSkater

I've just finished tonight Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers and loved it so much I might just reread it.
Absolutely agree about this one. I've lent it to to a friend and I'll probably re-read it as soon as she gives it back. It's a funny one to tell people about though, isn't it? The 'story' of it is so strange yet so ordinary in a way. I think she is a writer who has got so much better over the years.
AdaColeman · 03/09/2021 15:42

@Ulysses. Yes, it's a book that really draws you in I think! I frittered away hours on the internet reading about the history of the Hotel Metropol, and its restaurants, and looking at photos of the amazing exterior and interiors.
I read it on my Kindle, but I think it would make a wonderful special edition hard back, fully illustrated with period photographs of the hotel.

MegCleary · 03/09/2021 12:18

Empire of Pain

Spanglemum · 03/09/2021 12:17

@Winterfairy23 I loved The Girl with the Loading Voice too!
A Heart in a body in the world
The Hate U Give
Thursday Murder Club
One Day

IsThePopeCatholic · 03/09/2021 09:32

@GreenTeaPingPong

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell. So so brilliant and engaging and a surprisingly easy read.
Agreed. It’s so moving, original, and beautifully written.
burritofan · 03/09/2021 09:30

Last Night by Mhairi McFarlane and You and Me On Vacation by Emily Henry – both stellar, clever rom-coms.

RampantIvy · 03/09/2021 09:30

I didn't like Normal People either. I found both the main characters unengaging and irritating and just couldn't identify with either of them. I watched it on TV as well, and felt like throwing something at the screen from time to time. This was another book group book.

Ulysses · 03/09/2021 09:28

I loved A Gentleman in Moscow too @AdaColeman. It took me a while to get into it and then I couldn’t stop reading.

mrsrichardsglasses · 03/09/2021 09:25

The Appeal by Janice Hallett

ChickenFeed30 · 03/09/2021 09:22

Normal People (and planning to read again which rarely do)
The Doll Factory
The End of the Affair

RampantIvy · 03/09/2021 09:21

Thank you @lizkt

Original poster
lizkt · 03/09/2021 09:20

@RampantIvy I didn't enjoy Beekeeper of Aleppo or Midnight Library either.

I know they were very popular books this year but still.

American Dirt is a much interesting telling of a refugee story than Beekeeper.

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 03/09/2021 09:17

@017HF

I read The Bee Keeper of Aleppo recently. I found it educational rather than enjoyable. I'm glad I have read it, but it was a hard read (in terms of subject content). The rest of the book group I belong to thought so too.

I really didn't enjoy The Midnight Library either (another book group read). I just didn't find it engaging.

Original poster
lizkt · 03/09/2021 09:09

Thanks all, I will check them out.

I had heard great things about My Dark Vanessa and it's 99p on kindle right now!

OP posts:
Violetparis · 03/09/2021 01:08

Just remembered My Sister, the Serial Killer was another good one I've read.

Trappedinflatandskint · 03/09/2021 01:05

Hamnet
Small pleasures
Queenie
Pretending

Violetparis · 03/09/2021 01:02

I really loved Home Stretch by Graeme Norton. Really good characters and well written.

NoSquirrels · 03/09/2021 00:58

@RiverSkater

I've just finished tonight Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers and loved it so much I might just reread it.
Me too!

Also My Dark Vanessa - totally different but equally enthralling.

RiverSkater · 03/09/2021 00:56

I've just finished tonight Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers and loved it so much I might just reread it.

ImNotWhoYouThinkIam · 03/09/2021 00:47

The Nine Hundred.
Born Survivors.
A Soul Called River.

017HF · 03/09/2021 00:44

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!

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