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Original poster

Need a Quality read please

120 replies

BaconAndAvocado · 06/09/2021 12:12

Just finished a Val McDermid and a Sophie Hannah.

Both a bit meh and very formulaic.

Really need something with a bit more substance and depth.

My favourite authors are Kate Atkinson, Rose Tremain.
I've recently enjoyed:
A Gentleman in Moscow
The Heart's Invisible Furies
The Goldfinch
The Midnight Library

Any suggestions anyone?
Tia

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Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 27/09/2021 10:34

@countydown1989

Just finished A thousand Splendid Suns. Just WOW!
That's a great book, so powerful and moving.
OP posts:
countydown1989 · 27/09/2021 09:55

Just finished A thousand Splendid Suns. Just WOW!

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 25/09/2021 22:03

@FrankoTheWankoMyBoy

Thank you for this book thread it's wonderful. I loved The Midnight Library and am looking into the recommendations now x
I loved the Midnight Garden too and How to Stop Time also by Matt Haig is great too.
OP posts:
FrankoTheWankoMyBoy · 25/09/2021 18:17

Thank you for this book thread it's wonderful. I loved The Midnight Library and am looking into the recommendations now x

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 25/09/2021 17:37

@DominicRaabsTravelAgent

Bel Canto by Anne Patchett

I read that last month and adored it. I've still got The Dutch House to read.

OP is you like the Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie books have a look at Montalbano books by Andrea Camilleri.

The Dutch House is excellent.

Bel Canto has been recommended lots.
Thank, I LOVE the Jackson Brodie books. Will look into that.

OP posts:
CalmConfident · 25/09/2021 12:24

@Troutfin I listened to the mermaid of black conch on BBC sounds and enjoyed it. Cannot find it again to link !

DominicRaabsTravelAgent · 25/09/2021 11:50

Bel Canto by Anne Patchett

I read that last month and adored it. I've still got The Dutch House to read.

OP is you like the Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie books have a look at Montalbano books by Andrea Camilleri.

SukiPook · 24/09/2021 10:35

The Sunken Road by Ciaran McMenamin. Stunning historical fiction. Themes: Love, friendship, loyalty, revenge, loss, the violence and futility of war. Set in WW1 France and Irish War of Independence, Donegal. The audiobook is brilliant, read by the author

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 24/09/2021 10:33

Really enjoying Shuggie.
It's a tough and heartbreaking read in places but the characterisation is so good.
A deserved winner of the Booker IMO.

OP posts:
Saladovercrispsanyday · 24/09/2021 10:19

Are you enjoying shuggie?

Next on my list

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 24/09/2021 08:32

@countydown1989

Shuggie Bain
I'm reading that right now!!
OP posts:
countydown1989 · 24/09/2021 08:30

Shuggie Bain

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 24/09/2021 08:23

Saladovercrispsanyday (really?)

Lots of recommendations for the Poisonwood Diaries. What's it about?

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Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 24/09/2021 08:20

@southeastdweller

What about A Little Life?
I've read it and LOVED it!
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Saladovercrispsanyday · 24/09/2021 07:29

Tunnocks! I remember you from last threads Flowers

Burial rites and poison wood
I adored

Any other you have enjoyed as obviously similar tastes

I’d recommend sorrow and bliss if you have not read it tunnocks

Troutfin · 23/09/2021 22:24

Another vote for The Great Circle, which I've just finished and is on the Booker shortlist.

I really loved The Mermaid of Black Conch but it's magical realism which isn't everyone's cup of tea. Piranesi might be my book of the year so far, closely followed by Klara & The Sun.

schnubbins · 23/09/2021 22:09

If you like Irish literature try the Secret Scripture from Sebastian Barry or Brooklyn from Colm Tobin as mentioned above .

The 19th Wife  Sebastian Ebershoff 
 The Invention of Wings Sue Monk Kidd
  The Distant Land of my Father  Bo Caldwell
   The Memory Keepers Daughter Kim Edwards
Runningforcakes · 23/09/2021 22:08

So many good books on this thread!

southeastdweller · 23/09/2021 21:46

What about A Little Life?

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 23/09/2021 21:42

Ooh yes, Sarah Waters is great!

OP posts:
tunnocksreturns2019 · 23/09/2021 21:31

@SirChenjins

I’ve just finished Rules of Civility by Amore Towles which I really enjoyed. Recent favourites have been All the Light we Cannot See (probably one of my all time faves actually) & Burial Rites based on a true story of the last woman to be executed in Iceland. Very well written and obviously heartbreaking, but not gory. Both multi award winning and deservedly so.
I thought Burial Rites was excellent too.

Also have you read Barbara Kingsolver’s Unsheltered?

highlandcoo · 23/09/2021 21:23

Bodies of Light and its sequel Signs for Lost Children by Sarah Moss are both good.

I don't think anyone has mentioned Sarah Waters yet? Fingersmith and The Paying Guests would be my suggestions.

ouchmyfeet · 23/09/2021 21:06

@BaconAndAvocado

Shinytaps No, I've only read Hamnett. Can you recommend any other good MO'F titles?
The vanishing act of Esme Lennox is fab
ouchmyfeet · 23/09/2021 21:04

@ImFree2doasiwant

I love many of the books on this thread, and am placemarking so I can come back and take notes.
Ditto
ouchmyfeet · 23/09/2021 21:03

We definitely love the same books OP. A couple I've really enjoyed recently that haven't been mentioned so far (I think) are:

Small pleasures - Clare chambers
Love after love - ingrid persaud
The weekend - Charlotte wood
Summer water - Sarah moss

Also seconding the recommendation for anything by Saran waters