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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

OP posts:
Saladovercrispsanyday · 23/09/2021 12:02

Sorrow and bliss

Unbelievably brilliant

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 23/09/2021 11:58

Shinytaps yes I loved Girl, Woman, Other 😊

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Shinytaps · 23/09/2021 09:05

I have read everything she’s written. I don’t think you can go wrong!

Have you read Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo? I really enjoyed that one this year too.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 23/09/2021 08:33

Shinytaps
No, I've only read Hamnett.
Can you recommend any other good MO'F titles?

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QueenofDestruction · 23/09/2021 00:09

Loved Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead

Shinytaps · 22/09/2021 22:59

I think we might be reading twins. Have you read any other Maggie O’Farrell books? I love her stuff.

CalmConfident · 22/09/2021 20:28

I literally just finished Piranesi which i really enjoyed.

Charley50 · 22/09/2021 19:27

"Do you mean The Crimson Petal and The White??
If so, that's a superb book"

BlushBlushBlush yes that's the one Grin

Charley50 · 22/09/2021 19:26

@BaconAndAvocado

Charley50 No and it's definitely not the most inspiring place either 😂
I don't even know where it is and I'm from London 😂
Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 22/09/2021 15:49

The Rules of Civility is a fabulous book.

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Chemenger · 22/09/2021 09:01

I enjoyed The Rules of Civility and Pirinesi recently.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 22/09/2021 08:57

Charley50
No and it's definitely not the most inspiring place either 😂

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Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 22/09/2021 08:55

@Charley50

Is the Crimson and the Pearl good? Keep meaning to read it.
Do you mean The Crimson Petal and The White?? If so, that's a superb book.
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highlandcoo · 22/09/2021 08:28

I have enjoyed many of the books mentioned above; Rose Tremain and Ann Patchett are two of my favourite writers.

Can I also suggest Annie Prouix's The Shipping News and Jane Harris' The Observations. Both are excellent.

And check out Sue Gee, a writer whose work deserves to be more widely known. Earth and Heaven is particularly good.

AliasGrape · 21/09/2021 21:45

Mostly placemarking as I’m after recommendations myself.

I loved Circe by Madeleine Miller and also The Song of Achilles by her too.

I’ve enjoyed some Elizabeth Strout too.

It’s years and years since I read Middlesex but I remember really enjoying it.

Thirtyrock39 · 21/09/2021 21:38

@ASEAskeptic

I've read and enjoyed a few things on your list OP, and my most recent fab read is Still Life by Sarah Winman. Absolutely loved it
Yep loved this- my favourite summer 2021 read Brilliantly written characters and settings
Charley50 · 21/09/2021 21:37

Is the Crimson and the Pearl good? Keep meaning to read it.

Charley50 · 21/09/2021 21:36

@BaconAndAvocado

Charley50 😂now I feel really stupid...

Don't! I thought it was about Middlesex too, before I read it. I actually think the title is why it's not that widely known (well, not mentioned much on MN). It's not the most inspiring place name is it?

PrincessMaryaBolkonskaya · 21/09/2021 20:30

I’m enjoying this thread lots and have added some of the recommendations to my list.

I really enjoyed The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton. It helped me out of a bit of a reading funk and I’m back to reading nearly everyday for the first time in years.

ramonaquimby · 21/09/2021 19:57

Middlesex is a fabulous book.

I’ve just finished the Song for Achilles. So beautiful. Not my usual pick

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 21/09/2021 19:34

Charley50
😂now I feel really stupid...

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Charley50 · 21/09/2021 18:09

@BaconAndAvocado

Charley50 I lived Never Let Me Go and have always fancied reading Middlesex which is where I grew up!

WhippetyStourie I'm currently reading and enjoying Shuggie Bain.
The characterisation is superb and it's, thankfully, not as harrowing as I thought it would be.

ASEAskeptic you will love Howard's End and the film is one of the best adaptations ever, beautiful.

🤪 Middlesex is nothing to do with Middlesex in the UK. It's a family saga with the central character born with ambiguous genitalia, and the family not sure what sex to treat her as, hence Middlesex. They're a Greek family who escape war and conflict to settle in the US, so an immigrant taleI can't remember the details now (I read very quickly so I don't absorb everything) but it's set across decades and continents and it's just brilliantly well-written and satisfying. I think I might re-read it actually 😀
Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 21/09/2021 11:53

@FritataPatate

Has anyone else recommended The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare? Best book so far this year!
Thanks. I've definitely heard of this book. What's it about?
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FritataPatate · 21/09/2021 08:43

Has anyone else recommended The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare? Best book so far this year!

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 21/09/2021 08:32

Ooh just seen that Middlesex is about time travel (sort of). One of my favourite literary themes .

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