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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:
Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 21/09/2021 08:27

😂I didn't live Never Let Me Go but I did love it!

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Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 21/09/2021 08:26

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.

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Spiindoctor · 21/09/2021 06:14

His Bloody Project by Graeme macrae Burnett
The promise by Damon Galgut which is in for the booker prize
I'm reading The expendable man by Dorothy B Hughes. It was mentioned on the radio because she is one of the forgotten writers from the 50s/60s. It's very well written and not something I would normally read, set in the US in the ?50s. Worth a read imv.

Charley50 · 21/09/2021 05:56

I read a lot. The book that came immediately to mind was Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. Such a satisfying saga.

Have you read We need to talk about Kevin, or Never Let me go? Personally I loved both of them.

HopelesslyOptimistic · 21/09/2021 05:55

Following also need inspiration

WhippetyStourie · 21/09/2021 05:53

I enjoyed Coulson Whitehead’s - The Underground Railroad. The next titles in my enormous TBR pile are The Dictionary of Lost Words and Where the Crawdads Sing. Followed by Shuggie Bain.

ASEAskeptic · 21/09/2021 05:27

Oh that is on my list now! I'd only read A Room with a View before reading Still Life (but years ago, so I had to immediately reread it after finishing SL) and now there is definitely more EM Forster in my future! I didn't appreciate it I quite the same way 20 years ago

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 20/09/2021 16:20

ASEAskeptic I like the look of that, especially as it's to do with EM Forster, another of my favourite writers.
Howard's End is a very special book.

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ASEAskeptic · 20/09/2021 15:48

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

PineappleWilson · 20/09/2021 15:41

Older than the others people have recommended, but have you read French Lieutenant's Woman, by John Fowles. It's a wonderful multi-layered novel if you haven't read it. Likewise "An equal music" by Vikram Seth.

Merlotthegreat · 20/09/2021 15:38

I loved these 2 :
‘Reader on the 6:27’ By Didierlaurent
and
‘No Country’ By Kalyan Ray

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 20/09/2021 15:33

SpiceWeaseIBAM
I've read and ADORED The Secret History.

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SpiceWeaselBAM · 19/09/2021 11:17

If you liked The Goldfinch (amazing book), you might like The Secret History by the same author. I loved it.

milian · 18/09/2021 15:32

Bit late to the party, but Great Circle - on the Booker shortlist. Compelling plot and interspersed with interesting information about early aviation.

CinnamonSweet73 · 18/09/2021 15:30

Small Pleasures Clare Chambers

AuntieDolly · 18/09/2021 15:00

I've just finished 'Circe'.

Clymene · 10/09/2021 19:42

Jessie Burton

carbuncleonapigsposterior · 10/09/2021 18:29

The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver
Middlesex Jeffrey Eugenides

Blackcountryexile · 06/09/2021 22:25

The Girl With The Louding Voice Abi Dare
We Must Be Brave Frances Liardet
Three Hours Rosamund Lupton

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 06/09/2021 21:20

Thanks SkepticalCat
I'll look into those.

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SkepticalCat · 06/09/2021 20:41

@BaconAndAvocado You have similar reading tastes to me. One of the stand-out books that I have read this year is Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi.

I have also read, and fell in love with, Monsieur Linh and His Child, by Philippe Claudel. Just wonderful.

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BaconAndAvocado · 06/09/2021 19:58

I've read and loved Hamnet and the Stone Diaries.

Liked the look of Daisy and the Six.
Thanks everyone, got loads to look into 🙏🏻

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Doomscrolling · 06/09/2021 17:52

The Silence Of The Girls by Pat Barker - the sequel Women Of Troy is out in hardback.

Agree with PP who suggested Hamnet, it’s absolutely wonderful.

I’m revisiting an old favourite at the moment, The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields.

SirChenjins · 06/09/2021 17:49

YY and River!

SirChenjins · 06/09/2021 17:49

Oh and TY to Once Upon a Tover - absolutely beautiful.

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