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Original poster

So which book did you love that you just randomly picked up?

95 replies

Coatdegroan · 06/07/2022 20:21

I have just read "In the Springtime of the Year" by Susan Hill. I'm not a very accomplished or complicated reader... its not everyone's cup of tea but I was spelll bound by it. Picked it up in a second hand bookshop for 50p. Very understated and quite sad, but beautiful reading.

Anyone else had a surprise lovely read?

OP posts:
Didisquat · 07/07/2022 18:30

I love valley of the dolls….. It reminds me floating on a lilo in Spain reading it when I was 16 😊

Quirkycarrot · 07/07/2022 18:27

OP, gosh you just took me back to when I found In the Springtime of the Year in a charity shop years ago and read it on my lunch breaks. I was doing a call centre job that I just hated and even though the book was sad it was a welcome escape 😅you're right that it's beautifully written, I should read it again sometime

CheshireChat · 07/07/2022 18:27

Medusa- Jessie Burton

Picked it up at the library in the kids section and really loved both the illustrations and the retelling.

www.amazon.co.uk/Medusa-Jessie-Burton/dp/1408886936

JohannSebastianBach · 07/07/2022 18:19

The Card by Arnold Bennett.

I had never heard of him but apparently he was the most famous and beloved author of the Edwardian period.

Such a funny, charming story about a funny, charming man.

AuntMargo · 07/07/2022 18:19

Heidi Swains - Summer at Skylark Farm, so far from the crime novels I love, but really enjoyed it.

PleaseGoToSleeep · 07/07/2022 18:16

The Puppet Show by MW Craven. Picked it up 3 for £5 I think in the garden centre. Read all five in the series now. Really good crime thriller / detectivey series

Buythebag40 · 07/07/2022 18:14

The Blue Bistro by Elin Hildebrand - I think I bought it in a charity shop and I loved it so much I now own every single one of her books.

Riverlee · 07/07/2022 18:10

The Cult - Abby Davies, got this on Kindle cheaply, absolutely loved it

I remember picking up a book in a charity shop once because it was so well worn - I figured it must have been well loved. It was really good (but can’t remember the book).

junebirthdaygirl · 06/07/2022 21:43

GreenTeaPingPong · 06/07/2022 20:46

After hearing Marian Keyes wonderful podcast series, I picked up one of hers in a charity shop - Grown Ups. It's SO good, I don't want it to end.

The good thing is you have lots of Marian Keyes books to look forward to now. Rachel's Holiday and her recent follow up Rachel Again can be your next treat.
I rarely buy autobiographies but sometimes pick a random one up in a charity shop and love them even if l have never heard of the person!

Pinklimey · 06/07/2022 21:39

The Couple at No.9 by Claire Douglas. Really not my usual sort of book, but sonehow it was calling to me from the middle aisle in Aldi. Extremely gripping, gave me a whole range of emotions and I was really sad to reach the end.

Original poster
Coatdegroan · 06/07/2022 21:24

Trashy is sometimes what is needed@Cantbeliveyoufakeit

OP posts:
Original poster
Coatdegroan · 06/07/2022 21:23

Loving the random titles! Especially the ancient 50p finds!

OP posts:
Cantbeliveyoufakeit · 06/07/2022 21:21

Cuban Heels by Emily Barr, random buy for £1 from The Works and probably a bit trashy but I loved it.

DeePlume · 06/07/2022 21:13

Valley of the dolls.

At my Saturday job, about 20 years ago. One of my friends was reading it and had left it in the staff room so I had a look while I was on my lunch break.

I've loved it ever since!

PeskyYeti · 06/07/2022 21:01

"Just one damned thing after another"
Got it free on Kindle unlimited, best book series I've ever read. Proper geeky into it and theories about the series.
If you like a bit of history / time travel / geekiness you must give this series a try. All my geeky friends have loved it too.

ProudThrilledHappy · 06/07/2022 20:59

I randomly picked up a really lovely memoir called Easy Beauty from my local library this week and it is such a thought provoking read. It’s written by a lady with a rare spinal defect, about both how she is perceived in the world and also human perceptions of beauty in general

DoNutSweatTheSmallStuff · 06/07/2022 20:58

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty.

Randomly picked it up in a charity shop for £1 - couldn't put it down!

hagelslaagfiend · 06/07/2022 20:48

MaisyMary77 · 06/07/2022 20:41

“Once Upon a River” by Dianne Setterfield. 50p from a charity shop. Absolutely loved it. Was a really wonderful read.

The thirteenth tale by same author. Found in a holiday cottage.

GreenTeaPingPong · 06/07/2022 20:46

After hearing Marian Keyes wonderful podcast series, I picked up one of hers in a charity shop - Grown Ups. It's SO good, I don't want it to end.

MaisyMary77 · 06/07/2022 20:41

“Once Upon a River” by Dianne Setterfield. 50p from a charity shop. Absolutely loved it. Was a really wonderful read.

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