Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

Unputdownable Book

110 replies

RayofSunshine18 · 21/11/2023 14:01

What is your number one, unputdownable book, that you would recommend to absolutely anyone and everyone that will listen. Either fact or fiction - I am looking for some inspiration!

OP posts:
TheClitterati · 27/11/2023 21:55

App13 · 26/11/2023 20:40

A fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.
I read this in 2002 when I was doing my masters at Ucl. I almost failed my master's because of this author, but this book was the beginning. I don't think I've ever read by than this

Agreed - it's a magnificently crafted story.

Also love the Strike books (I've just finished The Running Grave) and The Lacuna by Barabara Kingsolver.

Alighttouchonthetiller · 27/11/2023 21:42

A great read.

ZeppelinTits · 27/11/2023 21:41

@Alighttouchonthetiller I think I listened to the audiobook (the narration on Audible by Juanita McMahon is superb) and gasped at that part of the book. It was fantastic! Probably due a re-read of it soon.

Alighttouchonthetiller · 27/11/2023 21:39

ZeppelinTits · 26/11/2023 15:29

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters.

I remember reading this when it first came out. I was on a tube train when I got to the plot twist and I remember putting it down on my lap and loudly exclaiming, 'Well!!!' because I was so surprised. Great book.

FortunataTagnips · 27/11/2023 21:30

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, by Gabrielle Zevin.

HowardTJMoon · 27/11/2023 21:15

Labradeedle · 26/11/2023 01:40

'How High We Go in the Dark' by Sequoia Nagamatsu. Epic story that I'm still thinking about every day, having read it in one day about 2 months ago.

Oh yes, that was really good. It's stuck with me too. I looked at some reviews of it after I read it and was struck by the many different views of what the book was about. For me it's about grief in its many forms. It's remarkable.

I'd also recommend Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel. It's a touching and intriguing story with strong characters and some truly beautiful passages.

Clawdy · 27/11/2023 20:51

Another vote for A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. I read it as a teenager, absolutely loved it, then read it many years later and still loved it. There are scenes in it I'll never forget.

indecisivewoman81 · 27/11/2023 16:22

The push was excellent.

I also love everything by Kristen Hannah and am currently reading The great Alone which I love

roarrfeckingroar · 27/11/2023 16:09

Another one for the Strike series. I just got on the wrong train because I'm glued to Lethal White.

Wildehorses · 27/11/2023 16:08

Definitely agree that American Dirt is literally unputdownable … already recommended earlier on thread but The Poisonwood Bible will stay with you forever, anything by Agatha Christie (you won’t want to stop reading) and I also love Michael Connolly’s crime novels (Bosch is also a great TV series)

CharlotteBog · 27/11/2023 16:03

GertrudeSteinsbook · 27/11/2023 12:18

Oh I loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn- you’ve just reminded me! I should try the Margaret Forster one too.
I found Rebecca really hard to put down. I’m sure there are others too but I can’t think of them at the mo!

Show quote history

I have my late Mother's copy of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. It's falling apart, but very treasured. It was my Mum who instilled a love of reading in me.
My good friend bought me a copy as a present not knowing its significance. As well as being very touched, I now have a copy I can read without having to grip the whole thing in two hands!

I've read most of M Forster's. You really get to know the characters, and I love that in a book (I love biogs of all sorts as well).

GertrudeSteinsbook · 27/11/2023 12:18

CharlotteBog · 26/11/2023 00:34

A tree grows in Brooklyn by betty smith and dairy of an ordinary woman by Margaret Forster
(Sorry for grammar, phone not being smart!).
Currently loving Demon Copperhead by Barbara kingsolver.

Oh I loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn- you’ve just reminded me! I should try the Margaret Forster one too.
I found Rebecca really hard to put down. I’m sure there are others too but I can’t think of them at the mo!

Original poster
RayofSunshine18 · 27/11/2023 12:11

Thank you all for your suggestions and recommendations, I have added mine below - I am loving this thread - keep them coming!

the DI Callanach Books - Helen Fields
The School for Good Mothers - Jessamine Chan
The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
Girl A - Abigail Dean
I am Pilgrim - Terry Hayes
Room - Emma Donoghue
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
The House of the Scorpion - Nancy Farmer

Those are just a few off the top of my head!

OP posts:
marthalovescheese · 27/11/2023 08:59

I agree with The Woman in White and American Dirt. Both fantastic books.

I would add Pillars of the Earth- Ken Follett. A fantastic readable novel about the building of cathedrals. It's the first in a very readable series.

ManAboutTown · 27/11/2023 08:25

Thatfeatherthere · 26/11/2023 20:59

That is an astonishing book, I agree.

To add to the list: To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowy Ivey.

Show quote history

Now you've named a book I feel compelled to go out and find

ToThineOwnSelf · 27/11/2023 00:06

Elinor Oliphant Is Absolutely Fine

TeaTurtle · 26/11/2023 23:53

The Genesis Code by John Case. Thriller, religion, twists, intrigue. I think I actually read the whole book in one night.

I read it maybe 15 years ago and can’t believe I still haven’t managed to get a copy to read again. Something for Xmas I think.

sproutsandparsnips · 26/11/2023 22:16

Agree with Robert Harris - my favourite was An Officer and a Spy.
Also Robert Galbraith Cormorant Strike - really enjoyed.
Marian Keyes too.
The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hoseini
Vaseem Khan's Baby Ganesh and Malabar House Series.
I also agree many of David Baldacci's books are compelling reading.

Ryslady · 26/11/2023 21:56

As for Maggie O'farrell- she's one of my favourite authors. Her early books are outstanding such as After you'd gone, this must be the place, Instructions for a heat wave. These are set in modern times

Ryslady · 26/11/2023 21:51

Trespasses- Louise Kennedy can't stop thinking about it.
Shuggie Bain- again, think it about often
Demon Copperhead

Albioncreed · 26/11/2023 21:45

BlazingWorld · 21/11/2023 14:26

The only book that ever made me miss my stop on the bus was Girlfriend in a Coma by Douglas Coupland.

I loved this book!

Kernackered · 26/11/2023 21:45

NoCloudsAllowed · 26/11/2023 21:32

I don't know tbh! Current reading Esme Lennox and that is in present tense but much of it is flashbacks, does that help @Kernackered

Show quote history

Thanks! I'll look out for her books in charity shops but I've got so many to read I guess I won't rush it!

LifeofBrienne · 26/11/2023 21:40

Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie

StateFlowerOfVirginia · 26/11/2023 21:38

Jackie Collins - Lovers And Gamblers

Toomanyclothesinmywardrobe · 26/11/2023 21:32

Child 44 - Tom Rob Smith

Swipe left for the next trending thread