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:
NoCloudsAllowed · 26/11/2023 21:32

Kernackered · 26/11/2023 21:27

Can I ask about Maggie O Farrell please- are they all written in the present tense? I've just today finished Hamnet, and loved it, but I find the present tense so jolting and staccato. Is that her normal style? The story was brilliant however.

Show quote history

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

Toomanyclothesinmywardrobe · 26/11/2023 21:30

Educated - Tara Westover (a book for any person, of any gender, who has some curiousity and likes reading. Perfect gift)

American Wife - Curtis Sittenfeld
On Love - Alain de Botton
Sherlock Holmes - any and all of them!

Kernackered · 26/11/2023 21:27

NoCloudsAllowed · 26/11/2023 16:59

Most things by Robert Harris

Also Kate Atkinson, Anne Enright, Maggie O'Farrell

Can I ask about Maggie O Farrell please- are they all written in the present tense? I've just today finished Hamnet, and loved it, but I find the present tense so jolting and staccato. Is that her normal style? The story was brilliant however.

Hellokittymania · 26/11/2023 21:07

In an instant by Suzanne Redford, I read this during the lockdown, great book. It’s from the point of view of a 16-year-old girl, but it involves a lot of difficult themes. Book is fantastic, hard to read in places, but I read it straight through in two or three days I think.

Another one which I read this year, was dust child Nguyen Phan Que Mai and is based on a Vietnamese bar girl during the war in the early 70s and an American soldier who returns to Vietnam later on. It is great if you have ever lived in Vietnam and know the place well, it’s written from the perspective of a Vietnamese person, but also adds in the American perspective, especially from veterans who go back to Vietnam years after looking for their girlfriends, children etc. I have spent years in Vietnam, and this was one of the best books I have read. It also added a lot of Vietnamese culture along the way, even things I didn’t know, and I speak Vietnamese.

Thatfeatherthere · 26/11/2023 20:59

ManAboutTown · 23/11/2023 12:05

The Executioner's Song - Norman Mailer

That is an astonishing book, I agree.

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

fgjhb · 26/11/2023 20:59

MicrowaveRice · 26/11/2023 01:26

On The Beach by Neville Shute - its weirdly hypnotic, though I read it in first lockdown so possibly my mental health state at the time influenced it.

It's a perfect book. I love it.

Milknosugarta · 26/11/2023 20:57

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes was great. I can easily see it made into a movie.

Milknosugarta · 26/11/2023 20:53

Mumaway · 26/11/2023 20:28

The Coordinates of Loss by Amanda Prowse. Cried all the way through

Me too, she is one of my favourite authors.

Autieangel · 26/11/2023 20:47

Next of Kin Kia Abdulah
Seven husband of Evelyn Hugo

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

Devilsmommy · 26/11/2023 20:38

Any Stephen King, lee child or Sarah j Maas crescent city series

EskSmith · 26/11/2023 20:35

What a great idea for a thread, I'm taking notes.
I wholeheartedly agree with Wilkie Collins
Below are the ones that have recently kept me up reading longer than I should...

Rodham or anything by Curtis Sittenfeld - haven't come across a bad one yet.
Little fires everywhere -Celeste Ng
Lessons -Ian McEwan
Betty -Tiffany Daniel

monty09 · 26/11/2023 20:28

John Connolly Charlie, Parker series. All up to date until his next book.
I've just start Karin Slaughter, Will Trent series and read the first book in a couple of days.
Also Marian keys and Cecila Ahern books are also brilliant.

Mumaway · 26/11/2023 20:28

The Coordinates of Loss by Amanda Prowse. Cried all the way through

CharlotteBog · 26/11/2023 20:25

I'm encouraged to see American Dirt recommended. I has come up in my 'what else you might like' lists a few times, but I (for reasons I can't remember I haven't chosen to read it. Maybe I will give it a go.

NoCloudsAllowed · 26/11/2023 16:59

Most things by Robert Harris

Also Kate Atkinson, Anne Enright, Maggie O'Farrell

BonjourCrisette · 26/11/2023 16:57

The Secret History
The Crimson Petal and the White
A Little Life
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

PuppyMonkey · 26/11/2023 16:31

Another vote for American Dirt, I felt like I travelled that entire journey with them.

Grumio · 26/11/2023 16:22

Off the top of my head I can think of the following:

The Heart's Invisible Furies - John Boyne
The Secret History - Donna Tartt
The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt
Life After Life - Kate Atkinson
All The Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr
The Light Between the Oceans - M.L. Steadman
American Dirt - Jeanine Cummins

ChristmasBarginShop · 26/11/2023 16:03

CharlotteBog · 26/11/2023 00:36

Not without my daughter by Betty Mahmoody - could not put it down.

Oh, I have forgotten about this!

Ladypugs60 · 26/11/2023 16:02

beguilingeyes · 21/11/2023 14:51

The TV series is fantastic.

Series 2 is due to drop in December, can't wait!

user1477249785 · 26/11/2023 15:57

The Power by Naomi Alderman is the best book I have read in years. Truly amazing, unputdownable clever.

FizzingAda · 26/11/2023 15:49

O Gosh, yes, I had forgotten Maeve Binch y! And I have all of her books! She has such a lovely easy style of writing, and I love her characters. Loves Light a Penny Candle.

Papergirl1968 · 26/11/2023 15:41

CharlotteBog · 26/11/2023 00:36

Not without my daughter by Betty Mahmoody - could not put it down.

I was gripped by this many years ago. I must dig it out and re-read it.
I've just re-read Maeve Binchey's Light a Penny Candle, followed by psychological thriller with a love story - I Found You by Lisa Jewell.
I'm also finding the Tudor books by Philippa Gregory compelling, particularly The Virgin's Lover.

ZeppelinTits · 26/11/2023 15:29

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters.

Swipe left for the next trending thread