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The last book that wowed you (take two!)

57 replies

CurlewKate · 13/11/2024 10:06

I have to provide a book each for 6 people. Has to be fiction. All are readers. Aged 23 to 65. All have varied interests-except one, who is a history nut who likes "war" stuff. Two like feminist literature. One like spies.

Not too heavy or too long because they are for reading over Christmas. But not too light either. What's the last book you loved? Oh, and paperback, please...

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Dappy777 · 02/12/2024 19:59

I’m a newcomer to Douglas Adams and am kicking myself for not discovering him sooner. I had a friend who loved the hitchhiker books at school, but I never got around to reading them. Now I’m a convert and want to read everything Adams wrote.

LionWings · 02/12/2024 07:12

For war/spy, have a look at Rory Clements or Ben Macintyre.

My favourite book recently that I couldn't see mentioned was The Women by Kristin Hannah.

Or for something lighter, anything at all by Emily Henry.

mimimomma · 02/12/2024 06:40

Leonard and Hungry Paul by Ronan Hession....a gentle and uplifting story about two quiet living friends. Filled with warmth and Irish wit. I couldn't put it down.

junebirthdaygirl · 02/12/2024 05:50

Author not authority!!

junebirthdaygirl · 02/12/2024 05:50

As a nearly 65 year old my favourite authority is Elizabeth Strout. It is a series though as the same characters turn up in each book while focusing on one of them. It could get the 65 started on a year of bliss if they haven't started.

cariadlet · 02/12/2024 05:31

SaffyWall · 26/11/2024 12:27

Still Life by Sarah Winman - loved every word of it. It's set around the Second World War, but is about so much more.

We read that for my book club last year. Most people loved it but it dud nothing for me. I remember finding it really irritating but can't remember why so not very helpful.

cariadlet · 02/12/2024 05:29

I am wowed by every Emma Donoghue novel I read. Very well written; easy to read page turners but also thought provoking; not too long.

Most recent reads by her were Slammerkin and The Wonder.

tobee · 02/12/2024 04:58

Movinghouseatlast · 13/11/2024 10:13

The Bee Sting

The Hearts Invisible Furies

Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister is brilliant, especially if you are over 45 as it's about travelling back in time to when you are in your 20's.

Ahhh! I'm listening to the Gillian McAllister book; nearly half way through; and you've given it away somewhat!!

Completelygine · 01/12/2024 23:24

Just ordered 3 recommended books on here, thank you!

UnhappyAndYouKnowIt · 01/12/2024 23:01

ohyesido · 13/11/2024 12:54

The last book that wowed me was Last One At The Party. Probably not what you're looking for but it really was brilliant

This one sits in a category all on its own for me, and I'm not even sure why. I could feel every page.

SaffyWall · 26/11/2024 12:27

Still Life by Sarah Winman - loved every word of it. It's set around the Second World War, but is about so much more.

Teacherprebaby · 26/11/2024 12:05

Movinghouseatlast · 13/11/2024 10:13

The Bee Sting

The Hearts Invisible Furies

Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister is brilliant, especially if you are over 45 as it's about travelling back in time to when you are in your 20's.

Seconding The Bee Sting - excellent

okydokethen · 26/11/2024 08:10

Agree with lots of these. I've just finished never let me go Kazuo Ishiguro's which is slow paced but quite thought provoking

HighlandCowbag · 26/11/2024 08:07

Salvage The Bones by Jesmyn Ward. Absolutely stunning, I'm a lit student and have to read loads of contemporary fiction and this was an outstanding read. Based on a 15 year old girl and her family living through Storm Katrina.

It's not as bleak as it sounds. The characters are flawed but you root for them all way through, and are gripped by it within a few pages. It is one of the best things I have read.

AllIWantForChristmasIsPoo · 25/11/2024 23:55

The Offing by Ben Myers.

AllIWantForChristmasIsPoo · 25/11/2024 23:54

Another one for Strange Sally Diamond by
Liz Nugent.

The Spoiled Heart by Sunjeev Sahota

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet

Everythingaches · 13/11/2024 20:15

Claire Chambers is wonderful. I’ve loved all her books.

HeadNorth · 13/11/2024 20:14

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr is wonderful for anyone that loves books.

For war, history and feminism, I have just finished The Women of the Castle by Jessica Shattuck and it is a compelling take on post war Germany and collective guilt and loss, from the perspective of widows of members of the resistance.

BlueFairyBugsBooks · 13/11/2024 20:12

My last 5 star read was Mona Lisa's Daughter by Belle Ami. Set in Italy around the time of Da Vinci, and a 2nd linked timeline in 1926-1946.

nervousnellylikesjaffacakes · 13/11/2024 20:07

The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas blew my mind.

Bideshi · 13/11/2024 19:58

Days Without End. Sebastian Barry

Catsinaflat · 13/11/2024 19:54

@ohyesido I LOVED Last one at the party!
Definitely a book to read again.

I have just finished Precipice by Robert Harris and I really enjoyed it. All based on fact - set at the start of WW1.

JennyChawleigh · 13/11/2024 19:49

Freya by Anthony Quinn: tackles women’s changing fortunes in a story that runs from VE Day to the 60s

tobyj · 13/11/2024 19:35

My 'wow' author of recent years is Sarah Hall - and I think she writes some of the most incredibly complex and authentic female characters I've ever read (ie not girl power stereotypes). Her books also have a bit of historical interest. My favourite is Haweswater, but The Carhullan Army is a more obviously feminist dystopian novel.

My other recent discovery is Sebastian Barry. The Secret Scripture is all about one woman, with interesting insight into Irish early to mid 20th century history. Days Without End is also great, though very violent at times.

My other favourite is Kate Atkinson, though I didn't like Transcription nearly as much as Life After Life and A God in Ruins, though it sort of fits your bill better.

housemaus · 13/11/2024 19:26

Bunny by Mona Awad for any young women - absolutely bonkers, best book I've read this year. Saw it described as Heathers meets Jennifer's Body, which feels right.

Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen is very interesting, although not about a past war but a potential one. But fascinating and horrifying. It's speculative rather than entirely fictional (i.e. it's based on what COULD happen), though.