Well written, with substance, unputdownable?

FlyingForest · 2025-06-12T13:34:45+00:00

Hello Just trying to get back into reading after many years away from it. A friend recommended Verity by Colleen Hoover and whilst it was gripping it really lacked any substance and was not well written. It felt more like watching a tv shows for entertainment, which I don’t mind at all but I don’t something more from a book. Am I asking too much or is there something you could recommend?

bunanarama · 21/06/2025 09:28

autumnskyes · 13/06/2025 03:46

I enjoyed Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy, interesting setting, characters and plot, and I found it really well written - writing style is something I'm picky about too.

I also came on here to recommend Wild Dark Shore! I was gripped

osirista · 20/06/2025 10:24

milislovelybut · 19/06/2025 16:24

The heart’s invisible furies
The Names ( I want to reread this one as made a big impression on me)
Atonement ( loved the book, hated the film)

We’re doing The Names for our new book club. Just about to start it and can’t wait !

MaryGreenhill · 19/06/2025 20:37

R.F Delderfield
The Dreaming Suburb

And the Avenue goes to War

Sweetbeansandmochi · 19/06/2025 20:25

Strange Sally Diamond- Liz Nungent
Another vote for Still Life
Yellowface

Almahart · 19/06/2025 20:19

The Goldfinch
Americanah

Or anything by Elizabeth Strout, I'd start with My Name is Lucy Barton

deeahgwitch · 19/06/2025 20:17

I’ve read Demon Copperhead, Hamnet and The Bee Sting @RedBeech.
You might like Prophet Song by Paul Lynch.

IstanbulBaby · 19/06/2025 18:33

We Begin at the End and All The Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (?). Not sure of author but great books

MissMarplesNiece · 19/06/2025 17:28

Muriel Spark writes intelligent books with interesting characters. My favourite is A Far Cry From Kensington - witty and satirically funny.

Have you read Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner? She is one of my favourite writers who writes lovely elegant prose.

Shortjeans · 19/06/2025 17:27

JudyInDisguiseWithGlasses · 19/06/2025 08:34

Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
I Let You Go by Charlotte Levin
If I can't Have You by Charlotte Levin
The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Ooh I’ve read and loved all but 2 of those so will put them on my list immediately!

cestlavielife · 19/06/2025 16:57

Sarah moss books
Cold earth
(Written pre pandemic but presciently foresees a pandemic!)

SheilaFentiman · 19/06/2025 16:48

The Great Alone - Kristen Hannah
Rodham - Curtis Sittenfield
Act of Oblivion - Robert Harris

osirista · 19/06/2025 16:44

@finespinelineand @ungratefulcat - DM invites sent! The more, the merrier !

Philandbill · 19/06/2025 16:39

@milislovelybut ooh, The Names is on my list for when it's in paperback. Really looking forward to it.

milislovelybut · 19/06/2025 16:24

The heart’s invisible furies
The Names ( I want to reread this one as made a big impression on me)
Atonement ( loved the book, hated the film)

balmyafternoon · 19/06/2025 16:17

Bring the House Down by Charlotte Runcie. It's substantial but it has a gripping plot, and it's very funny, quite Muriel Spark-ish.

Seconding the suggestions for Clare Chambers too

TonTonMacoute · 19/06/2025 12:30

I've been enjoying re-reading the books by Mary Stewart, that i enjoyed as a teenager. Just finished Nine Coaches Waiting, and read Madam Will You Talk a few months ago.

JudyInDisguiseWithGlasses · 19/06/2025 08:42

White Oleander by Janet Fitch
The Offing by Benjamin Myers
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
The Women by Kristin Hannah
An Equal Music by Vikram Seth
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The Mark of the Lion trilogy by Francine Rivers
Pillars of the earth (Kingsbridge chronicles ) trilogy by Ken Follet
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
Poldark series (there's 12 books in total) by Winston Graham

JudyInDisguiseWithGlasses · 19/06/2025 08:34

Shy Creatures by Clare Chambers
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
I Let You Go by Charlotte Levin
If I can't Have You by Charlotte Levin
The Secret History by Donna Tartt

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 19/06/2025 07:07

I love Claire Keegan's writing style too - very efficient and evocative.

American Dirt's another good recommendation. I was hooked from the opening scene.

whynotmereally · 19/06/2025 06:59

RedBeech · 18/06/2025 22:35

Has Ruth Ware improved? I read a couple of her early books but nothing since. They were unputdownable but I didn't think they were well written or had any substance - they were really two-dimensional thrillers. I love a good crime novel but I found hers too basic. I prefer Belinda Bauer or Tana French - all the mystery but with really good prose and characterisation too.

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Have you read the death of Mrs westerway? I thought it was excellent.

also agree re little fires everywhere

autumnskyes · 19/06/2025 01:04

Crow Lake by Mary Lawson is amazing too! Small town family drama with a dark secret - my favorite things!

finespineline · 18/06/2025 22:59

I'm unable to directly message re the book club but I'd love to join!!

ChompandaGrazia · 18/06/2025 22:43

whynotmereally · 18/06/2025 21:51

I found it quite dull. Not fir me.

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I’m glad it wasn’t just me. Nothing happens.

Uncertain111 · 18/06/2025 22:39

Susan Hill - the beacon
Kazu Ishiguro - never let me go

both fabulous

just starting demon copperhead now!

RedBeech · 18/06/2025 22:35

whynotmereally · 18/06/2025 21:54

I loved-
seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Nightingale Kristen Hannah
Weyward Emilia Hart

Also love Mark Edwards and Ruth Ware

Has Ruth Ware improved? I read a couple of her early books but nothing since. They were unputdownable but I didn't think they were well written or had any substance - they were really two-dimensional thrillers. I love a good crime novel but I found hers too basic. I prefer Belinda Bauer or Tana French - all the mystery but with really good prose and characterisation too.