I’m looking for recommendations! Last year I got my mum 12 novels for Christmas with the idea that we would read one each month. It has been really lovely to have this little book club going and I’d like to do the same thing for 2026.
This year we’ve read:
- The Satsuma Complex
- For Thy Great Pain, Have Mercy on My Little Pain
- Winchelsea
- The Pillars of the Earth
- Crooked Heart
- Wrong Place, Wrong Time
- Restoration
- Demon Copperhead
Currently reading:
And we’ve got these ones still to come:
• The Bee Sting
• The Marriage Portrait
• Last One at the Party
My mum has enjoyed them all but her absolute favourites so far were Demon Copperhead and Crooked Heart. Her least favourites were The Pillars of The Earth and Restoration (I feel a bit guilty as I’m the one that REALLY loves historical fiction, although DM did absolutely love Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell series).
I’ve got a few ideas so far from browsing threads on here, but would love to get some more recommendations.
She reads very widely and enjoys all genres. Older books aren’t necessarily a no-go but there will be a greater chance that she’s already read them. I’ll also avoid sequels to popular books that she’s already read as she’ll probably pick those up herself, so I’m avoiding the latest Robert Galbraith, Richard Osman, Philip Pullman, Bob Mortimer, Ben Aaronvitch etc.
These are the ideas I’ve got so far:
• Caledonian Road
• Getting Away
• American Dirt
• Daisy Jones & The Six
• Our Man in Havana
• Notes on an Execution
• A Place of Execution
• The Sympathizer