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Original poster

What’s been your best read this year?

215 replies

HighburyLass · 28/11/2025 19:12

Just one book (if you can!) that has stood out for you this year?

For me, it’s James by Percival Everett. Was given it as a present, I wouldn’t have chosen it. But my goodness what a great read. I was unsure as I hadn’t read Huckleberry Finn but it really didn’t matter (and now maybe I will!)

What have been your reading highlights?

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cromwell44 · 16/01/2026 14:49

The Apple TV series of Patchinko is fab - there are two series. Look out for the opening credits - they are joyful.

It's one of my favourite books ever.

applegingermint · 16/01/2026 06:53

SleafordSods · 30/11/2025 11:53

It’s not a new book but Pachinko by Min Jin Lee was by far the stand out book for me this year.

DS bought it for himself and loved it so much he bought me a copy as a gift.

Thanks for recommending this. I inhaled it on a long flight. Such a gripping read.

Allegedly it’s been turned into a TV series on Apple so that’s my next watch.

BoxingHares22 · 15/01/2026 22:37

SabrinaThwaite · 02/12/2025 11:18

For everyone that enjoyed Raising Hare, I would recommend Corvus: A Life With Birds by Esther Woolfson:

One spring, many years ago, Esther Woolfson's daughter rescued a fledgling rook. That rook, named Chicken, quickly established herself as part of the family, and other birds, including an irascible cockatiel and a depressive parrot, soon followed. But it was the corvids - members of the crow family - who amazed Woolfson with their personality and their capacity for affection. This classic blend of memoir and natural history combines the author's fascination with all things avian, from the mechanics of flight to the science of birdsong, with her funny, tender stories of life among the birds.

Thanks so much. I will definitely read that.

BoxingHares22 · 15/01/2026 22:32

PrincessofEuphrania · 15/01/2026 22:19

I’ve just finished reading Raising Hare. By far the best book I’ve read in a while. Really moving.

i agree. It’s utterly enchanting.

PrincessofEuphrania · 15/01/2026 22:19

I’ve just finished reading Raising Hare. By far the best book I’ve read in a while. Really moving.

tobee · 15/01/2026 02:15

Every Man for Himself by Beryl Bainbridge.

The book is told through the eyes of Morgan, a young upper class American man, who takes The Titanic to New York in April 1912.

LethargeMarg · 14/01/2026 16:32

Just wanted to pop on and thank those that recommended Last one at the Party would never have heard of this book without this thread and it’s brilliant…also on kindle unlimited
my favourite reads this year were:
The Names
Buckeye
the Diary of an ordinary woman (also recommended on Mumsnet)
The Rachel Incident
Small bombs at Dipperley

LaBelleSauvage123 · 15/12/2025 02:13

In Memoriam by Alice Winn

Dolphin78 · 14/12/2025 21:10

The Names. Florence Knapp. Bloody brilliant first novel.

ABeerInTheSunshineMakesMeHappy · 14/12/2025 19:33

WonderingAndOverthinking · 14/12/2025 14:22

I read The List of Suspicious Things in one sitting yesterday after seeing it on this thread - really enjoyed it.

I also downloaded this following this thread and read it last week. I really enjoyed it too.

ABeerInTheSunshineMakesMeHappy · 14/12/2025 19:31

BG2015 · 13/12/2025 16:26

I’ve just started reading the Robert Grainger books after downloading a sample on my Kindle following your recommendation.

I’m hooked already and the joy that there are 17 books in total - yay!

This year I spent it with Dr Ruth Galloway. 2026 will be spent with Ds Smith!

I love it when I click with an author!
🤩

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I love that feeling when you enjoy a book and know that there are more than 10 books to follow in a series. I’ve downloaded this one too, following the recommendation above .

I currently have about 5 Christmas related cosy crime mysteries on my kindle which was my planned December reading but so far two have been started and abandoned, so I’ll probably get to this sooner rather than later.

Fuckitydoodah · 14/12/2025 15:46

WonderingAndOverthinking · 14/12/2025 14:22

I read The List of Suspicious Things in one sitting yesterday after seeing it on this thread - really enjoyed it.

I loved this book. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

WonderingAndOverthinking · 14/12/2025 14:22

I read The List of Suspicious Things in one sitting yesterday after seeing it on this thread - really enjoyed it.

everdine · 13/12/2025 18:36

Dolamroth · 13/12/2025 18:31

She was awesome and I have a beautiful string of pearls she left me, that she bought for herself when she qualified.

Will have a look for the Mary Wesley ❤️

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That’s so lovely! Mary Wesley was quite a character too. I’ve read her biography Wild Mary. Jumping the Queue was her first novel.

Dolamroth · 13/12/2025 18:31

everdine · 13/12/2025 17:41

Another woman I really liked and who is unapologetic is Matilda in Jumping The Queue by Mary Wesley.

Your great aunt sounds brilliant!

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She was awesome and I have a beautiful string of pearls she left me, that she bought for herself when she qualified.

Will have a look for the Mary Wesley ❤️

HollyChristmas · 13/12/2025 17:48

I'm really enjoying The Wolf Den trilogy ( currently 75% through the 2nd one ) I also enjoyed Last one at the Party and thirdly The Lamb . All very different .

everdine · 13/12/2025 17:41

Dolamroth · 13/12/2025 17:35

She's like a force of nature. I love how she just won't do what people expect. But you know how deeply sad and bereft she is inside. Maybe it's best that it stayed perfect and they couldn't get tired of each other.

I think she's such a compelling character, she reminds me of my great aunt who was a doctor when women didn't do that and she was completely unapologetic.

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Another woman I really liked and who is unapologetic is Matilda in Jumping The Queue by Mary Wesley.

Your great aunt sounds brilliant!

Dolamroth · 13/12/2025 17:35

everdine · 13/12/2025 16:44

I loved Moon Tiger! Haven’t read it in years but I really like Claudia!

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She's like a force of nature. I love how she just won't do what people expect. But you know how deeply sad and bereft she is inside. Maybe it's best that it stayed perfect and they couldn't get tired of each other.

I think she's such a compelling character, she reminds me of my great aunt who was a doctor when women didn't do that and she was completely unapologetic.

oviraptor21 · 13/12/2025 17:17

Twonkytwoo · 30/11/2025 11:48

Think it’s already been mentioned but the Women by Kristen Hannah, absolutely brilliant story about an army nurse in the Vietnam War. I have read a lot of her books and have always loved that she takes a time in history and writes from a women’s perspective. Took a little while for me to get into it but certainly one of her best books.
i enjoyed Raising Hare a lot more than I thought I would.
Got lots more now on my want to read list.

That's definitely one I'll look out for.
I posted too soon as I've just finished The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai and that's pole vaulted my previous bests.
Again set in Vietnam during the war through two women's perspectives.

everdine · 13/12/2025 17:04

The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante.
It tells the story of an Italian woman living in Turin whose husband abruptly leaves her after fifteen years together. She is left with her two young children.

FollowSpot · 13/12/2025 16:59

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride.

Barack Obama named it as his favourite book in 2024z

A fascinating community in 20s / 30s Pennsylvania, love, loyalty, a strong woman whose compassion is the glue between the equally poor back and Jewish residents of Chicken Hill. Jazz dance halls, a mystery, shocking happenings. Really interesting and moving.

everdine · 13/12/2025 16:51

Goneonholsbymistake · 29/11/2025 15:56

Which is the best Murdoch to start with Dappy?

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The first one I ever read was A Fairly Honourable Defeat. It was so good it made read more!

everdine · 13/12/2025 16:44

Dolamroth · 28/11/2025 21:05

Mine is Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively which I got on a recommendation from the Rather Dated book club thread on here
A dying woman looks back on her life, especially a very intense stay in Egypt during WWII. It won the Booker and I totally understand why, it was absolutely gripping.

Close second was Hyperion by Dan Simmons. It's science fiction but very literary (?). It's about a group of pilgrims telling the story of why they are going on the journey. Loosely based on the Canterbury Tales and with lots of classical/literary references. It was really good.

I loved Moon Tiger! Haven’t read it in years but I really like Claudia!

BG2015 · 13/12/2025 16:26

Papyrophile · 12/12/2025 17:36

I have read and loved many of the titles mentioned above but my discovery of the year (although late to the feasting) has been an author, Peter Grainger whose series of crime novels featuring DC Smith has been an immense pleasure. One for Kindle owners only sadly, because never available in print, but beautifully written, superbly developed characters and strong plots, with evocative, occasionally horrifying, descriptions set in "King's Lake" and that Norfolk coastline.

I also loved You Are Here by David Nicholls.

I’ve just started reading the Robert Grainger books after downloading a sample on my Kindle following your recommendation.

I’m hooked already and the joy that there are 17 books in total - yay!

This year I spent it with Dr Ruth Galloway. 2026 will be spent with Ds Smith!

I love it when I click with an author!
🤩

MerylSqueak · 12/12/2025 23:46

The Nightwatchman by Louise Erdritch

Set at a time of a political struggle for native Americans, it shows with humour and warmth how the political effort had to fit in around jobs and childrearing, family ties and the need to get some sleep.