What’s been your best read this year?

Lots of wonderful books mentioned already, for me it’s Clear by Carys Davi’s, a beautiful short novel about a Scottish minister sent to evict the last inhabitant of a remote Scottish island during the clearings, it’s beautifully atmospheric and as good as her novel ‘West’ which I loved

There’s quite a few of them, so if you like the first one it will keep you busy for a while!

I'll look them up @DirtyFrie but this is a new name to me. So thank you for your suggestion

In addition to my earlier mentions I have really enjoyed Mick Herron - Slow Horses but pretty much all of his stuff (although there was one dud but can’t remember what it was about). Delightful writing, characterisation and detail. If you have lots of wrapping to do then the audiobooks have some of the best narration around thanks to Sean Barrett.

I have just finished reading the strike books and am looking for my next series, so thanks for recommending this 😄

have you read the robbie kett books by Alex smith?

I couldn’t agree more re Peter Grainger’s and his DC Smith series. I’ve just finished binge listening to the whole series. Engrossing and very enjoyable.

Lots of great recommendations. Thanks.

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.

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August - Claire North
The Shardlake series by C J Sansom, especially the earlier ones

Other excellent books mentioned - The Names, Project Hail Mary, The Great Alone, The Glass Maker

The Testaments - Margaret Atwood. Sequel to the Handmaid’s Tale which dives into the story behind the creation of Gilead - and a brilliant read.

Against the loveless world by Susan Abulhawa.

Honourable mentions for The Paris trilogy by Colombe Schneck and I who have never known men by Jacqueline Harpman.

Enjoying this thread - will be adding many to my tbr!

Killing time, Jodi Taylor

Thanks everyone for the ideas that are coming in - very helpful.

The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro

Not because it was the best story - it wasn't - but because of the effect this had on me. It is bloody odd, to say the least. It evoked in me a feeling of frustration, like a dream where you cannot quite get to some place you need to get to. I would describe it as an immersive piece of writing. It also had the effect of rousing my interest in classical music. Bizarre.

Wildly different to other books of his I've read. I think he has an outlier talent.

I loved House of Broken Bricks and The Island of Missing Trees so will add your others to my tbr pile!

Fundamentally - Nussaibah Younis

British Asian academic Nadia takes a job with the UN in Iraq rehabilitating women caught up in Islamic fundamentalism.

There Nadia meets Sara, a hilarious, foul-mouthed East Londoner who was pulled into radicalism at just fifteen. The two are kindred spirits, and Nadia vows to get Sara home.

Really interesting but also a lot funnier than it sounds!

Absolutely loved Raising Hare.

Broken Country but I find many of the Reese Witherspoon book club books excellent.

I love Gillian McAllister and her books are very readable and well written.

Just getting back into reading and reading this thread has inspired some reads for 2026.

Favourites for me have been

Ghosts of Rome - Joseph O’Connor
Panchinko - Min Jin Lee (just finishing it but it’s been a wonderful read!)

My top reads for the year:

The Fertile Earth, Ruthvika Rao
Whale, Cheon Myeong-Kwan
The House of Broken Bricks, Fiona Williams
Abigail, Magda Szabo
Brother of the More Famous Jack, Barbara Trapido
My Friends, Hisham Matar
The Island of Missing Trees, Elif Shafak
Brotherless Night, V. V. Ganeshananthan

Such an ace thread !! I’ve added another ton of books to my list
standout read for me this year has been the Names by Florence Knapp, I listened to it on audible on my many dog walks with tears streaming down my face ! It’s really stayed with me
have just ordered Raising Hare and can’t wait

Struggling to decide but I loved The River Is Waiting and Broken Country which have been mentioned too, and have foisted them on (different) people. Also enjoyed Corvus recommended above.

My non-fiction highlight was probably The Story of a Heart by Rachel Clarke. She tells the story of a heart transplant and the key families, medics, scientists, emergency services workers etc involved. It was very compassionate and positive.

And a very recent fiction highlight for me was The Artist by Lucy Steeds, a prize-winning debut novel. It's set in Provence in 1920 at the home of a famous but reclusive artist. Lots of food. Lots of observation. Romantic but not soppy. The main female character becomes increasingly empowered. Well plotted with a satisfying ending.)

I read both of these as audiobooks and will revisit them in print sometime. They were both very well narrated so I can recommend those as well.

Felix & Willow Cat Tails of Mischief and Mayhem. M. L. Scott. £7.79 from Amazon. Paperback.

I follow them on Facebook and I die laughing!

They also do hardback and Kindle, various prices.

The Naked Light by Bridget Collins.

Set in post WWI rural England. Lyrically written folk horror.