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Original poster

What was the last book that really gripped you?

85 replies

TittyGajillions · 01/05/2026 10:15

As in couldn't put it down, couldn't wait to find out what happens next?
I'm in a bit of a reading slump and haven't had that feeling of wanting to sit and just read for a while.
I have a long tbr but nothing is quite taking my fancy.

OP posts:
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rumred · 30/05/2026 18:05

The Avenue Goes to War by rf delderfield. Just finished it, absolutely lovely, interesting book. Was going to give it a miss but very glad I gave it a go.

Kote · 30/05/2026 17:56

Nesting by Roisin O'Donnell

Tonissister · 30/05/2026 17:35

The Names was good.
I also really liked The Things We Never Say - the latest Elizabeth Strout. Quiet, gentle book about a very sweet man.
Just finished Audition by Kitamura. Was not really enjoying it but the ending turned it around. Very bizarre. Still considering it.

Sweetpea333 · 30/05/2026 17:28

Sharp Objects was jaw dropping. The tv series was excellent too.

HoppityBun · 30/05/2026 17:28

Dappy777 · 01/05/2026 15:23

Jane Austen’s Emma. I had never read a word of Austen until recently, in spite of a degree in literature. I don’t know why. I just never got around to it. My god she is so good. Totally gripped me from page one. I now intend to read all her novels in chronological order.

You’re so lucky to have these ahead of you

Papyrophile · 30/05/2026 17:16

Another vote for the DC Smith books by Peter Grainger. The next one arrives on Thursday, and I can't wait!

LeeshaPaper · 30/05/2026 13:49

Yesteryear!! Brilliant

Alltheburpees · 28/05/2026 17:06

Mr Einstein’s Secretary by Matthew Reilly.
Based on a true story.

Happymountains · 25/05/2026 10:47

Project Hail Mary on audiobook. Was excellent and I'm not usually a space sci-fi kind of person.

JG24 · 25/05/2026 10:43

I downloaded Small Pleasures on my kindle yesterday on a whim after reading this thread and I'm so glad I did
I'm halfway through and really enjoying it
So thank you all!

namechange6766333545544 · 24/05/2026 09:46

Plump82 · 01/05/2026 16:28

I Who Have Never Known Men - I don't ever re-read books but I definitely will with this one at some point. I think about or regularly.
Another one called All My Mothers which was fantastic.
Both made me cry and were very emotional but I'm different ways.

All My Mothers.

Yes!

I saw it recommended here on mumsnet and found a copy in a charity shop. I’m so glad I did. I couldn’t put it down and I thought about it for a long time afterwards.

RaininSummer · 24/05/2026 09:27

Just finished By any other name by Jodi Picoult which was great.

dallysally · 24/05/2026 09:22

stinkingbishop · 01/05/2026 15:45

Just finished the new John Lanchester, Look What You Made Me Do. Excellent. Other recent good reads have been The Correspondent, and Where D'You Go Bernadette.

Great choices. Loved these

Gardenquestion22 · 24/05/2026 08:43

I’m really gripped by The Names, been really drawn into the structure and characters.

Bertiebiscuit · 24/05/2026 08:36

Anything by Ann Cleeves, currently totally absorbed in "Thin Air" one of the Shetland series. I have to ration myself so i don't get through them tii quickly.

Aworldofmyown · 24/05/2026 08:34

The most gripping book ive read in the last ten years is American Dirt.

Daffodillz · 24/05/2026 08:31

The Fathers by John Niven
Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy

Clearly I have a thing for disturbing novels

PassengerDerby · 24/05/2026 08:26

I know I was a little late to the party on this thread but I've found a few good books through reading other people's recommendations on threads like this so thought I would contribute too 🙂

PassengerDerby · 24/05/2026 08:20

Just finished Kingfishers Catch Fire by Rumer Godden and very much enjoyed it.

Am halfway through The Correspondent by Virginia Evans and really enjoying that too. It's written in letters; she name checks 84 Charing Cross Road. On that note The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is lovely.

Both Hello Beautiful and Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano I found engrossing and lovely writing - polished but a really light touch.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 13/05/2026 16:18

Gisele Pelicot's Autobiography and Lindsey Burrow's book regarding MND and her husband, Rob

ShowDownTime · 13/05/2026 16:15

Yesteryear! I honestly couldn’t put it down. Brilliantly entertaining book.

IlovetoKnitandRead · 13/05/2026 14:37

Lately I have loved The Names by Florence Knapp. I adore a book that makes you want to stay up until the earlier hours. The last book previous to that was Project Hail Mary, it was so gripping. I have such high hopes for some books, but lately I have been more disappointed than ever before with new novels and have found myself returning to my Persephone book collection (I know, such a book snob😂)

saveforthat · 11/05/2026 21:17

Have you read all the Stephen King novels? I've just finished 11:22:63. I stayed up all night to finish it.

Endofyear · 11/05/2026 21:06

Have you read any Michael Connelly? His Harry Bosch series is really good if you like crime/detective stories and there's a lot of them to work your way through!

MissAmbrosia · 11/05/2026 20:29

Another vote for All the Colours of the Dark - also loved We begin at the End by the same author. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters is amazing - it's starts simply then, it's like "you WHAT now? " I've recently been reading some old Anne Cleeves novels - I already read all the Shetland and Vera ones, so working my way through other random series. She's probably up there with Ruth Rendell as a favourite author.