Page 2 | What was the last book that really gripped you?

TittyGajillions · 2026-05-01T09:15:18+00:00

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.

Hiddeninthetrees · 11/05/2026 20:23

I've loved The Stranger Diaries, Exit and Hare. All very different, but all very readable.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 11/05/2026 20:12

LethargeMarg · 11/05/2026 20:08

I couldn’t get into American Dirt, but a book that I loved that was recommended on here is ‘Last one at the Party’, I think someone described it as Bridget Jones at the apocalypse! Really brilliant.

I loved them both!

LethargeMarg · 11/05/2026 20:08

I couldn’t get into American Dirt, but a book that I loved that was recommended on here is ‘Last one at the Party’, I think someone described it as Bridget Jones at the apocalypse! Really brilliant.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 11/05/2026 15:21

I really tried with Dungeon Crawler Carl but stopped at 25% it just wasn’t for me

Guest385 · 11/05/2026 09:52

@HHCrochetDiva Hubby recommended them to me, the audio books narrated by Jeff Hayes are soooo goood, been listening while dog walking, cleaning, driving, basically all the time, so addictive.

HHCrochetDiva · 11/05/2026 09:44

@Guest385 it’s so nice finding something with a good back catalogue already, found him in April and thankfully the library has them, although at this rate we’ll be up to Book 8 by July! Then we’ll just have to twiddle our thumbs, although it has to be so well planned I’m assuming he doesn’t take too long between books!

Guest385 · 11/05/2026 09:40

HHCrochetDiva · 11/05/2026 07:56

So it’s fantasy but so far (up to number 3) all the books in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series and DH is reading them after me. Great fun, more Douglas Adams than Terry Pratchett & well written.

I just came to look if anyone in Mumsnet was aware of the Dungeon Crawler Carl books LitRPG, they are so good. Waiting for book 8 out this week.

HHCrochetDiva · 11/05/2026 07:56

So it’s fantasy but so far (up to number 3) all the books in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series and DH is reading them after me. Great fun, more Douglas Adams than Terry Pratchett & well written.

Universe25 · 10/05/2026 22:45

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 01/05/2026 10:18

What kind of books usually float your boat?

For gripping my first thoughts go to American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins and Fingersmith by Sarah Waters both very different books and genres

Omg American Dirt. Could not put it down!

after reading the synopsis I really didn’t fancy it, but a good friend recommended it.

i was gripped from the first page. There is violence in it, but not graphic at all.

Wonderknicks · 10/05/2026 22:44

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. Absolutely brilliant.

DamnFineWoman · 10/05/2026 22:41

Two books I have recently read and loved enough to pass onto friends:

The coldest place on earth https://amzn.eu/d/06Q1yhAP
Burial Rites by Kent, Hannah (February 27, 2014) Paperback https://amzn.eu/d/09wapmdF

anything by Lissa Evan’s

finally - can’t put down the Slow Horses series by Mick Herron. Funny, clever and enough bad language to make you squirm!

TheGander · 10/05/2026 22:10

Cazziebo · 10/05/2026 20:42

@TheGanderI read Midnight in the Garden Of Good and Evil in advance of a trip to Savannah, GA. It was good to see all the locations in the book (which I loved!) Family that live there tell me the characters were real and only very thinly disguised.

That’s really interesting. I’ve never been to the Deep South but for me that book was second best to actually going. Seems the Deep South spawns the best US fiction somehow.

DuckCootLoon · 10/05/2026 21:15

I've just read Everything is beautiful and everything hurts by Josie Shapiro. It's based around the main character's attempt to run a marathon. I've never run anything, but somehow it really resonated with me. I read it in two days, although it is quite short.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver really gripped me, and I still think about it a lot. I'm keen to re-read, but want to read David Copperfield first.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 10/05/2026 21:14

it is absolute dogshit but readable in a Twilight kind of way

Cosign this 😂

BG2015 · 10/05/2026 21:03

Recent favourite reads:

*When you disappeared by John Marrs
*All the Strike books by Robert Galbraith
*All the Elly Griffiths/Ruth Galloway series (so sad when I'd read them all)

And more recently

Peter Graingers books about Policemen DC Smith - they are only available on Kindle, but the first one is now in paperback called An Accidental Death - brilliant series of books.

Namingbaba · 10/05/2026 20:53

I’m reading Homage to Catalonia. I find it absorbing and insightful. I’ve been finding it hard to stick to a book but this has really got me.

APatternGrammar · 10/05/2026 20:53

I found Wild Dark Shore quite gripping.

Also, if you want something non-highbrow, A Court of Thorns and Roses — it is absolute dogshit but readable in a Twilight kind of a way

Undergroundovergroundwomblingfree · 10/05/2026 20:45

Undergroundovergroundwomblingfree · 10/05/2026 20:15

I have joined at finished this thanks to your recommendation. I really enjoyed it and have recommended it to my book club so thank you.

Show quote history

I have just finished this.

Cazziebo · 10/05/2026 20:42

@TheGanderI read Midnight in the Garden Of Good and Evil in advance of a trip to Savannah, GA. It was good to see all the locations in the book (which I loved!) Family that live there tell me the characters were real and only very thinly disguised.

TheGander · 10/05/2026 20:28

Brilliant!

Undergroundovergroundwomblingfree · 10/05/2026 20:15

TheGander · 01/05/2026 14:23

Small pleasures by Clare Chambers. Loved it and have gifted it several times, always with success. Years ago I read Midnight in the garden of good and evil, that was a great read too.

Edited

I have joined at finished this thanks to your recommendation. I really enjoyed it and have recommended it to my book club so thank you.

QueenOfToast · 02/05/2026 12:23

If you want a new release; I’ve just finished Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and loved it.

Girlintheframe · 02/05/2026 12:06

I absolutely loved All the colours of the dark

SingingHinny · 02/05/2026 11:48

Currently very gripped by Deborah Levy’s Hot Milk.

duckingclueless · 02/05/2026 11:04

Cloud atlas.