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Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

REALLY need a good book, what do you recommend??

65 replies

deanychip · 13/04/2009 08:45

Just read "a short history" by Trollope, was tripe, utter UTTER tripe. Slogged to the end.

Am reading all of my old Bill Brysons, and have picked up Angelas Ashes again (for the 300th time!)

But need something really good, whats the best book you have read in ages??

Am desperate got to keep my mind occupies waiting for bloody scans etc.

OP posts:
AbleSister · 13/04/2009 18:01

hated that gale book
i have one here you can HAVE

northernrefugee39 · 13/04/2009 18:00

Hello Margeret!
Patrick Gale- Notes from an exhibition- yes, fab.

Neolara- absolutely William Boyd- he's one of my all time favourite authors.
I read a sunday paper article the other day, and he's got a new one out in this year......
and, half listening to radio 4 I heard they're serialising Restless, (which is a brilliant one.. as is Any Human Heart, The New Confessions, The Blue Afternoon)

Doodle2U · 13/04/2009 17:53

One Dog At A Time by Pen Farthing.

neolara · 13/04/2009 17:51

Just read "The nineteenth wife". An easy read, but extremely well written and totally gripping. It's a modern day murder story but intertwined with the history of polygamy amongst Mormons in the US. Ok, I know it sounds odd, but honestly, it was great.

I would also recommend anything by William Boyd and would second someone else who has recommended Black Swan Green.

I thought Notes on an Exhibition was OK, not great though.

Original poster
deanychip · 13/04/2009 17:49

hahaha!
Not just me then?

OP posts:
Tinker · 13/04/2009 17:41

Ha ha - just started a thread saying I'd read a Trollope book and had actually quite enjoyed it (but agree that it was really tripe)

Original poster
deanychip · 13/04/2009 17:39

Not a fan of Cornwall i am afraid, and Atonement had to give up on which i never ever do.

OP posts:
Original poster
deanychip · 13/04/2009 17:37

i LOVE anything by Roddy Doyle, read the woman who walked into doors years ago, fab fab fab.

OP posts:
AbleSister · 13/04/2009 17:30

Middlesex

MN choice
is a v good one
or the finest type of english womanhood

vvg

janeite · 13/04/2009 17:26

Yes to 'Town Like Alice' and 'Notes From An Exhibition' but no, no, no to 'Attonement'! Yes to 'Hi Fidelity'. Also 'About A Boy' - is that Nick H too?

'The Woman Who Walked Into Doors' by Roddy Doyle iirc.

Am afraid I hated 'The Quincunx'.

How do you feel about classics?

mrsbeng · 13/04/2009 17:01

The Thirteenth Tale by diane Setterfield is a corker. Recommended it to loads of people and every single one has loved it.

lilibet · 13/04/2009 16:53

Have you read Woman in White by Wilkie Collins? BEst book ever!!

And the best heroine!

Or if you fancy a challenge, try The Quinqunx - do a search for it on here, it's loved and hated in equal measures, I'm in the love camp.

ProoDense · 13/04/2009 16:50

Just last night finished reading, The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry.

I'd highly recommend it, very moving and so beautifully written.

Feel quite sad to have come to the end of it.

cyteen · 13/04/2009 16:48

Intriguing, sarcastic and strangely emotional - The Brutal Art by Jesse Kellerman

Funny - Frost On My Moustache by Tim Moore (all of his books are great but this is the best IMO)

foxinsocks · 13/04/2009 16:45

I love Cornwall and i could almost feel myself down there with Notes on an Exhibition.

Can I recommend Rachel Heath's Finest Type of English Womanhood again too? It's got some great write ups in the papers this week. Is a romping story.

Jeffa · 13/04/2009 14:17

Definatly 'Notes from an Exhibition'. I've just finished 'December' by someone. It's in top 100 in WHsmiths so should be easy to find.

Have you read 26a by Dianna Evans? It is amazing.

dittany · 13/04/2009 14:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Littlepurpleprincess · 13/04/2009 13:58

A Long Way Down is another good one by Nick Hornby.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is my favourite book ever, also The Salmon of Doubt for die hard Douglas Adams fans.

bunjies · 13/04/2009 12:43

For more 70s related nostalgia I really recommend Black Swan Green by David Mitchell. He also wrote Cloud Atlas, another fantastic read.

Just finished Notes from an Exhibition and also recommend that.

Also The Time Travellers Wife.

infin · 13/04/2009 12:40

I'd second 'Notes from an Exhibition'.
have recently read 'The Poisonwood Bible'by barbara Kingsolver. A wonderful book.
'Atonement' was a great book, but then I like Ian Mc Ewan. Lots of people don't though and find him 'overwritten' (whatever that may mean!

Takver · 13/04/2009 12:31

Not fiction but I just finished 'Imperial Life in the Emerald City' about the Americans in Iraq. V v funny but also interesting.

Latchley · 13/04/2009 12:21

I really enjoyed 'Northern Clemency' by Philip Hensher. Follows 2 families in sheffield from 70s to 90s...

Bumperlicioso · 13/04/2009 09:56

Don't know about the book but have recently watched Atonement which was really good.

I'm currently reading John Grisham

Original poster
deanychip · 13/04/2009 09:33

rotters club it is then, will search ebay for a cheepy.
thanks,
deany x

OP posts:
LotsofLovelyShoes · 13/04/2009 09:14

NO NO to Jackie Collins - totally agree!