Fictional books that have left a mark.

[whodunit3]

I used to absolutely obsessed with reading but over the years the DC have kept me either busy or exhausted and I have stopped.

However now we are on lockdown and the DC seem to be all getting along and happy thought I’d treat myself to some new books on my kindle and try to get back into reading, but where to start.

I like quite serious matter books especially with layers and characters that draw you in. I used to love Jodie Picoult and Diane Chamberlain but looked at a few just now and they are not drawing me in...

I think my favourite (fictional) book I have ever read is the Memory Keepers daughter which I absolutely loved.

Which books would you recommend and have found real page turners?

@SelfIsolatingBeforeItWasCool - The Sunne in Splendour! I’d completely forgotten about that.

The Poisonwood Bible. Phenomenal.
Rachel’s Holiday. Looks like chick lit but is a powerful examination of addiction and how it affects families.
Diary of a Geisha. Beautiful and fascinating.
The Road. Harrowing but essential.

This is an old one now but I Know this much is true by Wally Lamb has stayed with me. In fact I'm going to dig it out and read it again.

Therese Raquin is one of my absolute favourites, I have never met another Zola fan @SelfIsolatingBeforeItWasCool really enjoyed The Germinal as well.

Also really enjoyed Emma Donoghue 'Room' and 'Slammerkin' as pp have suggested. Enjoying getting ideas from this thread.

Lessons of a a Sunday Father

Placemark

The whole of the Disc World.

Where the crawdads sing ❤️

Snow flower an the secret fan.

I also enjoyed the Kabul beauty salon series.

We need to talk about Kevin.

Read the whole thing in one go laid on a sun lounger by the pool on holiday. I remember finishing it and sitting up and being absolutely traumatised and amazed that the world was still going in as normal after what I had just experienced. Do not read if you are sensitive.

Also - never let me go. Absolutely amazing book. And the life of pi, especially if you haven't seen the film.

The kite runner

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (currently re reading it)

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. Brilliant author, I have his second book on my pile to possibly be read next.

Snow flower and the secret fan

Read this quite a few years ago and it's a really good read. Also loved the Empress Orchid series from Anchee Min

I am David. I read it when I was nineteen and found it incredibly moving.

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I couldn't read anything else for weeks afterwards, it really affected me.

And to a lesser extent, The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry and Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. I found some of the RJ Ellory novels quite haunting as well, particularly A Quiet Belief in Angels, must reread that one..

That’s Tully read in a few days (thanks for the recommendation! )

It was good but not life changing, I found it quite Danielle Steel like would still say I enjoyed.

Next My Absolute Darling.

Different books at different times, I think.

Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit - her voice is amazing and just spoke so clearly from the page, such amazing writing.

Swallows and Amazons series - I learnt so many useful, practical things from these books, and they probably played a huge part in me being so stoical and unflappable about things.

The Moomins - I adored them as a child, and vicariously enjoyed the adventures they had, but seeing my child devour them and enjoy them just as much have me such pleasure.

So many authors have had an impact on me- Annie Proulx, Haruki Murakami, Peter Hoeg, William Gibson, Jeanette Winterson, Louis de Bernieres (but not the flipping mandolin), Alastair Reynolds, Donna Tartt, Nancy Mitford, Terry Pratchett.

We Speak No Treason - Rosemary Hawley Jarman. Turned me into a Ricardian !

A little life - Hanya Yanagihara
Fates and furies - Lauren groff (Arcadia was also amazing but fates and furies was a punch to the gut)
Pretty much anything by Ann Patchett

Many many more but need to look at goodreads...

I read The Age of Miracles by Katherine Thompson Walker a few years ago. I didn’t think it was a particularly well written book but it was certainly very unsettling, and I still remember it, so I suppose you could say it has left a mark.

Most things but Amy Tan. The Bonesetter's Daughter in particular.

This is my kind of thread! I used to read so much and lost touch since having my DS. So some great suggestions here.
My books that I've loved are:
The boy in the striped pajamas by John boyne
The silent patient by Alex michaelides
Before I go to sleep by S. J Watson

OK. Amy Tan and all of @haverhills list.

Poisonwood Bible was brilliant. Don't know how I forgot it!

All my others are sci fantasy, so I won't bore you with them.

The Ladybird children's book of William Tell. Although I was only six or seven, I think it was the first thing I read about an oppressive regime, by "the cruel governor". At the time, I imagined that's what "the government" that adults talked about was like. (Not just the teeniest bit topical? )