If you could recommend one single book to read, what would it be?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

I've set myself an annual readingoal, having lost the wherewithal to read like I used to, pre kids.

I'm flying through the books on my list, and also want a new target to aim for next year.

So.

I need more on my list. I'm literally open to any genre. Any length etc.

if you could only recommend one single book, what would it be? And why?

The Poisonwood Bible is an amazing book which really moved me and taught me a lot at the same time.

Replay by Ken Grimwood... absolutely brilliant and whilst many have tried to replicate the uniqueness of this book, noone has ever come close!

1984. Because it has the most important message of any novel ever written.

The Last Unicorn. Stunningly beautiful writing

Oh wow, someone else who knows that! It's lovely, isn't it? Such an original book.

Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
(And the other two books in the trilogy, and the next two trilogies, and um then … sorry, that’s really not a one-book recommendation)

The Time Travellers Wife

Death of a Naturalist by Seamus Heaney

Everyone should read more poetry. It's good for the soul

Awesome thread, am adding lots to my own ‘to be read’ list right now!
My suggestion for you is The Humans by Matt Haig

So many good books here but in a different way Guns, Germs & Steel by Jared Diamond. Fascinating.

The Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyne, I read a lot and this is probably in my top 5 books ever read

The Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin is the best book I’ve read in the last year and I read a loooot of books.

The Flowers of Hiroshima by Edita Morris.

I'm currently reading it again. It's a beautiful & sad in places love story. It is out of print but you can get it 2nd hand.

I don't think I could pick just one book, but one that blew me away was Don't let's Go To The Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller.

It's a memoir of her life as the daughter of white settlers in 1970s Rhodesia.

Thief of Time by Sir Terry P

Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Autobiographical - she’s a wonderful writer

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Depending on your frame of mind at the time its either amazing or hard going, but for me during a difficult time it gave me hope that theres more out there for me yet.

Lots of lovely suggestions on here!
My own would be A Scots Quair by Lewis Grassic Gibbon. It's a trilogy really but I go back & read it often.

So interesting reading posters' choices.

I've read most of the ones recommended. Some I liked, one I loved (Eleanor Oliphant) and so many I absolutely hated. Including Poisonwood Bible, which is my Worst Book Ever.

It's all about personal taste & choice!

If I had to suggest just one book, I'd go away from a Great Work & pick any of the William books, or a Wodehouse. Combination of life-enhancing humour, timeless characters & beautiful writing.

@Neenaw999

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Depending on your frame of mind at the time its either amazing or hard going, but for me during a difficult time it gave me hope that theres more out there for me yet.

I loved this too, and thought I wouldn't.

I agree with you about hope!

One??

I'm going to say The Plot Against America by Philip Roth, as I think it's a masterpiece. But I only have to think of one for about another 20 to pop into my head...

Cats eye Margaret Atwood
Beloved Toni Morrison
Ladder of years Anne Tyler
Oops sorry thats three, narrowed it down as much as I could!

@EarringsandLipstick

So interesting reading posters' choices.

I've read most of the ones recommended. Some I liked, one I loved (Eleanor Oliphant) and so many I absolutely hated. Including Poisonwood Bible, which is my Worst Book Ever.

It's all about personal taste & choice!

If I had to suggest just one book, I'd go away from a Great Work & pick any of the William books, or a Wodehouse. Combination of life-enhancing humour, timeless characters & beautiful writing.

Why didn't you like poison wood?

@Neenaw999

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Depending on your frame of mind at the time its either amazing or hard going, but for me during a difficult time it gave me hope that theres more out there for me yet.

The book club I am in did that a few months ago. None of us really enjoyed it. I found it a bit repetitive and boring TBH. I couldn't identify with the main character and by the end I felt like I was reading it for homework as it was a book club book and we were going to discuss it.

The Night Circus.

The best book I have read this year by a mile was Where the Crawdads Sing. This was unanimous among book club members as well.

The Golden Gate by Vikram Seth

A gentle story about modern relationships (late 80s), written entirely in sonnets. Easier to read than it sounds, and don't expect perfect rhymes, but the liberties he takes are enjoyable.

Inspired by Eugine Onegin.