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Can someone recommend a really good book for my holiday?

109 replies

Anothernamechangeplease · 05/08/2022 11:57

I need something to read on my holiday - preferably on my kindle, but doesn't have to be. Ideally I'm looking for a novel, but I would definitely consider non-fiction if anyone has any really good suggestions.

If it's a novel, I want something that I can really get into. Not interested in anything too trashy - I want something that is genuinely well written and that has some actual depth to it, characters that I can get invested in. Ideally something that makes me think while also evoking an emotional response. Nothing too hard to read though (ie no James Joyce style text to wade through...I have adhd and can struggle to maintain attention in the early stages of a book until I'm hooked, and then I can't put it down.) Happy for it to be a classic or something more modern.

A random selection of books I have previously enjoyed (in no particular and definitely not an exhaustive list):

All Jane Austen (especially P&P, Persuasion)
Lots of Dickens (especially Bleak House)
Some George Eliot (especially Middlemarch)
Turgenev - Fathers and Sons
The Book Thief
Half of a Yellow Sun
Purple Hibiscus
The Kite Runner
A thousand splendid suns
Elizabeth is missing
Captain Correlli's Mandolin
Northern Lights trilogy

What books have you really enjoyed, and what would you particularly recommend?

TIA!

OP posts:
Blueuggboots · 09/08/2022 11:35

@PeskyRooks - I haven't but I'll look it up. 10,000 doors is one of the best books I've read for a very long time.

cantley · 09/08/2022 11:47

@TheMoth
How good are those books!!
Hope he writes more!

cestlavielife · 09/08/2022 11:54

Sally Page the keeper of stories
Elif Shafak the islsnd of missing trees

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cantley · 09/08/2022 13:26

TranquilityofSolitude · 08/08/2022 20:03

I'm reading 'Still Life' Sarah Winman at the moment. I'm trying not to finish it because it's just so good. I know I'll really miss the characters once I've finished. I'm desperately trying to take it slowly, which is very unlike me!

Could barely read the last 2 pages of that book, I was reading through my tears, absolutely adored it.

Anothernamechangeplease · 11/08/2022 09:51

Thank you so much for all of the recommendations. Have now worked my way through Midnight Library and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, and I loved both of them - especially Eleanor Oliphant. Just trying to work out which one I'm going to read next! So grateful for my kindle!!Smile

OP posts:
Seraphina1993 · 11/08/2022 09:53

The silent companions by Laura Purcell

Summerhouse2013 · 11/08/2022 12:25

redbigbananafeet · 08/08/2022 20:03

The Island g.co/kgs/aaG3B5

I read every night. I read this 12 years ago and I still think about it often and have reread a good few times. I love all her books but this one in particular.

Totally agree with you, one of my all time favourite books by Victoria Hislop. Think it's because although the story is fictional, lots of the background to it is factual and did happen.

LesserKnownKardashian · 11/08/2022 12:28

I'm currently re-reading Wuthering Heights - it's still as good as I remember!

Anothernamechangeplease · 15/08/2022 12:52

Back from my holiday now. The third book that I read was Still Life. It took me a while to get into it, but I loved it, so thanks to whoever suggested that one, as well as the other two.

I thoroughly enjoyed all three, and I do miss having the time to get lost in a book as I used to when I was younger. I tend to only do it when I'm on holiday now, when I have plenty of time, but I wish I could do it more. I find it much harder to stay engaged if I only have time to read a little at a time, but I will try to make it more of a habit, I think.

I will try to pursue a few more of your suggestions, they have been good ones so far!! Thank you all!

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