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What is the best book you have read this year?

116 replies

TravellingSpoon · 14/08/2022 07:35

Got a book voucher for my birthday so I am going to pop up to Waterstones and treat myself, but am lacking inspiration.

OP posts:
Abracadabra12345 · 15/08/2022 17:08

Lullabies2Paralyze · 15/08/2022 08:04

I really enjoyed The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry.
bought it a while ago and only just read it when mat leave started while waiting on baby arriving. Was really good. Couldn’t put it down.
I think it’s in the horror section but it’s not scary scary.

I also buy any Lisa jewel book on offer in supermarkets or kindle. They are usually always really good and very easy to read.

I’ve only just started reading Lisa Jewell and really glad I’ve discovered her

Headisrecked · 15/08/2022 17:11

Hearts invisable furies
the signature of all things
the hand that first held mine

ComeBackPeterComeBackPaul · 15/08/2022 17:16

Headisrecked · 15/08/2022 17:11

Hearts invisable furies
the signature of all things
the hand that first held mine

Big yes to The Signature of All Things - how I loved it, and unexpectedly so.

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Books
Lansonmaid · 15/08/2022 17:36

Depends what you like but I've just read an excellent history of the English Civil War called The Siege of Loyalty House by Jesse Childs. It's based around the siege of Basing House and it's a very human story - really brings the characters to life.

ComeBackPeterComeBackPaul · 15/08/2022 18:00

@WildCherryBlossom - what order should I be reading the Olive Kitteridge books in, please? I really can’t seem to work it out. Thanks.

Headisrecked · 15/08/2022 18:02

ComeBackPeterComeBackPaul · 15/08/2022 17:16

Big yes to The Signature of All Things - how I loved it, and unexpectedly so.

Show quote history

Same, couldnt wuite believe the same author as eat pray love which was woeful x

Seventygoingunder · 15/08/2022 18:04

Lessons in Chemistry- loved it!

WildCherryBlossom · 15/08/2022 18:12

@ComeBackPeterComeBackPaul I read Olive Kitteridge first then Olive Again. I'm not sure if any of her other books feature Olive. I read the Lucy Barton books in the wrong order and it didn't really matter too much. Olive Kitteridge in particular is a bit like a series of short stories featuring the same protagonist.

Fluffygreenslippers · 15/08/2022 18:25

A woman in Berlin is the best book I’ve read this year.

thefizz · 15/08/2022 19:12

Everyone's tastes are different, but some of you might like to try some of these great Summer reads.

Psychopaths Anonymous - Will Carver
The hearts invisible furies - John Boyne
Your neighbour's wife - Tony Parsons
Breathe - Joyce Carol Oates
When I was ten - Fiona Cummins
Fatal Isles (Nordic) Maria Adolfsson
Rivers of London - Ben Aaronovitch.

DuckonaBike · 15/08/2022 20:32

Following with interest!
I’ve also just read Still Life by Sarah Winman, which is great and an easy, fairly cheerful read. Another PP recommended Golden Hill by Francis Spufford, which is great (a bit darker in places) but I liked his second novel, Light Perpetual, even more.

AtLeastThreeDrinks · 16/08/2022 07:04

RunningBubble · 15/08/2022 11:50

@AtLeastThreeDrinks - great minds… 😃

I came here to suggest American Dirt too
and also (controversially) found Crawdads too slow…! My Bookclub almost evicted me 🤣

I do agree with (almost unanimous) bookclubs consensus on Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyne, and inspired by that I’ve recently just finished The Absolutist by him too - brilliant

Show quote history

That really is great minds @RunningBubble, I adored The Heart’s Invisible Furies! Haven’t read The Absolutist but it’s going on my list, sounds like we have similar taste in books 😁

AtLeastThreeDrinks · 16/08/2022 07:13

RunningBubble · 15/08/2022 12:34

Another one that most of my Book Club really enjoyed was Beekeeper of Aleppo – but again I thought it was just ok (maybe I’m a bit picky?)

Would second the recommendation by PP though for A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, and also the Kite-Runner (these are old, but always worth suggesting to anyone who hasn’t read them)

Other old ones that I suggest are:-
We Need to Talk about Kevin

Ha @RunningBubble i think we may actually be the same person, I’m forever telling people who haven’t read those to pick them up! We Need To Talk About Kevin is brilliant and also put me off having kids for about 15 years. And I wish Khaled Housseni had more books, they’re all gorgeous.

WildCherryBlossom · 16/08/2022 08:43

We need to talk about Kevin was a very, very good book. I haven't read anything else by Lionel Shriver though. I wonder if anyone has any recommendations?

thefizz · 16/08/2022 18:19

WildCherryBlossom · 16/08/2022 08:43

We need to talk about Kevin was a very, very good book. I haven't read anything else by Lionel Shriver though. I wonder if anyone has any recommendations?

I can recommend "So Much For That" by LS.

The emotional and financial toll the cost of illness takes in the US is eye opening and devastating, and I found it a great read personally.

wildeatheart · 16/08/2022 18:25

The tattooist of Auschwitz... absolutely harrowing but I couldn't put it down.

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