To ask you to help me fall in love with reading again?

[eisforemma]

When I was younger I used to loose myself in books. I'd be able to sit for hours and really enjoyed it. Since having my DD 8 years ago I've fallen out of the habit. However, I will come across a certain book once in a while and love it and manage to read it to the end.

Can I ask for some amazing book recommendations in the following kind of categories -

• sober books (pretty sure I've read them all)

• psychological thrillers - fiction

• disturbing/dark books (homelessness, prostitution, mental illness, abuse, murder etc) - fiction or non fiction

• books about nazi Germany but written from a person that experienced it perspective.

• books about addiction - fiction or non fiction.

Thank you.

I'd also recommend:

The Secret History by Donna Tarte- Quite dark psychological novel.

The night of the gun - David Carr. Autobiography about addiction by a New York Times journalist

American Dirt
It’s about a mother fleeing for her life with her 8 year son.
Set in Mexico, gripping, scary, based in reality.
I defy you not to get sucked in!

Thanks for these suggestions, they all sound great, can't wait to get started again!

I've enjoyed the Duchess's Reading room, it's introduced me to books I never would have read normally. Her interviews with the authors are very interesting.

I read at least 1 book a week. Enjoy thrillers (but some of your themes are not for me). I'd recommend
Linwood Barclay
Harlan Coben
Jo Nesbo

Try these 3 to get you gripped....

Robert Pobi - City of Windows
Peter May - A Silent Death
Linwood Barclay - Elevator Pitch

A like-minded avid reader here. Try these:

"The First Day of Spring" by Nancy Tucker about a child murderer. Written from the child's view, the novel is at once shocking, visceral and thought-provoking. I really loved it and devoured it in a few days. The author is super-talented.

"Shuggie Bain" by Douglas Stuart about a boy growing up in the slums of Glasgow. Moving, hard-hitting and left a lasting impact on me.

"The Sin Eater" by Megan Campisi. Fascinating concept: the novel focuses on a Sin Eater who is chosen to "eat" the sins of people when they die. Loosely set in the court of Elizabeth 1. I adore historical fiction and really loved this!!

‘A little life’

And

‘Clean’

"The First Day of Spring" by Nancy Tucker about a child murderer. Written from the child's view,

That would be a hard no from me

@Waternoice American Dirt was fantastic..I couldn't put it down!

Going to investigate Mexican Dirt and The Sin-eater for myself!

American Dirt!

@Squashpocket I went to see a talk by the author at Cheltenham Literature Festival and she did say that the subject may be too hard-hitting for some but it brings up some fascinating question around nature/nurture, rehabilitation and forgiveness. It is actually quite a life-affirming book and beautifully written.

@Missdread I know, one of the best books I have ever read. It challenged me on so many levels, especially as I read it when women and children were fleeing Afghanistan
@eisforemma please read it!

Don’t read American Dirt, it’s exploitative cultural appropriation: www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jan/21/american-dirt-controversy-trauma-jeanine-cummins

@eisforemma B A Paris book called behind closed doors! Honestly it's awesome! I got hooked

Try any by John Boyne for a gritty, emotional roller coaster - The Hearts Invisible Furies is my favourite.

Agree with @StoneofDestiny about Jo Nesbo and Linward Barclay.

Mo Hayder, the Jack Caffrey series for some quite dark psychological thrillers but read them in order.

Courtney Sullivan - The Engagements, was a surprisingly enjoyable read.

Douglas Kennedy - The Moment is fabulous, so is The Pursuit Of Happiness.

I cant get back into reading either although was never a totally avid reader...now I just spend too much time on Mumsnet . I’m a big fan of the Mo Hayder books, very dark and plots that have stuck with me even though I read them years ago.
Liking lots of recommendations on this thread

It’s not new but Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes.

The day we disappeared by Lucy Robinson.

Also I can’t post on a book thread without recommending A Thousand Splendid Suns.

WW2

Agent Sonya - Ben Macyntyre
The House of Glass - Hadley Freeman
East West Street - Philippe Sands

I've just finished The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper. Best book I've read in a really long time

WW2, I'm assuming you've already read Christabel Bielenberg, The Past Is Myself? If not, that, and also The Cut Out Girl by Bart Van Es.

@PhoboPhobia

It’s not new but Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes.

The day we disappeared by Lucy Robinson.

Also I can’t post on a book thread without recommending A Thousand Splendid Suns.

I have read a thousand splendid suns. Was a great book, phenomenal. Actually started reading it again after daughter was born to get back into reading but sadly couldn't get into it 😩

@hotmeatymilk have you actually read it?

Just finished Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart. Amazing book, one of the best I’ve read in ages. Ticks two of your boxes. Also recently read Hamnet which was great. Both sad tho, shuggie especially.