Best book you've ever read

[JulieYS]

Sorry, slight diversion from book of the month.
But I'd really be interested in finding out what was one of the best books you've ever read.

Particularly:

• What you loved about it
• What was the hook that kept you reading at every spare moment
• What characters you fell in love with, and why.

If, like me, you find it hard to pick the absolute best, then any book that you really enjoyed.

One of the books that I really enjoyed was The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck - which I read twice. I was amazed that the author's actually American, yet her writing was so beautiful and descriptive that it instantly transported me to another time, another place. She obviously lived in China for a while, which is why she was so familiar with the culture.
I couldn't help greatly admiring the protagonist, O-Lan, who, despite being born into disadvantage (a female slave), worked hard, with great resilience and fortitude, to better her life both for herself and her family. Their struggles through the Great Famine were heart-breaking. The interplay between her, and her husband, gave much food for thought. And the impossible life decisions she had to make were excruciatingly painful to read. And such a bitter-sweet ending.

I'm hoping to read more of Buck's novels, though because this book was so heart-rending, I'm guessing they're going to be emotional rollercoasters...

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving.

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.
outstanding story telling - a tale of life and survival and what it is to be human.
What a story teller. I don’t think anyone has ever written anything close since.

Alias Grace- Margaret Atwood

Sorry to ask but how? I had to read this many moons ago and I would like to know in what way as I still have it so maybe I could re read before I pass to charity as I keep thinking I must.

The French Lieutenant’s Woman, John Fowles. Read it for A level Eng Lit, fell in love with the setting, characters and subject matter and have re-read many, many times.

The keeper of lost things by Ruth hogan.

To me, it was a beautiful read.

Oh yes me too. I read them many times in late teens/twenties and was actually only thinking about the last week.

I would also urge you to read it. A wonderful book.

Lovely thread.

I love it when I get the email saying this thread has been updated (apologies for anyone now getting the email and there's nothing interesting from me).

Although I would add - in my top five is The Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyne on Audible 🥰

Many friends have recommended this book. I'm not a fan of postmodernism, but will give it a try.

When my Grandfather died, I used to stay at Mam's once a week to keep her company. I'd sleep in his old bedroom and I found a stash of books on top of his wardrobe. Id never been a reader and hadn't read a book since childhood but one stood out to me and I started to read. I can't remember the exact title but it was part of a five book series by Annie Groves, The London Belles. This book stemmed my now absolutely love for reading and especially reading historical books set during ww2 era. I now have my own little library at home and reading is such a big part of my life now, I credit this book (and my Grandfather) for that.

Also, The Girl Who Came Home, Hazel Gaynor tells the story of a Titanic survivor. I couldn't put it down!

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent.

Oh yes, I love "behind her eyes"!

@Aftertheshowisover

I was engaged to someone completely unsuitable. It opened my eyes to life being more than us, also the poignancy of that time. After I read it I ditched the fiance, did a degree, had a different outlook

Oh I love this! I'm going to look for those now.
And I love historical fiction too.any recommended?

Yes his book stole my heart.

I love murder/ thriller books ,my last two reads were brilliant
Do no harm by jack Jordan, it's about a surgeon that's had her child abducted and to get him back she must murder someone on the operating table, an absolute page turner.
Never lie by Frieda mcfadden, it's about a couple that goes to view a property at a murdered psychiatrists house, but there's a snow storm and they get stuck there, and the woman finds all of the recordings of her clients..... another great book

I love a favourite book thread. It always leads to a big Amazon purchase :)

I can't believe this one hasn't come up yet - my favourite is 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morganstein. It completely blurs the boundary between reality and fantasy, it's hard to know what is actually happening and what appears to be happening. Mostly it's like witnessing someone else's weird, vivid dream.

It's so beautifully written. I keep hoping someone makes a arty film out of it.

I love these threads I always get great ideas. I can't say I have one favourite as it often depends on my humour at the time. I absolutely loved The Good People by Hannah Kent . Its set not too far from where I live so it stuck with me. Also recently read the Wolf Hall trilogy and absolutely loved them and looked forward to bedtime to have an uninterrupted read.

News From Tartary by Peter Fleming(brother of Ian and husband of Celia Johnson). It’s the account of a journey taken in 1936 from Peking to Kashmir with the Swiss adventurer Ella Maillart. A fascinating account of an intriguing part of the world during pivotal times. No other travelogue comes close in my opinion.

I haven’t enjoyed reading as much as when I was a teenager. I absolutely loved the Tomorrow when the war began series by John Marsden. I could not put it down and stayed up all night reading them.

One of the funniest, and one I often re-read, is The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens. I just love Mr Jingle! First read it when I was 12.

Pretty much agree with all of the choices on this thread, I’d add the 3 Wolf Hall books by Hilary Mantel.
Plus- one of the most perfect books in my opinion, The Blue Flower by Penelope Fitzgerald.