I need a gripping, totally in your face you can't put it down book!

[hk1993x]

Hi all

I'm being admitted to hospital for a few weeks and was looking for some books to take with me.

Nothing sad. I like stuff like "this is going to hurt" or a guilty pleasure something naughty and dramatic.

Any recommendations please x

Just place marking, love a good booklist.

I have loved everything by Sarah Moss. She has a bit of a funny style of writing but once you get used to it, her stories are addictive.

The Poet by Louisa Reed, I read in nearly one sitting! It's written in verse, full of female rage!

Also Lisa Jewell. Her books are an easy read if you're tired, but still gripping.

Maggie O'Farrell, I love her stuff. Hamnet was brilliant, and I listened to a few other stories on Audible which were fab - The Hand that First Held Mine, My Lover's Lover, After You'd gone, the vanishing act of esme Lennox.

Might Bitch by Rachel Yoder (?) was bizarre but I loved it. Still not quite sure I understood it tbh 😂

His Dark Materials trilogy and the book of dust trilogy, obvs.

Actually maybe not Maggie O Farrell, her stuff is a bit sad.

CJ Sansom’s (RIP) Shardlake series is absolutely brilliant.

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden is very good. An easy read but ticks the boxes if you are looking for a well written, clever thriller. I was gripped from start to end although I guessed part of the twist midway through the book. It is also part of a series.

I’ve never understood the fuss over Girl on a Train. I thought it was distinctly average!

Couldnt agree more re the Shardlake series. Just finished Lamentation...only one left to go. Absolutely engrossing

I'd like to add Apple Tree Yard. Couldn't put it down,

I've just read The Running Grave and thought it was amazing.

Currently reading The Housemaid is Watching by Freida McFadden. Very easy reading and it's no work of Shakespeare, but it's gripping and decent. Will probably finish it in a day.

Thanks for all the recommendations for American Dirt and Notes From an Execution.
Absolutely loved them both!!

Skeleton Coast by John Marsh.

True story.

Yes, Strange Sally Diamond is a page turner. And a bit different.

Could not agree more about CJ Sansom books I love the Shardlake series but also Winter in Madrid is excellent , yes very sad he passed away read a bit about him and it seems he had a sad early life himself too.

Just read Homecoming by Kate Morton - fabulous read and I was thoroughly engrossed !

The Push if hospital stay is nothing to do with pregnancy

I quite like Andrew Mayne for fast moving, gripping thrillers. The Naturalist might be a good one to start with, it's the first in a series, or Public Enemy Zero which is stand alone.

I have nearly finished Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby ~ it's about the nanny to a branch of Jane Austen's family. I'll be sorry to finish it as it's been so enjoyable

I bought The Stolen Hours by Karen Swan last week when I made the mistake of going on a journey without a book. I started reading it but hadn't realised it was the 2nd of a series so I've just ordered the 1st one. The books are about some teenage girls and their families ~ the last people to live on St Kilda before the population of the island was evacuated. I really enjoyed the few chapters I read on the train and am looking forward to reading the first one when it arrives

I am absolutely loving Jane Casey at the moment - working through the Maeve Kerrigan series and I'm so excited I've still got over half the series to go!!

Most things by Kristen Hannah

I really like Lisa Jewell- I remember reading 'and then she was gone' one holiday and was very ignorant for 2 days as couldn't put it down- reminds me to order her last one!!

Just read -my lovely wife - Samantha downing
Read on holiday- another cracking murder/mystery one

You need The Chronicles of St Mary's by Jodi Taylor. They are totally engrossing, and will take your mind of your troubles and into places far away in time and space. They're brilliant.

I'm currently reading this as well...book 1 was for my book club and on finishing decided to read the rest.

How to kill your Family by Bella Mackie. Read it in a day!

So did I - couldn’t put it down!

@hk1993x i think you may be out of hospital by now? I hope all is well

Id recommend any of Lisa Jewell books but especially her later, more mystery type ones

After (by Anna Todd) and the rest of this series of books, After We Collided, After We Fell, Happy Ever After and Before. Steamy, totally immersive and a gripping read. And when you get home you can watch the films on Netflix and Amazon Prime. Hero Fiennes is so cute!