tell me the best novel you've read this year...

[elliott]

So I know what to get people for xmas!
More specifically my ex-sil who I have little in common with but would like to get her a book that she has a reasonable chance of liking! I gave her time traveller's wife one year, which she enjoyed, and I know she liked Labyrinth by Kate Mosse.
Thoughts?

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. Smashing read. Not for your Great Aunty but a great read.

I lent my mum A Thousand Splendid Suns. She loved it to my surprise. I read The Road t'other night. Not as brilliant as some say but very readable.

An American Wife, a thoroughly enjoyable read. Or the new book by the author of Time Traveller's Wife?

Bloody Hell, you've had me racking my brains for the last 5mins! I've read loads of books this year, I can't remember hardly any!

Isn't that awful?

Erm, will try and remember...

Ah. I tried reading that and couldn't get past the first chapter - too harrowing. But I think I am probably in a minority as everyone else I know also raves about it (we did it in my book group)
Anything a little less emotional? sil is a scientist and probably this year would prefer something not too depressing...

Unweaving the Thread, Monica Tracey. Great read.

I am loving the mosters of templeton at the moment - lovely book, really different

Ooh, I read The Luminous Life of Lily Aphrodite by Beatrice Colin on holiday this year. Not particularly challenging, but a really good story

Call The Midwife by Jennifer Worth (blubarama) Not a novel but fascinating insight into midwifery in the 1950's East End

Also enjoyed Revolutionary Road

The Book Thief

Books by Mandasue Heller are great, she is like Martina Cole.

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger, just soooo good! Haven't read The TTW so can't say if it's similar style.

The Household Guide to Dying - Debra Adelaide. Its weepy but not traumatic and bits are fairly funny. I really enjoyed it.

I've just read the senator's wife which was nice (though disappointed me with some strange things to do with breastfeeding . about to start The Guernsey Litarary and Potato Peel Pie Society which has been raved about by so mnay friends. i am expecting to adore it!!!

read the Red Tent earlier in the year which was a good read and fascinating....

Also Notes from an exhinition which was fabulous.

I really enjoyed the Secret Scripture right up until the duff ending
Behind the Scenes at the Museum was great but I think everyone in the world has read these books