What shall I read next?

[Starberries]

Books I love:

To Kill a Mockingbird
Pillars of the Earth & World Without End
The 19th Wife
Song of Ice & Fire (George RR Martin series)
LOTR & Harry Potter are continual faves
Anything by Barbara Kingsolver
Seven Types of Ambiguity

I can sometimes go for a Philippa Gregory.

I'd love to find another medieval epic like Pillars.

I really do NOT enjoy: Rushdie, Atwood, chick lit type things

I'm much more into non-fiction but I do love getting lost in a great novel. I prefer very, very long books as it means I don't devour them in a couple of days.

Oh, I am getting Stephen King Under the Dome in a couple of weeks (late b-day pressie) and not into The Help.

Oh

Also I have read every Dan Brown and like them, and I am not into David Baldacci. I love Wuthering Heights and Pride & Prejudice but not looking for 'classic' suggestions, more new books.

Sorry for remembering random books

Could be way off the mark -Stalingrad by Beevor. Very long and fascinating.

Have to say chippy never EVER read WW1 or 2 epics but may give it a shot since it comes recommended - thanks!

Labyrinth (Kate Mosse)

Shardlake series?

I was also going to suggest the Shardlake series (C.J. Sansom) I enjoy these and also liked the Ken Follet books. Follet has a new one out called Fall of Giants - set in the early part of last century, I haven't read it but it looks quite good.

Wolf Hall is a good long book, if you like a historical aspect, but (judging by some threads on here) not to everyone's taste.

I also liked the Little Stranger (Sarah Waters)

Sarah Waters-the one told in reverse chronological order but cannot remember the title. Ends in the 2ww with the lead character driving an ambulance. Really good.

I started Wolf Hall and thought it was boring despite loving Henry VIII's time.

I've tried Sarah Waters but didn't get into it, tried it a good two years ago though - worth another shot?

Oh and what is the Shardlake series?

Shardlake series are mysteries set in tudor times (so the history of the time features if you like this period) very well written, and good characters, best to read them in order, - the first one is called Dissolution.

Have you read Daphne Du Maurier? Older books but good stories.

I also enjoyed The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (about vampires but a good read even if they aren't your thing)

Shardlake sounds good, I think I'll go with that. Have also ordered Stalingrad off Ebay as just so different to what I normally read, fancy having a whirl.

Thanks so much all, get ready for next recommendations in a few weeks

Yes, yes to Shardlake.

I didn't like The Little Stranger. Wolf Hall not bad but overly long and irritatingly present tense imho.

Arianna Franklin 'Mistress Of the Art Of death' is a not bad historical who-dunnit.

You may also like Frank Tallis - Vienna; Freud; who-dunnit; lots of repressed sexual tension and lots of cake!

The Sarah Walters one is Night Watch - it is really really wonderful.

Also just finished Brooklyn by Colm Tiobin. Its a very short (200 pages) novel, but it is so full in its spareness if you know what I mean (sorry to sound poncey). Have lent it to someone and must get it back to read again.

If you like a whoper of a book, then you won't go wrong with Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Conner.

hello, i am new to mumsnet, but have a suggestion for you. based on the books you like. it's called The Toucan Feather. you can find it on amazon.co.uk ... come to think of it...
i would also like to recommend a canadian author to you, his name is jack whyte. i absolutely love his books called The Eagle, and Standard Of Honour.
good luck & good reading!