Give me your best book ideas please

[Creeeakkkingdarkalley]

I'm going to the library tomorrow and I'm looking for something new.

The last couple of books I've read have been: Revolutionary Road which i enjoyed but the woman are such flat characters.

The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood which i thought was excellent but i couldn't remember any of Oryx and Crake

The Woman on the Green Bicycle - which i half liked but found the family just abysmal

The Help which was a rollicking good read

But i don't want any chick lit (not that i have too much against it)- something to get the old grey matter ticking

Maybe the latest Liz Jensen, though I've forgotten what it's called. It's a bit Atwood-ish.

Have you read The Handmaid's Tale? Tis better than O&C.

Would you consider a classic?

Have you read The Road? Lots of people who like Margaret A like that.

Read all Barbara Kingsolver which i do love but found her latest who's name escapes me very weak - enjoyed the first half but....

The handmaids Tale was my first Atwood i think

I've tried Joyce Carol Oates but i don't really feel i get her.

Not so keen on short stories but will think of Alice Munroe

I love classics, sometimes - i think i've read the road, I've definitely read other Kerouac books. I kind of prefer non- English settings although MiddleMarch is one of my favourite books.

Never come across Liz Jensen - will give her a whirl

Ahh you didn't mean On the Road did you - i read all the pretty horses earlier this year and found it exceptionally hard work, is this one as well?

The Road isn't hard work, though it isn't a pleasant read. I thought it was over-rated tbh but lots of people think it's a masterpiece - and it is Dystopic, which you seem to like!

if you like non-English settings, have you read Mr Pip, The Kite Runner or A Town Like Alice?

Anything by Alice Hoffman, Sue Townsend or Anne Tyler - all brilliant at creating well rounded female characters.

The Reader is very good and complements the film.

Kate Grenville - The Idea of Perfection.

Kate Atkinson's earlier novels are very funny.

David Nichols - One Fine Day or Starter for Ten.

Monica Lewycka, Laurie Graham, Esther Freud, Andrea Levy, Sue Monk Kidd.

Have a look for Lorrie Moore. Anagrams was my favourite.

You might enjoy Robertson Davies, The Deptford Trilogy, or The Cornish Trilogy both good IMO.

I am currently recommending The Book Of Negroes to anyone and everyone!
I found it a powerful and totally absorbing read. Funnily enough when it was recommended to me about a year ago I thought it sounded like hard work but it turned out to be the complete opposite!

I recently read the Life and Times of Michael K by JM Coetzee.

Short but interesting.

Second The Road, I didn't find it hard work but it was well written

If you like dystopian/apocalyptic what about Stephen King? The Stand (one of my all time faves) or Under the Dome (haven't read it but have heard its good)

Another I'd recommend is Half of a Yellow Sun, quite difficult to read in terms of its subject but absorbing & interesting