Recommend me a book?

[tethersend]

Just took a break from my North Korea-themed marathon and read Gone Girl- I was in tears by the end.

In tears for the hours I spent reading that drivel that I'll never get back. God, it was shit.

Has anyone got any suggestions of what I might enjoy? I am stumped, and loath to take another gamble.

Aside from North Korea, I like novels set during or around WW2. If that helps. It probably doesn't.

I'd rather too weighty than too facile IYSWIM. Yes, I'm aware that makes me sound like a massive wanker.

All ideas gratefully received

Have you read the books Stephen ambrose books about ww2, I like Pegasus bridge x

Uh-oh, Gone Girl was so highly recommended that I got it out of the library...enjoying it so far, but at least it's only a library book if I end up hating it too.

Don't normally read thrillers; the last two books I read were Goodnight Mr Tom (a kids book, but I read it on personal recommendation of an adult and really enjoyed it) and Desert Island Discs: 70 years of castaways (also brill, if you like DID/biogs).

But reading likes/dislikes are so personal!

www.amazon.com/Guernsey-Literary-Potato-Peel-Society/dp/0385341008

I found GG completely unreadable tosh tbh.

Not NK but have you read Wild Swans? Most people love it, but I found the writing style quite trite and irritating (am all too easily irritated though).

You've read Alone In Berlin, yep?

I'm having a bit of a sci-fi moment but not sure you'd go for that.

Slaughterhouse Five?

A Town Like Alice?

Ooh great, will google all of these, thanks.

God, GG was dire, wasn't it Remus? Don't want to give any spoilers away for anyone who's halfway through but Jesus wept, I could've phoned that one in.

I tried Wild Swans a few years ago, but couldn't get on with the style of it.

Have read and loved Alone in Berlin.

Not sure I could do sci-fi...

Had forgotten about Slaughterhouse five, that's been on my meaning to read list for a while. Of course, if I'd actually had a meaning to read list, I wouldn't have had to post this

The Small Book by Zina Rohan.

Some of it is set in WW1 when a man is detailed to the firing squad to execute a deserter and his actions have consequences throughout the following years for him, his children and grandchildren.

It's good, although it's not my favourite by this author. My favourite is The Book of Wishes and Complaints, but that is set in Czechoslovakia under communist rule. Still worth a read if you can find a copy.

Ok, have downloaded Slaughterhouse five, A town called Alice and The Small Book (The Book of Wishes and Complaints sounds great, but not available electronically so will have to order it).

Thanks all

I love David Fiddimore's books. Start with Tuesday's Child - they're set in WW2, the main character is a British RAF radio operator. The books are written from his perspective.

There are about 6 books now I think, started WW2, the last one I read was in the 60s I think.

Gone girl is a heap of junk. I can't believe people enjoy that horseshit?

No recommendations just relieved I'm not alone in finding it pants

Here's a good recent thread about WW2 novels
I recommend the Elizabeth Jane Howard Cazalet Chronicles, but there's plenty other good stuff to choose from on the thread.

Just realised that the thread I linked to is an old one of yours Tethers, so you know all this anyway!

It's WW1 not WW2 but if you are tempted to read, 'Life Class' by Part Barker, don't. Utter drivel.

Glad I'm not the only one who didn't get on with Wild Swans.

If you do feel up to a bit of sci-fi, I recently enjoyed, 'Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep' far more than I expected to.

Try Dominion, by CJ Sansom. It's set in post WW2 years - it's a fictionalised account of what might've happened if Britain lost to Germany in 1940 and becomes a dominion of Germany.

It's set mostly in London where there is a growing resistance, led by the elderly Churchill. It's really, really gripping; lots of running from the SS through foggy streets and daring acts of espionage. A real page turner.

I also thought Gone Girl was shite and read to the end, feeling disgusted with myself.

Have you read Agent ZigZag? Fab book.

PorkPie, I seem to remember Tethers hating Dominion. I quite liked the first three quarters, but thought the ending was silly. I liked Winter In Madrid more, but Tethers might have hated that too!

What about Charlotte Gray? It's a long time since I read it but remember enjoying it.

Sky Burial by Xinran Xue?
www.todayiread.com/sky-burial-xinran-review/
Fabulous book - makes you want to travel to Tibet.

Bonzo I've had Sky Burial on my bookshelf for years and never got round to reading it! You enjoyed it then?

Housebound by Winifred Peck is set in Edinburgh during WW2.

It is a tale of a woman who has to take on the tasks of running her home herself, owing to the lack of servants because of the war effort. It is hilarious and poignant, and is very well observed. Also quite a different book, hard to say why exactly, but I would recommend it.

Remus oh dear! That's my suggestion scuppered!

Haha Lilymaid- I'm nothing if not consistent

I did read Dominion, and wasn't that impressed, TBH. I found the writing style very 'clunky' (endless descriptions of Frank's rictus grin and 'she smiled, sadly') and there were lots of good plot twist opportunities missed.

Not read Agent Zigzag, Charlotte Gray (but have seen the film), Winter in Madrid, Sky Burial or Housebound.

Am off to google them all, thanks

Yes pickle I really enjoyed Sky Burial. It is one of those books that lives with you for ages and makes you think and stare into space iykwim

How about Early One Morning by Robert Ryan? French resistance, spies, racing cars and adventures - I was pleasantly surprised.