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Original poster

Books that you've have felt gutted to finish as they were so good

75 replies

sparklysilversequins · 23/12/2013 18:48

You wanted them to carry on forever and you almost can't be bothered to read anything else because it won't be as good?

The last one I read was "The Help", I thought it was just brilliant. Another was "I Capture the castle".

I am reading Dr Sleep at the moment and quite enjoying it, I will read until the end anyway.

But what books have you adored?

OP posts:
HankyScore · 26/12/2013 19:17

The Name of The Wind and its sequel. He's writing a third but it isn't finished yet.

I'm halfway through A Dance With Dragons for the second time, I'll be bereft again when that's finished.

Meow75 · 26/12/2013 19:24

And the mountains echoed by Khaled Hossaini, and the one before that, A thousand splendid suns.

Absolutely loved both, so so well written!!

SomewhereBeyondTheSea · 26/12/2013 19:40

The Forsyte Saga (yes, all of them!)
Bleak House
Wolf Hall & Bring Up The Bodies (will queue at midnight for the last in the series)
The Poisonwood Bible
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
The Crimson Petal and the White

Anyone who can look at that list and recommend something similar will receive a bunch of my finest Thanks

highlandcoo · 26/12/2013 20:40

Somewhere try The Observations by Jane Harris - I think you'll like it

Hadleighleftie · 26/12/2013 21:22

The God of Small Things Arundati Roy
small Island Andrea Levy
My Father and Other Working Class Heroes, Gary Imlach
How I escaped My Certain Fate Stewart Lee
Each part of Tales of the City Armistead Maupin
How I won the Yellow Jumper Ned Boulting

ArgyMargy · 26/12/2013 21:27

Yes, definitely Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell - wonderfully creative.

Will this thread put people off reading these books?!

LongWayRound · 26/12/2013 21:35

I've just finished the 6th book in Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series, and there are another 14 (15 if you include the last, unfinished one) to go. I love the way the characters become more complex, and each novel builds on the previous ones.

I loved Jonathon Strange and Mr Norrell and re-read it soon after finished the first reading.

SydneyB · 26/12/2013 21:47

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

MrsLatcher · 26/12/2013 21:59

I just read all 6 of The Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard, sheer bliss and so well written. Highly recommend.

MacaYoniandCheese · 26/12/2013 22:06

I just read "My Notorious Life" by Kate Manning and 'Longbourn' by Jo Baker.

'I Capture the Castle' is one of my favourite books in the world ever Smile.

SomewhereBeyondTheSea · 26/12/2013 22:14

Thanks Highland! Will try.
I got a copy of The Illumiinaries as an Xmas pressie - looks as though it might be my kind of book too ...

SomewhereBeyondTheSea · 26/12/2013 22:16

*Luminaries. Iphone typing ...

stickysausages · 26/12/2013 22:21

Will have a think tomorrow, but yes... Water for elephants was wow, me before you a pleasant surprise, trash was an amazing book, pictured a movie in my mind, life of pi... Urm... I read so much but tend to dump then out ny brain & move on... Book slut!

maillotjaune · 26/12/2013 22:26

The Luminaries is a great read - I didn't want that to end even after 800+ pages.

Wolf Hall
This Thing of Darkness

EssentialCoffee · 26/12/2013 22:31

Marking my place for some new ideas!

I agree with The Poisonwood Bible, The Help and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo series - loved these books.

I really enjoyed the Shardlake series by CJ Sansom.

I'd also add The Collector by John Fowles - chilling.

CaptainTripps · 26/12/2013 22:58

The Stand. I almost cried when I was nearing the end. I never wanted it to end.

Now I am feeling similarly about 11.22.63 (see my pther thread about your book of the year).

CheerfulYank · 26/12/2013 23:03

Coulda guessed that by your user name, CaptainTripps. Wink Totally agree. Even now all I have to do is think "Goodbye, East Texas. It's been pretty goddamn good to know you," and I well up.

I loved I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb as well.

OneHolyCow · 02/01/2014 11:53

I've just finishes The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud and I'm a mess.
Perfect. I'm gutted. Can not read another book for days now so might as well clean the house or something.

MrsMaryCooper · 05/01/2014 14:44

Have his Carcass - Dorothy L Sayers
Game of Thrones - George RR Martin

NuggetofPurestGreen · 05/01/2014 15:43

11.22.63 is amazing Captain just finished reading it for the 3rd time! I see from your other thread you're new to the King - would recommend IT and The Dead Zone if you haven't read already - on a par with The Stand and 11.22.63 I think.

I agree re Water for Elephants it was great. Lots of my favourites have been mentioned already. I'm going to read some of these recommendations in 2014.

DoctorTwoTurtleDoves · 05/01/2014 15:54

Wrath Of Angels by John Connolly, the sequel to The Black Angel.

DontHaveAtv · 06/01/2014 10:59

The Stand by Stephen King. M.O.O.N spells I love that book. :)

Crowler · 06/01/2014 19:45

I loved I Capture the Castle and I was so sad to finish it. FYI OP I later read The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets (not a serious work of fiction, by the way) and my MIL and I, without even discussing it with each other, each were reminded of ICTC. You might like it.

Crowler · 06/01/2014 19:46

Oh, and Life After Life. I loved this book so much I was depressed when I finished it.

JonSnowKnowsNothing · 06/01/2014 20:03

Oh yes, The Stand! And I know I will be the same about GoT even though I'm only on Dance for Dragons pt 1... I am obsessed! Bill Bryson's a Walk in the Woods...I'm not a particularly avid travel fan - I just loved reading about him and Katz blundering through the wilderness!