Please please please help me find a book to read ...

[ClaraFox]

I used to read all the time and I don't know what happened. I really struggle to get into anything these days. I've got a million samples on my kindle and just can't seem to move past the first chapter or two with anything!

I want something gripping and engaging from the first page. I want it to be easy reading. I like thrillers , psychological thrillers, police stuff, don't mind decent chick lit. I tried to read ' the book thief ' this weekend and absolutely hated it. I don't like Norwegian stuff. I hated Heft. I couldn't get into the Goldfinch. Same with Gone Girl. Got some way into Agatha Raisin and lost interest. Ditto with Robert Galbraith.

Please please - any recommendations for something that's going to instantly grab me?

I know it sounds stupid but I'm actually concerned that I can no longer read properly! Just seem to lack concentration so I think I need something fast paced, absorbing or exciting.

How about The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion? It's a gentle, engaging story with some great characters. Really enjoyable read, not too taxing, easy to follow story with some great laugh-out-loud scenes.

I saw that the other day. It's got good reviews hasn't it?

I shall download a sample and give it a go. Thanks!

I tend to procrastinate a lot now when it comes to reading. Instead of the getting on with it, I'll spend half an hour reading the reviews. Avoidance tactics.

I think FB and MN have made it easy to just flit about the place with no commitment !

Kiss Me First? Not quite a thriller but certainly gripping and a very interesting take on online identities.

I started listening to an audio book of Kiss Me First this morning. Good so far. So that's another possibility

The Passage, Justin Cronin. Gripping stuff. Addictive.

I finished Alex by Pierre Lemaitre last night and it's the best thriller / crime novel I've read for a long time. For the first 50 pages I thought it might be a torture porn type thriller but, even though there are some descriptions of pretty graphic violence, the violence is never gratuitous. Alex is a fantastic character, as is Camille the 4ft 11-ish police detective.

Other than that, I think Sophie Hannah's early novels are excellent (if a little long-winded). Both The Rosie Project and Longbourn are great books if you fancy something less crime-y.

Loss of light by DM stone. Black comedy thriller about neighbour wars.

I'm.going to.check.all.these out

thank you

I used to enjoy Sophie hannahs books until a ludicrous one about a murder being witnessed online in a home. was unable to suspend my disbelief

part of my problem lately is definitely being easily distracted so I want something easy but instantly gripping

I am currently reading The Night Watch Triology for the third time.
I'd recommend them highly, translated from Russian, really gripping but also not heavy reads.
Written by Sergei Lukyanenko.

translated from Russian? I dislike the translated from norwegian ones because the dialogue seems so clunky - is this easier to read? I shall go.check it out. thanks

My favourite book for an easy read is Falling Angels, by Tracey Chevalier (Girl with Pearl Earring.) To give you a taster, it starts with two married people in bed, only they arent married to each other! Really believable storyline, some good for thought, and a few dark bits. And so so easy to read. Historically interesting too from female point of view. Have I sold it to you?

Ooh that sounds interesting Dorothy. I'm going to download it.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt is gripping me, right now.

Clara, I completely agree re Sophie Hannah. Her most recent books have been truly dreadful and in dire need of serious trimming and editing.
I don't want to say too much about Alex but it surprised me, which is rare for a thriller or crime novel. I'm also trying get the courage to read The Shining Girls but, as the synopsis gave me nightmares, I'm being cowardly.

couldn't get into the goldfinch at all

not heard of the shining girls?

have you heard of ' the.never list? '

If you like her style of writing, I also loved her story about a young girl who collected fossils. I thought it was an amazing storyline - then found out it was an almost true story. Its called Remarkable Creatures. I used to be able to read really long difficult books, but I ve lost the concentration these days, Falling Angels is my all time fave tho.

I read the Never List but didn't like it. It'd been hyped quite a bit so my expectations were high but I thought the premise was wonderful and the execution dreadful. For me, it was full of plotholes and characters didn't act believably (eg an agoraphobic character, who hates to leave their flat, sets off cross-country.) Others have loved it though, so maybe it's just me.
The Shining Girls is about a drifter and all-round bad sort who stumbles onto a house which allows him to travel through time. He then starts stalking and killing his "shining girls". The story follows the one woman to escape. I believe its depictions of violence are quite graphic but the author said she did this so that people would realise how much the women suffered, to make readers hurt for the victims. I've only heard good things about it but I need to be feeling brave before I start it!

Nicci French: Killing Me Softly is very good and it grips you from the first chapter (but you might know this one already)

Broken Harbour by Tana French and A Place of Execution by Val McDermid both very good crime/thrillers. Agree also re Sophie Hannah - hoping her new offering this year is a return to form.

I was the same as you op.
I was fed up with not reading but couldn't concentrate to get on with it.

But, I have just read The good Father because of a thread on here.

It was brilliant. So easy to get into.
It has returned the reading bug for me.

What about trying a Susan Lewis? Easy read but not straightforward chick lit. Im really enjoying her novels on my kindle

JK Rowling's crime novel (Cuckoo Calling) is excellent - entertaining, well plotted and a v easy read

I've just started A Commonplace Killing by Sian Busby. So far so good ten chapters in. Set just after the second world war. Some good characters, easy to read and you can really get into the feeling of post war London.

Have started three books lately and only got about a third of the way through before giving up. Either because the writing seems clunky or I've guessed what's going to happen, really predictable. Spent ages choosing them as well so very disappointing.

After this current book I'm going to read a couple of biographies. All the fiction stuff I pick all seems to be the same themes.