Come and discuss our best fiction books for Christmas 2014

[ChrissieMumsnet]

If you're after a little literary inspiration or are searching for a thought-provoking read as a Yuletide gift, then look no further. In time for the winter break, we've compiled a line-up of the best fiction books for Christmas 2014. Take a read here.

With authors ranging from stalwarts such as Ian McEwan and double-Booker prize winner Hilary Mantel, to newer talents on the literary horizon like Jessie Burton, there's a book to suit every individual.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our top reads and hear your suggestions too. Which books captivated your imagination this year? Impressed by any new releases or comeback novels? Leave your recommendations below on the best reads to keep your mind stimulated amid the eating, drinking and merriment of the festive season. Happy reading!

If we are talking about new fiction, the my book of the year has to be either 'All the light we cannot see' by Anthony Doerr' or 'The Undertaking' by Audrey Magee' both fabulous books.

If I can drop in a non-fiction book too, it would have to be 'The Fateful Year: England 1914,.

I'm going with new fiction too Susie Tate's 'sticks and Stones' the sequel to 'broken heart syndrome.' I you like romance ( hospital drama based!) then these are both excellent and easy going reads

I'd like to read The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters. Her novels are a delight to read. Also anything by Colm Tobin. I'm actually hoping Santa will put that in my stocking, along with the latest Sherlock Holmes romp, Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz. I'd also like to read A History of Loneliness by leading Irish writer John Boyne (Boy with Striped Pyjamas fame). And The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flannagan. But considering I read like a snail, that will probably take me all year!

I've read one - The Paying Guests. Gripping and vivid.

I'm really nervous of trying The Children Act. I found Solar almost unreadable, though it did contain at least one really good joke (in the early pages). Saturday I read all of, but it was really unsatisfying and I felt a bit of a mug to have spent so much time on it. I wonder if Ian McEwan would really rather be writing nonfiction? He seems fascinated by lots of things in the world, but his story elements are becoming perfunctory.

Ian McEwan is one of my favourite writers. I haven't read everything yet but am slowly catching up. I loved The Children Act - in my top five books of the year.

Slightly disappointed by Colm Toibin's Nora Webster. Didn't think it quite as good as some of his earlier novels, but still a good read though.

And I finished reading The Paying Guests last week. Absolutely loved it. Gripping and shocking, esp. the ending.

The Paying Guests was my best read of last year.

I keep putting The Children Act aside as well. I think - -oh it's for another time.
I have to be in the mood.

Out of the remaining list that I haven't read, I'd put on my wish list -
The American Lover by Rose Tremain (I've read a couple of her novels and liked them)
The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher by Hilary Mantel (love that title :o)
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
A Ted Hughes Bestiary (read quite a lot of his poems at school and liked them)

Not keen on The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessey. Harold Fry was an ok read, quite liked it, but don't particularly want to revisit the characters. Sounds like it might be rather depressing.

Didn't much like the only other novel of Esther Freud's I read. Can't remember the title now, so not keen to read this one.

Never read a Joanna Trollope. They sound a bit too cosy for me :o

The Coincidence Authority by John Ironmonger looks intriguing. Might look out for it in the library.

I've read a couple of those - the Hilary Mantel book was tedious but mercifully short. The Children Act was superbly written and in my top ten.

I really want to see what the fuss is about with The Miniaturist and will read it next month when it's out in paperback. Thinking of reading the Sarah Waters book but I had a bad experience with Fingersmith so that's putting me off a little reading her latest.

The best fiction book I've read in 2014 was originally published last year - The Goldfinch.

totally loved the light between oceans m l stedman, so engaging, very real would recommend as a great read and the lasy days of rabbit hayes bit of a weepy/funny one but brill

children act good

paying guests good
couldnt be arsed with queenie
loved Do no Harm - what an arrogant twat

so agree with the Undertaking

strange how i have never heard tell of many of MNHQ books of hte year