Books you've read and loved that we probably haven't heard of

[IntrinsicFieldSubtractor]

Semi-inspired by the best/worst book threads that are going at the moment - I've seen the names of several bestsellers mentioned a lot, but I was wondering whether anyone has any books that they've really enjoyed that aren't as (or at all) well-known. I'd be interested in recommendations for anything I wouldn't otherwise have heard of, and plus it's always nice to see good authors getting a bit more recognition.

One I can think of off the top of my head is The Flight of Lucy Spoon, by Maggie Gibson - I picked up a second-hand copy for free somewhere expecting generic chick lit, and was surprised to find it was genuinely hilarious in a very British-feeling, tongue-in-cheek-silly way (even though it's Irish). It was just a very likeable book, full of oddities that were actually original and heartwarming rather than self-consciously 'look at me I'm so quirky' in that way that all those Ladies' Blah Blah Society books are.

I also loved Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede - I must have read it when I was about ten, but a glance through the Amazon preview suggests that I'd probably still love it now. I've forgotten the exact story but the basic premise is a tomboyish princess who escapes an arranged marriage by running away to live with dragons - it's another very funny and well-written book that's not centred around romance, with a clever and independent heroine who has to spend half her time convincing knights in shining armour to leave her alone and stop trying to 'rescue' her I really want to read it again now actually, I might have to buy it!

If anyone has any recommendations of their own to contribute then I'd love to hear them...

The Bees by Laline Paull read this on holiday this year..

'This novel sees the newly hatched heroine Flora717 taking the reader through a journey of the different echelons of bee society in the Hive, where the mantra is "accept, obey and serve". It is clear from the start that Flora is no ordinary bee, and the tale is an interesting insight into the hive world'

The cure for death by lightning - can't remember the author. Got it in a charity shop for the title! Is a very calm quiet and comforting book, despite it's rather sinister content. I found it was like sinking into a lovely hot bath.

Like Water for Chocolate. Another very similar to the one above. Both deal with abuse but in a very non-confrontational way.

Bastard from Carolina. Again, like the other two.

There's a definite theme going on here . I read them all at about the same time, when my life was very very difficult, and they made we feel like I was being wrapped in warm soft blankets and someone was saying "there, there, you'll get through this, it'll be alright".

Actually, the third one is called Bastard put of Carolina. Sorry.

Pleased someone else mentioned Diary of a Provincial Lady - exquisite, delicate humour. So sad when I finished it.

Also, Elizabeth and Her German Garden - radiant writing.

Also, Anecdotes of Destiny by Karen Blixen - one of my favourite books ever.

Brilliant thread! Love the mentions of A Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden. I remember going to see the film in the 60's (my first grown up film) I loved all of M.M.Kaye's books, especially The Far Pavillions (great on TV too), Trade Wind and Shadow of the Moon
I've enjoyed Santa Montefiore's books. Certainly good holiday reading.
Someone mentioned The Island by Victoria Hislop, I really enjoyed it too, also The Thread, and The Return, both written by her.
Having enjoyed all of Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels, I am trying to find other writers with Jack Reacher type characters.

The Ginger Tree Oswald Wynd
The Maker of Heavenly Trousers Daniel Vare
A month in the Country JL Carr

Read all Nora Lofts in my mid teens. Must revisit them.

'Back to Black' by Hilary Mantel. Very dark, sinister, disturbing, quirky and funny.

Have tried to read Le Grand Meaulnes twice but gave up . Friend is reading for a literature class and says its really well known in France .Maybe I need a better translation? Which one do you have Dapplegray?

The Mountjoy series of novels by Elizabeth Pewsey (in physical books), under the name of Elizabeth Ashton on Kindle (or possibly Aston..l) There's six of them, all stand alone, but with a few characters that run through all the books. I find them quite hard to classify. They aren't chick lit and though several have romances in them, they aren't romances.

What a lovely thread!

We're going to move this to adult fiction now, so it doesn't go poof in 90 days.

Memoirs of Hadrian by Margerite Yourcenar. The most beautiful prose. It slips down like honey. Wonderful book.

Great thread !

Second from last in the sack race , David nobbs . Funny and bittersweet and real must read

All of Fay Weldon especially Praxis. I don't know why she is not more popular on here so wise and funny and dark

Older Margaret Atwood like The Robber Bride

Peacocks Dancing , Sharon Maas , very exotic and harrowing

And love a bit of Wally lamb too

Oh and Douglas Kennedy , the pursuit of happiness. Def his best

Antarctic Navigation by Elizabeth Arthur

This one is a gem - a very thick gem!

I remember choosing it in Waterstones because it was a very thick book, and I was poor and wanted good value for my money. That it turned out to be a compulsive read was a bonus. Reading the amazone reviews, it seems that many readers chose it like me -randomly - and they were hooked. I gave my copy away, but it is still in my memory. Anyone who reads fast and prefers thick meaty stories will probably enjoy this.

Road to Paradise by Paullina Simons - looks like chick lit, but much better.

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell - this is a love/hate book, but if you love it it's worth it. Apparently being televised this year, but I'm sure the book will be better.
The Son by Philipp Meyer
Drop City TC Boyle
I could go on!

Ooh I love the Elizabeth Goudge books too, esp Herb of Grace.
I also love Alexandra Raife's books particularly The Larach - set in the Scottish highlands with the main character relocating from London (I think I might have got the recommendation from here). A very nice read with a lovely sense of place.
I also adore Mary Stewart, I've read Airs above the ground countless times. Very 70s but just wonderful.

Had forgotten Mary Stewart! Wildfire At Midnight...Nine Coaches Waiting...

The Book of Negroes by Laurence Hill - It's about slavery (I wouldn't give anything away with this one). It is the most beautifully written book. The book has a really authentic feel. It was released about the same time as Andrea Levy's book on slavery, which got tons of prizes but I felt was pure fiction. Everyone should read this book.

Another vote for Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, I couldn't' put it down.

The Immigrant by Manju Kapur - the story of a young Indian woman adapting to a new life in Canada with a husband she barely knows

Two very different books:
92 Days by Evelyn Waugh - travel book when he was a young man (also Labels) I found them interesting and at times hilariously funny, quite touching too. Read it a long time ago now.

The New House by Lettice Cooper - a book about close sibling relationships and how they have developed with age. Another Persephone re print so not as obscure as it was. It made me have to buy it for my sister. The events take place over one day.

The Princess Bride - William Goldman

I don't think its very popular although I think lots of people will have seen the film based on it. Its one of my favourite reads
Funny, clever and warm im re-reading at the moment!

I was looking along my shelves at the weekend and thought of this thread when I saw The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis. I know almost nothing about chess but boy I love that novel. Beth Harmon is an amazing character.

The Valley of Heroes by Jonathan Stroud. Written like a Norse epic, a long book but worth finding time to get through it!
For something (much) shorter, 'Memoirs of a Madcap Cyclist' by Carol Ferro, somewhere between fiction and fact, clearly written from experience but her clever use of language had me in stitches.

IntrinsicFieldSubtractor based on your first post I ordered a box set of the Patricia Wreade Dragon books. I started reading them with my dds (11 & 8) last night they love them so far!

mrsmootoo love Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell