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Original poster

Recommend a book for me please

29 replies

Beccarollover · 27/05/2004 09:37

I have run out of reading material and dont know what to go for next!!

I dont want anything too hard going and enjoy tear jerker books

Suggestions anyone?

If anyone has anything they have really enjoyed and finished with I'd be happy to buy it off you

OP posts:
Tessiebear · 27/05/2004 09:48

Would love to help but i am into Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs kind of fiction (crime/ serial killers/ post mortems that kind of thing)

Original poster
Beccarollover · 27/05/2004 09:51

Ive never read a crime/serial killer type book - are they good? I have read the story of Fred and Rose West and enjoyed that in a morbid sort of you (IYKWIM)

OP posts:
Tessiebear · 27/05/2004 09:58

I have been reading PC since her first was published about 10 years ago - they are unputdownable. (And this comes from someone who used to be much happier with a nice romantic book) You need to read them in order to appreciate all the relationships etc. It now spans a ten year period. Unfortunately the first one "Postmortem" i lent out and it was never returned. I am sure you could get it quite easily from the library - if you like that you could borrow some of the next ones from me... (Or you might become so obsessed that you have to have your own collection - i have two hard back signed copies!!!!)

Blu · 27/05/2004 10:22

Brick Lane by Monica Ali. Have you read The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night Time?

foxinsocks · 27/05/2004 10:30

tessiebear, I love books like that but I've never read any PC books. So I should start with Postmortem then?

I've just been reading all the Ian Rankin (Inspector Rebus) books. I love those although I think they're getting weaker as they go along. I also just read a book called 'Wayne's Dead' - can't remember who it's by but don't get it. It's very VERY predictable. Even though you know what's going to happen, it's written well but I was a bit disappointed.

mummytojames · 27/05/2004 10:30

becc what i find helps is if you got a libary go and lend the book that takes your fancy then if you like it and want to read it again go and buy it if not you havent wasted any money also if you dont mind the older writers my mother swears by car boot sales and charity shops you can pick books up for about 10 to 50p a time

Original poster
Beccarollover · 27/05/2004 10:34

I havent read The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night Time - do you think that is worth a go?

Ive become out of the habit of reading since birth of DS 8 months ago and I miss it!

OP posts:
littlerach · 27/05/2004 10:51

not sure what kind you like, but I loved Lucia Lucia, by Adrianna Trigianni, nice and easy!! Also, I find any kind of travel writing relaxing to read. The new Margaret Forster one is great, couldn't put it down. Could tell you loads, but is a personal choice always!!

CountessDracula · 27/05/2004 10:59

Have you read A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving? I read it years ago and a recent thread on mumsnet prompted me to read it again. It is really a great book.

Tommy · 27/05/2004 11:00

I am a big Maeve Binchy fan - she's not hard going at all and a really good story teller!

Piffleoffagus · 27/05/2004 11:03

you've read he lovely bones then???

Original poster
Beccarollover · 27/05/2004 11:28

I think I will get that owen prayer one and the dog one then (!)

Anyone want to sell me one?

OP posts:
Granite · 27/05/2004 14:35

Try any of Libby Purves's novels - she has a great knack of getting into a controversial subject like sex change or East Europe immigrants (her current one) but in a totally down to earth way - and very funny.

Tessiebear · 27/05/2004 14:39

Fox in socks : you must start with postmortem

mummysurfer · 27/05/2004 14:57

becca
judy and richard have just put together their top 10 summer reads. i'll see if it's on the website.

popsycal · 27/05/2004 14:59

becca - i have both brick lane and curious incident
am reading brick lane atm and have read the first chapter of the other..
also have loads of others....wanna borrow them the next time i see you?

popsycal · 27/05/2004 14:59

oooooooooooooooooooooooh
prayer for owen meany
prayer for owen meany

can i trust you with my very precious copy....

mummysurfer · 27/05/2004 15:04

oops - this isn't the right one anyway - this says 'archive' and doesn't mention summer

Babyannabel · 27/05/2004 15:05

I'm half way through prayer for owen meany and it is really really good, would definitely recommend it.

loujay · 27/05/2004 15:06

Ive just finished the curious case of the dog in the night and it is fantastic!!!!!!!
Not least because the chapters are small and easily read in between feeding, sleeping, playing etc.........

Original poster
Beccarollover · 27/05/2004 15:07

"oooooooooooooooooooooooh
prayer for owen meany
prayer for owen meany

can i trust you with my very precious copy...."

Yep and I may think about giving back the book (GF Weaning) I borrowed off you MONTHS ago (got a bit of carrot and sweet potato on it but it adds to the charm )

OP posts:
Demented · 27/05/2004 23:12

The best books I have read in the last few months were, The Beach, Life of Pi, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime and I am currently reading Notes on a Scandal which is very easy reading, but so far keeping my attention. Unfortunately I don't have any of these books as I tend to sell on or lend them once I have finished.

I do however have The Blue Room by Alice Hoffman, which is my Mumsnet Swap book, I started reading it but haven't really taken to it, although I have heard lots of good things about it. If you want it I would be happy to send it on to you as IMO it belongs to Mumsnet anyway, I don't want anything in return as I have become a bit of a mad book collector and have a drawer full waiting to be read, just offer it it for swap again when you are done with it. If you are interested mail me on the MN Mamas address - mn.bigmamas(at)virgin(dot)net.

candy · 28/05/2004 21:01

Definately recommend "The Lovely Bones" - bf got it for me and I sulked and said I'd hate it - reader, i was wrong! It's fab!

foxinsocks · 12/06/2004 19:21

Tessiebear, just wanted to thank you for your recommendation. I have just finished Post Mortem and I really enjoyed it. I don't normally like American fiction books and after the first chapter I really thought I wasn't going to get into it but as it went on, I became really hooked and haven't been able to put it down until now when I've just finished it.

It looks like she's written a few. Is it important to read them in the order she has written them?

By the way, have you read any Ruth Rendell or PD James? Both well worth a look if you haven't. I'm thinking of going back and re-reading some of their earlier books as its been ages since I read some of them.