I want a damn good book for autumn (please)

[travellinghopefully12]

Hello,

I want a damn good book to get really, really involved in. Something to carry round and keep me company for weeks on end.

Long Books I love are

The Cazalets
The Crimson Petal and The White
Middlesex
Brick Lane
Anna Karenina

Recently I've picked up a few things, but it's like I'm skimming the surface instead of getting properly into them. I have Villa America, which looks promising, but not long enough to be along term companion

A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley is brilliant - she won the Pullitzer Prize for it.

I've just finished The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell (Cloud Atlas author) and it is an astonishing, amazing & gripping read. Quite different to Cloud Atlas, it doesn't have a tricksy structure, it is more of a straightforward historical novel, but that doesn't really do justice to how it gets under your skin. It is set mainly in 18th century Japan and it just fascinating and moving.

I second Shantaram, it's bloody amazing.

Recently read The Goldfinch - quite good but not a patch on A Secret History, IMO.

About to read The Magic Mountain after it being recommended to me. Not convinced it's gonna be my thing, but good to try sthg different!

I've just finished the behemoth 4 book series by elena ferrante, absolutely amazing. Taken over my life for the last few months, would reccommend 100%, lila will stay with you always.

I agree with East of Eden too! Wonderful read.

I second the recommendations for Cloud Atlas and The Thousand Autumns Of Jacob de Zoet, both by David Mitchell.

Other books I think you will really enjoy, OP:

This Thing Of Darkness

The Goldfinch

The Luminaries

Would you be interested in non-fiction? Science-related or biographies, for example?

So pleased to see other east of Eden fans! Steinbeck seems a bit forgotten about nowadays which is a pity as he's a really wonderful author. It's not long, but if you like interweaving stories then I also recommend the pastures of heaven.

Not read East of Eden in forever. Steinbeck's Travels with Charlie (non-fic) is worth a read too.

Place marking :)

the girl on the train

theyve made a film of it now but I LOVED IT

oh yes Shantaram is wonderful. i felt bereft when i finished that.

also Jonathan strange.

marking my place.