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Best book you’ve read this year

133 replies

lastqueenofscotland · 25/11/2019 23:26

Doesn’t need to have been released this year, just one you’ve read in 2019 and why.

I really enjoyed The Dust That Falls From Dreams recently, which was far better than its shitty title implied it would be

Also reread Oryx and Crake. Which is one of my all time favourites.

OP posts:
RightOnTheEdge · 16/12/2019 20:53

I've seen The Nightingale mentioned a few times on here and other thread.
I really enjoyed it and I don't usually pick books that are set in wars but it made me think maybe I should.
I tried it because it had great reviews and I love the author.

slipperyeel · 18/12/2019 12:58

I loved The Five, it’s about the women murdered by Jack the Ripper but actually focuses on them rather than rehashing their gory deaths. Really good book.

BeardedMum · 18/12/2019 20:48

I have had such a disappointing year reading- wise. Favourites must be Celeste No little fires everywhere and everything I never told you. I also really like Japanese fiction.

I hope for a better 2020 reading wise for me.

plipliop · 18/12/2019 20:51

Where the Crawdads sing - beautiful book

PlonkyPlink · 18/12/2019 20:52

Reread The Handmaids Tale before ReadingThe Testaments - amazing

Rebecca, then straight afterwards Frenchmans Creek (which I think I preferred but loved them both) by Daphne Du Maurier

Circe

ChequerBoard · 18/12/2019 21:03

The testaments by Margaret Atwood as many others have said

Two Brothers by Ben Elton - a brilliant story that so eloquently unfolds the creeping rise of nazism in 1920s and 30s Germany. Think it should be required reading.

MistyMinge2 · 18/12/2019 21:09

The tattooist of auschwitz
Becoming, Michelle obama
Conversations with friends

Getting a kindle for Xmas so this is a great thread for me.

Moominfan · 18/12/2019 21:52

Easily home going by yaa gyasi two sisters sold into the slave trade. Book spans several generations and shows the long lasting impact of the slave trade.

AllTheWhoresOfMalta · 18/12/2019 21:54

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. Blew me away. Quiet but very, very powerful.

dementedma · 18/12/2019 21:57

I enjoyed Himself by Jess Kidd

ritzbiscuits · 20/12/2019 20:19

The Cut Out Girl - Bart Van Es - Absolutely amazing story about a child that survived WW2 as a girl. I was moved to tears at several points, its definitely my favourite book of the year.

Also:

The World I Fell Out Of - Melanie Reid - Times Journalist that fell off her horse and broke her back. Funny, emotional, uplifting. Again a fantastic book.

In referencing my book list, I think non fiction memoirs seem to be my favourite.

ritzbiscuits · 20/12/2019 20:19

Sorry posted without my third one

Afloat - Danie Couchman - About a young woman who lived for several years on the London Waterways. Found it so interesting, it shares the warts and all live of living on a boat. Her way with words was lovely and the book is beautiful too! I definitely do not want to live on a boat anytime soon!

AutumnRose1 · 20/12/2019 20:23

Ooh, I have A Prayer for Owen Meany in my TBR!

Favourites this year

Once Upon a River - Diane Setterfield
Wakenhyrst- Michelle Paver

Traynorbird · 21/12/2019 21:34

I loved when God was a rabbit - is tin Man similar?
My fav book this year was either the fifth child by Doris Lessing or warlight by Michael ondaatje

Taytotots · 22/12/2019 13:23

Another Sarah Moss fan here (like @inthekitchensink and @ImportantWater). Read all of hers this year. Also really enjoyed 'Where the world ends' by Geraldine McCaughrean. About St Kilda. Following for inspiration for 2020.

graziemille567 · 22/12/2019 13:40

Non fiction: War Doctor by David Nott - it's a difficult read at times but really fascinating and shows the best of humanity amongst the most disturbing of events. Unputdownable.

Fiction:

American Marriage.

Everything I Never Told You

The Testaments

Three Women

Queenie.

graziemille567 · 22/12/2019 13:41

Three Women isn't fiction, whoops!

ShakeItOff2000 · 22/12/2019 19:18

Fiction: Milkman by Anna Burns.

Non-fiction: The Better Angels of our Nature by Steven Pinker.

Poetry: Undying: A Love Story by Michel Faber.

KatsutheClockworkOctopus · 22/12/2019 23:02

Agree Circa was brilliant.

I also liked The Wall.

KatsutheClockworkOctopus · 22/12/2019 23:02

*Circe

cloudjumper · 22/12/2019 23:05

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern was my absolute favourite, absolutely amazing, loved every minute of it.

Circe came a close second.

colouringinpro · 22/12/2019 23:14

Another vote for The Silence of the Girls. Brutal but stunning.

neomneomneom · 22/12/2019 23:14

Non-fiction - 'with the end in mind' by Katherine Mannix. Observations on death and dying. Fascinating and made me think a lot.

Fiction - 'The keeper of lost things' Ruth Hogan

InTheCludgie · 26/12/2019 19:49

Non-fiction - War Doctor by David Nott

Fiction - Cut Out Girl by Bart van Es

ritzbiscuits · 26/12/2019 20:23

@InTheCludgie Cut Out Girl is a true story

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