What book couldn't you put down? Non high brow!

[DollyDaydreamss]

Any suggestions for something gripping but not all high brow or literary? I know there's another thread sharing unputdownable books but I honestly don't feel tempted by Lincoln in the bardo or the Iliad ...

The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas. It's one of the best novels I've ever read. Tells the story from the perspective of each different character, so well written, it just flows. I got it a couple of Christmases ago and basically read all night and into boxing day!

I've just read Cilka's Journey (I think that's the title) which is by the same authour as The Tattooist of Auschwitz. It took me 2 days, I couldn't stop reading. Although it's based on a real person, it is definitely more of a fictional story than the first one but because it's about the treatment of women, it hits home a bit more.

The three thrillers written by Jane Harper - seriously the best books I have read in years!

Also following. I’m in a bad place generally and just can’t get into a book. I really enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant last year. Waiting for a book to strike me again

Adrian Mole- The Cappuccino Years by Sue Townsend.

Have read it gives times

Five

Anything by Barbara Erskine.
Supernatural, scary, historical and clever. Also a little bit of romance but not enough to make you want to vomit 😀
Honestly brilliant

Another vote for The Dry by Jane Harper.

It's a murder mystery set in a rural town in Australia during a drought (so quite topical) and I read it in about a day it was so gripping.

I'm also following as going away soon and really want some gripping holiday reads.

I also love Robert Galbraith, Liane Moriarty and did love Eleanor Oliphant.

I am going to look at some of the books mentioned.

Since I have a long commute, I've got into audiobooks and listen to a wide variety of genres but I would really like a good, modern day, true to life, story for holiday.

Anything Jack Reacher or Dirk Pitt has me from the start. Not high brow in the slightest :)

Nearly anything by Stephen King (and I admit I was a literary snob and didn't read him till about 10 years ago - picked up The Shining and couldn't put it down - he is brilliant)

Conviction by Denise Mina had me gripped recently.

Starbridge series by Susan Howatch isn't low brow but isn't high brow either and is great

Anything by Eva Ibbotson - so charming.

I read all of John Le Carre’s Smilie novels last year (and a few stand-alone works too) - they were the perfect blend of amazing writing and incredibly gripping story. I couldn’t recommend them highly enough. I plough through modern murder mysteries but find myself drawn back to Agatha Christie, Maigret, Ruth Rendell, PD James etc - the classics of the genre. Such compelling, sparse writing and such interesting characters and settings- pure escapism and usually quite short.
I’m not at all a fan of romance or ‘psychological thrillers’ or any modern publication with neon titles against a dark, brooding background: I’m terribly impatient with the usually self-obsessed characters and end up hoping they’re all murdered

Also, Robert Galbraith, Kate Atkinson, Ruth Galloway series (can’t remember author) are all good quality reads.
I happily admit to devouring the MC Beaton Agatha Raisin series - super fun!

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty, her best one I think

Jurassic Park

Rosamunde Pilcher books. Just lovely.

Melanie Reid's memoir 'The World I Fell Out Of'. Not fiction but one of the best books I've read recently.

I like Ken Follet’s novels,particularly the cathedral series..can’t remember the bloody name of them now!

I enjoyed The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and have her second book The Starless Sea by my bed, waiting to be read. It was a a Christmas present.

Maggie O'Farrell's books are good

I'm currently really enjoying the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness. I'm on the second book currently and really into it.

Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce, started reading it yesterday and couldn't put it down! Just finished it now.

Anything by Lisa Jewell but especially her last few books, which are much darker than earlier ones - the family upstairs, and then she was gone - both really gripping.

Second Maggie o’Farrell and Kate Atkinson. Also The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin.

Battle royale
Eleanor oliphant is completely fine
Underground Railroad colson whitehead

Another crime Author who is great is Elly Griffiths. Love her Ruth Gallow series.
Peter May's Lewis Trilogy is good too.

Totally different genre. I live Diana Gabledon's Outlander Series and Jean Auel's Earth Children .

Another vote for 'The Unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Fry' - non high brow, just a beautiful read