Anne Tyler or Maggie O'Farrell?

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I'm struggling to start a book at the moment without abandoning ship as my concentration seems poor!

I think I need a good 'story' - everything I'm trying is too heavy or 'different'. I just need to sink into an easy-ish read with a fast plot.

My book group love these authors and talk about them lots but I've only read 'The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox' by O'Farrell, which I think I enjoyed, years ago.

Would anyone be able to recommend a book by one of these authors? Or someone similar / who writes similarly? Want to start with their best offerings as both authors seem to have written a lot.

Thanks!

A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler was v good and also enjoyed Vinegar Girl (this was based on Taming of the Shrew)

Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell, is v good.

Thanks xylophonics, appreciate that.

Hamnet is just great. I also enjoyed Instructions for a Heatwave but found Mo'F's earlier books annoyingly verbose. I did also enjoy A Spool of Blue Thread but that's the only Anne Tyler one I've read.

Agree , I think her books have improved over the years, less focused on one female in distress.

Hamnet sounds good- it's on my list of books I want to read.

City of girls. Just finished it. I balked a bit when I saw it was by the eat pray love woman, but it was fast paced, bouncy and fun. Feel like I need something with spaceships in now though.

That's exactly the reason I haven't read City of Girls @Asuitablecat

Oh I loved 'vinegar girl' by Anne Tyler really funny and sweet.

Instructions for a heatwave was pretty dire tbh

A Spool of Blue Thread is my favourite Anne Tyler. Cannot recommend it enough.

A spool of blue thread. ..is that the one with the family house and the foster son called stem?

Have you read any books by Carol Shields? I love her.

I liked Clock Dance, it got me onto AT.

I have read few Maggie o farrwls
Most recently I enjoyed this must be the place by my Maggie o farewell last year on holiday.
As well as Elena it oliphant is absolutely fine. I also like like Anita Shreve too. And a Clare Macintosh I enjoyed her debut novel. I did like girl on the train too. So sad I don't read as much as I used to!

Sorry - that should be "Eleanor Oliphant is absolutely fine" -typing whilst eating a pomegranate is one skill I have yet to master.

I like both these authors. My favourite Maggie O'Farrells are I Am, I Am, I Am (this one is non fiction) and After You'd Gone.

Anne Tyler is good if you like great characterisation and aren't bothered by not much of a plot. My favourite is Back When We We're Grown Ups.

I think Penelope Lively is a similar kind of writer. Moon Tiger and The Photograph are my favourites.

I am, I am, I am by Maggie O'Farrell I LOVED
Stories/anecdotes rather than a novel but I devoured it in one sitting

I'm reading Anne Tyler's Clock Dance right now. I love the feeling that I'm about to enjoy a good, well written story. I've never been disappointed by Anne Tyler. Likewise with Maggie O'Farrell. I loved all her books.

A few others which you may like, The Poisonwood Bible . Similarly, another older one, Behind The Scenes At The Museum by Kate Atkinson.
I also rate Elisabeth Strout. I'll be back in a minute...just need to check my Kindle library.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Mosh

Ooops. Pressed enter too soon.
Ottessa Moshfegh, that should read.
Pat Barker, Ann Patchett, Anne Shreve, all good storytellers imo.
Btw, Poisonwood Bible is by Barbara Kingsolver.

Reading is my favourite thing ever. I'm such a nerd

Snap Roxanne

Also Rose Tremain - The Road Home. Evokes a similar feelings in me to After You'd Gone - whilst completely different.

Thank so much everyone. I've read quite a lot of these- lots of Kate Atkinson and Eleanor Oliphant- but I'll browse some tomorrow and make a list. Thank you!!

Hamnet was brilliant.
Try Olive Kitteridge and Olive Again by Elizabeth Strout. Wonderful books.
Also Ladder of Years and The Amateur Marriage by Ann Tyler.

Ladder of years By Anne Tyler is excellent. Pat Barker is a great writer too.