What's the best books you've read in the last 12 months?

[lizkt]

American Dirt really stands out for me.

Looking for some new books to read so would love to hear any ideas.

The truth about her

Love that so many people enjoyed Small pleasures. I thought it was amazing.

Also loved

Where the crawdads sing
Girl, woman other
It ends with us
Everything he never told me
Mrs England

American Dirt
A town called solace by Mary Lawson

Girl Woman Other
Hamnet
Shuggie Bain

Just finished American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. Could not put it down. Shocking, moving and totally absorbing.

@Mydogisagentleman

Girl Woman Other Hamnet Shuggie Bain

Loved all of these but Shuggie Bain will stay with me the longest.

I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death
Hamnet

• both by Maggie O'Farrell

@lizkt

American Dirt really stands out for me.

Looking for some new books to read so would love to hear any ideas.

I'm loving The Manningtree Witches. Thought The Crawdads was lazily written: stereotyped characters and a fairly conventional plot structure but I know that may not be a popular view. A K Blakemore makes this 17th century Essex trial absolutely riveting and harrowing in equal measure. I loved American Dirt too.

Sorry nothing to add but want to get back reading so placemarking!

Currently reading American Dirt and looking forward to picking up some others from this thread!

Hamnet
The Sealwoman's Gift
Did ye hear Mammy died?

Brilliant thread, I have none to add as all have been mentioned, but have taken lots of recommendations. Thank you! Keep them coming…

Sorrow and Bliss, Meg Mason. Funny and touching. Reread it straight away - first time I’ve ever done that!

Americanah was my favourite. I also loved lots of the others on this thread.

Just reading Intimacies now, by Lucy Caldwell. It’s a collection of short stories, mostly about motherhood, and it’s great. Highly recommended.

The Duke and I Julia Quinn
Where the Crawdaws Sung
Blind faith Ben Elton
Follow you home Mark Edwards
Death of Mrs Westaway Ruth Ware
One by one Ruth Ware
The lies you told Harriet Tyce

Another vote for:

• Hearts Invisible Furies
• Hamnet (love most of Maggie O'Farrell's books).

Also:
The Lost Man by Jane Harper

About to start Paper Palace

Girl, Woman, Other
Queenie
Where the Crawdads Sing
The Midnight Library (very easy reading but the premise did really make me think)
The Poisonwood Bible

placemarking

Betty
American dirt

Piranesi
By: Susanna Clarke - intriguing
My Sister, the Serial Killer
By: Oyinkan Braithwaite - entertaining

I've enjoyed:
The Boy in the Red Boat by Micheal Sierton, which is too little known, unusual, twisty and emersive.
The Guernsey Literacy and Potato Peel Society.

Popilol , I'm currently reading "The Lost Man" and I'm really impressed: it's a cut above most crime fiction.

@Newpuppymummy

Love that so many people enjoyed Small pleasures. I thought it was amazing.

Also loved

Where the crawdads sing
Girl, woman other
It ends with us
Everything he never told me
Mrs England

If you're on Goodreads you can vote for Small Pleasures (I did).

The Wynch Elm - Tana French - such a clever engaging whodunnit

Kiss myself goodbye - Extraordinary investigation of the author Ferdinand Mount’s mysterious aunt

Also reread The True and Amazing Adventures of the Hunt Sisters, fantastic funny novel based on the author’s family life

Have just finished and loved small pleasures.
Enjoyed the Richard Osman books - great Christmas reads.

@lizkt

American Dirt really stands out for me.

Looking for some new books to read so would love to hear any ideas.

Absolutely loved American dirt, think it would make a great film