Unputdownable Book

[RayofSunshine18]

What is your number one, unputdownable book, that you would recommend to absolutely anyone and everyone that will listen. Either fact or fiction - I am looking for some inspiration!

A fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.
I read this in 2002 when I was doing my masters at Ucl. I almost failed my master's because of this author, but this book was the beginning. I don't think I've ever read by than this

Next of Kin Kia Abdulah
Seven husband of Evelyn Hugo

Me too, she is one of my favourite authors.

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes was great. I can easily see it made into a movie.

It's a perfect book. I love it.

That is an astonishing book, I agree.

To add to the list: To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowy Ivey.

In an instant by Suzanne Redford, I read this during the lockdown, great book. It’s from the point of view of a 16-year-old girl, but it involves a lot of difficult themes. Book is fantastic, hard to read in places, but I read it straight through in two or three days I think.

Another one which I read this year, was dust child Nguyen Phan Que Mai and is based on a Vietnamese bar girl during the war in the early 70s and an American soldier who returns to Vietnam later on. It is great if you have ever lived in Vietnam and know the place well, it’s written from the perspective of a Vietnamese person, but also adds in the American perspective, especially from veterans who go back to Vietnam years after looking for their girlfriends, children etc. I have spent years in Vietnam, and this was one of the best books I have read. It also added a lot of Vietnamese culture along the way, even things I didn’t know, and I speak Vietnamese.

Can I ask about Maggie O Farrell please- are they all written in the present tense? I've just today finished Hamnet, and loved it, but I find the present tense so jolting and staccato. Is that her normal style? The story was brilliant however.

Educated - Tara Westover (a book for any person, of any gender, who has some curiousity and likes reading. Perfect gift)

American Wife - Curtis Sittenfeld
On Love - Alain de Botton
Sherlock Holmes - any and all of them!

I don't know tbh! Current reading Esme Lennox and that is in present tense but much of it is flashbacks, does that help @Kernackered

Child 44 - Tom Rob Smith

Jackie Collins - Lovers And Gamblers

Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie

Thanks! I'll look out for her books in charity shops but I've got so many to read I guess I won't rush it!

I loved this book!

Trespasses- Louise Kennedy can't stop thinking about it.
Shuggie Bain- again, think it about often
Demon Copperhead

As for Maggie O'farrell- she's one of my favourite authors. Her early books are outstanding such as After you'd gone, this must be the place, Instructions for a heat wave. These are set in modern times

Agree with Robert Harris - my favourite was An Officer and a Spy.
Also Robert Galbraith Cormorant Strike - really enjoyed.
Marian Keyes too.
The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hoseini
Vaseem Khan's Baby Ganesh and Malabar House Series.
I also agree many of David Baldacci's books are compelling reading.

The Genesis Code by John Case. Thriller, religion, twists, intrigue. I think I actually read the whole book in one night.

I read it maybe 15 years ago and can’t believe I still haven’t managed to get a copy to read again. Something for Xmas I think.

Elinor Oliphant Is Absolutely Fine

Now you've named a book I feel compelled to go out and find

I agree with The Woman in White and American Dirt. Both fantastic books.

I would add Pillars of the Earth- Ken Follett. A fantastic readable novel about the building of cathedrals. It's the first in a very readable series.

Thank you all for your suggestions and recommendations, I have added mine below - I am loving this thread - keep them coming!

the DI Callanach Books - Helen Fields
The School for Good Mothers - Jessamine Chan
The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
Girl A - Abigail Dean
I am Pilgrim - Terry Hayes
Room - Emma Donoghue
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
The House of the Scorpion - Nancy Farmer

Those are just a few off the top of my head!

Oh I loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn- you’ve just reminded me! I should try the Margaret Forster one too.
I found Rebecca really hard to put down. I’m sure there are others too but I can’t think of them at the mo!

I have my late Mother's copy of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. It's falling apart, but very treasured. It was my Mum who instilled a love of reading in me.
My good friend bought me a copy as a present not knowing its significance. As well as being very touched, I now have a copy I can read without having to grip the whole thing in two hands!

I've read most of M Forster's. You really get to know the characters, and I love that in a book (I love biogs of all sorts as well).