The last book that wowed you (take two!)

[CurlewKate]

I have to provide a book each for 6 people. Has to be fiction. All are readers. Aged 23 to 65. All have varied interests-except one, who is a history nut who likes "war" stuff. Two like feminist literature. One like spies.

Not too heavy or too long because they are for reading over Christmas. But not too light either. What's the last book you loved? Oh, and paperback, please...

The last book that wowed me was Last One At The Party. Probably not what you're looking for but it really was brilliant

Far far beyond Berlin.

Sweary but very funny and well thought-out, I thought!

The last book that wowed me was Demon Copperhead but if you are not snobby about YA you can tick the boxes of war, spies and feminism with Codename Verity by Elisabeth Wein.

Transcription by Kate Atkinson might fit the bill.

Here one moment Lianne Moriarty

The wrong sister Claire Douglas

A man called Ove - lovely book and set in snowy winter time

Weyward - Emilia Hart, would be good for your feminist friends.

Bunny by Mona Awad for any young women - absolutely bonkers, best book I've read this year. Saw it described as Heathers meets Jennifer's Body, which feels right.

Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen is very interesting, although not about a past war but a potential one. But fascinating and horrifying. It's speculative rather than entirely fictional (i.e. it's based on what COULD happen), though.

My 'wow' author of recent years is Sarah Hall - and I think she writes some of the most incredibly complex and authentic female characters I've ever read (ie not girl power stereotypes). Her books also have a bit of historical interest. My favourite is Haweswater, but The Carhullan Army is a more obviously feminist dystopian novel.

My other recent discovery is Sebastian Barry. The Secret Scripture is all about one woman, with interesting insight into Irish early to mid 20th century history. Days Without End is also great, though very violent at times.

My other favourite is Kate Atkinson, though I didn't like Transcription nearly as much as Life After Life and A God in Ruins, though it sort of fits your bill better.

Freya by Anthony Quinn: tackles women’s changing fortunes in a story that runs from VE Day to the 60s

@ohyesido I LOVED Last one at the party!
Definitely a book to read again.

I have just finished Precipice by Robert Harris and I really enjoyed it. All based on fact - set at the start of WW1.

Days Without End. Sebastian Barry

The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas blew my mind.

My last 5 star read was Mona Lisa's Daughter by Belle Ami. Set in Italy around the time of Da Vinci, and a 2nd linked timeline in 1926-1946.

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr is wonderful for anyone that loves books.

For war, history and feminism, I have just finished The Women of the Castle by Jessica Shattuck and it is a compelling take on post war Germany and collective guilt and loss, from the perspective of widows of members of the resistance.

Claire Chambers is wonderful. I’ve loved all her books.

Another one for Strange Sally Diamond by
Liz Nugent.

The Spoiled Heart by Sunjeev Sahota

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet

The Offing by Ben Myers.

Salvage The Bones by Jesmyn Ward. Absolutely stunning, I'm a lit student and have to read loads of contemporary fiction and this was an outstanding read. Based on a 15 year old girl and her family living through Storm Katrina.

It's not as bleak as it sounds. The characters are flawed but you root for them all way through, and are gripped by it within a few pages. It is one of the best things I have read.

Agree with lots of these. I've just finished never let me go Kazuo Ishiguro's which is slow paced but quite thought provoking

Seconding The Bee Sting - excellent

Still Life by Sarah Winman - loved every word of it. It's set around the Second World War, but is about so much more.

This one sits in a category all on its own for me, and I'm not even sure why. I could feel every page.

Just ordered 3 recommended books on here, thank you!

Ahhh! I'm listening to the Gillian McAllister book; nearly half way through; and you've given it away somewhat!!