Tell me that last good book you read

[Hightideattheseaside]

Looking for my next read and never really know what I’m in the mood for. Always find a good book from recommendations so lovely mumsnetters tell me that last good book you read to give me ideas.

Recent reads I’ve enjoyed:
weyward
my name is Leon
remarkably bright creatures
the life impossible
Labyrinth
the last murder at the end of the world

So quite varied. I’m sure I’ll be able to find a good one from your ideas. Thank you.

Oh yes! this went into my top 10 reads ever with a bullet. I think it's amazing,. I know what you mean about living in it. There's a bit when a character appears (trying not to spoil) and I just shouted out loud in excitement! luckily I was not on a train :)

@clary I’m sure I know which character you mean and I squeaked with excitement when I came to that point. And the ‘surprise’ a few pages on made me smile with happiness.

I am kicking myself that this has been neglected on my ‘to read’ pile for at least a couple of years (probably because the hardback is not very portable). What a fool I was, especially as I was riveted by both The Secret History and The Little Friend. But I love The Goldfinch even more. It was so, so difficult to put down!

Ooo the goldfinch is one I keep meaning to try. Sounds like I really should.

Definitely!

The Blizzard, by Marie Vingtras. Short, chilly, worth a read.

Before that, A Maigret Christmas and other stories, by Georges Simenon. Probably not right for January but he is an outstanding writer. These stories are the opposite of a cosy read but leave such a sharp impression of Paris in the middle of last century.

Totally agree - I wasn't keen to read Valley of the Dolls but my book group chose it and in fact it is superb.

Olive Again by Elizabeth Strout. The chapters are individual stories but all connected by Olive, so not really a short story collection. Probably best to read Olive Kitteridge first.
The TV dramatisation is v good too.

Elif shafak There are rivers in the sky. So very beautiful and i wanted and did not want to finish it all at the same time.

The island of sea woman by Lisa See, a book about female friendship amongst a diving collective in Jeju, South Korea. Spans decades and wars. Very rich and unusual and beautifully rendered.

Maybe, Perhaps, Possibly, Joanna Glen Beautiful
All the Colours of the Dark Chris Whitaker

Kate Atkinson - Shrines of Gaiety

Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Stroud.

A really beautiful and wise book.

Good thread!

I enjoyed The Hike by Lucy Clarke

And
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

I will pick my next book from this thread .

Bookmarked!

The food of love, Amanda Prowse.

Actually cried, it was so hard hitting. Written extremely well.

Absolutely loved this book.

I just finished I Who Have Never Known Men, by Jacqueline Harpman. I absolutely loved it. My favourite book of 2024 was Our Wives Under The Sea, by Julia Armfield. Really clever and beautifully written.

Butter by Asako Yuzuki. A Japanese journalist writing about a murderer, exploring her relationship with food and other people. Very different and enjoyable.

@applecatchers36 that is a fantastic book. I learnt so much from it.

Unsettled ground by Clare Fuller - warning not a cheery read but i found it utterly absorbing

If you fancy an audiobook then I was completely hooked on Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty. It’s free on Spotify Premium.

I've just been rereading this book as am teaching it. The student adores it too. God, it's good. I read it on publication through a terrible period when my father was dying. It was such a comfort in its unsentimental exploration of grief. I wish Donna Tartt would write more quickly though. We always have to wait so very long for a new book.

Another vote for Elisabeth Strout, I love her books.
I've just started American dirt and am enjoying it so far.
I really did not like A secret history at all so just shows how we all like different things.

I adore Elizabeth Strout too. Don't let your dislike of The Secret History put you off The Goldfinch. They are very very different!

The Wedding People by Alison Espach. Nearly avoided as it sounds like a chick lit romcom but it's much better than that.