I used to devour books and want this feeling back but did not get on with the Goldfinch like most on here

[delayrepayagain]

I want to spend my commute reading rather than working to improve my work/life balance.

In the 90s I’d devour books, getting through at least 2 a week.

However I’ve tried some recommendations on here eg the Goldfinch and just not got on with it though persevered. Could not get beyond first few pages of Captain Corelli either.

The last book I read which made a impression on me in was All the Light We Cannot See. Over the years I’ve enjoyed travelogues (Lonely Planet did a great series of these back in the day), most of Sebastian Faulkes, Jeffrey Archer (yes, really!). I would always buy Jo Jo Moyes latest books (because of Ship of Brides) but these got a bit samey.

I actually miss not wanting to go to sleep to carry on turning the pages.

Please share with me your page turners.

I’ve had similar issues over the last year - the Robert Galbraith books (Cormoran Strike) have been brilliant for me. I’ve also enjoyed Colm Toibin’s Long Island (and would recommend its predecessor, Brooklyn) and The Painter’s Daughters, which is loosely based on the lives of the daughters of Thomas Gainsborough - if you liked Girl with a Pearl Earring, you’d like it.

I loved Cloud Cuckoo Land.
Also A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles (and also The Lincoln Highway by him too).

I had a real struggle with reading for a while, so many disappointing books and never that thrill of a book that creeps into your thoughts all day.
What has helped is to read books I know I will like. Not books that I think I should read or are fashionable, or recommended by others. Also giving up quickly if I don't love it. This meant narrowing the range of genres to my favourites and reading a lot by the same writer. This year I've read double my usual number.

I recommend Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

Anything by Kate Atkinson and Maggie O’ Farrell
Life after Life by KA is one of my favourite ever books

Thank you so much.

I did read Educated. Fascinating.

I’ve been reading a sample of Hamnet which had me hooked. That’s definitely on the way.

I forgot about Kate Atkinson. Was on a wishlist I had some years ago. I’ll be adding that, plus the Anthony Doerr new novel.

I enjoyed Cloud Cuckoo Land but I would never have guessed it was the same author if I didn't know. It's very different.

Emily St John Mandel is another author I love. Station Eleven is the most famous but I like her other books which have small links with overlapping characters.

The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne. Or any of his books.

Lady’s Maid by Margaret Forster. All her books are good.

If urban fantasy might appeal, the Jodi Taylor books are largely unputdownable for me - both the Chronicles of St Marys or the Time Police books.

Can also vouch for the Robert Galbraith books too!

I am also struggling the goldfinch - put it on my summer list and was really looking forward to it as I was gripped by the secret history but even after several long afternoons reading I’m still not caring that much!

have picked up Butter by Asako Yuzuki instead and it’s fab- well paced but enough of a read to get me to slow down, enjoy it and not gobble through it. It’s about a journalist in Tokyo becoming fascinated by a murderer who is also a gourmet cook.

Would also recommend Kate Atkinson though, she’s my favourite author of all time although I haven’t loved recent books quite as much as life after life or her earlier ones (emotionally weird all time favourite for very niche Dundee university references!)

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett got me back into reading after a dry spell a few years ago

I’ve set up a GoodReads account and got some recommendations on order. I’ll let you know how I get on.