What’s been your best read this year?

[HighburyLass]

Just one book (if you can!) that has stood out for you this year?

For me, it’s James by Percival Everett. Was given it as a present, I wouldn’t have chosen it. But my goodness what a great read. I was unsure as I hadn’t read Huckleberry Finn but it really didn’t matter (and now maybe I will!)

What have been your reading highlights?

I loved House of Broken Bricks and The Island of Missing Trees so will add your others to my tbr pile!

The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro

Not because it was the best story - it wasn't - but because of the effect this had on me. It is bloody odd, to say the least. It evoked in me a feeling of frustration, like a dream where you cannot quite get to some place you need to get to. I would describe it as an immersive piece of writing. It also had the effect of rousing my interest in classical music. Bizarre.

Wildly different to other books of his I've read. I think he has an outlier talent.

Thanks everyone for the ideas that are coming in - very helpful.

Killing time, Jodi Taylor

Against the loveless world by Susan Abulhawa.

Honourable mentions for The Paris trilogy by Colombe Schneck and I who have never known men by Jacqueline Harpman.

Enjoying this thread - will be adding many to my tbr!

The Testaments - Margaret Atwood. Sequel to the Handmaid’s Tale which dives into the story behind the creation of Gilead - and a brilliant read.

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August - Claire North
The Shardlake series by C J Sansom, especially the earlier ones

Other excellent books mentioned - The Names, Project Hail Mary, The Great Alone, The Glass Maker

I have read and loved many of the titles mentioned above but my discovery of the year (although late to the feasting) has been an author, Peter Grainger whose series of crime novels featuring DC Smith has been an immense pleasure. One for Kindle owners only sadly, because never available in print, but beautifully written, superbly developed characters and strong plots, with evocative, occasionally horrifying, descriptions set in "King's Lake" and that Norfolk coastline.

I also loved You Are Here by David Nicholls.

Lots of great recommendations. Thanks.

I couldn’t agree more re Peter Grainger’s and his DC Smith series. I’ve just finished binge listening to the whole series. Engrossing and very enjoyable.

I have just finished reading the strike books and am looking for my next series, so thanks for recommending this 😄

have you read the robbie kett books by Alex smith?

In addition to my earlier mentions I have really enjoyed Mick Herron - Slow Horses but pretty much all of his stuff (although there was one dud but can’t remember what it was about). Delightful writing, characterisation and detail. If you have lots of wrapping to do then the audiobooks have some of the best narration around thanks to Sean Barrett.

I'll look them up @DirtyFrie but this is a new name to me. So thank you for your suggestion

There’s quite a few of them, so if you like the first one it will keep you busy for a while!

Lots of wonderful books mentioned already, for me it’s Clear by Carys Davi’s, a beautiful short novel about a Scottish minister sent to evict the last inhabitant of a remote Scottish island during the clearings, it’s beautifully atmospheric and as good as her novel ‘West’ which I loved

The Nightwatchman by Louise Erdritch

Set at a time of a political struggle for native Americans, it shows with humour and warmth how the political effort had to fit in around jobs and childrearing, family ties and the need to get some sleep.

I’ve just started reading the Robert Grainger books after downloading a sample on my Kindle following your recommendation.

I’m hooked already and the joy that there are 17 books in total - yay!

This year I spent it with Dr Ruth Galloway. 2026 will be spent with Ds Smith!

I love it when I click with an author!
🤩

I loved Moon Tiger! Haven’t read it in years but I really like Claudia!

The first one I ever read was A Fairly Honourable Defeat. It was so good it made read more!

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride.

Barack Obama named it as his favourite book in 2024z

A fascinating community in 20s / 30s Pennsylvania, love, loyalty, a strong woman whose compassion is the glue between the equally poor back and Jewish residents of Chicken Hill. Jazz dance halls, a mystery, shocking happenings. Really interesting and moving.

The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante.
It tells the story of an Italian woman living in Turin whose husband abruptly leaves her after fifteen years together. She is left with her two young children.

That's definitely one I'll look out for.
I posted too soon as I've just finished The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai and that's pole vaulted my previous bests.
Again set in Vietnam during the war through two women's perspectives.

She's like a force of nature. I love how she just won't do what people expect. But you know how deeply sad and bereft she is inside. Maybe it's best that it stayed perfect and they couldn't get tired of each other.

I think she's such a compelling character, she reminds me of my great aunt who was a doctor when women didn't do that and she was completely unapologetic.

Another woman I really liked and who is unapologetic is Matilda in Jumping The Queue by Mary Wesley.

Your great aunt sounds brilliant!

I'm really enjoying The Wolf Den trilogy ( currently 75% through the 2nd one ) I also enjoyed Last one at the Party and thirdly The Lamb . All very different .