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Original poster

Can you enthuse a reluctant reader? (Me)

47 replies

jambutty · 01/05/2009 23:27

I used to read a bit, stopped just after university. I'm one of those people who buys worthy books and never reads them.
Now, at 44, I accept that I'll probably never read them but I do want to start reading again - and slightly more than Maeve Binchy, which appears to be my current limit.
Can anyone suggest some good books by new authors to start me off? No horror/sci fi/chick lit. Bit of a fan of gritty social realism. I've ordered a couple of Granta books from Amazon if that gives you any sort of clue.
Thanks!

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Original poster
jambutty · 01/05/2009 23:43

bump - or I'm doomed to Sudoku and the newspapers......

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fruitshootsandheaves · 01/05/2009 23:44

Life of Pi is good and really easy and quick to read, not overly realistic thou.

Original poster
jambutty · 01/05/2009 23:56

Thanks. I might try the Book Club here too. Been on here years (namechanger) and haven't really taken any notice.

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FairMidden · 02/05/2009 00:02

It depends how discerning you are. If you want to get going with something light but not too trashy then try something like Christopher Brookmyre - chewing gum for the eyes, really, but clever and humorous crime stuff. Not exactly a new author but by the time I've heard of them and got round to reading them most aren't new any more ... !

I enjoyed The Kite Runner and it's certainly gritty in places. Also anything by Ian McEwan is usually very readable and deliciously dark. I'd suggest starting with Saturday or Enduring Love. I'm trying to think of other stuff - currently halfway between Pillars of the Earth (about mediaeval cathedral builders so not quite to your specs) and have also just started On Beauty by Zadie Smith which has had good reviews and is shaping up to be quite enjoyable.

Original poster
jambutty · 02/05/2009 00:15

Actually anything based in the past - provided it isn't labelled a historical novel, IYSWIM, would be of interest - even Medieval cathedral builders!

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artifarti · 02/05/2009 08:03

You could try Iain Banks - The Wasp Factory and The Crow Road are very readable.

Zadie Smith's White Teeth also good.

Sebastian Faulks' Birdsong or Charlotte Gray (do they count as historical?!)

Enjoy!

Nighbynight · 02/05/2009 08:40

I enjoyed On Beauty (Zadie Smith) better than White Teeth. I found White Teeth a bit consciously great. (easy to sit here and criticise, I know).

Lots of people like Small Island. must admit, it didnt really hold my interest and I stopped after the first few pages.

The Tortilla Curtain by TC Boyle, is a very gripping and gritty book. Warning: the baby dies though.

What is that book by an Anglo-Indian woman, about a girl coming to the East End for an arranged marriage? My memory's going, but it was made into a film and is a very good book.

Although you dont want chicklit, you might try Rachels Holiday by Marian Keyes. It is fascinating, and tackles a gritty subject in a light-hearted, but very convincing way.

FairMidden · 02/05/2009 08:42

Oooooooooh Sebastian Faulks - good idea. Englebey is fantastic.

artifarti · 02/05/2009 08:49

East End arranged marriage - Brick Lane? Yes, v good.

Have also thought of The Island by Victoria Hislop. More of a beach read but quite a page turner.

Nighbynight · 02/05/2009 08:52

Yup, thats the one.

I havent read the Victoria Hislop one, is it gritty and socially realistic?

artifarti · 02/05/2009 08:54

Ah yes. Good point. Gritty and socially realistic in a 1930s leper kind of way...

Nighbynight · 02/05/2009 08:54

The Reader by Bernard Schlink

Nighbynight · 02/05/2009 08:55

Oh dear. I must admit, I saw the name, and thought "london literati, rich media types, Rachel Johnson, blah, blah no"

I must re-examine my prejudices.

Original poster
jambutty · 02/05/2009 09:00

Ooh this is good. THanks! I have been half way through Brick Lane for about three years. Read Rachel's Wedding a whilea go and it counts as Chick Lit to me. Will try some of these - keep 'em coming!

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PadDad · 02/05/2009 09:31

If you really are a reluctant reader, why not ease yourself back into reading by watching film versions first, then the books they were based on?

I found Little Children fascinating because so much was the same, but certain characters had an extra storyline in the book (and the ending was different).

Nighbynight · 02/05/2009 09:33

Wedding? no, its the one about drug addiction.

snickersnack · 02/05/2009 09:37

I do find The Richard and Judy Book Club recommendations quite good, or the Galaxy book club list. The literary snob in me wants to seek out a little known novel by a tortured Hungarian, but the bit of me that likes a good read thinks that this can often be a bit dull.

Original poster
jambutty · 02/05/2009 10:53

Rachel's Holiday - yes, I read it. Snickersnack, pmsl @ the "little known novel by a tortured Hungarian" - that's me (not the tortured Hungarian, obviously)!

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Original poster
jambutty · 02/05/2009 14:14

Have also read and enjoyed Colin Bateman books a long time ago. And John Healy.

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pollywobbledoodle · 02/05/2009 14:53

thirteenth tale -diane setterfield was a page turner....writer who has never spoken truthfully of her past life invites someone to be her biographer and all is revealed....

first casualty of war ....ben elton also good.....police inspector sent to paschendale to investigate a murder (also chart throb....satirical take on x factor type shows)

margaret attwood...alias grace is superb as is a handmaids tale

elkiedee · 02/05/2009 15:35

Set in the past, very good read with a bit of real substance - Sarah Waters?

You might enjoy Christopher Brookmyre - social satire as crime fiction - I don't agree that his books are "chewing gum for the eyes", in fact, I'm a bit puzzled by the description - I enjoy books that I'd describe as brain candy but don't see Brookmyre in this category.

Helium · 02/05/2009 19:43

The Common Reader by Alan Bennet - sounds like you'll identify with the main character (!) and its funny, short sweet but really thought provoking.

girlandboy · 02/05/2009 19:51

Set in the past and is about a bit of time travel! - Diana Gabaldon, the 1st book in the series is "Cross Stitch". see Fantastic Fiction

Also Barbara Erskine - for instance "Lady of Hay" here

I love both these authors.

IwoulddoDrWho · 02/05/2009 19:51

The Brodie books by Kate Atkinson are very readable - forget the actual titles, bit someone will know. Not really social realism but that Brodie's quite gritty isn't he, in a Gene Hunt kind of way.

bluebump · 02/05/2009 19:53

I like all of the Phillipa Gregory books, they are very easy read novels but a great deal of them are based on Tudor history/historical people - she wrote The Boleyn Girl that they based the film on.

I also like Adele Parks for chick lit, they aren't as fluffy as a lot of other ones. Marian Keyes is great for humour. I also like a bit of Penny Vincenzi but i'm not sure I should admit to that!

I do like Zadie Smith, I liked the Autograph Man and White Teeth but gave up half way when reading On Beauty. I liked Brick Lane too which was mentioned by someone above.

I love Alex Garland's The Beach, it is one of my faves, i've read it lots of times, the film was pants.