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Books/book club

Authors you want to shout about

(230 Posts)
NellG Tue 16-Feb-21 13:04:05

Have you ever read book so good you can't understand why it's not a bestseller? Yet when you mention it no one ( or very few) has/have heard of either the book or the author. My current favourite is Jess Kidd, she's absolutely brilliant, she reminds me of Kate Atkinson, Diane Setterfield and Edna O'Brien all rolled up into accessible, beautifully written, readable fiction.

lolarabbit Wed 17-Feb-21 11:36:58

So many authors I love have been mentioned here and I've added a few new ones to my wish list for when I have made a bit more impact on my 'waiting to be read' pile.
Don't think she has been mentioned so far, but I think fans of Ann Tyler would also like Ann Patchett - I've read and enjoyed both The Dutch House and The Committments this year.
I really enjoy Alexander McCall Smith for calming, easy to read books to intersperse with heavier times. Does anyone have recommendations for books in similar vein?

Lizzie44 Wed 17-Feb-21 11:25:27

Colm Toibin is a wonderful writer who captures small town Ireland. I loved his "Brooklyn" (the film is a great adaptation of the book). "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles is brilliantly original. I loved "The Dutch House" by the American author Ann Patchett (interesting characters and family dynamics) but was less keen on her "Bel Canto" and "Commonwealth".

pamdixon Wed 17-Feb-21 11:21:25

I agree with all the people who love JoJo Moyes. If you want 'comfort food' books, try Katie Fforde. Always a joy to read! I've just finished Richard Osman's book and really enjoyed it - sorry rowyn didn't but all my friends who've read it enjoyed it too! I've always loved Maeve Binchy too.

tictacnana Wed 17-Feb-21 11:19:45

My absolute favourite is The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tay. It was written a long time ago and she didn’t write many novels. I’ve read most of them but this is her best.

Sara1954 Wed 17-Feb-21 11:17:45

Applegran
I’m very much with you on George Elliot, read The Mill on the Floss when I was very young, and really love the other ones you’ve mentioned, I think Adam Bede is hugely underrated, and Middlemarch would be in my top ten ever.

I’m happy some of you enjoyed The Miniaturist, but obviously not everyones cup of tea.

Paperbackwriter Wed 17-Feb-21 11:14:47

Ealdemodor

Laurie Graham has written some brilliant books.

She certainly has! But I went to the launch of her last one (title I can't recall but it's about a medical practice) and she said she'd had to self-publish it as she couldn't get a new contract. I was horrified - she is SUCH a fabulous writer. I guess she's hard to pigeonhole though, and I know publishers these days like that. Her books are very different from each other. Some are rom-coms (one of my favourites is Perfect Meringues), others historical (A Humble Companion) and then there's wondrous things like The Future Home-Makers of America. I'll stop now - I'm going on like the total fan-girl that I am.

Romola Wed 17-Feb-21 11:14:09

For those who like spy stories, my DH and I have really enjoyed Mick Herron's quirky "Slow Horses" series. The characters and situations are fairly whacky and there are plenty of twists. John le Carré it ain't, but great entertainment.

holcott48 Wed 17-Feb-21 11:13:02

Oh and Susan Grossey's books too.

holcott48 Wed 17-Feb-21 11:11:57

These all sound interesting; I have put some onto my To-Read list, thank you. I would recommend "None Stood Taller" by Peter Turnham if you like romance, humour, excitement, WWII well-researched fiction; but I would --- family! But the amount of sales and KUP reads just don't lie!

NellG Wed 17-Feb-21 11:08:58

Another series I enjoyed which is a bit different are by CJ Box. About a forest ranger in Wyoming. Crime, but with a fresh perspective because of the setting and protagonists.

Applegran - can't beat a classic!

NellG Wed 17-Feb-21 11:05:21

rowyn You're not the only one who feels mislead over that particular book. Unfortunately celebs are good for the money shot, so publishers tend to over enthuse I think.

Great suggestions for some new (to me) authors here.

For those who like crime set in the UK and who like a bit of a literary slant Sarah Hillary is very good.

GrammarGrandma Wed 17-Feb-21 11:02:17

Well, there you are - I did not think the Miniaturist was good (which, btw, is different from liking it) and I adore A Gentleman in Moscow. The latest Setterfield, Once upon a River, is wonderful.

chazwin Wed 17-Feb-21 11:02:09

If you like Science Fiction, I am loving Allen Steele's "Coyote" series.

Applegran Wed 17-Feb-21 11:01:49

And of course I should have added George Elliot especially The Mill on the Floss, Middlemarch, Silas Marner and Adam Bede. She was an amazing woman living a very unconventional life in a society very bound by social rules.

Caragran Wed 17-Feb-21 11:01:19

JoJo Moyes. Her books are brilliant

Applegran Wed 17-Feb-21 10:58:31

There are so many truly great books from the 19th century and I enjoy reading or re-reading many of those - different in style from modern books of course, and may need a bit more focus, but I enjoy that. Jane Austen goes without saying - but also Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte), and the marvellous Elizabeth Gaskell - I have no idea why she isn't as famous as Jane and Charlotte. I strongly recommend 'North and South' and 'Wives and Daughters".

kathw12 Wed 17-Feb-21 10:55:46

Absolutely loved The Miniaturist! I really like Mitch Albom books although he’s not a prolific writer I will pick up anything he writes. He writes unusual books which are difficult to describe they are a bit supernaturally! Five people u meet in Heaven is fab! I love having other people suggest authors and books so thank you everyone! My DH doesn’t read so I’ve no one to discuss them with ? x

Loobs Wed 17-Feb-21 10:54:20

I love Della Galton books - at the moment there are several free on Amazon (Kindle) or Kindle unlimited. My favourite is Ice and a Slice and then the following book, The Morning after the Life before.

Annma Wed 17-Feb-21 10:53:08

Just got into the Mick Herron Slough House series . They are modern spy thrillers with a sense of humour. They are really good and well recommended.

rowyn Wed 17-Feb-21 10:52:27

This is the opposite of what you are asking for, but a good chance to have a rant! I'm currently reading Richard Osman's so called murder mystery and finding it annoyingly written in the style of storytelling for 5 year olds. There is no characterisation or flow. Every time I pick it up I have to go back a few pages to remind me what is happening.

It just confirms my antipathy to any novels written by so - called celebrities. Suspect half are ghost written and the other half are only published because they are well known and their fans will buy.

The Osman book cover is splattered with other celebrities' gushing recommendations, none of which are upheld by the actual story, as far as I can see, and presumably are written on a "you scratch my back and .......... ! basis. I doubt very much that the same book sent in by an unknown would get beyond the first reading.

I should add that I didn't buy it, - it was a gift. Am I the only curmudgeon or do others agree with me?

storey49 Wed 17-Feb-21 10:51:05

I have really enjoyed books by Simon McCleave, the Ruth Hunter series is absolutely riveting. I am also a fan of the following authors =Celina Grace, Fiona Grace, Soloman Carter, Adam Croft, JD Dalgleish, Joy Ellis. To name a few, they are mainly murder mysteries.

KentEssex Wed 17-Feb-21 10:46:49

Loved reading The Miniaturist and enjoyed meeting Jessica Burton when she came to our library for a chat. Took lots of photos and now keep an eye out for her new titles.

Ealdemodor Wed 17-Feb-21 10:03:29

Laurie Graham has written some brilliant books.

Nannarose Wed 17-Feb-21 08:40:51

blossom14 - if you liked Kinsey Milhone, I would definitely try the Sharon McCone books (with the caveat above)
NellG - have you tried any of Laurie R. King's books? I love her Kate Martinelli series (also San Francisco). I know Val McDermid rates them.
I enjoyed the first few of her Mary Russell books, but they began to suffer from 'long running series' syndrome. But the first few are a joy.

blossom14 Tue 16-Feb-21 19:15:09

I miss Sue Grafton followed her series for about 20 years.
With Ian Rankin I always feel i can settle down and relax into his novels.