A book you really enjoyed over the last two years.

I recently went into our local (12 miles away) library for the first time in many years while I was waiting for a bus. I picked up Nadiya Hussain's novel The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters and really enjoyed it.

“Hungry” by Grace Dent the well known food critic.

Amazingly she was brought up on tinned food, chips and what her family called “sketty”.

Alongside outlining the story of how she managed to become a food critic and TV personality it tells of her Dad’s decline into dementia.

If I am allowed one more it would have to be

The Little Girl in the Radiator by Martin Slevin

True story of his Irish Mum’s journey into dementia but it is funny, moving and so like my Mum’s journey that I could have written parts of it myself!

I recently read Alice Walker's "The Color Purple" and adored it! The people and their hardships captivated me, and the story stayed with me long after I completed the book. The writing was lovely and vivid, and I would recommend it to anyone searching for a book that is emotionally compelling.

Whitewavemark2

“All the Light We Cannot See”

Anthony Doerr

Beautifully written, a book that will capture and enthral

One of my favourite books. Also another vote for Where the Crawdads Sing

Reading Hagseed by Margaret Attwood, which I am really enjoying

Dempie55. Thank you for recommending ‘A Terrible Kindness’. I have just finished reading it; such a beautiful book.

Hungry by Grace Dent
The Silence of the Girls Pat Barker.

I loved "Exile" by Jane Harper, and "The Paper Palace" by Miranda Cowley Heller.

Liamjaik

I recently read Alice Walker's "The Color Purple" and adored it! The people and their hardships captivated me, and the story stayed with me long after I completed the book. The writing was lovely and vivid, and I would recommend it to anyone searching for a book that is emotionally compelling.

Now a wonderful film, and you are so right about the book.

The Island of Missing Trees.
Elif Shafak.
The island is Cyprus. A wonderful love story and so much more, don't want to give anything else away.

Nana3 my mum was a Greek Cypriot so the book resonated with me. The superstitions and customs are spot on, they’re the same whether you are Greek or Turkish.

1summer

I have just downloaded 4 books on my Kindle for my holiday. They were recommended by a friend who runs a book club and said these were really liked.
The Salt Path
Lessons in Chemistry
The Book of Lost Names
The Vanishing of Margaret Small

I read the last 3, all were excellent especially Lessons in Chemistry would really recommend.

Haven’t read The Salt Path yet.

Lessons in Chemistry is a great read

Oh dear. My book group didn't like Lessons in Chemistry or The Salt Path. We found The Salt Path very irritating with what seemed stupid decisions the couple took.

Good thing we all have different tastes.

What didn’t your group like about Lessons in Chemistry, sparklefizz?

The Book of Lost Names
I'm about a third of the way through that lsummer 🙂

Iam64

What didn’t your group like about Lessons in Chemistry, sparklefizz?

One person said it "droned on".

Sparklefizz

I loved "Exile" by Jane Harper, and "The Paper Palace" by Miranda Cowley Heller.

I do like Jane Harper books.

The Dry
Force of Nature
The Lost Man

This is my very favourite at the moment. A good read.

Where the Crawdads Sing
Still Life
The Book Thief
Little Life
Sugie Baine

The Secret Rooms by Catherine Bailey. It isn't a novel but very readable.

This series of books by Stephanie Austin, whom I happen to know personally, are easy reading but with believable characters and a well woven plot. Recommended. Most are available in paperback or from libraries, I believe.

www.stephanieaustin.co.uk

Dust Child about the aftermath in Vietnam after the Americans withdrew.
Queens of the Crusades by Alison Weir
Cecily by Annie Garthwaite .... Ceciley Neville and the beginning of the Cousins' war.

I didn't like The Salt Path - nowhere near as good as

500 Mile Walkies by Mark Wallington - walking the coast path with a Dog

Hunting Unicorns by Bella Pollen is fun.

I am terribly old fashioned in my taste and have loved Island Magic by Elizabeth Goudge and The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher. I think what I love about both there writers is their ability to capture atmospheres and descriptive narrative.

The Last Time We Met by Anita Shreve. A writer that I haven’t read before, but on a Gransnet recommendation decided to try. Her style of writing took me a while to get used to, but it was worth it.
The other book which stands out is The Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyne. It’s the second time I’ve read it and I enjoyed it just as much. It’s our Book Club’s book this month and it will be interesting to hear what the others think of it.