Best book you read this year?

A Terrible Kindness and Lessons in Chemistry.. I’ve almost finished Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I was sure I had read it already. So pleased I found it.

NotSpaghetti

Just read Bridge of Clay by Marcus Zusak.

Beautiful, tough, haunting, generous, rugged and lyrical.
Wish it wasn't over.

Agree with this. Really enjoyed it.

Needing some amusing reading as my tiny brain felt unable to cope with a serious challenge this month, I have thoroughly enjoyed the 'Constable Twitten' series by Lynne Truss. The plots are well constructed, the characters beautifully drawn, and the dialogue is what you might expect from her droll pen. The four books cover the summer months in Brighton, in 1957.

I absolutely loved Demon Copperhead, it was desperately sad, a bit grim but with laugh out loud humour. It encompassed everything I like in a book and felt it would definitely be a contender for the Booker.

I was shocked it didn’t even make the long list.

Maytime2
I didn’t finish Shrines of gaity or the marriage one. Previously favourite authors have been disappointing

Where The Crawdads sing By Delia Owens

Demon Copperhead by far the best so far. So clever

Iam64

I still have Demon Copperhead by my bed. Bereavement seems to be limiting my ability to concentrate. I’m still on Ellie Griffiths, easy reading.

I was exactly the same, Iam. It took a year for me to regain full concentration but reading Elly Griffiths’ Brighton mysteries in the garden last summer got me back on track.

Baggs

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey.

I too read this a few years ago. Magical and ethereal and very unsettling.

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey.

Demon Copperhead is definitely my book of the year I just wish there were more books like that, one that you were sorry to finish reading.
I was disappointed with Shrines of Gaiety, far too many characters that were not developed, and was also did not like the Marriage Potrait, I did not think it was one of Maggie O'Farrel's best.

I’m currently reading ‘Dear Life’ by Rachel Clarke. I think it was recommended on Gransnet. It is an emotive and thought provoking read, written by a journalist who changes career to become a palliative care doctor.

This year amongst others, I have enjoyed reading Lessons by Ian McEwan, The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn and best of all, The Romantic by William Boyd.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Not new - it was published in the mid 90s - but so prophetic and relevant to today. You might think Covid was a global disaster: this goes much further. But ultimately it's a story of human resilience and hope. I loved it.

Anything written by Patrick Gale.

I had made a pact with myself, no new books until I had read all in the TBR pile, but after seeing the recommendations for Demon Copperhead I caved in
And I am so very pleased I did, Wow! What a book!
I finished reading on Sunday and I'm still thinking about it
I am a Barbara Kingsolver fan, this is the best one yet, brilliant
Thank you so so much for the recommendation

Lessons in Chemistry was a great read - something quite different.

MrsKen33

The Hearts invisible Furies by John Doyle. About a young boy who realises he is gay. Not a subject I knew much about or really wanted too. But I found it so engrossing and compassionate. Great writing

MrsKen that was a book I completely fell in love with when I read it a couple of years ago. Every so often a book comes along that is very special, not too often, otherwise they wouldn't have that quality that makes us feel quite bereft when we finish it, The Hearts Invisible Furies was definitely one of those for me, can't remember the year I read it in, but that would have been my book of the year back then.

Iam

Thanks urmston.

Iam64

I still have Demon Copperhead by my bed. Bereavement seems to be limiting my ability to concentrate. I’m still on Ellie Griffiths, easy reading.

💐 for you Iam. Baby steps. x

The Dark Yorkshire series, by J M Dalgliesh, I’ve read books 1-3, 4-6 await me.

Iam64

I still have Demon Copperhead by my bed. Bereavement seems to be limiting my ability to concentrate. I’m still on Ellie Griffiths, easy reading.

Same as me Iam64. A friend gave me 4 books in the Ruth Galloway series of Ellie Griffiths. I love that they are set in Norfolk but they are not in order so hard to follow lives of characters but as you say easy reading.

But favourite book this year was Lessons in Chemistry

I still have Demon Copperhead by my bed. Bereavement seems to be limiting my ability to concentrate. I’m still on Ellie Griffiths, easy reading.

Seems I must find Demon Copperhead. I do like a good book. I’m just starting Songbirds today can’t wait.

The Hearts invisible Furies by John Doyle. About a young boy who realises he is gay. Not a subject I knew much about or really wanted too. But I found it so engrossing and compassionate. Great writing