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Have you read any good books lately?

(105 Posts)
Bumface Wed 17-Apr-24 08:37:45

Do you have favourite authors? Do you have favourite genres?
What is your definition of a good book? What are you reading at the moment? Do you read the book first before watching the film? I am always on the lookout for books to enjoy. Please share your thoughts.

bookaddict Sun 21-Apr-24 03:26:21

A couple of good reads I have enjoyed and would recommend would be The Belle Fields and its sequel Ashes of Roses by Lora Adams. Well written, very descriptive, quite a few 'surprises' and totally unexpected end to the first book, couldn't wait for the sequel Ashes of Roses to see how everything turned out!

JennyCee Sat 20-Apr-24 22:34:10

“All The Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr.
Wonderful book, possibly the best I’ve ever read, and i read a lot! It’s top heavy with reviews from quality newspapers from both sides of the Atlantic, and totally deserved.

aggie Sat 20-Apr-24 22:26:16

Bumping to take the spammer down the list

fluttERBY123 Sat 20-Apr-24 21:41:48

Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead.

Liz46 Sat 20-Apr-24 19:46:39

Another one here who likes Lesley Pearse.

At the moment I am reading The Plot by Nadine Dorries. It is about the political assassination of Boris Johnson and is quite shocking.

grannybuy Sat 20-Apr-24 19:31:14

Yes, Grammargrandma, it was indeed harrowing at times. Life in the trenches was horrendous.

mulberry7 Sat 20-Apr-24 19:02:44

I loved Dorothy Whipple, novels and short stories, Richmal Crompton's adult novels, Elixabeth Taylor, a lot of DE Stevenson, EH Young's 'Miss Mole', Elizabeth Von Arnim, a lot of George Gissing.

bibibetti Sat 20-Apr-24 18:19:32

I agree Ann Tyler’s books are all good another good author I have read lately is Ann Prachett

bibibetti Sat 20-Apr-24 18:17:51

I agree Ann Tyler’s books all good another good author I have read lately is Ann Prachet

Trouble Sat 20-Apr-24 18:01:35

@lovesbach I like Anthony Horowitz too.

I just finished reading Strange Sally Diamond which definitely stayed with me afterwards.

Lovemylife Sat 20-Apr-24 17:55:54

Have you read The Dressmakers of Auschwitz? Non fiction.

Susieq62 Sat 20-Apr-24 17:46:04

Anything by John Boyne or Kate Atkinson
Just finished Pachinko by Min Jin Lee which I really enjoyed
My two book groups keep me busy with lots of genres

GrammarGrandma Sat 20-Apr-24 17:44:20

grannybuy I've just read In Memoriam too and it's by Alice Winn. Very good. A gay romance set in WW1 so some heartbreaking parts. I would also very much recommend This is Happiness by Niall Williams. Wishy-washy title but a beautifully written novel set in rural Ireland at the time the electricity came. Light-hearted Sheean Wilkinson'sd Mrs Hart's Marriage Bureau and Julia Jarman's The Widows' Wine Club.

Applegran Sat 20-Apr-24 17:43:00

Ann Patchet is a very good writer, and I like Barbara Kingsolver - especially 'The Poisonwood Bible' which took me a while to get into, but so well worth it. Jane Austen goes on for ever! Elizabeth Strout, "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" (can't remember the author) is very good, there are so many great novelists around!

mrswoo Sat 20-Apr-24 17:08:20

I've probably said it before but it's worth saying again Still Life by Sarah Winman is, in my opinion, a lovely book.

Lizzie44 Sat 20-Apr-24 16:19:20

Highly recommend "The Dictionary of Lost Words" by Pip Williams. Must-read historical fiction set in Oxford for anyone who loves books and words. Good characters and interesting historical background including WWI and women's suffrage. Also, follow up book by by the same author "The Bookbinder of Jericho".

Eil4 Sat 20-Apr-24 16:08:48

Totally agree about Ann Tyler, I’m always looking out for her latest.

Jam108 Sat 20-Apr-24 15:49:30

Mick Herron - Slow Horses series - excellent read - spy genre with a twist

focused1 Sat 20-Apr-24 14:35:29

Love Stephen King . Currently reading 'Holly ' . He never disappoints unlike some authors who bring out one amazing book then their others are dull . This has complex characters and although the reader knows whoz dun it I can't fathom out how Holly the investigator is ever going to find a demure elderly couple . A real page turner .

grannybuy Sat 20-Apr-24 14:28:26

I’d recommend Anne Tyler as well. Also Douglas Kennedy. Just finished a book that I received as a gift - In Memorium. It’s a debut novel by Alison ( I think ) Winn. Gave it to DD, so can’t now check the name.

annifrance Sat 20-Apr-24 14:19:56

Anything by the late Lucinda Riley. Loved West with Giraffes, and my book group all enjoyed after i recommended it.

GrammaH Sat 20-Apr-24 14:00:29

Ive just read The Secret Couple by J S Larke, a psychological thriller. It was riveting, I couldn't put it down. So cleverly written & it really kept you guessing. I recently enjoyed Rob Rinder's debut novel and I've read both of Richard Coles' novels. The latter are very droll and, knowing what life is like in a rural parish, I can say he's captured it exactly. I even know some of the characters...! Far, far better than I'd anticipated, a very good read

teachkate Sat 20-Apr-24 13:51:20

I’m an avid reader - I’ve read a lot of the suggestions already made.
Recently I’ve just completed The Road by Cormac McCarthy, I can honestly say it’s one of the most profound thought provoking books I have ever read.
I know I will read this book again but I need a little while to recover from it! Very relevant in the current climate

LucyAnna Sat 20-Apr-24 13:44:24

DeeAitch56

I’ve just finished the last book of the Forensic Genealogist Series of books (9 books) by Nathan Dylan Goodwin which I’ve really enjoyed. I’m now looking for a new author to ‘get into’
Crime/mystery - not too overly gory

I’ve just read 4 books by JohnFairfax, who used to be a barrister.

DeeAitch56 Sat 20-Apr-24 13:06:27

Barbadosbelle

.

I love all the Bosch and Mickey Haller books by Michael Connolly.

I’ve been reading them for decades and like that the main characters age in real life. Have also read the new series he’s started featuring Renee Ballard which are also great. His real experience as a Newspaper Crime Reporter adds to the accuracy of his writing.

I got rid of all my dog-eared paperbacks about a year ago and so I’m replacing them on Kindle. I didn’t like the Kindle machine itself as I found the pages too small and easily turned with the slightest touch. Somehow, found out, don’t know how that if I ordered on my AmazonPrime account on my iPad then the books came through on that. Great. Larger page and not so sensitive.

Every week AmzP send an email of books ‘that I might like’ on special offer. There’s nearly always a Michael Connolly amongst them so I’m rebuilding my collection and rereading my favourites.

I very much enjoy the ‘Bosch’ television series on AmazonPrime, it’s fabulous. Also ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ on Netflix - although I don’t think the overall production quality is as good as the ‘Bosch’ series (but the actors are first rate).

I was delighted to read that the Renee Ballard books are also being dramatised by AmazonPrime and that the cast has been chosen and filming starts in July.

Highly recommend the books if you (a) enjoy American legal and police procedural storylines or (b) have enjoyed the film adaptations.

..

If you go into your Amazon account and locate devices you can send a copy of your purchases to any of your registered devices, so you don’t need to buy them again to put on your iPad/tablet etc