Woodpigeon

Finally finished the book I was reading yesterday (The Painted Caves, final installment of Jean M Auel's Earth's Children series ), so as I was passing the library at lunchtime today I thought I'd pop in and grab myself something to read.

But, typically, none of the books on my want to read list were available, and the books that were there from my hit list of authors were all ones I've read before. I didn't have time to browse the shelves to see what caught my imagination so I thought I'd come home and ask for recommendations in here

I have a fairly eclectic taste in books; my usual genres are historic, sci-fi/fantasy, historic action, crime/detective novels. My current favourite authors in these areas are Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, Philippa Gregory, Terry Pratchet, Anne MacCaffery, Bernard Cornwall, Colin Dexter, Dan Brown.... but I'm open to trying something new.

So please share your recommendations cos I can't get to sleep at night until I've read a chapter or so of a gripping novel

Am Loolah

I'm afraid I have completely different tastes in books to you. But two that are absolutely gripping, although both quite hard to get in to (but well worth the effort) are;

Lionel Schriver - We Need To Talk About Kevin

Kerri Hulme - The Bone People

You can find reviews on Amazon.

Woodlea

Oh no not the Bone People! I've tried that but couldn't do it.
How about John Grisham, the Painted House, not his normal lawyer stuff as it is actually about his early years, thoroughly recommend it, a really good read...

j19fmm

How about Kate Atkinson? 3 books about Jackson Brodie ex cop turned PI. I really enjoyed them. Case Histories, One Good Turn, When Will There Be Good News.
Tried a couple of her earlier ones but not so happy with them.
BBC are doing Case Histories starting this Sunday, hope it's as good as the book x

Lejamez

I've just read the Lee Childs series with Jack Reacher as the main character - Killing Floor is the first one (of loads) - really good thrillers. I didn't read them in order but don't think that it mattered too much.

Also Philip Pulaman's 'His Dark Materials' is very good - just three books - the film Golden Compass was based on the first one.

Happy hunting, I too need to read a good few chapters before sleeping

Genesis

Charlie Owen. A trilogy plus one (what is 4 books called?).

It was recommended to me on this site. Its fiction all about a police station and its staff (very disfunctional) in the 1970s and their antics. You need to get them in the correct order. Written by an ex cop, black humour at its best IMO.

Also just now am reading Alan Sugar's autobiography..a great read. Called 'What you see is what you get'.

Tom Sharpe was a great read too. Very funny stuff. I also enjoyed Bonfire of the vanaties..Tom Wolfe I think was the author..it did not work so well on the silver screen.

Tray

.... but I'm open to trying something new......try 'Toast' by Nigel Slater then, a delicious read

Persephone

WP, you ever read any Jasper Fforde? Quite surreal but inventive, closest category I can put him in is fantasy/ sci fi. Surreal would probably be a better choice though!

Start with the Thursday Next books- The Eyre Affair is the first in the series. It helps if you know Jane Eyre in that it reinforces the whole concept of the book but it is by no means essential.

I'm going through a historical phase: currently reading a book on Pol Pot, not exactly light bedtime reading

scrubbedexpat094

I've just recently finished "Moab is my washpot" & the "Fry Chronicles", Stephen Fry's autobiographies. Very interesting read.

For me, you can't beat a good murder, so I love most things by Ian Rankin, Peter James, Michael Connelly & Lynda La Plante. I used to like John Grisham & Patricia Cornwell but I think they've both lost their way in the last few years. A friend recently introduced me to Tami Hoag & she writes great books too.

janeyk

David Baldacci, Mathew Reily, Bryce Courtney (The Potato Factory based on a true story of Ikey Solomon who Charles Dickens based Fagin on in Oliver Twist)
Jeffrey Deaver, Jeffrey Archers latest novels are pretty good too!

For a laugh Dawn French's biography its brilliant!

Woodpigeon

Wow! huge choice, thanks all I'll make up a list and see what I can find.

Currently reading all the British Women's Weekly etc mags and International Daily Express and local papers that mum brought with her/bought whilst she was here

DandJMay

I am going to force myself to get back into We need to talk about Kevin. Roll on the long weekend

Am Loolah

Trust me, it is WELL worth it, you'll be pleased you did.

BEVS

Would I like this?

I loved Bone People but then I would.

Rete

I love the Pendegast series of books by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. A friend gave me of the books and that started the obsession to read each and every one of them. Hubby loved them as well.