Listmania!
My top enjoyable books
The Kite RunnerThe Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Buy new: £4.99 / Used from: £0.01
Breath taking and important. My 15 year old daughter loved it too.
The Secret Life of BeesThe Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Buy new: £4.96 / Used from: £1.13
This book is a real joy. Buy it and lose yourself in it for a day or two.
Life of PiLife of Pi by Yann Martel
Buy new: £5.40 / Used from: £0.01
Didn't buy this one for ages as I thought it sounded too bizarre, but it is engrossing, thought provoking and wonderful. I'm waiting a year or two and going to read it again.
The Swimming Pool SeasonThe Swimming Pool Season by Rose Tremain
Buy new: £5.00 / Used from: £0.94
This reminds me of driving through France. It is a real jewel and quite unlike her other novels.
Cider House Rules - The NovelCider House Rules - The Novel by John Irving
Buy new: £6.72 / Used from: £0.01
Couldn't decide whether to include this or Garp..... Garp would have won when I was twenty, but now I'm 40 I'll choose this. If you've not read him, then start with this and read them all!
A Painted HouseA Painted House by John Grisham
Buy new: £5.86 / Used from: £0.01
I love the new direction John Grisham is moving in. Quite different from the legal thrillers. He is a very fine writer.
I Capture the Castle (Vintage Classics)I Capture the Castle (Vintage Classics) by Dodie Smith
Buy new: £5.96 / Used from: £0.01
Evocative coming of age novel, makes me want to be 18 again
The Greengage SummerThe Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden
Buy used from: £0.01
Also a coming of age book, but I loved Rumer Godden as a child. Everything she writes is calm, serene and with such atmosphere
BirdsongBirdsong by Sebastian Faulks
Buy new: £4.80 / Used from: £0.01
Emotionally exhausting, huge achievement WW1 novel, but read with lump in throat...
The Memory Keeper's DaughterThe Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
Buy new: £4.72 / Used from: £0.01
Absorbing reading
The History of LoveThe History of Love by Nicole Krauss
Buy new: £6.36 / Used from: £0.01
First time I tried I couldn't get into it.... Then I tried again and loved it. Unusual and wonderful.
We Need To Talk About Kevin (Five Star Paperback)We Need To Talk About Kevin (Five Star Paperback) by Lionel Shriver
Buy new: £4.76 / Used from: £0.01
Creepy but essential reading for any parent
A Short History of Tractors in UkrainianA Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka
Buy new: £4.45 / Used from: £0.01
Surprisingly enjoyable. Read with ukrainian accent!
SaturdaySaturday by Ian McEwan
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £0.01
Am often in two minds about McEwan, but this is perfect.
Rebecca (Virago modern classics)Rebecca (Virago modern classics) by Daphne Du Maurier
Buy new: £5.00 / Used from: £1.66
Rebecca will never date. So eloquent, it's wonderful to read out loud.
The Lovely BonesThe Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Buy new: £3.86 / Used from: £0.01
Super sad spiritual book
The Life and Loves of a She-devilThe Life and Loves of a She-devil by Fay Weldon
Buy new: £5.07 / Used from: £0.01
Now we're going down memory lane - I used to love Fay Weldon, don't know if shes dated! But she has a great way of writing.
The Dice ManThe Dice Man by Luke Rhinehart
Buy new: £5.00 / Used from: £0.01
CULT Classic - has everyone read it? If not just read it.
The Fountainhead (Penguin Modern Classics)The Fountainhead (Penguin Modern Classics) by Ayn Rand
Buy new: £6.96 / Used from: £4.37
If you're into Architecture - read this thriller. If you ARE an architect you'll know it already.
Star of the MorningStar of the Morning by Pamela Jooste
Buy new: £9.89 / Used from: £0.01
I loved Ruby, wonderful book set in Capetown against a background of apartheid.
The Moro CookbookThe Moro Cookbook by Samantha Clark
Buy new: £11.35 / Used from: £8.49
My favourite Food-Porn!