Wednesday 22 August 2012

Five decent books I've recently read

I've found the best way to find new reads is by looking at other peoples reading lists and basically doing shout outs. So I thought I'd take the time to tell you some of the better reads I've been storming through lately. In order to help everyone out make sure to leave you're own recommendations in the comments!


I recently went through a bit of a thing of trying to always pick up one Agatha Christie book from the library on every trip. As a teenager she was one of my favourite authors but I haven't touched her since and The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side was a great reintroduction featuring the nosey Ms Maple. Don't expect gruesome murders or horror filled grime just a tale of murder and intrigue. Going on from the murder theme I've really got into noir novels through reading The Black Dahlia which came from a similar book theme on Dainty Desires. Set in 1940s Hollywood it's based on a true story, while the beginning was slow it's certainly worth sticking with as you untangle the mystery and the depths a murder can take upon those trying to solve the crime.


Jane Green is a more contemporary women's writer rather then calling her books chic lit and there's more to her histories then just a love story. The Beach House tells the story of characters male and female coming together at confusing and challenging times in their lives, all brought together under a house by the beach that is itself struggling to keep up with time. Sophie Kinsella is my favourite chic lit writer - she always makes me laugh and her books are always great page turners. I've Got Your Number is an adventure into the life of a girl who lost her own phone and picked up one left by someone else and is left with the consequences of peeking into someone else's world while trying to deal with her own wedding dilemmas. Twenties Girl, also by Kinsella is another great read and certainly a tear jerker.


I don't think you particularly need to a fan of science fiction to enjoy H.G Well's novels. As a fan of War of the Worlds [yes that was originally a book not a lame Tom Cruise film] I've always been one for branching out and reading his other work [Ann Veronica being a particular favourite]. While it's somewhat of it's time The Invisible Man a tale of a society coming to terms with the shock and horror such a creation and what it allows him to do.

If you really are into your reading and you're not signed up already I would really recommend joining the Good Reads website. Not only can you create virtual shelves of the books you have to read, read or currently reading, its great at recommending you books you might like on how you rate the books you've enjoyed. I've found it really invaluable to finding books I might not necessarily have considered.

What have been your great reads lately?

14 comments:

  1. I will definitely put these books on my "Must Read" list. =)

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  2. World of the Wars is also one of my husbands favorite books. I really like the 1957 film. My siblings and I used to watch it a lot as kids. I saw The Invisible Man film from the 1930s. I really liked it. It help up pretty well 80 years later.
    I'm trying to finish Bram Stoker's Dracula. I have been for months. I tend to read more during the winter. I do have a few favorite books I fall back to for a quick read.

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  3. Great tips, I'm always intrigued to see what other people are reading :)

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  4. This was really helpful, I think I'll try one or two. I'll have a look at the website too :) x

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  5. I need some new books to read so will check these out. I've jsut read one called Glass Geishas which was fab!

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  6. I loved Ann Veronica, she was truly a modern girl.

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  7. I will have to add all of those to my list. I had Invisible Man already on there because another friend recommended it. Have you read The Book Thief, The 13th Tale, or State of Wonder? Those would be my book tips for you if you haven't. All very good.

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  8. Nice selection! Thanks for the site link, I'm forever mentally listing books I want to read then promptly forgetting them all when I get to the library.

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  9. Great selection! I do love a fluffy Kinsella book sometimes.
    I've just finished The Mesmerist by Barbara Ewing, and I'd really recommend it!
    xx

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  10. Sophie Kinsella is my favourite chick lit writer too! I will read anything she writes, I look forward to her new book releases and pick them up as soon as possible. I've read some Jane Green as well and enjoyed it. I have read a lot of 'heavy' books lately, so I'm thinking I need to find a good book by someone like Green, I should pick up the Beach House!

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  11. The Black Dahlia sounds excellent, thank you for the recommendation. I do love Sophie Kinsella's books too, but my favourite chic lit author is Jennifer Weiner. Just read Goodnight Nobody and Fly Away home...perfect to curl up and read after a long day.

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  12. I LOVE Agatha Christie! I read all her novels when I was about 13/14 and have been thinking about re-reading them :)
    The best book I've read recently was Labyrinth by Kate Mosse, really good read.
    This is a fab idea for a post, thanks for the recommendations :)

    xo

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  13. Sophie Kinsella & Agatha Christie? Damn, I love you! The Mirror Crack'd is a fantastic story!xo

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  14. i really need to read that h.g. wells book.

    <3 katherine
    of corgis and cocktails // current giveaway

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