FabSwingers.com forum: Good books to read

By *ildatlantic OP Man
over a year ago

Donegal

We like going to second had book shops. What books would you recommend. Doesn't depend the type.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The Crossing Place by Philip Marsden

In Siberia by Colin Thubron

From The Holy Mountain by William Dalrymple

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Billy Connollys autobiography was a great read.

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By *cottybear74Man
over a year ago

kilkenny

Mythos and hero's two very good books by Stephen fry

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By *ungry CatCouple
over a year ago

Belfast

How not to be a dick - excellent book

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By *umpkinnMan
over a year ago

Dublin

56 days is supposed to be very good. I need to get around to reading it.

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By *umpingJackFlashMan
over a year ago

Anywhere

Any book about New York mafia, la cosa nostra. If your into that kind of reading.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

-The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck

-Ethical Slut

-Trejo

-The Storyteller

- Will

Those are ones that I've read over the past few months and really enjoyed.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Hunderad year old man who climbed out a window and disappeared.... So funny

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A confederacy of dunces

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By *rLunaMan
over a year ago

Belfast

Unsung hero, about polar explorer Tom Crean. Incredible read.

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By *ed just RedWoman
over a year ago

Dublin City

The Red Tent Anita Diamont

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By *ed just RedWoman
over a year ago

Dublin City

"Unsung hero, about polar explorer Tom Crean. Incredible read."

I’ve read so much about TomCrean. It’s all freaking unbelievably interesting

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By *cottybear74Man
over a year ago

kilkenny

Bella brum... The Italian community in brumingham, my great grandfather is in it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Old man and the Sea by Hemingway is a great novel, it's short and simple but beautiful.

I've also recently Rum Diary by Hunter S. Thompson and The house of God by Samuel Shem, both great reads.

But it does depend what you're looking for. I do love a good wander around a second hand bookstore myself, never know what you'll find

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By *rLunaMan
over a year ago

Belfast

Yeh, mind boggling what those men went through. The Documentary 'South' that was made by Frank Hurley in 1919 is showing in a small cinema in Belfast tomorrow. Got my tickets and cannot wait

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By *urFabFun21Couple
over a year ago

Somewhere

Enjoyed 11/22/63 by Stephen King recently. I don't normally enjoy sci-fi but something drew me into that and it didn't disappoint

The Street Lawyer by John Grisham was a good read too.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"A confederacy of dunces "

Thats brilliant????

My random selection

Borstal Boy

Longitude

The Glass Castle

The Secret Life of Bees

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By *ursecretmischiefCouple
over a year ago

The West

"Unsung hero, about polar explorer Tom Crean. Incredible read.

I’ve read so much about TomCrean. It’s all freaking unbelievably interesting "

I must read that, his life story is amazing really!

A book I couldnt leave down was "The Iceman, Richard Kuklinsky". Its an autobiography of sorts. HBO did documentaries on him. Irish mother, Polish father. He's the epitome of a psychopath!

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By *ubal1Man
over a year ago

Newry Down

"Unsung hero, about polar explorer Tom Crean. Incredible read.

I’ve read so much about TomCrean. It’s all freaking unbelievably interesting

I must read that, his life story is amazing really!

A book I couldnt leave down was "The Iceman, Richard Kuklinsky". Its an autobiography of sorts. HBO did documentaries on him. Irish mother, Polish father. He's the epitome of a psychopath!"

He was interviewed by Dr

Park Deitz; his Irish mother engaged in what is called intergenerational transmission: abusing her son Richard in the same way she herself had been abused. Richard was a profoundly damaged man who probably did not murder the number he claimed!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Anything by Jo Nesbo

Linwood Barclay if you like twists at the end

The Harry Bosch books by Michael Connelly

And for a classic To Kill a Mocking Bird

Also the Kate Mosse books are good too

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By *dfabMan
over a year ago

Dunboyne

"Enjoyed 11/22/63 by Stephen King recently. I don't normally enjoy sci-fi but something drew me into that and it didn't disappoint

The Street Lawyer by John Grisham was a good read too."

Well,in fairness, 11.22.63 is probably the least sci-fi time travel you could do. A fantastic read and it was also made into a TV series 8 episodes, which I'm nearly finished. James Franco and Chris Cooper in it and it's very close to the book, so worth getting, if you can

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By *dfabMan
over a year ago

Dunboyne

I'd recommend Rose Madder to you also, as it's a cross between thriller/horror (domestic) and a brilliant read. No ghosts/vampires or the like

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By *heMystroMan
over a year ago

Dublin

‘The hearts invisible furies’ by John Boyne.

It’s about growing up gay in Ireland in the 50’s and so so much more. hilariously funny deeply moving and one of the best I’ve ever read.

Then ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ and lastly ‘Shantaran’

All discussed at our Fab Book club meetings

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By *3nsesMan
over a year ago

Dublin

Ulysses by James Joyce.

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By *ateniteCouple
over a year ago

Youghal

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari.

Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer - there was a debate about the authenticity of the content, some claimed it was a fake account of the war on the Eastern Front, but it has since been proven to be real.

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By *eginaGWoman
over a year ago

This is Going to Hurt - Adam Kay

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By *hare liasonMan
over a year ago

north and south of Ireland

Barack Obama-Dreams of my Father.

Fantastic autobiography from before he entered the minefield of American Politics.

Def worth a read.

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By *homasxxx07Man
over a year ago

dublin

Shantaram !! Great read

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Shantaram !! Great read "

Yes! The sequel less so

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By *oo32Man
over a year ago

tipperary

"We like going to second had book shops. What books would you recommend. Doesn't depend the type."

The girl with the dragon tattoo

Anything sven hassel wrote

Game of thrones

The perfect lie

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I LOVE reading! Books that really impressed me recently: Dark Matter by Michelle Paver, its a horror set at the North Pole in full darkness, absolutely amazing read.

The Terror by Dan Simmons is a similar setting but is based on the true story of a polar expedition gone wrong.

I'm not sure what genre to classify it in (fantasy/magic realism?) but The Binding by Bridget Collins broke my heart and then put it back together.

The Glass Woman by Caroline Lea is a sort of gothic horror set during the witch hunts in Iceland in the 17th century, it also broke my heart.

If you like fantasy, the Realm of the Elderlings series by Robin Hobb is phenomenal, it's better than Game of Thrones and Wheel of Time.

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By *organ DeanWoman
over a year ago

Belfast

I like anything by Victoria Hislop and Sarah Waters.

Since coming back on fab I don't read as much as I used to, I need to fix that.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I like anything by Victoria Hislop and Sarah Waters.

Since coming back on fab I don't read as much as I used to, I need to fix that."

Whats your favourite Sarah Waters? I loved Fingersmith and The Little Stranger but The Paying Guests bored me to tears

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By *oo32Man
over a year ago

tipperary

"I LOVE reading! Books that really impressed me recently: Dark Matter by Michelle Paver, its a horror set at the North Pole in full darkness, absolutely amazing read.

The Terror by Dan Simmons is a similar setting but is based on the true story of a polar expedition gone wrong.

I'm not sure what genre to classify it in (fantasy/magic realism?) but The Binding by Bridget Collins broke my heart and then put it back together.

The Glass Woman by Caroline Lea is a sort of gothic horror set during the witch hunts in Iceland in the 17th century, it also broke my heart.

If you like fantasy, the Realm of the Elderlings series by Robin Hobb is phenomenal, it's better than Game of Thrones and Wheel of Time. "

I bought assasins apprentice on audible earlier

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I LOVE reading! Books that really impressed me recently: Dark Matter by Michelle Paver, its a horror set at the North Pole in full darkness, absolutely amazing read.

The Terror by Dan Simmons is a similar setting but is based on the true story of a polar expedition gone wrong.

I'm not sure what genre to classify it in (fantasy/magic realism?) but The Binding by Bridget Collins broke my heart and then put it back together.

The Glass Woman by Caroline Lea is a sort of gothic horror set during the witch hunts in Iceland in the 17th century, it also broke my heart.

If you like fantasy, the Realm of the Elderlings series by Robin Hobb is phenomenal, it's better than Game of Thrones and Wheel of Time.

I bought assasins apprentice on audible earlier"

I hope you enjoy it! I honestly can't describe how much I love those books. Some people complain that they're a bit slow, but I love the rich characters. You really go on a journey with them.

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By *oo32Man
over a year ago

tipperary

"I LOVE reading! Books that really impressed me recently: Dark Matter by Michelle Paver, its a horror set at the North Pole in full darkness, absolutely amazing read.

The Terror by Dan Simmons is a similar setting but is based on the true story of a polar expedition gone wrong.

I'm not sure what genre to classify it in (fantasy/magic realism?) but The Binding by Bridget Collins broke my heart and then put it back together.

The Glass Woman by Caroline Lea is a sort of gothic horror set during the witch hunts in Iceland in the 17th century, it also broke my heart.

If you like fantasy, the Realm of the Elderlings series by Robin Hobb is phenomenal, it's better than Game of Thrones and Wheel of Time.

I bought assasins apprentice on audible earlier

I hope you enjoy it! I honestly can't describe how much I love those books. Some people complain that they're a bit slow, but I love the rich characters. You really go on a journey with them."

I'll let ya know how I get on

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I LOVE reading! Books that really impressed me recently: Dark Matter by Michelle Paver, its a horror set at the North Pole in full darkness, absolutely amazing read.

The Terror by Dan Simmons is a similar setting but is based on the true story of a polar expedition gone wrong.

I'm not sure what genre to classify it in (fantasy/magic realism?) but The Binding by Bridget Collins broke my heart and then put it back together.

The Glass Woman by Caroline Lea is a sort of gothic horror set during the witch hunts in Iceland in the 17th century, it also broke my heart.

If you like fantasy, the Realm of the Elderlings series by Robin Hobb is phenomenal, it's better than Game of Thrones and Wheel of Time.

I bought assasins apprentice on audible earlier

I hope you enjoy it! I honestly can't describe how much I love those books. Some people complain that they're a bit slow, but I love the rich characters. You really go on a journey with them.

I'll let ya know how I get on"

Do! I have beautiful hardback first editions of the final trilogy proudly displayed on my shelf ha ha, I'd love to get them signed but Robin Hobb has said she's not leaving the US again

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By *jallMan
over a year ago

Cork/Sligo

Saltwater in the Blood- Easkey Britton

ThirtyTwo words for Fields - Manchan Magan

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By *jallMan
over a year ago

Cork/Sligo

"Saltwater in the Blood- Easkey Britton

ThirtyTwo words for Fields - Manchan Magan"

Field

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Saltwater in the Blood- Easkey Britton

ThirtyTwo words for Fields - Manchan Magan"

I love 32 Words for Field

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Saltwater in the Blood- Easkey Britton

ThirtyTwo words for Fields - Manchan Magan

I love 32 Words for Field

Manchan is great. I took a travel writing course with him once

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I LOVE reading! Books that really impressed me recently: Dark Matter by Michelle Paver, its a horror set at the North Pole in full darkness, absolutely amazing read.

The Terror by Dan Simmons is a similar setting but is based on the true story of a polar expedition gone wrong.

I'm not sure what genre to classify it in (fantasy/magic realism?) but The Binding by Bridget Collins broke my heart and then put it back together.

The Glass Woman by Caroline Lea is a sort of gothic horror set during the witch hunts in Iceland in the 17th century, it also broke my heart.

If you like fantasy, the Realm of the Elderlings series by Robin Hobb is phenomenal, it's better than Game of Thrones and Wheel of Time. "

Is Realm of Elderlings very long? I've read all Lord of the rings (all the prequel books too) and Game of Thrones. Wheel of Time took forever to get to the point but I've been looking for a new fantasy to get int, so just curious

I just want to avoid a Wheel of Time kinda Fantasy book lol

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By *organ DeanWoman
over a year ago

Belfast

"I like anything by Victoria Hislop and Sarah Waters.

Since coming back on fab I don't read as much as I used to, I need to fix that.

Whats your favourite Sarah Waters? I loved Fingersmith and The Little Stranger but The Paying Guests bored me to tears

Tipping the Velvet introduced me to her so thats probably my fav and I've got Affinity out to reread. I don't think I remember The Paying Guests but I'm pretty sure I've read it on kindle.

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By *jallMan
over a year ago

Cork/Sligo

"Saltwater in the Blood- Easkey Britton

ThirtyTwo words for Fields - Manchan Magan

I love 32 Words for Field

It's unreal, only Manchan could do something like it

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By *jallMan
over a year ago

Cork/Sligo

"Saltwater in the Blood- Easkey Britton

ThirtyTwo words for Fields - Manchan Magan

I love 32 Words for Field

Manchan is great. I took a travel writing course with him once "

Wow, that was good I'd say, he's just on a different level...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The best non-fiction book I've read in a long time is Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O'Neill

I was absolutely engrossed, he completely blows the case right open again and thoroughly debunks the whole Helter Skelter-motivation bullshit

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Saltwater in the Blood- Easkey Britton

ThirtyTwo words for Fields - Manchan Magan"

Manchan Magan almost single handedly flying the flag for sanasaíocht an Gaeilge

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My favourite novel is actually a graphic novel, From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell

Don't let the awful Johnny Depp movie adaptation put you off, Hollywood messed it up by turning it into a bog-standard whodunnit

The novel has a lot more going on than that and is probably one of the best recreations of Victorian society in any media.

It ends up being a fascinating rumination on crime, class, gender, the birth of tabloidism, secret societies, the monarchy and more. Don't let the fact that it's a comic put you off - it has more in common with Dostoyevsky than the Avengers

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"The Terror by Dan Simmons is a similar setting but is based on the true story of a polar expedition gone wrong."

Did you see the TV adaption Iss? I thought it surpassed the novel. Some great performances in it, particularly Jared Harris as Francis Crozier

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By *jallMan
over a year ago

Cork/Sligo

"Saltwater in the Blood- Easkey Britton

ThirtyTwo words for Fields - Manchan Magan

Manchan Magan almost single handedly flying the flag for sanasaíocht an Gaeilge

A few thousand years of the language developing, he fills pages with fascinating words for the same object, idea or living thing and I get the feeling from him he thinks there's even more

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Saltwater in the Blood- Easkey Britton

ThirtyTwo words for Fields - Manchan Magan

Manchan Magan almost single handedly flying the flag for sanasaíocht an Gaeilge

A few thousand years of the language developing, he fills pages with fascinating words for the same object, idea or living thing and I get the feeling from him he thinks there's even more "

he connects us to our evolution as Irish people through his interpretation of the language. What a gift!

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By *jallMan
over a year ago

Cork/Sligo

"Saltwater in the Blood- Easkey Britton

ThirtyTwo words for Fields - Manchan Magan

Manchan Magan almost single handedly flying the flag for sanasaíocht an Gaeilge

A few thousand years of the language developing, he fills pages with fascinating words for the same object, idea or living thing and I get the feeling from him he thinks there's even more

he connects us to our evolution as Irish people through his interpretation of the language. What a gift!"

And joins up the dots for the evolution of the language itself

Seen a lot of his documentary work, fascinating

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I LOVE reading! Books that really impressed me recently: Dark Matter by Michelle Paver, its a horror set at the North Pole in full darkness, absolutely amazing read.

The Terror by Dan Simmons is a similar setting but is based on the true story of a polar expedition gone wrong.

I'm not sure what genre to classify it in (fantasy/magic realism?) but The Binding by Bridget Collins broke my heart and then put it back together.

The Glass Woman by Caroline Lea is a sort of gothic horror set during the witch hunts in Iceland in the 17th century, it also broke my heart.

If you like fantasy, the Realm of the Elderlings series by Robin Hobb is phenomenal, it's better than Game of Thrones and Wheel of Time.

I just want to avoid a Wheel of Time kinda Fantasy book lol "

It's long but it's definitely not WOT long! There are four trilogies and one quadrilogy, but I honestly believe they're worth it, there's not a single wasted moment. WOT could have absolutely done with an editor but ROTE is perfect in my opinion.

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By *thCODubGuyMan
over a year ago

North County

"The best non-fiction book I've read in a long time is Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O'Neill

I was absolutely engrossed, he completely blows the case right open again and thoroughly debunks the whole Helter Skelter-motivation bullshit"

You’re probably better off reading Helter Skelter by Vince Bugliosi before reading the above, that’s the book he’s debunking.

Mans Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl is excellent.

Papillon by Henri Charrierre is brilliant.

A short history of almost everything is also brilliant, by Bill Bryson.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The Baroque Cycle, by Neal Stephenson. Series of books that intertwine historical events with the development of money. Absolutely immersive and gripping.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

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By *ebelspurMan
over a year ago

cork

For whom the bell tolls ,ernest hemingway ,a brilliant read

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By *on Juan the MADridMan
over a year ago

Lisbon/ North England/ Wales/ Madrid/

Who moved my cheese. (Dr Spencer Johnson)

Sounds stupid but will help you all in your thinking

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By *ay_Gatsby_D4Man
over a year ago

Belfast

Marking this for future reference bit while I’m here

Selfie: how the west became self obsessed by Will Storr

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By *winger212Woman
over a year ago

Live in spain

I am pilgrim

Most amazing book ever

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By *dfabMan
over a year ago

Dunboyne

Freckles, written in 1904,is one I still remember fondly. No, not because I remember that time

A fantastic read - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freckles_(novel)

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Any thing by jack Higgins

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Its years since I read it but

Caitlin Moran's 'How to be a woman' was funny and thought provoking.

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By *onghMan
over a year ago

cardiff

John Irving's A prayer for Owen Meany and I'll second the earlier recommendation for John Boyne's The heart's invisible furies

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By *Cocksucker84Man
over a year ago

newcastle

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart. About a young lad in 80s Glasgow trying to help his mother save herself from the perils of addiction. Heartbreaking and also very funny in parts, and written with love.

A Little Life- Hanya Yanagihara. Made me sob. The only book to ever do so. It'll break you in the best and worst ways.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 06/03/22 23:08:54]

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

yes I agree really enjoyed it, put the magic back into our landscape and a start to reconnect to our surroundings

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By *yesgreenMan
over a year ago

north and south

"yes I agree really enjoyed it, put the magic back into our landscape and a start to reconnect to our surroundings

"
EDGE the loner (by George G Gilman ) only 124 pages great for the train or plane but it’s like fab you may get addicted by his exploits

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By *ubal1Man
over a year ago

Newry Down

The way things are heading at present, any of the Preppers' guides to surviving WROL (without rule of law) or when the SHTF might be worthwhile!

That might have been considered a little OTT, even a month ago!

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By *atrineTV/TS
over a year ago

foxrock

Hi all the expanse books are great, but would also highly recommend the wheel of time books on book 8 at the moment

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

If you're into Music or Sport I'd recommend any autobiographies by either , tbh they're the only books l read ,a fabulous insight to what happened or what they did to reach the top in their own genre.

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