"Jaw dropping books"?

[Maggie]

Some of the best books I have read are the ones that are so unpredictable that my jaw drops as I am reading it because I did not at all anticipate the event unfolding. The most recent book where this happened was Gone Girl. Any other recommendations for what I call "jaw dropping books"?

[Linda]

Await Your Reply

[Eric]

For me, jaw dropping books are books that do something new and unique with storytelling or language, rather than just the mechanisms of plot.



Right now I'm reading , which I hope will enter this select company.

If anyone has any more recommendations of books like these, let me know.

[Alex]

I just finished one last night that I would definitely consider to be "jaw dropping"! The People in the Trees

[Cindy]

. The Headmaster's Wife.

[Tracey]

For me, when I think of jaw dropping books, the first book I think of is We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver. That book stuck with me for many reasons. It's not an easy read but I remember that my jaw really did drop when I got to the end.

[Gerald]

About the best jaw dropper of all time is THE EXORCIST(especially since I searched for the book cover and it was not there). I never thought the old man would die at the end.

[Maggie]

Thank you everyone for the great suggestions. I love adding to my "Books to Read" pile.

[Valerie]

Gentlemen and Players. Never saw that ending coming.

[Denise]

This is a great topic! I look forward to more suggestions. I need to give it more thought. I agree about Gone Girl. Defending Jacob also came to mind, but for a reason I'm not sure about, Stoner did, too.

[Adore]

Denise wrote: but for a reason I'm not sure about, Stoner ..."

same here! at the very least, i found the writing jaw dropping even if the book isn't filled with lots of twists and turns.

i'd recommend:

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox

i wasn't at all prepared for that ending!

[Amy]

Tracey wrote: "For me, when I think of jaw dropping books, the first book I think of is We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver. That book stuck with me for man..."

I'm with you on this book, Tracey. Read it about 8 years ago and still think about it.

[Tina]

In Cold Blood My books club chose In Cold Blood over two years ago & I'm still reeling.

[Linda]

Maggie wrote: "Thank you everyone for the great suggestions. I love adding to my "Books to Read" pile."

You know, Maggie, we are going to be anticipating your reviews.

[Maggie]

Linda- I am a much better reader than I am a writer! Also, with a 3 year old keeping me busy my newest challenge is finding time to read. I have to admit though since "finding" the BOTN podcast I am finishing books quicker than ever. So many good books and not enough time in the day to read!

[Linda]

Maggie wrote: "Linda- I am a much better reader than I am a writer! Also, with a 3 year old keeping me busy my newest challenge is finding time to read. I have to admit though since "finding" the BOTN podcast I a..."

Maggie, All you need to do is put stars on those you read. I'll be happy with that.

[Cata]

Cutting for Stone. The audio book is amazing!

[Louise]

Hmm maybe these: , , ,

[[deleted user]]

A Good American had a twist at the end that had me going back through the book to see if I missed any clues. It was completely jaw-dropping yet made sense. It is a wonderful book.

[Michael]

This is a great topic Maggie... mind if we steal it for an upcoming episode?

[Sheila]

I have Stoner in my queue. I will have to make it my next book after reading this thread. I love surprise endings.

[Denise]

Sheila, I read Stoner based upon BOTN recommendations.

[Maggie]

Michael wrote: "This is a great topic Maggie... mind if we steal it for an upcoming episode?"

Michael - I would l love it if you would use this topic in a podcast. I am eager to hear what you and Ann would recommend as "jaw droppers.

[Maggie]

I went to the library today to look for some of the book recommendations listed in this discussion and imagine my disappointment and sadness when the Goodreads site was down! Thankfully I was able to find two other books on my handwritten list - A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore & The Circus of the Earth and the Air by Brooke Stevens.

[Denise]

We were all completely besides ourselves Corrine Fowler

[Denise]

Trust Your Eyes by Lynwood Barklay

[Denise]

Linwood Barclay (proper spelling)

[Karen]

Shocking ending!

[Michael]

Linda wrote: " Await Your Reply"

YES!

[Kathy]

I loved the writing style, characterizations, and background information of John Dunning's 1992 mystery Booked To Die. However, the author broke my heart because of his decision to...well, I won't go into it, but it came as a real shock and made me unable to enjoy the rest of the series.

[Karen]

Michael wrote: "Linda wrote: " Await Your Reply"

YES!"

How could I forget YES! YES!!

[Linda]

Kathy wrote: "I loved the writing style, characterizations, and background information of John Dunning's 1992 mystery Booked To Die. However, the author broke my heart because of his decision to......"

This is one of my favorite series, but he has not written a new one in a few years.

[Marion]

I have 2 jaw-dropping books for this post.

1) by Mary Doria Russell is one of the best novels I've read recently.

Here's my review: http://kammbia1.wordpress.com/2013/01...

2) by Athol Dickson is an excellent novel by underrated author.

Here's my review:

http://kammbia1.wordpress.com/2011/06...

Marion

[Ann]

So we turned this thread (sort of) into an episode, complete with poll:

http://booksonthenightstand.com/2014/...

[Mamie]

I have to second Gentlemen and Players

[Janet]

A Prayer for Owen Meany I am listening to the audio, which is quite good and without spoiling I can say that they take draft dodging to highly creative heights.

[Jana]

Tracey wrote: "For me, when I think of jaw dropping books, the first book I think of is We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver. That book stuck with me for man..."

Definitely a jaw dropper!

[Dree]

Jaw-droppers tend to get 5 stars from me :) They also tend to make it hard for me to start my next book, as I have to process what I finished. But that doesn't mean they are all about a twist at the end--often they just leave me shaking my head throughout. I fully agree about Gone Girl.

The Handmaid's Tale
The Intuitionist
The City and the City
The Lifeboat
The Barbarian Nurseries

And from when I was a kid, these two books had the wow factor that only encouraged me to read more than I already did:

The Westing Game (elementary school)
And Then There Were None (junior high)
And of course Shirley Jackson's short story The Lottery (high school)

[Jana]

Dree, I love that you mentioned The City and The City. Totally agree on that one! And A Handmaid's Tale.

[Jan]

I'm eager to see the results of the survey on this topic. Any ideas when that will be ready?

[Chris]

I have to say "Defending Jacob" may be one of the only books where my mouth dropped. Usually I can see things coming, not in this case. I want friends to read it, but I can't talk about it because I'll ruin it! :-)

[Sarah]

I get what people are saying about knowing a book is jaw dropping sets you up for disappointment if you didn't feel that way. That being said, I like how sometimes Michael will say a book leaves you wanting to talk to someone about it. To me, that means that it was "jaw dropping" with out really saying so.

[Kalen]

Astonish Me just got me. Anyone else see *that* coming? I should have but I didn't. (Trying to avoid a spoiler.....)

[Ann]

I did see it coming but loved the book anyway!

[Janet]

I thought Astonish Me was predictable except for the bit about Chloe but I too loved it!

[Kalen]

I wonder why it wasn't to me. It should have been. I usually sniff things out pretty fast. Maybe I just wanted to get lost in it and not over-think this one?

[Deb]

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer - all the more jaw-dropping because a true story of men and women on Everest!

[Deb]

Tina wrote: "In Cold Blood My books club chose In Cold Blood over two years ago & I'm still reeling."

Omigosh yes!

[Jillian]

The Dinner Great book with a great ending!

[Amy]

Deb wrote: "Tina wrote: "In Cold Blood My books club chose In Cold Blood over two years ago & I'm still reeling."

Omigosh yes!"

Yup me too. That one really gets me for some reason. Probably because it is a true story!