If you could recommend only one book or one author .....

[Lindsey]

what/who would you choose? I am struggling with my reading at the moment - finding time is not my own and my 'to be read' pile is feeling stressful, have started on audio books so that I can multi task on the housework as if I get into a good book I can't put it down but wondering what one book or one author you would suggest - I fancy something a bit special for my next 'book in hand' read!

[Chris]

My most intense "I can't put this book down" experience recently was with The Redemption of Alexander Seaton by Shona McLean. It's a very well crafted 17th century murder mystery.
If you are looking for something to make you laugh, cry and everything in between, then One Day by David Nicholls is excellent.
I think both of these come in unabridged audiobooks too, if you wanted something to listen to whilst getting on with "everyday stuff"

[Lindsey]

Thanks for the suggestions - I fancy 'Rdemption.....' and I already have 'One Day' in my to be read pile so thanks for the recommendation!

[Angela]

I agree with Chris about . I also liked the sequel . Two really absorbing books!

[[deleted user]]

Booksdingle wrote: "what/who would you choose? I am struggling with my reading at the moment - finding time is not my own and my 'to be read' pile is feeling stressful, have started on audio books so that I can multi..."

Norah Lofts! I first read her when I lived in England. She lived in and wrote about Suffolk. Wonderful unpredictable stories and her characters appear in different books.

Norah LoftsKnight's Acre

Jassy

[JackieB]

I don't have a favourite author, but the best book I've read in ages was "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" (Muriel Barbery). For some reason, it just did not appeal to me, but I tried it when a friend gave it to me and I loved it.

[JackieB]

Lady OT Lavender wrote: "Booksdingle wrote: "what/who would you choose? I am struggling with my reading at the moment - finding time is not my own and my 'to be read' pile is feeling stressful, have started on audio books..."

A few people have recommended Norah Lofts to me recently. What's a good one to start with?

[[deleted user]]

JackieB wrote: "Lady OT Lavender wrote: "Booksdingle wrote: "what/who would you choose? I am struggling with my reading at the moment - finding time is not my own and my 'to be read' pile is feeling stressful, h..."

They are out of print for the most part altho a few new ones are on Amazon.com. The Town House is good. If you like second hand book stores like I do I would recommend calling and asking if they have any Norah Lofts. They can be hard to find sometimes.

[Angela]

Hi JackieB
I agree with Lady OT Lavender - Norah Lofts has written some great books. The last new one that I bought was in a cut-price book shop - the name escapes me but most English towns have at least one. Good hunting...it's worth it!

[Lindsey]

is it 'The Works'? They seem to stock alot of books at cut price...usually 3 for £5!

[Stephen]

Booksdingle wrote: "is it 'The Works'? They seem to stock alot of books at cut price...usually 3 for £5!"

yes they take stock from other places i sometimes get some books from there

[Angela]

The Works is the one!

[JackieB]

Thanks for the advice about Norah Lofts. I've found out I can get some of them from the library, so I'm going to order "The Town House" and keep an eye out for Norah Lofts in my local second hand bookshops. I also like the sound of Gad's Hall and The Haunting at Gad's Hall (I'm going through a "spooky books" phase at the moment).

[Angela]

Bless This House is a really good one to read by Norah Lofts.

[Lindsey]

are all her books spooky? I don't like spooky, thrillers yes, spooks no!

[Angela]

Most of Norah Lofts books are not outright spooky novels, but some have just a touch of "something". She has written some excellent historical novels - I enjoyed The Lute Player especially.

[JackieB]

Now I can't decide which book to order! I'm going to put in an author request at my local library tomorrow. I love author requests. The library gets you about three or four books so you can try an author out. You don't get to choose the books, it's like a literary lucky dip.

[[deleted user]]

JackieB wrote: "Now I can't decide which book to order! I'm going to put in an author request at my local library tomorrow. I love author requests. The library gets you about three or four books so you can try ..."

Well, I love all her books so IMO you can't go wrong. I own 53 of them and want more. I read them over and over again.

[JackieB]

I've been searching for this thread. I got Gad's Hall from my library and really enjoyed it. Now I've got the sequel "The Haunting at Gad's Hall". Thanks to everyone who mentioned Norah Lofts.

[Angela]

JackieB wrote: "I've been searching for this thread. I got Gad's Hall from my library and really enjoyed it. Now I've got the sequel "The Haunting at Gad's Hall". Thanks to everyone who mentioned Norah Lofts."

I'm so glad you've enjoyed your first Norah Lofts! She's written so many really good books.