Hi Cologne thanks for the recommendations.  I've just had a look on Wikipeadia and I like the sound of The Black Obelisk.  P.S Happy belated Birthday  Hope you had a good one.

Miss S, I have finished "I choose life".  OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

A Thousand Splendid Suns.

The only ever book that I have shed real heartbreaking tears over whilst reading. A truly amazing and emotional read.

I am just about to start reading it Lainy...Thanks for the warning.

Are you female monkey?

 all woman

Prepare yourself for some injustices...........with regard to reading the book of course.

I mentioned this earlier in the thread, have been wanting to read it for ages. Will now order it over the weekend.

Thanks for the heads up Lainy 

I had to wait for my library to get it in, I picked it up yesterday and the librarian could not stop waxing lyrical about it - so I have high hopes.

Dont read it while on holiday. I totally ignored my fella (cos I couldnt put it down) and spent most of the week in tears

I should be fine Lainy, I read when hubby is on the playstation, so it's like I'm not there anyway 

Gel, did you manage to get hold of the "Book thief"?

I've taken note of all the books from here that I'd like to read - think I'm at about £42 from Amazon   might see if I can find cheaper options 

I've taken note of a few too I'll get some from the library though..

Library is your best bet Granny and pengy  I can only back up the recommendations that have been given here, the ones I have read have been brilliant. 

Sorry monkey this the first time I've been in this thread since I recommended the book!


I'm so glad you decided to read it - it's one of the most moving books I have ever read - I think I finished it in about two days - I couldn't put it down.


The strength and courage of that young girl was unbelievable.

I have to read this now I think - this is a great thread- so many good recommendations.

I hate when i don't have a good book to read

I did it in two days too, just couldn't put it down. I was gripped by her strength, her ability to know how to handle such a monster for self preservation at 12 yrs old! What a girl, what a woman! I hope he rots in that jail. Thank you so much for recommending to me, it's one of those books that stay with you.

Defiinately and you're welcome 


It's good to know that she has the strength to get on with her life - it was a miracle he didn't kill her like he did four of the other poor girls.

Finished this book last night Lainy. Wow! It really touched me, had me in tears. A heart rendering
read! Thanks to all who recommended it to me.

Monkey if you are around I recommend "Natascha Kampush 3096 Days" - the story of the girl who was abducted aged 10 by Wolfgang Priklopil and escaped 8 years later.


Like Sabine Dardenne's, a heartbreaking read but inspiring.

Haven't read back in the thread so don't know if this has been mentioned but I have just finished reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
It was fantastic, I was hooked from start to finish. It's set during the 2nd World War and is narrated by Death. Really interesting premise with memorable characters.



Can't recommend it highly enough


EDIT whoops just read back and saw that Monkeys OP is about the Book Thief! Sorry Monkey  btw I totally agree with what you said there

I loved The Book Thief too and for those of you who loved 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' - you'd love 'The Bookseller of Khabul' very similar but better IMO.

I'll look that one out thanks Soozy. We seem to have similar taste in books so I bet I'll enjoy it

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. I read it while I was on holiday, and it's stupendous - totally deserved to win the Booker.
Also, The Year Of The Flood by Margaret Atwood.

The one book that I bang on and on about on any book thread is

'The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya sisterhood' a simply brilliant read (for women) I don't really think it's a mans cup of tea but i'd be interested to know if any men on here have read it.

I really cannot recommend highly enough.

My all time fave is 'A Star called Henry' by Roddy Doyle although I do appreciate that he is an acquired taste.