40 Books You Won't Be Able to Put Down
JulieYou know that book. The one you read in one or two sittings. The one you practically swallowed whole. What an exhilarating experience –– to be so captivated by a book that you cannot bear to do anything until you get to the last page!
I polled our ~3,000 HPB Bibliomaniacs around the country about which books they devoured. And they had much to say on the topic. So, if you've never read them, give these books a try. Without further ado, here are 40 Books You Won't Be Able to Put Down.
There seems to be something for everyone on this list -- mystery, romance, biography, contemporary literature, classics, even paranormal. So, did your favorite quick read make the list? Add yours to our list by making a quick comment below.
-- Julie
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Reader Comments (309)
Love that Angus, Thongs, and Full-Front Snogging made the list!! One of my all time favorite book series!
The Rug Merchant by Meg Mullins
The Jewel Trader of Pegu by Jeffrey Hantover
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I have read many of the books on the list and like some more than others. I found The Road to be the best AND worst book I have ever read. It was haunting and stayed with me for several days. I have read it 3 times for 3 different books clubs I was in and it had the same effect on me each time.
Thank you for the comments on books not on the list and I look forward to readingsome of these suggestions.
I would add "Killing Lincoln". The book was amazing!
I am into prehistoric fiction. Loved Jean Auel, but currently reading the 10th book by Michael and Kathleen Gear, "People of the Raven."
I have enjoyed a fair amount of the books on this list. I agree there's a very good variety... Something for everyone. I would like to add one book series to this list which I loved and that it the 50 Shades of Grey series. Once you get thru the first few chapters it becomes one of those books you can't put down. Online I saw mixed reviews, some questioning the quality of writing, etc but as I very much felt these characters and cared about their relationship, it made me think that these books were very well written and worth recommending.
I haven't read a lot on this list but I've heard good things about most of this list.
For me, some of the books I cannot put down would have to be:
Anne of Green Gables L.M. Montgomery
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (And any of the others in that quartet)
Polgara the Sorceress by David and Leigh Eddings (and pretty much any of the Belgariad series)
A Prayer for Owen Meany
Night of the Eye (It's a Dragonlance book). I sat and read this book in about two hours. I just completely forget about everything I was supposed to be doing to read it.
I would add Night Road to the list,but anything by this author is great!
I don't see Fahrenheit 451. On a list of books that you should read I really think this one needs to be here!
Legacy of Silence and Evergreen by Belva Plain
Legacy of Secrets by Elizabeth Adler
French Milk by Lucy Knisley- a most delightful illustrated travelogue for young people
and most lately
11/22/63 by Stephen King
I have read and enjoyed many of the books on your list and would like to add some of my favorites:
The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon,
Most books by Jodi Piccoult,
and for a romantic fix, anything by Robyn Carr.
Thanks for giving me lots of good suggestions!
Atlas Shrugged
The Last Temptation of Christ
Shantaram
Mist Of Avalon
So glad that Deathly Hallows made the list! Literally read it in one long, tear filled sitting. Such a quality book! A couple of my other favorites made the list as well, such as City of Bones and The Help. Glad this list had a variety of books appealing to all ages! Great list! :-)
Three terrific books I recommend:
Henry VIII: The King and His Court by Alison Weir (actually, all her books are good)
Dreadnought by Robert K. Massie
Tower: An Epic History of the Tower of London by Nigel Jones (absolutely couldn't put this one down)
As you might have noticed, I love history.
The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon is truly one you can't put down, or stay up all night to finish. They have it all, mystery, romance, time travel, and adventure.
Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen!
Hmm this list is hit and miss for me. There are several books I have already read and didn't enjoy, a few I liked and some that were just alright. But there few I have yet to read that look interesting.
East of Eden by Steinbeck is my pick for best book of all time! I am so happy to see some comments about Francine Rivers on here. I just read her series, Marta's Legacy, this summer & I couldn't put them down. They were near perfect books (Her Mother's Hope & Her Daughter's Dream). I have started her Mark of the Lion Series & was told I would love it from everyone who has read it, but I am so far having a hard time getting into it. Another page turner for me that hasn't been mentioned was Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides.
Some of these books not only I put them down but I never picked them again. I guess there is a book for every person and thankfully people have different tastes, otherwise it would a very boring world!!
I had to force myself to read Deathly Hollows, just so I could finish the series... and honestly, I hit a point where I almost stopped caring about even finishing it. Now, I'd totally agree if they listed Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, or Order of the Phoenix.
The Romanov Prophecy by Steve Berry, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Life, Keith Richards
Just kids, Patty Smith
The Glass Castle - fantastic read
Room, an easy read, tough topic, good ending
Anything by David Sedaris, funny and enlightening.
Anything by Adriana Trigiani, from Rococco, very funny, to the Stone Gap series, to the newer more series reading Always nice.
I'm so pleased that the Shades of Grey trilogy didn't get put on here......
So many great ideas! I'd love to add a few: Unbroken and Seabiscuit, both by Laura Hillenbrand; Born to Run by McDougall; Into thin Air by Krakauer; Columbine by Cullen; and Sarah's Key which was mentioned before....All were amazing. Most mine are non-fiction, however.
I've read lots of books and, lots of them I think should be on the list. But the ones that stand out the most are Game of Thrones and The Mists of Avalon. GREAT READS!
I was so excited to see so many of my favourites listed, and have quickly gone on to book depository to buy a few more, both of yours and from the resulting comments! Shantaram, is an incredible book and would be my recommendation. Also Hunger Games was addictive light reading. Would live to see a top 100