I adore the idea of settling down with a book every evening, but the truth is, if it doesn’t captivate me, I quickly lose interest and become easily distracted. Some books have even taken me up to three months to finish because they simply didn’t hold my attention. However, there are four books I’ve read over the past year which I couldn’t put down until I’d read them cover to cover.
I don’t confine myself to a specific genre; if a book piques my interest or creates a buzz on social media, I’m willing to give it a go. While I enjoy a good romance novel, I’m also developing a taste for thrillers. Here are four books that I wholeheartedly recommend, ones that I found utterly unputdownable.
The Housemaid
Written by Freida McFadden, The Housemaid is the first instalment in a quartet series. This psychological thriller revolves around a housemaid named Millie who starts working for the affluent Winchester family.
Having sold over two million copies, this incredibly twisty tale had me hooked from the opening chapter, which is quite a rarity.
No matter what I predicted would happen or where I anticipated the plot twists, I was consistently proven wrong, keeping me on tenterhooks throughout.
I’ve also delved into the second book in the series, The Housemaid’s Secret, which continues to chart Millie’s journey, and it was equally engrossing.
The Housemaid series can be bought from Waterstones or WHSmith for £8.99.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
A profoundly moving piece of literature, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a 2018 novel penned by Heather Morris.
The narrative unfolds the tale of Lale Sokolov, a prisoner at the concentration camp in 1942, who fell for Gita Furman while he was tattooing her at the same camp.
The novel is deeply rooted in the couple’s real-life experiences, and it’s profoundly moving, tugging at my heartstrings.
This book is part of a series, succeeded by Cilka’s Journey and Three Sisters, which delve into the themes of love and survival amidst the Holocaust.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz can be bought from WHSmith for £7.99 or Waterstones.
The Cat Lady
Penned by Dawn O’Porter, The Cat Lady follows the life of Mia, a wife and stepmother whose world is turned upside down by an unforeseen event.
The narrative explores societal judgment, self-discovery, and the strength of unexpected friendships, all the while emphasising the unbreakable bond Mia shares with her cat, Pigeon.
This book resonated deeply with me and was an absolute breeze to read. I found it so captivating that I finished it in one go.
While it’s a standalone book, O’Porter has authored several other fantastic books, including Honey Bee, Life in Pieces, and So Lucky.
The Cat Lady can be purchased from Waterstones for £9.99.
Everything I Know About Love
Penned by British journalist Dolly Alderton, this 2018 memoir recounts the escapades of a woman navigating her way through her 20s.
While this may not resonate with everyone, it was incredibly relatable for me as I navigated my 20s, and upon completion, I felt perfectly content with where I was in life.
The book offers a fresh perspective on love, relationships, family and friends.
A television series inspired by the book was released in 2022 and can be streamed on BBC iPlayer.
For those considering buying this book, it’s available at Waterstones and WHSmith.