I found that at the moment I seem to be only reading classic books for uni and when I'm not reading them I'm rereading books that are often kids or teenage fiction.

But whenever I go to the bookshop or library there are shelves and shelves of general fiction and I'm not sure where to start. So I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of titles or authors. I quite like historical fiction, I've especially enjoyed Philippa Gregory's books and I loved The Pillars of The Earth by Ken Follett. I also enjoy Adele Geras' books (both her teenage and adult ones) and Maeve Binchy's novels. Oh and of course I love Jane Austen's writing

However I'm really happy with any recomendations as long as they're enjoyable, well written and have interesting characters. I don't really like horror, crime or thriller stories though. Oh and I've also read enough quest in a land like Middle-earth fantasy books

Thanks very much

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Rosemary Sutcliff writes wonderful historical fiction. Most of her books are written for young adults/kids, but they're not childish or anything. She wrote one adult novel, Sword at Sunset. It has some mature content.

Thanks Though I'm pretty sure already read Sword at Sunset - actually I should really read it again as I read it years ago. I also really enjoyed her versions of Beowulf and Tristan and Iseult. And I've read The Outcast by her which was good as well.

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I'm reading The Bean Trees for my outside novel assignment for my Lit class, but I don't know yet if it's good or not, because I'm only about 15 pages into it... but I like it so far. I'll let you know how it is.

I don't know if you would call this adult fiction, because its written about a teenage girl, but Speak is an excellent book. Well written and interesting and darkly humorous.

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Theres a book called "The jester" thats very good, but I don't remeber who wrote it.

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I don't really feel qualified to comment, but I'm going to try anyway. Most "adult fiction" I read was written at least fifty years ago. I'm not sure what exactly you'd think of them, but I'll try to list names and so on. (and not mention murder mysteries ...)

JohnWyndham - science fiction, I guess, but most of it is set around the time he wrote it. Some of his stuff is very good, and very interesting. I really liked "The Midwich Cuckoos", and "the Kraken Wakes" was good as well.

Mary Stewart: I'm sure I've read somewhere that her books are "thrillers" but I think of them more as historical romance. She also write a Merlin trilogy which was good.

Nevil Shute: I've only read "most secret", but I know my dad really likes his books. varying genres, i believe.

Catherine Gaskin: has written a lot of historical/historical romance. (I like her historical better than her sagas, but that's probably just me....)

that's all i can think of off the top of my head. i hope it's some help...

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Thanks for the suggestions people
Do you know who Speak's by Bellethiel? Because I can't find it on Amazon just loads of books with Speak in the title.

And I have nothing against books written at least 50 years ago Herenya I've actually read and enjpyed books by most of your authors but that would be a good idea to look at their other books.

John Wyndham, I've read The Chrysalids which I loved. I like the sound of The Midwich Cuckoos. I liked Mary Stewart's Merlin trilogy but if she's written other historical romance that would be interesting. And I've read Nevil Shute's On the Beach. You should try that if you don't mind something a bit depressing. It's set straight after a nuclear war where the people know that they will soon be dead from radiation sickness. It's facinating seeing their different reactions.

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Speak is by Laurie Halse Anderson. Here's the Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/014131 ... e&n=283155

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Thanks That does look very interesting.

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Yes, I really want to read "On the Beach" - both my parents really liked it - but I haven't found it at the libarary.

I just remembered today that Catherine Gaskin has a book called "Fiona" about a Scottish governess in - I think it's the Caribbean...

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Oh that book sounds cool Especially as I'm Scottish and called Fiona

I hope you manage to get hold of On the Beach.

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Yes... that's what I thought...

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By the way, I finished reading The Bean Trees, and it was really good. Its by Barbara Kingsolver. Its about a girl/young woman that grew up in Kentucky, but somewhat randomly decides to drive out west. She stops in Oklahoma, and a Cherokee Indian woman gives her a baby, and tells her to take it, because the baby's mother is dead. Taylor (the girl) takes the baby, mainly because the woman just leaves, and drives to Tucson, Arizona, where she ends up settling, and raising the baby there. It is kind of weird, but really good!

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"...that kind of music in general turns my stomach. It's nice that they do have fans, though." -Nienor

Have you ever read the book version of "Memoirs of a Geisha"? I'm reading it right now, and it's extremely gripping. "Prince of Dreams: A Tale of Tristan and Essylte" is good if you like tragic romances like that. Can't think of anything else right now that's really considered adult fiction.

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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is really good!

Well..not exactly sure if these are adult fiction books, but here's some suggestions..

The Scarlet Pimpernel: It takes place during the French Revolution. I also saw the movie:Ian McKellan plays in it...can't remember who wrote it, however.

Silas Marner would also be a good novel to read.

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