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5 Bloody Awesome Books You Need To Read

5 Bloody Awesome Books You Need To Read
Carly Jacobs
I

don’t understand people who don’t enjoy reading. I learned to read as soon as I could and devoured every book on our book shelf. My mother had to ban my aunties from bringing Cosmo magazines into our house after I asked her what anal sex was when I was six years old. If you left anything readable unattended around me, I read it.

close up of legs shoes hipster man holding old bicycle wheel in the city

I quite randomly stopped reading for pleasure a few years ago. It wasn’t a conscious thing, I just found myself reading lots of blogs and business development books so I just didn’t have time to read for fun. I’ve made a conscious effort to read for pleasure this year and it’s just the most wonderful thing you can do for yourself.

Here’s a few books I’ve read recently that have really tickled my fancy. None of these are life changers, they’re just good fun page turners, perfect for travel or for reading a few pages before bed.

1. You and Hidden Bodies – Caroline Kepnes

These books came recommended to me from a mate of mine and they’re spectacular. They’re like a modern blend of American Psycho and Dexter. Funny, twisted and super easy to read. Kepnes is definitely an author to keep your eye on.

2. I am Pilgrim – Terry Hayes

I haven’t finished this one yet but I’m loving it. It’s about a spy who tries to stop a bio-war attack on America. It’s a work of fiction but there’s some excellent stuff in there about the politics behind September 11 the psychology behind jihadists. It’s definitely worth a read, I’m finding it really fascinating. Also kind of creepy because most of the book is set in Europe and the protagonist has been following me on my trip and he even used my last name as an alias when he was in Germany. It’s weird man.

3. Try Not To Breathe – Holly Seddon

I DEVOURED this book. I’m a sucker for a whodunnit. The story is based around a young girl who has been left in a coma after she was attacked as a teenager and no one knows who did it until a journalist starts digging around to uncover the truth. It’s a very entertaining read.

4. The Girl in The Ice – Robert Bryndza

This is a classic murder mystery with an amazing protagonist in the form of police investigator Erica Foster. I’m so delighted this is becoming a series – there’s a new one coming out soon.

5. The Girl With All The Gifts – M.R.Carey

Okay I said that none of these books are life changers but I take that back for this one. I won’t tell you anything about it (because it’s impossible to talk about this book without spoiling it) but just read it. It’s one of the best books I’ve read in the last decade. It’s that good.

6. Before I Go To Sleep – S.J. Watson

This one has a similar story line to 50 First Dates except it’s way more sinister. A woman wakes up every morning and can’t remember her life but starts to get suspicious when things don’t add up.

That’s actually 6 books but you can never really have too many books can you?

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What awesome books have you read recently? Oh and what’s your most favourite book ever?

 

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21 Comments

  1. Katy Hunt 8 years ago

    I love reading too, and listen to books while sewing . Thanks for sharing

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs-Smaggle 8 years ago

      Oh I like listening to books on road trips. I Partridge is the best audio book ever if you’re looking for something awesome to listen to.

  2. Rachael 8 years ago

    I have just recently started to read again and my life is becoming less drab. 2 small kiddies mean I haven’t had the inclination for my great love and it’s amazing to have me back. Another thing I have changed is buying physical books instead of kindle and so I have the pleasure of browsing in a bookstore again and seeing my latest book lying around waiting for me. I just read Dietland. Whoa nelly. Very original. I highly recommend.

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs-Smaggle 8 years ago

      I LOVE physical books but I travel so often they just aren’t practical. I actually have a lot of physical crochet books but novels I tend to grab on the kindle.

  3. Michelle Barrington 8 years ago

    I love a good book recommendation so will be sure to check some of these out. I LOVE to read and nothing pleases me more than to see my 8 year old the same. She can’t wait for her school book fair. Her Premier’s Reading was done in a blink and she finishes books on the day i buy them for her. Nothing like a good escape into a story.

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs-Smaggle 8 years ago

      It never leaves you. I think if a kid is reading voraciously at the age of 8, that’s a life long reader you’ve got there.

  4. Annaliese 8 years ago

    I absolutely love reading and I read whenever I can. I am one of those people that always has several books on the go at once. So currently I am reading Mo Farah’s ‘Twin Ambitions’, a book about how to run faster, a book about London during WWII and a business book. 2 books which spring to mind in terms of leaving an impression on me – ‘A child called It’ and ‘The Alchemist’. I will check out your recommendations. Thanks for that x

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs-Smaggle 8 years ago

      Oh A Child Called It! I read that – it was awful but so amazing. I have a second hand book store I go to in Canberra and they call my favourite kind of books ‘misery lit’. They’re not wrong. Awkward. 🙂

  5. Hannah 8 years ago

    My entire blog is about reading, and the best thing I’ve read recently is His Excellency by Joseph J. Ellis which is a biography on George Washington. Doesn’t sound like your style based on this post, but I enjoyed it. Also, your anecdote about Cosmo: died laughing! Sounds like me as a child.

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs-Smaggle 8 years ago

      I just clicked through to your blog and it’s awesome. You’ve inspired me to read some Shakespeare. I said A LOT of things that shocked my mother as a child. I read literally everything in the house.

      • Hannah 8 years ago

        Thanks for checking out my blog and leaving me a comment. Made my day. Enjoy catching up with Shakespeare!

  6. laurie j. 8 years ago

    I’ve recently discovered Inga Simpson (actually a Canberran! Or at least close enough that we can claim her afaic) and devoured two of her books, which despite being very different both left me with that painful/pleasurable sensation of a loose tooth. Tackles sad things with a kind of beauty that makes you keep reading. I just read Mr Wigg, and a few months ago I found myself sobbing over Where the Trees Were on a flight home from Brisbane so…

    This probably doesn’t read like an endorsement but it is one!

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs-Smaggle 8 years ago

      Oh I’ve heard of her – should read her stuff! I love supporting Canberra locals. I love misery lit. I’m naturally a very happy person so I think I lean towards more melancholy books to get some balance. 🙂

  7. Missy D 8 years ago

    I liked the Girl With All the Gifts – but I’m still not sure I really loved it.

    My mother taught us to be avid readers from a very young age, and I’ve always struggled to pick a favourite. However… our book club did ‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’ by Garth Stein a few years ago and it still sticks with me as something to recommend to anyone. Everyone who reads it, loves it. Even my partner, who has quite different reading tastes to me (SciFi and Fantasy) loved it. 🙂

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs-Smaggle 8 years ago

      Oh I adored it! Couldn’t put it down and I’m so excited that Glen Close is playing Caldwell in the movie. Perfect casting.

  8. Theresa 8 years ago

    I have read all 6 The Immortal instruments books and currently reading the 1st prequel book. Love this series and will never stop reading books!

  9. TJ 8 years ago

    I’ve only just started getting back into reading books – kids, lack of sleep will do that! Haha. Anyway I just read a cracker called The Hate Race by Australian author Maxine Beneba Clarke. It’s an absolute must read.

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