The most recommended fiction books

Saturday was the codename given to Airey Neave when he worked for MI9, the branch of military intelligence for escape and evasion in World War Two. Neave has achieved legendary status as the first British man to successfully escape from Colditz Castle, Leipzig in Germany in 1942, and make it back to England. This fortress – nicknamed ‘the camp for naughty boys’ by British officer POWs – was believed by the Germans to be impenetrable and from which no prisoner could ever escape. Neave’s success vastly raised the morale of airmen and soldiers going into action because they knew it was possible to escape from such camps. Neave was perfectly placed to write this first history of MI9, placing on record the establishment and running of the major escape lines as well the bravery of thousands of women and men of Nazi-occupied countries who aided MI9 and saved over 35,000… show more.

Fake dating story? Check. Queer characters? Check. A fragile web of lies? Another check! In Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating, Hani and Ishu do not like each other.

They might be the only Bengali girls in their predominantly white Irish school, but that doesn't mean they're anything alike. If pretending to date someone will get you ahead in life, though, sometimes you do what you have to do. And if that turns into real feelings, well...that's a problem for another day.

I was totally smitten by this story. It's cute, well-written, and heartwarming, and it's sure to add a little bounce to your step after you turn the final page.

As a Dutch co-author, I highly recommend the books of Miffy, the very known rabbit in the Netherlands and worldwide, who shares his experiences in colourful, child friendly and short books. This copy is about celebrating birthdays. I love the good colorful illustrations and the imagination of Miffy. For children, this is the perfect combination, as a child loves birthdays, presents and especially from grandparents.

I loved everything about this book, from the story arc to Alison McGhee's turn of phrase and use of language.

Her descriptions of people and scenes range from hilarious to tear-inducing, with a side of quirky.

The best thing, though, is the story itself, Clara going back to the place she was never going back to, and dealing not only with her mother's dementia but with the things that made her leave town in the first place.

In this story, the dog is named Dog and he died before the story begins. The blue ceramic urn with his ashes is one of the very few things her mother kept for her – a talisman.

Soul-searching, gripping, and so very well written, this is one of my favorite books of this century. 

The Sleeping Voice is the most poignant novel about women in the Spanish civil war you will get to read. Those voices are the ones of the women who fought throughout the dictatorship not to be forgotten as the silent soldiers they were. Those voices tell us that the real heroes are very often anonymous. You won’t be able to part with Hortensia, Elvira and Tomasa, the heroines: I can guarantee that they will all stay with you. I actually chose a quote from that book to open Blood Song: it is about a mother wondering how the sea looks like as her boys are laying in it. 

If you have a passion for compassion, this book about a chained dog who is rescued from neglect will make you want to unchain all the Buddys in the world. The illustrations vibrate with this lovable mixed-breed’s emotions—ranging from despair to joy. From his happy new furever home, Buddy narrates his story, which will have an emotional resonance with even the youngest audiences. As Buddy says: “I have my real home. Now I have everything.” No matter how many times I read this book, the ending still tugs at my heartstrings.

I sometimes forget how Edgar Allan Poe transformed the mystery and horror genres with the stories in this collection.

Here, you’ll find the very first modern detective stories: The Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Mystery of Marie Roget, and The Purloined Letter. Plus, we have his most famous works: The Pit and the Pendulum, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Premature Burial, The Cask of Amontillado, and The Tell-Tale Heart.

Filled with unforgettable images and horrific twists and turns, I love how each story creeps over me like a lengthening, darkening shadow.

I loved the entire series for which this book is the fourth, but this book ensured that I can never go back and read the series again; it hurt that much. Still. I loved it. The characters in this series are family in the deepest, most loving and loyal sense of the word, and it is that sense of family that drives the storyline of this book. This series is sexy and taboo, and yet the biggest thing I took from it was the love and trust that pulsed between them. I wondered, often, if there could not have been a different way, if the author could not have chosen a different storyline, but it is in the difficulties that we sometimes find the stunning. And this story was stunningly beautiful.

I can truthfully say that I felt an immediate sense of connection with sweet little Ruthie and how she felt after she lied. When I was in third grade, I cheated on a test. I felt awful for the rest of the day—until I told my mama what I had done. She took me right back to the school to tell the teacher. The relief I felt telling the truth overrode most of the worry I had about getting in trouble.

I recommend this book to anyone who has given in to temptation but felt bad enough to tell on themselves despite the consequences. (We need more people in politics who are willing to admit their mistakes. Maybe Ruthie can be Libby’s vice-president?)

I loved this very emotional read. I loved the characters, the writing, and the story. The romance is steamy yet tasteful—extremely beautiful.

This is another book that gave me all the feels, but another story that left me feeling happy with the ending rather than feeling like I was left wanting more.