In this second lockdown you may find it hard to find things that fill you with excitement but you can't go far wrong with a good book.
For me, reading reminds me of lying on a beach or a sun lounger by the pool, and while many of us have missed out on that this year, that doesn't mean that a book can't be enjoyed from the comforts of your own home.
A thriller, and I mean a good thriller, can make time fly by and captivate you which I think we are all in need of at this time. I've made a list of my top recommendations of thriller novels that I wish I could read again with that first-time feel.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is not a book that has flown under the radar by any means, especially after it's film adaptation which captivated audiences just as the book had succeeded to. However, if you have watched the film and not read the book or haven't had the pleasure of either, then I would definitely point you in the direction of this book, it'll have you questioning yourself and struggling to remember who it is you're supposed to hate more.
After reading Gone Girl, I was desperate for more and was able to find this in the form of Flynn's debut novel 'Sharp Objects'. This dark thriller is a bit of a heavier read but it is definitely worth it. The plot revolves around Camille Preaker, a journalist who returns to her hometown to report on the murders of two girls, however this case is not the only thing she has to work through... During her stay as a complicated relationship with her mother thickens the plot and adds another layer of secrecy that will reel you into the world of this strange town. I have also recently discovered that Sharp Objects has been made into a miniseries on HBO/Sky and it's pretty safe to say that I will be watching that very soon!
Another book that has been adapted into a HBO series is Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. Though I haven't watched the series yet (definitely on my list), if it's as gripping as the book I will not be disappointed. This book has so many twists and it acts as another reminder that we don't know what happens behind closed doors. It also shows that some people never grow out of school girl ways... But it is interesting to see the story unfold and the parental perspective challenges the way we view those authority figures we are taught to look up to. Parents involved in playground drama like teenagers leads to very serious consequences but you'll have to read it to find out the rest.
Clearly I only seem to read books destined to be adapted for the screen. Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins was without a doubt the book that got me hooked on thriller novels, sitting by the pool on holiday with this book seemingly attached to my hands was the highlight of the summer of 2016. One of the things I loved about this was the way that the main character is watching others' lives unfold from the outside which is essentially what we as readers do.
A book which I finished not too long ago was 'An Unexpected Guest' by Shari Lapena, like the other novels that I have read from Lapena this one had me hooked! I had already read 'A Stranger in the House' and 'The Couple Next Door' and though I prefer both of these to 'An Unexpected Guest', the book still delivers a tense plot that you'll want to unravel and won't want to put down. This was just what I needed to get me back into reading (I mean why not with all of this free time).
My latest reading conquest has been Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce, and I'll tell you it was well worth my time! I wouldn't want to give anything away and spoil the ending but if you have read any of the others on this list or are a fan of thriller novels in general, this one will not disappoint. A complicated law case, the difficulties of marital life and so much more can be found between the covers of this book.
I'm not sure what my next read will be and any suggestions are welcome, but I will definitely be picking up another thriller soon!
I'm not sure what my next read will be and any suggestions are welcome, but I will definitely be picking up another thriller soon!
