I am currently reading Artemesia by Alexandra LaPierre. It is historical fiction about the painter Artemesia Gentileschi. So far it is excellent. I'm actually reading three books right now. I'm also reading Hemingway's Moveable Feast (thought I should since I'll be in Paris less than a month and have always meant to get to it) and Longing by James D. Landis. Longing is about Robert Schumann and is also historical fiction.

topping

The DaVinci Code!

My top reads are:

A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth - wonderful, long saga about the Indian middleclasses. It'll stay with you forever.

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters - Victorian set thriller, utterly absorbing, I used to pray for Tube delays so I could carry on reading.

Life of Pie (2002 Booker Prize Winner) - cover says it'll make you believe in God. Makes you feel warm, tingly and emotional. Beautiful beautiful story, completely original, about an Indian boy shipwrecked and floating on a boat with a wild tiger. Sounds bizarre I know, but I've never read anything like it. Author is Canadian, can't remember his name.

White Teeth by Zadie Smith - funny, touching saga set in modern day north west London (my territory).

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. Every time I read it, I find something new, and I have read it many times. Does an author know the ending before he starts the book? This one really makes you think about that.

Glad someone mentioned "Possession" by AS Byatt(amazing book). And "The God of Small Things" (ditto) - it's by Arundhati Roy. Try "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry too.
And for some more brain food: "The Reader" by Bernard Schinck (sp?) translated from German - not to be missed.

I also liked the God of Small Things. Been meaning to read A Suitable Boy, but haven't gotten round to it. Nicci French books are real page turners; psychological thrillers. There's a new one just out, and when I start I can't put it down! The Sebastian Falkes books Birdsong and Charlotte Gray were excellent too. Birdsong describes the first WW so vividly that you feel like you are in the trenches. Charlotte Gray is about the second WW. Don't know if that is historical enough for you Bookish!

Middlesex. Best book I have read in years.

How funny that three of the most original and intriguing books I've ever read are quoted above: Life of Pi (it's by Yann Martel), a Prayer for Owen Meany and the God of Small Things. Strongly recommend all three.
And a short book I just finished reading the other day: Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto. 1 long and 1 short novella - beautifully translated, and utterly engaging.

"Life of Pi" was written by Yann Martel

Love this post! I've read so many wonderful books because of threads like this one. I second the Daughter of God recommendation. If you liked DaVinci Code you will like this one. Also, Too Many Men. I can't remember the author but it's about a woman's journey to Poland with her father who is a concentration camp survivor. It's actually both funny and touching.

this is definitely worth a top!