Jane Eyre , just briliant. Probably one of my most read books. Classic Bronte romance won't spoil
The Gargoyle - really interesting with two intertwining stories , love, sex ,celibacy and suspense. What more could you ask of a book. Gory in places - especially the first bit.
Harry Potter - especially the first 3. It was these books that got me back into reading again after a lot of fallow years. Not looked back since.
The Player of Games - Ian M Banks It is Sci Fi but very accessible. Good story with plot twists and turns. A page turner. The culture is a place where everything is allowed except murder and stealing. Everyone has money, plastic surgery, anything they like. Then one day a new civilisation is discovered that brings them into contact with a different way of thinking. Great book, will always love it.
Purge Sofie Oksanen recommended by a woman who runs a small independant book shop in Falmouth. Not an obvious choice for me. Translated from Swedish, Author a Swedish/Estonian feminist. Absolutely blew me away. Tale of two women who's past is linked although they don't know it. Great story , very well told.
The Miraculous Advenures of Edward Tulane - yes, it is supposed to be a story book to read to children about a Toy rabbit who gets lost. I defy anyone to read this and not shed a tear at least once.
Stardust Neil Gaiman ( In fact ANYTHING by Neil Gaiman including himself :-)) Neil Gaiman used to write comic strips for Marvel. His novels are imaginative , funny and often a little dark. The kids books Stardust and Coraline are fab. American Gods is my favourite of his grown up books. Neverwhere is pretty good too.
Resistance Owen Shears - a story about the Resistance in Wales after the Germans won the war - or in theory what would have happened had the Germans won the war. Based on papers found in Herefordshire. A book that makes you wonder how you would have reacted if you had been in the same place. Film due out this Autumn.
A very odd bunch of best reads. Looking forward to trying other people's now and adding to my list.
Thanks everyone :-)