Unmissable Page Turners: 4 Books I Couldn't Put Down

18 Jun 2021 United Kingdom

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It can be surprising as to the books that I can't put down, in the fact that it tends to be genres outside my usual reading repertoire that just get me. Get me in the way that I can't take my eyes off the page, locked in on every word until I shut the book at the end and let out one big sigh of "Woah". Quick reads have always been my thing but there have been surprises along the way, of books that would usually intimidate me but they manage to keep me so engrossed page after page as I devour the whole story. Here are just a few of the books I've read that I just couldn't put down and I think you will love too. 


The Secret History of Donna Tartt

The Secret History is the definition of Dark Academia. Set in an elite New England college, we follow a group of eccentric misfits studying classics. As they try to challenge the boundaries of the norm, there starts a spiral of lies, betrayal and corruption that they have to navigate together. 

Who knew I could like a slow burner? Definitely not me until I gave this book a read! What's difficult to pinpoint is why I enjoyed this book so much. Maybe it was the dynamic friendships and the unequivocal differences between my university experience and the fictitious one here. Maybe it was the mysterious undertones and, at times, insane plot. This book made me hate, adore and pity each of the characters at different points which isn't an easy feat. but it was written so well that it kept me hooked for all 500+ pages. 

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern 

This has to be one of my favourite books I read last year. I was definitely late to the party but, better late than never, right? I was fully consumed by this book, its unique plot, characters and setting. Like the Secret History, it managed to keep me hooked and eager to find out more. 

Zachary Ezra Rawlins is searching for a door he doesn't know he's looking for. After picking up a random, unknown book in his college library which strangely tells him a story from his own childhood, it sets him on a path that he could never have thought possible. Fabulism isn't a genre I have purposefully dipped my toes into before but I guess this was a starting point. Written so beautifully, it captured my attention and kept me there. 

The Muse by Jessie Burton

If you haven't sensed a theme yet, you might with this one as it was another genre I hadn't given a go before and it was so unexpectedly brilliant that I just couldn't put it down. This historical fiction novel was another that just got me with the twists, the emotion and the way two stories intertwined over time. 

We have the story of Odelle, a newly appointed typist for Marjorie Quick at Skelton Gallery. The other is the story of Olivia Schloss, the daughter of a famous art dealer, and her relationship with Isaac Robles and Teresa who become part of the Schloss family. When a mysterious painting arrives for Quick in 1967, it's the story of Olivia that starts to piece together the secret history of the painting. 

I loved Jessie Burton's writing and I'm keen to read more in the future! 

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

If BookTok is your thing, you'll probably have seen this fantastic book by Madeline Miller. Released in 2011, this book has made a comeback with a second wave of love and I'm definitely there! Greek mythology has always been something that has daunted me - I felt there was so much to learn before you even attempt reading a book centred around this, but I could not have been more mistaken. What I needed was just a great place to start, and this was definitely the gateway read to open my eyes to the genre. 

Song of Achilles is a retelling of Homer's Iliad told from the perspective of Pretroculous. After he is exiled to the court of King Peleus, it is here fate brings him and Achilles, son of Sea goddess Thetis, together. From their first meeting to the events leading up to the Trojan War, we see their relationship blossom. This book is so beautifully written and utterly heartbreaking, I found it difficult to put it down. I would recommend this to anyone else looking to read more Greek mythology to pick this up. It's encouraged me to read more books like this in the future. 

What page turners do you have on your bookshelves? I'd love to hear your recommendations! 

Thanks for reading, 
Sarah x

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