| Sula_Milly |
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| 09/11/2009 00:52 |
If you could recommend one book ....
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What would it be?
A well known classic or a more obscure title?
Everyone has a favorite that they go back to, that made a huge impression, or even inspired them into action.
What would be yours?
For years I would have said "To kill a Mocking Bird", but now would stuggle to choose between it and "A Thousand Splendid Suns". "Wide Sargasso Sea" by Jean Rhys would be up there too.
| DeepBlue |
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| 09/11/2009 01:02 |
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Has to be Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. It's the only book I've ever read again and again. And that wonderful line, "Reader, I married him". Wonderful.
| scottishmags |
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| 09/11/2009 09:32 |
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Hi there
Just one book is really difficult, even ten would be hard, but I think it would have to be "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry
It's the inter-connected story of four people living in India, doing their best to survive and realise their dreams in a cruel society, maintaining a "fine balance" between hope and despair. It's harrowing at times but also very uplifting and I've never read a book where I've cared so much about what happened to the characters
When I worked in a local bookshop for a short time I used to virtually frogmarch customers to the till to make them buy it ..
Mags
| Loo |
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| 09/11/2009 09:44 |
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"Shopaholic has a baby" - very funny, in fact anything by
Sophie Kinsella, my favourite author at the moment.
Loo
| wendy21709 |
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| 09/11/2009 13:03 |
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Hi Scottishmags,
I have just bought "A Fine Balance" on your recommendation. You made it sound so good!! Whilst buying it I noticed that it was also on the Oprah Winfrey Bookclub list.
I am currently reading the Alexander Macall Smith series of 44 Scotland Street. The 1st book of this series I picked up from the bookshelf at the hotel I was staying at, when on holiday. To be honest I could not put it down, and now I have the 2nd book of the series I am also finding the same!!
Wendy
| Janmac |
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| 09/11/2009 13:54 |
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Deepblue got there before me !
Jane Eyre - just has to be !!
| debz |
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| 09/11/2009 15:10 |
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Scottishmags - I have listed your book on my Xmas booklist. Just finished The Road Home that you recommended last week, and I LOVED IT! I have bored everyone at work today telling them all about it....
I have just started a Martina Reilly book - has anyone read any of her stuff?
Oh, and getting back to the question, I would struggle to narrow it down too, but the 3 books l have reread several times are Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, The Dwelling Place by Catherine Cookson (similar theme), and She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb.
Debz
| Sula_Milly |
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| 09/11/2009 15:10 |
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Hi Scottish Mags and Wendy21709,
I will be looking for these books next time in the bookshop. A Fine Balance sounds a great read and I have enjoyed AMS No 1 Ladies Detective Agency books, but have not read the ones you mention yet. Sounds like I should!!
| chilla |
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| 09/11/2009 15:12 |
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LOL wendy, I bought it too because of scottish mags recommendation!
I like Jane Eyre, but always thought how weak the section of the book where she just 'happens' to meet up with relatives was, and it put a damper on the book for me. Of the Brontes, my favourite would be the Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
| BevRae |
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| 09/11/2009 15:34 |
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Anything by Kazuo Ishiguro, particularly Remains of the Day - beautiful book AND a wonderful film. And you can't beat Ian Rankin on the crime front.
| beau |
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| 09/11/2009 15:55 |
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I'm always nervous recommending books - I raved about Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier but hubby couldn't get into it. I just couldn't grasp how he didn't like that book.
Anyway, Cold Mountain or Far North by Marcel Theroux. Both quite bleak but with streaks of humanity.
| beau |
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| 09/11/2009 16:00 |
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I also loved Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe - loved it at the time and thought everyone should read it but I wonder would I still feel the same now
I also love various classics but some of these have been mentioned.
| scottishmags |
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| 09/11/2009 19:31 |
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Wendy,and Chilla, I really hope you like A Fine Balance - it takes a bit of reading but it's well worth it. I got really focused on books set in the Indian sub-continent at one time, partly because I have family in Bangladesh,; I just find it a fascinating part of the world.
Debz, so pleased you enjoyed The Road Home. It really helps to convey how tough it can be living in a foreign country, struggling to make a new life. I wonder if Nick Griffin would appreciate a copy ..
Bev, I agree about Remains of the Day, the film too .. the unexpressed love between the characters was so poignantly acted by Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson wasn't it
Mags
| junemc |
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| 09/11/2009 19:36 |
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Hi,
If I had to choose my most favourite book of all time it would have to be 'Pride and Prejudice' I still love it and have lost count of the number of times I have read it!!
Modern day, I love Marion Keyes, Cathy Kelly, anything by either of them! Have also enjoyed Sophie Kinsella 'shopaholic' series.
June xx
| Sula_Milly |
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| 10/11/2009 02:10 |
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Hello BevRae,
Have just been to see Ian Rankin speaking at Off the Page in The Tollbooth in Stirling as part of the Stirling Book Festival, and he was fantastic. I love his books anyway, but hearing how he approaches his writing was very interesting and as an added bonus, he was very funny!! Great evening!
| scottishmags |
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| 10/11/2009 08:36 |
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Ian Rankin studied English Lit at Edinburgh Uni at the same time as me; he was in the year below and I didn't really know him so can't claim him as a friend unfortunately .. there was an interesting documentary about him a couple of months ago S_M - did you see it? I think Bev did
Mags
| marieoh |
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| 10/11/2009 08:42 |
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Wendy, keep going on the Scotland Street series. I've just finished the fifth. Read it while in hospital recently and it was just the sort of light reading I needed. I also like his Isabel Dalhousie series for escapism.
| Ginnie |
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| 10/11/2009 09:44 |
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This is so difficult. There are so many good books and after thinking about the Brontes, Jane Austin etc I have decided it has to be Sebastion Faulkes Birdsong. Wonderful book.
I loved The Road Home. It really made me think.
Scotland Street books are so cleverly written. Poor little Bertie.
Ginnie
| BevRae |
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| 10/11/2009 11:38 |
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My brother often sees Ian Rankin having his coffee in a local coffee shop. Maybe I should start hanging around there!
| scottishmags |
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| 10/11/2009 17:41 |
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Ginnie, I agree Birdsong is brilliant; I've enjoyed other books by SF but don't think he will better it. Have you read Life Class by Pat Barker which has a similar theme?
Bev, I think you should definitely befriend Ian Rankin and come back and tell us all about him!
I have a similar very tenuous connection to Iain Banks, whose best friend's brother used to go out with my little sister .. another of my favourite writers .. has anyone read his stuff?
Mags
| toffeekit |
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| 10/11/2009 18:35 |
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Can I recommend a series of books, not just one?
The Lymond Saga, by Dorothy Dunnett.
I learned more about history, in these books, than ever I learned at school. Geography, too, as I tried to trace the events on maps and in atlases. Then there's the adventure, the romance . . .
| scottishmags |
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| 10/11/2009 18:39 |
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Hi toffeekit
These sound good. What period are they set in?
Mags
| gumpenscot |
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| 10/11/2009 20:29 |
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Toffeekit - I thought I was the only one who loved the Lymond series. I first read them when I was a teenager and re-read them about once a decade. Part of the enjoyment was knowing the areas the action was taking place in.
Wasn't so keen on the Nicolo series but have all of them, AND the Dolly series.
Mags - they're in the 16th century.
gumpenscot x
| snoopy56 |
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| 11/11/2009 15:33 |
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For me it would have to be Vera Brittain's 'Testament of Youth'. The finest book about the reality and futility of war. Also a reminder to today's generation about how hard women had to fight for their rights less than a century ago.
| juliejug |
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| 11/11/2009 17:40 |
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My all time favourite is called "The Bronze Horseman" by Paullina Simons.
It's a heart wrenching love story and really stays with you long after you have finished it.
I tried to put it on the book club reading list but I think it was considered too long and haseen replaced by another of her books which I actually ahven't read so I am looking forward to that.
| salome |
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| 11/11/2009 17:48 |
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The Poisonwood bible by barbara Kingsolver would be up there for me. I was interested to hear your view of The Bronze Horseman JJ as another of my favourite books is Tully by the same author , i really liked it but was put off the Bronze Horseman because of the title- daft really. Will look it out now -thanks.
Sal
| YOC |
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| 13/11/2009 17:49 |
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"Dear Fatty" by Dawn French, although I wouldn't say I'm a fan she has a wonderful way with words, some laugh out loud stories some one or two brought a tear to my eye. A real girls girl.
| mimosa |
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| 13/11/2009 21:28 |
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I agree with "a thousand splendid suns" it's so difficult to imagine that the author is describing life today it seems like centuries ago.I went to see "the kite fliers" what a beautiful film definitely deserved oscars or similar more than other more commercial films
| marina |
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| 15/11/2009 08:42 |
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I was struggling to decide between 2 books...and both have been mentioned!
I would have to agree with Ginnie, Birdsong. The only book I have ever read that I simply could not put down...reading at 3am with work at 9am...
My other choice was as snoopy56 suggested, Testament of Youth.
| beejay |
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| 15/11/2009 18:59 |
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Anything by Ian McEwan.I thought Atonement and Enduring Love were brilliant.I agree with others about Birdsong and have just recently reread it for my book group.I also like Barbara Kingsolver.I know we should only pick one and that would be A Thousand Splendid Suns but someone has beaten me to it!Another recommendation would be Notes from an Exhibition by Patrick Gale.
| scottishmags |
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| 15/11/2009 21:49 |
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beejay, have you read on Chesil Beach? Such a short and simple book but it has really stayed with me
Mags
| sanddancer |
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| 16/11/2009 08:30 |
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Love lots of the classics hard to choose.Has anyone read Cross stitch by Diana Gabaldon Once you get into it its hard to put down Claire goes back in time to 17th centuary Scotland meets a hunk.
What would you do stay in rough 17th century or come back to all mod cons?It was supposed to be a trilogy but she has stretched it out to five books lost the plot a bit but first one is excellent
| Ginnie |
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| 16/11/2009 09:34 |
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Loved On Chesil Beach. I thought it amazing that the author could think like a woman - but then I always do when this sort of thing happens.
Ginnie
| Briony1 |
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| 16/11/2009 12:38 |
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Hi Sula , I would be torn as the book series I read and re-read over and over is the Patrick O'Brien series starting with Master and Commander. But unless you are into sailing ( which I wasn't either), you have to treat it as if there was some foriegn language every now & then, until over time you assimilate the meanings. Or you could just buy yourself a tall ship guide - but I don't work that way.
My stonking good read for a holiday book is The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Penman, another take on Richard III but with a very believable set of characters and plot.
| luckylegs |
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| 16/11/2009 14:03 |
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I think the one book would be A thousand Splendid Suns... it was a book I couldn't stop thinking about.
On a lighter note any of Fannie Flagg books, such great characters. Standing in a Rainbow I think is the best of hers.
So many books....so little time.
| beejay |
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| 16/11/2009 20:24 |
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I have read Chesil Beach and thought it was great.Also Saurday that was another good one.
| nannyconnie |
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| 17/11/2009 18:06 |
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Hello ladies and fellow readers,I have been away for some time, got back late last night and have loved reading all your comments,and reccomendations.
i couldn't possibly recommend JUST one book,but would like to comment on a few things I picked up. One of you mentioned Ian Banks,I loved most of his books and also Ian McEwan,love his work, my favourites were Saturday and On Chesil Beach.
Rose Tremain----enjoyed The Road Home,but has anyone read "The Colour" which i loved even more.
Just now I am reading"Past Imperfect" by Julian Fellowes and really enjoying that. And another amazing read (which someone mentioned)was "The Other Hand".
One recommendation is a virtual impossibility,but do keep them coming .
| cinderella |
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| 21/11/2009 19:48 |
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I have only just found this thread and found it very useful to see your recommendations.
However I do find it very difficult , if not impossible,to recommend just one book.There are so many good books to read.
I have recently enjoyed "Remarkable Creatures" by Tracy Chevalier, a very moving story based on fossil hunting.
I have read nearly all Alexander Mccall Smith's books and find them all exteremely enjoyable , with a feel good factor about them.
I can also recommend Donna Leon's books,all set in Venice and with a background of contemporary Italy.