BABBLING BOOKS

sparkymarky · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 10:18 pm Post subject: COMPULSIVE READING

In light of Kays suggestion of a list of books that are really worth reading and in line with our ongoing readalong, I thought we could discuss here a possible 1001 books to read before you die of our own- those books that you really feel are books everyone should read. There doesn't have to be 1001 books on it but just thought it might be helpful to some people...please ignore this if anyone thinks it a stupid or unworkable idea.

my choices for a compulsive read that I think everyone should read would be a selection of books that i have read recently in the last two years that have really made me think seriously about the nature of civilisation, the world around me and the cruelty of humanity towards its kin.

hence my compulsive must-reads would be ...

the kite-runner by khaled hosseini and a thousand splendid suns
for opening my eyes up to what it must be like to live in afghanistan

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
for opening my eyes to what it must be like living your life with aspergers syndrome

sarah's key by tatiana de rosnay
for opening my eyes to a forgotten and largely ignored piece of history

Wild Swans : Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang ...
even though we are only 4 chapters in on our readalong, this is proving to be a very addictive and emotional novel that has opened my eyes and really caused me to think, giving way to all sorts of interesting discussion on the forums here

sparkymarky · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 10:21 pm Post subject:

These are all novels that have had a profound influence on me and my reading choices...

eightlegs · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:15 pm Post subject:

Good choices IMO Mark, what would I add?

Alice Walker's Possessing the Secret of Joy and The Colour Purple for their descriptions of lives so different from ours in the West

The Fingersmith by Sarah Waters - not a life changing book nor one that really makes you think about important things in life but a wonderful tale with lots of twists

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox - Maggie O'Farrell. Again, not life changing or deep but a wonderful observation on the changing "fashions" in mental health recognition and treatment and how we perieve others, and a great story

Pollyanna - Eleanor H Porter - a children's book but a tale about optimism, how a little girl uses the "glad game" to always look on the bright side of her less than perfect life, a lesson for us all in positivity!

That's all for now, will no doubt find a few more!

charlottestar · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:43 pm Post subject:

My compulsive reads would be...

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - Of course I had to include my favourite book because every time I read it I find new things also because Jane Eyre is one of very few heroines I can relate to.

Little Boy Lost by Marghanita Laski - Because it completely blew me away on the first read and one of the few books which put me through the wringer.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne - because it's incredibly powerful and the Puritanical society Hester lives in is so vividly realised you can feel the oppression and the claustrophobia.

Those are my first few...I can think of. I'm sure I'll be back to add some more. I suppose they're really my favourite books.

heathera · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:48 pm Post subject:

I completely agree with you sparkymarky. The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns have to be right at the top from me.

I was struggling to think of others but one that springs to mind is:

His Dark Materials Triology - Philip Pullman

Fantastic escapism and imagery.

I'll have to have a little think for any others.
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The Moonlit Cage - Linda Holeman

1001 Book Challenge:
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2008 - 14
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wonderlake · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:15 am Post subject:

Half of a Yellow Sun, Chimamanda Adichie

The story of "Biafra, the breakaway state in eastern Nigeria that survived for only three years, and whose name became a global byword for war by starvation."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2006/aug/19/fiction.shopping2
This was a group read on here previously (July 07), I have only just finished it and would recommend it heartily.
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Current reading: The Last Temptation, Val McDermid ~ 40 @2009

1001 challenge 2009: 11

katey · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 12:42 pm Post subject:

I adore Jane Eyre too Charlotte, I feel Jane is much more 'real' than a lot of heroines and I also have a huge crush on Mr Rochester

I would also add-

Tuesdays with Morrie-Mitch Albom-chapters can be read independently as they are thoughts about different aspects of life, eg family, money, work...I found it really changed my outlook on how I live.

Babycatcher-Peggy Vincent- Memoirs of a midwife in America-completely different to midwives here as they are often employed for Homebirth which is still allegal in some states of America! Babycatcher charts her journey from student until the end of her career. It is absolutely enthralling and I laughed and cried throughout.

Junk-Melvin Burgess- you really must read this! It is a teenage book really, looking at how drugs can affect your life, but it has some very tender moments and I always cry when reading it. Unfortunately I lent our copy to someone and it never got returned

The Magic Faraway Tree-Enid Blyton-another children's book but one that transports you away into a land of silliness, still important as an adult I feel!

The Very Hungry Caterpiller-Eric Carle- The best illustrations in the world, ever. This book also got me my job at the library service!!! A great book for under 5's.

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Katey
xxx

Books 01.09- 18 (5)
Books 02.09- 12 (4)
Books 03.09- 9 (1)
Books 04.09- 3 (0)
Books 05.09- 3(0)
Books 06.09- 8(1)
Books 07.09- 9(0)
Books 08.09- 10(1)
Books 09.09- 3(1)
Books 10.09- 9(1)

Target for 2009- 100 (15)- 16(2) to go!

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