Mumsnet Talk

Childhood books stay with you forever. Whether Roald Dahl's dark humour or the derry-do of Hardy Brothers, the earthy anarchy of Stig of the Dump or the magical excitement of The Secret Garden, they have a lasting effect on how you approach the big wide world.

What book do you think children MUST read before they leave home?

And while we're at it, what book should every adult read?

(My children's nomination: The Iron Man by Ted Hughes
My adult nomination: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

Need a reminder of the all-time classics? This Daily Telegraph list brings back the memories...

Every child should read all of Roald Dahl's books, but they must also read Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy.

Every adult should read ... bugger it, I can't decide!

Kes
The Outsider

The silver sword - Ian Serralier (sp?)
Dark is Rising - Susan Cooper

Does childhood go as far as teenage years for this thread? if so then I nominate Flowers in the attic and petals on the wind by Virginia Andrews. I loved them when I was about 13.

As for adult nominations I vote Marley and Me though I can't remember the author.

Molesworth
Kidnapped
The Three Musketeers

Marianne Dreams
Charlotte Sometimes (pre 1980)
Wolves of Willoughby Chase
Carries War

Younger readers - any Roald Dahl.
Slightly older - To Kill a Mocking Bird.

Little Princess
Secret garden
Toms Midnight garden
The Country Girls (Edna O'Brien -teen read)

Every Adult

Girl with a pearl earring

Hotel du lac

The Bell Jar

Bitter Honeymopn Alberto Moravia

Eating Children Jill Tweedie

Anna karenina
Madame Bovary

God, I've read none of these. What does that say about me?

<hides chick lit under pillow>

Room at the Top
Picture of Dorian Gray

Ooooh Carrie's War ... I loved that book. What about The Secret Garden?
Swallows and Amazons
Gerald Durrell's autobiographical books abour Corfu

The Millstone
The L shaped Room

Any Lynne reid banks or Drabble as a young woman - or Plath

Peppermint Pig ( made me go vegetarian)
Wuthering heights

Emil and the detectives
Far from the madding ( or any Hardy)

Are we talking older dc's now?
To kill a mocking bird
Moonfleet
Treasure Island
Harry Potter
Little women

For adults
My all time fav: Sons and Lovers

yes lady Chatterley

Pride of Miss Jean Brodie - nice teen read - thought provoking

Jungle Book

Mill on the Floss

The Hobbit

Lord of the Flies