Reading challenge - what would you read from these categories?

[Dragonlette]

I'm doing a reading challenge (the magic square from the Book Vipers Goodreads group if anyone else is on there) and have 4 more books to read before the end of the year, and I need some recommendations.

Poetry
A book from a small publisher
Science Fiction
A book that's been on my shelf for 10 years

So if you could tell me what you'd read from those categories then I might get some inspiration. Thanks

[meandjulio]

Tennyson's poems (well, the short ones)
I never think about the publisher but luckily Lighthouse by Alison Moore is published by Salt Press and it's fantastic.
god I hate science fiction - I, Robot maybe?
Anna Karenina

[lemisscared]

You'd have to say what books have been on your shelves for 10 years for that one.

[Dragonlette]

Don't really have any that have been there that long, not unread anyway. My books get passed on to my sister, brother, mil, etc if I leave them unattended too long. I may have to cheat a bit and use my parents bookshelves, which contain a huge and eclectic collection of books.

[Allalonenow]

Under Milk Wood ~ Dylan Thomas
Something from the Persephone list, all beautifully produced books and a joy to own, perhaps something by Dorothy Whipple or Enid Bagnold.
Anything by Ursula LeGuin or Andre Norton

Tell us a few of the books that have been on your shelf for 10 years and we will help you pick one.

[meandjulio]

You could look back at prizewinning lists from 2004 and earlier and see if there's anything that you meant to read but never got around to?

[Dragonlette]

I'll have to look at my parents bookshelves to be able to tell you that. My bookshelves have been culled quite regularly due to lack of space. I think they have a lot of classics, but I'm not sure what else. There's probably a library full of books around my parents house and I'm counting them as mine because most of them have been there since I was a child.

[Dragonlette]

Good idea meand

[meandjulio]

Ooh. This won the Samuel Johnson in 2004 and it was very good, have you read it?

[Dragonlette]

No, I haven't read that. I might give it a go.

[DuchessofMalfi]

Dragon - if you're still looking for poetry, and want something more modern, and accessible, then you could try this The Song of Lunch by Christopher Reid. I read it earlier this year, and liked it very much.

[Dragonlette]

Modern and accessible sounds good. I don't do well at having to think too much when reading. I do all my thinking at work, so reading is supposed to be relaxing.

[MiddleAgeMiddleEngland]

For a book from a small publisher, you might like The Summer Book by Tove Jansson (who wrote the Moomintroll books). She and her granddaughter spend the summer on a small island off the coast of Finland. It's gentle, wise and beautiful. It's published by Sort Of Books who are fairly small.

Allalonenow I'd second the Dylan Thomas.

[MiddleAgeMiddleEngland]

Posted too soon. I read Thomas's A Child's Christmas in Wales every Christmas Eve, it's a quiet moment all to myself.

[nooka]

How about Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde for the sci-fi? Or Bold as Love by Gwyneth Jones, or Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piecry. All future dystopias really, but interesting ideas. Also The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell is good (bit heart wrenching though!)

[hackmum]

Hmm, I don't think Under Milk Wood can be classed as a poem.

How about something by Wendy Cope? She's usually good fun to read. Or The World's Wife by Carole Ann Duffy. If you're looking for something more serious, then The Thing in the Gap Stone Stile is good. Also Sheenagh Pugh has some lovely collections.

Just realised I suggested four contemporary poets, all women! Wasn't intentional - just some personal faves.

I would second Tove Jansson's The Summer Book (and her other adult books) for the small publisher - they've done a really good job with the covers and the quality of the paper. They're a pleasure to read just from a physical point of view, as well as being good books.

[CheckpointCharlie]

Philip Larkin poetry?
YY to Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde, it's my favourite book.
Small publisher am not sure about.
Book on the shelf - pride and prejudice? An Enid Blyton book!!? Roald Dahl? Depends how old you are! Harry Potter?

[CSLewis]

Seamus Heaney for Poetry?
Oryx & Crake by Margaret Atwood should count as science fiction, I reckon - or if you've never read it, Ender's Game.
Something by Virago (lots of early 20thC women authors)

[Dragonlette]

Ooh, I read Oryx and crake earlier this year so that would count if I haven't used it in a different category already. Thanks for reminding me of that.

[CheckpointCharlie]

I have just finished the oryx and crake trilogy, am still mulling it over three books later!

[Dragonlette]

I mulled it over for quite a while too Checkpoint

I read Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes to dd2 tonight, do we think I can use that as my poetry? Or is it too juvenile? I think it's probably cheating isn't it?

[EATmum]

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - is a Persephone book I think and totally charming.

[CSLewis]

You could read T.S.Eliot's 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats' to your dd, that should definitely count! And you'll both enjoy it

[Quangle]

I can heartily recommend Billy Collins for poetry. He was the US poet laureate and writes lovely, intriguing, readable poems that you don't need a special poetry voice for iyswim.

Small publisher, I'd go for a Persephone book or a Virago book (if they count as small). Virago publish Diary of a Provincial Lady which is charming but also lots of more serious books. Frost in May by Antonia White is a long term favourite.

Science Fiction - I'm not good on that genre. Never really read any.

A book that's been on my shelf for 10 years...Le Grand Meaulnes (translation). Keep meaning to read it.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Poetry - collected Philip Larkin, or maybe some Duffy
Small publisher - Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (Persephone)
Sci fi - Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
On shelf for ten years or more - any Jane Austen except, 'Mansfield Park'