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Original poster

I've got 5 books on my bedside table - which one to read?

32 replies

BumgrapesofWrath · 02/04/2012 23:05

I'm feeling particularly indecisive at the moment, so I've picked 5 books off my bookself but can't pick which one to read. So... should I read:-

Myra Breckinridge - Gore Vidal
The Observations - Jane Harris
The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Secret History - Donna Tartt
Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro

The last two books I read are The Corrections - Jonathan Franzen (disappointing) and A Prayer For Owen Meany - John Irving (fantastic, now in my top 5 books) if that helps...

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hackmum · 10/04/2012 19:54

Never Let Me Go is one of my favourites - a really brilliant book, I think. In fairness, I know people who hated it. It's one of those books that provokes strong reactions either way. (Trying to avoid the phrase "Marmite book".)

If you choose The Secret History, make sure you're not doing anything else - I couldn't put it down.

celticlassie · 10/04/2012 15:55

I love Never Let me Go and The Secret History is my favourite book ever. The only other one I've read was Shadow of the Wind but I didn't really like it.

Original poster
BumgrapesofWrath · 10/04/2012 01:17

Thank you for all the recommendations to read Never Let Me Go - I have just finished it! Have really enjoyed reading it, I haven't been able to put it down, though not the happiest book I've read. It did remind me a lot of The Handmaid's Tale.

I did wonder why no-one tried to escape their fate though...

OP posts:
nitsparty · 05/04/2012 19:34

agree with NLMG. Read Secret History next.

IamtheSnorkMaiden · 04/04/2012 22:43

Another vote for Never Let Me Go :)

Original poster
BumgrapesofWrath · 03/04/2012 22:22

I think the majority voted for Never Let Me Go so I have started reading that. I am hooked in already, reminds me a bit if how I felt when I started reading The Handmaid's Tale.

Think Shadow of the Wind may be dropped to the bottom of my to read pile...

OP posts:
notnowbernard · 03/04/2012 21:55

The \secret History

lilbitneurotic · 03/04/2012 21:54

The Shadow of the WInd is awful! The only book I've ever not finished.

MunroMagic · 03/04/2012 21:48

I loved Never Let Me Go - very thought provoking.

Hobs · 03/04/2012 21:44

I must add Remains of the Day to my list of things to read.

I also loved A Prayer for Owen Meany. I must read it again sometimes.

highlandcoo · 03/04/2012 21:23

I haven't read the Gore Vidal one.
As for the others, it depends what sort of mood you're in.

Never let Me Go is sad and thought-provoking.
The Secret History is gripping and mysterious.
The Observations is quirky, mysterious and amusing.
The Shadow of the Wind is over-rated IMO - can'r recall much about it.

Ragwort · 03/04/2012 17:42

Remains of the Day is wonderful, I read it years ago and then received it again in my Mumsnet Book Swap circle, couldn't put it down. Smile.

mimbleandlittlemy · 03/04/2012 17:19

The Observations and The Secret History are terrific, though I think SH has a bit of a lull mid way through. I'm very ambivalent about Never Let Me Go and Shadow of the Wind (well not that ambivalent actually, but I'm being polite Grin).

I loved The Corrections and I loved Prayer for Owen Meaney if that helps at all!

Francagoestohollywood · 03/04/2012 15:13

I've only read The Secret History and Never Let me go out of your list, and found them both disappointing.

On the other hand I loved The Corrections Grin.
Remains of the day is a wonderful book, imo.

alemci · 03/04/2012 15:05

I liked Shadow of the wind too and it was brilliant. also read another of his recently.

Dissolution which is a Tudor thriller is also brilliant by C J Samson.

carrotsandcelery · 03/04/2012 15:01

I loved The Shadow of the Wind. I haven't read the others so that is maybe not all that helpful.

MurielTheActor · 03/04/2012 15:00

Hobs Remains of the Day is a fabulous read. Very controlled and in places quite painful. He is a fabulous writer.

I read Myra Breckenridge when I was a precocious teenager (a little while ago now) and loved it. I have convinced myself, though, that if I read it now it would feel very dated - as Valley of the Dolls does - and probably isn't a 'classic'.

PandaG · 03/04/2012 14:58

I love, love, love Remains of the Day.

TodaysNotAGoodDay · 03/04/2012 14:44

Never Let Me Go is brilliant

CestTout · 03/04/2012 14:43

Another vote for Never Let Me Go!

Hobs · 03/04/2012 14:36

Yes, Ragwort, it's the same guy. Kashuo Ishiguro (I think). I loved Never Let Me Go, but not yet read The Remains Of The Day - is it good?

IHeartKingThistle · 03/04/2012 14:32

Oh the Shadow of the Wind, so amazing. I read it on my honeymoon and practically ignored DH as when I wasn't actually reading it I was thinking about it Blush

Ragwort · 03/04/2012 14:32

Is Never Let Me Go written by the same author that wrote Remains of the Day (I loved that)?

PandaG · 03/04/2012 14:30

Only one I've read is Never Let Me Go. OUr reading group liked it iirc.

Hobs · 03/04/2012 14:21

Never Let Me Go, definitely.

It's a fantastic and very thought provoking book. One of my all time favourites.