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Original poster

What book wouldn't you read in a fit,even if you were locked in a cell with it (and nowt else) for weeks on end????

131 replies

moondog · 06/04/2006 16:01

'Bravemouth' (I need another set of inverted commas for that one) Pamela Stephenson.

I sooooooo don't care about the self indulgent musings on deprived infancy by a purple bearded Scottish shortarse as related by his even more tedious wife.

OP posts:
MadamePlatypus · 07/04/2006 10:34

I never finished Lord of the Flies either. I wouldn't read the book by Ian McEwan about a child being kidnapped although I have liked his other work.

Enid · 07/04/2006 10:32

any chick lit novel with a yellow cover, 'jaunty' handwriting style font and a wacky title - "Single Right female" etc etc

BOAK

zippitippitoes · 07/04/2006 10:14

Robert burns..i apologise if anybody loves him and indeed Sir Walter Scott

acnebride · 07/04/2006 10:13

sorry that was clearly triggered by ItalianJ's post, my apols IJ.

The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

acnebride · 07/04/2006 10:12

That book that Fay Weldon wrote, sponsored by Bulgari. Actually, make that any Fay Weldon book. I HATE her style. 'What strange creatures women are! Laura stared out of the window, jingling her glamorous Bulgari bracelet, forgetting her children. How little children believe that mothers do not think of them all the time! How amazingly wise I am!'

ItalianJob · 07/04/2006 09:56

I reckon Auto da Fey (Fay Weldon) and Unreliable Memoirs (Clive James) were quite fine really, so not all autobiogs are awful.

agree with sagas and miserable childhood genre. also hate chicklit. and Dan Brown. And Karin Slaughter.

Caligula · 07/04/2006 07:08

ooh how can you say that, have you no heart.

Greensleeves · 07/04/2006 00:45

I read Helen Forrester's books when I was younger. They were like a dreary self-indulgent version of Maeve Binchy crossed with Catherine Cookson. Dreadful shite IMO Grin

Original poster
moondog · 06/04/2006 22:48

Oh enter into the spirit wimmin!
I know we'd read anything (I would even devour the manual to my boiler),but lets just pretend ok???

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 06/04/2006 22:46

Anything by that snivelling little wuss Tony Parsons

singersgirl · 06/04/2006 22:41

I think I would read anything - even "Mason & Dixon" - if stuck in a cell. I would probably then trying reading it backwards or translating it or something to make life a little fuller....

Blu · 06/04/2006 22:36

Bink - yes I was a bit puzzled about the autobiographies that MN-ers wouldn't read if they were written by somone alive - still am Grin - but that does sound like a good recommendation. And since he's dead NOW, I'll try it!

Nightynight · 06/04/2006 22:26

Grin BC is still in print - Ive seen German translations of her books for sale over here.

Original poster
moondog · 06/04/2006 22:10

lol re BH's stories of 'gentle courage'.
You forgot the bit about them 'triumphing over the odds'

Who does/did read Barbara Cartland's books? Apperently she would lie on a chaise longue and dictate them full speed to her hapless secretary.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 06/04/2006 22:10

boak!

my MIL keeps giving me those Liverpool romances.

i don't read any of htem and give them to charity Blush

LadyTophamHatt · 06/04/2006 22:09
JoolsToo · 06/04/2006 22:06

"He kissed her until she was no longer herself but his, and it was so wonderful that it was impossible to think of anything except that she loved him and he filled her whole world, and she was no longer afraid." (from Love on the Wind, 1983)

LadyTophamHatt · 06/04/2006 22:04

really that many NN??
Grin

Nightynight · 06/04/2006 22:02

Sorry, must defend Barbara Cartland! I love her. Anyone who can publish 95,667,000 books has got my attention for the time it takes to read one!

JoolsToo · 06/04/2006 21:56

Barbara Cartland - no that I could name a single title

Caligula · 06/04/2006 21:55

And the first book that taught me I didn't have to finish a book - Hotel du Lac by Anita Brookner. Oh how it dragged.

Caligula · 06/04/2006 21:53

The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail. I had it thrust upon me by a friend who urged me to read it about 20 years ago and I felt obliged. Got about half way through and couldn't go any further. So dull.

Nightynight · 06/04/2006 21:52

LadyTH - I kept well clear of chicklit for ages, but Ive jsut read the Undomestic Goddess, and did actually enjoy it.

Nightynight · 06/04/2006 21:50

good one Rhubarb.

or any guide to the German tax system. Even the prospect of saving a few hundred euros doesn't tempt me to read that.

Caligula · 06/04/2006 21:50

The Helen Forrester books are great.