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Original poster

want some recommendations please from some older ladies?

58 replies

chloesmumtoo · 18/10/2007 14:05

I was wondering as my mil loves reading whether it may be a good idea to buy her some books for xmas. Noticed a large collection in the school link mag for only 9.99 for 10!! Called Miss Read Collection - anygood or not? What would you recommend honestly. No time for reading myself these days so have not got a clue on books now. Throw me some ideas please. What do you like to read?

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Earthymama · 21/10/2007 00:01

I knew I'd be peeved when I saw the PO title but couldn't resist and yes I was peeved...older lady, my a* on that for a top hat!!

I'd ask her if she'd like to go out for a drink or a meal with you, or come to stay so that you could get to know her.

I used to love Miss Read, they hark back to more innocent times, but would hate to think that they defined me in any way.

I love books from all sorts of genres, but I don't think my age really affects my choices, except that my feminism, formed in the 70's and 80's underpinns all my attitudes, my life experiences are reflected in the books I read, or I may discover something new, I might try a new author or revisit old favourites.

......I've just thought, it was 'older LADIES' that p'd me off; older WOMEN obviously sounds OK, but ladies suggests someone far too nice and sensitive to try any of this modern nonsense, maybe a nice Barbara Cartland would be just the thing!!

Off to bed now to try the great sex, if I don't fall off my zimmer on the way!!

ladymariner · 20/10/2007 23:43

"The Shellseekers" by Rosamund Pilcher.It's totally fab!!! I read it, my elderly aunt read it, my friends read it and we all loved it.

merlotmama · 20/10/2007 23:00

Chloesmum - merlot aka grumpyoldwoman here. After all this levity I thought I should address your query seriously, so I looked through my bookshelves and made a list.

BUT then I had a brilliant idea which will solve the problem entirely: give her Paul Auster's 'Tales of American Life'. Santa gave me this one year and I reckon anybody, whatever their taste in books, would enjoy it.

Radio Listeners were asked to send in true stories. 4000 were submitted and 180 are in this book. They are aneccdotes, really, 'stories of coincidences, lives lost and friendships found'.

I would have said suitable for any reader, whether they prefer 'literary fiction' or Mills & Boon.

Even if your mil has read it herself, its a book you could happily gift to anyone.

Elasticwoman · 20/10/2007 14:09

You can wind me up so far ... and then I go

PING!

minesalargeone · 19/10/2007 19:37

mercy.....u need tena lady then by the sounds of it....is elasticwoman a wind-up?!

Mercy · 19/10/2007 18:51

pmsl

so to speak

minesalargeone · 19/10/2007 18:37

oh blimey....this is getting worse!!!

Elasticwoman · 19/10/2007 18:24

All women reach the menopause, not all of them need Tena Lady.

Caroline1852 · 19/10/2007 17:51

If not a book on the menopause - what about a pack of Tena Lady?

minesalargeone · 19/10/2007 17:05

DH.....menopause: what's that??

great sex: what's that???

minesalargeone · 19/10/2007 17:04

Me...menopause: not yet please but probably around the corner....

great sex: wouldn't mind but far too tired, thank you.

minesalargeone · 19/10/2007 17:03

mercy.... !!!

Lilymaid · 19/10/2007 16:38

I'm over 50, belong to two book groups and we read the sort of books that anyone from 16 upwards might read (when we aren't busy having great sex - not with other members of books groups! - or drinking wine). I'm loving Anne Tyler's book, Digging to America at the moment.

Mercy · 19/10/2007 16:37

Both actually.

minesalargeone · 19/10/2007 16:36

what the menopause or great sex?!

zippitippitoes · 19/10/2007 16:36

I think the answer is that she will have her own taste

I'd like some dkny be delicious perfume, a dvd of raise the red lantern, some jeans as mine are too big and keep showing builders bum at college

and the ipod i was supposed to have got for my birthday

there is a book set in paris that i want to read....suite something

someone mentioned kate atkinson never fancied her books but i am reading the good turn at the moment...haven't decided if i like it..it was highly recommended by the author of the rebus books and is also set in edinburgh as was bedroom secrets so giving it the benefit of the doubt

Mercy · 19/10/2007 16:34

Yes, you're right!

I need a book on the subject though

minesalargeone · 19/10/2007 16:28

mercy....no, I can see that, but there was a reply suggesting it.

allhallows · 19/10/2007 16:25

Well not pg then but having great sex would definitely banish all thoughts on menopause!

Mercy · 19/10/2007 16:24

Good for you zippi!

Mercy · 19/10/2007 16:24

The OP didn't suggest she was going to buy a book on the menopause for her MIL.

zippitippitoes · 19/10/2007 16:23

what like i had a very hot date last night and we certainly weren't reading anything...I'm fifty, but he isn't lol

hopefully there are a few more to come too

minesalargeone · 19/10/2007 16:21

It's like saying 'here's a book on how to deal with getting older, I think you need it, you certainly look like you need it and this book will help you ease into old age, you decrepid old fart'...honestly, some people just have no idea at all on how to help someone who simply wanted to buy a present for her MIL NOT how to insult them!

Mercy · 19/10/2007 16:20

Have you got something to tell us zippi?

I like Miss Read! (well, some of her stuff)

minesalargeone · 19/10/2007 16:19

If I received a book on the menopause I would:...

  1. Go shove the book up the backside of the person who bought it for me...

  2. Go buy them a book on how NOT to be quite so thoughtless buying it in the first place....

and

  1. Quietly cry and crawl into a corner and think to myself...'why?'...