Naff old books that you are embarrassed to admit reading but just LOVE

[BalloonSlayer]

I recently found a copy of an omnibus of James Herriot's books in a church booksale.

I last read his books (my copies must be in the loft somewhere) when I was waiting for DS1 to arrive, nearly 11 years ago.

I am enjoying reading them again SO much. They are so funny, and sad - and yes, sentimental - and the funny stories are written so well I still chuckle out loud. I must have read some of the anecdotes a hundred times in my life, they were a massive success in the 70s. Yet I wouldn't be surprised if they were out of print now.

What guilty pleasures do you have? Have you got any favourite books that you don't give pride of place on your bookshelf, even though you should?

All of Jilly Cooper. Legend.

Marian Keyes.

Singingcat you have reminded me that my Jillies are on the bookshelf but on their sides with the spines facing away from the viewer.

But I think I DID get rid of my copy of Ulysses as I knew I was never going to get any further with it and having it on my bookshelf was, therefore, wanky. < gavel >

Oh I have all the JAmes Herriot books too-wonderful.
Loved the farting dog and when James ate tons of piccalilli to smother the taste of the fatty bacon.
I do like books like KInflicks (Lisa Alther) and LAce.

love Kinflicks

I totaly love James Herriot books too. I reread them all when I was pregnant - perfect intellectual level for pregnancy. I am addicted to Janet Evanovich. I also got rid of Ulysses in my last big book cull....

read all the james bond ones, but can't remember one from the other now.

gone with the wind.

I see your James Heriott, Jilly Coopers and Marian Keyes (all of which I have).

And raise you

Anne Rice

and

Charlotte Bingham

Ive got the James Heriot books. My secret shame is Chalet School books. Also keep a selection of kids books such as The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, Black Beauty and Kim for mindless bath reading.

OK, I confess. Dick Francis. Have got them all

me too Bloomingnora

Stephen King - but only the early stuff.

sara paretsky detective novels

Jemima J - dog eared, twice the size it used to be from reading in the bath.

Miss Read
Many children's books
Sophie Kinsella

MM Kaye. I love her novels. I don't know anyone else who has ever admitted to having read them

The Ordinary Princess? Old favourite of mine. Lost my copy a while ago though.

Miss Read-read all of them. I find them a real comfort when life is stressful, they are totally void of nastiness, violence and are very relaxing.

Miss Read, James Herriot, Anne of Green Gables.... comfort books definitely that I have.

I'll confess to the Whiteoaks of Jalna books by Mazo de la Roche, for my comfort reading, (I started a thread about them once, but I don't think many people had heard of them )

Anne of Green Gables, and all the Little Women books too. And Anne Granger's Mitchell and Markby books (cosy undemanding whodunnits)

I love the Lilian Harry stories about World War 2. all very nostalgic, predictable, relaxing and simple to read. Oh ethelina - The Chalet School! - I am gutted to admit that I chucked my whole collection away when I moved house, 8 years ago. Why?! To this day I don't know what possessed me. I would love to read the whole lot now!

Dick Francis
Georgette Heyer
Sue Barton series - I'm always putting them in the attic/selling them and then embarassingly rebuying them in charity shops
and even more embarrassingly the Carol series by the same author
Marian Keyes
Dorothy L Sayers

The Lorna Hill 'Wells' series about ballet dancers - just put them on the bookshelves in DD's room. Scarily enough I still know them almost word for word..

Def James Herriott.
Also Agatha Christie, George Higgins (Boston crime fiction), John Le Carre, Scott Turow, William Tapply (again Boston-based lawyer-crime fiction) Not sure any these, including James Herriott, should be counted as naff though! There is a good reason why people read and re-read these books! And what about Jane Austen - one of my favourite bad day at work/bad cold/other irritations reads. I think I have read P&P about 25 times!

Dorothy L Sayers and Agatha Christie. They are comfort reading for when I feel poorly.