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?

Actually, i take that back, it was only the covers of the books i WAS embarrassed about.

Another one here for Jilly Cooper.. but even worse for the trashy content is Jackie Collins' books!!

Another guilty pleasure is Sidney Sheldon's novels - If Tomorrow Comes was great.. and also an old favourite of mine was Master of the Game - thinking about it now, it seems a bit of a dodgy title! :o but I really loved the story..

The "My Friends...." series by Jane Duncan. All long, long out of print. I have a few that belonged to my mother, and search every charity and second hand bookshops for the others (so far unsuccessfully).

Malory Towers by Enid Blyton

OMG!!!!!!

I have found my home on Mumsnet - I love and totally reread all Chalet Schools (have half of the first editions and the rest dog-eared ancient Armada paperbacks and cannot BELIEVE someone threw theirs out - the half of dog eared paperbacks I sold on ebay when I'd replaced with 1st editions reached £140!)

The Poldark novels - though mainly the first 5 for re-reading.

MM Kaye - mainly the detective romances for guilty pleasure re-reading. Recently returned to the sweeping epics and was appalled a few years on to realise how morally defective Trade Wind is.

Georgette Heyer - I think I prefer the Grand Sophy/Frederica/Ajax/Toll Gate types, but I do sometimes love a bit of the swashbuckle of Devils Cub etc.

Mary Stewart - the frothy detective romances AND the Merlin stuff.

Miss Read.

Dorothy L Sayers, Allingham, anything but Agatha Christie.

RF Delderfield, and AJ Cronin anyone?

As a newer thing, but definitely inspired by all of the above, I like Vikram Seth's Suitable Boy, and just to prove I am not totally low-brow, I've re-read Les Miserables, Our Mutual Friend and Possession too 3 times each.

And it's early to say given DD is only 3 but I think she may be the same, we keep returning to certain Fairy Stories (Sleeping Beauty and Snow White) and also Room on the Broom on a loop.

Lovers and Gamblers - Jackie Collins

Only because it's about Tom Jones and I used to love him.

Anything by Virginia Andrews

I also love Mallory Towers but haven't read it in years! Might have to dig them out of my parent's loft!

Barrister mum - I had forgotten about Poldark, A J Cronin and R F Delderfield - I loved their books. I'd also throw Howard Spring into the mix as a good comfort read.

Anyone else an Elswyth Thane fan? I spent my teens fantasising about living in Colonial Williamsburg instead of boring old Devon.

And I still have my collection of JT Edson westerns (though they are hidden away from the discerning) - whatever happened to westerns? When I was a girl libraries had whole sections devoted to them.

Everything by Jilly Cooper, she's absolutely fab! Have to admit that they are in the private study bookcase though and not on display in the one in the dining room (blush) .

Ooo I'd forgotten Howard spring and anyone else like the Herries Chronicles? Walpole I think. Cumbria and rougher than poldark but romantic and swashbuckling.

The thing I most forgot of my romantic youth tho was the scarlet pimpernel series. Not just the first but eldorado and all those that followed. Demme Monsieur chauvelin!!!

all the Anne of Green Gables series..all enchanting!!

found my old copy of North and South (with Patrick Swayze on cover) - am really tempted to re read!

thanks so much for reminding me of The Secret Island, BelligerentGhoul!!! I wanted to BE those kids more than life itself. Think will plan a hopeful/optimistic visit to parents loft soon in hope that copy still remains!! Does anyone remember a book also by Enid Blyton about a brother and sister that went to live in a hollow tree?? (nothing to do with the Enchanted Wood books) that always captivated me but have never been able to recall title

Alison Utley..i think called Country Child? and was true story. All the Little House on Prairies too.

Barristermum - oooh, I'm very envious of your first editions

I had forgotten all about The Secret Island. I loved it so much as a child, we had a lake with an island across the field from my parents house when I was a child, I longed to go and live on it but there were loads of horrid geese living there .SO happy I have been reminded! I have just ordered it from Amazon for me dd .

My easy reading / guilty pleasure books are PG Wodehouse, Miss Read and Terry Pratchett.

kurri i read those jalna when a teen, think I will re-read again!

ditto sidney sheldon, virgina andrews, jilly cooper and kinflicks!

Oumarusks, you can get them on ebay for suprisingly little money - I have occasionally forgotten myself in an auction and paid a £100 but more often £60 - nice birthday present action if you want to tell a relative. Make sure they don't buy one with a copy DJ - it's got to be original if they are to retain value, but they're lovely as they are unabridged and the Armada versions slashed them terribly.

I love Anne of Greengables too - and Megan Followes as her on the TV serialisation is comfort TV watching too.

Courtesy of this thread I am rereading Regency Buck

I've not yet read Jilly Cooper/ Georgette Heyer.

I love, and re-read,

James Herriot
Jean Auel (shame!)
Laura Ingalls Wilder
L.M. Montgomery
The Devil Wears Prada
Innocence
'The Country Child' (no shame here. It's good!)
The 'Tillerman' books by Cynthia Voigt

Etc.

I have just had to take out 3 Georgette Heyer's from the library having read the rest of this thread!

Barristermum - definitely AJ Cronin, Miss Read.

My copy of The Secret Island completely fell apart, so I bought a new copy a few years ago - telling myself our goddaughter will love it when old enough!

The LM Montgomery, James Herriot, Arthur Ransome, Enid Blyton are all on the bookcase.

oooh - which 3 Keziah? I want to live vicariously through your pleasure...

ooh, I love the Chalet School! I'm re-reading one at the minute. Also Anne of Green Gables and her other series like Emily. The Antonia Forest series is fab too. I'm not embarrassed about them though, 'Autumn' term is right next to 'Mill on the Floss' on a living room bookcase ATM!