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?

I am amazed so many people have read the Miss Read books, I loved their gentle innocence. Also Meave Binchy and Marion Keyes.

Pan Horror books. Jilly Cooper. Clive Cussler :)

Jilly Cooper, Cathy Kelly, Sheila O'Flanagan. I could go on....

I love Miss Read and reread them regularly. Also James Herriot (Cedric the farting boxer, anyone?), Chalet School, Malory Towers. I have all the Agatha Christie books but haven't read them for years, I don't know why. R.F Delderfield, yes definitely. I don't think I'd class any of them as naff though (defensive ).

Oh and Laura Ingalls Wilder. How I used to yearn to be a pioneer girl!

I was thikning only yesterday that I wanted to re read all the Anne of green gables books - I loved them when I first read them.

I also was transfixed by my first sidney sheldon book, so dashed off to get another (amazingly they are easy to find in any charity shop near you) - then I realised they all have basically the same plot :o

I am doing an Enlish Lit degree at the moment, so am reading very seriously. I can't believe that my guilty pleasures have not been mentioned . A recent guilty discovery has been Harlen Coben's crime fiction novels, but an oldie that has stayed with me, though not sure what I would make of it today is 'The clan of the cave bear' series.

English natch.

su, I am MNing with Clan of the Cave Bear beside me.

It's sooo purple-prose-y and I cringe at the sex ... but still a good read!

I knew a girl who read Mills and Boon to take her mind off her English degree.

barristermum - the 3 I found are:
Powder and Patch
The Corinthian
The Toll-Gate

Without threads here I would never have picked them up, so am looking forward to them! Have I chosen ok, or any other I should start with?

I love the Clan of the Cave Bear series! So glad I am not the only one!

I'm currently re-reading the 5th one when they are back in Zelandoni country! It is as cheesy and wonderful as ever.

I will be rushing out to buy the 6th if ever it is published.

My colleague called his daughter Ayla (after the heroine) - that is a step too far imo.

Like calling your kid after Rupert Campbell Black.

re Anne of Green Gables..the Megan Follows tv adaptation was WONDERFUL. Anyone know if can get as a box set (dvd)? would love to take a day off to sit through all those!

I'm not in the least bit embarrassed by my Dorothy L Sayers and Georgette Heyers.

My well worn copy of The Thorn Birds now...

Lions, the new one is out in the spring, it's in pre-order now.

I think her last was less gripping than the others, but I'll certainly be reading the new one!

if i could name only ONE..it would be What Katy Did. Must have read it about 100 times..both as child and adult. How i wanted to be an American girl in the olden days, with a big family! the second book was great too..the third not so.

Keziah - The Toll gate is a cracker - really good story and sweet romance. Powder and Patch not one of her best, but still worth it, The Corinthian more of a caper and better. My all-time faves are (in order sort-of) Frederica, The Grand Sophy, Regency Buck, Toll gate. Do enjoy!

Can I confess something shameful - I never realised the "adult fiction" section was ORDINARY adult fiction - I just assumed everyone was terribly open about their love of the Black Lace genre and consequently never investigated. Feel v foolish.

Thanks LRD, off to pre-order!

Lace

BarristerMum - thanks, will look out for the ones you recommend. Good to know that if I had just read Powder and Patch I may have not persevered!

Loving your admission too

Ditto to What Katy Did!

Lololizzy - I have the box set of Anne of Green Gables

oooh thanks Keziah! have a 'big' birthday this year so may well put the box set on list!!

For some reason maryz I think the last one is hard to come by, I have it in paperback but not hardback as yet. I first read them as a teenager (my DD 21 has shown no interest though)

My mum had one or two which I read and got hooked - I remember the sense of anticipation when I got a new one from the library

Finch was always my favourite, and Pheasant