What novel would you like on your 40th birthday?

[earthpixie]

My best friend turns 40 soon and I'd like to buy her a hardback book as well as the other gift I've gone halves on.

Can anyone suggest a good, meaningful novel? She probably wouldn't want fantasy or overt romance. I suspect she'd prefer a modern(ish) story to a 'classic' although I'm open to suggestions.

What novel would you want as a special gift on a significant birthday?

I love "A thousand Splendid Suns"

Might be a bit heavy though - quite a traumatic story.

One of my favourites is Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

Not David Mitchell the comedian, I assume. That would be ironic as she has a big crush on him!

heheh

No.

Its not a funny book. Short stories, all interwoven. Very clever.

Just had a look at David Mitchell's stuff on Amazon. Looks just her cup of tea; thanks taffetasplat!

David Mitchell the author is FAR more attractive than the other one (who isn't in any way or form)

If a modern author, I'd agree - Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (which has a very nice cover), or his more recent one, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet (which also has a pretty cover in hardback).

yes 1000 autumns is a good one

Classic - Persephone Books do a really lovely copy of 'Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day' or there are some really nicely bound copies of 'Pride And Prejudice' around now - both with the relevant dvd to go with!

Modern is harder, as we don't know her tastes. A cook book may be nice! Otherwise, perhaps The Kite Runner (way better than 1000 Splendid Suns!).

Thanks everyone. I'm actually now dying to read some David Mitchell myself!

Yes The Foosa, she is a wacky kinda gal and often has deeply inexplicable crushes.

Ingenious Pain by Andrew Miller (I am not being funny)
History of Love by Nicole Krauss
any book by Italo Calvino
100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson

I would get a Folio edition of something. I don't think you have to be a member to buy books.

After lusting after loads of books on their site I've discovered you do need to be a member. But there are loads on ebay and Amazon.

Why don't you gather a hardback of one of your favourite novels?

It's not quite the same thing but I have a friend and every Christmas we buy watch other two of our favourite books - doesn't have to be a besrseller or current release, just something we loved ourselves. This year I bought her The House of Spirits by Isabelle Allende and the Poisinwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and she gave me Brazaville Beach (William Boyd) and The Blind Assasin (Margaret Atwood). I had to change the Atwood as I'd already read(and loved) it, but it's lovely to be given something because someone wants to sha their joy with you.

Maybe modern classic with a strong female influence: Wild Swans or something?

All great books recommended by SlightlyJaded. I would personally recommend a classic - there are so many we miss because they were set at school or were just 'boring' to us when we were younger. I don't think John Steinbeck should be read by anyone before the age of 30!! I re-read him recently and was absolutely blown away. The Grapes of Wrath (although not the cheeriest of books to be read) is one of the most life-affirming, stunning books ever. If your friend reads a lot anyway, then she can't not love it. I went through a revisiting the oldies a few years back and really understood why these classics keep getting printed... Orwell, Wilkie Collins, Hemmingway, Greene (mixing my periods here). They put alot of modern authors to shame. Sorry - could go on.....