Make me a reading list...

[katelyle]

....Your favourite book. The one you'd save from the tidal wave when you're stranded on a desert island. But just one. I promise to read them all. Unless anyone's favourite book is anything by Jeffery Archer or Edwina Curry.

The end of the affair by Graham Greene
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
The catcher in the rye - J.D Salinger
Also agree with EAst of Eden and A Prayer for Owen Meany.
(sorry not to follow the rules about just one but with incredible foresight I kept them all in a waterproof plastic bag by the door in case of tidal wave!)

An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears

Rattling good read!

Ohh Annejones, I didn't see tha you had also suggested it!

Great book, isn't it?

Did you actually finish the book, Nightynight? Its centres around a friendship between two women, and how a terrible event (several awful events, actually) affect that friendship. Its not a graphic thriller! Its actually very sophisticated and incredibly moving. I'd also suggest that Morrison explores taboo and disturbing issues precisely because the African-American past is so riddled with them.

Her writing may not be to your taste, that's your pergoative).

I'm not going to enter into a debate about this, to be honest, as I wrote my MA dissertation on Toni Morrison (I read her completely TOTALLY differently from you. Couldn't agree less with your interpretation, but hey, differet folks and all that).. Point being, I could argue this until I'm blue in the face, but that wouold be very broing for everyone, including the OP, who I'm sure can make her mind up about whether or not to add Morrison to her reading list.

no, I stopped it in the middle - I was luke warm about her anyway after I read Love.
I have no problem with taboo issues, violence etc, just with the unbelievable way it was introduced into the story.
I think she set herself a very difficult and unnecessary task to describe 2 children killing another child, and she didnt pull it off in that case.

Emma (Jane Austen) - if I could only have one of her's.

Martianbishop, it is just wonderful - I have recommended it far and wide and everyone has raved about it without exception - think I must have bought at least 5 copies as presents after the first time I read it!

I haven't got on with his other books, which is a shame. I spent about a year hunting a similar reading experience after feeling bereft, and it is still the silver-standard by which other books are judged.

Reminds me: due for a re-read.

LOL, I am also on my third copy for the same reason. I quite liked the Dream of Scipio, but it wasn't in the same league.

One book that I read recently that I enjoyed very much was 'The Last days of dog town' by Anita Diamant

The Secret History - Donna Tartt

ooh i wish someone had read one of my books. i loved them
i could reminisce about when i use to read.....

Martianbishop - just added Dogtown to my amazon basket - sounds wonderful, never heard of it before but I adore the Massachussets coastline and will read anything set there just to remind me of that beautiful fresh sea air.

I just finished Sovereign by CJ Sansom - was a romping good tale! Found the dialogue a little clunky in places but the story was so good (am a bit of a fan of the Tudor era anyway). Am half way through another Sansom one at the moment.

Did you read "This Thing Of Darkness" by Harry Thompson? So good it almost toppled Fingerpost from its pedestal, I've been recommending this to all and sundry too. Even my DH (not much of a reader, took him months) was hooked.

Dogtown got really good reviews...Mmmm....think I might be tempted.

Thanks

Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

The Bronzed Horseman - Paulina Simmons.
This book is amazing - a ltle soppy but so great.

OK - An Instance of the Fingerpost has just arrived from Abebooks - 693 pages. I hope you who recommended it realize the awsome responsibility you carry!

Oooh Katelyle - hoope you are enjoying 'Fingerpost' - I am going to re-read it this summer, it's due another traversing!

Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro.

OR Grand Sophy - Georgette Heyer

My two desert island books - enjoy!

just one? you're a meany...i'm sure i'd be quick enough to grab a few...

but if you insist one of my favourites is Silas Marner by George Eliot.

although Middlemarch would keep you going for longer

no it's no good I have to do another one-
Carter Beats the Devil by Glenn David Gold

Fantastic book. It's about a magician, it's a thriller and a love story, utterly gripping and beautifully written.

The color purple Alice Walker

Woman in White by Wilkie Collins for me too.

Bagsundereyes, I also love the Go Between.

Oh and Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons for a giggle.

Midnight's Children
Possession

Gawd I wish I still read books..the cheapest luxury but easy not to do it

uberalice and jamantha snap. A fab fab book
funnily ehough I've only read it once. It moves me so much just looking at it makes me stop what I'm doing. I really must read it again one day just need the right 'conditions' and don't know what they are yet.

Hoping to be stranded on the same desert island and read everyone else's! Then would have the magi by john Fowles.....if no-one will share i'll take Birdsong..

John Buchan, Mr Standfast