Wednesday 1 June 2011

Books we'll never forget...


This month we thought we’d tell you about our favourite books, so here are three of mine:

The Re-invention of Ivy Brown is like a jigsaw – set in the past and the present, with the hint of a mysterious happening which is not fully revealed until the end.  

Carry on Jeeves – any Jeeves title takes the reader into a world of country houses, landed gentry and Bertie Wooster, well-meaning gentleman about town who regularly needs rescuing by his manservant, Jeeves.

Oliver Twist – have you seen 'Oliver!' but never read the book? You’d be surprised how much more happens to Oliver. I was also surprised how much humour there is in it, despite it being the story of a mistreated workhouse boy.

Share your favourites with us and introduce others to books they’ll never forget by clicking on 'comments' below. 

For more reading choices try the Read and Relax pages on Bex-L. 

Next month, in time for the summer holidays, we'll be chatting about books we loved as children.

This month's moderator: Jill

30 comments:

Sharon E said...

So many good books to choose from...

I think I'll start with Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, one of my favourite authors.

I love the way this book's written. Each chapter is set in a different time period, but there are subtle connections between the characters in each one. You get to the middle of the book and start going backwards through time again, revisiting each set of characters.

It's so thought-provoking - it's basically about how we move from 'uncivilised' to 'civilised' to apocalypse.

I've read it twice now and loved it just as much second time round. I'll definitely read it again.

Bex-Read said...

Hi Sharon - that's interesting, as my choice of The re-incarnation of Ivy Brown has a similar technique of different periods of time and slowly revealing unexpected connections between the characters, who have all been affected in some way by an incident hinted at in the first chapter.

Val said...

Books I'll never forget - the problem is where to start! Khaled Hosseini A Thousand Splendid Suns set in Afghanistan is very moving, shocking in places but a book I think everyone should read. Also Michael Morpurgo's Private Peaceful Bexley's Big Read book from a couple of years ago is another book I'd recommend to everyone. And a book that stays with you long after you've read it is John Boyne The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Interestingly the last two books are crossover titles published on Teenage lists but I think of equal impact across the generations. Has anyone else read these and if so what did you think?

Jill said...

What do other people think? Do you enjoy books which switch between different periods of time? Or do you prefer a story to start at the beginning and go straight through to the end?

Sharon E said...

Hi Jill

I love books that switch between different time periods - that's one of the reasons I love Kate Morton's books. I'm always fascinated by characters in the present day trying to find out about those in the past. Kate Morton uses the time switch technique so well - her books are such a treat.

Jill said...

Yes, Sharon - I was thinking of Kate Morton's books too. Have you read The Distant Hours? It looks fascinating.

Rachel said...

Hello everyone,
The Distant Hours is next in the line for books to read. I'm really looking forward to it. I loved both of Kate Morton's previous titles, particularly the switching time aspect. I tend to find that my most memorable books are those where the reader has to piece the story together along the way. I'm also going to put in a vote for Rebecca as a really memorable book - again another one which keeps you guessing...

Val said...

I've also just taken home a copy of The Distant Hours. Like others I've enjoyed all of Kate Morton's books. Another timeslip book well worth a mention is Martin Davies The Conjuror's Bird. Great ending too - one that comes as a surprise so very memorable. I also feel I should mention Khaled Hosseini's first book The Kite Runer as one that I'll never forget. I think it was almost more memorable that Thousand Splendid Suns if that's possible. Does anyone else agree?

Sharon E said...

Hi Rachel

I'm sure you'll enjoy The Distant Hours. I'm not sure it's as good as the first two, but it's another great page-turner. I also love having to piece the story together along the way.

Rebecca? Memorable for me for all the wrong reasons. One of those books that had me yelling in frustration and wanting to throw it across the room. The 'heroine' is so horribly meek and wishy-washy. She really needed some get up and go! (And the film's just as bad).

(Sorry. Rant over...)

Sharon E said...

Hi Val - I loved The Conjuror's Bird. Such a gorgeous book.

I've been a bit of a coward with A Thousand Splendid Suns. I read The Kite Runner and found it very powerful and well-written, but obviously quite traumatic. I've haven't yet been able to bring myself to read A Thousand Splendid Suns - and I know I should.

Val said...

Hi Sharon

Yes I know what you mean. I've never read We need to talk about Kevin - and again I know I should. I found enough hope in Hosseini's books to balance out the horror though.
But I simply can't agree with you about Rebecca. Such a haunting novel and one of the most memorable opening lines ever ! "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again" Its a book I could read over and over again.

Jill said...

Rebecca seems to be a bit of a "Marmite" book then? It's one I've meant to read [I'm sure I saw a TV version years ago]so I'll be interested to see what others think.
You all seem to like the thought provoking books. Has anyone any favourites that make them smile as well?

Sharon E said...

Val - you should definitely read We Need to Talk About Kevin (it is traumatic, though). I read it with my reading group a few years ago and we still talk about it now. It had a huge impact on us. It's a really interesting one to chat about too. As it's all told from the mother's point of view, it's not clear whether her poor parenting is to blame for what happened or whether the child is 'born evil'. That certainly divided my group - we didn't agree at all.

Another time-switch book I loved - Random Acts of Heroic Love by Danny Scheinmann. In the present, Leo's girlfriend is killed in a coach crash and he's devastated. In 1917, a young man in Russia has survived the war and treks for miles to try to get back to his girlfriend.

Both stories are completely gripping - I loved everything about the book (except some gory detail near the beginning). It has such a good title, too.

Bex-Read said...

Dear all

Sorry it's been so quiet here. We've had a few technical problems which have now been sorted out.

So, let's start chatting again!

Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie series is a big favourite of ours. Have you been watching Case Histories? What do you think?

The Bex-Read team.

Rachel said...

Hello everyone,
I was really looking forward to the Case Histories series (I haven't read the books yet - I've just started the first one though).

I did enjoy the TV series but was a tiny bit disappointed. It seemed a shame to have squeezed all three books into six episodes - I felt as if the stories were far too rushed to be properly involved with. I also thought that the loose ends were tied up very neatly and not always believably. It was good undemanding TV though and enjoyavble nonetheless. So many readers seem to love Jackson I'm really hoping to enjoy the series of books. Are there only three featuring Jackson Brodie?

Anonymous said...

Yes - we've been watching Case Histories, and it was very, very good. (as good as the books? Note quite, but let's give it 9 out of 10!)
To tell the truth, I didn't really want to like it (and I thought it'd be impossible to film), but in the end it was one of those increasingly rare 'highlight' programes. (And all the ladies thought Mr Isaacs was just right!!!)

Sharon E said...

I'm with Rachel, although I was more than a little disappointed.

I agree that it was very rushed. Important clues were revealed much too early which meant there was very little tension. I didn't really care about the characters much because there was no dramatic build-up to each story. I don't think there was any need to cram so many of the books into one series.

I was also disappointed with Jason Isaacs. Far too rugged and toned - he should have been much more run down and vulnerable.

Having said all that, I only watched the first episode, so shouldn't be too hard on it. I felt I was far too familiar with the books, though. I knew exactly what was coming next. Then again, my son drifted away halfway through the episode (and he loves UK cop/detective series) and my partner wasn't interested enough to remember to watch the rest of the series.

So, a thumbs down from us...

V Meldrew said...

What?...NO!!!!!!!
Case Histories "A disappointment"?..." A Thumbs Down"?....

I DON'T BELIEEEEVE IT!
It was excellent, the best thing on TV since one Foot in the Grave

fiona said...

I loved Case Histories - it was just how I imagined from the books. Having said that it is a few years since I read them so I hadn't remembered all of the plot. Is there still one more that's not been filmed? I hope so, something to look forward to.

Books I'll never forget - I don't know if i'm odd but I tend to associate certain books with certain times in my life. For example I remember the day I finished my A levels (a hundred years ago!) coming home and reading the Thorn Birds in one sitting in the back garden. I read Ruth Rendell while suffering terrible morning sickness and still can't read Lynda La Plante as I was reading this when my dad died. I suppose it's like listening to certain pieces of music - they take you back to where you first heard them. Sorry - rambled a bit there but brought back lots of memories. Fiona

Will said...

Fiona,
You’re so right about “Books we’ll never forget” being a combination of the book itself AND where you read it…
One that always springs to mind for me is reading my first Henning Mankell crime novel (Sweden, rain, gloom, cold…you get the picture!) whilst sweltering by a swimming pool in the south of France. Incongruous, but very memorable!

(PS - glad that you liked Case Histories...so did I, along with Victor Meldrew).

Val said...

Well I've really enjoyed the Case Histories on TV. I've read the books and loved those too. Jackson Brodie was a pretty good match for me but his house was far too tidy and upmarket! And Julia was much less attractive and frankly more chubby in my imagination! Did anyone else feel she wasn't right ? I think that if I hadn't read the books though I would have been very confused! Some of the Bexley Reading group gave up on it and found it didn't match up to the books.
And back to books I'll never forget Mark Haddon The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime has got my vote as a must read. The insight in to the mind of someone with autism is very powerful and stays with you . Also on a lighter note Alan Bennett's short novel The Uncommon Reader is a must read for its positive portrayal of reading and libraries ! the image of the Queen wandering on to the mobile library at the palace always makes me smile - great fun!

Anonymous said...

Yes, I would hesitate to use the word "chubby", but Julia was far more "fuller-figured" in the books.

Sharon E said...

Hi Fiona

Good to hear from you. There's one more Jackson Brodie book so far - Started Early, Took My Dog. I wonder if they'll wait until Kate Atkinson has written more before they do another series?

Books definitely remind me of certain times and places too, especially if I read them on holiday. The Thorn Birds was so appealing at that stage of life - I thought it was the most romantic book I'd ever read! I've kept all the books I studied at school and college - Cold Comfort Farm, The Dubliners, Twelfth Night, Clarissa and many more. They all bring back lots of memories.

And when we talk about children's books next month, I have so many old favourites. Can't wait to chat about those.

Speak to you again soon...

Sharon E said...

Hi Val

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a great example of a book that stays with you. It's so moving and so well-written. A short book but with so much impact.

Just thought of another one I think we both enjoyed - The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Not only was it incredibly moving, but it has fascinating illustrations. For anyone who hasn't read it, it's narrated by Death who is actually a pretty likeable character. It's set in Germany during the World War II and is about a young girl who's fascinated by books. An incredible book.

Val said...

Hi Sharon yes I'd really recommend The Book Thief. I put off reading it for a long time as I really didn't fancy reading a book that was narrated by Death if I'm honest! But I finally read it with The Bexley Village Reading Group and it was an incredibly moving book, very memorable and definitely one that everyone should read. I've thought of another "must read" book - To Kill a Mockingbird, and another from the crossover list of Adult and Teeen in Jamilla Gavin's Coram Boy - has anyone read it?

Rachel said...

Hello all,
I agree that books I've read are defintely associated with the places/ times I read them. Sharon and Val mentioned books from schools which they'll never forget - I completely agree with Val about To Kill a Mockingbird which is fantastic. Having said that, I also read 1984 which for me is memorable for all the wrong reasons - I really couldn't bear it!

Sharon E said...

Hi all

Yes, To Kill a Mockingbird definitely deserves its place on our list.

I read it years ago at school and enjoyed it, but when I read it again recently I was amazed at how good it really is. Such a short book and yet so much in it. I'd forgotten how funny it is - but the humour is so subtle in places that it's easy to miss. The characters are just so beautifully written and Harper Lee is so skilful at recreating the games, hopes and fears of childhood. A perfect book.

Another one for me - Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I remember the absolute thrill of reading about a library of forgotten books. I'd love to get lost in a place like that. All those treasures...

Anonymous said...

“BOOKS we’ll never forget?”…
Can any reader help me how to REMEMBER the books I`ve read?
I do read loads, but – confession time here – I find it really hard to recall them…

I know some people keep book diaries – do they help? (I know of one library borrower who used to put those little stickers you can peel off British apples into the back cover of every book she’s read…Not to be condoned of course, but it did help her recall what she’d already read…)

Any advice, please?

Sharon E said...

Dear Anonymous

I don't keep a book diary as such, but I do keep a list of everything I read (gives me a good excuse to buy one of those lovely books with the gorgeous rough pages just waiting to be filled. I have been known to stand in various shops stroking notebooks - I just love them).

It doesn't always help me to remember plots but I like to look back and remember when and where I read certain books. And it can be helpful if you think you've read something but can't remember. Keep a list, then it's all there for you. Lists - something else I love...

Anonymous said...

OK. Thanks for the tip.
I will TRY to start keeping lists of what I`ve read…
(But I shan’t be tempted to stroke any notebooks, however).