list of the month...
...is memorable books.
I deliberately restrained myself from looking at the bookshelf, and tried to let my mind relax, as I compiled this list. After making the last list I realised that lists of "best" and "favourite" things are very volatile - changing almost from moment to moment. And also they imply some criteria that define best or favourite - and I wasn't sure what criteria I was using or whether there were any worth using.
So these books are simply the ones that came into my head on an unseasonably sunny & warm, early February morning. The list definitely includes books I would want with me on a desert island...and some that I wouldn't...
What are your most most memorable books? - and what makes them memorable?
8 comments:
Good question, but it's very tempting to look at the shelves.
My Ian M Banks book would be either Against a Dark Background or Player of Games. Also in the sci-fi genre I might include The Gap series by Stephen Donaldson, Chasm City by Alastair Reynolds, the Sky Faction series by Ken Macleod, Dune by Frank Herbert and the Hitchiker's Guide four-part trilogy by Douglas Adams.
Other books include:
- Quincunx by Charles Palliser
- the twelve volumes of A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell
- Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
- The Dice Man by Luke Reinhardt
- the first three Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever by Stephen Donaldson
- Horace Sippog and the Siren's Song by Sue Walton
- and pretty well any book by PG Wodehouse
But as you say, the list will probably be different tomorrow.
Ian Banks/Ian M Banks has got to be one of the best working British writers, although he is rarely seen as a "literary" figure - I also very much like the two books you mention. His non-SF book "The Business" is also very memorable.
Your list has reminded me that I have long intended to read "The Dice Man" - thanks for your list - I may read some of your other choices - txxx
..I also meant to say that I heard/followed the Radio 4 adaptation of the Dance to the Music of Time, which I greatly enjoyed - but I don't think (partly as a result of listening to it) I could read it in its entirety... txxx
Good question bloghawk. I not great at the whole reading book thing, but books that have stayed with me - Stephen Fry's The Liar was a good book. I'm reading Lord Of the Rings trilogy at the mo. On page 400ish - 600 more pages to go and so far I'm looking forward to it without guilt keeping me reading. To Kill a mockigbird - great book...erm...
What makes them memorable. I think the age that I read Stephen Fry's book might have been why I remember it. It must have been one of the first proper books I ever read.
Lord of The Rings - this is ACWs copy from when he was 11 years ago. I've been reading it to him - although he calls it bored of the rings coz he falls asleep when I do. But it's a bit like re-creating a journey. It's just taken me a significantly longer time to get there.
To Kill a mocking Bird - just is a brilliant book. You can just see it.
The Quincunx by Charles Palliser is an amazing book, written like a story by Charles Dickens.
I urge you to read it, mainly because there is a mystery at the heart of the story that is only obliquely explained, and I would love to hear other people's views of what happened.
I really liked "The Liar" as well - but then pretty much anything by S Fry is good with me.... and I will try Quincunx
Not sure why I've not read To kill a Mockingbird - I saw the New Vic production a while back and really enjoyed it - Pen has a copy so I will read it - txxx
I'll read Quincunx too - gotta get to the end of LOR first - which may be a wee while.
Thanks for the suggestions.
At the risk of adding a rather childish element to this intellectual discussion...
I would have to say that one of my favourite reads at the moment would have to be Louise Rennison's 'Angus, thongs & full frontal snogging' - or any of her Geogia Nicholson's Diary series - for all sorts of reasons.
They bring back so many memories of my ridiculous teenage antics - and make me realise what good times they were (even if they didn't feel like it back then). My daughter also loves them, so we always have something to talk about, and I like to think that it makes her realise that once upon a time I really was just like her...
But mainly, I think that just at the moment, what I really like about these books is that they are a bloody good laugh! xx
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