General Chat

I thought I had lost mine some 3 years ago and after hunting high and low decided must be in loft as no way would I have thrown it out.

Last night whilst sitting here I was gazing up at the shelves crammed with books and spotted it. Spent the rest of the night reading it. What is it?

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. I purchased it in 1977, read and enjoyed so many times.

I have seen the film (84 Charing Cross road) - which was amazing

I have always loved Jane Eyre -

I have also collected every single Agatha Christie - I love Partners in Crime & Nemisis the best.

I have far too many favourite books to just name a few

Good idea though

So well written, no wonder you were upset when you could not find it, so glad you espied it!!
The film is also well made and not, as is so often a poor representation.


Until about 18 months ago I had a full record of each of my books but being away from home before retirement it has not been kept upto date, so now having read this I will put my roller skates on and get on with it.

How could you compare using a Kindle to reading a lovely book? What would you put on the empty shelves?

Two books that I love most out of many are:

Pride and Predudice by Jane Austin


and

The Pop Larkin Chronicles by H.E. Bates

Both books are far better than the films and TV series they were made into and that includes Colin Firth climbing out of the pond (which wasnt in the book) :)

Teresa

My favourite book is My Brother Jonathan by Francis Brett Young. I also love Mariana by Monica Dickens - read it as a teenager. China Court by Rumer Godden is also high on my list.

I too love Jayne Eyre, Great Expectations, Pride and Prejudice.

It is such a treat to pick up a really well written book, I agree about the Kindle (don't ever expect to own one). Reading beautifully written prose is a delight.

At present I am re-reading South Riding - recently on TV, and butchered beyond belief. Winifred Holtby, who came from my area was skilled with her pen.

Some of my books are read and re-read. I have several books by Francis Brett Young, and read them over and over again. But, as I said, My Brother Jonathan is my utmost favourite.

Favourite book of all is...'Wild Swans' by Jung Chang, then the Jean Auel Series, then Phillip Pullman's Dark Materials (teenagers)... Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass:o))

l have just downloaded a kindle (free) fro am---n, only so that lcan download some books very cheaply to see if l want to buy them!! ,only craft books, actual books l would buy and preferrably in a charity shop. l do love holding a book to read, nothing like it:o)

jude

Once again, I am reading 'Diana's Story' by Deric Longden, and will follow it with the sequel, Lost for Words. This is a real story and is the funniest but saddest book I have ever read. It was made into a tvdrama as 'Wide Eyed and Legless' , and is probably out of print now.
This gets read twice a year by myself and OH, and is lent to people with trouble in their lives. It always comes back with smiles.
havejust got my Dark materials returned to me - that is next for re-read.

I was getting on a bit when I did English A level in 1984. I had read and enjoyed Cold Comfort Farm several times.

Imagine my delight when I found it to be one of the set texts for that year. Unfortunately so was 1984, well it would be, but you can't have everything!

One of the interesting points about a Kindle is that the sales of books have increased, it would seem that people are testing if they have enjoyed the author and the topic and then buying the book. I use my ipad to read when flying because it is amazingly light as is the kindle and can be taken as luggage without a problem.

It is very difficult to mention favourite books as my favourites seem to change according to my mood etc

Cold Comfort Farm is a fantastic read and can be re read a hundred times without ever being bored.
Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith bought at an an airport for something to do and discovered an amazing master of suspense telling a story about Stalinist Russia.
Lord of the Rings. by William Golding
Pestered by my children to read this book I found it strange and difficult first time read. Then about 18 months ago, years after the first time I tried again and found it to be provoking,complex and tragic and so delighted that I will be reading it again.

Chris, what is 84 Charing Cross Road about?

Lord of The Rings is another favourite and The Hobbit, read both twice:o)

The Jean Auel series is my favourite as well Jude, did you know she has written a sixth one, don't know when it will be in the shops though.

Caz

Looked 84 Charing Cross Road up on internet, so no need to reply, Chris.

It is a must for every book lover Angel. Just had a thought and found it (the film) Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins - ordered it for the huge amount of £3.49. It was a good film and each time I read the book I can picture it. So am looking forward to it and introducing OH to my favourite!

I don't read as much as I used to, always on computer lol it's only when on holiday I read now,get through 3/4 books in a week then. however many years ago I read a series of books about generations of a family who lived in Canada in a large house called Jalna, I think there were abt 13 books in the series, I must have read all of them at least 4 times. They were wonderful stories and I would love to find them again.
Gill

Ginnie, OH loves Tom Sharpe - the only one I enjoyed was Wilt.

Thanks for your reply, Chris.

YorkshireCaz.......l have first 3 chapters downloaded on my browser, don't ask how it was done as a neighbour did it, but l can send the link on here if anyone wants it??
It will be released 29.03.2011....12 days time:o)

jude x

Yorkshire caz
the new Auel book, 'Land of the Painted Caves' is out on 29 March, as Jude says. In Waterstone it will be £24.99 hardback, on Amazon it will be £9.99, or £5.24 if you can wait for the PB. which will be out early next year.
mm, can I wait that long??
and can I afford any Diana Gabaldons?