Rosie Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 I haven't read North and South yet. But I have always loved Cranford (which I re-read a few weeks ago). Some folk say its better than Cranford. What do you think? Presumably you do too as its one of your top picks! I'm ashamed to admit that I've never read Cranford so I can't answer your question, but the reason I like North and South are the wonderful descriptions of the northern towns, mills and social conditions of the 1850s and I also like Margaret, the heroine - it is such a long time since I read the book but the story always sticks in my memory and so that's why I chose it. I must give Cranford a try:) Good excuse to go to the library........ Quote
Purple Poppy Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 Mary Barton is supposed to be very good too, as a critique of the working conditions of the people employed in the mills. I just wish I had more time to read all these! Pp Quote
Polka Dot Rock Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 I read Mary Barton! I really enjoyed it, did it for a Victorian Novel course. It's totally melodramatic and quite unintentionally hilarious at times, but it's a great read. Especially as it refers to bits of Manchester that I was all too familiar with (in fact, a character - not an important one, this isn't a spolier - dies of exhaustion on Oxford Road and it really creeped me out, knowing that this must have happened. Spooky). Quote
Purple Poppy Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 Another one to go on the wanted list, methinks! Thanks PDR, I thinkkkkk...... Quote
Maureen Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 Wow, was quite surprised by how much people loved Memoires of a Geisha Quote
poppy Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 Books that various people have mentioned which I've enjoyed are .... Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons is wonderfully funny in this "I saw something nasty in the woodshed" still stays with me. The English Patient - one of my favourites A Month in the Country - this is a beautifully written and crafted little book Brideshead Revisited - excellent A Traveller in Time - read this when quite young and it made a lasting impression on me, mean to read it again soon. The only book that every one raves over which annoyed the living daylights out of me, was The Remains of the Day. It's very well written I know, but soooooo slooooow. I just want to shake the butler, he is so tightly reined in and unemotional. I found it pedantic in style and frustrating. However, very much enjoyed the movie with Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins. No-one has mentioned any of E.M.Forster's books. A Room With A view Howard's End A Passage to India Anyone like these? Funnily enough I have seen all the books, with the exception of A Traveller in Time, as films and enjoyed every one of them. The British do it so well Quote
Kell Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons is wonderfully funny in this "I saw something nasty in the woodshed" still stays with me. i'm sure that's a lyrc to a song too... "She said, 'There's something in the woodshed'..." Can't for the life of me remember who it's by though... ETA: The band is The Devine Comedy and the song is Something for the Weekend Quote
Rosie Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 poppy, I'm so glad to see that you too like 'A Month in the Country' it is a wonderful story and I've read it about 4 times now, the film of it was good too. I've not come across many people who have heard of it. I also like E. M. Forster especially A Room with a View and Howards End, the films of both were excellent, too:) Quote
Purple Poppy Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 Poppy said; Funnily enough I have seen all the books, with the exception of A Traveller in Time, as films and enjoyed every one of them. The British do it so well I'm surprised that its never been turned into a childrens' TV drama. I loved the book, and it stayed with me too, all these years, and then last year I managed to get a copy and re read it. Love it. Quote
Acesare* Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 i'm sure that's a lyrc to a song too... "She said, 'There's something in the woodshed'..." Can't for the life of me remember who it's by though... ETA: The band is The Devine Comedy and the song is Something for the Weekend I love that song! Quote
muggle not Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 I will name my favorite 3 books. It is too tough for me to pick others as there are so many good ones. The Grapes Of Wrath - John Steinbeck Old Man And The Sea - Ernest Hemingway The Moon Is Down - John Steinbeck I also really enjoyed the Trilogy by Steinbeck: Tortilla Flat, Cannery Row, and Sweet Thursday. Obviously, Steinbeck is by far my favorite writer. Quote
poppy Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 Read several Steinbecks many year ago Muggle, especially remember 'The Grapes of Wrath' as being very good. Have this and also 'Of Mice and Men' and 'The Pastures of Heaven'. On my 'to be re-read soon' list. Rosie, have you read any of R.F.Delderfield? Particularly enjoyed 'A Horeseman Riding By' and 'To Serve Them All My Days'. Quote
pontalba Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov Speak, Memory - Vladimir Nabokov Malevil - Robert Merle Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte The Sacketts - Louis L'Amour I suppose I selected favorites as books I can go back to and reread anytime like an old friend I haven't seen in a while. There are tons more, but that's a start at any rate, and the "top" ones change as time goes by. Quote
Rosie Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 Rosie, have you read any of R.F.Delderfield? Particularly enjoyed 'A Horeseman Riding By' and 'To Serve Them All My Days'. Yes, poppy, I read both of those, quite few years ago now, I remember shedding a tear or two at the time:) Quote
pontalba Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 Yes, poppy, I read both of those, quite few years ago now, I remember shedding a tear or two at the time:) I read God is an Englishman ages ago and loved it. Quote
poppy Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 Pontalba, if you liked God is an Englishman, I'm sure you'd love A Horseman Riding By. It has three volumes, so a longish read, but has some really wonderful characters in it. Sorry, I'm sure you don't need any more to add to your list Quote
Renniemist Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 Oh my goodness I read those Delderfield books years and years ago. They were wonderful books. I think I will have to read them again. Thanks for reminding me about them. Quote
muggle not Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 Lolita - Vladimir NabokovSpeak, Memory - Vladimir Nabokov Malevil - Robert Merle Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte The Sacketts - Louis L'Amour I suppose I selected favorites as books I can go back to and reread anytime like an old friend I haven't seen in a while. There are tons more, but that's a start at any rate, and the "top" ones change as time goes by. I also enjoyed the Sacketts by L'Amour. There are 17 books that involve the Sacketts in one way or another. I believe that i may have mentioned somewhere that I have L'Amour's entire collection of all his books, over 100 and have read them all twice. The last time I read them I wrote, in pencil, in the books the date that I read them. Quote
pontalba Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 LOL Muggle! I was counting the series as one book. Ya caught me! I have a few others of L'Amour's, but not many. I do like his writing a lot though, and Sacketts is one I love to go back and reread. One of these days I might get to read all of his. I hope. Quote
Rosie Posted February 4, 2007 Posted February 4, 2007 I haven't read North and South yet. But I have always loved Cranford (which I re-read a few weeks ago). Some folk say its better than Cranford. What do you think? Presumably you do too as its one of your top picks! Apparently the BBC are to film a TV serial of Cranford with Judi Dench in the roll of Miss Matty:) Quote
dogmatix Posted February 4, 2007 Posted February 4, 2007 Impossible task! Impossible! I don't want to leave any of the great books out:irked: and I can't even bring myself to try. I can only list my single most favorite book of all times "Watership Down" - Richard Adams Now I could list my favorite authors no problem..... Ecco, Saramago, Irving Quote
Icecream Posted February 4, 2007 Posted February 4, 2007 Careful, before you know it someone will be starting a top 5 favourite authors thread.. Quote
Amanda1 Posted February 5, 2007 Posted February 5, 2007 Anna Karenin - Tolstoy White Teeth - Zadie Smith She Came to Stay - de Beauvoir Age of Reason - Satre Atlas Shrugged - Rand stop me now! Quote
wrathofkublakhan Posted February 7, 2007 Posted February 7, 2007 Yikes ... first posting! 1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Ken Kesey 2. M*A*S*H - John Hooker 3. Dragonsinger/Dragonsong - Anne McCaffrey 4. Battlefield Earth - L. Ron Hubbard 5. And ... ten hundred others! Quote
Kell Posted February 7, 2007 Posted February 7, 2007 Hi WoKK (I hope you don't mind me shorteningyour name there!) & to the forum! I agree with 2 of your choices right off: 1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Ken Kesey 5. And ... ten hundred others! I read Cuckoo's Nest when I was about 15 or 16 & loved it (I was already a fan of the film). As for option No. 5, I think there are quite a few of us here who would go for that option! Quote
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