I noticed with some considerable pleasure that there appear to be some very cultured people on the forum having read the poetry thread. Following on from that thread I was just wondering what is the favourite book of the forum users? For me it's Too Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, I first read it in 4th year at school and I must have read it another 30 times since then. I love the moral of the story, the characters and the amazing way that the author through her writing can transport me back to that particular period of time in the deep south of the US. Does anyone else have a book like this? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Anything by Marquis de Sade 
Pmsl!
On a serious note though, I have many books in my collection that are just fantastic and there's too many to write down.
Reading keeps me sane 
Lx |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I do enjoy a dip into my complete works of Shakespeare. There's something for every mood from Midsummer Nights Dream to The Tempest.
The Merchant of Venice ...happy memories from school...
The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That, in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much
To mitigate the justice of thy plea;
Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there. |
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"I do enjoy a dip into my complete works of Shakespeare. There's something for every mood from Midsummer Nights Dream to The Tempest.
The Merchant of Venice ...happy memories from school...
The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That, in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much
To mitigate the justice of thy plea;
Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there."
Absolutely blown away by this one, The Bard being quoted on such a forum...so fantastic! My favourite quote from Shakespeare? Othello "To mourn a mischief that is past and gone is the next way to draw new mischief on"   |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Frankenstein. Probably like many, I picked it up years ago expecting it to be about 'the monster' but it wasn't a tale about that at all. Romance, morality, religion and friendship. Great read. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Choosing a favourite book would be like choosing a favourite child! I've read and enjoyed a lot of Angela Carter & Ali Smith though. Brilliant with form and story, both. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I'm a Terry Pratchett fan so his Discworld books are like home to me  "
I've read all the classics mum had in her bookshelf over & over again & they are great.
But nothing makes me laugh, let's me de-stress & cheers me up like a bit of Nanny Ogg & Granny Weatherwax and their "headology"
Dx  |
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"I'm a Terry Pratchett fan so his Discworld books are like home to me
I've read all the classics mum had in her bookshelf over & over again & they are great.
But nothing makes me laugh, let's me de-stress & cheers me up like a bit of Nanny Ogg & Granny Weatherwax and their "headology"
Dx "
To me, Maggie Smith is Granny Weatherwax. I think of Minerva McGonagall as a distant relative |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Papillon by Henri Charriere.
Regardless of how much of his tales are true or not,he certainly lived an extraordinary life and was a born storyteller.
His style of writing flows effortlessly from pen to page,the use of distinctive words and phrases of his era transports the reader to his word so vividly at times it felt like I was there myself!
It's quite a long book but captures the imagination so well I could hardly put it down and read it within a week which is hardcore reading for me!
I must have read it 10 plus times over the years and it's enthralling appeal never falters,in fact I haven't read it for a couple of years now so think I'll have another bash at it very soon!
His other book (Banco) about his adventures after his escape from penal is definitely worth a read as well.
To summarize I'll say that Papillon is my favourite read of all time,a tale of survival,hope,freedom and the strength and resilience of the human spirit |
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Hard to say a favorite by I enjoyed Sbastian Faulks Birdsong and Human Traces is excellent, on a lighter note also early Alastair Reynolds SF but not so keen on later works. Ian M Banks excluding a couple of titles.
May be we should start a Fab Bookclub?
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Would it have to be virtual or could we all meet up somewhere? Wonder how many would be interested?"
Distance would probably make it difficult to meet up I guess...depends on the interest.So far its you and me so we just need a phone box somewhere. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Good shout on The Prophet, very simple book but special.
For me though its between,
On the Road-Jack Kerouac
Fear&Loathing in Las Vegas-H.S.Thompson
The Great Gatsby - F.S.Fitzgerald |
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