Ladies and gents, your personalised book recommendations (see Readers’ lives) are ready.

Remember, you’re very welcome to recommend me a book right back. In fact, I’d love it if you did. Thanks to all those who have already recommended titles, whether to me or to everyone generally. They’re all great choices.

While selecting a book for each blogger, I’ve tried to avoid both the eyewateringly obvious and the sort of books you’ve talked about in your blogs. If you’ve written about your love of sci-fi, say, I’ve assumed you already have all the sci-fi you need and have tried to think of a more tangential option.

Mostly I’ve chosen novels, because a long list of factual books would have all the allure of a school reading list. Yawn-o-rama. However, there are a couple of exceptions.

If you’ve already read the title I suggest for you, I’ll award myself a shiny silver star for ninja-level perception. (Privately, I will give myself a slap for inability to think laterally.)

Cover shots are included, but there are probably 200 different editions all across the globe. So don’t judge your book by its…

I’ll just get on with it, shall I?

1. Radiohumper
Human Croquet – Kate Atkinson


You asked for something British with foxes in it. This book’s poetic, magical and beautifully written, as are all Kate Atkinson’s books. I think any one of them would be a good choice for you, but this one in particular. (OK, there aren’t any foxes in it. But it is British. Stick with me here.)

2. Ibrahim
Metamorphoses – Ovid


Not just because it’s from the olden days. It’s epic, adventurous, noble and heroic, all of which may be your cup of tea.

3. Swiss Toni
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall – Anne Brontë


Anne is the best Brontë. Fact! Unfortunately, she’s always been overshadowed by melodramatic weakling Emily and gobby sulker Charlotte. This book is ace on toast. I’m not sure you have any interest in Victorian novels, Swiss, so it’s a long shot, but I still think you’d romp through this one.

4. Lord Bargain
White Noise – Don DeLillo


This book’s funny, wry and entertaining. If you look it up on Amazon, ignore all the poppycock written in the customer review section. It’s not “tough going” or “difficult” and you don’t need an understanding of postmodern literary concepts to read it. What are these people on about?

Anyway, I’ve broken with convention completely here, because I’ve decided to offer you a second option in case you’re put off the first one by the detractors’ twitterings. It is:

The Stars’ Tennis Balls – Stephen Fry


This book gave me a bad dream the night I finished it. But it’s great.

5. Francesca
Immortality – Milan Kundera


I love this book. I bet you $900,000 that you will too. The fact that I don’t have $900,000 to cover the bet just goes to show how sure I am.

6. Hedgewitch
The Dice Man – Luke Rhinehart


A cult classic. But Hedgewitch, beware of trying to emulate the Dice Man’s actions while you’re reading it. No good can come of this.

7. Andy
Life of Pi – Yann Martel


This book is weird and brilliant. You think you know where it’s going, then it charges off in the opposite direction. Ideal for most people, but especially Andy. I think you’d like its understated humour and its unexpected twists. Frankly, who wouldn’t?

8. Ka
If I Told You Once – Judy Budnitz


Warning: the dark fairytale landscape of this book may haunt you for days after finishing it. An exquisite gem, perfect for Ka.

9. Chunky Munky
London Fields – Martin Amis


It is big and it is clever. It’s also compulsory reading for all Londoners. Hey, I don’t make the rules.

10. Mark
Manners – Robert Newman


There’s a sense of creeping urban decay in this book which I think would appeal to you, Mark. Not just that, but the incisive rendering of the main character and his psychological journey throughout the story also strike me as your sort of thing. An excellent book from an underrated writer.

11. Hun (aka odd child)
The Mistress of Spices – Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni


A wild spirit unleashed in Oakland, just like the Hun herself. This is another beautifully written book with a magical twinkle in its eye.

12. OLS
Wise Children – Angela Carter


Sparkling, stylish, witty novel with hidden depths WLTM Aussie lawyer for cosy nights on the couch. No time wasters.

13. Jim
Vapor – Amanda Filipacchi


This book came to mind immediately for you, Jim, and I’m not quite sure why. It’s partly hilarious and partly sweet. The oblique humour in it may appeal to you. It may not. If it does, her other book Nude Men will almost certainly suit you too (not as titillating as it sounds, but a strange, funny read).

14. Jenni (who also appears here)
The Map of Love – Ahdaf Soueif


International politics, Egyptian history and a love story, all wrapped up into one. You can almost feel the scorching Sahara underfoot when you’re reading it. It’s a delight.

15. True Blue Liberal
The Age of Consent – George Monbiot


TBL, you are one of only two recipients of a non-fiction recommendation. This book is Monbiot’s “manifesto for a new world order”. I thought its visionary political ideas and optimism might appeal. One to fill your head with possibilities.

16. Diogenes
After The Empire – Emanuel Todd


Gerry didn’t respond to my entreaty to join us, but he’s getting a recommendation anyway because I think he’ll love this book. The author predicted the self-destruction of the Soviet Union back in 1975, when the rest of the world saw no signs of its power crumbling. Here, he turns his attentions to America and predicts the way in which the American empire will draw to a close, arguing that this process is already underway. Compelling and surprising.

17. EVERYONE
Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov


The best novel ever written. I ain’t even joking witcha. Buy. Read. Love.

OK people, that’s me done. Hope you like your choices. Let me know what you think of the selections and, if you decide to read your book, what you thought of it.

Happy reading!