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!
April 16th, 2005 at 1:32 am
Thank you so much! It better be good because I just ordered it from Amazon!
If I don’t like it, keep your $900k and just give me my $10 back 😉
I agree that Lolita is a fabulous book, but I still think Pale Fire is the best Nabokov ever.
April 16th, 2005 at 9:53 am
You’ve gotten my really curious…
Do you have a book for me?
April 16th, 2005 at 10:54 am
I get Ninja Points! Manners is fantastic, even if, if i remember correctly, it is set in Birmingham and GASP! it has a policeman for a protagonist (oh no!)
Bloody nice bloke as well – bumped into him a couple of times
April 16th, 2005 at 11:48 am
As the now legendary frog in the library said, “Reddit.”
Years ago when my brother was doing his Classics degree, he tried the same strategy that got him through his GCSE German: to teach me the language and get me to do his homework. Didn’t work though…I wasn’t interested in learning Latin because I was by then obsessed with Germanic languages…haha. I read the translations though.
April 16th, 2005 at 12:02 pm
No pressure then, eh Francesca? Ha. Hope you enjoy it anyway. Yep, Pale Fire is just a mere 3/4 of a millimetre below Lolita on the quality scale, for me. So if anyone wants to read that instead, they should go right ahead. Because we said so.
Bren – sorry, list now closed! See post below. If we do Book Week again, jump in and place your request and I’ll be happy to think of one for you.
OK, I’m taking all “Already read it” remarks as triumphant proof of my selection skills, rather than shorthand for “Couldn’t you come up with something I HADN’T read like TEN years ago? Jeez.”
April 16th, 2005 at 12:03 pm
And hey, if you’ve already read the book I suggest, why not pick a co-blogger you like and nick their selection instead? Mix and match!
April 16th, 2005 at 2:09 pm
Thanks Fox. I’ve ordered it. Your choice is spot on.
I will get around to recommending one for you, it’s just that I can’t think of one that’ seems just right. Yet.
April 16th, 2005 at 5:46 pm
Thanks! I love George Monbiot — he was the main reason I turned to the Guardian’s site in the stupid run-up to the current war — but I’ve never read any book of his, so I’m looking forward to this one. As a matter of fact, the books I read are almost exclusively fiction and some of your choices for others (London Fields, White Noise, Lolita, Kundera) are some of my absolute favorites.
I have one for you too. The book I just finished reading — “Main Street” by Sinclair Lewis — shows the true America (same now as it was in 1925) better than any recent non-fiction.
April 16th, 2005 at 6:03 pm
I will do it and get back to you! Thanks mucho!
April 16th, 2005 at 6:21 pm
righto fox – I’ve taken a punt on this and popped into Waterstones and picked up a copy. I have to warn you though, I **detest** Austen, so I’m hoping this takes a different path! Still only £4.99 for an Oxford’s Classics edition, so not much lost there.
I also agree about “lolita’. It’s been a long time since I read it, but I loved it. I used to have a rubber plant in my room at University called ‘humbert’, you know.
And finally, just to prove it’s different strokes for different folks, I read ‘Manners’ a while back and absolutely loathed it, so there you go.
Great idea though – I’ll let you know how it goes. Also, were you hoping that other people would put this onto their blogs? Seems like hard work, but was that the idea??
ST
April 16th, 2005 at 6:39 pm
No no, only if they want to. If anyone wants to do the same as me and recommend books for those who request it, they should go ahead, but there’s no need to unless you want to. And also no obligation to recommend me a book in return, but many thanks to those who have. I will be checking all your ideas out in turn. They all look excellent.
By the way, I don’t want to encourage people to part with cash. You get enough commercial messages from the rest of the world. So please do borrow books from friends instead if you can! Remember, the value of your investment may go down as well as up. Or something.
Ooh, I shall feel terrible if you all come back and said “Right Fox, I spend 7 quid on this book you recommended and it was RUBBISH. I hate you.” Eek.
Don’t worry Swiss, Tenant is totally un-Austen-ish. Anyway, Austen’s not a Victorian, she’s an Augustan. Makes all the difference.
And finally – please don’t any of you feel obliged to read the book I suggested just because I suggested it. You’re perfectly free to resist. I shan’t be in the least offended.
April 16th, 2005 at 7:58 pm
Damn, damn, damn – I slip out of blogworld for a few days and miss your fab book reccomendation idea. Any chance of a late one? *looks pleadingly*
I will suggest a book for you, Fox, but there may be a slight delay and a loud grinding noise while I think…
Jenni – I thoroughly endorese The Map of Love – great book.
RedOne
April 16th, 2005 at 8:03 pm
Fox, I’m enjoying this idea of yours, though I chose not to participate. I’ve just finished slogging through a pile of books my friends insisted I just had to read, and am now enjoying my freedom from suggested reading. ;0) However some of the suggestions you made here sound really interesting, and I’ll probably check them out. Thanks!
One book keeps coming to mind when I think of recommending one for you: An Unexpected Light- Travels in Afghanistan, by Jason Elliot. Have you read it? It’s nonfiction, but beautifully written and not at all dry.
April 16th, 2005 at 8:10 pm
I’m crushed…no book for me?
Crushed on the high ground…
MajorDad1984
April 16th, 2005 at 9:48 pm
I shall pick it up as soon as I’m finished the one I’m on, Fox, thanks! Always up for a good recommendation.
As for Major Dad, who I have immense respect for despite serious differences in viewpoint (perhaps that’s half the fun!), might I suggest Louis de Berniere’s Captain Corelli’s Mandolin? Forget the movie ever existed – removing the politics from Captain Corelli is like removing the magic from Harry Potter. It’s a tough first 50 pages so hang on, but then it all comes together and is quite simply extraordinary.
April 17th, 2005 at 1:26 am
Ka…
I might just give that a try…although I wasn’t able to hang in there with the movie. It was Nicholas Cage, wasn’t it? If I were taller, I’d say he could play me in my life story. Guess I’ll have to stick with who I’ve been told I resemble most…Kevin Bacon.
Thanks for the kinds words…and see you on the high ground!
MajorDad1984
April 17th, 2005 at 10:25 pm
Update: I’ve passed on the meme (did I get that right?) on my blog too. I think it’s a nice idea even if I saw your post too late *curses*
And Aravis’s Afghanistan book is an interesting one, as I remember.
RedOne
April 18th, 2005 at 3:29 am
I’ve just read the first few pages of Wise Children on Amazon – looks like you hit the nail on the head for me. I’m off to try and find a copy now.
I’m trying to think of a good book to recommend to you – I get the feeling you’d probably enjoy the Murray Whelan books, but they’re pretty Aussie-centric and I’m not sure that you can really enjoy them if you’re not an Aussie (or at least know Canberra). Stiff was the first one (and they’re better in order), but The Brush Off was probably the best one.
Check them out on Amazon and see what you think.
– OLS
April 18th, 2005 at 7:32 am
Oh thank you, I love you.
Lolita is sticky like molasses and thighs on vinyl. Yes it’s excellent.
April 18th, 2005 at 9:29 am
Ooh, Foxy Fox, you did me first. My brother, who owns every book ever printed, is rifling his library for a copy of “Human Croquet”- it sounds perfect.
Thank you.
For you, based on totally irrational impulse, I recommend the Complete Dorothy Parker Reader. She is as perfectly poised on the Sexual Diamond as the Urban Fox, and she will help you get why Americans are the way we are. Plus, none of the stories commit you for more than a few pages, because we know what a busy fox you are.
Thanks again. This was fun.
April 18th, 2005 at 10:15 am
ooooh, i get *two* books.
As I finished my “miracle of castel di sangro” book last night I shall purchase them and get cracking today. I may even push the bpoat out and read “Lolita” as well.
ta x
April 19th, 2005 at 12:10 am
Sorry you missed it RedOne! I will pop over to your blog for my own nomination. MajorDad, I think Ka has made a great suggestion. And I can see the Kevin Bacon resemblance too, from the one photo of you that I’ve seen. Ka, thanks for placating the crushed Major so effectively!
Aravis, I quite understand why you didn’t want to join in! No worries at all. Thanks for your recommendation, that sounds great.
OLS, thanks. I hope you like the book. Thanks for your suggestions, I’m going to look them up right after I’ve done this.
Hunhun, you are most welcome. Glad you agree on Lolita too. You’re clearly a woman of great taste.
Ninja points for Radiohumper! I have The Complete Dorothy Parker on my shelf already! But I haven’t read it yet. I shall do so with double enthusiasm after your endorsement, thank you.
Lord B, I hope at least one of them delights you. Hopefully both!
April 19th, 2005 at 3:17 am
Oh, if you think that picture does the comparison justice…I’ll have to dig to see if I can find another. It’s a relatively close up profile…ala “Apollo 13.”
I’ll have to track down that book Ka recommended.
See you on the high ground…
MajorDad1984
April 19th, 2005 at 12:40 pm
OK, I’ve had a think about a return recommendation, and I’ve come up with two:
1) A bit obvious this one, given a comment you made to an earlier post, but I think you should read “The Three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas, ideally in the Oxford Classic Edition edited by David Coward, as they are great translations. This is a rip-snorting read, a real romp, and I think ANYONE here would enjoy it.
2) This one’s a bit more of a punt, and you might reject this out of hand, but I think you should try “Small Gods” by Terry Pratchett. I suppose whether or not you like the genre is down to you, but I maintain that there are very few authors writing today who understand the human condition so well (even when being illustrated by dwarves). He’s written hundreds of discworld books, but I’ve picked this one because it’s about religion, and tells us far more about our world than the discworld. It won’t take you long to read, and I’d really recommend you give it a try.
Whaddaya think?
ST
April 19th, 2005 at 2:01 pm
Right then Swissy, I will take both your choices and add them to my list. I think I might be able to borrow both off the same person too. Thanks very much!
April 19th, 2005 at 5:21 pm
Trivia fact-ette: Terry Pratchett is Britain’s most shoplifted author.
April 19th, 2005 at 7:28 pm
I have thoroughly enjoyed every Pratchett that I’ve read. Er, and I either bought or was gifted with those books. No Five-Fingered Discounts. *G*
April 27th, 2005 at 7:45 am
Hey Fox,
I’ve finished Wise Children now – blogged about it over at my blog and I’m extending the meme to my readers as well. I’m not sure I’ll get the same number of takers though.
Anyway, I enjoyed Wise Children and have moved onto Lolita now – I read it when I was in primary school and thought I’d probably have a different perspective on it now! ;o)
– OLS
April 27th, 2005 at 10:59 pm
oops
i never thanked you. very rude.
thank you: it’s bought and on the floor (out of shelves in my rented gaff…)
September 19th, 2005 at 8:28 pm
Fox, this is the first time i’ve seen this post. Guess I am a bit behind, but I’m adding it to my reading list!
A big belated thanks.