This month my bookgroup has decided not to review a book. Instead we will talk about our favourite book or books. Members can bring their favourite book, or give a list of 5 or 10 favourites or simply talk about a book that influenced their thinking or that made an impact of some kind.
Some years ago my Melbourne bookgroup did this. It was fascinating to hear about the books that made it to each member's favourite pile and the reasons for it.
Over the last week I've been thinking about the books that make it to my current top 10. I say current because my top 10 changes regularly, and this top 10 is vastly different from the top 10 I presented all those years back in Melbourne.
This month my top 10 represents books I loved at the time and which I would both recommend to others and want to read again.
In no particular order
Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C Clarke
How do Humans react when they first encounter an object floating in space that has clearly not been made on Earth?
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Such a toss up between this and Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. One a rise in social position, the other a fall from grace. I chose the fall from grace.
Little Altars Everywhere by Rebecca Wells
The prequel to Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood. And, oh, so much better. I so hope you didn't bother with the movie...
The Long Ships by Frans G Bengtssen
A rollicking saga of the viking age. Published in 1952 this is both hillarious and illuminating.
Foundation by Isaac Asimov
A group of scientists seek to preserve knowledge as the civilizations around them start to regress.
Cautionary Verses by Hillaire Belloc
The story of Jim who ran away from his Nurse and was eaten by a Lion and other fabulous verses are a staple from my childhood and best read with an English accent. I hear Stephen Fry has recorded the verses. He would be excellent.
The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkein
Hobbits on a mission to destroy a ring. Seriously, this hardly needs an introduction. A complete classic which the movies, while excellent, hardly touched in any meaningful way.
The Secret River by Kate Grenville
The story of Kate's convict ancestor, Sam Wiseman, disguised as William Thornhill. The story of convict settlement on the Hawkesbury River north of Sydney at the very beginning of white settlement in Australia. Does not pull punches.
Jonathon Strange & Mr Norell by Sussanah Clarke
An alternate reality where magicians really existed as a once-respectable profession in 18th and 19th century England. No cloaks and wands in this one. But at over 1000 pages leave it for the holidays.
Carpentaria by Alexis Wright
Oh man, this book is so amazing. A saga of indigenous Australia set in the Gulf of Carpentaria and starring the North of Australia. Written in the style of indigenous story telling this book took me 240 of its 520 pages to 'get' but once I got it I loved it and then re-read it straight away. It's one of the few books I have full of yellow post-it notes.
I always worry when I put together such a list that I have forgotten a long lost book that I love. But no matter, it can always go on next year's list.
How about you? Anyone else want to share a favourite book?
