The Big Read-BBC 2

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 6:18 pm

An interesting programme on TV---celebreties choosing their favourite book --reading extracts and speaking about it--
If you had to choose your absolute no 1 read--a lifelong favourite--the one you would take to a desert island --which would it be

With just one choice -mine would have to be Jane Austens "Pride and Prejudice"---with "Katherine" by Anya Seton a very close second.
What would your choice be?

maddi · Post by **maddi** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 6:36 pm

Ellie

Haven't we done this topic before? Anyway mine is The Chrysalids, John Wyndham, closely followed by Picnic at Hanging Rock, Roger Ebert.

Assuming we have done this topic before I shall go on a search, just to see if anyone has changed their mind since last time.

Maddi

maddi · Post by **maddi** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 6:45 pm

Replying to myself again . . .

We did sort of do this topic in July under the heading "Read any good books lately" - it was mainly then about our current and 'holiday' reading which then broadened into a favourite book discussion.

Maddi

I would like to know what animal everyone would be if they were an animal (apart from human before I get picked up) and NOT what they would like to be but what they and others would say really describes them.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 6:46 pm

We did favourite books for holiday reading Mads --but this is really for just "one" book if you had to narrow it down to a single book.

ROD · Post by **ROD** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 6:46 pm

First choice would be An Illustrated Guide to Basic Boat Building and Cooking with Coconuts a close second

maddi · Post by **maddi** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 6:50 pm

Take your excellent point Rod - and in that vein, I shall actually take the English Dictionary, which would keep my brain and imagination active and vital indefinately. Mads

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 6:50 pm

Just the job for that island--a practical man if ever there was one--perfect choice Rod

croeso · Post by **croeso** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 7:25 pm

Hi - Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks (nominated in 'The Big Read') is still my favourite. Based on life & death in the trenches during WWl - admittedly not everyones cup of tea.

My mate's wife (a compulsive shopper) would probably nominate The Next Catalogue as her favourite book (Joke).

Nos dda

ROD · Post by **ROD** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 8:37 pm

Some other practical journals:

Build your own Wind Powered Vibrator

1000 Different Sand Castle Designs

Tips for Playing Solo I Spy

How to Stand out in a Crowd

maddi · Post by **maddi** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 9:11 pm

"Tele- transportion - one man's dream"

Daisy · Post by **Daisy** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 9:32 pm

A book on " How to build you own wind-powered vibrator" ?
Who needs that with "man Friday" around ?
He will be there --hes got to be--"shorely" ?

maddi · Post by **maddi** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 11:21 pm

Hi Daisy

Who needs "wind powered" when you have "handraulic" ?

Mads

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 3:41 pm

After sitting for over an hour on the edge of my seat whilst nibling at fingernails----My favourite book Pride& Prejudice got nudged out of UKs "Top Read" by J R R Tolkien's "Lord of The Rings" on BBC2s final voting last night------I am bereft---it was the oldest book in quest for top read(1813) and certainly stood the test of time and will continue to delight future generations Im sure.
But ---son was absolutely delighted as he's been a fervent fan of Tolkien since a teenager--so while I sat there with long face --his was all big grins!
Creoso's choice "Birdsong" by S.Faulks did very well.
Has anyone here read another runner-up "Dark Materials" by Philip Pullman I wonder? Apparently its a real bigseller at moment---outdoing Harry Potter and other popular works!

P.S. If any of you watched the programme and saw the actress Anna Chancellor rooting for P&P(she was Caroline Bingley in the lovely BBC production)--did you know--that she's a great great great etc niece of the wonderful Jane Austen--some heritage

Been a great programme to watch each weekend and makes you proud to have had and still have such wonderful writers that bring so much pleasure. Long may it be so

papajock2 · Post by **papajock2** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 5:30 pm

Funnily enough I read book 1 The Northern lights & Book 2 The Subtle Knife whilst staying at Monte Carvoeiro in November this year. I bought the books based on the recommendation of The Big Read.

Book 1 was a good story - about a young girl, Lyra, in a parallel world. It was full of interesting characters - gypsy families, armoured bears, cruel parents etc, and had a reasonably believable plot (for a fantasy book that is).

Book 2 introduced a young boy, Will, who is form our world but who crosses into another world and meets Lyra. He is searching for his father and she is searching for Dust.

I started book 3, The Amber Spyglass, on the last day of my stay. This book took a lot longer to read and even longer to make any sense to me. With angels fighting battles, the dead being allowed to escape from "heaven?", spineless quadrupeds on wheels and a battle with an archangel who, long ago had usurped God, it was hard going. Book three, for me, was far to complicated with its anti religious symbolism.

The only one of the top 5 I haven't read is Pride and Prejudice. I may save that for the next hol in CVO. But of the other 4 books Dark Materials would come last. Ring - great epic saga but not an easy read. Hitchhikers - Brilliantly funny in parts. Goblet of Fire - an easy read.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 5:55 pm

good for you papajock 2--you certainly have staying power--but though I havent read any of Dark Materials--I believe on your report specially of "The Amber Glass" --dont think it will be my "cup of tea"!
My youngest son would agree with you on "Hitchhikers"--one of his Favs. and he has video as well!
Saving best till last eh?(Pride&Prej)--well I would say that wouldn't I

I was going to say that its favourite of 50 plus folk --but my daughter loves it too

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