Sunday, 1 May 2011

Inspire me people...


As part of our imminent house move, I put all of my VMC TBRs in one place...I don't feel inspired to read any of them... Can anyone inspire me to take one from the stack?!
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14 comments:

  1. Laura1 May 2011 at 12:49

    Oh, YES! I really enjoyed Lady Audley's Secret, a wonderful gothic mystery that also looks at women's role in 1850s society. I also loved The House of Mirth, although it's not a light read by any stretch. Finally, I've heard really good things about The Story of an African Farm, and would love to hear what you think of it.

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  2. Liz1 May 2011 at 13:25

    Sorry, I can't help you as I haven't read any of them. The Song of the Lark and Lady Audley's Secret are both very near the top of my TBR pile too. I'd have thought the Miles Franklin and the D du Maurier would be up your street though? Are they not calling to you?

    You obviously don't need any more books at the moment but if you see The World my Wilderness by Rose Macaulay, I'd definitely recommend it. It's not too much like her better known pre-war novels and I absolutely loved it - it's a short, fairly easy read but plenty in it and it really kick-started my reading when I was feeling in the doldrums after a few duds.

    Good luck with the move, and I love seeing pictures of people's bookshelves so thanks for that.

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  3. martine1 May 2011 at 13:26

    I would say go for some Nadine Gordimer, though maybe quite serious if you are in the middle of a house move. I'd probably go out and get something really frivolous
    good luck with the move
    much love
    martine

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  4. Anonymous1 May 2011 at 14:03

    I'd recommend the Delafield and the Franklin, or try something odd you don't know about yet ...

    Also: OOOH are those Pamela Brown re-issues on the right? Where did you get them from? Who publishes them?

    Liz

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  5. Karen K.1 May 2011 at 14:28

    Edith Wharton!! House of Mirth is one of my all-time favorite books, though I agree with Laura, it is not a light read. If you want something a little lighter I'd strongly suggest Roman Fever. Since it's short stories you could read it in bits and pieces if you are pressed for time. Might be ideal if you're in the middle of moving.

    I also have Song of the Lark and Miss Marjoribanks on my TBR stack, so I'd love to hear what you think.

    And I know it's not a VMC but I spot a dove-grey Persephone! Greenery Street is a delightful light read, so I recommend that also. And of course it is about new houses so that might be appropriate.

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  6. Desperate Reader1 May 2011 at 15:43

    I've just been back to have a look and I think you started with Salem chapel which is the weakest of the Carlingford novels (in my opinion) I really enjoyed the perpetual curate and think you might like Miss Marjoriebanks. I read it a few years ago and loved it, long before I'd read any Trollope, it made me think of Austen's Emma. Not a lot happens and it doesn't much happen over ten years so it's not a fast read but it is enjoyable if you're in the right frame of mind. The Braddon's are good to especially Lady Audley's secret. Might I suggest that you start with 'Aurora Floyd' and then Oliphant and then back to Braddon. It should aclimatise you for all things victorian at least...
    Thank Heaven Fasting is also good but quite depressing.

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  7. Siân1 May 2011 at 15:54

    Surely you want to read the new Du Maurier stories? I haven't read that particular EM Delafield but if I were you I would go for that if I was in the uninspired sort of mood, she has a lightness of touch that is always so readable - all her books are so readable even the minor ones IMO. I ADORE 'The House of Mirth' - I found it to be a real page turner, one of those books where you want to shield your eyes from the bad decisions the heroine makes but compulsive. I also think Willa Cather always has something interesting to say although I haven't read taht particular one. HD's Her is a bizarre but fascinating read, interesting to read about upper class east coast girls at that time, her friendship with Ezra Pound, and then her descent into madness which is particularly well written and like poetry. I don't rate her other books but that one was good.

    Hope that helps, delurking for some moral support, you've done really well and I've enjoyed reading your journey so much.

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  8. anothercookiecrumbles1 May 2011 at 16:10

    I echo Siân - Surely you want to read the new Du Maurier collection? Or the Collette? A Little Tea, A Little Chat sounds charming as well!! Dump the books on the bed, close your eyes, and pick one - I normally do that if/when I feel totally uninspired or confused.

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  9. fatdogfarm1 May 2011 at 18:32

    Absolutely 'Lantana Lane" by Eleanor Dark!! I loved this book. I have read a lot of the others, but, by far, my fave would be "Lantana Lane".

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  10. FleurFisher1 May 2011 at 21:37

    The Song of the Lark. I went to a university without an arts faculy and so there was very little fiction in the library. I'd say less than fifty books. But there were a few Willa Cathers and this one I just fell in love with.

    But if the green books aren't calling I see you have Pamela Brown to hand who I fell in love with even earlier ...

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  11. Astrid (Mrs.B)2 May 2011 at 05:36

    I'd go with Lady Audley Secret or Aurora Floyd. You want a page-turner if your having a book slump. Those ones are definitely riveting.

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  12. Paperback Reader2 May 2011 at 10:38

    I really enjoyed the Du Maurier short stories and the Cather so I would say those (I started reading the Du Maurier as soon as I received it!)

    I adore Colette's writing and The Other Woman is so short that you would finish it in no time.

    I've been wanting to find a copy of Her for the longest time; I read H.D. at uni. I'd also like a copy of Roman Fever after reading the title story in the PB.

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  13. Ali Mal2 May 2011 at 16:21

    "Song of the Lark" - brilliant.
    "Story of an African Farm" - brilliant.
    "Lady Audley's Secret" - a plot so ludicrous it's wonderful.
    You know I'm also going to rave about "House of Mirth" but I know you don't like Edith.

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  14. Paperback Reader2 May 2011 at 17:04

    I'm reminded: Eva wrote about The Story of an African Farm recently and made it sound un-missable.

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