WBN 2012 Top 100 Books

I recived an email today from World Book Night asking me to choose my Top 10 books to give away as well as giving a link to the Top 100 chosen so far.  Here are mine, not strictly my Top 10 favourites, but Top 10 to pass on (click on the books for more information): 1. The Crow Road by Iain Banks This is one of the few books on my shelf that I have read and reread. Prentice comes from a strange family, from a granny who can feel the presence of her offspring in her moles to his travelling uncle. A dark, twisting tale as Prentice tries to uncover what happened to that uncle with an added pinch of adholesence angst and desire. 2 The Lover by Marguerite Duras I read this first a few years ago and it blew me away. The relationship between a young French girl and a richer, older Chinese man in Indochina. It is a slim book, but it puts you through the emotional wringer as their doomed relationship plays out. Add family commitments on both sides and prejudice of an inter-racial family and you have a great book. 3 Maps for Lost Lovers by Nadeem Aslam I got this a few years and couldn't put it down. Star-crossed lovers are put under pressure from all sides, and they disappear. Beautifully written text as their story unfolds. This is one of those books that stays with you and I keep buying copies to give to friends. 4 The Princess Bride by William Goldman A tale of heroes and villains, paupers and pirates, love and loss, magic and swordmanship. The titular princess is kidnapped on her wedding day, but as her heart was broken when her love's boat was captured by the Dread Pirate Roberts, a man who never leaves survivors, she is resigned to her fate. What follows is her kidnappers' flight followed by a masked man. I think what makes this book is Goldman's asides and dry tone. A classic, both for younger and older readers. 5 Atonement by Ian McEwan How something can never be unsaid, how a young girl's projection on a situation can ruin lives. Class issues, WW2, writing, great themes for a really good read. 6 The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly The life and thoughts of Bauby, editor of Elle, who, after suffering a stroke, ends up with Locked-in Syndrome. He is able to think and is aware of what is around him, but his only method of communication is blinking the alphabet, which is how he "wrote" this book. This could be a depressing book, but actually I felt that it was more about enjoying the life you have or have had. This is well-written, one of those books that will stay wth you. I also found myself thinking about the people and e 7 About a Boy by Nick Hornby Will just drifts through life, not having to work. He hits on a scheme to meet women, a single mothers' group. His lie has unexpected consequences as Marcus barges into his life. Will is forced to make a real, lasting connection with someone, Marcus gets someone to listen to him and help him through his teenage years. This is another book I like to buy for people because of its very human story, readers connect to it readily. 8 The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham I read it overnight because I HAD to know what would happen. In a world where GM crops are ever more used, we still don't know what their impact would be, this is one scenario, a dramatic one, but still food for thought. Also, as supplies of food and fuel start to run out, Bill and the other survivors have to search for solutions. Another question posed by the author is how to react in the wake of such a disaster. It is scary how quickly our "civilised" society is torn asunder by the crisis. 9 Chocolat by Joanne Harris Vianne brings chocolate to an austere town, she also stirs up emotions. She couldn't differ more from the locals, she is unmarried with a daughter, seemingly flouts the rules around Lent and even spends time with the gypsies passing through. A book for all the senses, Harris pulls you and you won't want to put this one down. 10 Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson Britain seen through the eyes of an American, but one that has really taken his adopted country to heart. I thought it was fun to compare Bryson's musings with my own as he travelled. Good travel lit. What would you put? Here is the link to see the Top 100 so far: http://www.worldbooknight.org/---/the-wbn-top-100-books