In a bid to get some of the 1001 books that I donated to the 1001-library moving, I decided to organise two bookboxes for British readers. The first was postal bookbox, the second a virtual bookbox. Both started with 15 books and the idea was that people could choose what they want and then pass it on. I must admit, I also like to pass on books I have enjoyed to a good home. I look forward to seeing what others feel about these books.
This started with 16 books -
1.
Foucault's Pendulum - Umberto Eco's great book. I read this a few years ago, tough going at time because of all the references, but worth it.
2.
A Kestral for a Knave (Kes) - better known as Kes, the name of the film. A snapshot of English life, one that, despite the age of book, is easily understood.
3.
Brideshead Revisited - another book I came to after seeing the adaptation (ITV), the decline of a British Catholic family.
5. Sputnik Sweetheart this arrived in one of my bookboxes, I read it a while back, another good book from a great writer.
6.Sons and Lovers - a freebie from The Times. I was quickly drawn into the plot, very descriptive.
- I read this about 5 years ago, having been given it by a friend and found it was on the list. Twins separated by war, and their meeting, not one of the heavier reads on the list.
- I loved this when I read it first as a child. For me, one of the great children's classics that can also be enjoyed by adults.
9.
North and South and 10.
Cranford - 2 Gaskell books I put in the box. I read both while travelling last year and really liked the way Gaskell comments on the life at the time, England on the cusp of great change.
11.
The Secret History - one of my favourites on the list. I read this at uni, starting in the afternoon, and finishing at dawn. Excellently written, the dark side of youth.
- this has to be one of my favourite books. I reach for it to reread because I love its darkness, the human relationships.
13.
Schooling - I had this on my shelf for ages, but now I don't know why I never picked it up. As with other books on the list, this deals with the dark side of adolescence, in this case a girl at boarding school in England.
14.
Fugitive Pieces - another of my top recommendations from the list. Again, I read this book in a day, mainly because I became very affected by the story. Brilliant.
15. -
The Unconsoled - written by one of my other favourite authors, but very different to his other work. Takes longer to get into, but good.
And the second was a VBB, so people could choose only what they wanted without paying loads of postage. It started with 10 books I had registered and 6 from blackwidow1971 . My books:
Labels: 1001 Bookbox, 1001 Books, 1001 VBB, 1001-library, bookcrossing
