![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
raincitygirlRules: In a text post, list ten books that have stayed with you in some way. Don’t take but a few minutes, and don’t think too hard — they don’t have to be the “right” or “great” works, just the ones that have touched you. Tag ten friends, including me, so I’ll see your list. Make sure you let your friends know you’ve tagged them! Not tagging anyone because I always feel weird about that aspect of memes.
Books below the cut, in no particular order (15, not 10, because I couldn't narrow it down):
Thud, by Terry Pratchett
When I look at it objectively, this book has problems, but emotionally it gets me in the gut every time. WHERE'S MY COW?!!?!?
Apple Bough, by Noel Streatfeild
I loathe the stupid, irresponsible parents in this book. I wish they'd die of diphtheria or something, instead of being cosseted by their kids, who don't want to hurt their feelings by telling them what a shitty job of parenting they're doing.
4:50 from Paddington, by Agatha Christie
My first Agatha Christie, read when I was 7. It introduced me to the mystery genre.
The Unexpected Mrs POllifax, by Dorothy Gilman
The first Mrs. Pollifax book, featuring a sixty something widow from New Jersey who walks into CIA headquarters asking for a job as a spy. A simple courier mission turns into a romp through Mexico and Albania.
Crocodile on the Sandbank, by Elizabeth Peters
The first Amelia Peabody book, featuring a late Victorian spinster who comes into money, rescues a fallen woman from the streets, goes to Egypt to do amateur archaeology, and stumbles across a deadly conspiracy. The relationship between Peabody and Emerson is *delightful*. Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy kind of delightful screwball comedy.
Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
Well, duh. Had this one read to me by my parents when I was 7, a chapter a night, and i kind of imprinted on it like a duckling.
Rivers of London (Midnight Riot is the North American title), by Ben Aaronovitch
Just so much fun. And in spite of the magical element, definitely set in the here and now. 21st century London is a whole character by itself. Also deals well with racial issues.
Gaudy Night, by Dorothy L. Sayers
Well, duh. My favourite Sayers mystery.
Temeraire (His Majesty's Dragon is the North American title), by Naomi Novik
The Napoleonic Wars with added dragons. What's not to like?
Podkayne of Mars, by Robert A. Heinlein
Read this book as a child and loved the screwball comedy element of Podkayne's relationship with her genius/psychopath little brother. Hated the overall message, though, which was that Podkayne should give up her dreams of being an interstellar pilot in favour of a career as a paediatrician and settling down with the first guy who asks her. Even at 10 years old I knew the ending was BULLSHIT.
The Ice House, by Minette Walters
Walters' first and best mystery. It's not flawless, but it has very few major flaws. The characters grab you by the throat.
Flying Finish, by Dick Francis
My favourite Francis.
Pigeon Post, by Arthur Ransome
My favourite Swallows and Amazons book. Notable for the first appearance of Squashy Hat.
A Room with a View, by E.M. Forster
Well, duh.
Octavia, by Jilly Cooper
Another one I read when I was 7, this book was my first exposure to queerness (the heroine Octavia has a gay brother). Triggered my bullshit meter when Octavia is nearly raped by a guy she's been pursuing, and everybody (including the so-called-hero) blames HER for being a tease. Not that I knew what the word bullshit meant, or what rape was (it's never called that in the book) but I just found it all weird and disturbing.
Books below the cut, in no particular order (15, not 10, because I couldn't narrow it down):
Thud, by Terry Pratchett
When I look at it objectively, this book has problems, but emotionally it gets me in the gut every time. WHERE'S MY COW?!!?!?
Apple Bough, by Noel Streatfeild
I loathe the stupid, irresponsible parents in this book. I wish they'd die of diphtheria or something, instead of being cosseted by their kids, who don't want to hurt their feelings by telling them what a shitty job of parenting they're doing.
4:50 from Paddington, by Agatha Christie
My first Agatha Christie, read when I was 7. It introduced me to the mystery genre.
The Unexpected Mrs POllifax, by Dorothy Gilman
The first Mrs. Pollifax book, featuring a sixty something widow from New Jersey who walks into CIA headquarters asking for a job as a spy. A simple courier mission turns into a romp through Mexico and Albania.
Crocodile on the Sandbank, by Elizabeth Peters
The first Amelia Peabody book, featuring a late Victorian spinster who comes into money, rescues a fallen woman from the streets, goes to Egypt to do amateur archaeology, and stumbles across a deadly conspiracy. The relationship between Peabody and Emerson is *delightful*. Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy kind of delightful screwball comedy.
Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
Well, duh. Had this one read to me by my parents when I was 7, a chapter a night, and i kind of imprinted on it like a duckling.
Rivers of London (Midnight Riot is the North American title), by Ben Aaronovitch
Just so much fun. And in spite of the magical element, definitely set in the here and now. 21st century London is a whole character by itself. Also deals well with racial issues.
Gaudy Night, by Dorothy L. Sayers
Well, duh. My favourite Sayers mystery.
Temeraire (His Majesty's Dragon is the North American title), by Naomi Novik
The Napoleonic Wars with added dragons. What's not to like?
Podkayne of Mars, by Robert A. Heinlein
Read this book as a child and loved the screwball comedy element of Podkayne's relationship with her genius/psychopath little brother. Hated the overall message, though, which was that Podkayne should give up her dreams of being an interstellar pilot in favour of a career as a paediatrician and settling down with the first guy who asks her. Even at 10 years old I knew the ending was BULLSHIT.
The Ice House, by Minette Walters
Walters' first and best mystery. It's not flawless, but it has very few major flaws. The characters grab you by the throat.
Flying Finish, by Dick Francis
My favourite Francis.
Pigeon Post, by Arthur Ransome
My favourite Swallows and Amazons book. Notable for the first appearance of Squashy Hat.
A Room with a View, by E.M. Forster
Well, duh.
Octavia, by Jilly Cooper
Another one I read when I was 7, this book was my first exposure to queerness (the heroine Octavia has a gay brother). Triggered my bullshit meter when Octavia is nearly raped by a guy she's been pursuing, and everybody (including the so-called-hero) blames HER for being a tease. Not that I knew what the word bullshit meant, or what rape was (it's never called that in the book) but I just found it all weird and disturbing.
no subject
Date: 2014-09-15 03:26 pm (UTC)Sorry, just got a little excited there. I think I read the first book in that series when I was about twelve, and it definitely made a huge impression on me growing up. The politics are probably super-dated now, alas, but she was one of the most formative heroines of my younger self.