Thursday, July 9, 2009

Some favorite books

Recently on the Scandinavian forum on BookCrossing, one of the Swedish members posted to ask if there was any interest in trying to create a BC Scandinavia List of Bests (of books, obviously ;-). If you're not familiar with the Lists of Bests site, take a look at it here. She wants to try to make up a list like that ... but we're going to start small, with everyone just suggesting ten books. These were the criteria that she set up for us to use:

The books were supposed to be
1: books that we think everyone ought to read before they die
2: books that have given us fantastic reading experiences (even though the rest of the world may be shaking its collective head)
3: books that represent several different genres

I had to think about it for a while, but I managed to come up with a list of only ten books. This is it. Obviously all books that I recommend very strongly. :-)

The Count of Monte Christo by Alexandre Dumas
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren
Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z Brite
Perdido Street Station by China Miéville
Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner
Lord Valentine's Castle by Robert Silverberg
Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart
Illusion by Paula Volsky
The Horrific Sufferings of the Mind-Reading Monster Hercules Barefoot, His Wonderful Love and Terrible Hatred
by Carl-Johan Vallgren

No particular order ... although The Count of Monte Christo is in fact my #1 favorite book of all time. :-)

6 comments:

Paz said...

I loved the Count too, but i had to read Pride and Prejudice in school for state exams with the worst teacher ever for the subject, there were no 'oh captain my captain' moments standing on desks, it still ranks as the most torturous book i have read.

Leisha Camden said...

Yeah, those Y chromosomes are no good really ... >;-)

Paz said...

Alas there may be no need for the Y anymore they have created sperm with stem cell research, there might be less war in the world, but bitchiness levels will go thro' the roof and I suspect procreation will be less fun, it will be like shopping on ebay

Leisha Camden said...

I hope that never happens. I know they're doing the research, but I think it's ridiculous & wrong. We may not 'need' you guys but we certainly want you around ... !! ;-)

Paz said...

article in one of the papers here says that we are need too, to do the menial tasks :(

Leisha Camden said...

Yes, someone will always be needed to do the dishes.