Recommend me some books to read please

[CaptainCarCrash]

Could you recommend me some books to read please, maybe something factual that has had a profound affect on your life. The only thing I ask is that you do not include the Bible or anything that is too inaccesible. So god and Karl Marx are off the menu.

Thanks in advance

Mike

[leenewham]

Cradle to Cradle.

And watch http://www.ted.com if you don't already know of it. It's about brilliance.

[kennyb2]

Encyclopedia Britannica.

The older versions contain some interesting how-to-do-it of things now illegal, or just repressed and are wonderfully non PC in places.
My 1911 edition goes into great detail about the manufacture of Nitro-Glycerine and the Distillation of various drinkables.

[Tim Lund]

Since you're interested in Shakespeare, how about the book I mentioned by James Shapiro: 1599: A Year in the life of William Shakespeare. Lots about the politics of the time. Very happy to lend you my copy.

[mummycat]

..

[Robin Orton]

Thus Spake Zarathustra, by Friedrich Nietzsche. Changed my life. The perfect antidote to God. Accessible if you're prepared to make an effort; get an edition (eg Penguin Classics) with a good introduction.

The other book that changed my life is Apologia pro Vita Sua by John Henry Newman, but I'm afraid God comes into that quite a lot.

[Maria]

Pat Barker’s Regeneration trilogy: recently recommended by one of our book club members, I just cannot put them down. An extremely moving account of World War I events and their impact on the lives of all of those touched by them.

The more affective because some of the characters are real life ones (eg war poet Siegfried Sassoon)... these are, really, absolutely compelling & wonderful novels. How come had not read them before??

[Savvy]

"Pure, White and Deadly" by Prof John Yudkin - probably out of print but you'll be able to get it second hand. A real eyeopener about the poison that is manufacutred sugar and the rise and rise of Tate and Lyle. It would be a banned substance if it were new today. I haven't eaten a doughnut since.

[CaptainCarCrash]

Since you're interested in Shakespeare, how about the book I mentioned by James Shapiro: 1599: A Year in the life of William Shakespeare. Lots about the politics of the time. Very happy to lend you my copy.

Thanks Tim, I'll pick it up on Saturday morning if you could bring it with you please.

Pat Barker’s Regeneration trilogy: recently recommended by one of our book club members, I just cannot put them down. An extremely moving account of World War I events and their impact on the lives of all of those touched by them.

The more affective because some of the characters are real life ones (eg war poet Siegfried Sassoon)... these are, really, absolutely compelling & wonderful novels. How come had not read them before??

I've recently read a book called 19th Century poetry, the work of Wilfred Owen made the biggest impact, it took me a while because I found it to be a bit too heavy and it was quite depressing really. Not that I didn't think it was brilliant because it was.

[marymck]

The Wind in the Willows.

[MiniFox]

My favourite book of recent years is The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen
I adore it

[Robin Orton]

The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen

I enjoyed reading it too, though I can't say it has stuck very much in my memory. In fact, I can't remember a thing about it!

[Kirkdale Boy]

My fav book is The Lion , The Witch & The Wardrobe. Yes maybe a childrens book, however I love it

[Pantwetter]

Any Human Heart - William Boyd

Bit of a cliche this one, but Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks is a particular favourite of mine

[Kirkdale Boy]

Im after Fly Fishing by J R Hartley. Any ideas where I can get a copy - LOL

[Dorian]

Best factual book ive read in years..........

http://www.amazon.co.uk/London-Autobiog ... 1845298756

[safdirector]

My best recommendation would be to pop into Sydenham's very own Kirkdale Bookshop (est. 1966) where Geraldine and her extremely well-informed staff would be more than happy to recommend you literally hundreds of books (most of them on the shelves, new, or second-hand in the basement).

Otherwise my personal recommendation would be Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr (which I reread every few years or so) or anything by cult-gone-mainstream Japanese author Haruki Murakami (though his work may well fall into the 'Marmite' category...)

[michael]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Your-Own- ... 215&sr=1-4

[Kirkdale Boy]

Michael, now I had you down as an intelligent man, however you are quite boring, keeping on the same topic about sockpoppets, for gods sake, turn the record over

[Kirkdale Boy]

http://www.randomhouse.com/book/187336/ ... s-d-watson