Comments on: Great books… Need fiction

By: Jaybee

Jaybee — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:57:44 +0000

Hi
Just logged onto this site. If you are talking of books related to Spain, then I recommend Guernica (sorry if it has been mentioned before). Also are we talking books in Spanish? What about Cien Anos de Solidad?

By: Alison B

Alison B — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:37:19 +0000

Hi Ben!

1. Anything by Douglas Coupland (he wrote “Generation X”), but I would start with “The Gum Thief”. Some deep and useful thoughts on finding meaning and building relationships set in a Vancouver Staples (i.e. North American big chain) store.

2. Stephen Fry, “The Liar”.

3. Susannah Clarke, “Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell”. One of the most creative and compelling books I have ever read, and at 800+ pages it will keep you going for awhile. Magic, betrayal, revenge and shady and fantastical characters set in 19c England.

4. Kate Atkinson, pretty much anything but I’ll suggest “Emotionally Weird”. Strange and mysterious happenings in northern Scotland, and unexpected appearances of a yellow dog. Good stuff.

5. Rachel Cusk, “The Country Life”. A very funny and touching reflection on meaning of family, friendship and duty.

By: Londoner_at_heart

Londoner_at_heart — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:55:30 +0000

Done
http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10100

By: Ben Curtis

Ben Curtis — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:25:00 +0000

@LAH – Do start that thread, sounds great!

By: Ben Curtis

Ben Curtis — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:40:30 +0000

@Tom – profits from original affil. links in this post to date: 72 pence! Links now gone, experiment over.

By: Londoner_at_heart

Londoner_at_heart — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:04:35 +0000

Thanks so much to Ben for bringing this up and to everybody for their suggestions (Ben’s included). My Amazon’s wish list is growing to rival the yellow pages! I need a pay rise.

@ Ben, may I suggest a thread in the forum dedicated to literature & reading? Might be a good idea for your Spanish students too, we can recommend books for all levels and then share impressions.

By: gary

gary — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:58:38 +0000

The E-business Myth – explains why small businesses fail and is a fascinating read.

By: Pauline

Pauline — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:56:32 +0000

Wild Swans – Three Daughters of China
A real eye opener to life in China through the communist years.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wild-Swans-Three-Daughters-China/dp/0007176155/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260294190&sr=1-1

Khaled Hosseini – Thousan Splendid Suns – which you can read in spanish as Mil Soles Esplendios

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thousand-Splendid-Suns-Khaled-Hosseini/dp/074758589X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260294466&sr=1-1

The Wrong Boy – Willie Russell is by far my favourite and funniest book. I can read this over and over and it still makes me laugh. I love the way Willy Russell writes but am not sure if you have to be Northerner to really appreciate it. Let me know any southerners

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wrong-Boy-Willy-Russell/dp/0552996459/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260294630&sr=1-1

Oh by the way Ben – thanks for the mention of The Tipping Point in the Gold podcast. I found it in the market on Sunday and am finding it really interesting.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:51:59 +0000

@ Londoner at heart
Thanks for reminding me of the brilliant Flashman books by George MacDonald Fraser. I must go and buy another one. It’s years since I last read one. They never failed to entertain me and I learned more than a bit of history as well.

By: James Baker

James Baker — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:46:45 +0000

Going back in time I think the best work of fiction I have read is “Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck, so readable and engrossing and also relevant to today because it speaks of a time of economic despair and confusion and how ordinary people lived through it.

Of modern authors I like two Douglases: Kennedy and Coupland. The Big Picture by D Kennedy is an unputdownable thriller. Coupland’s Girlfriend in a Coma is a brilliant read as well.