I'm not sure where I am going with this blog at the moment: I'm worrying that I can't do funny, except by accident. Not funny = not worth reading, at least that's the way blogs seem to be judged. I thought of setting up another blog that would clearly state that it was not trying to be funny, so the pressure would be off....but then I'd have to decide what to put where and I'd probably never do anything at all. So I'll carry on here but maybe keep a low profile most of the time....
Anyway, I've borrowed this from Becca Brown's Blog. It's a challenge from writer Nik Perring to recommend some books on your blog. He wants to 'spread the word of good writing', but I'd like to share some books that made an impact on me. I generally like books that inspire me, give me hope or make me think, and they don't have to be well-written to do that. Oh and lots of escapism!
So, in no particular order, here are ten of my favourite books:
1984 by George Orwell
Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey
The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
The Return of the King by JRR Tolkien
Frenchman's Creek by Daphne Du Maurier
No Enemy But Time by Evelyn Anthony
The Woman Who Walked Into Doors by Roddy Doyle
A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford
The Ice People by Maggie Gee
A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
I also love children's books and autobiographies by ordinary people, but I'll save them for another day..
I love Daphne Du Maurier too. My favourite is Rebecca though! Great list. I must find out more about them. I've always been a fan of murder/mystery books so maybe a change of category would do me good!
ReplyDeleteHoney, I care about you and I like hearing from you. I don't come here expecting to be entertained. If blogging is good for you - keep it up and don't worry about pleasing an audience. Do it first and foremost for yourself and the right "audience" will come to you.
ReplyDelete@Foodie - funny, I like all Du Maurier's books except Rebecca! I just couldn't warm to it.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous - thanks for your comment and advice, but it would be good to have a name!
Some of those books I know (and love) and some I don't so I'm clearly going to have some sleuthing to do. Not that I ever have any time to read these days. Sigh. By the way, have you read "Songs of the Gorilla Nation" by Dawn Price Hughes? She's an amazing writer, with aspergers, and is well worth reading.
ReplyDeleteOh, I too struggle with the funny/serious thing. trying to take a lesson from Kris at "Pretty All True" and Adrienne at "No Points for Style" who write about incredible heart/gut wrenching serious stuff one day and then pee in your pants funny the next. Trying to get the nerve up to be funny.
I feel that most of us are funny by accident, trying to force it doesn't make it as funny. uh, does that make sense? And I did laugh at your intro so you are just right as you are :) Jen
ReplyDeleteI don't think you need to be funny every post. I just like reading about life, sometimes funny, sometimes, tricky, sometimes sad, sometimes romantic (not mine obv!) Write what you like, we'll still vist xxx
ReplyDelete@Varda - I don't know whether I'd 'recommend' all of these books, some had a resonance at a particular time, eg A woman of substance was the first book that I read about a woman with a successful career.
ReplyDelete@jen and @auntiegwen - both of your blogs have achieved that perfect balance between funny and heartwarming xx
Ooh I love Anne McCaffrey books! Loved 1984....have you ever read "WE" by Eugene Zamiatin (sp?) written before Orwell's...really fascinating..:)
ReplyDelete@kathleen - That's great, I've never come across another Anne McCaffrey fan before! So I will certainly try your recommendation, thank you :)
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