I'd like to try a Gaskell novel, but there seems to be a number of strong candidates: Mill on the Floss, Mary Barton, North and South, Wives and Daughters. Where should I start? I guess I should say, just as a hint, that probably simpler would be better. I'm trying to read Wuthering Heights right now and it's becoming a bit of a struggle to get through.

North and South :-) I'm reading it now and it is going to be one of my favorite books. Also, there is a lovely BBC miniseries based on the book.

I've seen the BBC miniseries for Wives and Daughters, and its good as well.

Oh...I just noticed Pride and Prejudice is one of your favorite books...

North and South is much better, in my opinion...it's Mr. Thornton is a much better 'hero' than Mr. Darcy.

Last of the Mohicans?

North and South I think is a good starting point.

She died before completing Wives and Daughters - so probs best to leave that to later.

I have read Last of the Mohicans, and it was a struggle for me. North and South is excellent. I would suggest you start with that. It's lighter than the others.

Did Gaskell write another book called Last of the Mohicans? Cause...Last of the Mohicans is by James Fenimore Cooper

oh, you took it off...cool.

None of the other books matter anyway...only North and South :)

Micha wrote: "Permanent Passenger: My Life on a Cruise Ship

Excellent behind the scenes look at life on a cruise ship"

LOL!!!! Can you say SPAM? Oh my goodness...I just laughed so hard.

Micha wrote: "Permanent Passenger: My Life on a Cruise Ship

Excellent behind the scenes look at life on a cruise ship

First laughs, and one day in the future, you may actually read this smelly little book and ..."

We don't read idiots who spam, so get the Hell out of here. Perhaps had you NOT spammed a completely unrelated topic, perhaps if you had got involved in the discussion rather then butting in where you're not wanted we might be more interested.

Although looking back over your comments here this has been pointed out to you time and time again and still, you don't seem to get it.

I am frankly amazed.

Well done though, this is an example to everyone on how NOT to advertise your book.

This fool has been here before.... I sent a warning to one of the threads that he is back to send us his garbage!! Seriously, GET A LIFE!!!

I'm sure his book is just top notch if this is what he has to resort to.

People like him thrive off negative attention. They're trolls looking for a negative reaction. It's so frustrating.

hey...stupid man. This is a thread about ELIZABETH GASKELL books. You are not "in the flow" of conversation.

But, you ARE an idiot.

Why won't you take a flaming hint? I appreciate fully it must be hard being self published and well done to you.

But no one here appreciates your spam. No one here will read your book now. Follow the guidelines. You're having no positive effect here, you are losing readers on GR this way.

And I have flagged you, I think numerous people have.

Now, unless you have anything to say about ELIZABETH GASKELL then please take your unrelated book on cruise ships out of this thread.

Woooo! Remind me not to get on Fiona's bad side!

Hey Lori, I move that we elect Fiona as Associate Super Mod - what do you think ??? She's got your killer instincts!

Hey Fiona, Allison & anyone else who wants to throw in their 2 cents - back to Elizabeth Gaskell.

I have the following books, and choosing which to read next:

1. North & South - you know who
2. Howl's Moving Castle - you ALSO know who
3. Good Night Mr. Tom - Michelle Magorian
4. The Audacity of Hope - Mr. President

Any thoughts?

Oh oh oh! You make my heart break Laura. Goodnight Mr Tom is so good, you must read that... maybe you should read Howl though as that is a quick read and that'll be over in no time.

North and South though... you must see how Mr T is so, so much better then Mr D!


Oh 3 of my favourite books!

Hey Laura...you should read North & South first, then you and I should read Howl's together ;)

I thought this would be a challenge for you

;)

Just wait till An Air That Kills comes in, then you'll be completely flummoxed!

Good idea Allison! I'd love to read Howl's with you! But if I know you, you'd finish in 2 hours, and I'd be done in like a week!

:)

Nah, Howl is a really quick read - it's only about 300 pages and it flows really well if you know what I mean.

I have the audio version, so it was gonna be my fall asleep/I can't sleep book. Although if it's like The Loop, it'll keep me awake instead! I like the lady who reads it, Jenny Sterlin, she does Laurie King's Beekeeper's Apprentice series. I think.

whatever :P We probably read at the exact same pace

Laura wrote: "I thought this would be a challenge for you

;)

Just wait till An Air That Kills comes in, then you'll be completely flummoxed!"

I'll be on the floor!

OK, I think I figured it out. I have N&S in paper, Howl's on CD, so I'll read them both! Prob. start N&S this weekend, and I'll start Howls when I finish Wesley the Owl. Prob by Friday nite.

sound good Allison?

Is Mr. Tom relating to WWII?

yay, sounds good! I'm reading N&S right now anyway :) just over half done. I'll probably read a Stephanie Plum or something and then start Howl's.

YAY! Shall we start a thread?

Laura wrote: "Is Mr. Tom relating to WWII?"

Yes, it's about an evacuee who is sent from his poor, impoverished London home out into the country and is homed with a grumpy old man... and how their friendship forms and blossoms...

It's such a good book.

Allison, have you read Good Night, Mr. Tom?

*ahem* Fiona? No book pushing from you.

Laura...yay start a thread!

But I only push good books!

And it is so good. It should be required reading for everyone.

so should a lovely book called Anne of Green Gables

That's a great one too! That was my 1st book for 2009. I'd like to eventually read the series, have you Allison?

well of course :) The whole series is lovely.

I think I've read them like 10 times, seriously. My FAVORITE books ever probably, if you consider how long I've loved them and how many times I've read them.

Start with Cranford. Its by the far the easiest read, very Jane Austen and gently amusing. If you like Pride and Prejudice, you will find Cranford very easy reading. Btw, Mill on the Floss is by George Eliot.

I'm nervous about reading a Cranford novel, because my friend (a huge Jane Austen buff) tried and said she was a bit hard to get through. BUT the BBC versions of her stuff are AMAZING. If the miniseries is anything to go by, try North and South first. That miniseries became my friends and mine favorite and we re-watched it numerous times. If you like Pride and Prejudice, you should really like this, because it's very, very similar.

Cranford was also made into a really good BBC miniseries. Don't know about the book (a collection of short stories, right?), but if Petra X says they're good, I'll take her word for it.