Buy, borrow, bypass: A
I recently saw an excellent book-related blog post entitled "Buy, borrow, bypass" and really liked the idea behind it. I thought I would give it a go, and where better to start than at the beginning? So here are my recommendations for the letter "A".
BUY:
The Aeneid (Virgil, c.29-19 BC)
"If I cannot move heaven, I will raise hell."
"Do the gods light this fire in our hearts or does each man's mad desire become his god?"
What have the Romans ever done for us? This epic tells the story of the founding of one of the greatest cities in the history of the world: Rome. But what makes the Aeneid so fantastic is that doubts seep out of it like water from a sieve.
This beautiful and powerful poem is one to read time and time again, with new discoveries to be made with each reading. As T.S. Eliot said, the Aeneid is "our classic".
BORROW:
The Awakening (Kate Chopin, 1899)
"The voice of the sea speaks to the soul."
"The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings."
Whether or not you agree with Edna Pontellier's actions, this beautiful and thought-provoking fin de siècle novel about one woman's sexual awakening is a must-read. Chopin employs imagery of the sea and birds to stunning effect, exploring the impact of art, and reimagining the myth of Venus/Aphrodite.
BYPASS:
All Through the Night (Mary Higgins Clark, 1998)
Mary Higgins Clark has written some fantastic books, but if you are looking for one to read this isn't it. This light read has a predictable and cheesy plot: the protagonist, a cleaning lady who won the lottery and became an amateur detective, and who has a microphone concealed in her sunburst pin, solves two crimes in time for Christmas. It lacks the suspense that Clark is (deservedly) known for.
My favourites by Higgins Clark are: Pretend You Don't See Her, Silent Night, and Loves Music, Loves to Dance.
What are your recommendations for the letter "A"? Let me know in the comments below or via Twitter. And watch this space for "Buy, borrow, bypass: B".
BUY:
The Aeneid (Virgil, c.29-19 BC)"If I cannot move heaven, I will raise hell."
"Do the gods light this fire in our hearts or does each man's mad desire become his god?"
What have the Romans ever done for us? This epic tells the story of the founding of one of the greatest cities in the history of the world: Rome. But what makes the Aeneid so fantastic is that doubts seep out of it like water from a sieve.
This beautiful and powerful poem is one to read time and time again, with new discoveries to be made with each reading. As T.S. Eliot said, the Aeneid is "our classic".
BORROW:
The Awakening (Kate Chopin, 1899)"The voice of the sea speaks to the soul."
"The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings."
Whether or not you agree with Edna Pontellier's actions, this beautiful and thought-provoking fin de siècle novel about one woman's sexual awakening is a must-read. Chopin employs imagery of the sea and birds to stunning effect, exploring the impact of art, and reimagining the myth of Venus/Aphrodite.
BYPASS:
All Through the Night (Mary Higgins Clark, 1998)Mary Higgins Clark has written some fantastic books, but if you are looking for one to read this isn't it. This light read has a predictable and cheesy plot: the protagonist, a cleaning lady who won the lottery and became an amateur detective, and who has a microphone concealed in her sunburst pin, solves two crimes in time for Christmas. It lacks the suspense that Clark is (deservedly) known for.
My favourites by Higgins Clark are: Pretend You Don't See Her, Silent Night, and Loves Music, Loves to Dance.
What are your recommendations for the letter "A"? Let me know in the comments below or via Twitter. And watch this space for "Buy, borrow, bypass: B".
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