Inspired by our recent convos and mixed feelings about Marian Keyes, chick lit, lad lit, etc.: What books do you own that you keep hidden? Or what writers do you love that you'd rather not admit to?

Cath

Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone's Fighting Fantasy book will always have a special place in my heart.

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"books" - PLURAL - sorry. Blame Stella Artois.

That Stella, she's always up to no good.

I'm trying to think of some for me, but having trouble. I'm a bit of a self help book queen, though. My bookshelves contain titles such as You Can Heal Your Life (by Louise L. Hay). I know it sounds a bit cringe, but I maintain that everyone should read that book!

Cath

Okay, got a beat. Engines of Ingenuity by Kit Williams. Nothing like his puzzle books, it's just photos and paintings of a chair he designed. It wasn't cheap either, a complete rip-off if I was honest, but there is something about it that's kind of magical. I like it, and I'm glad it's on my shelf.

Colin (hungover)

I had loads of those Fighting Fantasy books as a kid. I think they must be boxed up at my parents somewhere. I'll have to try to dig one out next time I visit.

They were back on the shelves of my local WH Smiths in time for last Christmas, oddly enough, as I'd not seen any for years prior to that.

There were a couple I read/played through loads of times - Creature of Havoc, Appointment with F.E.A.R. - they were good fun.

Georgette Heyer and Anthony Trollope.

F

Jackie Collins and Jilly Cooper for those times when you can't face another serious novel/are too tired for introspection. A friend used to read Jackie Collins on the train but hide it inside a smarter novel's jacket.

Oh, Jackie Collins is fantastic! I actually did a degree module on her!!!!

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Where else can you get characters with names like Jackl Python? She's class!

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(That should be Jack Python)

I'm with you on the Jackson and the Kit Williams thing. I have some collectible Kit Williams books, paractically brand new. I also used to love Choose Your Own Adventure and Dungeons and Dragons - Advanced, of course.

Does porn count?

JB

I've got an almost complete collection of the historical, romantic novels of Victoria Holt (aka Jean Plaidy). I absolutely LOVE them even though you know the plot before you start and the characters are virtually the same in each one. I read them regularly.
Brilliant stuff!
x
tc

What about a thread of novels you've bought but never read - or have we done that already?

I think it's going to cause some confusion if that's done in here mind. Best keep to the matter in hand. I've got a big horror collection that I'll probably never read again, but as they were a big part of my teenage years, I've kept them. (I might have a look at the HP Lovecraft ones though)

why be embarrassed about any book you own or writer whose work you like. Surely the justification for reading any book or owning same is that you enjoy it/their work. To be embarrassed surely shows a shallowness of conviction which must surley be a bad omen for any writer/ potential writer.

Equally to be embarrassed tends to imply thatyou buy books as a fashion accessory or becaus ethey are hip atthe time you bought them. I only buy books that I wish to read not becaus ethey are popular or a 'must read' in soem critics list.

Sorry I suggest if you are embarrrassed by the books on your book shelves when your friends call round change your friends.

take care all
david

Yeah, but it is fashionable to say that certain authors are rubbish - yet they sell. So People may well be a little reserved to mention they have a full Jeffery Archer collection, or when they finish work in the bank they like to dive into Conan novels.

It's a bit like that old advert with the big black guy saying, "hey, I'd love a BabyCham"

That's all true, of course, David, and in an ideal world maybe none of us would feel any self-consciousness about these things, but the fact is many of us do sometimes. As Colin says it is fashionable to knock certain artists/genres, and there is still general views about what is culturally acceptable and unacceptable, divides between high and low culture, etc. To an extent we are expressing ourselves in our choices of books and what is on our shelves (which goes back to that bookshelves being an expression of your lives thread).

But anyway, I meant this thread in a totally light-hearted and fun way - I don't think many people are seriously embarrassed of particular books.

Cath

I've got all the Harry Potters--I'm not ashamed, just slightly shy.
Sue n