If you could only save one Book which would it be?

Diana Gabaldon...but it was with Cross titch, then it was Americanised and became Outlander. I loved that book and series.

But my favourite for a while has been, 'Cutting for Stone' by Abraham Verghese.
A wonderfully written tale, and I could read it over and over.

Oh this is such a good question and as I read through the choices I spotted many I might have put at the top and would be sad to lose.
However, my granny gave me a replica of the Kilmarnock edition of Robert Burns's poems, reproduced by the Scottish Daily Express in 1938. It includes works published in Rabbie's lifetime and later works, some of which were written by others and added to in the same style by Mr Burns. My reasons are 1) It would take ages to work through the Lallans Scots, even with the copious explanations; 2) those notes are stories in themselves; 3) all human life is here in these pages. I do realise he was not the best hero for us to have in his personal life, but if only one literary treasure is allowed, this would be mine.

I think I ought to say 'War and Peace' as it is one I've meant to read to ages. If it were my only book I might actually do so! However, much more likely to choose Miss Austen or Shakespeare.

Tudorrose, thank you for reminding me about The Egg & I. One of my late mother’s favourite books!! The importance of a sense of humour.

Jonathon Livingstone Seagull, gave a copy to all my children

Although I lot of Thomas Hardy novels are quite dark and depressing my favourite book is The Mayor of Casterbridge.

Have you actually read the whole of the Bible from start to finish sarah? If so, how old were you when you read it all and how long did it take you?

Holy Bible.The one I have belonged to my grandfather given him as a child and shows presented by the church in 1878.I have a friend who, unlike myself, never fails to go to church on Sunday. Over cuppa's our conversations usually refer to' why is this or that happening' which then brings us to the bible.I now find myself turning to the scriptures on days when hearing of the tragic events taking place in todays world. Whether what I observe in this book is what is now actually happening or just how I perceive gives food for thought.This book has no ending.

For purely nostalgic reasons: The House of Arden by E Nesbitt. It captures the magic of children's imagination. (She also wrote te The Railway Children and other great children's books.)

Never let Me Go .... Kazuo Ishiguro

Quaker “Faith and Practice”.

All of Margaret Atwoods books. They are a warning from future histories and Lord if the Rings as I’ve loved it since I was a teenager and have re read it countless times.

Small Island by Andrea Levy. A perfect story imho

Rebecca, Daphne du Maurer. “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderlay again”. Loved the film, love the book.

winterwhite Both books were read aloud when I was in primary school. I was enthralled. I bought copies for my son. The same books now belong to his son.

Very difficult to choose - there are so many! I have read and loved amany mentioned here. I didn't think the Bible would be allowed (it isn't on Desert Island Discs!) Books that have had the greatest infuence on me are futuristic books warning us of possible things to come eg Brave New World, 1984, The Handmaid's Tale and also Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver. All disturbing books! But for simple pleasure if we are allowed compendiums I'd take the complete works of Jane Austin!

Like grandMattie I'd probably die while choosing! I've far too many books and far too many favourites.

I'm enjoying other peoples' interesting choices, though.

Portnoys Complaint. I read it as a teen, and it is hilariously rude and funny.

Varian, I have, and now I'm an atheist (albeit of the Humanist variety!)

Although I read every day, the titles that come to mind are all from my teenage years- a town like Alice, Rebecca, and of course Great Expectations which I did for my o level eng.lit.(so had to read it three times in one term)!

I couldn't possibly choose I have so many favourites. I would borrow one from another Gransnetter as there are so many options!!! lol

Very interesting choices - a bit like making a list for a book group! Thanks, I shall investigate them for my own group.

The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield.

Oh, Soop, Down the bright stream. I loved that book. More than The Little Grey Men. Read it and read it. Alas unable to get any of my 3 DD or 5GDs to take more than a tepid interest in it. So good to be reminded of old pleasures by threads like this.

Preferably one that makes me laugh, but the ones I'd take to a desert island - Three Men In a Boat, Lucky Jim, and Crampton Hodnet (Barbara Pym) among others - are all too short.
So it'd probably be Middlemarch, which is a favourite that even I can't get through in two days. And there is the odd little bit of humour in it.