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

(144 Posts)
Humbertbear Fri 02-Feb-18 09:31:25

We told our grandchildren the basic story of Fahrenheit 451 and this led to a discussion of which book they would want to save. The 6 year old pointed out that probably the most important book was, in fact, Fahrenheit 451 as it reminds us how important is our freedom to read what we choose.
What book would you save from the fire? Mine would have to be To Kill a Mockingbird.

giulia Mon 05-Feb-18 07:19:27

Just remembered - "How Green Was My Valley" by Richard Llewelyn. Some lovely homely descriptions in soft Welsh dialect. The narrator, a boy, at one point describes the sheer bliss of sinking his teeth into a blackberry pie. Made my mouth water just reading. It was a big seller in the sixties but seems to have disappeared off the shelves.

memyselfandi Mon 05-Feb-18 10:12:56

The book Thief..... Marcus Zusak.

Margs Mon 05-Feb-18 10:27:28

"Cider With Rosie" by Laurie Lee, surely the most beautiful book in the English language?

justwokeup Mon 05-Feb-18 11:43:13

Interesting that one of the choices, by more than one person, is one I would definitely take time to throw into the fire on my way out! Not going to offend anyone by saying which one. grin Thank you Humbert for this lovely book list. I've already made a note of some to take to the library with me. I thought about Les Liaisons Dangereuses - I remember being astounded at school at how cleverly it was constructed, or Lorna Doone, a wonderful book with a happily contrived ending. And I definitely would like to read more Dickens. In the end I think I'd plump for the complete works of Jane Austen, to keep me going for a very long time. And the photograph album of when my DC were small. Sorry, another cheat. blush

DanniRae Wed 07-Feb-18 13:14:22

Hi guilia - I have a problem with re-reading "Lark Rise to Candleford" because, at the moment, I can't find it! Too many books stored in too many places but when I find it...................I will read it!! grin

watermeadow Wed 07-Feb-18 17:51:26

The Lord of the Rings. One of many books I’ve read many times. I’m currently on the journey again with my 8 year old grandson.

durhamjen Thu 08-Feb-18 10:22:41

That's a very hefty book, all in one volume, watermeadow.

JessyPinky Mon 22-Nov-21 00:09:58

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toscalily Mon 22-Nov-21 11:02:17

I have read so many of the books listed, others I am going to search out for future reading. My 'one' book choice would be Mila 18 by Leon Uris, read as a teenager and never forgotten. But really I am going to cheat and grab my Kindle, it would give me several weeks reading, it is always loaded as I am often tempted by the Kindle unlimited special offers.

Kate1949 Mon 22-Nov-21 11:54:59

To Kill a Mockingbird for me.

Kate1949 Mon 22-Nov-21 11:57:20

Oops just realised this is an old thread!

Severnsider Mon 22-Nov-21 12:05:27

Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management - contains everything one needs to survive.

Blondiescot Mon 22-Nov-21 12:22:40

I'm not sure I could choose just one - if I absolutely had to, I think I'd either go for the collected poems of Sylvia Plath, or The Bell Jar.
And while I don't ever condone the burning of books, if I had to choose one to throw on the fire, my first choice would be the one mentioned by many on here - and I don't mind offending those who chose it, The Bible!

Jabberwok Mon 22-Nov-21 13:00:32

A history of the English speaking peoples (unabridged) by W. S Churchill. Four volumes in one! Guess I'm cheating too!!

Shelflife Tue 23-Nov-21 20:03:09

Many tests ago , I was about 17 I did save a Bible from being thrown on a bonfire. I was not particularly religious but simply could not stand by and watch the Bible burn .
Eloethan, Black Like Me was given to me by a South African boyfriend I had many years ago, really took me back to my late teens.

Nannagarra Tue 23-Nov-21 20:18:54

“Great Expectations” by Dickens or Oswald Wynd’s “The Ginger Tree”. I’m another fan of “A Town Like Alice”.

muse Tue 23-Nov-21 23:13:08

2018! It's a good thread to keep going though Kate1949.

I've narrowed my choice down to:
- Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck,
- The Colour of Magic by Sir Terry Pratchett or
- The Thought Fox: Collected Animal Poems by Ted Hughes.

I've lost my copy of Grapes of Wrath and lent Colour of Magic to my GD so I'd better hold onto the poems. I discovered my love of poetry, especially 20th century poets, in my 30s. For me Ted Hughes' poems are both dark and beautiful.

nanna8 Wed 24-Nov-21 07:17:52

Bible, no doubt there. Not sure which version, I like the KJV but also the IV