A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka

Hmm. This was shortlisted for the Orange Prize. Hmm. An interesting book, certainly, and I did not know about the Ukrainian famine and the hardships faced by Eastern European families as described here ... but, I feel there has to be a but! Perhaps there was too much hype surrounding the book. I couldn't say that I didn't enjoy the book, but compared to the feeling I have when a book has to be devoured, or the exquisiteness of Cold Comfort Farm, or the romanticness of Jane Austen, or the magic of Jostein Gaarder ... well, I suppose it's like comparing a kebab to a gourmet three course meal. Perhaps I just didn't "feel it", as my pupils would say.

I had wanted to read this for a while, and eventually bought the book in a motorway service station shop as part of a "buy one, get one half price" offer, when my husband was buying another book.

Right. The next one will be on the 1001 Books list ...

Northanger Abbey

Another novel on both my Gothic Novels set text list, and in my "Complete Works of Jane Austen" list. A large house, a brother and sister ...

Persuasion

Since I have read all of Jane Austen's novels, I know I have read this one. Images of Bath, of a harbour? Will revisit sometime.

Emma

The first Austen book that I read - on the set list for one of my many English modules. I loved it straightaway. The young woman who wants to try and set people up, the way she blunders in at the risk of spoiling her friend's future, the way she doesn't realise what is going on with other people even though she thinks she knows exactly what is going on ... and, of course, her relationship with Mr Knightley. Aaah, that scene with Mr Knightley at the end ... Must go and re-read that, as well ...

Mansfield Park

Another from the "Complete Works of Jane Austen" that I have read and enjoyed.

Pride and Prejudice

The piece de resistance of the list, in my opinion. It's a while since I last read P&P - I really ought to again. This is one of my favourite books of all time, with Emma very close on the list. Once again, though, I saw the BBC adaptation first, although this was around the time I was studying Emma for English. Mr Darcy! The book - and that particular adaptation - always brings back memories of university, sitting swooning over Mr Darcy with my flatmates in the living room. Actually, at the time I don't think I swooned that much over Mr D, but thought he was okay, and another of my flatmates was swooning instead over Kevin Bacon, much to the amusement of the rest of us, at that time!

Why is this book so good? What makes it so special? I will answer later in the comments, I think ... what are your views?

Sense and Sensibility

We come to the first of Jane Austen's many wonderful books that are on this list. I watched this first on the big screen, the adaptation with Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant. A great adaptation, and a great book. Should we be rational, or emotional? What should guide us? A completely romantic book. I remember being quite taken by Mr Willoughby onscreen ... I presume Emma Thompson was too!