My life in books

In the afternoon (around 13:00 GMT) there is a very nice program on BBC 2, which is called "My life in books" (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01czdrq). The presenter Anne Robinson – better known for her grilling performances on 'The weakest link' – interviews two British well-known personalities about the books they love. The series is now in its second season, so apparently I'm not the only one who likes to watch it. Unfortunately I haven't seen a suggestion for the To Be Read List, but I haven't seen all episodes yet (thanks to the digital recorder), so maybe… who knows.
An episode usually starts with a book from their childhood years, followed by one from their adolescents, and three from their grown up years to end with one guilty pleasure. At the end of the episode, the personality also has to say what their books say about them.

As it is better to steal a good idea, than to invent a bad one (bad translation of a Dutch saying), I'm going to steal the BBC's idea and give you my selection of five books.

Childhood years

As I grew up in the Netherlands, my childhood books were only in Dutch. I couldn't read any English than, although now I prefer English over Dutch. My favorite author was Thea Beckman. She wrote children's books for all ages. Even my grandfather enjoyed them. Beckman won several awards for her books and some were even made into a film. Her most famous one must be "Kruistocht in spijkerbroek" ('Crusade in jeans') about a modern teenager – Dolf – which is transported by accident back to the Middle Ages where he gets mixed up with the children's crusade. All in all an exciting tale where many things happen, not all good.
My favorite Beckman book would be "De gouden dolk" ('The golden dagger') set in the second crusade (1147-1149). Jiri Rambor, the son of the black smith follows the French army to Jerusalem. Again, many things happen. It is an adventure. After many years Jiri and his nephew return to their small village. There, on the wild outskirts he climbs a stone heap. But it isn't a stone heap but an old grave. He finds the prophesized gold dagger and enough gold to start a life in Paris. All is well.

Looking back on her books, it should not surprise me that the books I liked most all had a historical aspect. For instance the crusades or the Hundred Years War (trilogy "Geef me de ruimte!" ('Give me room'), "Triomf van de verschroeide aarde" ('Triumph of the scorched earth') en "Het rad van fortuin" ('The wheel of fortune')). And I liked her older work ('The golden 'dagger' was written in 1982) better than her newer works (she died in 2004). All in all, if you can ever find anything from her hand in translation, do give it a try. Or learn Dutch and read her in the original language.

Adolescent years

I was a very progressive reader, if that is the correct term. The library catalogued Thea Beckman's books for 12 and older. But by the time I turned 12, I already read all of her books. I do remember finding it very difficult to find new books to read. In the end, I picked up a green book from an unfamiliar author named J.R.R. Tolkien. As you might guess, it was "The fellowship of the ring". The first time (I've reread several times now) I read the whole book in Dutch, now I prefer the original, English version. The first book did, and still does, gave me some problems. I found it long-winded and it really took me a long time to finish it (in my memory about a month). But when I picked up "Two towers" and "The return of the king" I finished them both within two weeks. Tolkien has defined my taste for fantasy and in the years to come guided me to Tad Williams, Robin Hobb, Robert Jordan and even G.R.R. Martin. Fantasy still is one of my favourite genres and Tolkien one of my favourite authors. The only issue with fantasy is originality, that's why I don't read Terry Brooks. But that is a different story for another time.

Grown up years

I went to college when I was 18. I discovered Robert Jordan and read numerous books on history. The only books (series) which really stood out in those years was the Sharpe-series by Bernard Cornwell. I saw the movies, read all the books, devoured Cornwell's website and even the one from the Sharpe Society. I don't have a particular favourite in the series, but "Sharpe's Waterloo" and "Sharpe's devil" were not the best. I can remember that these two were the only ones I didn't finish. What did I like about Sharpe? Well, he's a brute with a soft heart. He worked himself up from the ranks. Despite his lack of manners, he is well liked by his men and disliked by his fellow officers (remember, Simmons!). Through his books you can follow the whole career of Wellington and the downfall of Napoleon. And yes, Cornwell allowed himself some historical freedom, but the discrepancies are explained in the historical endnote. The funny thing is, that I haven't read a Sharpe-book in years. I kind of grew weary of Uthred and that is all he seems to write these days. So please mr. Cornwell, write another one about Sharpe!

One day, I was with my friends in Amsterdam and in the American Book Center I found a hard back copy of "To green angel tower" by Tad Williams. The cover art was fantastic and I really, really like books in hard back. My friends thought I was crazy, and maybe I was. I bought the book, read it and was very happy. The trilogy "Memory, Sorrow and Thorn" stand in a Tolkien-like tradition. Young Simon sees his world thrown into chaos as dark powers force their way into his world. As all epic fantasy novels, it ends well. Simon marries his love and become king of the realm. But before the good side gets there, there's a lot a struggle, loss, pain and fighting. Absolutely a nice read. I found another of my favourite authors. I think it's time for a reread.

When I moved out of the student dorm I lived in a small village called Oegstgeest. It is close to Leiden where I had lived previously. In a bookstore on the central market square I found a book which – I have to admit – I bought for the outstanding cover art (by John Howe). This books was "Assassin's apprentice" by Robin Hobb. The series about Fitz and his wolf rekindled my love for fantasy (again). I really cried when Nighteyes died. So terrible. Although I had some trouble in the beginning with the series on the Liveship traders, even those books 'got' to me in the end. The way she paints her world is so entertaining you want to return again and again and again. I've met Robin during a book read in Amsterdam. That was amazing. She was so kind, so interesting. She stayed one of my favourite authors ever since.

Since my college years I really read a lot of different books, different genres (everything but horror), different authors. And although I've read so many books, only those mentioned above made an everlasting impression. Strange, but true.

Guilty pleasures

My guilty pleasure is more a genre than a specific book. Although I'm not a huge fan of the genre and am still very picky about which one I choose, I do like to read the romantic books – the lovey-dovey – when I'm tired, or in the mood for a not too difficult book (which is quite often lately). Then I read J.D. Robb or Elizabeth Lowell. And yes, I do something feel embarrassed to read these books. On occasion I find them insulting for my intellect. I'm not the type to swoon over strong, handsome men and independent women. But for fun, they are perfectly alright. So, for an introduction in this genre, which one would I recommended? That's difficult, because these books don't really have an everlasting impression. But thinking about the one I reread the most (when I'm dead tired), it would be "Midnight at Ruby Bayou" by Elizabeth Lowell. A strong man and an equally strong woman. It's a fun read.

What does this selection say about me?
Right, what do all these books say about me? I've a passion for history, am frequently out of this world and am really a romantic at heart? Or as a friend said long time ago: 'strange girl'.

Recommendation
So in the end, which one of these books would I recommend to you? Ai, that is very difficult. All books have their own flavour and taste. All books In the end, I think I will stick with Tolkien. He paints such a magical world full of its own languages and traditions, that I returned more than once. For me, he set the bar for the whole of fantasy. After you get through "The fellowship", the story is entertaining, quick paced and enthralling. So forget about the 1200 pages and just start reading!