Welcome! This lovely Sunday blog post is the second in my newest bi – weekly blog series End of World Books, previously called Books i’d take to the end of the world but that is way too long…. SO TECHNICALLY this is the first post of it’s kind!
If you missed the first End of World Books post, where I hosted myself and shared with you what books would be in my ‘incase of an apocalyptic event’ backpack – you can check it out here.
Today, I have the pleasure to host my fellow book blogger Rachel who blogs over at the Rachel Read It blog, where you can find her wonderful bookish musings on all things books – from bookish thoughts to book reviews *whispers* you should click that follow button! Rachel managed, after badgering from yours truly, to choose only five books to take to the end of the world with her. I thought it would be more difficult for her but she hopes (and I hope for her) that there is an apocalyptic proofed library out there … somewhere! I also have complete faith that her book sniffing abilities will find it.
Don’t we all!
Here’s Rachel’s five chosen reads and why they cut it.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality their lives are changed profoundly and for ever.
I used to be a terrible book snob so if something was popular I would actively avoid the hype which is a terrible case of cutting your nose off …. you end up missing the best fragrances. This study in American Academia, privilege, murder and betrayal is taut, re-readable and so enjoyable I make a point of reading it annually.
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Widely regarded as one of the funniest and most tragic books ever written, Don Quixote chronicles the famous picaresque adventures of the noble knight-errant Don Quixote de La Mancha and his faithful squire, Sancho Panza. Together they journey through sixteenth-century Spain in search of adventure, taking on spirits, evil enchanters and giants in a quest to perform acts of valour worthy of Dulcinea, his lady love.
A masterpiece of world fiction and a brilliant satire on traditional romances, Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes is not only the world’s first modern novel – it is also an uproarious comedy that continues to delight readers today.
I love the Macmillan Collectors Library, I love the gold edges and the art work, the way they feel in my hands, they are just a JOY! But, being on limited budget, the first one I wanted to get was my favourite classical tale, that of the man from La Mancha and his erstwhile sidekick, Sancho Panza. Who hasn’t, at one time or other, tilted at windmills?
Jill Kismet – The Complete Series by Lilith Saintcrow
Not everyone can take on the things that go bump in the night.
Not everyone tries.
But Jill Kismet is not just anyone.
She’s a Hunter, trained by the best — and in over her head.
Welcome to the night shift…
The omnibus edition of Jill Kismet contains: Night Shift, Hunter’s Prayer, Redemption Alley, Flesh Circus, Heaven’s Spite and Angel Town.
It was a tie between this and ‘The Stand’ by Stephen King but this is still a mammoth volume I have only read once and I think I could learn a lot of apocalyptic kick ass skills from Jill and it’s urban fantasy of the highest quality!
The Penguin Complete Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
Sherlock Holmes is not only the most famous character in crime fiction, but arguably the most famous character in all fiction.
In sixty adventures that pit his extraordinary wits and courage against foreign spies, blackmailers, cultists, petty thieves, murderers, swindlers, policemen (both stupid and clever), and his arch-nemesis Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes, together with his faithful sidekick Doctor John H. Watson, proves himself to be not only the quintessential detective but also the most engaging and entertaining company any reader could ask for.
An absolute shoo-in as there are no complete Agatha Christie’s and I have read hers over and over so many times that I could probably remember most, if not all of the plots. However, Holmes is so damned fiendish and his solutions to multiple mysteries bear re-reading to see just how he dunnit . This volume would keep me going for years!
European Travel For Monstrous Gentlewomen by Theodora Goss
Mary Jekyll’s life has been peaceful since she helped Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson solve the Whitechapel Murders. Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherine Moreau, Justine Frankenstein, and Mary’s sister Diana Hyde have settled into the Jekyll household in London, and although they sometimes quarrel, the members of the Athena Club get along as well as any five young women with very different personalities. At least they can always rely on Mrs. Poole.
But when Mary receives a telegram that Lucinda Van Helsing has been kidnapped, the Athena Club must travel to the Austro-Hungarian Empire to rescue yet another young woman who has been subjected to horrific experimentation. Where is Lucinda, and what has Professor Van Helsing been doing to his daughter? Can Mary, Diana, Beatrice, and Justine reach her in time?
Racing against the clock to save Lucinda from certain doom, the Athena Club embarks on a madcap journey across Europe. From Paris to Vienna to Budapest, Mary and her friends must make new allies, face old enemies, and finally confront the fearsome, secretive Alchemical Society. It’s time for these monstrous gentlewomen to overcome the past and create their own destinies.
I ADORED her debut novel which introduced the Athena Club and this one takes the female descendants/female experiments of the classical monsters such as Mr Hyde and gives them their own agency, kick ass skills and provides them with stunning Victorian adventures. This is also the size of a brick so can used as a step, a weapon AND something to linger over now that there is time.
What an excellent choice Rachel, I bet those complete editions will be heavy! I appreciate the sneaky loophole and yes it counts… it is one bound book, you sneaky sneaker! I’d also like to thank Rach for taking the time to guest post on my blog!
Do any of Rachel apocalyptic book choices tickle your pickle? I’ve linked them in so you can grab your own copy if you do so wish to. Have you already read these picks? Would you take them with you to the end of the world?
Remember to follow Rachel’s blog so you never again miss out on her bookish posts, and you can follow her on multiple social media platforms:
Twitter @Rachelb75
Instagram @BooksInMyHallway
Facebook @RachelReadIt
Blog @RachelReadIt
Goodreads @RachelReadIt
Thanks for reading and tune in on the 14th of July for the next instalment with another brilliant blogger!
The Reading Closet 