Books that have Inspired You

[Oola]

I remember reading my Mum's old 1950s book entitled 'Devon Venture' when I was a child. I think from then on I desperately wanted to live the sort of life the girls in the book were living - moving from London down to a cottage with a rented smallholding. I used to read it over and over, and still occasionally read it today!

Have you ever read a book that's inspired you to do something?

[jazzactivist]

I was hugely inspired by Christina Dodwell's "Travels with Fortune". It was the first travel book that I ever read, about a woman travelling through Africa for three years using just her wits, friendships, and whatever she could do locally. I lived in South Africa as a teenager and any books that criticised the South African apartheid regime were banned. This book included, as it contained some mild criticism of their journey's end in Cape Town, and it was also the first book that I bought from a scary 'underground' book dealer. I so loved that book that it inspired me to travel by myself as soon as I was old enough and, although my journeys were never quite as wild as Christina's, I did have some unusual adventures. My partner managed to track down an out of print copy and gave it to me last Christmas, and I read it again and must admit that it is still one of the best travel books ever written.

[sunflower]

When I was first married in my twenties, I read a book called 'what is a family' by Edith Schaeffer. Because I had no working knowledge of family life during my childhood, I really needed some guidance. Other books I had read were stuffy, dogmatic and even scary! with lots of rules. But Schaeffer's book, although twee in this age gave me just what I needed. She was very creative and artistic and child centered and above all kind.So this has shaped bringing up my children.

[eleanor2]

the bible is the most inspiring book i know. but as a child i read and re read the famous 5.there adventures were a thrill to me. the food they ate all the time always made me feel hungry. 10 kids there was never enough food.goerge owning her own island and boat.them being allowed to go off on thier own all the time. their manners and respect for people.good always won over the bad. comradeship. i will sometimes pick a famous 5 up now.just to regress into simple,safe happy times in britain and children feeling safe out on their own.

[CountryLady]

The Famous Five books and indeed all books by Enid Blyton were wonderful. I know exactly what you mean about the food in them, Eleanor, I remember reading one of the "Twins at St Claires" books in which they had a midnight feast that included frying sausages. I was quite young and was reading it after I had gone to bed but that made me so hungry I got up to ask for something to eat!

[eleanor2]

if i was off school ill.my mum would make me stay in bed all day. nothing to eat untill tea time. i used to spend all day reading famous 5 with my tummy rumbling. by the way mum wasn't being cruel.it was good medicine.none of us was ever off sick unless we were really ill.

[eleanor2]

i tried edit but it hasn't worked.i meant to say mum wasn't being cruel it was good medicine. my mum hasn't got a cruel bone in her body.hope this post shows on screen.

[CountryLady]

Makes better sense now Eleanor, I was picturing your poor mother like a steely governess type! Sorry!

[eleanor2]

my mum is tiny.she takes size three shoes.she has hardly raised her vioce in life. once when three of us sisters shared a double bed.we were making a rucus. mum came up with a stick.told us all roll over and wacked all our bums in one go. knowing mum that upset her more than us. dad worked away a lot in the week at one time. poor little 4 ft 6ish mum had about 8 kids at the time to keep in order.

[Oola]

hmmm

I've still not find out why this editing malarky isn't working. did you press the save button afterwards? I will go and check if the edit facility is still enabled...

[eleanor2]

i just pressed edit button.corrected then submit.everything else is fine so i'm sure it will get sorted.hope you o.k oola.this must be hard work.

[SummerSkye]

I grew up on Famous Five and Secret Seven too. I must admit the food always made me envious, all those "high teas". I loved the books and now my granddaughter is reading them too. Several books written by people who have been brave enough to make the move to a different place or country and a totally new way of living have inspired me to take more chances and try new things. 'A Year in Provence' is one example.

[Sparrow]

As a girl, the St Clares and Malory Towers school books by Enid Blyton. It made me desparate to go to a private school. Later a book by Geoffrey Moorhouse called "To the Frontier" about his travels in the zones between Pakistan and Afghanistan. I was so inspired I took myself off there in 1986 (the Russians were still in Afghanistan and the NWFP was a bit hairy). Four years ago I remember crying my way through Ellen MacArthur's account of her record breaking trip around the world - what a courageous and focused lassie. Latterly, I have just read the biography of Golda Meir. What a babe she was! I am also inspired by glossy cookery books - which may explain why I've gained 20kgs since I got married:-)

[Oola]

Ha! I have first and second terms at Mallory Towers...also read the whole series of Trebizon books when I was a pre-teen (still have them all now, save the last one which is extremely rare and difficult to get hold of).

How did you find Afghanistan then, pre-Taliban? I have seen pictures of colourful, thriving marketplaces etc.

[JerseyLily]

Does anyone remember the comics "School Friend" and "Girls Crystal"?

I found hundreds of them among a whole load of old boxes in the loft of a house we moved into. Unfortunately, I only had a few bought for me before they went out of print. I loved those comics, and imagine a lot of other women wouldn't half love to get their hands on a few old copies. Talk about nostalgia.

Books that have inspired? Oh goodness, how long have you got to be bothered reading the long list!

[eleanor2]

as a child these books were my absolute tops.i have read and reread them. once in a while even read one now.when i want to regress into when this country was a pleasure to live in.when children were safe and free.

[Sparrow]

HI Oola, I wasn't actually in Afghanistan, but the "Wild West" known as Waziristan, which is a kind of lawless tribal no man's land between Pak and Afg bordering the North West Frontier Province. I stayed in a walled city which literally locked everyone in at night, due to a kidnapping problem. The bazaars were great, Peshawar's still is in the Old City. I would recommend anyone to visit, Pakistan is a really beautiful country.