Cheeky Llama Chats

The Bookshelf

 

            The idea for this page came from a book edited by Thessaly La Force.  It was simply lists of book titles with some background for each chosen by a random group of, as it happens, American artists and writers none of whom were familiar to us.  I asked a group of my friends if they would have such a bookshelf and be prepared to share it, one they might take to a desert island with them or one that perhaps they felt defined them in some way.  A core of books that was important, one they would always have, no matter what, on their shelves.  Here are their replies.  If you would like to add your list to this collection we would very much like to hear from you.

 

Gina Brown:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gina is a retired businesswoman and member of Lynley’s (Russ's wife) book club.  She spends half her year in England the other half in New Zealand.  She is fascinated with archaeology and continues studies in aspects of the subject between digs at Roman sites around Britain.

 

The Wind in The Willows (Kenneth Graham)

Ohhh! the nostalgia, time and place.
Once There was a War (John Steinbeck)

His dispatches and account of living in London as a journalist for the NY Herald Tribune.
The Sunne in Splendour (Sharon Penman)

A novel set in the time of the Wars of the Roses and the last years of the Plantagenets.  She is a wonderful writer whose research is second to no-one.
Spitfire Women of World War II  (Giles Whittell)

A tribute to women pilots of the Air Transport Auxilliary who flew aircraft from factory to airfield without instrumentation and frequently without any prior flying hours in the type. Truly inspirational!
The Common Stream (Rowland Parker)

Social history of the small village of Foxton in Cambridgeshire, many layers of life from prehistory until modern times. A great researcher and beautifully honed tale.
The House by the Thames (Gillian Tindall)

Now adjacent to the restored Globe Theatre in London this house of 450 years has seen London life in layers.  Exceptionally interesting
Without Reservations (Allice Steinbach)

Travels of an independent woman.  Written 2000, a delight of observations, optimism and travel alone. As with all my loved books this has been read, loaned and repeatedly turned to.
One Unknown (Gill Hicks)

Australian girl journalist off to work in London on 7.7.2005.  So brave and damaged by the London terrorist bombs that day.  This book beautifully reminds us of the things we take for granted.
Pompeii (Robert Harris)

A recognised expert in this field the authout has written this as a novel which indeed adds real human feeling to an already fascinating subject.

 

Donald Campbell:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donald is a Wednesday Chatter and has had a life-long passion for ships and the sea.  He chose authors rather than titles and has a large collection of books which, he says, he has garnered from everywhere from the 50 cent shelf at the library to Hay-on-Wye book town.

 

Anthony Burgess

He was an extremely gifted writer who managed to combine scholarship and entertainment. Myfavourites are The Long Day Wanes (the Malayan trilogy), Earthly Powers, Any Old Iron andEnderby.

Evelyn Waugh

Anthony Burgess, Joe Bennett and I all agree Waugh was an insufferable snob and a wonderfulwriter. My favourites are Sword of Honour (the World War II trilogy), Brideshead Revisited, and A Handful of Dust.

Alan Villiers

For the past 30 years, I have built model sailing ships and collected books on sailing ships andmodel making. Alan Villiers is my hero. He was a great seaman and an inspiring writer. Myfavourites are The Set of the Sails, By Way of Cape Horn, The Cruise of the Conrad and The War with Cape Horn.

 

Bob Carter:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob is an old classmate of Russ’s.  His main passion in life was popular music and he played with various groups as well as having his own recording studio.  He died in 2014.

 

Religion For Atheists (Alain De Botton)

An excellent book for those of us who do not believe in God. He analyses what important things religions have to teach the secular world. Gives me faith in not having a faith.
A Million of Facts (Sir Richard Phillips)
Bought at a boot fair many years ago, this tome was published in 1839 and is packed with the knowledge of the time. Fascinating.
The Carl Rorgers Reader
Going back to my counselling days, this guy was my hero. He was a prime advocate of 'Client Centered Therapy' and this book covers all aspects of his life and work. Quite inspiring.
Unspeak (Stephen Poole)
We take many modern words and phrases for granted. This book examines the world of euphemisms and propaganda and makes you realise how much we are manipulated by seemingly innocent phrases. Thought provoking.
Untold Stories (Alan Bennett)
Chose this one because I realised it's been on the shelf and I've never read it. Need some fiction in the list anyway.
Steve Jobs (Walter Isaacson)
His life mirrors my technical history and demonstrates how rich I might have been had I had the foresight for the future of technology that he possessed.
20th Century Day by Day
Always fun to look back and since I lived through more than half of the 20th Century this is what was going on around me!
The Secret (Rhonda Byrne)
If you want to know how to establish a meaningful and fruitful relationship with the Universe and use the Power of Positive Thinking to achieve your goals then this is the book for you. Might need it on the island!
Skiffle (Chas McDevitt)
A record and reminder of my musical roots. How could I be on an island without it.  Can I take a ukulele please?
Milton Berle's Private Joke File
Probably the largest joke book I own, so plenty of material to amuse me in dull moments.

 

Bill Cooke:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bill is the International Director of the Center for Inquiry, Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo, formerly Senior Lecturer at the School of Visual Arts at the University of Auckland at Manukau in New Zealand.  He is also the author of  A Rebel to His Last Breath: Joseph McCabe, a dictionary of Rationalism and a history of Rationalism in New Zealand. He is past editor of Open Society magazine.  

 

The Misery of Christianity (Joachim Kahl)

The first book I ever read outlining the many moral and intellectual crimes and follies of the Christian religion. I still remember the indignation the book provoked.

The Undying Fire (H G Wells)

A powerful allegory of how one can live one’s life, using an up-dated version of the Job story. I’ve read this book twice and it’s been important to me when I’ve felt I’ve been losing my way.

Human Knowledge: Its Scope and Limits (Bertrand Russell)

I still think this is the most powerful  account of what one can claim to know in a natural context, and the role science plays.

The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)

In a way no other has, this book brought the human cost of injustice to life, making it real and intolerable.

A History of the Crusades (Steven Runciman)

More than just the historical story told, Runciman’s faultless mandarin prose will never be forgotten.

The Book of Nadath (Robin Hyde)

This set of poems, written in 1937 and not published for over six decades, is heart-achingly beautiful and sad.

Thus Spake Zarathustra (Friedrich Nietzsche)

Nietzsche’s writing is so powerful as to be intoxicating. I felt enthused and empowered by it when I first read it. Each time I return to it, I react more negatively to it, but never has it been anything other than powerful.

The Blind Watchmaker (Richard Dawkins)

The most exciting popular science book I’ve ever read.

The Enlightenment: An Interpretation  (Peter Gay)

Like Runciman, it’s the impeccable prose as much as the enlightened message that left me gasping in admiration. Here I got a model of civilised living, both from the author and the subjects of his account.

Discourses (Epictetus)

This was the first book I read after being made redundant in 2008 and it helped me put things in perspective and adjust to a new, less favourable situation with some degree of equanimity.  

 

Catherine Dear

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catherine is married to Simon (below).  She buys and sells antiques and works part-time for her local Parish Council in Bedfordshire, England.

 

The Times Atlas Of the World

My dad was a 747 Pilot and this book reminds me of what his working day must have been like!

To Kill a Mockingbird  (Harper Lee)

One of the first adult books I read and it left a huge impression on me. Very thought provoking still.

Salmon Fishing In The Yemen (Paul Torday)

A preposterous yet amusing tale about political stupidity. Very funny. I also enjoyed Thorday's The Irresistable Inheritance of Wilberforce, the story of how an inherited vast collection of wine was wasted away. It is told in reverse chronological order of events which somehow works. It was very interesting from wine point of view too. Chateau Petrues, anyone?!

The Adventures Of Dougal (Eric Thompson)

How could a Magic Roundabout fan not have one Dougal book on their bookshelf?!

Taste of the Middle East  (Soheila Kimberley)

I spent my summers living in Saudi Arabia while my Dad flew 747s for Saudi Air, and developed a taste for the food. I really don't need this book as I know all the recipes!

 

Lynley Dear:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lynley is a writer and has published novels, children’s books and poetry.  She is also the Archivist for Southland Boys’ High School and curator of their museum. Lynley is Russ Dear’s wife.

 

William the Fourth (Richmal Crompton)   

This wonderful book was published in 1924 and the one I’ve had since I was ten was published in 1954, the 25th impression.  This one has my father’s handwriting in it.  I had four William books as a child.  With those as the nucleus, Russ, an inveterate collector, has scoured the internet so that I now have 36 of the 38 Williams published.  As each one has arrived I’ve been right into it still laughing as much I used to.  I’ll never have the last two, as print runs were smaller near the end of Richmal Crompton’s life and they cost up to US$2000!  William is available in modern paperback but those don’t count!

Eagle of the Ninth (Rosemary Sutcliffe)

It was in 1954 that I first read this book about the Roman Ninth Legion, which disappeared beyond Hadrian’s Wall, and I re-read a recently published imprint in 2011.  This book turned me on to History with a capital H, a passion which has never abated.  But where oh where is my dog-eared original?

Crispin’s Day, the Story of Agincourt  (Rosemary Hawley Jarman, 1979)

Another writer who fed my history appetite.  This book is beloved and tattered and I used it for a passage in my own novel Poppy Boys.  Beside it on the shelf is her We Speak No Treason, which deals with Richard III and the fateful battle at Bosworth.  In looking at it recently I was intrigued to note that in the preface the author states as fact that Richard III’s remains in Greyfriars, Leicester ‘were disinterred and thrown into the river Soar’.  History is never static and we now know, since the recent car park discovery of his skeleton, that Rosemary Hawley Jarman was wrong.

The Fragile Species (Lewis Thomas)

This book taught me that a scientist can be a great writer. ‘I am a member of a fragile species, still new to the earth  . . . here only a few moments in evolutionary time . . . a child of a species . . . error-prone, at risk of fumbling . . .’

Enthusiasms (Bernard Levin) 

His enthusiasms are wide-ranging and infectious.  Joyful reading.  Always loved his quirky, erudite and opinionated writing.  Near this one on the shelf, among others by him, are Conducted Tour  (his witty circuit of international Music Festivals) and Hannibal’s Footsteps, (his account of walking across the Alps to Italy, minus the elephants but often singing opera as he went).    

Selected Poems  (Lauris Edmond) 

Also her three part autobiography Hot October, Bonfires in the Rain & The Quick World.  She won the Commonwealth Poetry Prize and had come to writing late after raising a large family, which colours so much of her warm, lyrical writing.  She wrote to me and encouraged me after a friend, without my knowing it, sent her some of my poems.  I believe she died while talking to a friend on the ‘phone.  A nice way to go . . . (although not for the friend).

A Mouthful of Air (Anthony Burgess)  

Also The Adventure of English Melvin Bragg 2003 and The Mother Tongue Bill Bryson 1990.  These three are the cream of the crop in my books about the English language. I’d thought Bill Bryson was just a writer of funny books (and I love all of those, especially Notes from a Small Island) until I read this one, which is so wonderful that it bristles with coloured stickers on the pages I especially like.  Anthony Burgess is probably better known for his Clockwork Orange. Melvin Bragg has written prolifically as well as hosting the famous South Bank Show.

The Perfect Summer (Juliet Nicolson)

and by the same author The Great Silence, 1918 – 1920. The first of these two recreates the atmosphere in England before World War I and is sub-titled Dancing into Shadow.  The second book deals with the two years after the Armistice; social  upheaval, shorter skirts, the sound of jazz and a spirit of survival.  Both thought-provoking and hugely entertaining.

Great Tales from English History  (Robert Lacy)

In three volumes of fascinating ‘short bites’ you are taken from 7150 B.C. (Cheddar man) to 1953 (D.N.A).  These books are extra special because Russ and I read them in their entirety to my mother when she was blind.  She loved them and so did we.

Oracles and Miracles  (Stevan Eldred Grigg)

The story of Fanny and Ginny, sisters in Depression era Christchurch.  One of the very few novels that I’ve read more than once.  Also his Gardens of Fire 1993 which takes you compellingly, hour by hour, through the experiences of the shop girls and office girls on the day of the Ballantynes fire disaster in Christchurch in 1947.  I was just three at the time but this event is in my memory.

The Great Wrong War  (Stevan Eldred Grigg)

This is a real antidote to the thousands of war books written and published.  It’s a war protest really.  He analyses New Zealand history in the early 20th century going against the accepted line, his argument being that World War I was wholly avoidable for New Zealand and almost wholly disastrous. It reads like a novel and I felt it to be compelling. It’s beautifully produced and magnificently illustrated but not surprisingly, because of its stance, it was reviewed luke warmly at best. 

Christchurch, the City in Literature  (Ed. Anna Rogers)

What a poignant read this is now since the Earthquake.  It was compiled by my own editor, Anna Rogers, who lost her home and her workplace to the earthquakes and who tells me she is so pleased that she was able to put together these lost images.

The Twenties, The Thirties and The Forties  (Alan Jenkins)       

A series of three super books covering these eras through which the author lived.  World events, architecture, fashions, inventions, theatre & film, the famous and infamous etc.  Hugely entertaining, informative and profusely illustrated.  Real stars on my shelves, these three and all found for me by Russ.   

Dance of the Peacocks  (James McNeish)

The stories of five brilliant young men who were New Zealand Rhodes Scholars in the 1930s, who were in the thick of subsequent world events and whose lives intertwined in compelling ways.  Among them were Invercargill’s own Dan Davin and Sir Geoffrey Cox, a pupil of Southland Boys’ High School, with whom I had some memorable contact and who donated his medals, civil and military to S.B.H.S. (to the chagrin of Te Papa!)  A real page turner.

Eats Shoots and Leaves  (Lynn Truss)

A classic and a one-off.  Who’d have thought punctuation could be this funny?

Tolkien’s Gown (Rick Gekowski)  

It will be obvious that I collect books but not as Gekowski does.  His are those used and rare first editions that you read with gloves on and which fetch astronomical prices.  A marvellous treasure trove of anecdotes and surprises, this one.  

A Feast for the Eyes  (National Gallery Cookbook)

As well as being a book of stunning art and great recipes, this has lovely memories because I bought it in London’s National Gallery while waiting to have lunch with son Nicholas.

Shakespeare (Bill Bryson)

Of all my collection of Shakespeare books (including Shakespeare’s Wife by Germaine Greer!) Bill Bryson’s take on the ‘who wrote Shakespeare?’ controversy stands out for wit, scholarship, plain common sense and total readability with all the academic fluff removed.  A breath of fresh air.

Decades of Fashion (1900 to the Present)

Well thumbed for both pleasure (and recently) for research.  Superb book.

Titanic Lives (Richard Davenport-Hines)

‘Migrants, Millionaires, Conmen & Crew’ it says on the cover of this big well-illustrated book.  Of the many Titanic books (and I own a few) this is the most thorough and far-reaching in my opinion.  A riveting read – and if you thought you knew everything about the Titanic, you didn’t!

Moa  (Quinn Berentson)

A sumptuous coffee table book that reads like a novel and contains everything you wanted to know about Moa but were afraid to ask.  Added charm because he lived in Papatowai for a time while writing this, incredibly his first book, and there is a photo of ‘our ‘ view across the estuary to the historic Moa Hunters’ campsite.  Have just discovered that Moa has won The Royal Society of New Zealand Book Prize for 2013 – and so deserved  it.

 

Russ Dear:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russ is a Wednesday Chatter. He was a maths teacher and now spends a lot of time playing jazz.  Check out his website at:  http://jazzmataz.webs.com/

 

Collins Dictionary of the English Language

Son Simon left us this book when he moved to Britain. Besides a comprehensive list of standard dictionary definitions it includes a good selection of biographies (of those well known from history) and geographical locations (cities, rivers, countries and so on).

A Rough Guide to Jazz (Ian Carr, Digby Fairweather, Brian Priestley)

This is a more recent edition of the first guide to jazz artists and albums bought for me in the 1990s. It is without doubt the best of its kind. RSPB Handbook of British Birds (Peter Holden, Tim Cleeves)
This field guide was given to me by my eldest daughter Chloe. It defines one aspect of who I am – a British birder.

The New Guide to the Birds of New Zealand (R.A. Falla, R.B.Gibson, E.G Turbott)
Now I live in New Zealand having a good field guide is essential.
The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds (Peter, Pat and Raoul Slater)

Australia is relatively close and a wonderful country to watch birds. This later edition of the one I bought for my first visit over the ditch has the advantage of being a single volume.
A History of Mathematics (Carl B. Boyer)

This book was given to me by my youngest daughters Amy and Gemma. It is a treasure – read and reread.
A History of Astronomy from Thales to Kepler (J.L.E. Dreyer)
This well-thumbed book has been with me since the mid-1960s. It represents a prime example of the evolution of a mathematical model. I have talked on the subject at U3A.

The Story of Philosophy (Bryan Magee)

This book has only recently replaced Bertrand Russell’s History of Western Philosophy as my preferred overview of the subject, for the reason that it is more up-to-date.
Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science (Martin Gardner)

I have many books both mathematical and of a skeptical nature by Martin Gardner. This was the first I ever bought and is chosen for nostalgic reasons.
A History of the World in 100 Objects (Neil McGregor)

Based on the BBC Radio 4 series introduced to us by son Simon. On hearing it was to be brought out in book form we hurriedly bought it. It is so original, exciting and interesting in its approach to history through 100 well chosen objects (all exhibited in the British Museum), from a 2 million year old stone tool to a solar-powered lamp and charger, that I read all 700 pages in one go (gaps between, of course) and have been dipping into it ever since. 

 

Rhys Dear:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simon and Catherine’s son who is still at school at the time of writing. Rhys claims that his bookshelf is in the public library. He says, “It's hard to pick favourites when you read three or four books a week as I do but here goes”.

 

The Hobbit (JRR Tolkien)

A great read. I like the mix of action with humour. And a book with song, poetry and riddles can't go wrong!
The Wasp Factory (Iain Banks)
Dad bought me this book because he thought I should read something more grown-up. So weird and different. And disturbing! (Dad'll be paying my therapy bills when I grow up.)

Dangerous Book for Boys (Conn Iggulden)

Grandad Russ and Grandma Lynley gave me this book. It's full of good stuff - if only my parents let me do some of it!
History of the World in Bite-sized chunks (Emma Marriott)
If only history at school were this easy.

My Family and Other Animals (Gerald Durrell)

My aunt Chloe and cousin Dan gave me this book and I've read it quite a few times. It's very funny.

 

Simon Dear:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russ Dear’s son.  Simon is a Governance Manager for world wide Pharmaceutical Health Evidence and Outcomes Research, specialising in company systems and compliance policies.

 

The Art of Glass (Toledo Museum of Art)

Unlike most books on the history of glass, this book selects exceptional examples in the Museum's collection to illustrate key developments in glass technique from ancient middle-east through to modern day studio glass. The photos and empassioned writing are sumptuous. I frequently pick up and browse this book, imagining where our own glass collecting will venture in future.

Rings Of Saturn (W. G. Sebald)

Like all Sebald's novels this book blends travel writing, historical erudition and stream-of-consciousness ramblings seamlessly into a bewildering tale. This book allegedly describes a walk Sebald took along the Suffolk coast, from Lowestoft to Ipswich and eloquently yet chillingly charts the region's rise and fall over time. Knowing this stretch of the coast well, the effect on me was spellbinding.

Zen Flesh, Zen Bones (Compiled by Paul Reps)

I can't live without this book. Family tradition has it that Dad read it to Chloe and me as children. My own first copy was so well thumbed it fell apart. Then Chloe gave me a pocket-sized version, which these days is looking a bit ragged but is hanging in there. Aside from being a charming collection of Zen stories and puzzles (koans), there is a meditative, reflective aspect to this book which I find it helps put life in perspective when things are going pear-shaped.

Arabeque  (Claudia Roden)

Given my love of cooking and food, I need a cookery book on my shelf. It was a toss-up between this sumptuous recipé book about Turkish, Lebanese and Moroccan cuisine, or Nigellisima. Thankfully, common sense has prevailed. With this book you travel to the bustling souks at these cross-roads of Arabic civilisation full of exotic spiced fragrances and strange sights, where you dine on some of the most exquisite dishes imaginable. The simplicity, down-to-earth, homeliness of the recipes gives a sense of connecting with local traditions and that you are inheriting family favourites. Gives the confidence to experiment a bit. And the recipes never fail. How can you, with names like 'lamb cooked in its mother's milk', 'buried in vermicelli' and 'almond snake'?!

The Magus  (John Fowles)

Being an avid reader of "Literature" (and ignoring your jeers of "snob"!), my bookshelf wouldn't be complete without one fine example. But which one? The book that has impressed me most recently is this tale of a young man who takes a post as English teacher on a Greek island. He quickly and perhaps too willingly gets involved with the enigmatic Conchis, a local man of mystery and what unfolds is a life-change masque that is as much about him as the events it seems to portray. It's a well-blended mix of psychology, thriller and holiday romance that had the power to surprise me at every page. Written in the 1950's, it gives snapshot of pre-1960's British attitudes to sex and the empire which I found had a contemporary feel and that has stood the test of time. The descriptions of the walks around the island remind me of those we did in Cyprus and are spot on!that has impressed me most recently is this tale of a young man who takes a post as English teacher on a Greek island. He quickly and perhaps too willingly gets involved with the enigmatic Conchis, a local man of mystery and what unfolds is a life-change masque that is as much about him as the events it seems to portray. It's a well-blended mix of psychology, thriller and holiday romance that had the power to surprise me at every page. Written in the 1950's, it gives snapshot of pre-1960's British attitudes to sex and the empire which I found had a contemporary feel and that has stood the test of time. The descriptions of the walks around the island remind me of those we did in Cyprus and are spot on!