BBC Big Read

[DarkHoarse]

Well, the results are in. Was anyone surprised?

I have to confess some surprise at the books that made up positions 2 to 5. I suppose I should have expected Potter, especially once they guaranteed a non-split vote after limiting it to one book per author in the 21. (I still say Prisoner of Azkaban is better) But as much as I love it I was amazed that Hitch-hikers was Britain's 4th favourite book EVER! Was the promotional film really strong, or something? Also, P&P being such a convincing no.2 was a surprise. Even more so, Pullman at no.3. (I am only midway through the first book now so don't anyone go spoiling it) Is it really THAT good?

I remain baffled as to how 1984 could fail to be in the top 5. Not because it's my favourite book, but because it's the one I really thought would carry more clout than anything outside numbers 1 and 2.

[spike]

Not surprised by 1 or 2. Pleasently surprised that Harry Potter wasn't 3.

But then the only top 5 book I've yet to read is P&P so overall I'm happy.

(Oh, and book 3 of HDM. Top books, well deserved 3rd place. Yes, the first two are that good.)

[DarkHoarse]

I spent much of the Xmas hols - and the early hotel-bound part of the busy audit season - reading His Dark Materials. Absolutely wonderful, mind-expanding and deeply moving. I almost envy 12/13 year-olds being able to read something like that at a formative age.