40. NOTES FROM A BIG COUNTRY- BILL BRYSON
Made up from Mail on Sunday articles through the 90's, witty travel writer Bill Bryson's definitive book documents his return to America after years of living in England. Witty and self-depreciating, Notes from a Big Country is an easy but illuminating sideways glance at small town American culture.
39. THE RAILWAY CHILDREN- EDITH NESBIT
Another Nesbit novel, The Railway Children is one of the best books portraying the classic innocence of Edwardian childhood. As comforting as tea and toast on a wet Sunday afternoon, this is a touching tale of children out to prove their father's innocence against the backdrop of chocolate-box-esque cottage and countryside scenes.
38. THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL- PHILLIPA GREGORY
It may not be high brow or historically accurate, but Gregory is up there with the best of them when it comes to telling a sexy, dramatic, Tudor tale. Known for her portrayal of lesser characters in big historical events, Gregory here focuses on the sister of Anne Boleyn, and the very probable belief that she mothered two of Henry VIII's children. Although the storytelling has to be taken with a pinch of salt, this book brilliantly portrays the claustrophobic feel, and the placement of women in the Tudor court.
37. THE BLOODY CHAMBER- ANGELA CARTER
A fundamental feminist read, 'The Bloody Chamber' is a shocking and heavily gothic collection of classic fairy tales, cleverly challenged by Carter. Subverting traditional marriage plots and knights in shining armour ideologies, Carter stands up to the patriarchal undertones of culturally inherent narratives by reclaiming heroic deeds, sex and freedom for womankind in a collection which questions the stories and messages which underlie our society.
36. THE CANTERBURY TALES- GEOFFREY CHAUCER
It may be every literature student's worst nightmare, and yes, I myself have complained that it's one of the multitude of books you're supposed to appreciate, but aren't quite sure why, but Chaucer's magnum opus is still well worth a read. Commonly believed to be part of the early movement introducing the English language to its written form, The Canterbury Tales is a wry, satirical observation of Medieval society. It may be a struggle to get through, but romantic tales of knights questing after their fair ladies, bawdy rhymes on the sexual antics of promiscuous wives, and even the odd moral thought, make this a varied and interesting read.
35. MIDNIGHT'S CHILDREN- SALMAN RUSHDIE
Focusing on the story of a character born at the exact moment of India's independence, one of Rushdie's most famous works is an epic read, allegorising postcolonial culture in India. The wonderfully fantastical tone of the novel keeps it getting bogged down in the political and historical background, and it creates a real sense of a nation finding it's feet.
34. LADY CHATTERLEY'S LOVER- D.H.LAWRENCE
50 shades of Grey for the post World War One generation, Lady Chatterley's lover created worldwide controversy, being banned or censored in many countries. However, a more open modern view on sexuality has thankfully made this wondrous book more readily available. Perhaps more saucy for the deliciously illicit and sometimes guarded tone of the novel's sex scenes, Lady Chatterley's lover is a sensual early celebration of female sexuality. Even more than this, it captures the confusion of class, marriage and love in a society torn apart by war, yet clinging to English values.
33. MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA- ARTHUR GOLDEN
A historical novel which again perfectly captures the feel of a world suspended between two world wars, Golden's only novel is a beautiful portrait of early twentieth century Japan. In his focusing on the Geisha culture, Golden creates a novel which portrays the strange sense of a country clinging to wonderful yet sometimes brutal tradition, whilst being slowly broken down by the approach of World War Two.
32. BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S- TRUMAN CAPOTE
Don't be fooled by the film; Breakfast at Tiffany's is certainly no sweet rom-com with a happy ending. Concluding far more less satisfactory, and far more open about the less than upstanding occupation of Holly Golightly, Capote's novella is still as charming and wonderful as the film which takes it's name. Endlessly fascinating, Holly is one of the most complex and incredible characters in American literature, and her gradually revealed story is full of life lessons and far more questions than answers.
31. A LITTLE PRINCESS- FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT
Another lovely and essential children's novel, A Little Princess is the definitive riches-to-rags-and-back-again tale. Immortalising the mantra that every little girl is a princess, Hodgson Burnett's beautiful story is wonderfully sweet and imaginative, and a classic of children's fiction.
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