By Sarah Basbas
MCL Reference Librarian

I took a very unscientific poll of friends, family and colleagues and asked the question: “What is your favorite book?” Here are the results.

“The ShellSeekers” byRosamunde Pilcher

“The Shell Seekers” was Rosamunde Pilcher’s first serious novel and is the one that made her reputation. This is a family saga set in London and Cornwall between World War II and the present. It is the story of the Keeling family and the passions and heartbreaks that held them together for three generations. For those who have already read it, it’s a book that can be re-read often; for those who haven’t, it will lead to a love of Pilcher’s books.

“Dancing at the Rascal Fair” by Ivan Doig

Ivan Doig has been called the best living author of the Western novel. In “Dancing at the Rascal Fair,” Scottish immigrants Angus McCaskill and Rob Barclay come to America to start a new life in Montana. The book takes place over 30 years, starting in 1889, spans several generations and tells the story of friendship, romance, hardship and betrayal, all against the backdrop of the Montana frontier.

The “Kay Scarpetta” novels byPatricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell’s real-life experience in the Virginia Medical Examiner’s office gives her Kay Scarpetta novels a sense of authenticity that has made them very popular with fans of “CSI.” Scarpetta is a forensic pathologist who gets involved in solving crime, and the books are a great blend of forensic detail and fast-paced criminal detection. Cornwell has faltered a bit with her most recent Scarpetta novels, so those who haven’t read her work should start with the first, “Postmortem,” which is the best. Her next Scarpetta novel, “Book of the Dead,” is due out in November.

“A Town Called Alice” by Nevil Shute

This is a 1950 novel about an English woman and an Australian rancher who meet in Japanese-occupied Malaysia during World War II. When Jean is taken prisoner by the Japanese in Malaysia, she must use all her intelligence and ingenuity to ensure the survival of her weary group of women prisoners. After the War, she tries to reconnect with the Australian soldier, also a prisoner of war, who helped her. This is a beautiful story of romance and courage, set in Malaysia and the Australian outback.

“Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

This thriller about a mysterious novel with a long, dark history highlights the post-war city of Barcelona. In this book, young Daniel Sempere is taken by his father, a bookseller, to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. Told to choose a book and ensure its survival, he picks “The Shadow of the Wind” by obscure author Julian Carax. Daniel then seeks to unravel the mystery of why every copy of the book is being systematically destroyed. This is a story of murder, magic, madness and doomed love.

“The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant

This is a retelling of the Bible story of Dinah, daughter of Jacob and Leah in the book of Genesis. Anita Diamant recreates what life must have been like for Dinah and her female kinfolk. (There’s very little information in the Bible.) Diamant’s language makes the reader feel the hot sands of the desert and illustrates the joys, sorrows and strengths of the women of that time period. This is a book loved by book discussion groups all over the country.