Name
Barbara Normand
Email
barbarajnormand@gmail.com
Write in the box your 5 pieces of music & why
1. Classical - because I'm missing live concerts! Difficult to choose one item only. How about Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, preferably played by Nicola Benedetti, an SCO performance we missed in March, thanks to lockdown! CLICK HERE
2. Vivaldi's 'Gloria'. I'm missing singing with the Hutchie Choral Society and this is one of the many items we enjoyed singing. CLICK HERE
3. 'Thine be the Glory' - an uplifting Easter hymn. We're all sorry we can't sing in church. Our grandson George, then just 3, sang this at an Easter service last year in Edinburgh. For months afterwards he would say, 'Can we sing 'Thine be the Glory' again please Grandma.' CLICK HERE
4. Oscar Peterson, jazz pianist. We have a 3CD set called 'Piano Power'. I like it because it's piano, it's jazz and Oscar is Canadian! Missing going to jazz gigs. CLICK HERE
5. 'La Boheme' by Puccini. Not a happy story but beautiful music. CLICK HERE
Plus - anything played by Grace on her harp! It's always very moving and lovely. CLICK HERE
Your book & why
Only one book! Help! Just as well we have the Bible and Shakespeare!
I'll go for 'The Mirror and the Light' by Hilary Mantel. It's the adventures of Henry VIII with his multitude of wives and naughty escapades. Thomas Cromwell supervises all! I read this not too long ago but I need to revise the history. I's a good read.
Also, it's 882 pages so I think lit will keep me going for a few days!
Your luxury item & why
I'm choosing a picnic hamper with a hammock, a load of bottles of sparkly wine and a tub of cashew nuts. And maybe a sunhat. No need to explain why!
Barbara Normand
barbarajnormand@gmail.com
Write in the box your 5 pieces of music & why
1. Classical - because I'm missing live concerts! Difficult to choose one item only. How about Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, preferably played by Nicola Benedetti, an SCO performance we missed in March, thanks to lockdown! CLICK HERE
2. Vivaldi's 'Gloria'. I'm missing singing with the Hutchie Choral Society and this is one of the many items we enjoyed singing. CLICK HERE
3. 'Thine be the Glory' - an uplifting Easter hymn. We're all sorry we can't sing in church. Our grandson George, then just 3, sang this at an Easter service last year in Edinburgh. For months afterwards he would say, 'Can we sing 'Thine be the Glory' again please Grandma.' CLICK HERE
4. Oscar Peterson, jazz pianist. We have a 3CD set called 'Piano Power'. I like it because it's piano, it's jazz and Oscar is Canadian! Missing going to jazz gigs. CLICK HERE
5. 'La Boheme' by Puccini. Not a happy story but beautiful music. CLICK HERE
Plus - anything played by Grace on her harp! It's always very moving and lovely. CLICK HERE
Your book & why
Only one book! Help! Just as well we have the Bible and Shakespeare!
I'll go for 'The Mirror and the Light' by Hilary Mantel. It's the adventures of Henry VIII with his multitude of wives and naughty escapades. Thomas Cromwell supervises all! I read this not too long ago but I need to revise the history. I's a good read.
Also, it's 882 pages so I think lit will keep me going for a few days!
Your luxury item & why
I'm choosing a picnic hamper with a hammock, a load of bottles of sparkly wine and a tub of cashew nuts. And maybe a sunhat. No need to explain why!
Name
Alan Stewart
Email
ajs@hazliebrae.co.uk
Write in the box your 5 pieces of music & why
Stairway to Heaven, Led Zeppelin. Up until I heard this (1970) I thought music was "ok" but this really changed my views. Whenever I listen to my music collection on the iPod (still the original model) I always come back to this one. The changes in pace and mood really make the song. There is a really good interview with Jimmy Page in a BBC video (on You Tube) on what it is all about - even the "bustle in your hedgerow". CLICK HERE
Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen. This was my introduction to The Boss and he is the best live performer I have ever seen. The songs have real energy and you never tire of listening to them.
CLICK HERE
Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd. There had to be a Floyd song in this and it was a tough choice between Comfortably Numb and Brain Damage. The guitar solo is fantastic, although oddly my mother never seemed to agree when it was coming at full volume from my bedroom. A band I never managed to see live.The one time I saw Roger Waters perform Dark Side of the Moon, he played Comfortably Numb in the second half; not quite David Gilmour but close enough.
CLICK HERE
Thick as a Brick, Jethro Tull. It took me a while to get into Jethro Tull but this is the one that did it. A lengthy piece, the full side of an album, with very clever lyrics. They (or at least what was left of them) played the Theatre Royal a few years ago and the whole concert was simply both sides of the album. CLICK HERE
As Tears Go By, Marianne Faithful. Possibly an odd choice compared to my others. Written for her in 1964 by Jagger and Richards. As she said, the Rolling Stones did a good cover of her song. A new version was included in her Negative Capability album in 2018 and is even better than the original. Her voice has improved with age. CLICK HERE
Your book & why
J R R Tolkein, The Lord of the Rings (the full trilogy, which is cheating but you can have it in the one book). I first read this about 50 years ago. I took it home from school on the Friday of the September weekend and did not appear out of my bedroom till the Sunday morning, having finished it. It is a book that you can read again and again - and lose yourself in. I was pleased when the films came out that my idea of an Orc was pretty much right.
Your luxury item & why
An iPad, with good wifi and an everlasting battery - and pre-loaded with the England-Scotland Calcutta Cup match at Twickenham in 1983.
The idea of being alone for me-time is appealing but too much of it would not be a good thing, so being able to keep in touch with the world would be the real luxury.
Alan Stewart
ajs@hazliebrae.co.uk
Write in the box your 5 pieces of music & why
Stairway to Heaven, Led Zeppelin. Up until I heard this (1970) I thought music was "ok" but this really changed my views. Whenever I listen to my music collection on the iPod (still the original model) I always come back to this one. The changes in pace and mood really make the song. There is a really good interview with Jimmy Page in a BBC video (on You Tube) on what it is all about - even the "bustle in your hedgerow". CLICK HERE
Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen. This was my introduction to The Boss and he is the best live performer I have ever seen. The songs have real energy and you never tire of listening to them.
CLICK HERE
Comfortably Numb, Pink Floyd. There had to be a Floyd song in this and it was a tough choice between Comfortably Numb and Brain Damage. The guitar solo is fantastic, although oddly my mother never seemed to agree when it was coming at full volume from my bedroom. A band I never managed to see live.The one time I saw Roger Waters perform Dark Side of the Moon, he played Comfortably Numb in the second half; not quite David Gilmour but close enough.
CLICK HERE
Thick as a Brick, Jethro Tull. It took me a while to get into Jethro Tull but this is the one that did it. A lengthy piece, the full side of an album, with very clever lyrics. They (or at least what was left of them) played the Theatre Royal a few years ago and the whole concert was simply both sides of the album. CLICK HERE
As Tears Go By, Marianne Faithful. Possibly an odd choice compared to my others. Written for her in 1964 by Jagger and Richards. As she said, the Rolling Stones did a good cover of her song. A new version was included in her Negative Capability album in 2018 and is even better than the original. Her voice has improved with age. CLICK HERE
Your book & why
J R R Tolkein, The Lord of the Rings (the full trilogy, which is cheating but you can have it in the one book). I first read this about 50 years ago. I took it home from school on the Friday of the September weekend and did not appear out of my bedroom till the Sunday morning, having finished it. It is a book that you can read again and again - and lose yourself in. I was pleased when the films came out that my idea of an Orc was pretty much right.
Your luxury item & why
An iPad, with good wifi and an everlasting battery - and pre-loaded with the England-Scotland Calcutta Cup match at Twickenham in 1983.
The idea of being alone for me-time is appealing but too much of it would not be a good thing, so being able to keep in touch with the world would be the real luxury.
Name of Castaway: Alan Irons
Choice of Music and Reasons
1. By Cool Siloam's Shady Rill sung by the Glasgow Orpheus Choir CLICK HERE
Although I am a native of Edinburgh my parents met in the Orpheus Choir and were married in Ibrox Parish Church
2. Ravel's Bolero by Berlin Philharmonic Conductor Pierre Boulez CLICK HERE
In my teens I played a lot of tennis and and after went to various houses and listened to music. This was played a lot!!
3. Andrea Bocelli singing Avez Verum Corpus by Mozart CLICK HERE
This inspired me to take singling lessons at the age of 70 from our own Avril McCusker albeit I got her to sign a non disclosure agreement before hand!
4. The Adatio of Spartacus and Phrygia by Adam Khacheturian. CLICK HERE
Brings back memories of watching the Onedin Line
5. Vitava [The Moldau] by Bedrich Smetana CLICK HERE
Following the river through Prague until it bursts into the Black Sea
5A followed by a wee extra short piece The swan from Carnival of the animals by Saint-Saens CLICK HERE
Wonderfully realistic
Choice of Book and Reason:
for my book I would like to take "in out Time" by Melvin Bragg. It is a set of 26 live broadcasts in the series covering "Black Holes" Darwin's "Theory of Revolution" and other deep subjects! Should keep me well occupied!
Choice of Luxury Item and Reason:
A major supply of oatmeal and salt together with perhaps an Ayrshire cow [for a supply of creamy milk] tied up to a palm tree.
Name of Castaway: Anne Nichol
Choice of Music:
1. Arrival of the Queen of Sheba by George Handel CLICK HERE
2. The Very Best of James Last. His orchestra from 1995 CLICK HERE
3. Moonlight Serenade for the best of Glen Miller and his orchestra. Been with me for as long as I can remember. CLICK HERE
4. The very best of Kenny Rogers from 1990. CLICK HERE
5. Happy Days by Andre Rieu issued in 2019 - very easy listening CLICK HERE
The choice covers very easy listening of light musical music over the pat 30 years.
Choice of Book & Reason
A book of Burn's writings together with a map of Scotland to reminisce all the wonderful places we spent family holidays, particularly on Mull and the Treshnish Isles.
Choice of Luxury Item & Reason
My special little soft cuddly smiling frog. The wee frog sits on a chair in my sitting room and looks looks after me. He must be some age now!
Choice of Music:
1. Arrival of the Queen of Sheba by George Handel CLICK HERE
2. The Very Best of James Last. His orchestra from 1995 CLICK HERE
3. Moonlight Serenade for the best of Glen Miller and his orchestra. Been with me for as long as I can remember. CLICK HERE
4. The very best of Kenny Rogers from 1990. CLICK HERE
5. Happy Days by Andre Rieu issued in 2019 - very easy listening CLICK HERE
The choice covers very easy listening of light musical music over the pat 30 years.
Choice of Book & Reason
A book of Burn's writings together with a map of Scotland to reminisce all the wonderful places we spent family holidays, particularly on Mull and the Treshnish Isles.
Choice of Luxury Item & Reason
My special little soft cuddly smiling frog. The wee frog sits on a chair in my sitting room and looks looks after me. He must be some age now!
Name of Castaway: Sheila Smith
Choice of Music:
1. Mario Lanza singing Ave Maria. Memory of seeing singing "Ave Maria" at the local cinema The George in Cathcart. CLICK HERE
2. Barbara Streisand singing "People" from Fannygirl playing the part of Fanny Bryce [Zeigfield Follies] CLICK HERE
3. Rachmaninov Piano Concerts No2. I got a record of this as a present form my 21st birthday from a school friend. CLICK HERE
4. Celtic Thunder Heritage singing "All God's Creatures Have a Place in the Choir". Memories as a 70 year old joining and having fun in a community choir. CLICK HERE
5. Beethoven's 7th Symphony. For my 16th Birthday I got tickets for the St Andrews Hall to watch my first orchestral concert. CLICK HERE
6 or 5th equal - Mozart's Clarinet Concerto. My late husband's favourite piece being a clarinet/saxophone player. CLICK HERE
My favourite book: Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
My luxury Item: With all the heat and sand I would really need a shower to be able to see properly.
Name of Castaway: Seona MacGuire
Choice of Music:
1. Pavane for a Dead Infacnt by Maurice Rauel. A very peaceful and relaxing piece. CLICK HERE
2. Toccata & Fugue in D. Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach. Memories from our wedding and other major family occasions. CLICK HERE
3. Walking the Dog by George Gershwin. A really cheery and happy piece. CLICK HERE
4. The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams played by Nicola Benedetti. A beautiful piece played by an amazing talent. CLICK HERE
5. Westering Home performed by "The Corries". So many memories of holidays on Islay.
CLICK HERE
Choice of Book and Reason:
A Scots Quair by Lewis Grassic Gibbon. The Mearns Trilogy
Choice of Luxury Item & Reason:
Subscription to allow "The Herald" to be delivered daily. Mainly for the crosswords along with thesaurus, pencil and rubber.
Choice of Music:
1. Pavane for a Dead Infacnt by Maurice Rauel. A very peaceful and relaxing piece. CLICK HERE
2. Toccata & Fugue in D. Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach. Memories from our wedding and other major family occasions. CLICK HERE
3. Walking the Dog by George Gershwin. A really cheery and happy piece. CLICK HERE
4. The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams played by Nicola Benedetti. A beautiful piece played by an amazing talent. CLICK HERE
5. Westering Home performed by "The Corries". So many memories of holidays on Islay.
CLICK HERE
Choice of Book and Reason:
A Scots Quair by Lewis Grassic Gibbon. The Mearns Trilogy
Choice of Luxury Item & Reason:
Subscription to allow "The Herald" to be delivered daily. Mainly for the crosswords along with thesaurus, pencil and rubber.
Name of Castaway: Laura Robertson
Choice of Music:
1. The Lark Ascending Vaughan Williams. My very, very favourite piece. CLICK HERE
2. Beethoven 6th Symphony 'The Pastoral". Memories of mandy concerts at the concert Hall with the R.S.N.O. CLICK HERE
3. Scheherazade by Rimsky - Korsakov. Fast moving and tuneful. CLICK HERE
4. Out of Africa by John Barry. Wonderful film and very moving music. CLICK HERE
5. Max Bruch Concert No1 Opus 47 for Cello and Orchestra. Great piece to match his first violin Concerto. CLICK HERE
Choice of Book & Reason:
Castles in the Air by Lady Jean Fforde. Wonderful story of a young girl growing up in Buchanan Castle and Brodick Castle. (Daughter of the Duke of Montrose)
Choice of Luxury Item & Reason:
Protection from the elements - In this case the sun. (shade, sun cream etc)
Choice of Music:
1. The Lark Ascending Vaughan Williams. My very, very favourite piece. CLICK HERE
2. Beethoven 6th Symphony 'The Pastoral". Memories of mandy concerts at the concert Hall with the R.S.N.O. CLICK HERE
3. Scheherazade by Rimsky - Korsakov. Fast moving and tuneful. CLICK HERE
4. Out of Africa by John Barry. Wonderful film and very moving music. CLICK HERE
5. Max Bruch Concert No1 Opus 47 for Cello and Orchestra. Great piece to match his first violin Concerto. CLICK HERE
Choice of Book & Reason:
Castles in the Air by Lady Jean Fforde. Wonderful story of a young girl growing up in Buchanan Castle and Brodick Castle. (Daughter of the Duke of Montrose)
Choice of Luxury Item & Reason:
Protection from the elements - In this case the sun. (shade, sun cream etc)
Name of Castaway: Marjorie Walker
Choice of Music:
“Becoming” Michelle Obama’s Autobiography. Records many aspects of her time in the White House.
Choice of luxury item and reason:
An inflatable mattress - Must have decent sleeping capability.
Choice of Music:
- Any Beethoven Symphony - Played by the R.S.N.O. Maybe I could take all nine in a box set CLICK HERE
- Any piece of Scottish Country Dance Music played by Bobby McLeod erstwhile of the Mishnish Hotel Tobermory CLICK HERE
- The 23rd Psalm [Tune: Crimond] brings back memories of our time in China many, many years ago. CLICK HERE
- Unaccompanied Psalm music from the far north west of Scotland early twentieth century - This may be difficult to arrange. CLICK HERE
- Durand Piano Waltz - The only piece I ever mastered on the piano. CLICK HERE
“Becoming” Michelle Obama’s Autobiography. Records many aspects of her time in the White House.
Choice of luxury item and reason:
An inflatable mattress - Must have decent sleeping capability.
Name
Christine Higgison
Email
christinehiggison@btinternet.com
Write in the box your 5 pieces of music & why
My kind of music features Folk and Musical Theatre and my 5 pieces reflect this. I also have a vastly inflated sense of humour which I reckon you'd need if stuck on a Desert Island!!! All of these are amusing pieces. I hope you enjoy them too.
1 From their CD "At the drop of a hat" by Michael Flanders and Donald Swan - "The Hippopotamus Song". These guys were great entertainers and I enjoyed them on the radio before their programmes on television. CLICK HERE
2 "Kiss Me Kate" blends Shakespeare and music beautifully. As usual the wpman wins the contest and this song is a clever reflection of how the woman is always right!! Enjoy "I hate men! (I don't really - honest!) CLICK HERE
3 Barbara Dickson is a wonderful Scottish folk singerIt was difficult to choose a favourite as I like them all but I think her "Caravan Song" is one of the best. CLICK HERE
4 I've always been a fan of John Denver. He has lots of wonderful songs written by himself such as "Take me home Country Roads" which is what you might want if stuck on a desert island, though a boat would probably be better! CLICK HERE
5 My favourite singer and comedian is Glasgow's very own Billy Connolly. He always make me laugh. From his musical tour of Scotland i recommend "I wish I was in Glasgow" which I'd certainly be saying on a desert island! CLICK HERE
Your book & why
I love playing Bridge and read a lot of Bridge books. To keep me amused and not over using the brain, I'd like to take "The Bridge Adventures of Robin Hood by David Bird.
Your luxury item & why
I would definitely want a lap top computer with my favourite bridge programme - "Jack Bridge" - so I could continue to enjoy playing this wonderful game!
Christine Higgison
christinehiggison@btinternet.com
Write in the box your 5 pieces of music & why
My kind of music features Folk and Musical Theatre and my 5 pieces reflect this. I also have a vastly inflated sense of humour which I reckon you'd need if stuck on a Desert Island!!! All of these are amusing pieces. I hope you enjoy them too.
1 From their CD "At the drop of a hat" by Michael Flanders and Donald Swan - "The Hippopotamus Song". These guys were great entertainers and I enjoyed them on the radio before their programmes on television. CLICK HERE
2 "Kiss Me Kate" blends Shakespeare and music beautifully. As usual the wpman wins the contest and this song is a clever reflection of how the woman is always right!! Enjoy "I hate men! (I don't really - honest!) CLICK HERE
3 Barbara Dickson is a wonderful Scottish folk singerIt was difficult to choose a favourite as I like them all but I think her "Caravan Song" is one of the best. CLICK HERE
4 I've always been a fan of John Denver. He has lots of wonderful songs written by himself such as "Take me home Country Roads" which is what you might want if stuck on a desert island, though a boat would probably be better! CLICK HERE
5 My favourite singer and comedian is Glasgow's very own Billy Connolly. He always make me laugh. From his musical tour of Scotland i recommend "I wish I was in Glasgow" which I'd certainly be saying on a desert island! CLICK HERE
Your book & why
I love playing Bridge and read a lot of Bridge books. To keep me amused and not over using the brain, I'd like to take "The Bridge Adventures of Robin Hood by David Bird.
Your luxury item & why
I would definitely want a lap top computer with my favourite bridge programme - "Jack Bridge" - so I could continue to enjoy playing this wonderful game!
Name
Marco Gaudoin
Email
marco.gaudoin@btinternet.com
Write in the box your 5 pieces of music & why
5th: Streets of London, Ralph McTell: CLICK HERE
..because however bad things get, there are so many unfortunate people in this world and you have to be grateful for what you have, and then try and pay back some of that good fortune.
4th: The Prophet’s song, Queen: CLICK HERE
It’s wonderful to be asked to submit to Desert Island Discs because I’ve actually often thought about which original album (not a “best of..” compilation) I would take if I was to be marooned. It would have to be an album that I wouldn’t get bored of, and each time you play it, you hear something different, so it would be a toss-up between A Night at the Opera (Queen, 1975) and Aqualung (see my No. 2 choice).
Everyone is familiar with the rock opera of Bohemian Rhapsody but The Prophet’s song is actually far more theatrical and speaks of prophets not recognised in their own lands, cast as madmen and wandering in the wilderness. Sounds familiar?
3rd: Ode to Joy, Beethoven: CLICK HERE
I choose this, not because I am a Europhile (which I am), nor because Beethoven is my favourite composer (which he is) but because this is the music that plays when Alan Rickman opens the vaults of the Nakatomi Bank to steal what’s inside. His facial expressions are fantastic and he plays a brilliant villain; Bruce Willis just has to defeat him and his henchmen single-handed on Christmas Eve. Die Hard is one of the best shoot-‘em-up movies of all time ….and you thought I was erudite!
2nd: Wind Up, Jethro Tull: CLICK HERE https://youtu.be/TI0_oLQWXvQ
This is the last track of Aqualung (1971) and it is a fitting ending to a fantastic album. The whole album is about humankind’s failings at the individual level and at the macro level too. If you listen to Wind Up initially you might be offended but please take time to listen to the lyrics. It separates religion from God.
“When I asked this God a question, and by way of a reply, he said I’m not the kind you wind up on Sundays”. I think it sums up what Christianity ought to be about.
Aqualung would probably be the album I would take to a desert island, but after a week I would also probably be slitting my wrists because hearing about man’s inhumanity to man is so depressing!
1st: Piano man, Billy Joel: CLICK HERE https:
All my favourite songs are full of pathos, no matter that I consider myself a very positive and outward-looking person and this is probably my favourite individual song of all time. Piano man has some great jazz riffs and is wonderfully atmospheric. It speaks of unfulfilled ambition, camaraderie, a good night out but also profound loneliness, even when you are in a crowd of people.
Your book & why
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen.
I only read this very recently. A friend gave it to me after I told her that I’d manfully struggled through many ‘classics’ and couldn’t fathom why they deserved that status. No matter that the language was a little difficult initially, it was an easy read and Elizabeth Bennet really was the original feminist!
Your luxury item & why
I’m not sure this should be classed as a “luxury” item but if my feet are cold, I can’t get to sleep ..and then I’m crabby the next day. Hence a hot water bottle ain’t so much a luxury but more of a necessity in the Gaudoin household!
Marco Gaudoin
marco.gaudoin@btinternet.com
Write in the box your 5 pieces of music & why
5th: Streets of London, Ralph McTell: CLICK HERE
..because however bad things get, there are so many unfortunate people in this world and you have to be grateful for what you have, and then try and pay back some of that good fortune.
4th: The Prophet’s song, Queen: CLICK HERE
It’s wonderful to be asked to submit to Desert Island Discs because I’ve actually often thought about which original album (not a “best of..” compilation) I would take if I was to be marooned. It would have to be an album that I wouldn’t get bored of, and each time you play it, you hear something different, so it would be a toss-up between A Night at the Opera (Queen, 1975) and Aqualung (see my No. 2 choice).
Everyone is familiar with the rock opera of Bohemian Rhapsody but The Prophet’s song is actually far more theatrical and speaks of prophets not recognised in their own lands, cast as madmen and wandering in the wilderness. Sounds familiar?
3rd: Ode to Joy, Beethoven: CLICK HERE
I choose this, not because I am a Europhile (which I am), nor because Beethoven is my favourite composer (which he is) but because this is the music that plays when Alan Rickman opens the vaults of the Nakatomi Bank to steal what’s inside. His facial expressions are fantastic and he plays a brilliant villain; Bruce Willis just has to defeat him and his henchmen single-handed on Christmas Eve. Die Hard is one of the best shoot-‘em-up movies of all time ….and you thought I was erudite!
2nd: Wind Up, Jethro Tull: CLICK HERE https://youtu.be/TI0_oLQWXvQ
This is the last track of Aqualung (1971) and it is a fitting ending to a fantastic album. The whole album is about humankind’s failings at the individual level and at the macro level too. If you listen to Wind Up initially you might be offended but please take time to listen to the lyrics. It separates religion from God.
“When I asked this God a question, and by way of a reply, he said I’m not the kind you wind up on Sundays”. I think it sums up what Christianity ought to be about.
Aqualung would probably be the album I would take to a desert island, but after a week I would also probably be slitting my wrists because hearing about man’s inhumanity to man is so depressing!
1st: Piano man, Billy Joel: CLICK HERE https:
All my favourite songs are full of pathos, no matter that I consider myself a very positive and outward-looking person and this is probably my favourite individual song of all time. Piano man has some great jazz riffs and is wonderfully atmospheric. It speaks of unfulfilled ambition, camaraderie, a good night out but also profound loneliness, even when you are in a crowd of people.
Your book & why
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen.
I only read this very recently. A friend gave it to me after I told her that I’d manfully struggled through many ‘classics’ and couldn’t fathom why they deserved that status. No matter that the language was a little difficult initially, it was an easy read and Elizabeth Bennet really was the original feminist!
Your luxury item & why
I’m not sure this should be classed as a “luxury” item but if my feet are cold, I can’t get to sleep ..and then I’m crabby the next day. Hence a hot water bottle ain’t so much a luxury but more of a necessity in the Gaudoin household!