"1857. Jaffy Brown is running along a street in London's East End when he comes face to face with an escaped circus animal. Plucked from the jaws of death by Mr. Jamrach - explorer, entrepreneur and collector of the world's strangest creatures - the two strike up a friendship. Before he knows it, Jaffy finds himself on board a ship bound for the Dutch East Indies, on an unusual commission for Mr. Jamrach. His journey - if he survives it - will push faith, love and friendship to their utmost limits."
That's Jamrach's Menagerie
My bookgroup is meeting at my place tonight to discuss The Hare With Amber Eyes, which I totally loved and have pressed on anyone who'll listen to my enthusiastic rant. I'm just about to bake something for supper if I can drag myself away from the addictive pleasure of blog surfing. Thank you dear Cornflower for again piquing my interest in a new, to me, book.
Posted by: Jill | 08 September 2011 at 01:22 AM
The Hound of the Baskervilles. I haven't read any on the shortlist but have a couple on the longlist in my sights. I wonder if Julian Barnes will get it this time. I rather hope he will.
Posted by: Claire | 08 September 2011 at 07:24 AM
The Little White Horse - Elizabeth Goudge
Jamrach's Menagerie has been on my must read list since it was reviewed on Radio 4.
Posted by: Katherine | 08 September 2011 at 09:53 AM
Winnie the Pooh!
Posted by: B R Wombat | 08 September 2011 at 09:59 AM
'The White Tiger' (Aravind Adiga) & 'The Tiger's Wife' are both great.
Posted by: Mary | 08 September 2011 at 10:56 AM
Wow, this sounds like a brilliant book!
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
Posted by: craftygreenpoet | 08 September 2011 at 10:57 AM
"The Mare of Casterbridge"... Just kidding! "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night"
Posted by: Janice Hally May | 08 September 2011 at 11:00 AM
Black Beauty!
Look forward to reading this book, whether I win or not!
Posted by: adele geras | 08 September 2011 at 12:18 PM
Elephants Can Remember by Agatha Christie! I've heard lots of good things about Birch's novel so would love to read it.
Posted by: sakura | 08 September 2011 at 12:25 PM
The Cat in the Hat. Sorry, it was the first one that sprang to mind!
Posted by: m | 08 September 2011 at 01:06 PM
I'm really looking forward to reading this book, to win a copy will be even better! To continue the tiger theme, Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively
Posted by: melody | 08 September 2011 at 01:29 PM
The Dog Who Came in from the Cold - since I saw The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night was already mentioned. This one sounds like an interesting read - even if I already have an image of a movie with Rex Harrison in it. :-)
Posted by: Nancy | 08 September 2011 at 03:12 PM
The book sounds promising. My book is 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell. A wonderful classic with the actual word 'animal' in the title!
Posted by: Sandy | 08 September 2011 at 03:19 PM
*The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin*, Beatrix Potter.
Posted by: KarenB | 08 September 2011 at 03:21 PM
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, by Amy Chua. An interesting read about how all those prodigies from the Far East are created.
Posted by: Rosie H | 08 September 2011 at 03:23 PM
Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood.
Posted by: Deirdre | 08 September 2011 at 04:55 PM
holy cow - already sixteen entries - and so many good book references
In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje ... he has a new book out now as well. The Cat's Table is nominated for the Scotia Bank Giller Prize
Jamrach's Menagerie sounds like my kind of book
Posted by: Janice | 08 September 2011 at 05:09 PM
Jamrach's Menagerie sounds interesting. I wonder if he had any birds?
I'll go for Alan Garners Owl Service.
Posted by: Georgina | 08 September 2011 at 05:55 PM
I'd love this book it sounds great.
My book of choice would be "Water for elephants" by Sara Gruen.
Posted by: Charlotte | 08 September 2011 at 06:59 PM
Orland the Marmalade Cat (with his dear wife Grace of course)
Posted by: Elizabeth Buchan | 08 September 2011 at 08:41 PM
The Tiger Who Came To Tea is my offering - I would love to read Menagerie
Posted by: Carole | 08 September 2011 at 08:58 PM
I mean Jamrach's Menagrie!
Posted by: Carole | 08 September 2011 at 09:04 PM
The Tortoise and the Hare by Elizabeth Jenkins which is on top of my TBR pile or Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile which was my favorite books as a kid.
What a great giveaway for what sounds like it will be a great read - thanks!
Posted by: Nadia | 08 September 2011 at 09:08 PM
The Snow Goose and the Small Miracle by Paul Gallico
Posted by: Renata | 08 September 2011 at 09:21 PM
Sounds like a fab book.
One of my favourite books from childhood, ok I still read it The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
Posted by: Jan | 08 September 2011 at 09:49 PM
Sounds like an interesting read. Please put my name in the hat!
My animal book title is "When God was a Rabbit" by Sarah Winman. I haven't read it yet, but I plan too soon.
Posted by: Ruthiella | 08 September 2011 at 10:55 PM
Animal Farm is a must read-too often people have been 'put off'by reading it at school.Try it again-it is well worth it.Please put my name into the hat-thanks.
Posted by: margaret46 | 09 September 2011 at 10:39 AM
Does one of my favourite books, To Kill a Mockingbird, count as an animal?
Posted by: Sarie | 09 September 2011 at 08:09 PM
Love Among the Chickens by P.G. Wodehouse
Posted by: Erin | 10 September 2011 at 05:52 AM
Fillets of Plaice by Gerald Durrell. A delightful collection of short stories which serve the very essence of G. Durrell. The preface describing how the book got its name is hilarious.
Posted by: Jade | 11 September 2011 at 11:59 AM
Oh, I was going to go for The Snow Goose, but Renata has beaten me to it. How about Five Red Herrings - Dorothy L. Sayers instead?
Posted by: Gill | 11 September 2011 at 11:01 PM
A book I recall enjoying many years ago was The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen.
Posted by: Barbara MacLeod | 12 September 2011 at 10:02 PM
"Out Stealing Horses" - a beautiful book!
Posted by: padma | 12 September 2011 at 10:09 PM
The curious incident of the dog in the night time. (Mark Haddon).
What a fabulous list of books here.
Posted by: Mystica | 13 September 2011 at 07:27 AM