Book Addiction

I was tagged for this one by Kristen from Book Club Classics (thanks, Kristen!).  Here goes:

What is the best classic you were “forced” to read in school (and why)?  Interestingly enough, I didn’t read too many classics in school… at least, not that I can really remember.  I did read many of Shakespere’s plays in one of my lit classes, and I LOVED Macbeth.  I also read The Hobbit (does this count as a classic?) for the first time in my sixth grade reading class.  It was the first time I was exposed to any type of fantasy writing, and I really enjoyed it.  In fact, I plan to read this book again soon (it’s been oh, about 13 years since sixth grade and I haven’t read it at all since…).

What was the worst classic you were forced to endure (and why)?  Hmm… like I mentioned, I can’t remember being forced to read too many classics (which is probably why I have such a hard time with them now… not enough exposure), but I did choose to read some Jane Austen on my own and did not enjoy either one (Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility).  I think I simply am not an Austen type of a girl.  I also remember reading The Great Gatsby in one of my lit classes and finding it incredibly boring.

Which classic should every student be required to read (and why)?  I am a HUGE fan and proponent of 1984.  It is just such good writing, and with the current political climate in the US, it’s creepily similar to the type of lives/government/country some people are nervous we may be getting ourselves into in the nearish future.

Which classic should be put to rest immediately (and why)?  Jane Austen.  I’m sorry, guys, I just can’t stand the writing and the silliness and everything.  Just, ick. 

**Bonus** Why do you think certain books become “classics”?  Definitely superior writing.  Also, classics tend to be stories that can stand the test of time - that people can continue to relate to, generation after generation, even if they are “outdated” we can still relate to the basic premise and ideas behind the stories.

Annnnd I will now tag Eva, Chartroose, Nicole, Care, and Trish.  Have fun, ladies!

I was tagged by the wonderful Trish and the lovely Chartroose for this meme (this is my first time EVER being tagged for something!  and by two excellent people!  I feel so honored :)), and the rules are as follows:

As I read yet another book review of a memoir this weekend, my husband told me that I should write one. I said that my story would be much too short and rather boring so when I ran across the following book I decided it was just my speed. A six word memoir! Written by Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser, Not Quite What I was Expecting: Six Word Memoirs by Famous and Obscure is a compilation based on the story that Hemingway once bet ten dollars that he could sum up his life in six words. His words were- For Sale: baby shoes, never worn. There’s a video on Amazon with examples from the book, it sounds like a fun read! I’d like to start a six word memoir meme and here are the rules:

1. Write your own six word memoir

2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you’d like

3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to this original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere

4 .Tag five more blogs with links

5. And don’t forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!

So as happy as I am to be tagged for something (this means actual human beings are reading my blog… and coming back to read it more than once… seriously guys this is a big deal for me), I am SOO not good at stuff like this.  So after much thought, I finally came up with:

Life is family, books, and love.

Thanks again ladies for tagging me, I really appreciate it.  Since I’m still relatively unknown in the blog world I think I’ll spare myself the agony of tagging people who don’t even read my blog, and say instead if you feel like doing this meme and you read it here please feel free to let me know so I can read your 6 word memoir!

Well I am reasonably certain everyone in the book blogging community has already done this, but I figured I’d make sure to at least TRY to win the book since today is the last day.  So, enjoy. :) 

Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews? That would have to be The Secret.  Everyone says its so amazing, and usually I enjoy Oprah’s picks but this one just does not interest me in ANY way.

If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise), who would they be and what would the event be? I would definitely take Hermoine Granger from the Harry Potter series because she is incredibly intelligent and creative and witty and one of the few feminist characters in literature, and another wonderful feminist like character that I invite would be Anne from The Sparrow.  Hmm I can’t think of a third.  But anyways, I would probably just spend an afternoon or dinner out with these two women and I’m sure we would have a grand old time!

(Borrowing shamelessly from the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde): you are told you can’t die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for awhile, eventually you realise it’s past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave? Moby Dick.  I really just cannot read this book, it’s so incredibly awful.

Come on, we’ve all been there. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you’ve read, when in fact you’ve been nowhere near it? I really can’t think of anything… if I haven’t read something, I’m happy to admit it so that I can hear about reviews to decide whether or not I want to read it.  Sometimes, though, when I hear SO much about a book and read SO many reviews, I feel like I’ve read it even though I know I haven’t…. does that count?

As an addition to the last question, has there been a book that you really thought you had read, only to realise when you read a review about it/go to ‘reread’ it that you haven’t? Which book? Again, I really don’t think so.  I’m pretty good about remembering what I have and haven’t read so I can’t think of this ever happening to me in the past.

You’re interviewing for the post of Official Book Advisor to some VIP (who’s not a big reader). What’s the first book you’d recommend and why? (if you feel like you’d have to know the person, go ahead of personalise the VIP) The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell.  It’s one of my top 5 books of all time and I’m pretty sure anyone and everyone would enjoy it.

A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with? I studied French in high school for 4 years and I really enjoyed it, so I’d love to have some of those skills back.  It’s just a really gorgeous language.

A mischievious fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick? I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb.  One of my favorites as well.

I know that the book blogging community, and its various challenges, have pushed my reading borders. What’s one bookish thing you ‘discovered’ from book blogging (maybe a new genre, or author, or new appreciation for cover art-anything)? Mainly I’ve just learned about many books I’d have otherwise not heard of.  I tend to venture toward the familiar when I am book browsing so it has been nice to add some books and authors to my wishlist that are completely new to me.  Unfortunately I’m drawing a blank right now and can’t think of anything in particular.

That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she’s granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leatherbound? Is it full of first edition hardcovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favourite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead-let your imagination run free. Well, first of all my library would have HUGE windows because I live for sunlight.  It would also have a large porch and outdoor area with comfortable lawn chairs for reading outside in the spring and summer.  It would have tons of lights inside for the winter and after dark, and it would be full of comfy chairs and couches and some tables for spreading out.  The books would be all different sizes and shapes, some leatherbound, some not, but all well-read.  I love the feeling of a book that has been read before, and the knowledge that someone will enjoy it when I am finished as well.  It would have really tall shelves with those huge ladders too.  Oh man, I really want this in my house.