World Book Day
On the last world book day, I got quite pedantic about the use of the word 'book'. What is my favourite 'book'? My favourite 'book' is my grand-father's old RAF Bible. Not because I'm religious, or because I like to read it. It was something that was given to me, it is a really nice shade of blue and it has his signature inside it along with his DoB. My grandfather died when I was 4. This is my favourite 'book'.
I will continue to be pedantic, but not quite so vehemently.
My favourite novel, in general, is Good Omens.It's acually spectacularly difficult to choose a favourite novel in general, mostly because I can't remember everything that I've read. But Good Omen is always what comes to mind when I'm asked what my favourite book - in general - is.
But I like to label my 'books' into different types. I know, it's pedantic but as an English literature student it's the only way to make any sense of my bursting book shelves ;)
Favourite feminist text:Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. Or Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter. Both I studied in class and both are Neo-Victorian. I may even have to classift The Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys in this category. The latter is a prequel to Jane Eyre, and ultimately so much better.
Favourite drama: Angels in America by Tony Kushner. Hands down the best play to read, ever. Sub heading is a Gay Fantasia on Nationalist Themes, it's about labels in America, HIV/AIDS induced hallucinations. If reading a play isn't your thing, watch the HBO TV mini-series. Meryl Streep and Al Pac(h)ino are in it.
Favourite book of poetry: W.H. Auden: Selected Poems. I love Auden. His war poetry is so harrowingly hopeful, then so harrowingly desolate that it sends tingles up your spine. I could read his stuff over and over again. I bet many of you are surprised, considering my favourite poet is TS Eliot and my favourite poem is The Waste Land but alas. My favourite book of poetry is Auden ;)
Favourite Gothic book: Dracula by Bram Stoker, I believe. Although it is difficult to choose, again because there is so many to choose from. I love the story, I love the way it's presented and I love what it means. I could lie and say Frankenstein but... Alas. I hated Frankenstein when I did and it's only been recently that I've enjoyed it again.
Favourite book of criticism: the book that helped me the most throughout my career at university. There's two, actually. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, and Ways of Reading by Montgomery someone or other. The Norton book has parchment thin pages which make the most exquisite sound when you turn the page (I need the updated version). The Montgomery book is just brilliant. A text book but not a text book and it saw me through many essays. I have nostalgic love for that book.
Other notables: The Paris Wife by Paula McLain; Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard; Rebus Series by Ian Rankin; Weight by Jeanette Winterson and On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan.
What are your favourites?
I will continue to be pedantic, but not quite so vehemently.
My favourite novel, in general, is Good Omens.It's acually spectacularly difficult to choose a favourite novel in general, mostly because I can't remember everything that I've read. But Good Omen is always what comes to mind when I'm asked what my favourite book - in general - is.
But I like to label my 'books' into different types. I know, it's pedantic but as an English literature student it's the only way to make any sense of my bursting book shelves ;)
Favourite feminist text:Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. Or Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter. Both I studied in class and both are Neo-Victorian. I may even have to classift The Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys in this category. The latter is a prequel to Jane Eyre, and ultimately so much better.
Favourite drama: Angels in America by Tony Kushner. Hands down the best play to read, ever. Sub heading is a Gay Fantasia on Nationalist Themes, it's about labels in America, HIV/AIDS induced hallucinations. If reading a play isn't your thing, watch the HBO TV mini-series. Meryl Streep and Al Pac(h)ino are in it.
Favourite book of poetry: W.H. Auden: Selected Poems. I love Auden. His war poetry is so harrowingly hopeful, then so harrowingly desolate that it sends tingles up your spine. I could read his stuff over and over again. I bet many of you are surprised, considering my favourite poet is TS Eliot and my favourite poem is The Waste Land but alas. My favourite book of poetry is Auden ;)
Favourite Gothic book: Dracula by Bram Stoker, I believe. Although it is difficult to choose, again because there is so many to choose from. I love the story, I love the way it's presented and I love what it means. I could lie and say Frankenstein but... Alas. I hated Frankenstein when I did and it's only been recently that I've enjoyed it again.
Favourite book of criticism: the book that helped me the most throughout my career at university. There's two, actually. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, and Ways of Reading by Montgomery someone or other. The Norton book has parchment thin pages which make the most exquisite sound when you turn the page (I need the updated version). The Montgomery book is just brilliant. A text book but not a text book and it saw me through many essays. I have nostalgic love for that book.
Other notables: The Paris Wife by Paula McLain; Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard; Rebus Series by Ian Rankin; Weight by Jeanette Winterson and On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan.
What are your favourites?