Book Meme Answers
Here are the answers to the book meme I posted earlier this week:
1. When the lights were off, the accompanist kissed her.
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. I didn't want it to end, but I couldn't put it down.
2. On the ninth of Augst, 1964, Rome lay asleep in afternoon light as the sun swirled in a blinding pinwhrrl above its roofs, its low hills, and its gilded domes.
A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin. Again, the best word to describe it is beautiful.
3. It's hard being left behind.
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. It's a hot book right now and completely deserving of its fame.
4. My wound is geography.
The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy. Conroy is a favorite author in my house. He used to live in my neighborhood, actually. I don't think I will ever forgive Barbara S. for mangling the story to fit her film.
5. I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice - not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother's death, but because he is the reason that I believe in God; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany.
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. Seriously--one of my desert-island books, along with Soldier. I have read it at least six times and discover new things with each read.
6. Charles Howard had the feel of a gigantic crushing machine: You had to either climb on or leap out of the way.
Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hilldenbrand. Every person in my family has read this book and loved it. It is, without a doubt, the best non-fiction book I have ever read. The story is just incredible, even if you're not a horse person.
7. The messenger said I was to come at once.
The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier. This is a really fast and enjoyable read. I liked it much better than Girl With a Pearl Earring, but, then, it was about something very close to my heart. :-)
8. Will tugged at his mother's hand and said, "Come on, come on..."
The Subtle Knife by Phillip Pullman. Love it.
9. I don't think my stepfather much minded dying.
To the Hilt by Dick Francis. I am picky about mysteries, but I do really like them. I think I've read almost everything Dick Francis has ever written. My mother started me on them. His stories follow a formula, but I love the way he finds so many aspects of racing to write about.. The hero of this book is one of my favorite heroes--the two that are particularly memorable for me.
10. Food consonsumed today:...
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding. I don't think I need to explain this one... ;-)
11. My desert-island, all-time, top five most memorable split-ups, in chronological order:...
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby. Yay!
12. "I have been here before, " I said; I had been there before;...
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. For better or worse, I will always hear Jenmy Irons's voice as Charles.
13. The unicorn lived in a little wood, and she lived all alone.
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle. It's been FAR too long since I last read this...
14. Many, many years ago, in Sorrento there lived a small boy named Giovanni who had no mother and no father.
The Clown of God by Tomie De Paola. One of my two favorite picture books as a child. It even features wandering Franciscans! (The other was about a unicorn, not surprisingly.)
15. He understood what they were thinking and saying: Old man that he is, what's to become of him?
To Dance With the White Dog by Terry Kay. This is a wonderful book. Kay is another Southern family favorite.
16. What can I say about love?
The LOst Garden by Helen Humphreys. Lovely story, lovely writing.
17. Strange thing, time.
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. As one of my friends calls it, "The Thinking Man's Da Vinci Code"
18. The wind being fierce and the tides unobliging, the ship from Harwich has a slow time of it.
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire. My favorite Maguire book, though I haven't read Lost yet.
19. Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Again, I think most of you understand this choice.
20. He was dead.
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon. Oh, Jamie. *waits patiently for A Breath of Snow and Ashes*
1. When the lights were off, the accompanist kissed her.
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. I didn't want it to end, but I couldn't put it down.
2. On the ninth of Augst, 1964, Rome lay asleep in afternoon light as the sun swirled in a blinding pinwhrrl above its roofs, its low hills, and its gilded domes.
A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin. Again, the best word to describe it is beautiful.
3. It's hard being left behind.
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. It's a hot book right now and completely deserving of its fame.
4. My wound is geography.
The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy. Conroy is a favorite author in my house. He used to live in my neighborhood, actually. I don't think I will ever forgive Barbara S. for mangling the story to fit her film.
5. I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice - not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother's death, but because he is the reason that I believe in God; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany.
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. Seriously--one of my desert-island books, along with Soldier. I have read it at least six times and discover new things with each read.
6. Charles Howard had the feel of a gigantic crushing machine: You had to either climb on or leap out of the way.
Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hilldenbrand. Every person in my family has read this book and loved it. It is, without a doubt, the best non-fiction book I have ever read. The story is just incredible, even if you're not a horse person.
7. The messenger said I was to come at once.
The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier. This is a really fast and enjoyable read. I liked it much better than Girl With a Pearl Earring, but, then, it was about something very close to my heart. :-)
8. Will tugged at his mother's hand and said, "Come on, come on..."
The Subtle Knife by Phillip Pullman. Love it.
9. I don't think my stepfather much minded dying.
To the Hilt by Dick Francis. I am picky about mysteries, but I do really like them. I think I've read almost everything Dick Francis has ever written. My mother started me on them. His stories follow a formula, but I love the way he finds so many aspects of racing to write about.. The hero of this book is one of my favorite heroes--the two that are particularly memorable for me.
10. Food consonsumed today:...
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding. I don't think I need to explain this one... ;-)
11. My desert-island, all-time, top five most memorable split-ups, in chronological order:...
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby. Yay!
12. "I have been here before, " I said; I had been there before;...
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. For better or worse, I will always hear Jenmy Irons's voice as Charles.
13. The unicorn lived in a little wood, and she lived all alone.
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle. It's been FAR too long since I last read this...
14. Many, many years ago, in Sorrento there lived a small boy named Giovanni who had no mother and no father.
The Clown of God by Tomie De Paola. One of my two favorite picture books as a child. It even features wandering Franciscans! (The other was about a unicorn, not surprisingly.)
15. He understood what they were thinking and saying: Old man that he is, what's to become of him?
To Dance With the White Dog by Terry Kay. This is a wonderful book. Kay is another Southern family favorite.
16. What can I say about love?
The LOst Garden by Helen Humphreys. Lovely story, lovely writing.
17. Strange thing, time.
The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. As one of my friends calls it, "The Thinking Man's Da Vinci Code"
18. The wind being fierce and the tides unobliging, the ship from Harwich has a slow time of it.
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire. My favorite Maguire book, though I haven't read Lost yet.
19. Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Again, I think most of you understand this choice.
20. He was dead.
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon. Oh, Jamie. *waits patiently for A Breath of Snow and Ashes*