blogging meme response #1
From the blogging meme, helen_c asked: What books would you take with you on a desert island? Books you just can't live without?
It's not something I talk about lots here (since I have plenty of RL people I talk to about this), but I consider myself a religious person. I pack the scriptures with me when I take trips. Usually, a King James translation of The Bible, and a copy of The Book of Mormon. So they'll be in the suitcase... or whatever.
(How did I get to this deserted island, anyway? Am I part of the Lost crew, having to scrounge for books? Will Juliet invite me to her book club?)
Then... oh, so many choices!
At least one book by Connie Willis. The Doomsday Book is too depressing (plus it's one of her earlier works, and it shows), To Say Nothing of the Dog is hilarious but I think the one I want the most is Passage. The characters are people I want to spend time with, the sense of urgency they feel is palpable and it's simply fantastic--sad (at times) and lovely.
Someplace to be Flying by Charles de Lint is an excellent fantasy novel, with Native American and African mythology woven into the story. I've enjoyed some of his novels, been irritated by others, but this particular book I've recommended to several people.
I have a hardback book with all of Jane Austen's novels. That's coming with me.
Also my Lord of the Rings books.
Hmm... I loved the Anne of Green Gables series, so that should come as well--though if I had to start getting rid of some weight, they might have to go.
siljamus listed some history book recs and I really want to read this one about the Crusades: The Crusades, a History. Being stuck on a desert island would be the perfect time to do some non-fiction reading, right?
Oh, Jane Eyre, yes. But probably not Wuthering Heights.
I am weird. I like re-reading mystery novels, depending on the author and plot. Dick Francis wrote the book Come to Grief, which is emphatically a mystery novel, but with layers about dealing with physical handicaps, the nature of obsession and the essential elements of competitiveness and friendship. Francis has written so many excellent stories, though--it would be hard to go wrong with any of his books. I think what I like best about his books is that Francis is interested in what it takes to be a good person. His heroes (and they usually are men) are real, grounded, flawed... and try to do what's right, even when their situations make that hard.
Another mystery author I like: Tony Hillerman. Most of his novels are set on the Navajo reservation, and the detectives are usually members of the Navajo tribal police. So along with the mystery we're immersed in the Navajo culture. I particularly enjoyed Skinwalkers and A Thief of Time. Oddly enough, Skinwalkers was the first Hillerman novel I read, and I didn't enjoy it much the first time through. It wasn't until much later, after having read more of his works, that I re-read it and found that I liked it quite well.
Authors whose books I love but there are too many to choose from: Terry Pratchett, Madeleine L'Engle, Anne McCaffrey, Anne Tyler, Orson Scott Card, Mark Twain...
I think I'll stop for now. I'm sure I'll be thinking of other names and titles I should have mentioned soon enough.
It's not something I talk about lots here (since I have plenty of RL people I talk to about this), but I consider myself a religious person. I pack the scriptures with me when I take trips. Usually, a King James translation of The Bible, and a copy of The Book of Mormon. So they'll be in the suitcase... or whatever.
(How did I get to this deserted island, anyway? Am I part of the Lost crew, having to scrounge for books? Will Juliet invite me to her book club?)
Then... oh, so many choices!
At least one book by Connie Willis. The Doomsday Book is too depressing (plus it's one of her earlier works, and it shows), To Say Nothing of the Dog is hilarious but I think the one I want the most is Passage. The characters are people I want to spend time with, the sense of urgency they feel is palpable and it's simply fantastic--sad (at times) and lovely.
Someplace to be Flying by Charles de Lint is an excellent fantasy novel, with Native American and African mythology woven into the story. I've enjoyed some of his novels, been irritated by others, but this particular book I've recommended to several people.
I have a hardback book with all of Jane Austen's novels. That's coming with me.
Also my Lord of the Rings books.
Hmm... I loved the Anne of Green Gables series, so that should come as well--though if I had to start getting rid of some weight, they might have to go.
siljamus listed some history book recs and I really want to read this one about the Crusades: The Crusades, a History. Being stuck on a desert island would be the perfect time to do some non-fiction reading, right?
Oh, Jane Eyre, yes. But probably not Wuthering Heights.
I am weird. I like re-reading mystery novels, depending on the author and plot. Dick Francis wrote the book Come to Grief, which is emphatically a mystery novel, but with layers about dealing with physical handicaps, the nature of obsession and the essential elements of competitiveness and friendship. Francis has written so many excellent stories, though--it would be hard to go wrong with any of his books. I think what I like best about his books is that Francis is interested in what it takes to be a good person. His heroes (and they usually are men) are real, grounded, flawed... and try to do what's right, even when their situations make that hard.
Another mystery author I like: Tony Hillerman. Most of his novels are set on the Navajo reservation, and the detectives are usually members of the Navajo tribal police. So along with the mystery we're immersed in the Navajo culture. I particularly enjoyed Skinwalkers and A Thief of Time. Oddly enough, Skinwalkers was the first Hillerman novel I read, and I didn't enjoy it much the first time through. It wasn't until much later, after having read more of his works, that I re-read it and found that I liked it quite well.
Authors whose books I love but there are too many to choose from: Terry Pratchett, Madeleine L'Engle, Anne McCaffrey, Anne Tyler, Orson Scott Card, Mark Twain...
I think I'll stop for now. I'm sure I'll be thinking of other names and titles I should have mentioned soon enough.