Book meme thievery
1. Which book(s) do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews?
Anything (and everything) on Oprah's book club list. Everyone thinks those books are all wonderful and glowy, and they are generally touchy-feely bullshit that has no grounding in reality and I refuse to read anything bearing that symbol.
2. 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 a while, eventually you realize it’s past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave?
There was this series by Piers Anthony that I tried to read, on recommendation from a lady I worked with. I forced myself through about 1/4 of it, and couldn't stomach the rest because it bored me to tears. It was the series where people became the personification of various things like Death, Fate, Chaos, Time, etc.
Actually, one of sis's answers reminded me: American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Ugh.
3. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you’ve read, when in fact you’ve been nowhere near it?
Douglass Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, I guess. I've never really claimed to have read it, but I quote things in day to day conversations that I've picked up from others, so people sort of assume I've read it.
4. You’re interviewing for the post of Official Book Adviser to some VIP (who’s not a big reader). What’s the first book you’d recommend and why?
Hrm. I'd suck at this unless the person is a bit of a sci-fi fantasy nut in general... Dark Glory War by Michael Stackpole. It's got adventure, magic, romance, military stuff... Something for everyone. If not that, then...Okay, I suck. I can't think of a general book to read.
5. 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?
Russian.
6. A mischievous 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?.
Starfighters of Adumar by Aaron Allston. I don't think I could ever get sick of that book. And I tend to re-read it 2-3 times a year anyway.
7. 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)?
I don't do book blogs. But from connection with the internet community... Well, I used to hate Shakespeare, but don't anymore, so I'd have to say that. (RII in particular, obviously.) Most out-and-out recommendations I get from people on books always end up backfiring. Though...didn't someone recommend the Nightrunner series (Luck in the Shadows, etc.) by Lynn Flwelling to me? Hrm.
8. That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she’s granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leather-bound? Is it full of first edition hard covers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favourite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead - let your imagination run free.
My formal library would only be about 3/4 books. The rest would be various nicknacks and cool-looking things, probably somewhat related to whatever books are on the shelves with it. Probably the number one thing in there would be a nice, big, comfy chair that I can properly sprawl on, and a table nearby where I can put my drink and snacks. And a cat or dog or three. Who don't block my view of the pages, thank you very much. :p
Anything (and everything) on Oprah's book club list. Everyone thinks those books are all wonderful and glowy, and they are generally touchy-feely bullshit that has no grounding in reality and I refuse to read anything bearing that symbol.
2. 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 a while, eventually you realize it’s past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave?
There was this series by Piers Anthony that I tried to read, on recommendation from a lady I worked with. I forced myself through about 1/4 of it, and couldn't stomach the rest because it bored me to tears. It was the series where people became the personification of various things like Death, Fate, Chaos, Time, etc.
Actually, one of sis's answers reminded me: American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Ugh.
3. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you’ve read, when in fact you’ve been nowhere near it?
Douglass Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, I guess. I've never really claimed to have read it, but I quote things in day to day conversations that I've picked up from others, so people sort of assume I've read it.
4. You’re interviewing for the post of Official Book Adviser to some VIP (who’s not a big reader). What’s the first book you’d recommend and why?
Hrm. I'd suck at this unless the person is a bit of a sci-fi fantasy nut in general... Dark Glory War by Michael Stackpole. It's got adventure, magic, romance, military stuff... Something for everyone. If not that, then...Okay, I suck. I can't think of a general book to read.
5. 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?
Russian.
6. A mischievous 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?.
Starfighters of Adumar by Aaron Allston. I don't think I could ever get sick of that book. And I tend to re-read it 2-3 times a year anyway.
7. 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)?
I don't do book blogs. But from connection with the internet community... Well, I used to hate Shakespeare, but don't anymore, so I'd have to say that. (RII in particular, obviously.) Most out-and-out recommendations I get from people on books always end up backfiring. Though...didn't someone recommend the Nightrunner series (Luck in the Shadows, etc.) by Lynn Flwelling to me? Hrm.
8. That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she’s granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leather-bound? Is it full of first edition hard covers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favourite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead - let your imagination run free.
My formal library would only be about 3/4 books. The rest would be various nicknacks and cool-looking things, probably somewhat related to whatever books are on the shelves with it. Probably the number one thing in there would be a nice, big, comfy chair that I can properly sprawl on, and a table nearby where I can put my drink and snacks. And a cat or dog or three. Who don't block my view of the pages, thank you very much. :p