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Monday, February 04, 2008

Monday Morning Meme

I was tagged by Melody for this meme which was first created by Eva from A Striped Armchair.

Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews?
I used to irrationally cringe away from reading books that get too many raves, but I've gotten much better at it in recent years. I can't think of any specific books I've been avoiding, but I'll be more hesitant to try a book that's been raved about if it's really long, part of a series, or if I'm afraid it's going to be depressing.

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?
Hmmm. Harry Dresden, Susan Sto-Helit, and Francis Crawford of Lymond and Sevigny. And it would be a trip around the world (not necessarily a cruise). Between Harry's magic and dedication to doing the right thing, Susan's no-nonsense practicality and magic, and Lymond's genius for military and diplomatic matters, they could handle anything we'd come across, and maybe solve a few world problems along the way. And in between crises, they'd be fascinating company, as well. I'd just have to keep Harry away from the computer.

(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?
No doubt there are hundreds of books that would fit the bill--the problem is that I can't really judge the level of boredom if I haven't read it, and if I've managed to get through it, it can't be all that boring, can it? Oh, I know: that book a co-worker of my mom's wrote and self-published that was incoherent, full of exclamation marks, and really, really long, and the title (and author) of which, I've thankfully forgotten.

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 haven't. I freely admit when there's something I haven't read yet. I read enough that I don't feel I need to pretend, and if there's a book someone mentions that I wish I'd read, I'll put it in my to-look-for list.

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 and personalise the VIP).
I'd definitely have to know the person to decide what to recommend. I don't think there are any books that are universal must-reads, and I think that reading something that's unsuited to someone's personality ends up making them less likely to read more. So, making my VIP a person with a high-profile, stressful job, and giving them a modicum of imagination and a sense of humor, I'd recommend a Terry Pratchett Discworld book, perhaps Feet of Clay. Or any of them, really. I'm a big believer in the need for laughter, particularly if the person has a stressful life, and the Discworld books also provide some meaty issues as food for thought (sorry about the metaphors).

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?
German. I live in Germany, my in-laws are German. I can read it, but it's slow going and I have to ask about or look up a lot of words to do more than just get the gist of things.

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?
Atlas Shrugged. I reread it periodically anyway, though not every year. It has everything: suspense, intrigue, romance, action, and philosophy. And it always leaves me feeling hopeful about people.

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've discovered a lot from the various online book communities (including forums and email lists). From the simplest answer: new books and authors, to the complex: realizing that all books are not created equal and the myriad ways to evaluate them.

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.
Is there anybody who didn't describe some version of the library from Beauty and the Beast? Besides having a lot of books, it would magically update the selection with all my must-buys, recommendations from friends, and a random assortment of classics, nonfiction, and books by new-to-me authors. It would be perfectly quiet, well-lit, have windows that open for fresh air, and have a variety of comfortable seating areas. There would also be bookmarks situated throughout the room because I'm prone to losing them, and little tables for drinks and snacks, with paper and pencils on them for taking notes.


Consider yourself tagged if you're so inclined.

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Comments:
Great answers, Darla! I really enjoyed reading them. Thanks for playing! :) I can see that you and Julia have chosen the library from Beauty and the Beast, hehe...
 
Well, that is a pretty great library! :)
 
I agree with Darla, it pretty great library! hehehe.

I've enjoy reading your answers Darla, and it sure was tough cause it take lot of thinking to answers it. But I'm not surprise that you like to recommend Terry Pratchett (re to your answer on VIP interview/recommend question) :)

Julia- Yen
 
I think Terry Pratchet would definitely be a good choice for a busy VIP!
 
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