A Very Selective Book Meme

Sylvia and AC tagged me for this book meme (sorry, I am behind in my blog reading, or I would have seen this sooner).  I have been going around reading everyone else's responses--I always find these things really interesting. 

1. One book that changed your life. I think there have been various books that I have read at different times in my life that have sort of been "milestone" books.  One of the first was reading On the Road by Jack Kerouac.  I read it after I had finished college, and it seemed to open up an entirely different world for me.
2. One book that you've read more than once.  I know I should probably pick a classic (or...maybe not), but I love Joanne Harris's Chocolat.  I love the way she writes--I love the story and the setting!  I can read it over and over again. 
3. One book you'd want on a desert island.  This is a hard question--how do you pick only one?  I could easily take The Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas.  It has a little bit of everything, love, revenge, adventure, dramatic escapes, sea voyages, duels, politics....it is a good book to lose yourself in and be entertained by.
4. One book that made you laugh.  Haven Kimmel's book A Girl Named Zippy made me laugh out loud more than once.  I think we must have grown up about the same time, and so many things she wrote I could easily relate to.  It is not often I find books that make me really laugh. 
5. One book that made you cry.  Joan Didion's book The Year of Magical Thinking was the saddest book I have read in a long time.  She had to deal with not only the death of her husband of nearly 40 years, but also the illness of her daughter.  I had to read it in one big swallow over a weekend, as I knew if I set it down I would not be able to pick it back up regardless of how well written it was. 
6. One book that you wish had been written.  Maybe something else by Harper Lee?  It is sad to think of all the soldiers who have died in wars--particularly WWI--it seems like so many authors and writers perished in that war.  I went through a bit of a Rupert Brooke phase.  He was a poet who was not yet 30 when he died.  How many others were there?!  And what wonderful things would they have written and painted...
7. One book that you wish had never been written.  I can't honestly think of anything.  I have read plenty of mediocre books, but they serve their purpose, too.  Isn't there a saying--"every book its reader"?
8. One book you're currently reading.  I am working very hard at finishing Kept: A Victorian Mystery by D.J. Taylor, which I have mentioned here more than once recently, I'm sure!  I should have it done in the next day or so!
9. One book you've been meaning to read.  You've seen my TBR pile!  Actually I have been meaning to read Brave New World and Brave New World Revisited by Aldous Huxley.  First I checked it out from my library (and renewed it twice, but had to return it unread), then I broke down and ordered it.  I really need to read it now!
10. Now tag five people.  Who hasn't answered these yet?  I don't know who to tag, as I want to read all your answers!  Anyone is welcome to do so--please let me know--I'd love to read what you come up with!

Comments

[Dorothy W.]

The Year of Magical Thinking was one of those books I came across in a used book store recently that I didn't buy, but later wished I had. I should always give in to the impulse to buy books, shouldn't I? Let that be a lesson ...

[Danielle]

When it comes to books I usually give into my impulses--probably too much so! The Didion book is really good, hard reading in terms of content, but well done.

[Stefanie]

The count of Monte Cristo is really that good? I've not read it but now I am going to have to eventually if it's good enough for a desert island!

[Danielle]

Stefanie--I loved the Count of Monte Cristo. It is a very entertaining story. If you want to just read it, you might give the abridged version a go. The unabridged story is pretty long and Dumas is known to have gone off on tangents! I think this might have been serialized--if he got paid by the word he must have forked in the cash! But I liked the unabridged version--I will have to reread it someday!

[bloglily]

I have a friend who really liked the Count of Monte Cristo a lot and now, knowing how much you liked it, I think it's got to be at least acquired. Is there a translation that's better than others?

[Victoria]

I'm going to give in and do this meme thing today I think...even though I should be writing serious critique posts on Ray Bradbury and David Mitchell instead! :-)

Also, Eve's Alexandria is starting its own internal bookclub, and I should post about that. The five of us will be reading the same thing and then orchestrating a discussion...like theatre for our readers and that other people can join in with if they like. :-) We're reading a play first...should be fun.

[BikeProf]

I also love The Count of Monte Cristo--it's one of my favoite books. It's such a satisfying thing to watch Dantes's plan slowly develop. Infinitely better than that insipid movie version.

[Danielle]

Bloglily--I just read the Modern Library version. I never really gave much thought about translators until I started W&P, but I found that version very readable.
Victoria--yes, please do the meme--I think it is fun reading everyone's responses. What fun to have an internal book club--looking forward to your discussion. I rarely read plays--I know I need to--I suspect that I am missing out!
Bikeprof--the movie was *horrible*!!!!! They mangled the story to begin with--it was really painful to watch, which I did right after I read the book. I love the character of Edmond Dantes--his revenge was so well plotted!

[Matt]

So many "blogs" so little time. I'm behind in reading all the blog posts as well. Still going through the link of the 100 vacation reads from The Time (London) that you posted a few days ago. I'll get to this meme as soon as I've organized my thoughts. :)

[Polaris]

Agree about Monte Cristo. I liked it more when I read the unabridged version.

Danielle, this reminds me to look at Brave New World again. I remember starting it many years ago and then for no reason at all, I abandoned it. Just remembered it yesterday when Cinemax was showing a preview of *yet another* clone movie.

Guess I'll tag myself and answer the questions ;-).

[Federica]

Hello,

Hope I am not disturbing but this is a nice looking blog on a great subject...I am a 'mature' student (ie over 20 but below 40) and I am finally getting my degree in modern literature (in Italy!). Part of my thesis is 'reading habits in the uk'. I need at least 50 people to fill in a short questionaire. Some of the questions are similar to this post, too...I ve created it online

http://www.my3q.com/go.php?url=fedesurvey/42041

I hope you dont mind me asking here your reader to click and fill it? It's totally anonymous. Many many many many thanks - mille grazie!

Ciao

Fede

[Cipriano]

Danielle, I really like what you mention about Rupert Brooke et al. For so long I have loved his poetry and been intrigued by the entire persona of Brooke.
He died so young, so young.
There are plenty of good biographies of Brooke, but these only serve to make his death seem like more of a tragedy, more of a loss.

"If I should die, think only this of me:
That there's some corner of a foreign field
That is forever England."
(from 'The Soldier')

[Danielle]

Cipriano--Yes, there is actually a lot written about Rupert Brooke. I think I have at least one biography, one book of letters, and a book written from when he was traveling here in the US. And I have seen that quote--very sad!

[Mike B.]

I just completed my list and I can't believe how unoriginal my selections were. But anytime there's a list, I'm all for it. Thanks Danielle.

[les in ne]

I thought Didion's book was very moving, too. I read a few criticisms after it was released, but thought she was spot-on with her descriptions of how one grieves. I read it right after reading Neal Peart's Ghost Rider (he lost his daughter and wife within a year of each other) and was touched by both memoirs.

I have A Brave New World in my stacks and hope to get to it next month when I begin my reading challenge.