I'm always on the late side doing up these memes. I found this at BooksPlease and thought it would be fun, though I think I've answered some of these questions before. Still, it seems like a nice mindless Tuesday afternoon activity.
What was the last book you bought? I've bought a few recently, but I can mention one I got in the mail since then. I am getting ready to read Charles Dickens's Bleak House, so I ordered the newly designed Oxford University Press edition as I am taken with their clean, crisp, new covers.
Name a book you have read MORE than once. I've got a few that I return to over and over again, but a favorite that I read nearly every year is Joanne Harris's Chocolat. I especially like reading it in February when the book is set. Her combination of plot and prose has be hooked. Now I need to read the sequel.
Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it? I don't think I have one of those in my past to be honest. Lots of books have made strong impressions, but I don't think any of them have fundamentally changed me. Maybe I've not found the right book?
How do you choose a book? e.g. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews? I think before blogging I used to fall into the cover design/summary category, but now I depend much more on recommendations or reviews from other book bloggers. Of course a nicely designed book with an eye catching cover will still at least make me pick it up when I am in the bookstore. Before I bought any book that sounded in the least appealing, but I tend to be more selective now.
Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction? I really enjoy reading non-fiction and would love to read more of it, but I usually am more apt to pick up a novel before a non-fiction book. As a matter of fact I really do need to get back to the biography Emily Post that I started a while back. I'm slowed down by the fact that I can easily juggle several fiction books, but I can usually only handle one non-fiction at once.
What's more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot? I'm not entirely sure which is more important, but I think I prefer a gripping plot. That said I don't like bad writing, but whenever I am feeling so-so about a book it's usually because the plot has not grabbed me. A really good book is a combination of the two.
Most loved/memorable character (character/book). I really like Anne Elliott from Persuasion. How often does a plain, spinsterish heroine (left too long on the shelf) get a second chance at love (and with a handsome, rich captain no less)? I also really like Maisie Dobbs. She's a nice combination of intelligent and independent, though she still has her own problems to work through. A really memorable character, though I can't really say loved, is Lydia Gwilt from Armadale by Wilkie Collins.
Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment? I'm still working through this pile at the moment. I'm concentrating mostly on The Law and the Lady, Murder on the Eiffel Tower and I think it's time to get back to Shirley. I also have this book to read for my postal reading group. It's a bit slow going to begin with, but I am hoping it picks up soon (see....plot, plot, plot!).
What was the last book you read, and when was it? Hmm. See this post! But I hope to finish something else this week!
Have you ever given up on a book halfway in? Yes. I've been better this year, but in the past I set aside any book that was slow going. I sometimes have this "must finish" attitude once I have started a book, even if I am not enjoying it, but I am getting better at moving on to something different. I often think if I stick with a book that it will get better, but that's not always the case, is it?!
I'm reading Bleak House right now, and I'm finding it rather slow going. Have you read it before? I'll be interested to read your thoughts on it.
Posted by: Jessica | October 14, 2008 at 05:00 PM
A good book is combination of a gripping plot and characters. But a great story always makes my day.
I didn't know there is a sequel to Chocolat! Now I need to hunt for the book. I have enjoyed it but my favorite Harris book is Gentlemen and Players! :)
Posted by: Matt | October 14, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Jessica--I haven't read the book before, but I did see the BBC adaptation and really liked it. I'm hoping it won't be too overwhelming for me, but I am sure I'll post here when I start it!
Matt--If the plot is boring an author will likely lose me! The UK title for the Harris is The Lollipop Shoes, but they changed it here in the US (and I can't remember what it is). Gentlemen and Players was especially good, wasn't it?!!
Posted by: Danielle | October 14, 2008 at 09:33 PM
Did mine here: http://cozynook.blogspot.com/2008/10/book-meme.html
Posted by: LindaY | October 14, 2008 at 09:57 PM
Anne Elliot is one of my favourites as well and Maisie Dobbs. I've only read Chocolat once, but I can imagine reading it again as I loved it. How about Les Mis - will that be an annual re-read too -lol! I am back reading it now.
Posted by: BooksPlease | October 15, 2008 at 01:13 AM
I've seen this meme around - love your answers, as always. Can you believe I still haven't read Chocolat? I really must do so one day. I know it will be a treat.
Posted by: Litlove | October 15, 2008 at 02:34 AM
The Joanne Harris book is called "The Girl with No Shadow" here in the U.S. I loved it, even though I never read "Chocolat"; did see the movie though!
Posted by: OolooKitty | October 15, 2008 at 05:40 AM
Oh, and one book that changed my life was "A Year of Meats", a novel about a woman sent to Japan to promote the US Beef industry. I have not eaten meat since. I'm not kidding.
Posted by: OolooKitty | October 15, 2008 at 05:47 AM
Have fun with Bleak House! You're making me want to read something 19C, with Bleak House and Shirley going on at the same time. I don't have a book that has changed my life either, except for the Bible -- and that's changed my life in good and bad ways both. But really it's the fact of reading rather than any particular book that has changed my life.
Posted by: Dorothy W. | October 15, 2008 at 07:54 AM
I love the design of the Oxford Bleak House. I've been wanting to read another Dickens and Bleak House may be my choice. I'm always drawn to the Modern Library editions when a good Penguin isn't available.
Posted by: Mike B. | October 15, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Linda--Thanks for playing along! I didn't know you had a blog or I would have visited long ago.
BooksPlease--Ouch--every year? :) It wonder if I could shave some time off the six months it took me if I were to reread it? Maybe someday I'll read it again. Stick with it--it feels really great to read such a massive classic.
Litlove--I loved Chocolat. Save it for when you need a good comfort read. I really should try a few of her other novels, too.
Oolookitty--Thanks--that's right...I was too lazy to look it up! I'm so glad to hear you liked it--maybe I'll read it this winter. I've always wondered what book would make me do something life changing and I can see where a book might make you a vegetarian. Now I am curious about that book!
Dorothy--I am really in the mood for 19th century lit--along with the Bronte I'm also reading Wilkie Collins and am looking forward to Bleak House. And Shirley has finally gotten interesting. I had set it aside, but I've picked it back up again and am really enjoying it. The first few chapters are a little slow going. It's hard to think of one book that's really changed me, but I think like you it is reading in general that's made a difference in my life.
Mike--Last year I read David Copperfield, so I'm due for a new Dickens. Bleak House sounds like the perfect winter read. I really like the new OUP designs. I also tend to choose Modern Library editions, but some of those Penguins have classy covers as well. These days, though, I look for a good intro as well.
Posted by: Danielle | October 15, 2008 at 10:39 PM
This is a good meme. I'll have to save it! I thought you had read the sequel to Chocolat. I still need to as well although I'm still not sure about it. Sometimes I get so excited to revisit with characters I liked but then I think that it was so good by itself why bring out another book. So conflicted :)
Posted by: iliana | October 16, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Iliana--I am sure I've Talked about the sequel, but I never seem to get around to reading it. I'm supposed to be paring down my pile, but talking about it makes me want to pull it and and start it, too! And I know what you mean by sequels, as very often I avoid them as well. At least it is Joanne Harris who wrote it. I've heard good things, so I am looking forward to it.
Posted by: Danielle | October 16, 2008 at 09:37 PM
Gentlemen and Players has a special place in me and my bookshelf. I have totally not seen the end coming. It's sensational. I'll have to re-read that.
Posted by: Matt | October 17, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Matt--She totally threw me for a loop as well. It was all there right out in the open, and yet I missed it! I really need to read some of her other books, but I know they will be totally different. Still G&P is a very unique read and I'm glad it is. It's one I would happily reread as well.
Posted by: Danielle | October 19, 2008 at 08:19 PM