The Literary Notes Meme

I found this meme at Tales from the Reading Room a while back and have been saving it for a rainy day.  Or maybe a sunny day when I have nothing else very interesting to share with you.  Like today.

What author do you own the most books by? I 'collect' books by a number of authors.  Without actually counting I know I have quite a few by Elizabeth Taylor, Mary Wesley, Diane Johnson and Sebastien Japrisot and a handful of others as well.  However I have got a nice solid stack of books by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles who writes the Morland Dynasty Series.  I've got over 25 of her books--I bought about 20 or so in one fell swoop from The Common Reader catalog (now defunct sadly) years ago.  They had a special deal for the whole lot, so I took them up on it.  I'm only at about book #6, so I have a long way to go yet.  I tend to go in phases reading the books, but at the rate I'm going it's going to take me until I retire to get through the lot of them.  She's up to maybe 30 books published now, and I keep buying them, because I'm an optimistic reader!

What book do you own the most copies of?  I have about three copies of The Enchanted April--a book I absolutely love.  I have a mass market movie tie-in copy and two different Viragos.  I'm bad--I bought the second Virago because the cover is so gorgeous.  I'll share them with you sometime.

Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions?  No.  I'm really bad with things like dangling prepositions and overuse of commas.  Please forgive me on these little grammar errors!

What fictional character are you secretly in love with?  I had to think about this one.  At first no one in particular came to mind, so figured I'd have to say Mr Darcy, which is sort of predictable.  But the more I contemplated it....I have a little thing for Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole character.  Okay, so he's totally angst-filled, and drinks too much and looks older than he is, but there's just something about him.  My other secret love interest is Horatio Hornblower.  His name's quite a mouthful, but I'm not sure I've ever met such a complete and total gentleman (in real life or fiction).  And Ioan Gruffudd, who plays him in the movie isn't too hard on the eyes either. 

What book have you read the most times in your life (excluding picture books read to children)?  Maybe Chocolat--it's a complete comfort read, and I love it a little more each time.

What was your favourite book when you were ten years old?  Anything by Judy Blume.  Probably Are You There God, It's Me Margaret.

What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?  There have been one or two books I might mention here, but I won't.  My 'worst book' is probably someone else's favorite and I don't want to offend anyone.  Besides, I would hate it if anyone dogged a book I love.

What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?  I can only pick one?  Maybe The Post Office Girl, or maybe The Little Stranger (which I'll be writing about soon).

If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?  This is a dangerous question.  I could name lots of books I would want others to read, but I've done this in the past (giving my favorite titles as presents), and once again--my favorite book might easily be someone else's 'this is just not my thing'.  If I know someone well and we share common reading interests I'm happy to give suggestions, otherwise I try not to force a book on anyone (unless they're a willing victim).

Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for Literature?  Maybe Toni Morrison or Margaret Atwood?  I don't know really, but I've heard these authors mentioned and have to agree.

What book would you most like to see made into a movie?  The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets would make a fun movie.  I loved the book.

What book would you least like to see made into a movie?  The Count of Monte Cristo.  Oh wait, they already DID make it into a movie.  I can only say they shouldn't have.  Please make them take it back.  I'm referring to the most recent version by the way.

Describe your weirdest dream involving a writer, book, or literary character.  I have weird dreams sometimes, but I have to say I've yet to have one about a book, writer or literary character.  Maybe I'm missing out. 

What is the most lowbrow book you’ve read as an adult?  I'm not sure she really counts as "lowbrow", but I went through a huge Marian Keyes phase a few years ago.  She's actually great fun, and I even have a favorite title that I've read more than once.  Fiona Walker's books also come to mind as a nice, fluffy reads.   

What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?  If you love this book, please don't be offended.  Les Misérables.  It's not that it was hard, but it was so very, very, very long.  I'm glad I read it, but had there been some judicious editing, I wouldn't have minded at all.

What is the most obscure Shakespeare play you’ve seen?  I saw one ages ago at one of those outside theatre situations and remember being absolutely lost.  I'm pretty sure it was The Taming of the Shrew, but I could be wrong.  Maybe I'm mixing up obscure with 'really hard to understand'?

Criminy, but this is a long meme...

 Do you prefer the French or the Russians?  Maybe the French, but only because I've read more of them.

 Roth or Updike?  I've read one Updike years ago, so don't feel qualified to answer this question.

David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?  Haven't read either, sorry.

Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer?  Have read all three (in high school mostly).  Will choose Shakespeare since I'm trying to read more of and about him now.

Austen or Eliot?  I do like George Eliot, but I'm going to have to go with Jane Austen.

What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?  Oh, too many.  My gaps pretty much come in reading the classics in general, Classic literature, and modern American Lit.  Better not think about it.

What is your favorite novel?  Only one?  This is an unfair question--like choosing a favorite child when you have a whole brood of them!  Maybe The Woman in White, but so many others as well.

Play?  The Twelfth Night.  I don't read many plays to be honest.

Poem?  I read even fewer poems.  I do like Robert Frost, though--any of his!

Essay?  I like essays, but I just don't get around to reading them as aften as I should.  Maybe Virginia Woolf's "How One Should Read a Book?".

Short story?  I read some really good ones last year.  Definitely Elizabeth Taylor's "A Red Letter Day" or Truman Capote's "Miriam".

Work of nonfiction?  I love reading nonfiction, and wish I could fit in more NF titles.  Elizabeth Jane Howard's Slipstream was a wonderful recent read.

Who is your favourite writer?  Wilkie Collins or maybe Sarah Waters.  It depends on the day and my mood and again, how do you limit it to just one?

Who is the most overrated writer alive today?  I don't think I read enough contemporary literature to be able to choose fairly.

What is your desert island book?  The Count of Monte Cristo.  Unabridged version it goes without saying.

And… what are you reading right now?  Right, right now?  You can see my sidebar for the extended list, but I'm spending most of my time with Bleeding Heart Square, A Reliable Wife and Winter in Madrid.

Whew.  That was one serious meme.  Feel free to play along, though I think I might be the last person to answer these questions!

Comments

[Jeane]

I loved the Enchanted April. But I've only got one copy!

[Debby]

I've just recently bought a Virago copy of Enchanted April, and am looking forward to the DVD which will come out shortly. I've heard so many good things about this story, and am very interested in books that take place in Italy since I started my family history project.

Now I'm off to look up a few of the other authors you've mentioned...

[Dorothy W.]

That meme does take a while! Many of the questions are hard to answer too -- how can you pick just one favorite book or author? I've never read Enchanted April, and maybe I should. You're making me want to read another Wilkie Collins and maybe Sarah Waters too!

[Danielle]

Jeane--I really didn't set out to own three copies of the Elizabeth von Arnim book...it just happened that way! It's a lovely story though, and worth every copy! :)
Debby--I need to order the DVD as well. I loved the film version, too. It's the sort of book I could easily read once a year I think. The descriptions are gorgeous--I think you'll enjoy it.
Dorothy--I thought it would be quick and easy, but it actually did take a while to think about and fill in. I can't pick one favorite of anything when it comes to books! I think you would enjoy The Enchanted April--it's just a very, very nice story with a gorgeous setting. Actually it's very transformative as each of the characters comes away different than how she started. I'm in the mood for both Wilkie Collins and Sarah Waters! Since I just read SW, I think I need to think about another Collins book (after I finish my Edith Whart reread that is...). Both are such wonderful storytellers!

[Litlove]

I know! It IS really long! But I loved your answers and all the authors you mentioned are favourites of mine, too. And I also think that the world would not have ended if Hugo had been edited here and there. Actually, he was really cheeky. In The Hunchback of Notre Dame, his publishers wanted him to leave out a whole section, so he agreed for the serialisation, but then stuck it right back in again when the complete book came out. I do believe I may be in a writing group with his reincarnated spirit - lol!

[Paperback_Reader]

Toni Morrison won the Nobel Prize for Literature in '93.

I am still jealous that you have a copy of The Little Stranger and you have now read it! I am still counting down the days until it is released in the UK. *drums fingers impatiently*

[Stefanie]

Oh that was fun. I like that you are an optimistic reader! :) Clearly I am going to have to make it a point to read Enchanted April and Wilkie Collins!

[catharina]

Interesting answers.Quite a few names in it I have never heard before. Finally found Sarah Waters(the night watch)in our library yesterday. Now I must look out for Wilkie Collins who is also new I'm afraid.

[iliana]

I remember seeing this on Litlove's blog. I love it!

And, I'm a bit surprised you haven't read anything by David Sedaris - I don't know why but I thought you had! Ah well, you are in for a treat if you get to his books.

Oh and please do share a pic of your copies of The Enchanted April - such a fabulous book.

[Kate S.]

Great questions and great answers! I haven't done this meme yet as I am thoroughly intimidated by the length and by some of the questions. But they've certainly got me thinking.

Like Stefanie, I love your description of yourself as an optimistic reader! And I share many of your favourites, especially "Enchanted April."

[Karen]

I agree with you Danielle - The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets would make a gorgeous movie. I want to see it made now!!

[Danielle]

Litlove--He was certainly wordy! I think his publishers also asked him to edit Les Mis, but he wouldn't bend. I actually don't mind long books, but somehow this one felt crushingly so. I hope that the person in your writer's group realizes that sometimes more is really too much... :)
Paperback Reader--I knew I should have checked that one out! :) I had a feeling she might have won (probably because it was alread in the back of my mind! LOL). I'm not going to complain, but I was quite surprised that Sarah Waters book was published here first! I had completely expected to have to order it from the UK to get it quickly. It's worth the wait though!
Stefanie--You've not read Wilkie Collins? I thought you had--you really, really need to eventually. He's such a great storyteller. And Enchanted April is just a delightful read. You'll have to get it some cold winter--and then dream of sunny Italy. At least that's what I did! :)
Catharina--I'm going to read Night Watch next (well, maybe not next next--but the next book by Sarah Waters at some point this summer anyway), so we'll have to trade notes. She's so good. A coworker just read four of her books back to back and enjoyed them all. And if you like good Victorian lit--a nice, sensational sort of story, Wilkie Collins is a true master. My favorite is Armadale, closely followed by The Woman in White. The Moonstone is also good. I think I need to read another of his novels soon. He's really one of my very favorite authors.
Iliana--Actually I think I've read one of his essays (the holiday one), but it's been a while and was such a small taste of his writing that I felt like I was cheating by choosing. I've heard he's very good and have one or two of his books. I'll have to get my Enchanted April books out and show the covers!
Kate--I thought it would be fun to answer, but it really was pretty long and I had to think about some of those questions! I'm not always optimistic in every area of my life, but reading has been one thing I can always depend on. Besides, considering the size of my TBR pile, I'd better remain optimistic! :)
Karen--Wouldn't it be a fun movie--It could be so lavish and elegant. I want to go and read the book all over again now!