I've been tagged by
Andi to do
Eva's Reading Meme, so here goes...
Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews?Anything by Stephen King. Everyone seems to love him but I read a couple back in high school or thereabouts and haven't had any desire to read him since. I have also been avoiding
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon. The size and the fact that it's about comic books has put me off reading it for literally years, despite good reviews.
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?Simply because I would like to know how they're doing now, a casual dinner party with Alba (Henry and Clare's daughter from
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger), Lyra Belacqua from
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, and Hermione Granger. I'd like to just sit back and see them interact. They'd have so much to share with each other I think.
(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?Hmm, I've never even tried but just from what I've heard I guess I'd go with
Ulysses by James Joyce or
Moby Dick by Herman Melville.
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 have a feeling I took the Coles' Notes route in high school a couple of times instead of reading a couple of Shakespeare's plays and there may have been a novel but I can't remember now which one(s).
As an addition to the last question, has there been a book that you really thought you had read, only to realise when you read a review about it/go to ‘reread’ it that you haven’t? Which book?I have a small selection of books from my childhood, the Anne of Green Gables series, Narnia and a few others. Among them was a copy of
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. It's old, and obviously read (I assumed by me) but when I "re-read" it last year absolutely none of the story was familiar. Either I never did read it or it never left an impression on me the first time around??
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 of personalise the VIP)This is a hard question. I like some of the suggestions others have come up with but I just can't think of a good one myself. I'll just say that it's helpful to know what a person's interests (movies, whatnot) are in order to recommend something to them to read.
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?I do have a thing for French and would love to be able to read it fluently, but I'd have to go with Japanese. It's such a hard language to learn (for me at least) and I 'd really love to be able to read the originals. I'm sure so much is lost in translation sometimes.
A mischievious 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?Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I watch the BBC series at least once a year and I've read the book 3 times so far. I'm sure I could happily read it every year.
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)?Vampire novels! Until last year I'd stayed well clear of any kind of vampire story. But thanks to all the rave reviews by bloggers, I gave in, tried and am now hooked on Colleen Gleason's vampire series, and I loved
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (still need to read
New Moon and
Eclipse). One of the great things about blogging is hearing about books or authors I may not have otherwise.
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. The favourites shelves would be first edition signed hardcovers. Otherwise trade paperbacks would be the preferred choice. Lots of floor to ceiling book shelves with the requisite rolling ladder. A fireplace and comfy leather chairs and sofa. Some fun lamps to create a warm, cozy mood at night. A couple of big windows looking out on a view of rolling hills or the ocean. A large wooden desk where I could spread out several books and study if I so desired. A laptop with wireless connection and an endless supply of fresh tea (hot or iced depending on the season).
A lot of people have already done this so instead of tagging anyone, please feel free to grab it if you haven't yet done it, and do let me know so I can come read your answers.
In some nice serendipitous timing, I received two more Make My Day nods this week from Iliana and Wendy. Plus the one I got from Janet earlier this month. Thanks you guys!! And to everyone who stops by regularly or even occasionally. I never thought anyone would even visit my blog when I started so you all truly make my day! 
