Katherine tagged me 8 days ago, and I'm just now responding.
Keep reading if you want to see yet another spin on the viral book meme that has infested blogdom. . .
1. One book that changed your life:
(or maybe two . . . please?)
That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis
But no fair skipping the first two books in the trilogy. You have to read them all. I find that I'm still thinking about this book a year after I finished my reading of it. It has colored the way I think--in some surprisingly good ways.
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
This is the book I'm tempted to list as the answer to almost every question that follows. But I will refrain lest you think I've only read one book in my lifetime. Suffice it to say--in the words of the inimitable Larry the Cucumber--"I laughed. I cried. It moved me, Bob."
2. One book that you've read more than once:
The Folk Keeper by Franny Billingsley
It's a children's/ya fiction piece, and I've read it three or four (or five?) times. It's one of those rare modern fantasies that is compelling, believable, and exquisitely written.
3. One book you'd want on a desert island:
(One book? How about an author? Sharon Creech? Leif Enger? Barbara Kingsolver? Lois Lowry? Kate DiCamillo?)
Assuming I've already got my Bible, the next thing I'd grab would be
Merriam-Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged
4. One book that made you laugh:
Love that Dog by Sharon Creech
Children's/ya novel in poetry. For all you fellow lovers of poetry--take this delightful romp through the eyes of a boy in Miss Stretchberry's class (Room 105). He can't write poetry. He won't. And WHY, exactly, does so much depend upon a bunch of chickens? (Or was it a wheelbarrow?)
5. One book that made you cry:
The Wanderer by Sharon Creech
Yet another children's/ya title--but you won't be sorry you read it, I promise. In case you are worried (as I was), yes, Ms. Creech is aware of the fact that "The Wanderer" is the title of an ancient, ancient poem. I must say, she does the poem justice.
6. One book that you wish had been written:
The book in my head. The pieces are finally there. It's just a matter of time/energy to complete the task.
7. One book you wish had never been written:
Depsite my Miltonic sentiments, I DO actually have books that I think should never have been written. But human nature being what it is, I know that if I post the books here, your curiousity will be aroused. I don't want to risk that.
8. One book you're currently reading:
The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise
Fascinating and challenging. If you're going to be a parent/are a parent: read it. Even if you never intend to homeschool, you'll find it quite beneficial.
Silver on the Tree by Susan Cooper
The final book in the Dark is Rising Sequence. If you haven't read these yet, do.
Redwall by Brian Jacques
Contrary to popular opinion--don't bother. I've walked away from this book so many times--for weeks, months. Only my overactive sense of obligation to finish a book lures me back for more terrible writing.
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Contrary to popular opinion--DO bother. Wow. I picked it up as a challenge. And I'm loving every word of it.
9. One book you've been meaning to read:
The Shadow of the Sun by Ryszard Kapuscinski
Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
10. Now tag five people!
one
JBo
two
Joy But! As I was writing this, she posted in response to someone else's tag. Someone else, pbth, on you.
three
Hill
four
H.B.K. if I can ever track him down and convince him to play these silly games.
five
my mom