Violet posted her Reading Meme earlier this week. Given that I’ve almost deserted this blog I thought I’d attempt to resurrect it with something interesting.
1. What author do you own the most books by?
I have all of Robin Hobb’s books which I’ve enjoyed since picking up the Farseer trilogy ages ago. There’s a great blend of magic and realism in her writing that makes it very compelling. This continues in the subsequent two trilogies set in the same world.
The Soldier’s Son trilogy is set in a different world and is wonderful in the way that fantasy is blended with the military and magical culture of the nations. I’d recommend them to anyone.
As Megan Lindholm she’s written a number of novels that stand alone. I’m not such a fan of these but they are still good reads.
That said I own more Shakespeare plays than I do Robin Hobb books. I’m not counting that though because they are plays.
2. What book do you own the most copies of?
The Bible. I know, I’m an atheist but I have my mother’s bible, a “Good News” bible, Hil’s bible from when she was at school, the obligatory freebie the Gideon’s hand out at school and one that Hil’s aunt gave her. Plus I think the kids got one of those as well.
I’m counting these as mine as our book collections have become a homogeneous monster and there is no way I am going to sort them out again. Usually though we get rid of duplicates that we pick up unless two of us want to read them at the same time. Even the multiple copies of Harry Potter have been sent away to book nirvana, the charity shop.
3. Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions?
Not in the slightest. My days as a grammar nazi are behind me….mostly.
4. What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
None. You don’t fall in love with fictional characters. That’s just strange. However, if I were to fall in love with someone who wasn’t real it would be Tank Girl.
5. What book have you read the most times in your life (excluding picture books read to children)?
I tend not to reread books. There’s always something new to read that going back seems silly. I have read Richard Dawkins’ “The Selfish Gene” and “The God Delusion” twice though. There’s a lot to take in to be fair. Also “The Color Purple” because it is just that good.
6. What was your favourite book when you were ten years old?
Without doubt it would be The Hobbit. I’ve read this multiple time too. I should add this to the question above. Meh!
7. What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?
I disliked Labyrinth by Kate Mosse. it was just dull.
8. What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?
That depends on my mood. It’s usually the last one I read. I’m reading “The Inimitable Jeeves” at the moment.
9. If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
It doesn’t matter, just read whatever you enjoy.
10. Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for Literature?
No idea.
11. What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
Apparently there are a film versions of “The Time Traveller’s Wife”, “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” and “The Book Thief”. Three books that shouldn’t be films. They are two different mediums, one doesn’t always translate well to the other.
If I had to choose though I’d make “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” into a film. Alternatively the rest of “His Dark Materials” trilogy.
12. What book would you least like to see made into a movie?
The Bible but apparently it’s already been done. Seriously though I don’t care. If I don’t want to spoil a book with a movie I won’t watch the movie. See the earlier question for clarification.
13. What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?
I’m not sure what this means. Difficult in what way? difficult to read because it was so dull? War and Peace. Difficult in terms of language? Anything written in Japanese.
14. Roth or Updike?
Tim Roth is in “Lie to me” on the tellybox. it’s quite good even though it’s a bit of a one trick pony.
Seriously though I haven’t read either. Where should I start?
15. David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?
Meh, American humorists.
16. Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer?
This is not a question is it? “OR”? You’ve got to be kidding? “AND” surely.
17. Austen or Eliot?
Any woman named George deserves to be read.
18. Name the last book by a female author that you’ve read.
Evolution Vs. Creationism: An Introduction by Eugenie Scott
I don’t intentionally read books by members of one gender or the other though.
19. Name the last book by an African or African-American author that you’ve read.
Maya Angelou’s I know why the caged bird sings
But Vi mentioned Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe which is just brilliant.
20. How about one from an Asian country or Asian-American?
The Art of Happiness by The Dalai Lama
21. Why not name an Israeli/Arab/Turk/Persian writer, if you’re feeling lucky?
Sorry, I don’t know any.
22. Any other ‘marginalized’ authors you’ve read lately?
Women and other nationalities are “marginalised” now are they? I suppose gay authors are too? What about disabled authors? Stephen Hawking is a good read. How about atheist authors, Muslim authors, Jewish authors, Christian authors?
Stupid assumption. I read books because I enjoy them, because they are thought provoking and sometimes because they have been recommended. I don’t read books because they were written by some “oppressed minority” unless they are good reads too.
It’s true, you either love it or you hate it.
A bit of context first. His Holiness the Dalai Lama was honoured by the Florida school in 1999 with a doctorate of divinity so he has a personal interest in the welfare of the school. However I believe that this has only highlighted the financial issue with him rather than defined his reaction. I’m a bit biased of course because his writings portray him as a person with few material desires and little regard for considerations of status. In a largely material western world this is unusual.
The key point here is that he has chosen to support an attitude of understanding and cooperation rather than supporting dogma. He has chosen not to put his own view of Buddhism ahead of Christianity or Islam but to foster an attitude that encompasses all faiths and, dare I say it, no faith.
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