Thursday, October 09, 2008

Booking Through Thursday: Book Meme

Today's Booking Through Thursday question is actually a meme. Here goes:

What was the last book you bought?

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao for me, and a bunch of books from the Scholastic Book Club for my classroom.

Name a book you have read MORE than once:

Oh, there are several. All of Jane Austen's novels; the Harry Potter series (I reread each previous book before a new one came out, in addition to rereading whenever the mood struck); Dune, by Frank Herbert; and several YA novels that I rediscovered when I moved. I'm sure there are others - I love rereading. It's like reconnecting with an old friend.

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?

Two books immediately come to mind: Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn and Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America, by Barbara Ehrenreich.

How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews

Some authors I always buy, no matter what (Chuck Palahniuk, Jasper Fforde, Neil Gaiman). Other books I buy because the summary sounds interesting, I like the cover, or because someone whose opinion I trust has recommended it to me.

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?

Fiction. It's fun to lost myself in a completely different world.

What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?

I think plot comes first. Look at the Twilight series. That's not great writing (the smoldering looks! the passionate, all-consuming love!) but the story is intriguing. I'm reading a book right now with so many commas splices, I'm tempted to take my Big Red Pen to it (but I refrain, because it's a library book). It's distracting, but the plot is interesting enough to make up for it.

Most loved/memorable character (character/book)

Emma Woodhouse! I see so much of myself in her, and I love that she's not perfect.

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?



...and a few more I've added since I took this picture.

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?

The last book I finished was Breakfast at Tiffany's two weeks ago. I'm currently reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, The Last Temptation of Christ, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Once and Future King, and ... I think that might be it. I hope.

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?

I have, but I can't remember what it was now. That's how great and memorable it was.

But you don't have to take my word for it. Check out Book Through Thursday for more opinions.

5 comments:

SmilingSally said...

I never looked at rereading as "reconnecting with an old friend." Delightful thought!

Literature Crazy said...

I do the thing about always reading books by an author I like, but had never really thought about Chuck Palahniuk that way. I've liked quite a few of his things, but am unsure about Snuff.

Have you read that one yet?

Anonymous said...

Jessi, I really want to read Nickel and Dimed. It sounds like a book that would really make me think.

Cathy said...

Two favorites of mine: Jasper Fforde and The Once and Future King....

Joanne ♦ The Book Zombie said...

I've been meaning to pick up Nickle & Dimed.

I agree with your always buy choices, Palahniuk and Gaiman are must buys for me and I'm only on the third Fforde book but I am completely addicted.