I can’t pass up a good book meme and I saw this one on Matt’s blog so I had to snag it.
On your nightstand now: My Lady of Cleves by Margaret Campbell Barnes, Capote in Kansas by Kim Powers, Fanny Fern by Ruth Hall and Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie.
Book you’ve “faked” reading: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I never read this one in high school or college but I feel as if I know the whole story.
Book you’ve bought for the cover: Ooh so many books capture my attention just from the cover or title alone. I can’t think of a recent book but I am sure I picked up The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald because of the cover (a bookshop!) and the title. I was sure I wouldn’t be let down by this book and I wasn’t. It was wonderful and I highly recommend it.
Favorite book when you were a child: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst.
Book that changed your life: What a tough question. I can’t say that a book necessarily changed my life but many of them have given me insight, comfort and joy. I think what’s life changing is learning to read and growing to love books.
Favorite line from a book: “To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband’s dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching upon the floor.” from Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn. I thought that was a great opening.
Top five favorite authors: Sandra Cisneros, David Sedaris, Margaret Atwood, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Carol Shields. (Ask me tomorrow and my list might be different).
Books you recommend as regeneration when people say, “I’m bored by almost all contemporary American writers”: The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, The History of Love by Nicole Krauss.
Book you can’t believe that everyone has not read and loved: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson.
Book you are an “evangelist” for: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro.
Book you most want to read for the first time: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I loved this book and I still get a bit emotional when I think of it.
Very nice meme! Book that changed your life is a hard one! I love your answers 🙂
Oooh, considering I loved two out of the three books you recommend as “regeneration” (whatever that means), I think I’ll have to give The History of Love (which I’ve heard so many great things about) a second chance. Tried it once and couldn’t really get into it, but maybe I was just in the wrong mood…
My answers to these same questions are here.
Love the design of your blog, by the way!
Did you like the movie Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day? I looooooooved the movie (went and saw it w/ my mom), but I haven’t read the book. Should I be worried?
**Clarification: should I be worried that if I read the book I won’t enjoy the movie as much?
Great meme! I enjoyed reading your answers, Iliana!
I’d have to check out some of the titles you mentioned since they’re new to me… ;P
What a great favorite line! I’ve yet to read Remains of the Day or Miss Pettigrew. I had better get reading!
Oh, I might steal this one! What a great meme!
(I also love Alexander!)
This is a great meme! I bet it’s going to make the rounds. I am also a big fan of Alexander and the…and I felt like that this past Saturday.
gentle reader – I know, how can they ask that question right! 🙂
avisannschild – I had a hard time at first with History of Love too but once I got into the story I really loved it. I hope you’ll give another go and I’ll definitely stop by to check your answers! 🙂
Eva – I saw the movie after I read the book and although there are some differences (that’s to be expected) I enjoyed it a lot too. I think you’d like the book.
Melody – Thanks! If you get a chance maybe you should do the meme – I’d love to see your answers!
Stefanie – Both of those are soo good. I hope you check ’em out 🙂
Tiffany – Please “steal” it 🙂
Tara – Oh no, that’s not good that you had one of those days! I hope the meme will make the rounds. It’s always so fun to see everyone’s answers.
Great answers. 🙂
I finished Capote in Kansas and wrote the review for it. It’s post-dated for the TLC tour day on Oct 6. For serious readers, reading continues to hone us so it’s almost impossible to narrow down to a single book that changes our lives.
Guess I’ll have to hunt for The Remains of the Day!
Matt – I can’t wait to read you review of Capote in Kansas! I need to start the book — like now! 🙂 Oh, Matt – you haven’t read Remains of the Day? I thought you had. It is so fabulous – I think you’d love all the nuances of the story and characters.
I’ve mixed up with When We Were Orphans. Kazuo is one of my fave authors!
Fun answers — I’d agree with you about Remains of the Day — what a fabulous book!
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is definitely going on my wish list! I saw the preview to the movie and it looked like fun.
And you’ve convinced me to give The History of Love another chance!
I also replied to your message on my blog…
What a great MeMe and I love most of the books you mentioned and there are a few on my TBR pile!
You mentioned several books that I’ve also loved! I see I’m going to have to read Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. 😛
Matt – When We Were Orphans is great too… I just prefer Remains of the Day… Which I admit could be because that was my first Ishiguro book. I even loved the movie!
Dorothy W. – Isn’t it wonderful? To think that it’s the story of a butler. I mean, if you just heard that you’d think and? What a brilliant story.
avisannschild – Glad to hear you are adding that to your list! It’s so cute. I promise to stop in again and see what else you are reading 🙂
christine – You must read The Book Thief. I think you’d really like. Actually I want you to tell your hubby to give it a try too. I’d love to hear his thoughts on it. I’m trying to get Michael to read it but he wants me to get him a German copy. Such a difficult guy 😉
tanabata – Oh I hope you do. It’s such a charming little story!