I got this from my good friend Ted . Naturally I had to go overboard and provide links (to my own blog), and I can never ever answer a question with only one choice. I refuse.
What was the last book you bought?
Probably some out-of-print dusty book bought at a second-hand store having to do with the shenanigans of the paparazzi during the old studio system. I honestly don’t remember.
Name a book you have read MORE than once
There are only a couple of books I go back to compulsively and read just for the sheer fun of it, of experiencing the book again:
The Blue Castle
Possession: A Romance
Hopeful Monsters
A Ring of Endless Light
Lives of the Saints
A Tale of Two Cities
Mating
The Pigman
Harriet the Spy
Until I shuffle off my mortal coil, I just know that I will never say “That is the LAST time I read The Pigman (or insert whatever title I just listed)…”
Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
As ridiculous as this might sound, Baby Doll
I also must mention Ballet Shoes
How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews
All of the above. I picked Hopeful Monsters because I liked the cover – and that is so scary to me – because it’s one of my all-time favorite books – What if I hadn’t liked the cover?? I’m into impulse buys … and much of that has to do with the look and feel of a book. The typeface is also VERY important. There are off-setting typefaces … and welcoming typefaces. Important to me (especially because my eyes are so bad. I really can’t afford to strain or squint).
I also love books that have to do with the intellect mixed with romance and sex. A rather rare combo – but essential for me. Hopeful Monsters, Mating, Possession, Goldbug Variations
I am also a FAN of certain authors and will buy whatever they write, regardless. I will buy anything written by Margaret Atwood, AS Byatt, Jeanette Winterson, Nancy Lemann, Norman Rush (well, the man’s written 2 books and he’s gotta be 80 years now, so I’m letting that one go), John Irving, Michael Chabon, Joy Williams, Mary Gaitskill, Annie Proulx, John Banville (or Benjamin Black) … So. Sign me up for any of these peeps. Don’t like all their work and sometimes I go a decade (or two, right Margaret Atwood?) without liking one of their damn books. Doesn’t matter. That, to me, is the definition of a fan. I’m IN.
I have sometimes bought books based on reviews – but that’s usually for non-fiction books.
If any of my siblings tell me to read a book, I will do so. If Allison, Kate, David, or Mitchell tells me to read a book, I will do so. If Ted tells me to read a book, I will do so. I’m picky about who I take recommendations from.
Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
No preference. I have moods and I go with the mood. 2006 was a non-fiction year. Last year, I started reading more fiction than I had in years. This year has been really all about the fiction – and I’ve been adventurous too – reading books recommended to me, or that I’ve read blog-posts about.
Whatâs more important in a novel – beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
“Gripping” plots don’t really do that much for me all by themselves. Without the beautiful writing of Jane Eyre (excerpt here), the “gripping plot” would be tedious and melodramatic. I’m not a big plot girl anyway. I mean – what exactly happens in The Shipping News (excerpt here)? Sure, there are some events … but it’s the WRITING that hooks me, and it’s the writing that makes me ache. But I’ve never been a really either/or girl, and I am sure I can find many exceptions to what I’ve just said. But if I had to say – I’d say give me beautiful writing. Or, hell, not even “beautiful” writing … the writing in Ulysses (excerpt here) is not necessarily beautiful but it knocks me on my ASS.
Most loved/memorable character (character/book)
Quoyle, The Shipping News
Sydney Carton, Tale of two Cities
John and Lorraine, The Pigman
Nelson Denoon, Mating
Phoebe Caulfield, Catcher in the Rye
Pretty much everyone in Adventures of Kavalier and Clay – I was so so sad to put that book down
And #1, no contest, none whatsoever:
Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
War and Peace
What was the last book youâve read, and when was it?
My cousin Mike (who – shameless O’Malley plug – is premiering in the new series starring Christian Slater My Own Worst Enemy next week – tune in!!) sent me a box of books randomly last week – awesome books like Ingrid Bergman’s autobiography, and other things like that – bought at a second-hand bookstore … and one of the books was called Conversations with Joan Crawford
Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
The Silmarillion
And I SHOULD have given up on Don DeLillo’s Underworld
But beyond that, I can’t really think of a book I’ve put down. I have a hard time with giving up once I’ve started, even if the book annoys me. You know, like the book I read about the fall of the Roman Empire – where the author referred to things like the “military complex” and also how certain Emperors liked to “work out” (I’m not even kidding) … but dammit, I stuck it out.
Dumb! But whatever. I’m stubborn. I recently read another book which was about the black plague, but within 2 pages I realized it would be Bubonic Plague for Dummies … and I was bummed to be treated as though I were a halfwit, but I still stuck it out. Boring, though. I thought I knew nothing about the Black Plague, outside of the Decameron and crap like that … but turns out, I know WAY more than that book assumed I did … There are a couple of new books out about the plague I do want to read.
I recently had a hard time finishing The Yiddish Policemans Union
Dad gave me ‘Magic Mountain’ when I had my appendix out in 1994 and I finally finished it this year.
Longest time ever taken finishing a book.
Unbelievable. Every single time I’ve completely lost my mojo you write something like this that picks me up.
If I could only read one blog for the rest of time (because you will be blogging for the rest of time, right?!) it’d be this one. Thanks for being you, Sheila. :)
Sheila – I love it when you launch into Underworld! It always makes me smile. And it got me to re-read White Noise which was well worth it. Ballet Shoes! My mom would love you! I’m going to read Benjamin Black after I finish the Banville. Can’t wait.
Brendan – That is hilarious.
i just finished the second quirk novel, the silver swan.
so good.
doesn’t black have an alter ego, some egghead irish guy? (hee hee)
i might have to read that other guy.
Banville is an egghead! But Benjamin Black is sexy!
I haven’t read The Silver Swan yet – I’m so excited. Christine Falls was magnificent, I think. Cinematic – like all those noir books are. I kept casting it in my head.
compare the prose in ‘christine falls’ to the circumlocutionistic nightmare that chabon hoists on us in ‘yiddish policeman’s union’ and you will begin to get an idea of how far chabon strayed, albeit in a good hearted, exploratory, and ultimately satisfactory yet challenging way, from sparseness.
that is to say, black does noir. chabon does not.
But here’s the question, if a book is boring, annoying, whatever, do you:
1: keep reading it until it’s done
2: just set it aside and read it in small bursts
3: set it aside and try again later
Just curious, since I’m pretty much the same way. My bookshelf has 6 or 7 books that I just haven’t been able to get through and I absolutely REFUSE to get rid of them until I do. I used to just read them and not allow myself to pick up anything else, now I put it aside for a while.
ditto whatever Diana said about your blog. thank you.
See if you’ve got time for Alasdair Gray’s “Lanark”. A recommendation from a stranger.
Jen – I usually do a combination of 1 and 2. I never put it down completely – because then I know I would never finish it. It’s a matter of determination and sticking it out.
Weird!
I tried to read Nicholas Sparks once. I was in a youth hostel on the outskirts of Galway. Not only did I put the book down, but I threw it across the room in disgust – yes – THREW IT, then I picked it back up again, wrote a note on the front page that said, “This book is the worst thing I have ever read” and left it in the drawer of the dresser in the room for the next person to stay there.
It only took me 2 pages to get to that point.
But that, to me, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Diana, Gene – thank you both! It means a lot to hear!
The Silmarillion. Not a chance. 20 pages in and I had fallen into a coma.
Shun! SHUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!
There. This comment thread could not be complete without somebody leaping to the defense of something, and Tolkien fans like me are the most defensive leapers you ever saw. ;-)
Yes, I have experienced it!
Oh well – I YAWN in your general direction! (In a friendly manner, of course, but sticking to my guns. I’m not a Tolkien fan – not like THAT anyway! I love the Hobbit most of all, but The Ring Trilogy is good, too. And I enjoy his collected letters – but The Silmarillion? That requires a level of fan-dom that I just do not have!)
glances around conspiratorially Truth be told, it took me two tries to finish, but I enjoyed it when I finally did plow on through.
Really, it’s more like a historical reference or the Old Testament than a conventional work of fiction. Recommended only for people who really want to know what all that “before the seas were bent” stuff is about.
glances around conspiratorially hahahahahahaha Ken, you make me laugh. Too funny. I know just that feeling!!
To be honest – his letters ABOUT writing the Silmarillion are much more interesting for me – because it’s a bit more boiled-down and he’s working it out in print, as he goes along … Like his whole thing on the creation of Orks and crap like that … His later letters get more and more elaborate, as you can see him retreating into the fantasy world he created – it’s so so interesting.
Boy, am i honored to be on your list. Wow. Especially because I would have been way too scared to even go near Ryszard Kapuscinski if it hadn’t been for you (or the book about Zero for that matter.)
I actually loved Chabon’s latest, but then again, I’m not as smart as you, and I wouldn’t be able to tell if it was overwritten.
I’m reading Bernard Schlink’s Homecoming and liking it. (He wrote The Reader, which came out several years ago.) Oh–and I just finished volume one of Julie Andrews’ memoir. LOVED it!!! (I think you would too.) Can’t wait for the second volume to come out.
love you and miss you,
K
“Youre not as smart as me”???? What the hell? Yeah, thats how I think of you. You know, I love Kate even though she’s not as smart as me.
So. Is that how it’s going to be?? Hee hee
I am very excited to read Andrews’ memoirs!!
Sheila, I loved the questions and your answers. (Harriet is awesome.) Not sure how to track back, but I did a “speed version” of the questions at my blog. Just wanted to give you credit, and thank you!!!
Recently read a poem by an Irish poet that I immediately felt a heartbreak for. Wish to share with you.
GENETICS
My father’s in my fingers, but my mother’s in my palms.
I lift them up and look at them with pleasure –
I know my parents made me by my hands.
They may have been repelled to separate lands,
in separate hemispheres, may sleep with other lovers,
but in me they touch where fingers link to palms.
With nothing left of their togetherness but friends
who quarry for their image by a river,
at least I know their marriage by my hands.
I shape a chapel where a steeple stands.
And when I turn it over,
my father’s by my fingers, my mother’s by my palms
demure before a priest reciting psalms.
My body is their marriage register.
I re-enact their wedding with my hands.
So take me with you, take up the skin’s demands
for mirroring in bodies of the future.
I’ll bequeath my fingers, if you bequeath your palms.
We know our parents make us by our hands.
— Sinead Morrissey
Kate – I just read your responses and had to laugh out loud – the book I threw across the room in Galway was The Notebook! Ha!!
Thanks for the inspiration. Did the same on my blog. Thinking about books and past experiences with books seems to be in the wind…
Pearl