Saturday, August 05, 2006

Very Selective Book Meme

I found this meme at Tea Reads and thought it would be interesting. I absolutely adore books.

If you would like to participate, feel free! I'm not going to tag anyone.

Now, on to the questions. I believe I could use the same book for every answer!

1. One book that changed your life:
What a difficult question! I have read so many books, but my absolute favorite is Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. It has bettered my life in so many ways. First of all, it brings me such joy to even think about, let alone read, it. Every time I pick it up, I find new insights, new clever lines, new witticisms, and new joy. I want to be Elizabeth Bennet and find my Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth has such a lovely way of looking at life.

2. One book that you've read more than once:
Pride and Prejudice, of course! I have already read it twice this year and I daresay I shall read it again. One could never grow tired of such a book.

Since I already put P&P, I'll add another book:

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. It simply seethes with passion and emotion and turmoil. I read it every October, as that month seems to fit perfectly with the tone of the book. While one cannot really love any of the characters, one cannot help but feel for Heathcliff and Catherine.

3. One book you'd want on a desert island:
Pride and Prejudice Seriously, I will never tire of reading this novel and can really think of nothing better to have on a desert island. Mr. Darcy: need I say more?

4. One book that made you laugh:
Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen really is hilarious. Her wit makes me laugh. As she wrote in P&P,
"For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?"
Lots more great quotes here.

5. One book that made you cry:
Pride and Prejudice How can one not cry at such a great love story? Some people might think there isn't much of a love story in it, as Elizabeth and Darcy really aren't together that much, but it certainly is. I cry from the sheer joy of reading the novel. It is exquisite and I hate to see it end every time.

Another book that makes me cry is A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. Such a lovely sad story.

6. One book you wish you had written:
Pride and Prejudice Who wouldn't want to have written one of the greatest novels of all time? It is a masterpiece. Such unforgettable characters, which have served as the pattern pieces for countless other heroes and heroines. Such plot points. Such lines. It is simply brilliant.

7. One book you wish had never been written:
Hmmm, a difficult question. I don't really know. I'm sure there are countless political and disgusting books that I wish weren't written, but I'm not going to list them.

8. One book you're currently reading:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling. I have read this before a few times, but one can never tire of HP! I am re-reading the series and happen to be on HP and CoS. These books are great. Read them!

I am also reading Lost In A Good Book by Jasper Fforde. It is the second in his series of Thursday Next novels, following The Eyre Affair. I love recognizing the literary and historical allusions. Quite a challenge!

9. One book you've been meaning to read:
The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare. I am going to read it this week, on my train trip back from Seattle. I love Shakespeare, but have never read this play. I can't wait!

And, I'll have to say To Rule the Waves: How the British Navy Shaped the Modern World , which I received for my birthday in 2005. Looks quite interesting!

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7 comments:

teabird said...

I like it - such passion for one book!

Lady Jane said...

Thank you, Teabird17! I absolutely adore it! And, I am quite glad I came across the meme on your site! :)

Stephanie said...

Great meme - I'll have to try this when I get back. That British Navy book sounds fascinating. My Dad just gave me a new one about the Battle of Agincourt which I am looking forward to reading.

Lady Jane said...

Isn't it a great meme?! I love talking/writing about books. The book about the Battle of Agincourt sounds quite interesting, Stephanie. You will have to post about it when you are done!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Darcy... sigh................

Wendy Ann Edwina D'Cunha e Pereira said...

Pride & Prejudice is my absolute favourite as well... I first read it when I was in school & several times after that. I never ever get bored...
I also liked Taming of the Shrew... It was really entertaining... had that one as part of our school curriculum...

Lady Jane said...

Yes, Mr. Darcy . . . *Sigh* :)

I read a few Shakespeare plays in high school and then took an upper level Shakespeare class in college, but never read the Taming of the Shrew. I was very glad to read it! :) Thanks!