Monday Meme: A Life in Books

I stumbled across this meme last night thanks to the wonderful world of Twitter and The Creative Pen. Sent it to my fabulous critique partner Kiki Lon,and now it’s my turn:

What author do you own the most books by?

Mary-Janice Davidson- I have the whole Undead series.

But she only just beats out J K Rowling. (I’ve read all of Undead and not all of Harry Potter)

What book do you own the most copies of?

Usually when I end up with two of a book, it’s by accident, because I forgotten I already have it, or I’ve bought the 2nd copy to give  away. Or someone has given me the second copy.

So this past weekend, I went to Bookfest (a fabulous second hand booksale for charity) and picked up another copy of Everything I know about Writing by John Marsden. A writer friend will score this.

I also have two copies of Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie and two copies of The Unknown Terrorist by Richard Flanagan. I also have two signed copies of Loathing Lola by William Kostakis (that’s a whole other story)

What fictional character are you secretly in love with?

It’s no secret. Edward from the Twilight series, followed by Lancelot of A Connecticut Fashionistas in King Arthur’s Court.

What book have you read more than any other?

My own.  It’s part of the never-ending editing process.

I don’t tend to read books over and over. Just not enough time. But I have read the Twilight series a couple of times. (Except Breaking Dawn, once was enough)

What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?

okay, so when I was 10 I would have been in 4th or 5th grade.  I was probably reading Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden and Cherry Ames. Can’t remember having a favourite.

What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?

I started reading The Year of Yes, I think it was called, and it just didn’t grip me. If  I don’t connect with a book, it’s not worth my time.

What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?

I loved Before I Die by Jenny Downham. Great, realistic teen lit, so much more realistic than the too good to be true film, The Bucket List. How convenient that your dying pal happens to be a billionaire!

What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?

Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban because it was written phonetically, but I absolutely love it.

Do you prefer the French or the Russians?

Geoffrey Rush in Diary of a Madman was amazing.

Love a French accent. And the Eiffel Tower. And French men, such flirts.

Oh, you’re talking literature?  Whoops.

Shakespeare, Milton or Chaucer?

Always Shakespeare. No question about it.

Austen or Eliot?

Austen. I don’t think I’ve read any Eliot. Unless you’re talking T.S.

What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?

Lord of the Rings.  Tried to read The Hobbit in high school, and was bored to death by the narrative.

What is your favorite novel?

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

What is your favorite play?

Rosencrantz and Guildernstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard.

What is your favorite poem?

New Face by Alice Walker.

I also like Sylvia Plath.

What is your favorite essay?

Any I don’t have to write.

Don’t really know.

What is your favorite short story?

I’ll dig up the exact title but its a fabulous surreal story by Janet Frame.

Also really like Peter Carey’s early short stories.

What is your favorite non-fiction?

A  writing book called Page by Page by Heather Sellers

What is your favorite graphic novel?

don’t do graphic.

What is your favorite science fiction?

Does Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy qualify? I like my sci fi with a bit of humour.

How about Feed by M T Anderson?

Memoir?

I don’t read a lot of memoir.

Maybe John Bell’s memoir because I shared some of it.

Favorite History/Historical Novel?

Uppity Women (fabulous women in history)

Favorite mystery or noir?

Not quite a mystery but I really enjoyed Blind Submission by Debra Ginsberg

Favourite romance?

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

& A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur’s Court

and I’ve added Favourite Chick Lit.

As Seen on TV by Sara Mlynowski   & A Clean Slate by Laura Caldwell

Favourite teen book?

Notes from the Teenage Underground by Simmone Howell

Who is your favourite writer?

I have a few:  Jennifer Crusie, Marian Keyes, Douglas Adams

Who is the most over rated writer alive today?

Bryce Chutney (as Sandie Gandhi calls him)

What are you reading right now?

Leftovers by Laura Weiss  – also Weasel Words by Don Watson – also On Writing (again) by Stephen King

What book do you wish someone wrote so you could read it?

?????????????????

Yes, it’s your turn, and if you’re playing, leave a comment so I can read Your Life in Books