The Bookish Meme

So...I wasn't tagged for this but after seeing Steel Droppings and The Written World joining in on the fun I couldn't resist.

Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews?

Nothing specifically with only positive reviews but I do rationally cringe away from "In the Skin of the Lion" by Ondaatje where there are no POV transitions and it all seems very confusing. At least, that's what I've heard. I supposed someday I'm going to have to pick it up to decide whether or not I like it.

If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise), who would they be and what would the event be?

I was really hoping you weren't going to ask this. Frankly I can't answer this. This is probably something I'm going to spend the rest of my life figuring out. Ask again later. The event would definitely be camping though. Campfire, hiking, thunderstorms, smores, the whole shebang.

Edit: Four hours later I think I have a kind of answer. The three characters I would bring to life would be from the movies though. My picks would be Auntie Mame, Paul Verrall and Dr. Henry Jones Sr. If you don't know these people than look them up. I think it would be interesting to camp with them, especially conversations around the campfire.

(Borrowing shamelessly from the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde): you are told you can't die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for awhile, eventually you realize it's past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave?

Personally I think I've already read the most boring novel but I suppose that technically would mean I'm a zombie. By the way, if anybody has leftover brains they don't want, I'd be happy to take it off your hands. The book in question is "Lorna Doone" by Richard Blackmore. I highly highly recommend you don't read it. I suspect that if this wasn't truly the most boring novel on the planet I'd switch my attentions to "Tristram Shandy". I haven't heard good things.

Come on, we've all been there. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you've read, when in fact you've been nowhere near it?

I haven't claimed to have read any book I haven't but I have been tempted. "Ulysses" and "War and Peace" come to mind, mainly because of their size and content. I'd actually like to pretend I hadn't read a book. For example sometimes I'd love to pretend I haven't read "The Da Vinci Code" or any of the Harry Potter books for various and imaginable reasons.

As an addition to the last question, has there been a book that you really thought you had read, only to realize when you read a review about it/go to 'reread' it that you haven't? Which book?

What an odd question. This has actually never happened to me. I have had plenty of deja vu moments reading books that I thought I'd never read. I'll be reading a scene thinking it sounds really familiar only to realize I'd read the book several years previous. How and why I completely forget the plot, author and book cover I have no idea. It could be the story was so underwhelming I subconsciously pushed it into my brains Recycle Bin.

You've been appointed Book Advisor to a VIP (who's not a big reader). What's the first book you'd recommend and why? (if you feel like you'd have to know the person, go ahead of personalise the VIP)

I'd foist the Song of Ice and Fire series on them, the first book being A Game of Thrones. I really feel it's a personal mission to convert as many people as I can to George R R Martin because quite frankly the man can write. Barring that, One Hundred Years of Solitude by Marquez even if it confuses them. That book has a quiet beauty about it despite having a plot frustrating as trying to reprogram your VCR without the instruction manual.

A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with?

Welsh all the way. I have this strange an unexplainable love for all things Welsh. Actually I think a large portion of obsession has to do with Ioannes Grufudd and Christian Bale. I love watching the Horatio Hornblower tv movies and ever since I saw Bale in "Newsies" I was enamoured to say the least. Plus, the language is darned hard to learn and I can't for the life of me find a language book to teach myself. Bookstores in town only go to Vietnamese. Plus, the Welsh (from what I understand) are fiercely nationalistic, something we have in common. Yay! I think it must be either really hilarious or absolutely frustrating when a tourist approaches a native Welsh person and ask where they could find such and such. Odds are they're going to pronounce it wrong. Personally I would have a tough time keeping a straight face and try to get them to pronounce it over and over again.

A mischievous fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick?

Oh crud. Maybe "One Hundred Years of Solitude". If I read that thing for the rest of my life I might finally get the plot down. But for pure pleasure it would have to be "A Storm of Swords" by George R R Martin (the kickassiest book in the series folks. Seriously pick it up and read it. Then tell me I'm wrong).

I know that the book blogging community, and its various challenges, have pushed my reading borders. What's one bookish thing you 'discovered' from book blogging (maybe a new genre, or author, or new appreciation for cover art-anything)?

I've discovered so many books and authors through blogging. It's also nice to know people are as crazy about books as I am. It's also really nice to have intelligent conversations about books. It's tough these days to have good book conversations without being a librarian or in a book club.

That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she's granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leather bound? Is it full of first edition hardcovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favourite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead-let your imagination run free.

You can't see me but my brain is doing the Homer Simpson drool. I have been thinking of a dream library since I was six years old.

First of all it would be in a circular building, maybe more ovoid (that's a word right?) Next, full floor to ceiling shelves with the occasional space for art but gigantic vertical windows as well. Of course there would be ladders on rails running the length of shelves, hence the reason for a circular building. The best part here would be running with the ladder and them jumping onto it. Prize for the one who can make a full circuit.

At least two stories tall, preferably three.Occasional book nooks for reading, (see My Fair Lady, the library/study scenes. A grand staircase leading up to the second flood as well as a circular staircase just for fun. There would be circular openings in the center of both the second and third floors to look down on the first floor. (Great for launching paper airplanes, parachute men and the occasional bouncy ball).

Skylights are a must. I like natural light and it would be nice to see the stars through the ceiling at night. For lighting I would have steampunk styled lights with dimmers. It's nice to be able to change the lighting to affect the mood of your reading. Frankenstein anyone?

For seating there would be leather chairs and sofas. Reading lights by every chair as well as hardwood floors covered in rugs deep enough to sink your bare feet into. Lots of blankets to curl up in on winter nights or if you just want to have a quick snooze. There would obviously be a fireplaces, probably two, one at each end. Wood burning of course.

Wireless internet for when I want to log on in my library. Labtops would be tucked away in antique desks along the walls. Perhaps even a flatscreen tucked into a wall for viewing movies. I know libraries are for reading but do you have any idea how many books have been turned into movies, biopics of historical figures, movies based on the lives of the rich and famous? And period pieces. Very much period pieces.

Also, there would have to be several secret passages and hiding places within the library. Possibly one behind a fireplace or painting.

The feel would mainly be antique/Victorian with modern technology. Not heavy on the carved wood and decoration

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