The One Book That . . .
I came across this meme over at Happy Chyck and I really liked it, so I am going to give it a whirl. Here we go:
1. One Book That Changed Your Life: All right, I'm not trying to get all controversial on your asses, but this book was unforgettable. And I believe it was instrumental in making me so passionate about women's issues. It is gripping and gruesome and horrifying. Or, as the review from Library Journal reads, "Moving, but not for the squeamish."
2. One Book That You've Read More Than Once: Although I've never even been to Alabama, almost every summer I reread Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg. It makes me want to learn how to make fried chicken and biscuits, and sit out on a big wrap-around front porch and shell peas. And that is SO not me!
3. One Book You'd Want on a Desert Island: Tough one. Probably something I've never been able to bring myself to read, but feel guilty about not having read. Something like Anna Karenina or War and Peace. I just hear the name Tolstoy and I get sleepy. But on a desert island? With nothing else to read? I'd tear through it, I just know it!
4. One Book That Made You Laugh: I had to buy this book, because it always makes me laugh so hard I cry, although it's not a "story" - and I read once that the author actually "copied" someone else's book, so I shouldn't even own it. But I do. I freakin' love Letters from a Nut. My favorite line: "I ate a Starburst and some Skittles at the same time, and I was startled!" I know - I'm so juvenile.
5. One Book That Made You Cry: While many, many things can make me cry very easily, books, for some reason, do not. The only book that made me cry was Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs and Me by Jon Katz. It might have had something to do with the fact that I'd just put our family's dog to sleep months earlier. Maybe. I'm a sucker for animal stories, obviously.
6. One Book That You Wish Had Been Written: Something called, "Just because you're in your mid-twenties and all your friends are getting married, that doesn't mean you have to!" Or something kind of vague and non-specific like that.
7. One Book That You Wish Had Never Been Written: Anything by Dr. Laura. She's a bully, she's a hypocrite and she's so self-congratulatory. It's nauseating, really.
8. The Book That You Are Currently Reading: I just finished it last night, and it's one of the few (non-fiction) books that I really wish I had written myself. It's a quick little read, and the whole time I was reading it (over the past 2 days - I told you it was a quick read), I kept thinking, "That's exactly right!" and "That's what I think," and "Gosh, that's exactly what I was thinking - only I couldn't articulate it." If you're the least bit alarmed by the insane focus on appearances in this country, the obsession with plastic surgery and the whole "porn star" fascination, you must read Female chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture by Ariel Levy.
9. One Book That You've Been Meaning to Read: The list is long. Where do I begin? Freakonomics? The World is Flat? And of course, some old feminist classics I've never finished, like The Feminine Mystique and The Second Sex. Does that mean I have to turn in my feminist card?
10. Five People To Tag. Similar to Happy Chyck, I'm just not big into tagging people - I don't want anyone to feel pressured into anything. So, if this type of meme floats your boat, go for it!
1. One Book That Changed Your Life: All right, I'm not trying to get all controversial on your asses, but this book was unforgettable. And I believe it was instrumental in making me so passionate about women's issues. It is gripping and gruesome and horrifying. Or, as the review from Library Journal reads, "Moving, but not for the squeamish."
2. One Book That You've Read More Than Once: Although I've never even been to Alabama, almost every summer I reread Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg. It makes me want to learn how to make fried chicken and biscuits, and sit out on a big wrap-around front porch and shell peas. And that is SO not me!
3. One Book You'd Want on a Desert Island: Tough one. Probably something I've never been able to bring myself to read, but feel guilty about not having read. Something like Anna Karenina or War and Peace. I just hear the name Tolstoy and I get sleepy. But on a desert island? With nothing else to read? I'd tear through it, I just know it!
4. One Book That Made You Laugh: I had to buy this book, because it always makes me laugh so hard I cry, although it's not a "story" - and I read once that the author actually "copied" someone else's book, so I shouldn't even own it. But I do. I freakin' love Letters from a Nut. My favorite line: "I ate a Starburst and some Skittles at the same time, and I was startled!" I know - I'm so juvenile.
5. One Book That Made You Cry: While many, many things can make me cry very easily, books, for some reason, do not. The only book that made me cry was Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs and Me by Jon Katz. It might have had something to do with the fact that I'd just put our family's dog to sleep months earlier. Maybe. I'm a sucker for animal stories, obviously.
6. One Book That You Wish Had Been Written: Something called, "Just because you're in your mid-twenties and all your friends are getting married, that doesn't mean you have to!" Or something kind of vague and non-specific like that.
7. One Book That You Wish Had Never Been Written: Anything by Dr. Laura. She's a bully, she's a hypocrite and she's so self-congratulatory. It's nauseating, really.
8. The Book That You Are Currently Reading: I just finished it last night, and it's one of the few (non-fiction) books that I really wish I had written myself. It's a quick little read, and the whole time I was reading it (over the past 2 days - I told you it was a quick read), I kept thinking, "That's exactly right!" and "That's what I think," and "Gosh, that's exactly what I was thinking - only I couldn't articulate it." If you're the least bit alarmed by the insane focus on appearances in this country, the obsession with plastic surgery and the whole "porn star" fascination, you must read Female chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture by Ariel Levy.
9. One Book That You've Been Meaning to Read: The list is long. Where do I begin? Freakonomics? The World is Flat? And of course, some old feminist classics I've never finished, like The Feminine Mystique and The Second Sex. Does that mean I have to turn in my feminist card?
10. Five People To Tag. Similar to Happy Chyck, I'm just not big into tagging people - I don't want anyone to feel pressured into anything. So, if this type of meme floats your boat, go for it!
Labels: Random Stuff About Me
posted by Teacher lady | 10:47 AM
12 Comments:
Thank you! I love book recommendations! Always looking for a good read.
What do you think of Jeremy Clarkson?
God, if you need to turn in your feminist card, so do I! Perhaps a burning party? I have really only read the feminist art history literature, and I constantly contradict Andrea Dworkin, who must spin in her grave every time I write!
What an interesting meme! You always find the good ones, TL!
The book you linked to in #1 sounds interesting! I'm SO with you on #6. ("Just because you're in your mid-twenties and all your friends are getting married, that doesn't mean you have to!") And "The World is Flat" was one of my book club reads and I could not get past page 10 - it was very dry. Lots of people love it though and find it fascinating, so certainly don't let my simple opinion influence your desire to read it!
I just read "The Devil in the White City" about the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893, with a parallel story about a serial killer that was killing (mainly) women just blocks away. (Non-fiction!) It was FASCINATING. Check out the link for more info on it...
If you love animal stories you'll love Marley & Me by John Grogan. Such a great book - you'll laugh, you'll cry. Loved Fried Green Tomatoes, too!
Have you ever read any of the James Herriot books - All Creatures Great and Small, etc.
I just love them - they're great animal stories.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312965788/102-1178471-3712115?v=glance&n=283155
I'm absolutely amazed at how this meme has been making the rounds. It keeps popping up everywhere, and I love reading about what people love to read! Thanks for sharing your list.
Question to all of us who have participated in the meme: What is there about the book at #9 that keeps us from reading it? And if we haven't read it up to now, should we feel guilty for not doing so? Just some thoughts...
Love your list...in total agreement on Dr. Laura (I'd add Ann Coulter, too).
I bawled and bawled at a particular point in "Children of God Go Bowling," and the books that made me laugh so hard I cried include "Love Me" by Garrison Keillor and "Superstud" by Paul Feig.
I'll have to think about my #1 choice...what a tough call!
Great list of books. Yes, down with Dr. Laura and Ann Coulter as well. I have started "Freakonomics," and the author does have some interesting thoughts on economy. A novel that I have enjoyed recently is "The Highest Tide" by Jim Lynch.
I did your meme too. And if you ever get stuck on that desert island, just make sure it's not Tolstoy's Kreutzer's Sonata you bring. Then again, as a sex educator, maybe you'd find it morbidly fascinating.
If you love dog books, Marley and Me, is inferior to "Pack of Two" by Carolyn Knapp.. AND I have Marley and Me listed as one of my favorite books on my profile.. Knapp has another MUST READ... "Drinking, a Love Story"
Knapp is non fiction. She died ealrly.. smoking cancer.. one thing she never wrote a book on..
She is worth checking out. OMG
Syb
I just did your meme too. Enjoyed your list!
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