Meme With Relish

July 15, 2010

I learned about this meme via Floor to Ceiling Books and the idea originally came from Un:Bound. These are two great sites and I recommend you check them out. I also thought this would be a good way to provide insight into what I like to read so here goes.

One Book That Changed Your Life: The Descent by Jeff Long.I only discovered this book a couple of years ago though it has been around for a while. I love the premise. What if Hell was a literal place and actually existed in the ground beneath our feet. The sequel, Deeper, continues to dissect religion and attitudes toward it. I’m not religious I guess that’s what makes it all the more fascinating for me.
One Book You Have To Read More Than Once: The Belgariad by David Eddings.I re-read The Belgariad regularly, normally about once a year. I love it. It’s like a pair of comfortable socks that are always a pleasure to rediscover and slip on. If I have to pick one book from the series then Pawn of Prophecy would a good place to start.
One Book You’d Want On A Desert Island: The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F HamiltonThe Reality Dysfunction is space opera at its finest. I figure you would probably want a huge book with lots of characters and this book would fit the bill. If I could sneak The Neutronium Alchemist and The Naked God in there as well that would also be rather splendid. Oh come on, it’s a trilogy.
Two Books That Made You Laugh: Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Any book that openly mocks Queen and Betamax video recorders can only be a good thing. Please note in a spirit of full disclosure I count myself a Queen fan and I did own a Betamax in the 80s. I remember hearing at one point the Terry Gilliam wanted to make a film version. Sadly this has not yet appeared.Another book that always raises a smile is Microserfs by Douglas Coupland. Anyone who has ever worked in IT/Software will understand. It is as insightful now as it was when it was written in the 90s. This is another case where a book should be made into a film.
One Book That Made You Cry: I’m not really much of a crier but one book that made me feel sad, for a couple of reasons, is The Destroyer of Worlds by Mark Chadbourn. Not only the end of an epic series but one of the characters is not just killed off but stricken from reality. Harsh!
One Book You’d Wish You’d Written: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J K Rowling. C’mon I’d be rich. I’d also be exceptionally pleased that I had turned a whole generation on to reading. That would actually be better than the money…..just.
One Book You Wish Was NEVER Written: Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. Vampires don’t sparkle. I’m sorry if you enjoy but this is just wrong.
Two Books You Are Currently Reading: The Road to Bedlam by Mike Shevdon, the sequel to the excellent Sixty One Nails. The good people at Angry Robot have allowed me a copy for my eReader. Nice.The Girl who played with Fire by Stieg Larrson. I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and really enjoyed the characterization. I’ve just started the sequel and imagine the third book won’t be far behind.
One Book You’ve Been Meaning To Read: A Game of Thrones by George R R Martin. I know I should be flogged. I’ve read many of his other books but I keep getting sidetracked when I try to read this. I’m sure the impending small screen version will force me to address my tardiness.

 

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