Book Meme (only b/c J invited me)

Many months ago DKM invited Jessica to complete a book meme ...and Jessica invited me to complete one, too. I've had to think long and hard to complete this list, for a few reasons: (1) How can I pick just one?? (2) I have found that, honestly, it's hard to remember sometimes (I guess I'm getting old) and (3) I, regretfully, haven't read as *much* as I would like.

#1~One book that changed your life: Well, how about a book that would have changed my life? That's The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester. If I had read this book when I was a teenager, I have no doubt that I would have followed a different path in my life. Alas, I read it when I was in grad school - too jaded by life. [Demolished Man was good, too...I like Bester's work a lot...much more than Asimov, but I digress.]

#2~One book that you've read more than once: How 'bout I answer this when I post my comfort books?

#3~One book you'd want on a desert island: This week I might have to go with The Princess Bride by William Goldman. Even the cover (on my copy's cover, it calls itself "A Hot Fairy Tale") makes makes laugh. It makes me laugh & smile & believe in True Love. :) I don't get tired of it. [On a different day, I probably would have chosen Mort by Terry Pratchett. *giggle* And on yet another day, I might pick a collection of Shakespeare's comedies or Homer's works or some Greek plays - things I've wanted to read in their entirety, but never had the time. On the island, I'd have plenty of time on my hands...] Although...I am a city girl so maybe something of the "Surviving on a desert Island for Dummies" variety might be better...

#4~One book that made you laugh: I'll give this honor to the first book that I remember that made me laugh in what my teenage mind thought was an "adult" manner (i.e., with satire, parody & puns) - Another Fine Myth by Robert Asprin. I would sit on the couch & read & laugh out loud and it was so fun. Good times. I hadn't really felt that way while reading a book until I started reading the Discworld series (thanks, J!). I ought to read that Myth series again...


#5~One book that made you cry: I actually try to avoid books that make me cry; age & hormones often make me cry at random things. The book that made me cry "for reals" most recently was, believe it or not was the audiobook version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as read by Jim Dale. Dale had given the characters such life and at the end, when Dumbledore is talking to Harry about the sacrifice his parent's made, his voice cracked just so. I immediately thought of my parents and what they had sacrificed so that I could have a "better" life. Then again, maybe I was PMSing. [BTW, I've never actually read a Harry Potter book; I've only heard the audiobooks, and I highly recommend them.]


#6~One book that you wish you had written: This is the toughest one for me because I admire writers for different reasons and want to write like them even though their style is not necessarily my style. So what can I do? Pull them all off the shelf, put them in a box, close my eyes, shuffle them about with my hand & pick one? I don't know if that means I need to think about it more or that I need to read more. :)

#7~One book that you wish had never been written: One that I've actually read? Or one like Mein Kampf, which I haven't read, but I'm pretty sure whose absence might have made the world a better place?

#8~One book you're currently reading: current read is If Chins Could Kill by Bruce Campbell; I had started it a while back & never finished it & only now have I gotten back to it.

#9~One book you've been meaning to read: A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah. I keep putting it off because I know it will make me cry and make me angry.

#10~Invite others to post their list: I invite D., Wes and SoCal.