November 20, 2008

Book meme

"People who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like."
~ Abraham Lincoln


The lovely Willow tagged me...

List the following:

(a) Fiction book
(b) Autobiography
(c) Non-fiction book
(d) A fourth book of your choice from any genre

Explain why the books are essential reads in no more than 30 words per book.

Fiction: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. One of the most insightful of authors, this witty comedy transcends time and, as Mary Poppins would say, is practically perfect in every way.

Autobiography: The Story of My Life by Helen Keller. Not much of a fan of autobiographies as I feel they are mostly self-indulgent, but I did enjoy reading of Keller’s life.

Non-fiction: The House by the Sea by May Sarton. Admittedly, I got sucked in by the title (ocean lover that I am) but I quite enjoyed Sarton’s writing style not to mention her inclusion of part 4 of Spindrift by Galway Kinnell

I sit listening
To the surf as it falls.
The power and inexhaustible freshness of the sea,
The suck and inner boom
As a wave tears free and crashes back
In overlapping thunders going away down the beach.
It is the most we know of time,
And it is our undermusic of eternity.


Book of my choice: Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver. This is, quite simply, my favorite book by my favorite contemporary author. Kingsolver is brilliant.
“These are not books, lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on the shelves.”
~ Gilbert Highet

I don’t normally tag as I feel like one can follow along if one so desires, but I’d be ever so interested in finding out the favorites of Cuban and Tameka.


18 comments:

Rosebud Collection said...

Nice picks..but have to admit..I have let my reading slide, ..I am so busy reading everyones blogs..

Tess Kincaid said...

Wonderful picks! The Kingsolver book intrigues me. I'm making a note of it. And the charming Lincoln quote is one of my very favorites!!

Thanks for playing Charmaine. Fun that you added the book pictures, too. :)

Unknown said...

funny quote. (the first one)

i'll have to do this meme someday...

(also would like to know what cuban and tameka like...)

edi gardner said...

adding them to my list

jewelstreet said...

Oh, that reminds me. I got tagged with the bookworm award. Now to remember who tagged me.

Love Jane Austen!

Victoria said...

Oh my, this reminds me of all the books I still have not read!

littlebyrd said...

Well I haven't read a single one of these and need to put them on my list!

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorites, too. I think i have read it 3 times and watched the PBS mini series about a dozen. Brilliant.

Angela said...

Some of these (P&P) I love, and some I will have to check out! I want to know Tameka's faves, too.

And I just might have to post mine :)

Unknown said...

I'm with Rosebud...I almost never sit to read a book anymore! But...now there are potentially 4 on my list for when I make the time to do so :)

picciolo said...

I love reading and haven't heard of some of these, I need to investigate!
: )

Chubby Chieque said...

Never been to one of them, I admit but it sounds interesting.

Have an enjoyable evening.

OBS!
Don't forget to drop by at my place for a juletide surprise!

chelsea said...

Note to self: need to get a reading lamp for bedroom.

I haven't read a good book n SOOOOOOOO long. It's pathetic. I love love love to read. You've got a few on here I've not read yet.

Mrs.French said...

awesome tag..

T.Allen said...

Great meme! Y'know I haven't read Kingsolver yet, tsk tsk. I'll oblige-this is certainly not one of my "confutable impositions".

A Cuban In London said...

Oh, thanks, diva, I just found now.

Note to self: Rush back to your book shelf and give it a thorough check. Will post list on my blog tonight.

Excellent list, by the way. 'The House by the Sea' looks like a good read.

Greetings from London.

littlebird said...

some great choices here!
and i love that quote from Abraham Lincoln

Hey Harriet said...

Thanks for sharing your faves. I've only read the first one on your list. Love that one!