Inspired by Stephany and this week’s questions, I’m doing my first meme and am participating in Ten on Tuesday today. Today’s questions center around books and it seems to be a theme in my life and on this blog lately. (I have a post scheduled showcasing Martin’s book collection.)
1. Favorite book(s) when you were a child and why?
Little Women. I’m going to count this as one of my favorites in life just because I’ve reread it so many times. I don’t often reread books. I related to and admired Jo the most and go through the same emotions every time that skanky Amy marries Lawrence.
2. First “grown-up†book you remember reading (i.e. written for adolescents or with adult themes, such as The Outsiders or Catcher in the Rye).
If you count The Outsiders as a grownup book, then I guess I was in 6th grade when I read that. I consider Little Women as a children friendly adult book. So Little Women I’ve first read maybe in 4th grade.
3. Favorite movie that came from a book (even if you didn’t read the book and just love the movie).
Usually, if I’ve read the book the movie is usually better with 2 exceptions. Silence of the Lambs was the only book I’ve read that was almost exactly aligned with the movie and I really appreciated that as I’ve never run into a movie as true to the book as Silence of the Lambs. Man, I take that back. I think Shop Girl was pretty aligned. Probably because Steve Martin wrote both the novella and the screenplay so not a lot was lost in translation. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is the ONLY movie I enjoyed over the book. I loved all the liberties the movie took (and they took a lot) over the book. If you’ve seen the movie you should definitely read the book just to see all the differences. It’s a short read.
4. Movie that you loved so much that you WISHED there was a book out so that you could find out more about the movie.
I’m at a lost. Hmm. I assume most of the movies I enjoy are already books.
5. Worst book you’ve ever read?
There’s a lot of books I don’t ever finish because it’s too painful. Time Traveler’s Wife was one. The worst Shakespearean play was King John. I hate Milton’s Paradise Lost. I hated My Sister’s Keeper.
6. Book that everyone raves about that you either a) haven’t read and feel slightly dumb for not having read it or b) have tried to read and hated and so feel slightly dumb that everyone is getting something you don’t.
Harry Potter. I haven’t touched a single one. I’m a girl with her feet firmly planted on the ground and have found it extremely difficult to suspend disbelief when it comes to all things fantasy. I’m surprised I took to Twilight!
7. If you were forced to choose only 3 books that you could read for the rest of your life, which ones would they be? (Or if you were stranded on a desert island, which 3 books would you want there with you?).
Little Women, Pride & Prejudice, um and an anthology of sorts to give me variation. Is that cheating?
8. Name one book that if you could recommend that everyone you know read, what is it?
Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck, M.D. He set the foundation for what I believe love is.
9. What is your “guilty pleasure†reading?
Twilight series. Hee.
10. What book (excepting the Bible or other major document of your religion/faith) has changed your outlook on life the most?
Road Less Traveled. See no. 8.