I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with

3 August 2006


T. For Tag.
Or possibly M. for Meme. Maybe even H. For Heather.

  1. One book that changed your life
    Hmmm. I don’t know if any one book has changed my life. But every book I read probably changes it a little. After all reading a book is like looking at life from someone else’s perspective, and, while you not always agree with it, it does have an impact. So, final answer, going orange, every book.
  2. One book that you’ve read more than once.
    There are loads. But I’ll give you the first book I ever bought[1] and probably the first book I ever reread. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.
  3. One book you’d want on a desert island.
    I honestly don’t think I’d cope with just one if I was there for an extended period of time. The Never Ending Story would be good, if it actually was never ending :). Hmmmm. I’m tempted to say The Lord of the Rings, but I’ve read that loads of times already, so maybe it wouldn’t be a good choice. Actually, I think I’d go with Mary Gentle’s Ash: A Secret History. It’s pretty big. Got humour, violence, war. All the necessary ingredients.
  4. One book that made you laugh.
    Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman. One of my very favourite books of all time.
  5. One book that made you cry.
    Another tough one. I grew up in a house of boys, I don’t cry easy ;) Erm. The last of Robin Hobb’s Farseer books. Not the Assassin trilogy, the other one. When Show Spoiler ▼

  6. One book that you wish had been written.
    None. Cause then I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy reading it :) But one author whose style I really admire is Neil Gaiman. And I love the fact that he is labelled as just one thing. It is all writing to him whether it is a comic or a novel or a children’s story.
  7. One book that you wish had never been written.
    None. Again. Cause even the terrible have something to offer. If only fuel for a fire :) But all the bad books, or books I haven’t enjoyed just make me appreciate the good ones all the more.
  8. One book you’re currently reading.
    Neil Gaiman’s Smoke & Mirrors which is a collection of stories. And all the more enjoyable because I just read a book I didn’t enjoy.
  9. One book you’ve been meaning to read.
    The Squad, don’t remember the author, but it is about Michael Collins and his 12 apostles.
  10. Now tag five people.
    I’m going to finish off by tagging no one. Or everyone. Anyone. Anyone who wants to.

Linknotes:

  1. when I was 6

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11 Responses

  1. weenie says:

    Mary Gentle’s 'Ash: A Secret History' is a book I've always meant to read. I bought it a while ago – can't remember where I put it.

    There aren't that many books that I've re-read, aside from the obligatory LOTR and The Hobbit… George RR Martin's 'A Game Of Thrones' is one that I've re-read a few times now.

  2. anne says:

    I'm really going to have to read a book by Neil Gaiman one of these days.

  3. Fence says:

    Weenie I'm a rereader. Possibly started when I just couldn't egt my hands on enough books :) But I like revisiting good stories and character. Much like I enjoy rewatching tv shows.

    Anne, you really must. Really.

  4. Heather says:

    I get the feeling you like Neil Gaiman. Am I right? ;) I do as well. I went through a brief fling with him a few years ago. I still have a few I need to read. Did you see they are making Stardust into a movie?

    And I loved the book The Neverending Story. The movie did not do that book justice at all.

  5. Carl V. says:

    Yea!!! Neil Gaiman!!! I love how books can bring people together and love even more how Gaiman's books bring such a divergent group of people together. I love how his work can give you such an instant connection with someone else who loves it too. My only complaint is that he doesn't write fast enough for me! Looking forward to Fragile Things coming out very soon!

  6. This is one meme I'm going to join in…

    Adrian Mole also returns to Black Beauty constantly, Fence. Is it a comfort book?

  7. James says:

    After hearing so many good things about Neil Gaiman, I read Anansai Boys, and was very disappointed with it. Was that a particularly bad book of his, and if so, could you recommend one that I might like better?

  8. Sean says:

    '1610: A Sundial In a Grave' by Gentle is one of my all time favourite books, but I found Ash heavy going and collapsed somewhere in Burgundy, though there were some good parts. I couldn't really suspend my disbelief, though maybe I need to reread it. I mean, without the sun, wouldn't there be massive famine in a few weeks?

    Sean

  9. Fence says:

    Heather I've never actually read The Neverending Story, its just the idea of a book that never ends that'd be perfect for a desert island :)

    Carl I've just finished his Smoke & Mirrors, great collection of stories.

    Mal, I actually haven't read it in years. Years and years. I keep vaguely meaning to but haven't gotten around to it yet.

    James, I really enjoyed Anansi Boys, so maybe our tastes differ. But I didn't think it was his best. If you like Pratchett then I'd say try Good Omens, as it is a perfect blend of Gaiman & Pratchett.
    Then there is the Sandman comics, well worth a look, though I haven't made my way through them all yet.
    And American Gods is a great read.

    Sean, 1610 is fantastic. But I prefer Ash, mainly because of the character.

  10. Heather says:

    Ah you should read it then. It was very good. So much more to the story than they got into the movies.

    I had that 1610 Sundial book somewhere. Must dig it out.

  11. Fence says:

    Isn't that always the way Heather?