I'm blogging from the bolt bus today, fascinated by the prospect of blogging while on a bus. While I write this, I'm moving. The world is saying, welcome to 2009 Melissa. And I am saying, thank you for welcoming me. I am amazed by bus blogging.
I felt like doing this meme because it's about books and that's one of my favorite topics of all time.
1. What author do you own the most books by?
That would be Haruki Murakami. I was on a beach in Naples, FL and a friend lent me Dance, Dance, Dance. I got a tan. I swam a bit. I finished it. Then I immediately read everything Murakami ever wrote EXCEPT Hardboiled Wonderland and the Rest of the world. Because I couldnt finish it in the time that the New York Public Library gave me and I had to send it back to avoid a late fee. But someday, I will get it back.
2. What book do you own the most copies of?
I do not own more than one copy of any book.
3. What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
Howard Rourke. And its no secret.
4. What book have you read more than any other?
Ya know, I think there's only one book I've actually read more than once. And that would be The Diary of Anne Frank.
5. What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
I'm pretty sure I was rockin' it out with the Babysitters Club at that point in my life. And I'm pretty sure it made me into the woman I am today.
6. What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?
I did not like Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. In fact. I loathed it.
7. What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?
Kafka On The Shore by Mr. Murakami.
8. If you could tell everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
Anna Karenina
9. What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?
The Devils by Fyodor Dostoevsky. I didn't think it was possible to read an entire book without understanding a single word that was written. But it is.
10. Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
Why, the Russians of course. Although I do like Andre Gide.
11. Shakespeare, Milton or Chaucer?
Full disclosure on this site. I don't remember the Canterbury Tales but I think I read it in high school. And I don't know who Milton is. Seriously, I don't. So, by sheer process of elimination, Shakespeare.
12. Austen or Eliot?
There's something I need to confess to you. I have never liked Jane Austen. I know a lot of people that will faint and/or die on the spot upon hearing this. In fact, I've seen it happen and it's really not pretty. I just feel awful about it. And this one time...in college...I read Adam Bede. And I disliked it. So I prefer not to answer this question.
13. What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
Apparently Milton.
14. What is your favorite novel?
Well, this isn't fair. If I had to pick I'd pick Anna Karenina.
15. Plays?
I like them very much. Edward Albee is my hero.
16. Poem?
I don't read poetry. But I probably should.
17. Essay?
I don't read essays.
18. Non Fiction?
At one point in my life I read 4 biographies in a row by Barry Paris about the lovely Louise Brooks, Julie Andrews, Greta Garbo, and Audrey Hepburn. And I consequently wanted to wear long black gloves, pearls, and get a cigarette holder.
19. Graphic Novel?
I've never read one.
20. Science Fiction?
I used to read books based on the X-Files series. But only because I loved Fox Mulder.
22. Fantasy?
I don't believe I've ever read a fantasy book. Is Harry Potter a fantasy?
23. Who is your favorite writer?
Jhumpa Lahiri.
24. What are you reading right now?
Women in Love by DH Lawrence. And 14 novels by people in my writing workshop which is why Mr. Lawrence is not getting the attention he deserves.
25. Favorite Genre:
I don't think I read any genre fiction. So I'd have to say literary fiction. But I do like Chick Lit. Which I believe, is a genre called women's fiction. So maybe I do. Sorry, I've been reading a lot of sites by literary agents these days. They are obsessed with categories. And I'm confused.