I thought I'd give this 30 Days of books meme a go, but rather than do a bit each day, or break it into so many each post, I thought I'd do it in one great swoop. So...
Day 01 – A book series you wish had gone on longer OR a book series you wish would just freaking end already (or both!)
Eric Lustbader's Nicholas Linnear series. I'll admit to having fallen behind a touch with these, not having read the latest instalment, but that's only because I have so much on my to read shelf already I've been banned from purchasing any more. I wish/hope this series continues on.
Day 02 – A book or series you wish more people were reading and talking about
The Nathan Steele series. Lock this one into the memory banks - it will be huge!
Day 03 – The best book you’ve read in the last 12 months
The Price by Alexandra Sokoloff. I'll admit to being a long way behind on my reading this year so I have very slim pickings to choose from, but Alex does not disappoint her growing legion of fans with this offering.
Day 04 – Your favourite book or series ever
WOT series by Robert Jordan would be my favourite series (the final instalment sits on my to read shelf), but Misery by Stephen King is my all time favourite book.
Day 05 – A book or series you hate
I don't tend to remember bad books. I don't tend to keep them on my shelf either. I never finish them unless it's for a review.
Day 06 – Favourite book of your favourite series OR your favourite book of all time
Isn't this the same question, only reworded, as number 4? I've not finished WOT yet so I can't pinpoint a particular book in that series but Misery is my favourite book ever (or for all time).
Day 07 – Least favourite plot device employed by way too many books you actually enjoyed otherwise
This would be a toss up between dream sequences and time travel. It seems whenever an author paints themself into a too tight a corner, some of the lesser artists out there resort to it never happening by way of dreams or time travel. That pisses me off!
Day 08 – A book everyone should read at least once
The Bible. Even if you don't believe it will give you solid ground to stand on when you argue your case against it, plus, there are some great stories in there.
Day 09 – Best scene ever
Misery, the crippling of Paul Sheldon. I could feel his pain...
Day 10 – A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
The Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird, or Romeo and Juliet. I read all of these as part of my education while in high school. At the time I preferred to read King, Struab, or Saul so I hated anything that took precious reading time away from me. Obviously, in the end, I'm glad I decided to read them rather than fudge my way through English.
Day 11 – A book that disappointed you
The Haunting of Hill House. I know it's supposed to be a classic but it just didn't do it for me.
Day 12 – A book or series of books you’ve watched more than five times
How do you watch a book? I've never read a book five times. I have seen the movie version of Romeo and Juliet a lot, and the stage play a few times, actually performed it once, and read the book and a screenplay based on it. I've watched most Stephen King adaptations more than five times, particularly Carrie, The Mist, and Christine.
Day 13 – Favourite childhood book OR current favourite YA book (or both!)
I adored the Famous Five series but I can't remember any individual titles. Where the Wild Things Are was a favourite and its recent rebirth through the movies has bought back some wonderful memories.
Day 14 – Favourite character in a book (of any sex or gender)
Hannibal Lecter - perhaps the most well rounded evil dude in history
Day 15 – Your “comfort” book
On Writing by Stephen King. Not a novel, I know, but I take great comfort in reading this one when I need a lift to move forward once more in my writing endeavours.
Day 16 – Favourite poem or collection of poetry
I can't remember the name of the collection and seem unable to find it on the Net, but the only poetry I ever enjoyed was by William Blake. On the whole, I'd rather not be subjected to it.
Day 17 – Favourite story or collection of stories (short stories, novellas, novelettes, etc.)
Books of Blood by Clive Barker
Day 18 – Favourite beginning scene in a book
Honestly, I can't remember one - good or bad. I know at the time of reading a bad start can put me off a book so most that I have continued to read have at least been good enough to retain my interest but I can't remember any openings that continue to linger (but then I forget a lot now-a-days).
Day 19 – Favourite book cover (bonus points for posting an image!)Day 20 – Favourite kiss
In a book? Really? Nah...
Day 21 – Favourite romantic/sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)
Romeo and Juliet - yes, I'm boring.
Day 22 – Favourite non-sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)
Todd Bowden and Kurt Dussander - Apt Pupil by Stephen King. Never have I come across two more manipulative bastards who really like each other than these two.
Day 23 – Most annoying character ever
I can't think of a specific character in a book or series that I've read who annoys me to a point that I remember them for this specific reason. Yes, some characters are poorly written or some traits used that annoy me, but I always remember that this is fiction, and, in the end, I can always close the thing and go on with my life.
Day 24 – Best quote from a novel
I don't tend to quote novels - film lines, yes...occasionally - but rarely novels. It may be that some of the lines I quote from a film originally came out of a novel, but then I'm not sure about that. Either way, I do like to try and be original most of the time, and because my memory is like a slice of Swiss cheese, I never remember the good quotes.
I actually remember bringing the odd line to the attention of my wife, so there must have been some good ones, but I have no idea what they were. :c(
Day 25 – Any five books from your “to be read” stack
The Keeper by Sarah Langan
The Devil's Labyrinth by John Saul
The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers
Shattered by Dean Koontz
Just After Sunset by Stephen King
Day 26 – OMG WTF? OR most irritating/awful/annoying book ending
If we were talking about a book adaption to film ending, The Mist would have my WTF prize hands down. As for the ending of actual books, I've scoured my shelves for something to jump out at me - nothing.
Day 27 – If a book contains ______, you will always read it (and a book or books that contain it)!
Words of fiction or words of advice from Stephen King. Yep, I'm a fan.
Day 28 – First favourite book or series obsession
First book would have been Where the Wild Things Are but my first real novel favourite was Carrie. My first series obsession was James Clavell's Shogun series.
Day 29 – Saddest character death OR best/most satisfying character death (or both!)
When Annie gets it in Misery - that was satisfying! But when Juliet dies, that would be my saddest (yeah, I know - soft)
Day 30 – What book are you reading right now?
Doing lots of research now so I have a number of books on the go about witchcraft.
After reading yours, I think I'm going to have to go ahead and do this one...and I NEVER do memes...sigh
ReplyDeleteGo for it Barry, I look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to do it too. I think I'll do it all in one hit as well. I'll be curious to know what you think of The Keeper by Sarah Langan.
ReplyDeleteIt seems whenever an author paints themself into a too tight a corner, some of the lesser artists out there resort to it never happening by way of dreams or time travel.
ReplyDeleteGod yes. Good call.
I think Juliet's death is really sad too, and I don't particularly like that play compared to some of the other tragedies. But they're so young and sweet that it's just painful. Good call, man!