That Book Meme Thing

I’ve been tagged, thanks to dirtylibrarian.

Total number of books I’ve owned I gave away most of my books two years ago when I moved to this apartment. I think I’m down to about 250. At one point it was probably 600. I am on a book diet until the current crop of children (three of them) finish college (2009). That means I only get to buy books I absolutely need to mark up for research. Everything else has to come from the library.

Last book I bought Defenders of Liberty: African Americans in the Revolutionary War by Lt. Col. Michael Lanning.

Last book I read Idoru by William Gibson. I returned this to the library without finishing it. Just could not get into the story. I recently read his Pattern Recognition which was much easier to follow.

Last book I finished Last Car to Elysian Fields by James Lee Burke. I go on kicks where I find a mystery author I like, then obsessively read everything that author has written. Burke sets his mysteries in southern Louisiana. They are often tied to racial incidents which happened two generations earlier. He is great at describing setting, and has a fun cast of secondary characters. He also has some trademark descriptions which seem to show up in every single story, which amuses me. Right now I’m reading Yellow Dog by Martin Amis. I love all of his stuff.

Five books that mean a lot to me: 5? *sighs*

Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block. When I first read this I said to myself “You’re allowed to do this in a book?” It changed everything for me.

Write Away: One Novelist’s Approach to Fiction and the Writing Life by Elizabeth George. I love her fiction and have learned massive amounts from this writing guide.

Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis. Masterful and heart-wrenching. Taught me about blending humor with tragedy.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Childhood favorite and old friend.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary. Contains all the tools I use every day.

If you fill out this meme (which is kind of like a quiz, if you’ve never seen the word before), leave a link to yours in the comments section. I want to see what books are important to you guys.

I’m back in PA where it is hot and humid and I’m already cranky about it. Today’s goal is an absurdly high number of words to be written in the WIP. Might also go to the gym to deal with my crankiness.

In non-cranky, non-book news, BH and I had a blast in Syracuse Saturday night. Details and info about a great band tomorrow.

Oh, and I keep forgetting to report this. I saw a porcupine. A real one. A real, live one bumbling down the side of the road. It was neat.

93 Replies to “That Book Meme Thing”

  1. 5 Important Books (to me)

    Point and Line by Thalia Field was my oh-wait-you-can-do-that? book of poetry/prose/dramatic scenes.

    Ishmael by Daniel Quinn changes your world view.

    Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut started my love of Vonnegut and his end-of-the-world-(but-with-science!) tales (and also gave me my first-and-still-used screenname).

    The Book of the Body by Frank Bidart has my all-time favorite poem, “Ellen West”, and is generally awesome.

    Harriet the Spy by Lousie Fitzhugh taught me everything I know and gave me my Girl Scout camp name.

    I feel very dashing today.

  2. 5 Important Books (to me)

    Point and Line by Thalia Field was my oh-wait-you-can-do-that? book of poetry/prose/dramatic scenes.

    Ishmael by Daniel Quinn changes your world view.

    Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut started my love of Vonnegut and his end-of-the-world-(but-with-science!) tales (and also gave me my first-and-still-used screenname).

    The Book of the Body by Frank Bidart has my all-time favorite poem, “Ellen West”, and is generally awesome.

    Harriet the Spy by Lousie Fitzhugh taught me everything I know and gave me my Girl Scout camp name.

    I feel very dashing today.

  3. 5 Important Books (to me)

    Point and Line by Thalia Field was my oh-wait-you-can-do-that? book of poetry/prose/dramatic scenes.

    Ishmael by Daniel Quinn changes your world view.

    Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut started my love of Vonnegut and his end-of-the-world-(but-with-science!) tales (and also gave me my first-and-still-used screenname).

    The Book of the Body by Frank Bidart has my all-time favorite poem, “Ellen West”, and is generally awesome.

    Harriet the Spy by Lousie Fitzhugh taught me everything I know and gave me my Girl Scout camp name.

    I feel very dashing today.

  4. my meme

    Total number of books I’ve owned: hmm. i own so many i’ve lost count:-P! i’m guessing like 500 or so since i read a lot:-)!

    Last book I bought: death of a salesman (for summer reading for my ap english class)

    Last book I read: prom and animal farm (for school) and i’m currently reading the brooke ellison story

    Last book I finished: prom and animal farm and the brooke ellison story

    Five books that mean a lot to me: hmm…

    1. anything by laurie halse anderson (hehe) because i can really relate to the characters and i like the way you write.

    2. the diary of anne frank because it’s so moving and she wrote it very well and it taught me to be more appreciative of what i have when she had very little.

    3. the brooke ellison story because it teaches you that even though your life can change in one split second it can still turn out okay.

    4. no finish line: my life as i see it by marla runyan because it’s about a legally blind runner that competed in the olympics and she’s really good.

    5. wicked: the life and times of the wicked witch of the west by gregory maguire because i love the musical it’s based on and it gives a whole new side to the wizard of oz, and it also teaches you that the witch was a person and had feelings too.

  5. my meme

    Total number of books I’ve owned: hmm. i own so many i’ve lost count:-P! i’m guessing like 500 or so since i read a lot:-)!

    Last book I bought: death of a salesman (for summer reading for my ap english class)

    Last book I read: prom and animal farm (for school) and i’m currently reading the brooke ellison story

    Last book I finished: prom and animal farm and the brooke ellison story

    Five books that mean a lot to me: hmm…

    1. anything by laurie halse anderson (hehe) because i can really relate to the characters and i like the way you write.

    2. the diary of anne frank because it’s so moving and she wrote it very well and it taught me to be more appreciative of what i have when she had very little.

    3. the brooke ellison story because it teaches you that even though your life can change in one split second it can still turn out okay.

    4. no finish line: my life as i see it by marla runyan because it’s about a legally blind runner that competed in the olympics and she’s really good.

    5. wicked: the life and times of the wicked witch of the west by gregory maguire because i love the musical it’s based on and it gives a whole new side to the wizard of oz, and it also teaches you that the witch was a person and had feelings too.

  6. my meme

    Total number of books I’ve owned: hmm. i own so many i’ve lost count:-P! i’m guessing like 500 or so since i read a lot:-)!

    Last book I bought: death of a salesman (for summer reading for my ap english class)

    Last book I read: prom and animal farm (for school) and i’m currently reading the brooke ellison story

    Last book I finished: prom and animal farm and the brooke ellison story

    Five books that mean a lot to me: hmm…

    1. anything by laurie halse anderson (hehe) because i can really relate to the characters and i like the way you write.

    2. the diary of anne frank because it’s so moving and she wrote it very well and it taught me to be more appreciative of what i have when she had very little.

    3. the brooke ellison story because it teaches you that even though your life can change in one split second it can still turn out okay.

    4. no finish line: my life as i see it by marla runyan because it’s about a legally blind runner that competed in the olympics and she’s really good.

    5. wicked: the life and times of the wicked witch of the west by gregory maguire because i love the musical it’s based on and it gives a whole new side to the wizard of oz, and it also teaches you that the witch was a person and had feelings too.

  7. Re: 5 Important Books (to me)

    Thank you for reminding me that I want to read Vonnegut. The Thalia Field book sounds interesting.

  8. Re: 5 Important Books (to me)

    Thank you for reminding me that I want to read Vonnegut. The Thalia Field book sounds interesting.

  9. Re: 5 Important Books (to me)

    Thank you for reminding me that I want to read Vonnegut. The Thalia Field book sounds interesting.

  10. Re: 5 Important Books (to me)

    Top Three recommended Vonnegut books:
    1.) Slaughterhouse Five (it’s a classic)
    2.) Cat’s Cradle (I might like this one the best)
    3.) Slapstick (it’s just the weirdest story ever)

    Point and Line is absolutely lovely. Very long poems. The table of contents is a poem. The index of first lines is a poem. My favorite book of poetry hands down. I keep meaning to get her second book; I just need to order it from amazon already.

  11. Re: 5 Important Books (to me)

    Top Three recommended Vonnegut books:
    1.) Slaughterhouse Five (it’s a classic)
    2.) Cat’s Cradle (I might like this one the best)
    3.) Slapstick (it’s just the weirdest story ever)

    Point and Line is absolutely lovely. Very long poems. The table of contents is a poem. The index of first lines is a poem. My favorite book of poetry hands down. I keep meaning to get her second book; I just need to order it from amazon already.

  12. Re: 5 Important Books (to me)

    Top Three recommended Vonnegut books:
    1.) Slaughterhouse Five (it’s a classic)
    2.) Cat’s Cradle (I might like this one the best)
    3.) Slapstick (it’s just the weirdest story ever)

    Point and Line is absolutely lovely. Very long poems. The table of contents is a poem. The index of first lines is a poem. My favorite book of poetry hands down. I keep meaning to get her second book; I just need to order it from amazon already.

  13. Re: 5 Important Books (to me)

    I also reccommend Deadeye Dick, Breakfast of Champions and Mother Night.
    Cat’s Cradle is my personal favourite.

  14. Re: 5 Important Books (to me)

    I also reccommend Deadeye Dick, Breakfast of Champions and Mother Night.
    Cat’s Cradle is my personal favourite.

  15. Re: 5 Important Books (to me)

    I also reccommend Deadeye Dick, Breakfast of Champions and Mother Night.
    Cat’s Cradle is my personal favourite.

  16. I cant do that book meme because theres so many books Ive read that have made an impact, cant choose just 5. My cousin used to have some porcupines for pets, it was neat.

  17. I cant do that book meme because theres so many books Ive read that have made an impact, cant choose just 5. My cousin used to have some porcupines for pets, it was neat.

  18. I cant do that book meme because theres so many books Ive read that have made an impact, cant choose just 5. My cousin used to have some porcupines for pets, it was neat.

  19. My English teacher gave our class your website and I just visited it and just wanted to let you know that we’re reading Catalyst in my class (I finished it soon after starting it-I couldn’t put it down!!) and it’s a fantastic book. It has been by far, the best book we’ve read all year. It’s realistic and grabs your attention by the collar. I didn’t realize that you wrote Fever 1973 either. I read that a few years ago and loved it. I even recommended it to my freshman English teacher! You’re a great writer with an amazing talent. I plan to read Speak very soon. It’s women like you that make me proud to be a female writer. You’re certainly someone to look up to.

    – Jackie.

  20. My English teacher gave our class your website and I just visited it and just wanted to let you know that we’re reading Catalyst in my class (I finished it soon after starting it-I couldn’t put it down!!) and it’s a fantastic book. It has been by far, the best book we’ve read all year. It’s realistic and grabs your attention by the collar. I didn’t realize that you wrote Fever 1973 either. I read that a few years ago and loved it. I even recommended it to my freshman English teacher! You’re a great writer with an amazing talent. I plan to read Speak very soon. It’s women like you that make me proud to be a female writer. You’re certainly someone to look up to.

    – Jackie.

  21. My English teacher gave our class your website and I just visited it and just wanted to let you know that we’re reading Catalyst in my class (I finished it soon after starting it-I couldn’t put it down!!) and it’s a fantastic book. It has been by far, the best book we’ve read all year. It’s realistic and grabs your attention by the collar. I didn’t realize that you wrote Fever 1973 either. I read that a few years ago and loved it. I even recommended it to my freshman English teacher! You’re a great writer with an amazing talent. I plan to read Speak very soon. It’s women like you that make me proud to be a female writer. You’re certainly someone to look up to.

    – Jackie.

  22. Re: Massive storms in Philly

    It wasn’t as bad up here. Do you ever watch the Channel 6 weather report? I live about half a mile from the absolute center of their radar sweep, which is at the Willow Grove Naval Air Base.

    I could really go the rest of life without another tornado warning and be quite happy.

  23. Re: Massive storms in Philly

    It wasn’t as bad up here. Do you ever watch the Channel 6 weather report? I live about half a mile from the absolute center of their radar sweep, which is at the Willow Grove Naval Air Base.

    I could really go the rest of life without another tornado warning and be quite happy.

  24. Re: Massive storms in Philly

    It wasn’t as bad up here. Do you ever watch the Channel 6 weather report? I live about half a mile from the absolute center of their radar sweep, which is at the Willow Grove Naval Air Base.

    I could really go the rest of life without another tornado warning and be quite happy.

  25. 5 Important Books to Me

    1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. This was the book that turned me onto reading.

    2. Speak and Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson. This book was my first young adult novel, and turned me onto other books similar to this. This inspired me to dream of becoming a Young Adult Fiction author.

    3. The School Story by Andrew Clements. This story has by far been my favorite children’s book ever written. I loved the storyline. It was a very great book about a book.

    4. The Chronicles of Narnia Trilogy. It seems like some of these books might be the most boring ones you’ve ever read, but once you start you can’t stop. They are filled with adventure and suspense and very imaginative things.

    5. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous. This was a great book. It’s the diary of a teenage girl which records her descent into drugs and her fight to escape. This left a permanent mark on me.

  26. 5 Important Books to Me

    1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. This was the book that turned me onto reading.

    2. Speak and Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson. This book was my first young adult novel, and turned me onto other books similar to this. This inspired me to dream of becoming a Young Adult Fiction author.

    3. The School Story by Andrew Clements. This story has by far been my favorite children’s book ever written. I loved the storyline. It was a very great book about a book.

    4. The Chronicles of Narnia Trilogy. It seems like some of these books might be the most boring ones you’ve ever read, but once you start you can’t stop. They are filled with adventure and suspense and very imaginative things.

    5. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous. This was a great book. It’s the diary of a teenage girl which records her descent into drugs and her fight to escape. This left a permanent mark on me.

  27. 5 Important Books to Me

    1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. This was the book that turned me onto reading.

    2. Speak and Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson. This book was my first young adult novel, and turned me onto other books similar to this. This inspired me to dream of becoming a Young Adult Fiction author.

    3. The School Story by Andrew Clements. This story has by far been my favorite children’s book ever written. I loved the storyline. It was a very great book about a book.

    4. The Chronicles of Narnia Trilogy. It seems like some of these books might be the most boring ones you’ve ever read, but once you start you can’t stop. They are filled with adventure and suspense and very imaginative things.

    5. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous. This was a great book. It’s the diary of a teenage girl which records her descent into drugs and her fight to escape. This left a permanent mark on me.

  28. Too much pressure to come up with the most meaningful books. However, I thought this would be a great time to tell you that I recently read Prom and Speak while on vacation. I loved them both. I was at a conference where Mark McVeigh used Speak as an example of a book with an excellent character. Until I finished that book, I didn’t understand what he meant when he critiqued my work and didn’t like my character. I totally get it after reading your books. I think both books are important books for young adults. I’m planning on buying Speak, Prom and the boyfriend list for my niece. I think in combination, it’s pretty good therapy 🙂 Upcoming summer reads: Storky and the new Harry Potter.

  29. Too much pressure to come up with the most meaningful books. However, I thought this would be a great time to tell you that I recently read Prom and Speak while on vacation. I loved them both. I was at a conference where Mark McVeigh used Speak as an example of a book with an excellent character. Until I finished that book, I didn’t understand what he meant when he critiqued my work and didn’t like my character. I totally get it after reading your books. I think both books are important books for young adults. I’m planning on buying Speak, Prom and the boyfriend list for my niece. I think in combination, it’s pretty good therapy 🙂 Upcoming summer reads: Storky and the new Harry Potter.

  30. Too much pressure to come up with the most meaningful books. However, I thought this would be a great time to tell you that I recently read Prom and Speak while on vacation. I loved them both. I was at a conference where Mark McVeigh used Speak as an example of a book with an excellent character. Until I finished that book, I didn’t understand what he meant when he critiqued my work and didn’t like my character. I totally get it after reading your books. I think both books are important books for young adults. I’m planning on buying Speak, Prom and the boyfriend list for my niece. I think in combination, it’s pretty good therapy 🙂 Upcoming summer reads: Storky and the new Harry Potter.

  31. Book Meme Thing

    Number of books that I own would probably be around 300 hundred or so. I used to own more books before my son was born but now I buy the books that he likes to read, so I have not had my own book budget in awhile.

    Last book I bought: I am taking an adolescent literature class right now and I have to read “The Secret Life of Bees” along with 40 some other books.

    Last book I read: Again for my class the last book I read was “Maniac Magee” by Jerry Spinelli. The last pleasure book I read was “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” someone gave me as a Christmas gift.

    5 books that have meant a lot to me?
    1. “Farenheit 451” which was taught by my awesome Senior English teacher, Mrs. Pletch.

    2. “A Lesson Before Dying” by Gaines because I love the message of what is a man?

    3. “The Black Notebooks” by Derricotte because it is an honest look at color barriers in our world.

    4. “A Long Way from Chicago” because it is the book that hooked my son on loving to read last year. I think we read it ten times.

    5. “Color the Sidewalk for Me” it is Christian based by Brandilyn Collins but it deals with a mother/daughter relationship similar to what I had growing up.

  32. Book Meme Thing

    Number of books that I own would probably be around 300 hundred or so. I used to own more books before my son was born but now I buy the books that he likes to read, so I have not had my own book budget in awhile.

    Last book I bought: I am taking an adolescent literature class right now and I have to read “The Secret Life of Bees” along with 40 some other books.

    Last book I read: Again for my class the last book I read was “Maniac Magee” by Jerry Spinelli. The last pleasure book I read was “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” someone gave me as a Christmas gift.

    5 books that have meant a lot to me?
    1. “Farenheit 451” which was taught by my awesome Senior English teacher, Mrs. Pletch.

    2. “A Lesson Before Dying” by Gaines because I love the message of what is a man?

    3. “The Black Notebooks” by Derricotte because it is an honest look at color barriers in our world.

    4. “A Long Way from Chicago” because it is the book that hooked my son on loving to read last year. I think we read it ten times.

    5. “Color the Sidewalk for Me” it is Christian based by Brandilyn Collins but it deals with a mother/daughter relationship similar to what I had growing up.

  33. Book Meme Thing

    Number of books that I own would probably be around 300 hundred or so. I used to own more books before my son was born but now I buy the books that he likes to read, so I have not had my own book budget in awhile.

    Last book I bought: I am taking an adolescent literature class right now and I have to read “The Secret Life of Bees” along with 40 some other books.

    Last book I read: Again for my class the last book I read was “Maniac Magee” by Jerry Spinelli. The last pleasure book I read was “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” someone gave me as a Christmas gift.

    5 books that have meant a lot to me?
    1. “Farenheit 451” which was taught by my awesome Senior English teacher, Mrs. Pletch.

    2. “A Lesson Before Dying” by Gaines because I love the message of what is a man?

    3. “The Black Notebooks” by Derricotte because it is an honest look at color barriers in our world.

    4. “A Long Way from Chicago” because it is the book that hooked my son on loving to read last year. I think we read it ten times.

    5. “Color the Sidewalk for Me” it is Christian based by Brandilyn Collins but it deals with a mother/daughter relationship similar to what I had growing up.

  34. Re: my meme

    Have you tried Mirror, Mirror? I think he was in a slump until then. Snow White and the Borgias made for a delicious combination.

  35. Re: my meme

    Have you tried Mirror, Mirror? I think he was in a slump until then. Snow White and the Borgias made for a delicious combination.

  36. Re: my meme

    Have you tried Mirror, Mirror? I think he was in a slump until then. Snow White and the Borgias made for a delicious combination.

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