Meme Librorum

When Claudia and Mr. Puffy tagged me with a book meme yesterday, I was extremely excited to take part (and excited to look into their recommendations!). After compiling my lists, though, I have to admit -- my favorite books have been my favorites for a long time. I'm kind of embarrassed to find that several are the kind that are on required high school reading lists. Or that my brother loved when he was 10. I do actually read and enjoy more current works, but my responses below contain those that I just can't get out of my head...

1. What book are you currently reading?

The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls

I'm only 18 pages into this one and already I can tell this is going to be a fascinating memoir. On page 5, when the author asks her homeless mother what she needs, what she can to do help, she responds, "I could use an electrolysis treatment." I can't wait to see where this one goes.

2. When you think of a good story what are the first 3 books that come to mind?

1) Bleak House, by Charles Dickens. More like a thousand good stories in one! All the great characters in this book are involved in one way or another with a legal suit that has been dragging on for ages, and watching the events of the suit as well as their lives unfold was one of the most enjoyable things I've ever read.

2) Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand. Whether or not you agree with Ayn Rand's philosophy, I think the extremely well-crafted story, the exciting and suspenseful way it is written, and the fascinating characters will give you goose bumps. When I was done with this book, I absolutely missed it.

3) The Two Towers, by J.R.R. Tolkien. This is my favorite of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I love many things about these books, one of them being that I find it to be such a wonderful and exciting adventure story. And because I made myself choose just one for this meme, I chose Two Towers because I am in love with the idea of Ents.

3. Which 3 books would you recommend for summer 2008 beach reading?

1) Dandelion Wine, by Ray Bradbury. He's best known for his science fiction works, but Ray Bradbury's semi-autobiographical, nostalgic collection of short stories about two brothers' adventures one summer in a small town is one of the most beautiful things I've ever read. If you spent any part of your childhood in a small town, this will touch you deeply. I also think this is a great summer book because the descriptions of the season are so vivid you can taste the summer afternoons.

2) I, Claudius, by Robert Graves. Part history, part soap opera, this book is definitely fun enough to take on the beach. You learn a great deal about ancient Rome (specifically the Julio-Claudians, my favorite!) and at the same time find yourself getting really into it and shouting, "Oh no she DIDN'T!!" every third page.

3) Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. Blogger would probably cut me off before I finished writing down everything I love about P&P. Take it to the beach and fall in love with Mr. Darcy yet again.

4. Any knitting book(s) you care to share?

My friend recently loaned me Knitting Under the Influence, by Claire LaZebnik, and I thought it was a hoot. Sex, drugs, and...er...knitting? Not a ton of knitting content, but lots about gals in their late twenties finding themselves!

Now I get to tag three knitbloggers, and they are....

Sophy, of Knits, Notes, Etc. (Yes we hang out in real life, but we talk more about crafting than literature and I want to know what you read.)
Orata, of Feather and Fan
and
Amy, of Barefoot Rooster

You're it!