Book meme

Of course this isn't my idea. The Well Read Kitty provided the latest meme for me to steal. (Thanks, Kelly!) It's taken quite a bit of thinking, and I'm not sure I've put everything quite as elegantly as she has, but here goes. My Bibliophil list helped me with the bits I needed reminders about.

1. The book that changed my life
I don’t know that a single book or author has changed my life, but one of the most memorable books I have ever read is Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom. From start to finish, what an amazing story told by an amazing man. Read it!

2. A book I've read more than once
The Digging-est Dog, by Al Perkins. Over and over and over again. It was my favourite childhood book and one of the few I owned all for myself (and not borrowed from a library). Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox also gets an honourable mention here, for the same reasons.

3. A book I'd want with me on a desert island
Probably one off my “I want to read this book” list (see below). Hopefully a long novel or biography, as I might be there for a while.

4. A book that made me laugh
Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress, by Susan Jane Gilman.
Not too heavy, not too light; just an honestly hilarious autobiography, including an account of the author’s ‘moment in time’, ie the lead-up to the wedding she never thought she’d have, or ever want.

5. A book that made me cry
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, by Louis de Bernieres. This novel was such a mission to finish. I laughed out loud (see #4) while reading this, then actually cried as the remaining Italian soldiers were mowed down when they believed their lives would be spared. I found it quite a difficult read, but am profusely glad I persevered. I saw parts of the movie on a flight to Italy, but have never seen it properly. I can’t imagine it would do the original novel the justice it deserves, though.

6. A book I wish I had written
I’m not really interested in writing so have never harboured these feelings of ‘wanting to be an author’. I guess I wouldn’t mind writing some classic, popular, or timeless children’s books, eg Harry Potter series (how unoriginal am I?) or Roald Dahl’s books. Hmm, I’m really drawing a blank on this one.

7. A book I wish had never been written
Lord of the Flies, by William Golding. Yeah yeah, I know it’s a classic and a clever microcosm of the world. But I had to read it twice at secondary school and hated it both times. I don’t think there will be a third attempt, either.

8. A book I am currently reading
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by J K Rowling. It’s been on my list for a while, and I’ve kind of put off reading it as I don’t really want to finish the series and say goodbye to Harry and co, but I’m really enjoying it.

9. A book I am meaning to read
Lots! The Color Purple (Alice Walker), The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (John Boynne), The Cider House Rules (John Irving), The Scarlet Letter (Nathaniel Hawthorne), To Kill a Mockingbird (Haper Lee) …

10. My favourite book of all time
Apart from The Digging-est Dog? Sorry, can’t answer this one outright. Some biographies have stuck with me and made a huge impact, and there are plenty of other honorable mentions. Here are a few, in no particular order, and definitely not an exhaustive list:

The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold
One Were Warriors – Alan Duff
Papillon – Henri Charriere
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time – Mark Haddon
Mao’s Last Dancer – Li Cunxin
Wild Swans – Jung Chang
To Sir, With Love – E R Braithwaite
Tully – Paullina Simons
Portrait of the Artist’s Wife – Barbara Anderson