I have no energy whatsoever and I just have a small hour before we launch for Baby S. checkup… perfect time for Bloglily’s little meme, if I only manage to get book titles right, that is.
What kind of book are you most comfortable reading? Mostly mysteries and Anglo-American fiction (that sounds broad and trite doesn’t it?). But really I can try my hand on about anything, including self-help books or 18C classics. I’m not comfortable with experimental fiction and most contemporary French novels though, but I must keep trying. Right now, to be honest, my criteria for reading a book is that it should be a paperback with a strong spine and large fonts, not too big or long, with a fun and light plot that keeps me awake, yet not too confusing lest it will be lost on my befuddled brain…
What kind of book do you love to hate? This year’s must-read… I take my time to read hyped-up books, even if it means that I don’t take part to fans’ conversation and find myself very stupid 2 years later when I discover that it was actually very good! But I’m also a very contrary person, so when “everyone” insists that it’s a great book, I almost always find it disappointing or faulty.
What was the last book you surprised yourself by liking? Nothing really recent, but I’d say Philip Roth’s novels, because I wish people wouldn’t make the same mistake as I did. I expected them to be difficult and waited many years before trying…
What was the last book you surprised yourself by disliking? Elizabeth Taylor’s Wreath of Roses and Rosamond Lehman’s Dusty Answer. It’s not so much dislike as disappointment. These are not bad books at all, but I just couldn’t get into the characters. Maybe due to bad timing…
What would be the worst book to be marooned on a desert island with? Science-Fiction. I don’t know if it’s a gender thing, but I really don’t get SF (except fantasy like The Lord of the Ring). I’m a big fan of reality. But that’s relative: if the wait on the island is getting very long, I’ll probably read anything…
What book would you take with you if you suspected you might be marooned in the near future? Uh, that depends if I will be alone of that island or with the baby. If I’m alone, I’d say some self-help survival book would be great, but I don’t know any (the self-help I sometimes read is more of the psychological kind). If that’s only a matter of keeping myself busy while rescuers arrive, maybe Shakespeare’s complete works, the kind of classics I always delay because I fear I’ll be out of my depth. (Being French, the school literary curriculum was more Balzac and Victor Hugo than Shakespeare, which explains my shameful ignorance, plus the fact that I don’t understand olde English especially in verse). If I’m marooned with Baby Smithereens, I’ll have “What to expect the first year” and ditch the Shakespeare indeed (and if I feel bored, I’ll choose sleep over reading…)
What forces you to read outside your comfort zone? Without hesitation, you fellow book-bloggers out there! And if you agree with me and haven’t done this meme yet, consider yourself tagged!
4 comments
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July 31, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Myrthe
I am completely with you on the hyped books. I tend to avoid them like a plague until I get interested months or years later.
I recently read a book that is apparently SF and I had a blast reading it (Air by Geoff Ryman, no review up yet). It doesn’t really come across as SF, except when the main character is in hospital. But generally fantasy and SF aren’t my genres either.
August 1, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Dorothy W.
I can dislike hyped books too, although I often end up enjoying them. It’s funny — I think a lot of people would say they dislike hyped books, so who are the ones out there reading them?? Anyway, hope you get some sleep!
August 2, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Danielle
You are indeed very good about trying new things via other blogger suggestions (and I feel like I’m the culprit lately for the unsuccessful tries!
). I need to finish Dusty Answer still (am liking it, just too many books on the go at once). And I guess I should try Philip Roth–I think I have the same problem you did.
August 3, 2008 at 2:51 pm
smithereens
Myrthe -I’ll check out that book, sounds intriguing!
Dorothy -Colleagues of mine and commuters in the public transport around me are all reading them, have no fear! I guess our little community of book-bloggers have different taste and interest, which makes it all the more precious to me… Btw, we had a good night: we slept 4 hours straight!
Danielle -don’t feel guilty, you shoud be proud! Your reading lists and recommendations are always a great inspiration, even if it sometimes doesn’t click. It is always worth experimenting!