A Meme

Lezlie, at Books 'N Border Collies, thinks she's going to catch me secretly reading Faulkner by tagging me for the ol' Bookworm Meme. (Tricky, isn't she?)

In the Bookworm Meme, one must grab the book that is sitting closest to them (no exceptions!), turn to page 56, and tell everyone what line 5 says.

Faulkner dreaming up ways to torture A Reader's Respite

As it turns out, she didn't catch me reading Faulkner.




It's much, much worse.


The closest book to me at this very moment is in fact The American Heritage Dictionary. No, I'm not kidding.

Why, you ask?

Because A Reader's Respite is trying to sludge our way through Dante's The Divine Comedy and about every third word we do not recognize.

We are beginning to suspect the American educational system cheated us.



I digress. Back to the meme....


Ironically, line 5 of page 56 in the American Heritage Dictionary brings us to

Attitude - (1) a position of the body or manner of carrying oneself; (2) the orientation of an aircraft's axes esp. with respect to the horizon.




Both seem equally bad these days. Don't ask.



I have a need to know what the following peeps are reading:

1. Passages to the Past
2. Worth Reading It?
3. TexasRed Books
4. The Lit Connection
5. Naked Without Books

A Meme

Just as A Reader's Respite was bemoaning our recent blogger's block (if you're just tuning in, blogger's block is our version of writer's block), Literary Menagerie came to the rescue and tagged us with the Bookshelf Meme.



Thank goodness because our poor readers were about to be assaulted with a 1000 word diatribe about the uselessness of Proust.

(Whenever we're low on blogging ideas, we take petty jabs at Proust. Just so you know. It's not as if he has a Google Alert set up.)

Proust. Aren't we immature?

Now on to the meme!

And now tell me about...

The book that’s been on your shelves the longest:

My copies of The Chronicles of Narnia. I've had them at least 30 years, although I cannot for the life of me remember who bought them for me as a child.


I lost them for a while, then stumbled upon them in my mother's basement, which shouldn't surprise me. I think the woman saved everything from our first lost tooth to our first bowel movement. Sheesh.

I'm saving them for my own kidlets, just in case one of them learns to read someday. A mom can dream, can't she?



a book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time, etc.):

This one is a toss up between:

War and Peace, which is the ONLY book I took with me when I sequestered myself for one entire summer on a 32' sailboat called The Seawind and sailed the San Juan Islands,

and

Trixie Belden and The Mystery Off Old Telegraph Road, which evokes childhood memories of lazy summer afternoons devouring this book. Interestingly, it's the only Trixie Belden book I ever read.

A book you acquired in some interesting way (gift, serendipity in a used bookstore, prize, etc.):

Eragon, by Paolini. I stole it.


Okay, so I stole it from my brother. But still, it was out and out theft.



A book that’s been with you to the most places:

I once tucked a copy of Jon Krakauer's book Into Thin Air in a side pocket of my flight case and promptly forgot about it until I cleaned out the case some 3 years later. Based on loose calculations I figure that book probably accumulated around 2.2 million frequent flyer miles.

And no, the irony of the title and where the book was misplaced is not lost on me.



The most recent addition to your shelves:

My stunningly beautiful UPS man just stopped by. Sadly, it wasn't a social visit. But he did bring me Oscar Wilde and a Death of No Importance, by Gyles Brandreth. I'm excited about this one.




A bonus book that you want to talk about but doesn’t fit into the other questions:

Looky what I found whilst digging through boxes in the garage:



That's right, baby, it's The Illustrated Jane Eyre! Bought it right before our big move and it got packed away and completely forgotten about. I *heart* this book!


So here's 5 people who are probably getting sick and tired of me tagging them:

Passages to the Past
Beth Fish Reads
Great Books and Fresh Coffee
Jo-Jo Loves to Read!
All About {n}



And for those of you who were tagged, read the fine print:

The Rules
1. Tag 3-5 people, so the fun keeps going!
2. Leave a comment at the original post at A Striped Armchair, so that Eva can collect everyone’s answers.
3. If you leave a comment and link back to Eva as the meme’s creator, she will enter you in a book giveaway contest! She has a whole shelf devoted to giveaway books that you’ll be able to choose from, or a bookmooch point if you prefer.
4. Remember that this is all about enjoying books as physical objects, so feel free to describe the exact book you’re talking about, down to that warping from being dropped in the bath water…
5. Make the meme more fun with visuals! Covers of the specific edition you’re talking about, photos of your bookshelves, etc.

Pretty, isn't it?

Beth, proprietor of the renowned review site Beth Fish Reads, has nominated A Reader's Respite for Best Humor Blog (isn't that nice of her?). While we're not sure how much humor resides here, we love the fact that Beth at least understands us even when the humor falls flat.







Here comes the part where I list six values or characteristics that are important to me:

1. Laughing at oneself. Duh. If you can't laugh at yourself, don't be laughing at others.
2. Rooting for the underdog. Says a lot about a person, in our considered opinion.
3. Standing up to bullies. Ditto
4. The tendency to read a lot of books. Who says opposites attract?
5. Quirky Individuality. Who cares if other people think you're weird? I like that in a person!
6. Warmness. A warm personality towards everyone just warms A Reader's Respite's cold, black heart.

And six values or characteristics that I find hard (okay, impossible) to tolerate:

1. Butt-kissin'. Drives A Reader's Respite nutso.
2. Selfishness. Don't like it when people take, take, take for themselves.
3. Malicious Gossipin'. Gossip is one thing. Mean gossip is just petty.
4. Snobbery. We our pants on one leg at a time (although sometimes I trip on the pantsleg and fall flat on my face).
5. People who don't read. Personal preference, what can I say?
   
6. Meaness. It just isn't attractive.
   

Most Awesome Tequila-Lovin' Blog Friend: Amy at Passages to the Past. Too late: I've already snagged her for my best friend, so you can't have her. But you try for second-best friend status with her --- trust me, it's well worth the effort!

Best Globe-Trotting Blog: The Tome Traveller. Not only does she travel the globe, but she reads some really great books.

Funnest New Book Blogger That I Read Everyday (yes, I realize 'funnest' is not a real word, but it suits my purpose): Great Books and Fresh Coffee. Go check it out!

Best Classics-Reading Blog: Books N' Border Collies. Lezlie reads the best stuff!

Best Quote in a Header Blog: Wrighty's Reads. I'm not going to tell you what it is. You must head over there and read it yourself.

Friendliest Blogger on the Planet: Veens at Giving Reading a Chance. I *heart* Veens!

And I know I'm only supposed to give six awards, but I want to do seven (just gotta be different....what's Beth gonna do? Take my award away?). So....

Best Holiday-Look at a Book Blog: Should Be Reading. I love, love, love the Holiday feel at Miz B's place!


Nominees: you are to go forth and follow these simple guidelines:

Mention the blog that gave it to you.
Comment on her blog to let her know you have posted the award.
Share 6 values that are important to you.
Share 6 things you do not support.
Share the love with six other wonderful blogging friends.

Hook

And now for something completely non-book related.

Over at Great Books and Fresh Coffee, Smash has tagged me for a meme.

Which is a good thing, since memes are about all I'm up to publishing these days.

What does your music say about you?

• Put your iPod, Windows Media Player, or whatever music player on shuffle.
• For each question, press the ‘next’ button to get your answer.
• You must write that song name down no matter how silly it sounds.
• Title this post the same as the answer to the final question.

1. IF SOMEONE ASKS, “IS THIS OKAY?” YOU ANSWER:

"The Breakup Song" by Greg Kihn. Okay, this one makes no sense whatsoever. Unless we're talking subliminal meanings here.

2. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

"Ain't No Reason" by Brett Dennen. No there really isn't, is there?

3. WHAT DO LIKE IN A GIRL/GUY?

"Five O'Clock World" The Vogues. It's true, I do like someone who recognizes when 5 o'clock rolls around. The ability to tell time is an admirable trait.

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?

"I Fall to Pieces" by Patsy Cline. Well that pretty much sums it up, doesn't it?

This is Patsy. I *heart* her.

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?

"Trouble is a Friend" by Lenka. Truer words were never spoken.


6. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

"Dust in the Wind" by Kansas. That simply can't be a good thing.




7. WHAT DO YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT?

"1973" by James Blunt. Ah yes, my terrible twos were a wonderful year. I recall it fondly.

8. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

"Suspicious Minds" by Elvis. Apropos, no? Heads up, Mr. Reader's Respite, I'm on to you.

Not this Elvis....


This Elvis

9. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

"The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot. Good grief, I hope not. No one would ever board my plane again.




10. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

"I Can't Hold Back" by Survivor. Ha. Mr. Reader's Respite begs to differ. Unless we're referring to an argument, in which he agrees wholeheartedly.


11. WHAT SONG DID YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?

"Rubber Duckie" by Kelly Hogan. Hmmmmm. Perhaps this is why two kidlets arrived in quick succession. Never mind, I won't go there.


12. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

"Highwayman" by The Highwaymen. Now this is just plain spooky. As it happens, I did indeed make my brother promise to play this very song at my funeral.

Johnny, Willie, Kris and Waylon

13. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?

"El Paso" by Marty Robbins. I cannot deny that El Paso is not my favorite city.

14. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

"My Back Pages" by The Byrds. I do have a racy past.

The Bryds on the Ed Sullivan Show

15. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

"Give a Little Bit" by Supertramp. That's right. Give a Little Bit of your books to me.


16. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO NAME THIS POST?
"Hook" by Blues Traveler.


Do you own an iPod? If you do, consider yourself tagged.

Bookworm Awards and other Schtuff

Redlady's Reading Room sent the Bookworm Award my way. This little meme asks me to open the book closest to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56. Write out the fifth sentence, as well as two to five sentences following there.



I grabbed the closest book to me and it just happened to be Dr. Suess' Sleep Book, which by the way, does nothing whatsoever to induce children to sleep (unless perhaps you bean them over the head with it). Since the Sleep Book does not - as it turns out - actually have 56 pages in it, I'll randomly open a page and share:

Everywhere,
Creatures
Have shut off their voices.
They've all gone to bed
In the beds of their choices.
They're sleeping in nooks. And they're sleeping in cracks.
Some on their tummies, and some on their backs.
They're peacefully sleeping in comfortable holes.
Some, even, on soft-tufted barber shop poles.
The number of sleepers is now past the millions!
The number of sleepers is now in the billions!
Sleep Book, by Dr. Suess

You're sleepy now, aren't you? Admit it, these books only work on adults.

Oh, and I'm supposed to tag some friends (which makes the supposition that I actually have some). So I'm thinking ...

• Passages to the Past
• Michele - One 'L'
• The Tome Traveller's Weblog
• The Reader's Word
• The Luscious Literary Muse

I've been slacking on this blog posting thing. Probably because of Twitter. But also because I actually accomplished a full month of blog posting for National Blog Posting Month. Yup, that's right. I actually spewed out some nonsense on this blog every single day for the entire month of November. And you actually put up with said nonsense.

So as I see it, you deserve an award more than I do.

Tag, I'm IT

Wendi at Wendi's Book Corner tagged me with Random Facts: Book Edition! While I can't imagine why anyone would find any seven relevant facts -- let alone random ones -- about me interesting, I'm lacking a post for today so this seems like a good way to make it look like I've been busily blogging along. So here's your seven book-related facts (random, not relevant, that is):

1. I don't have a library card. I can't do it. Nothing against the library, which was my best childhood friend, but now that I am an income-producing adult, I simply MUST own the books. They must reside on my shelves. I love them. They're mine.
2. I am a 37 year old adult and I read every one of the Twilight series. 'Nuff said about that.
3. I hate Nicolas Sparks' novels. Too sappy even for me.
4. I just mentioned this on Book Blogs, but it bears repeating: the only novel that has ever made me cry is Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove.
5. I actually read a ton of non-fiction that I don't review on this blog. All of it history.
6. I read two bedtime stories to my toddler every single night that I'm at home. On the nights I'm not at home, I am required to recite I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by memory over the telephone.
7. I cannot go into a book store without buying at least one book, even if I never get around to reading it.

So there you have it, all the dirty details. Now I get to ambush seven other unsuspecting blogs with this little exercise. Hmmmmm (*evil laugh*)....who shall I choose?

1. Amy at Passages to the Past (because I know she has soooo little to do these days, ha ha).
2. Amanda at The Luscious Literary Muse.
3. Melanie at The Indextrious Reader (I just love reading her blog name).
4. Carey at The Tome Traveller's Weblog.
5. Petunia at Educating Petunia.
6. Leah at The Octogon.
7. Heather at The Reader's Word.

If you're brave enough, here are your instructions:

1. Link to the person who tagged you, and post the rules on your blog
2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs
4. Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog!

Yikes...I forgot that I got tagged!

I completely, 100% forgot that Avis over at She Reads and Reads tagged me with a meme (sorry, Avis!). It's my understanding that now I must do the following:

• Link to the person who tagged you (done, see above or in my sidebar!)
• Post the rules on my blog (these are them)
• Write six random/unspectacular quirks about yourself (see below, read at your own risk)
• Tag 6 people at the end of your post (I'm a rebel, not to mention I don't know 6 people, so I'll tag 1)
• Link to those people (okay, I can do that)
• Let the taggee know they've been tagged in their comments (yup)
• Let the tagger know when your entry is posted (heading over to She Reads and Reads right now)

And now for the six random/unspectacular quirks about me....

1. I haven't been able to bring myself to read Like Water for Elephants yet because anything to do with the circus kind of creeps me out. It's been sitting on my bookshelf, unread, since it's release.
   
2. When I was pregnant with my son the only food I could eat was burritos -- the cheap, frozen kind -- dipped in mayonnaise. (Okay, that's not quirky, it's just gross.)
3. I have two pygmy goats named Jake and Elwood.
4. I own every season of The Muppet Show on dvd.
5. I'm a gadget person....if there is a new electronic gadget, I must possess it. Except for that Kindle thing - books are meant to be printed on PAPER.
6. I tivo the old 50's show What's My Line on the Game Show Network every night.

There you have it. Now everyone will know I'm a bit off kilter. And because I don't know 6 people to tag with this, I'll tag the one person who I am relatively certain is as off kilter as I am....Amy over at Passages to the Past. Tag Amy, you're it!