As mentioned before, I was tagged by the lovely Iliana! Which, of course, I was thrilled about until I realized how truly evil this One Book Meme is. One book for each question? Only one? Surely it’s not possible, but I’ll try.
What is one book that changed your life?
Grrr… there are so many directions to go with this one. But I’ll just say The Religious Experience by Ninian Smart, which was required for my Intro to World Religions class a year ago.
What is one book that you have read more than once?
Go Ask Alice. I read it for the first time when I was in elementary school– probably early on, too– and from then on, for some reason, when I didn’t have any library books lying around I’d read it again. I think it was the idea of it as a real girl’s diary– no real flowery language or any of that– that fascinated me.
What is one book you would want on a desert island?
This question really isn’t fair. Probably anything by Don DeLillo– Underworld is nice and long. I can’t die never having read any of his books.
What is one book that made you laugh?
Thomas Hardy’s The Mayor of Casterbridge. I found myself laughing in disbelief several times, muttering things like “No, she did not!” and “Oooh, burn!” every few pages. No other book has done that to me. Man… if you haven’t read it, drop everything and read it right now.
What is one book that made you cry?
Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front, which I had to read in ninth grade. I remember nothing about that book except for the scene with the horses… where the were injured… remember? That was very not okay with me.
What is one book that you wish had been written?
A case file on the boy in Maryland that William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist was based on, but apparently the Church wasn’t big on the idea of releasing too many details, including names.
What is one book that you wish had never been written?
Jane Mendelsohn’s Innocence. What the hell was that about? What a waste of trees.
What is one book that you are currently reading?
The Marquis de Sade’s Justine. I think it’s genius, but I can only read a bit every day without becoming too nauseous.
What is one book that you have been meaning to read?
Colette’s The Pure and the Impure. What a badass lady she must have been. Read her short story “The Secret Woman” if you get the chance.
Now I’m supposed to tag five other people, but everyone and their mom has already done this. If you haven’t and you’re reading this, do it!
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August 3, 2006 at 4:44 pm
Cipriano
Wow Jordan. I was just going to bok-meme you myself, but came over here and found that you had already been memmed!
Hey, I could not agree with you more about the importance of reading The Mayor of Casterbridge.
Except that I may place Tess of the D’Urbervilles even one notch above this book.
And anything Thomas Hardyian, indispensable.
August 3, 2006 at 5:35 pm
Emily
I was just wondering today if anyone else out there talks at books. Now, I see, with your
description of reading THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE, I’m not alone. I also completely agree the desert island
question is unfair.
August 3, 2006 at 11:13 pm
iliana
Thank you for playing Jordan! I loved reading your answers. I remember reading Go Ask Alice. I thought it was so “adult” - granted I had been reading Judy Blume before then.
August 4, 2006 at 3:45 pm
adrienne
Damn! I thought I was going to get away with not doing this meme, but then you went and said to do it, and since I am such an honest person, I’ll have to do it.
How’re the teeth, by the way?
August 4, 2006 at 3:54 pm
Bookmark My Heart » Blog Archive » The One Book Meme
[...] which everyone and their dog has already done. I wouldn’t have attempted it, but I read Jordan’s where at the end she said, “If you haven’t done this, and you’re reading this, do it.” So ok. Here goes. [...]
August 11, 2006 at 12:57 pm
jmfausti
My cousin goes to Catholic University and tomorrow she moves into her new residence hall for the year. On the third floor is the room with all the documentation of all the exorcisms done. I’m not sure if it’s ever, but it’s probably at least in the US. She also says the building is haunted.