The Books By My Bed

I found this meme at Melissa Donovan’s Writing Forward, and I couldn’t resist. Please indulge me and share some of your answers in the comments!

What was the last book you bought?

I bought two books at a local used bookstore this week: Chekhov’s Lady with Lapdog and Other Stories and a collection of stories called The Uncommon Reader. I’m trying to read some of the masters of short stories to improve my own craft.

Name a book you have read MORE than once.

Hm. There are several, most of which I can’t think of right now, but for some reason Deenie by Judy Blume pops out in my mind. When I was a kid, I read that book over and over. I’m really not sure why.

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?

I cannot remember having a fundamental, life-changing epiphany from a specific book, but reading has certainly changed my life. Besides the obvious (I became a writer, after all), reading both fiction and non-fiction constantly stretches my mind to new perspectives.



How do you choose a book — e.g., by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews?

Reviews and recommendations from a select few friends and family. Once I have the book in my hand, though, I am not ashamed to admit that I usually judge it by the first few sentences. OK, maybe the first paragraph.



Do you prefer fiction or nonfiction?

Two years ago, I would have said fiction without missing a beat. But over the past year, I’ve been enjoying many types of nonfiction. Ryszard Kapuscinski wrote incredible books about what he witnessed as a journalist. Carl Sagan. Bill Bryson. Several war memoirs.



What’s more important in a novel — beautiful writing or a gripping plot?

Although it’s ideal to have both, I will sacrifice the gripping plot before the beautiful writing.



Most loved/memorable character (character/book)?

The Little Prince. I so wish he could be my friend.



Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?

The books mentioned in the first question, and Tobias Wolff’s In the Garden of the North American Martyrs.



What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?

The Lost Executioner by Nic Dunlop. A fantastic (non-fiction) book about the author’s search for a certain Khmer Rouge executioner.



Have you ever given up on a book half way in?

Yes. Da Vinci Code springs to mind. More interesting, though, was my habit as a kid to pick up books at my friends houses, open to a random page, and subsequently become completely engrossed in it and lose all awareness of my friends around me. That habit led to a lot of half- or even quarter-read books.



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Tagged as: books, reading