Monday, January 28, 2008

Eva's Reading Meme

I was tagged by Melody at Melody's Reading Corner for this meme. But this original post meme came from Eva

Which book do you irrationally cringe away from
reading, despite seeing only positive reviews?


I This is sure a tough question.....but I think I will go with Dorthy Dunnett. I tried to read the first book but the writing was too hard for me to understand what going on or what the hero is up to. It written sorta like lyrical and witty. Friends tell me that if I've kept reading and get into the next installment of the book, than I would have understand the hero much more. And despite the good positive of the book (okay maybe the reviews have not been all positive) I didn't continue reading the book. I tell myself that maybe in due time, I will retry it again and hope that this time my feeling of the book will change.

If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise), who would they be and what would the event be?

Seriously this is hard question. It so hard to just pick three, because anyone who know me would know that I don't just stick with just only few people. Even though the question call for it *grin*. I think I'll pick: Sam Starret (Troubleshooter series), one of Kathryn Shay's fireman character (Hidden Coves trilogy) and Max (Troubleshooter series). I'm always amaze at the generous donations from people who willing to help to those whose are having trouble with life and is in time of need. If I could set up an charity events for donations of anything that I think is important for me to fight for (Cancers, homeless, children in foster home, military, books..etc) than I will set up an charity and invited the three men I mention above to help out. I think the three characters might have encounter these events. It be good way for them to get to know each other (fireman, cop and military) and for me to have a chance to thanks them in between......okay so maybe it kinda weird but I want the three characters to mingle hehehe.

(Borrowing shamelessly from the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde): you are told you can’t die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for awhile, eventually you realise it’s past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave?

I hate to say it because I do like this author, but I'm going to go with Dark Seduction by Brenda Joyce, although I do appreciate the hard work she had done to write it. I do like her older books and think people should try those first instead :) She write great in those IMO.

Come on, we’ve all been there. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you’ve read, when in fact you’ve been nowhere near it?

I'm sure there are books that I have done this to. But it not a whole lot though. If I've been nowhere near it, it only because I didn't have the chance to read it yet. Or I thought I've read it and discover later that I didn't.

As an addition to the last question, has there been a book that you really thought you had read, only to realise when you read a review about it/go to 'reread' it that you haven't? Which book?

See answer above, from the last question for this answers.

You’re interviewing for the post of Official Book Advisor to some VIP (who’s not a big reader). What’s the first book you’d recommend and why? (If you feel like you’d have to know the person, go ahead and personalise the VIP).

The Outlander series. When I read the books, I felt like I was a little girl sitting down on the floor listening to Diana Gabaldon tell me the most wonderful story in history of all times. You learn of the history of the war, about the fictional characters seeing AMERICA for the first time and the many other places they go to. And all the angst, tough and emotional times they have gone through the books. You learn about the brave Jamie Frasier who is heroism in his times and sweet as well. He is fighter, a father a hero who love his family...and his actions, words surely show :) Lots of action with deep writing, loves and heartbreak tales.

A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with?

I think I would want to learn German, French or Spanish. My reason is because I have a aunt who family speak German. And although I speak Vietnamese, I want to be able to communicate in German with my cousins whose also speak both Vietnamese and German. I chose French because I took French class in high school and even though I didn't do well on it, I truly want to learn it. And Spanish because I have a friends who speak Spanish and I want to be able to communicate with them.

A mischievous fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick?

Hmmm...there a lot of books I've reread over the years. Too many to counts! Yes I'm reread-er *grin*. But if I have to chose one to reread once a year for rest of my life, than I will chose...The Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I bet some of you are surprise that I didn't chose one of Nora Roberts books *grin*. In that case I would have, but there so many books of her to chose from :)

I know that the book blogging community, and its various challenges, have pushed my reading borders. What’s one bookish thing you ‘discovered’ from book blogging (maybe a new genre, or author, or new appreciation for cover art-anything)?

Book blogs have certainly helped me in exploring more books the last two years I've been blogging. I've discover new to me authors this way, and it made me appreciate the genres and authors a lot more. It's also help me to discover myself as well. And I've made good friends from blog land by reading their book reviews(as well as fun stuff).

That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she’s granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leatherbound? Is it full of first edition hardcovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favourite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead-let your imagination run free.

Ever seen the movie "Beauty and the Beast"? I love Belle library. OMG the huge and tall bookshelves on every wall of the room, from the top ceiling to the bottom floor. And with ladder to climb up to reach the top. The bookshelves will have most of my favorite genres in hardcover with authors inscribed in them. There will be a desk, leather chair and pictures of my family. And my laptop. By the window it will have purple pattern certain with a sofa and lamp next to it. And picture frames of my family on the top wall, above the sofa. And TBR pile that are stacked next to the sofa. The wall of the room will be painted brown with hinted of light purple decoration.

As per the rules, I have to tag 4 people for this meme so here they are:

Marg at Reading Adventures
Kat at Strangely Out of Place
Cmate at Mini Bites
Marianne at Reading, Writing & Stuff That Makes Me Crazy

And, for extra credit, if you leave a comment letting Eva know you've done the meme with a link to the post, she will give you some link love via a big list of who's participated. Additionally, if you link back to her original post, she will enter you in a drawing to win The House at Riverton. If you're an American, this is especially exciting since it isn't going to published until April. ;) To be in the drawing, you must have posted the meme (and commented) by February 5th, which is when she is holding the drawing.

13 comments:

Kat said...

Hi Julia! This looks like fun, haha!

Melody said...

Great answers, Julia! And I already know you are a GREAT fan of the Troubleshooter series, as well as the Outlander series. Brenda Joyce's Dark Seduction is a huge disappointment, I still think her historicals are better! And your library sounds wonderful. :)

Julia said...

LOL Kat - You can kill me later! I'm interest to see what your answers will be :)

Hi Melody - Thanks for comment. Of course you know me by now hehe. I agree, I still think Brenda Joyce historicals are so much better! :)

Marg said...

I've put my answers up on my blog!

Alice said...

Hi Julia, I like the library in Beauty and the Beast too. Simply marvellous!...

Julia said...

Thanks Marg for playing! I just read your and very interesting to learn about your encounter with Dorthy Dunnett's books *grin*

Alice - Yes the Beauty and the Beast library was simple and not too much stuff hehehe.

Marianne Arkins said...

ACK... I'm on a tag diet this month... didn't you know? I didn't send you the memo? I announced it here.

I will try to get to this, I promise, but I'm wicked, wicked busy, so I can't promise it won't be March when it's finally done.

Julia said...

Marianne - I'm so sorry! LOL I didn't see that memo. However as I said, you don't have to do it *grin*. It up to you :)

Cmate said...

hmm... this is a tough one. Will post mine up soon.

Darla said...

Ack. I still haven't done this. A couple of the questions have me stumped. Soon.

No pressure on the Dunnett--they're pretty dense books, and not written in a particularly accessible style. I'm not sure I'd have struggled through the first one if it hadn't been for Linda and Antje's raves. Now, of course, I've joined the chorus. :)

I think everybody wants the Beauty and the Beast library. *g*

Julia said...

Cmate - I know it hard. But I figure since you're starting on reading books, that I'm just curious enough to know your answers for these questions *grin* - accept my apology ..please! lol

Darla - These questions stumped me too. It took me a few days until I finally posted my answers. I'm interested to see what you came up with *grin*.

As for Dunnett, it is because of you, Antje and Linda who raves about this book that made my decision to give the book a second chance. I will let you know when that second chance come around *grin* :)

Eva said...

I like the idea of a charity event! I've made good friends by book blogging as well. :)

Julia said...

Thanks Eva, for visiting my blog and coordinated this meme :)

Have a good day!