I've been tagged:
1. One book that changed your life
Oh, I'm going to bore you already: Hey Whipple, Squeeze This by Luke Sullivan. It's the copywriter's bible, and it addresses the advertising industry with humor and a nice, large dose of realism. Every time I feel myself becoming a wounded artiste, Luke reminds me why I do what I do . . . and exactly what it means to the world. And yet it also makes me feel lucky to have stumbled across such a weird, wonderful profession.
2. One book that you've read more than once
The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy. I read this years ago, when I was in college, and it was purely beautiful and tragic to me. At that time of my life, I needed beauty and I embraced tragedy, so it was perfect. I read it over and over and over again for about five years. I'll still open it from time to time . . . and, as with an old boyfriend, wonder why on earth I loved it so much (but also enjoy the little twinge of nostalgia).
3. One book that you'd want on a desert island
The Worst Case Scenario Handbook. Because I have no natural survival skills.
4. One book that made you laugh
Richard Russo's Straight Man. There are parts in this thing, especially the scenes with the goose, that make me laugh out loud. Not too long ago, I was waiting in an airport and did just that. Then I had to ignore the crazy looks from the other travelers.
5. One book that made you cry
Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck. I had to read it in high school for my American Lit class, got to the end and - whoop! - waterworks. I tromped downstairs and wailed at my mother, "why would they make us READ this!?!" Darned teenage hormones.
6. One book that you wish you had written
The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde. Unbelievably creative and funny, it's just something I wish I'd come up with.
7. One book you wish had never been written
This is a half-wish thing: An American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis. I liked it, really I did, but . . . I could have gone the rest of my life without reading a couple of the murder descriptions.
8. One book that you are reading at the moment
The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer. As memoirs go, this is a beauty. Everyone will find something to relate to. It's so richly and lovingly written, and so accessible. Moehringer is an incredible writer that never attempts to be writerly.
9. One book that you've been meaning to read
I never got around to reading Austen. Ever. So I suppose I could just pick one.
2 comments:
funny you mention Brett Easton Ellis. His first novel was rumored to have been written by his girlfriend. American Psycho should not have seen the light of a publisher. couldn't agree more. Conroy's book was quite beautiful. Made you wanna move to South Carolina or where ever that took place.
well of lost plots sounds appealing. i'm gonna look into it.
hope you had fun in Vegas.
have a great week. P
I have read it. I agree that it's intense -- so intense that I almost couldn't get through it. I remember that Conroy himself was in a very bad spot in his life when he wrote that, and it showed.
It was as if every bit of fear and anger and hopelessness he was feeling had been vomited onto the page. And yet, yes . . . it was beautiful, too. I've always enjoyed Conroy's descriptions and "Beach Music" was rich with them.
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