For the Love of Literature (Top 10 Books)

Member Name: mattygroves10

Product:	Top 10 Books
Date:	23/01/06 (580 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: I make recommendations

Disadvantages: You may not like them.

Back in the dim and distant past, Malu suggested a list of a top 10 (+6) questions about what one reads - what genres, from where you get your books, and in what format one tends to enjoy books. I've answered these questions (in my usual somewhat verbose manner). So whilst this doesn't exactly list my top ten books...it DOES list some of my favourites (in no particular order)...and I suspect many folks could take an educated stab as to what might be included in such a mythical list from the answers I give below.

I read. A lot. I read quickly. So I enjoyed playing in Malu's playground.

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THE LITERATURE CHALLENGE...
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Question: What is your favourite genre?
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This one is easy for me - science fiction, hands down, with a bit of fantasy (yes, another Terry Pratchett fan here) thrown in for good measure.

I've read nearly everything Larry Niven has written (I highly recommend Lucifer's Hammer by Niven and Jerry Pournelle), and like Stephen King (sometimes SF, sometimes horror, sometimes all and/or none of the above), Asimov and Heinlein (though both are products of their times - check out their attitude towards women).

Having said that, I've read three books recently, only one of which could be called fantasy - I've read Pratchett's latest 'Thud',' Alice Sebold's 'The Lovely Bones' and Michael Moore's 'Stupid White Men.' I'd recommend all three.

Q: Do you read the classics, i.e., the great authors of the 18th and 19th century?
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Ummm...not out of choice. I did my degree (as a mature student) in English literature, so have indeed read Austin, Dickens, half of 'Middlemarch' (couldn't STAND it - I just didn't care WHO Dorthea ended up with), 'Wuthering Heights,' 'Frankenstein,' and 'Dracula,' and really only enjoyed Dracula - and only the first half. 'Wuthering Heights' I found disturbing.

Can I count Arthur Conan Doyle here? I love the Sherlock Holmes stories!

Aside from that, I've read a fair amount of poetry, but tend to prefer 20th century post-modernism - I adore ee cummings and like some of TS Elliott, amongst others.

Q: Are you interested in thrillers?
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Ummm...if you mean stories such as those by Jonathan Kellerman or Dick Frances type stuff...I guess so. I read them, but probably wouldn't buy them for myself.

My mum's nutty about these.

Q: What about horror stories?
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Oh yes, big time. Besides Stephen King (I've read most of his stuff - try The Stand for a long but cracking read), I've also enjoyed Clive Barker - not so much his 'Books of Blood', but 'Weaveworld' is one of the best novels I've ever read. Think of a world in a carpet...but not in the same way that 'The Carpet People' or the 'Truckers' trilogy have a world in a carpet...

Horror MOVIES, though, I usually avoid - they give me nightmares (I remember seeing Invasion of the Body Snatchers when it came out - I was around 12 - and I was CONVINCED that there was a pod next to my bed or in my closet...)

Q: Do you read science fiction?
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I think I've rather answered this. For a long time, I read SF to the exclusion of everything else. I'm a Star Trek fan...need I say more?

Apart from the authors mentioned above, David Brin is worth a go. Or try Timescape by Gregory Bentford.

Q: How many Harry Potter books have you read?
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All of them. I've never seen so many adverbs in my life. Seriously - open any novel (especially the last two) to any page - Harry says something 'angrily,' Dumbledore whispered 'quietly,' Hermione said 'bossily,' and so on. Go on...have a look!

Having said that, I still enjoyed them. How sad does that make me?

Q: Have you ever read and enjoyed biographies or autobiographies?
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Again, yes. My 'constant readers,' (to borrow from Stephen King) know that I've read (and reviewed) Richard Feynman's 'Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman', and 'What Do YOU Care What Other People Think.' Those are a cross between biography, autobiography and memoir. I've also read the biography of Feynman called 'Genius', by a chap called Gluck, I think.

Can I define 'Seabiscuit' as a biography? OK, it's about a horse...but it's also REALLY about the people around the horse, and depression era America.

Q: Do you remember any of the books you read and loved as a child?
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Surely. I've always been a reader - since I was three, apparently.

I loved 'Charlotte's Web,' though I remember trying to write a book report on it by simply copying the blurb on the back of the book (I loved reading, but hated school work - I was VERY lazy).

I read Roald Dahl, the 'Winnie the Pooh' books...I remember reading Maya Angelou's 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' - this was before I'd heard of the woman - it just looked interesting. I remember a book called 'Lisa Bright and Dark' - I have NO idea who wrote that.

When I was nine, I got into the Greek Myths in a big way - my Dad gave me a copy of Edith Hamilton's retelling (I then discovered that was a set book for 10th graders - I was in 3rd grade...ok, I'm being smug *grin*).

The list could be endless...

Q: Have you re-read these books as a grown-up?
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Yes. I've re-read 'Charlotte's Web' (and Stuart Little and Trumpet of the Swan) many times. I've also re-read most of the Dahl books.

I got into SF in 9th grade (around 14), and have, of course, been reading that ever since...

Q: Is there a book of which you can say it has influenced you?
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'Stranger in a Strange Land' by Heinlein did. I read it when I was 18 and had a decision to make involving my boyfriend. This book helped me make it.

Q: Which are your favourite authors?
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That's REALLY hard to answer. And, perhaps, I've already answered it. Niven, Pratchett, Feynman, King, Barker, Bill Bryson...I could go on.

Q: Which book would you take with you on a desert island?
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No idea. I'd be tempted to say 'Reaper Man' by Pratchett, but it's short. One book wouldn't be enough. I'd need a library. It doesn't help that I read VERY fast. I'm currently re-reading 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' by Bryson - it's good and it's long...

Q: What is your attitude towards translations?
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Given that my German was never brilliant, and is now very rusty, if I want to read a book by a non-English speaking author, then a translation is the only way forward.

Q: Do you buy your books/get them from the library/borrow them from friends/steal them?
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Definitely buy, though would borrow if I had the chance. I like to re-read books, and I never seem to get to the library, and Amazon's right here...so buy it is.

Q: When you buy books, do you prefer hardcover editions or pocket books?
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I prefer paperbacks, but if I REALLY want a book, I can't wait for the paperback edition to come out, as it can be a year before a book comes out in paperback. I've got the last several Pratchett books in hardcover, because I just couldn't wait.

Q: Have you ever tried Audio Books?
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No - no particular reason for that...I just like reading. Years ago, I had to read 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' and just by chance, Radio 4 were broadcasting the play (Martin Clunes was superb), and I taped that and listened to it in the car. But I don't really think that counts, as it's a play anyway.

I'd LOVE to own Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials on audio book - it's unabridged and so costs over £100. Maybe when I've earned enough for a whopping great voucher...

These questions were originally set by MALU back in the dim and distant past. Thanks!

Summary: Questions about books. Answers about books.