MALU's literature challenge (Top Ten Childrens Books)

Member Name: gollygumdrops

Product:	Top Ten Childrens Books
Date:	06/11/03 (157 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Books are good, really good, read them

Disadvantages: Not, Enough, Time

Hello, feel free to ignore this opening rant and skip down to the challenge. Or not. You could always skip straight on to another opinion, by someone else, I wouldn?t mind, honest. I wouldn?t even know that you?d been by, so there would be no need for any embarrassment as you tried to shuffle out without being noticed, or texted a mate to request a strategically timed ?emergency call?. Really I?m just filling space. I find it really difficult to read text which is all in lower case and therefore see no need to inflict it on you, dear reader. I admit, I?ve been away a while, and I?m not sure what all this lower case nonsense is about. I?m not saying I?m back either. I just read Lamornas latest few opinions, and wanted to go to Russia but had to settle for the next thing she made me want to do, which was take part in malus literature challenge. I?m going to have loads of question marks all over the place too aren?t I? How annoying is that? Hmmmmm? maybe that level of hassle is just too much. Maybe not. I don?t know, I don?t care. (?Therapy is extremely expensive, popping bubble wrap is radically cheap. You choose which one helps with your problem, I?m gonna get some sleep?).

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The Literature Challenge
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Question: what is your favourite genre?
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Answer: I don't know whether it counts as literature really, or even a genre, but I really enjoy tales of childhood that have a hint of semi autobiography, but not a ladle full. You need an example really don't you. The Liar by Stephen Fry, or the excellent Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, I could even site Angela's Ashes, but that claims to be more than a hint of autobiography. No matter how diverse the childhoods I always find myself relating to the incidents, feelings a
nd characters far more than in other books.

Question: Do you read the classics, i.e., the great authors of the 18th and 19th century?
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Answer: Nope. I was force fed Jane Austen and Thomas Hardy as a child, and I fear they are like sprouts, still totally indigestible and no matter how good for me people believe they are I know the truth - they are dull, slightly unpleasant and make you smell.

Question: Are you interested in thrillers?
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Answer: I enjoy thrillers, particularly for reading on planes and in airports. They keep me absorbed. James Pattersons books are perfect as they have tiny little chapters so you never have to worry about losing your place when you need to move to let someone go to the toilet or when your meal arrives!

Question: What about horror stories?
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Answer: I don't enjoy the blood and guts and curious alien kind of books. Horror needs to be far more about suspense for me, so no to horror.

Question: Do you read science fiction?
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Answer: I used to, I loved Aldous Huxleys Brave New World. Does Anthony Burgess count? Its future fiction really rather than science, as is 1984, another goody. So, in summary, I like future fiction, not necessarily science. Sorry for inventing another new category!

Question: How many Harry Potter books have you read?
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All except the most recent one. I'm part way through, and likely to remain so for life. It's just not very good. Surely she wasn't paid by the word, and I know she can afford an editor, why didn't she employ one?

Question: Have you ever read and enjoyed biographies or autobiographies?
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Answer: Yes. Love 'em. Bring &
#39;em on. I'll read about anyone. Well,
there is one exception. I currently have an autobiography of a childhood friend on my bedside table. It's the story of his death, a day by day account of his failure to win a long fought battle against cancer. I want to read it, I know he'll make me laugh, he always did, but I also know I'll cry - a lot - and need to plan around that really. When I've finally read it I'll write a review and you can all rush to Amazon and see what you think.

Question: Do you remember any of the books you read and loved as a child?
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Answer: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Still love it! The Magic Faraway Tree. Catcher in the Rye, corny but spot on. Why doesn't somebody somewhere make exploding toffee? Why?

Question: Have you reread these books as a grown-up?
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Answer: I re read Charlie to any kid who'll listen. I read Catcher a few years ago and still enjoyed it. I think Enid is best left to childhood.


Question: Is there a book of which you can say it has influenced you?
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Answer: Animal Farm. How did it influence me? I read it first when I was a trusting and idealistic 15 year old. It made me think about how power affects people. Now I'm just an idealistic 35 year old. Sad but true. Mix it with The Who's Won't Get Fooled Again for full effects.

Question: Which are your favourite authors?
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Answer: I'm not really an author groupie.


Question: Which book would you take with you on a desert island?
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Answer: Robinson Crusoe of course! But only if it had to be fictional, otherwise something like the SAS Guide to Surviving
On and Escaping From a Desert Island. Most of my reading is non fiction.

Question: What is your attitude towards translations?
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Answer: I'm not sure I can have an attitude to translations. Anything which gives great ideas and creativity a bigger audience is a good thing. Anything that brings tosh such as Paulo Cohelo to a bigger audience is a waste of carbon based material.

Question: Do you buy your books/get them from the library/borrow them from friends/steal them?
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I buy non fiction. So much so that Amazon sends me Christmas gifts! Fiction I tend to borrow. I've just discovered BookCrossing.com - totally fab. A really fun and innovative way to make space in your home and spread a little happiness. Go there. Do it.

Question: When you buy books, do you prefer hardcover editions or pocket books?
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Answer: Paperbacks

Question: Have you ever tried Audio Books?
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Answer: Yes. I used to drive an absurd number of miles alone. I found them a great way to make journeys more interesting. I love plays on the radio so it's a natural extension. Warning: Do not listen to the Dads Army tapes in the car, fellow motorists become alarmed as you laugh uproariously whilst driving.

This challenge was originally set by MALU - go MALU! - please join in, read other peoples entries and pass the challenge on to another bookworm!

Summary: