“We went from being boring little Canada to a sexy country of sin overnight?
We are not used to being trendy or hip."
-Douglas Coupland

November 15, 2006
it's memelicious

I was tagged by Peter to do a book meme. And because I actually visit and read (and don't use Technorati to find out what's going on) I dutifully respond.

One book that changed your life: Night, by Elie Wiesel. I read it one night in 1980 when I was 14. I was babysitting for my neighbors, who had an extensive library. There was nothing on TV, and I knew they'd be home around midnight, and I wanted to read, but didn't want to start something that I could read quickly and be done with. Little did I know what the book was about, or what it would do to my heart. I finished it in an hour and sat on the floor of their livingroom crying my heart out, pleading to the Lord that these things not happen again to anyone. My prayers go unanswered to this day.

One book that you’ve read more than once: Only One??? Well. There are two. Every fall I read Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. And I've read The River Why by David James Duncan about 10 times since my first reading in 1988.

One book you’d want on a desert island: Something by Anthony Bourdain so I can fantasize about all of the delicious foods I'm missing and motivate me to find a way off the damn island, so I can go to Les Halles and eat my brains out (probably by eating Brains, knowing Mr. Bourdain and his culinary choices and skill).

One book that made you laugh: Our Dumb Century by The Onion. Seriously. The page on the moon landing still makes me laugh just thinking about it. The book had me rolling on the floor. Loved every second of it.

One book that made you cry: My name is Asher Lev, by Chaim Potok.

One book that you wish had been written: I wish my son had come with an instruction manual written specifically for his model. Books on Nonverbal Learning Disorder don't really sum everything up the way I'd like in a way that lets me truly deal with, help him and cope with the situation I find myself in a lot of times. .

One book that you wish had never been written: hmmm. Not sure on that one. How about the new OJ Simpson Book where he essentially says "okay, if I did it, this is how I woulda done it." He's a charlatan.

One book you’re currently reading: I am reading a lot of Douglas Coupland right now. I just finished Girlfriend in a Coma and jPod. I highly recommend jPod. It is very amusing. Kind of an updated version of his masterwork Microserfs, with lots of Google references, action and adventure, and heroin addiction packaged in the comedic backdrop of Vancouver British Columbia. BoingBoing Review here if you're interested. I'm about to read Shampoo Planet and Life After God.

One book you’ve been meaning to read: Douglas Coupland's Terry. About the life of Terry Fox. I just haven't gotten around to ordering it.

Now tag five people: I hate this part. Tess, Jo, Amy, Abbey and Jess the Cool Librarian. Tag, ya'll are it. And, if I didn't tag you, feel free to leave comments with your answers too. It's all fine and good.

And before I forget this week, Let's Mutter. Be sure to play along with the home version if you like!

I say ... and you think ... ?