My Life In Literature Meme

I have seen this meme at two different blogs lately, and I really felt like joining in.  It's been a while since I've done one of these, though I'm going to compromise between the two posts I've seen.  Adam, at Roof Beam Reader, used books he's read over a lifetime and Bev, at My Readers Block, used books that she has read this year.  I'm going to meet them in the middle and only use books I've read since I've started blogging.


Describe myself:  The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie

How do I feel:  Dying For Mercy by Mary Jane Clark (I need relief from the heat)

Describe where I currently live:  31 Bond Street by Ellen Horan

If I could go anywhere, where I would go:  In the Woods by Tana French

My favorite form of transportation:  On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony

My best friend(s) is/are:  A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen

My friends and I are:  The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones

What's the weather like:  From Hell With Love by Simon R. Green

Favorite Time of Day:  Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson

What is life to you:  A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear

You fear:  The Haunted Lady by Mary Roberts Rinehart

What is the best advice you have to give:  Bless the Child by Cathy Cash Spellman

Thought for the day:  Murder Never Takes a Holiday by Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bain

How I would like to die:  Under This Unbroken Sky by Shandi Mitchell

My soul's present condition:  Wishin' and Hopin'  by Wally Lamb

Armchair BEA Introductions

Now this is going to sound so random and so last minute, but I didn't decide to participate in Armchair BEA this year until a few hours ago.  I got signed up and registered, then forgot I signed up.  Needless to say, I'm not the most attentive person lately.  So when I saw the first blogger I follow post their introduction, Colette at A Buckeye Girl Reads, I figured I better get on the ball.  I'm really looking forward to the going ons this year.  So with no further ado, here are the questions they wanted us to answer (well at least five of them.)

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

I always feel like it's the first day of school when I start to answer a question like this.  I really feel as if we should all be wearing name tag right about now.  My name is Ryan.  I'm a 35 year old retail manager, single father, Eeyore admirer, tea drinker, Scrabble player, and I'm  a Leo.  I started the blog back in July of 2009 because I was inspired by a good friend from the Barnes & Noble book club site.  So I have Deb of Book Magic to thank for the last few years.  It's been an amazing adventure, one I hope continues for a long time to come.

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

Right now I'm reading An American Family by Peter Lefcourt, but my favorite book of the year has to be Gillespie and I by Jane Harris.  I don't think I'll ever be able to not recommend it to everyone and their French poodle.

What is your favorite feature on your blog (i.e. author interviews, memes, something specific to your blog)?

Gee, I get to brag about myself a bit.  Not sure that's a good thing, but here it goes.  I love the fact that I feature one of my Favorite Fictional Characters every Wednesday.  Over the years I have featured some character that everyone knows; Nancy Drew, Yogi Bear, Samantha Stevens, Eeyore, Buffy Summers, and the list could go one.  But what I really enjoy doing is featuring characters that not everyone is so familiar with.  I have been able to talk about Vanyel Ashkevron, who is the hero of The Last Herald Mage trilogy by Mercedes Lackey.  He was one of those characters that allowed me to deal with personal issues as a young adult.  I have able to highlight my favorite characters form books, movies, cartoons, comic books, TV shows, and even a poem.  It's something that I love to do and I'm pretty positive I'll never run out of characters to praise and heap adoration on.

Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?

It Gets Better...It Gets So Much Better would have to be the post that meant that most to me and the one I put a lot of myself into.  I posted it back in October of 2010 when it seemed as if there was an epidemic of gay teen suicide in this country.  I heard about the It Gets Better Project and I felt as if I want to partake in it, even it it was just through a blog post.  It's one of those issues, that as a gay man, I feel partially responsible for.  I have guilt over the idea that our community has not done enough to help these kids understand that life is waiting for them and that as bad as it is now, they have to much to live for.

Where do you see your blog in five years?

Hopefully right where it is, still going strong.  Wow, I just realized that would mean I will have been doing this for 8 years.  Not something I even had in the back of my brain when I put out my first post.  It's been an amazing experience and while I know it could end at any time, that life can get in the way, I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts.

BBAW Interview Swap: Angie From Angieville

One of the best things about BBAW is that I get to add new (to me) blogs to my reader and meet some great bloggers for the first time.  One of those bloggers, Angie of Angieville, will be the first one added this year.  Even if I don't have time to do any of the other posts, I always sign up for the interview swap.  It's always fun to get to talk to someone I don't know.  Thanks to BBAW I'll be a regular in Angieville now.

1. What got you into reading? Have you been a book lover all your life or did it happen later on?

Quite simply, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe got me into reading. Both my parents have always been avid readers, and they encouraged reading in the home and read to me all the time as a kid. And I, well, I humored them. I'm not proud of this. But I didn't really seek things out on my own as a very young girl. My imagination just wasn't fully engaged until my aunt sent me the Chronicles of Narnia box set for my tenth birthday. I read the first book on a transatlantic flight to Sicily, where we were moving, and nothing was ever the same again. I didn't even get past the dedication before I was a goner. And it's been books, books, books ever since. 

2. What inspired you to start your own blog? What do you like the most about blogging?

My husband is tech savvy, and somewhere around five years ago or so he mentioned that I should start up a blog. I had only the vaguest notions of what they were at the time. I asked him what in the world I would do with it, and he shrugged and said, "What about a book journal?" I thought it was a great idea, and for the first couple of years, the blog was merely a personal record of the books I read (and re-read) each month, with accompanying thoughts and images. Then I started reading other book blogs and--once again--my imagination became fully engaged. And the blogging took off accordingly. 

As for what I like most about blogging? That moment when someone I don't know comments or emails or tweets me to say they read the same book and they felt the same way. It's like they reached out and took my hand in the dark. I never tire of the thrill and I don't think I ever will. 

3. Has your taste in books changed through your life? Have you found yourself reading books you might not have when you were younger? Or are there books you loved in the past and now you can't imaging why?

I guess I'd say my taste has broadened as I've gotten older. I don't think I've ever really turned my back on books or genres I used to like, which is why I'm a serial re-reader. Nothing is as comforting as characters and words you know and love. No one welcomes you home like they do. But I definitely have started reading books I probably wouldn't have when I was younger. These would include books that previously scared me off, specifically horror or romance novels. Though I still read on the tame end, I'm sure. My husband is a die-hard Stephen King fan and finally broke down a couple of years ago and shoved a copy of It into my hands, begging me to read it. I took a deep breath and dove in and what a book. I was unprepared for how much I would love those seven kids and the wonderful writing. I'm so glad to have the book blogging community to tell me what I'm missing out on and to egg me on to try new things and fall in love with new characters and new words and add them to my beloved bookshelf.

4. This is a totally subjective question. What elements do you look for in a book? What makes a book a "good read"?

Two things: I connect with at least one character. And the words are right. And you're correct--it's utterly subjective. The characters I connect with and the words I love are not necessarily the same ones for anyone else. Whether or not the words are right is  a matter of my own taste and aesthetic criteria. My reasons will perhaps not be the same as others'. Occasionally I will connect with a character, but the narrative doesn't do her or him justice, and the book and I don't click. And it has happened that the prose is beautiful but the characters are empty for me, so the book and I don't click. But when those two elements meet--the results are sublime and I will read it through to the very end. Every time. 

5. What book has most influenced the way you see life and your role in it?

My life has been broadly influenced by all kinds of literature. But when I think of the novel that has most influenced the way I see life, I have to go with Middlemarch by George Eliot. It's difficult to overstate the effect it had on me when I read it in grad school. I still remember my throat tightening with emotion and wonder at the way she was able to capture the human experience in such quiet, crystalline moments. It changed me, brought focus to my academic pursuits, and is one of the books of my life. 

6. Other than reading, what do you do for fun? Are you a adventure seeker or do you like something a little closer to home?

I love good food, good music, and traveling to new places. Preferably all three together. 

7. I love the idea of your Retro Friday meme.  I'm a huge fan of older books and I try to read as many as I can.  What made you start the meme?  Was there an older book that you feel in love with that got you hooked on the idea of reading older books instead of the constant stream of new ones?

Thanks! I was looking for a weekly meme to start up on the blog, and I kept coming back to the fact that I spend a huge chunk of time re-reading old favorites when I could be reading newly published works. But I wouldn't want it any other way. In fact, I don't think I could stop it if I tried. I'm baffled by people who don't re-read. How can they not long to go back and spend time inside their favorite stories again? And so I thought, hey, why not review some of the old ones on a regular basis? Maybe it will spark some interest in some under-the-radar books. Maybe I'll even get to talk about them with others who've read and loved them, too. That's how Retro Fridays was born.

8. What are some little known facts about yourself?

Ha! Well, here's one little known (and literary) fact about me. In lieu of having the birds and the bees talk, my mother decided to hand me a copy of Lady Chatterley's Lover and call it good. And, honestly? After reading that book, I had no questions left. 

Thanks for having me!

If you are even a little bit curious, head on over to Angieville to read my answers to her questions.

Another Short Survey Meme (Only 4 Questions)

My very good friend, Michelle of The True Book Addict and The Christmas Spirit, tagged me in a short, 4 question meme.  I'm really liking these memes that are short and don't take up a lot of time to answer.

Four Places I Go

Work
Home to spend time with my son
Bookstore
The Park to spend more time with my son

Four Favorite Smells

Pine trees
Issey Miyake cologne
Turkey in the oven
Camp fire

Four Favorite TV Shows or Movies

Buffy: The Vampire Slayer
Angel
Glee
Bones

(A caveat on this one though.  My favorite shows are numerous and these were just the first four that popped in my head.  My favorite movies would require more time than either I have to answer or you have to read)

Four Recommendations

Tell your kids you love them everyday
Never stop questioning
Never stop learning
Never stop reading

I'm not going to tag anyone, but I would love anyont that does this to come back and let me know so I can read your answers as well.

A-Z: Me In A Nutshell

I saw this meme done by Carol at Carol's Notebook and since I haven't done one of these in a while, I thought it would be fun. The fact that it's really short and won't take long to do was helpful.

A. Age:  34
B. Bed:  Queen
C. Chores you dislike:  Dishes
D. Dogs:  None right now, but hopefully soon
E. Essential start to your day:  A shower
F. Favorite color:  Blue or Green depending on the day
G. Gold or silver:  Silver
H. Height:  6' 2"
I. Instruments you play:  Violin
J.Job title:  Assistant Store Manager
K. Kids:  1 Son
L. Live:  Wichita, KS
M. Mom’s name:  Tammy
N. Nicknames:  Buggy, childhood nickname
O. Overnight hospital stays:  1 for almost a week when appendix was taken out (horrible mess)
P. Pet peeves:  Someone reading my newspaper before I do and way too many others
Q. Quote from a movie:  "Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death"
R. Righty or lefty:  Righty
S. Siblings:  1 brother
T. Time you wake up:  Between 6:30 and 7:00 AM on weekdays maybe later on weekends
U. Underwear:  Boxers
V. Vegetables you don’t like:  Zucchini, most types of squash (except butternut), canned spinach
W.What makes you run late:  Other people
X. X-rays you’ve had:  Head, neck, teeth, chest, back, knee
Y. Yummy food you make:  Potato dumplings, lasagna....heck, everything I make :-)
Z. Zoo animal favorites:  Tigers, lions, polar bears, penguins, wolves, gorillas

20 Questions Over at Lost In Books

I just wanted to let everyone know that Rebecca at Lost In Books asked me to participate in her 20 Questions meme and she has it posted today.  Please stop by and let me know what you think of my oh so provocative answers.

If...

I borrowed this meme from Susan over at Well-Mannered Frivolity, one of my favorite blogs to read on a daily basis. I thought this meme was wonderful so I wanted to do it myself.

If I was...
a month I'd be December
a day of the week I'd be Sunday
a time of the day I'd be Dusk

If I was...
a sea animal I'd be a Manta Ray
a direction I'd be North
a piece of furniture I'd be a Overstuffed Couch
a liquid I'd be Hot Tea

If I was...
a gemstone I'd be Peridot
a tree I'd be a Birch
a tool I'd be a Hammer
a kind of weather I'd be a Thunder Storm

If I was...
a musical instrument I'd be a Violin
a color I'd be Blue
an emotion I'd be Happiness
a fruit I'd be a Orange

If I was...
a food I'd be Fresh Baked Bread
a material I'd be Corduroy
a scent I'd be Lime
a flavor I'd be Butterscotch

If I was...
a sound I'd be a Laugh
an element I'd be Fire
a mammal I'd be a Lion
a phase of the moon I'd be Full

If I was...
a berry I'd be a Blueberry
a bird I'd be a Common Loon
a book I'd be The Neverending Story
a place I'd be The Boundary Waters Canoe Area

A Film Meme, Now For The Second Time

I was tagged by Ceri form Not in the Pink for this one and since I love movies as much as books I said what the heck, lets do it.  Now I had already done a version of this meme on August 3rd of last year, so I will try to expand on my answers and not repeat myself.  Now a few of the questions are different but most are the same.

Name a film that you have seen more than 10 times.

The Thin Man would be one I've seen over and over and over and over and over again.

Name a film that you’ve seen multiple times in the cinema.

I'm not a big lets go to the theater to see it over and over kind of guy.  Now because of a past relationship I do remember seeing The Cell with Jennifer Lopez and Mission Impossile 2 in the theater twice each.

Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a film.

Parker Posey

Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a film.

Nicholas Cage

Name a film that you can and do quote from.

Monster Squad. "Kick him in the nards, kick him in the nards.......the Wolfman  does have nards!"

Name a film musical that you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs.

The Phantom of the Opera, only because I loved the stage musical first.

Name a film that you would recommend everyone see.

To name a few I didn't name last time:  Gosford Park, The Thin Man series, Gremlins, The Last Starfighter, The Orphanage, Pan's Labyrinth, and I will end it there otherwise the list will never end.

Ever walked out of a film?

Another movie I walked out of was 12 Monekeys.

Name a film that made you cry in the cinema.

Ok I have to give a different answer from last time and since I mentioned two of them then, the first movie that comes to mind this time is Evita.  All I ask is that you keep the snickering to a minimum.

Popcorn?

The more butter the better.

How often do you go to the cinema (as opposed to renting them or watching them at home)?

Not as much as I used to.  It's about a few times a month now.  It used to be once or twice a week.

What’s the last film you saw in the cinema?

I'm not sure but the last few movies I've seen in the theater are: Ninja Assassins, The Road, Precious, and I know I have seen movies since then but my mind is drawing a blank right now.

What’s your favourite/preferred genre of film?

My second favorite would be mystery.  I can never get enough of a good murder.

What’s the first film you remember seeing in the cinema?

I also remember seeing pretty early in life: The Creep Show, Dawn of the Dead, and The Sword in the Stone.

What film do you wish you had never seen?

Twilight.  I finally broke down and saw the first movie and I've been kicking myself ever since.

What is the scariest film you’ve seen?

After Halloween it would have to be The Blair Witch Project, that ending scared the hell out of me.

If you could be any character portrayed in a movie, who would it be?

Zorro or Tarzan.  It would be so cool to be either character, The Lone Ranger comes to mind as well.

Total number of films you own on DVD and video.

137 plus another 25 seasons of different TV shows

Last film you bought.

I bought Snow White, Poltergeist, Mannequin and Mannequin 2: On The Move all at the same time.

Last film you watched.

I rented The Hurt Locker and I loved it as much as I did in the theater.  The last movie I watched off of TV was Them! which I had on my DVR from TCM.

Five films that mean a lot to you.

I tackled this thinking if I could only watch 5 movies for the rest of my life, what would they be?  So I chose; The Women, Auntie Mame, The Thin Man, Halloween, and Christmas in Connecticut.

Another Meme I'm Stealing From Alexia

Well I was blog surfing and came across another meme at Alexia's Books and Such..., called What I Do and Do Not Like.  It looks really easy and since I've been hitting a reading slump I would give it a go.

The rules are really simple, all you have to do is fill in the blanks after each bold word and tag 3 of your friends, I'm not a big tagger so if you feel like joining in, consider yourself tagged.

I like cold fried chicken,
I like root beer.
I like getting my hair cut.
I like ferns.
I like anything that is flavored with butterscotch.
I like being home by myself.
I like thunderstorms.
I like listening to old mystery radio shows.
I like Christmas cards.
I like the way snow looks on pine trees.
I like Limon salt on my popcorn.
I like raspberry vinegar.

I love my son.

Today is just begining.

I hate clowns.
I hate falling down the stairs.
I hate overly hot Summer days.
I hate watching golf.
I hate FOX News.
I hate leeches.

I (secretly) like eating in public by myself.

I love books.

Book Questionnaire

I saw this over at Alexia's Books and Such... and since I haven't  done one of these in a long time, I figurered I would give it a go.

Rules of this survey - no two answers can be the same book and all books must be fiction.


Book next to your bed right now:  The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Favorite series:  The Valdemar books by Mercedes Lackey

Favorite book:  And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

The one book you would have with you if stranded on a desert island:  Atlas, Shrugged by Ayn Rand.  As long as it is, I would be busy for long periods of time.

Book/series you would take with you on a long flight:  The Harry Potter series by J K Rowling

Worst book you were made to read in school:  Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank.  I don't think this is a bad book though, actually I really enjoyed it.  I had to put something down though.

Book that everyone should be made to read in school:   The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Book that everyone should read, period:  Pandemonium by Daryl Gregory

Favorite character:  Vanyel Ashkevron

Best villain:  Dracula

Favorite concept series:  The Dune series by Frank Herbert

Favorite invented world:  The world invented for The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan

Most beautifully written book:   The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Funniest book: The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy by Tim Burton

Award Time X 3

I decided to post these three awards together since they all ask the recipient to convey large amounts of information about ourselves, so this way all the wonderful tidbits can be found together. I want to apologize to those who have given these awards to me since I'm been so slow in getting them passed along. You guys are wonderful and your kindness means so much to me.



Carol from Carol's Notebook passed this on to me and I am so excited by it. I think the award itself is wonderful to look at and it's nice to know that my blog is enjoyed by others. Her blog is fantastic and I encourage everyone to go visit and say hi.

Now the rule for this one is to pass it on to 7 other bloggers and tell everyone 7 things about yourself.

I would like to pass this along to the following blogs:

• Laurel at Creations by Laurel-Rain Snow. She always has a kind word for her fellow bloggers and has a brilliant writing voice.
• Ceri at Not in the Pink. Hilarious blogger who puts me in a better mood just by visiting her blog.
• Michelle at The Christmas Spirit. Michelle was already a brilliant blogger but by starting a blog that is about Christmas all year round, she cemented herself in my pantheon of brilliant bloggers.
• Stephanie at Misfit Salon. If you have not checked this blog out you have to do so right away. Stupendous doesn't even begin to describe this fantastic place to visit.
• Nely at All About {n}. Great blogger who happens to be hosting a great holiday reading challenge that I'm enjoying quite a bit.
• Tasha at Heidenkind's Hideaway. A lovely blogger who brings an interesting perspective that I normally would not think of on my own.
• Jaime at Revenge of the Book Nerds! Jaime has been one of the nicest bloggers I've met since starting my own blog and I appreciate her kindness more than I can say.

Now for 7 things about myself, though trying to say 7 things that I haven't mentioned before may be a little hard.

1. From the Summer after my 5th grade till high school we traveled with a carnival so I would go to a different school about every two weeks depending on what town we were in. We did Winter in one location though, either San Marcos, TX or Skiatook, OK.
2. Taking custody of my nephew was the best decision I have ever made in my life.
3. Becoming an Oceanographer was one of my dream jobs as a kid.
4. My guilty pleasure TV show was and is still, Buffy: The Vampire Slayer.
5. Sweet potato and butterscotch cream pies are my two favorite sweets during the holidays.
6. I'm in love with ferns for some reason. I can never have enough of them around the house.
7. I want to retire back to MN.

This was another award I received from the wonderful Carol at Carol's Notebook. This award is such a compliment, who doesn't want to be Over the Top?

The rules are pretty simple. Answer the following questions with Single Word answers then pass this along to 5 other bloggers. Make sure you let them know about it though.

• Your Cell Phone? Gone
• Your Hair? Short
• Your Mother? Biker
• Your Father? Passed
• Your Favorite Food? Seafood
• Your Dream Last Night? Odd
• Your Favorite Drink? Tea
• Your Dream/Goal? Published
• What Room Are You In? TV
• Your Hobby? Reading
• Your Fear? Clowns
• Where Do You Want To Be In Six Years? Italy
• Where Were You Last Night? Work
• Something That You Aren't? Bored
• Muffins? Cranberry
• Wish List Item? Massage
• Where Did You Grow Up? Everywhere
• Last Thing You Did? Ate
• What Are You Wearing? Shirt
• Your TV? On
• Your Pets? None
• Friends? Fun
• Your Life? Comfortable
• Your Mood? Tired
• Missing Someone? Yes
• Vehicle? Gallant
• Something You Aren't Wearing? Shoes
• Your Favorite Store? B&N
• Your Favorite Color? Blue
• When Was The Last Time You Laughed? Earlier
• Last Time You Cried? Movie
• Your Best Friend? Frankie
• One Place You Go To Over And Over Again? Work
• Facebook? No
• Favorite Place To Eat? Home

I'm going to pass this on to the following blogs:

• Melissa at My World. One of my favorite bloggers and B&N friend in the world.
• Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Kind hearted blogger who has shown me nothing but kindness.
• Deb at BookMagic. She is the whole reason I started blogging to begin with and is a fantastic example to follow.
• Zia at My Life In Not So Many Words. Great blog and twitter friend who always has something wonderful to say.
• Tracy at The True Book Addict's Sister. A new blogger on the block who has a unique voice that always keeps my interest.

This award I got from two great bloggers and they are both deserving of all the respect and thanks I can give them. Sheila of One Persons Journey Through a World of Books and Melissa of My World both gave this really tough looking award.

Here are the rules for this award. You must name 10 true and honest things about yourself then pass this along to 7 other bloggers.

1. Another dream occupation I briefly considered as a kid was working as a chef.
2. I was in love with all things dinosaur as a kid and could never get enough of them. Toys, sheets, books, puzzles, models, and the list goes on. You name it, I wanted it.
3. I still love cheesy bands from the 80s; Journey, Foreigner, Chicago, and Boston to name just a few.
4. The older you get the less patience I have for you. I've been thinking about going back to school to teach and when I first started thinking about it, I wanted to teach HS English. Then I realized the first time that one kid asks me the same question more than twice I would probably be called to the Principal's office. So now I'm thinking about 1st or 2nd grade since I have infinite patience with younger kids.
5. I love the sight of a Christmas tree lit up in a dark room. There is something so peaceful about it.
6. I want to take a year and visit the Philippines, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Vietnam. Whether it will ever happen or not is another matter.
7. I love snow. I could never get enough of it and the sight of a snow covered forest makes me smile like nothing else.
8. My favorite bird is the common loon.
9. Pepperoni, black olives, and cheese on a thin crust is the best pizza in the world.
10. I like to put a little bit of barbecue sauce in my mustard potato salad.

I will be passing this along to the following blogs:

• Bella at A Bibliophile's Bookshelf. Her blog never bores me and I add to my reading list every time I visit.
• Alexia at Alexia's Books and Such. Fantastic blogger who never fails to entertain and has a killer Balderdash talent going on.
• Elena at With Extra Pulp. Concise and articulate writer who gives you her honest review and does it in a way that entertains and informs.
• Jennifer at Rundpinne. Her Christmas decorating talents are awe inspiring enough but she tops herself everyday with every post she does on her terrific blog.
• Carol at Carol's Notebook. The love she has for her family shines threw on her blog and is one of the many reasons I keep going back to read what she has to say on books, games, and Amber's Art work.
• Peter at KyusiReader. Another blogger who never fails to add books to my reading list. His Bookshelf feature never fails to entertain and make me green with envy.
• Nikola at Nikola's Book Blog. Great blogger who has a very eclectic taste in books and has a unique perspective on them.

44 of the Most Random Questions

I saw this at another blog and Matt seemed like he had fun doing it so I thought I would give it a try myself, that and I'm just a little bored right now.

1. Do you like blue cheese? If Gorgonzola counts than yes, if it doesn't then no I don't.

2. Have you ever been drunk? If my younger days, more times than I can count. Now that I'm a little more mature and grownup, not really. I rarely have a drink now and when I do I only drink 15-20 of them, not even close to drunk stage for me. Just kidding, at most I will have 2 drinks in a evening anymore.

3. Do you own a gun? No, never have and never will. I think the world would be better off without them and I would like to see them all melted down for flower pots.

4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? Hmm....as a kid what flavor didn't I like, Kool Aid rocked. Now the few times I buy it for my son it's normally Tropical Punch or Orange.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Since I still hate going to the doctor, yes.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? They are OK and I only like them 3 ways. First is with mustard, onions, relish, and sport peppers. Second is with mustard, ketchup, and mayo. Then you put crushed potato chips and mozzarella cheese on top of that. Then you put it on a two sided electric grill to melt the cheese, so gooooood. Third way is cooked on a stick over a campfire.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Oh gosh another long answer. Christmas in Connecticut, White Christmas, The Ref, Nightmare Before Christmas, the ABC Family Channel movie Snow, The Tangerine Bear: Home in Time for Christmas, The Christmas Toy, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Cartoon version), The Year Without a Santa Claus, Rudolph's Shiny New Year, Nestor The Long Eared Christmas Donkey, Frosty's Winter Wonderland, Twas' the Night Before Christmas, Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July, A Charlie Brown Christmas, He-Man and She-Ra Christmas Special, Jack Frost (Rankin & Bass animated version), Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Frosty the Snowman, Frosty Returns, and The Little Drummer Boy.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Milk, orange juice, water, or hot tea.

9. Can you do push ups? Yes all the time and I hate it.

10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? Silver Italian horn necklace.

11. Favorite hobby? Well since I started a book blog I would have to say reading.

12. Do you have A.D.D.? No

13. What’s your favorite shoe? I have two pairs of Merrell Chameleon 2s I really like and I just got a pair of Auri Gulfstream in green that I love.

14. Middle name? Michael

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? That this is taking longer than I thought it would, my left shoulder is hurting, and I'm loving this pistachio ice cream.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Hot tea, water, and cranberry juice.

17. Current worry? If my son will feel better in the morning.

18. Current hate right now? Those who belong to the Birther conspiracy, people who need to talk about who they are sleeping with on their cell phones while they are standing in front of me in a line, my headache that seems to be never ending, and eggplant.

19. Dum da dum dummmm what is that? A really annoying sound that I wish would go away for ever.

20. How did you bring in the new year? At home sick on my couch eating popcorn with my then 5 year old.

21. Where would you like to go? Bangladesh, South Africa, and American Samoa.

22. Name three people who will complete this? Anyone who wants to.

23. Do you own slippers? Yes, nice and furry ones.

24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? Purple

25. Do you like sleeping on Satin sheets? No, I can't stand the feel of them. I love high thread count cotton and then flannel in winter.

26. Can you whistle? Yes, but not in tune.

27. Favorite color? Almost any shade of blue and green.

28. Would you be a pirate? Not if I had to wear an eye patch and have a peg leg. I also hate parrots and need to shower at least twice a day, so I'm thinking no.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't

30. Favorite Girl’s Name? Ehlana

31. Favorite boy’s name? Aidan (of course) or Damian

32. What’s in your pocket right now? Nothing, I empty them when I come home.

33. Last thing that made you laugh? Picturing myself as a pirate.

34. Best bed sheets as a child? Mikey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Goofy at a County Fair.

35. Worst injury you’ve ever had as a child? We were building a fort in our neighbors back yard and all the other kids went inside leaving me holding a board, about the size of a door, up against a fence. Well when you are 8 and bored, 5 minutes seems like a year. So I let go, turned around, and started walking away. If fell on me and the boards I was walking on had nails sticking up. So I had two nails go into the right side of my face and tear it up a little. I still have a 1.5 inch scar by my ear.

36. Do you love where you live? Love the place I physically live, I could do without the Kansas part though.

37. Revenge of the Nerds or Fast Times at Ridgemont High? Can I say neither.

38. Who is your loudest friend? We are no longer friends because of that loudness.

39. How many dogs do you have? None right now, but I really, really, really, really want an Irish Wolfound.

40. Does someone have a crush on you? The few I know about are not ones I want to have a crush on me.

42. What is your favorite candy? Jelly Belly jellybeans, especially the juicy pear and margarita ones

43. Favorite Sports Team? Denver Broncos.

44. What song do you want played at your funeral? The Lady of Shalott by Loreena Mckennitt.

Fun Random Questions for BBAW

I'm a sucker for random questions so I can't help myself but answer all of them.

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?

All the time I can't help it. Normally it's stuff like popcorn or chips. Lately it's been a lot more plums, Havarti and salami, Havarti and pears, Havarti and crackers. I'm on a weird Havarti kick right now. I also tend to like cucumbers and radishes with a little ranch dressing.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears?Laying the book flat open?

Bookmarks all the way. I used to dog ear when I was younger but I am now out of that stage. Every once in a while I will set the book down open but I try not to do that too much.

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?

Both, though the non-fiction I read tends to be either about politics or autobiographies.

Hard copy or audio books?

I haven't done a lot of audio books because the only time I would listen to them except in the car and then it's mainly on NPR.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point?

Just whenever I'm done reading for the period of time. If their is something really big going on I will try to get to the end of that part, but if I'm too tired I can hold off for a while.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?

Only if I can't figure it out by the context of the passage it's in.

What are you currently reading?

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

What is the last book you bought?

3 of them from the Dollar Tree: A Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham, Monster by Frank Peretti, and Manor House: As Seen on Public Television by

Juliet Gardiner.

Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?

I tend to read through multiple books at a time though my main focus is on one.

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?

Whenever or wherever I can.

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?

Both. I love series because if I love a certain character/characters I want more of them. Stand alones do a really good job or getting you to care about characters right away.

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?

Agatha Christie has to be the one author I push on everyone. A few of the books would be Pandemonium by Daryl Gregory, The Thief of Always by Clive Barker, and The Last Herald Mage trilogy by Mercedes Lackey.

How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?)

When they are organized I try to do the fiction by author's last name and have the non-fiction sorted by subject in alphabetical order.

My ABC's!

Krista at Life or Something Like It tagged me with this meme a few days ago and has since reminded me that she tagged with me it, so I decided I better get it done before she decides to send zombie penguins or rabid hyenas after me.

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Share your ABCs
3. Tag three people at the end by linking to their blogs
4. Let the three tagged people know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website
5. Do not tag the same person repeatedly but try to tag different people, so there is a big network of bloggers doing this tag

Available or single? Single, single, single, single, and doomed to be single for the rest of my natural life or until I actually accept a date. Whichever comes first.

Best Friend? My roommate Frankie

Cake or Pie? Can't stand the texture of cake, it creeps me out. The only pies I like are rhubarb, sweet potato, butterscotch cream, gooseberry, or blackberry. I do love cheesecake though.

Drink of choice? Water would be number 1. Then I would have to break it down from there. Non Alcoholic would be: hot tea, hot apple cider, and cranberry juice. Alcohol would be wine (red and dry), vodka (Grey Goose, Belvedere, or Absolut), and silver tequila (Patron Silver only). Now assuming I ever had the time to go out with friends (which I don't) those would be the items I would partake in. I just love long answers, don't you?

Essential item for every day use? Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, books, and my computer

Favorite color? Blues and greens in every shade, hue.

Google? Too much for stuff I really don't need to know.

Hometown? Two Harbors, MN but currently live in Wichita, KS.

Indulgences? Books, books, books, books, the occasional DVD, followed by more books. Oh yeah I forgot about, and don't laugh, my addiction to calamari.

January or February? January hands down. I'm a winter boy, the colder the better.

Kids and their names? Aidan who is 6 and occasionally acts like he's 60.

Life is incomplete without…? My son, friends, books, Eeyore, tea, Scrabble, and politics.

Marriage? Not even close

Number of siblings? 1 brother

Oranges or apples? Oranges are OK and I only like green or crab apples.

Phobias and fears? Clowns, clowns on motorcycles, clowns stuffed in a car, clowns walking down the street, clowns carrying butcher knifes. I think you get the point!

Quote for the day? "Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death." Said by Mame Dennis in the great, great movie Auntie Mame.

Reason to smile? My son, my friends, winning a game of Scrabble, a good, hot cup of tea, and everyone single person reading these answers. You guys are the best and I'm thankful to you every day.

Season? Fall and Winter. I hate heat but love cool breezes, the leaves turning, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, snow, icicles and about a million other things about those two seasons.

Tag 3 people? I think everyone has been tagged by now, but if you are reading this and have not done this, consider yourself tagged! Follow the rules and everything will be OK.

Unknown fact about me? I still cry every time I watch Old Yeller or Bambi and Marley & Me had me bawling like a little baby.

Vegetable you hate? Unlike Krista I love squash, especially butternut squash. So I think the only "vegetables" I don't like are actually classified as fruits. I can't stand eggplant, avocado, and don't like tomatoes on hamburgers.

Worst habit? I like to argue a little bit too much.

X-rays you’ve had? Back, neck, head, chest, knee, and foot

Your fave food? Not sure if this is answerable without taking up a entire post. Calamari, clams, shrimp, cucumbers, radishes, lasagna, potato dumplings, ham, stuffing, au gratin potatoes, and I'll stop the list here because I'm getting hungry.

Zodiac sign? Leo and I was born in the Year of the Dragon.

Five Fantasy Questions for 101 Fantasy Books Meme

I found this over on Celia's blog, Adventures of Cecelia Bedelia. This is a 5 question meme that goes along with 101 Best Fantasy Books, which is an event asking everyone to nominate then vote on the best 101 fantasy book of all time.

Since I nominated about a gazillion books I should be answering the questions as well. So here goes nothing.

1. What is your favourite favourite fantasy series?

Wow, I'm not sure I can answer this with just one series. So I think I'm going to go with 7 (if that's OK). In my defense though there are two groups of two series that go together, both groups by the same author (if that made any sense). So I go with:

The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan and finished by Brandon Sanderson

The Shannara Trilogy by Terry Brooks

The Belgariad/The Malloreon series by David Eddings

The Elenium/The Tamuli series by David Eddings

The Valdemar books by Mercedes Lackey

2. What is your favourite fantasy character?

A little easier to answer since Vanyel Ashkevron from Mercedes Lackey's Last Herald Mage trilogy would definitely be number one. Though Belgarion and Sparhawk from David Eddings, Rand al'Thor and Moraine Damodred from Robert Jordan, Elena Michaels from Kelley Armstrong, Brin Ohmsford from Terry Brooks, and the entire cast of the still unfinished Exiles Trilogy by Melanie Rawn would be close seconds.

3. What is your favourite fantasy creature?

I'm a big fan of the nonhuman creatures in Mercedes Lackeys books. The Companions, Kyree, Hertasi, Gryphons, Firecats, Dyheli, and Tervardi. These are all sentient races equal to humans.

Other than that I am fascinated with dragons, banshees, vampires, werewolves, and just about everything else.

4. What is your favourite fantasy world?

Mercedes Lackey's Velgarth, J R R Tolkien's Middle Earth, Terry Brooks' The Four Lands, and almost every other land I get to escape into.

5. What is your favourite fantasy “magic” (i.e. The Will and the Word in David Eddings’ Belgariad series)?

The True Source as divided into the female half saidar and the male half saidan, Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series.

Nominate & Vote for the 101 Best Fantasy Books

A_Bibliophile's_Bookshelf has a great survey going on through the end up the month. She wants you (the reader) to go and nominate then vote on the 101 Best Fantasy Books of all time. I've already submitted my first round of books. Go and nominate yours. Deadline is August 31st so don't delay. Once the nominations are in the voting will start.

BBAW: Getting to Know You Questions

Well since I'm brand new at this blogging gig, only been doing it for less than a month, I figured I would jump in head first and get involved with Book Blogger Appreciation Week.

The best way to learn and grow is to get involved so here I am. They posted 3 questions for those experienced paragons of all that is a book blogger and another 3 questions for those of us who are wet behind the ears and don't know quite what we are doing or getting ourselves into.

Since I most definitely fall into that second category I figured I would go ahead and answer the questions. So here are my responses to the getting to know you Q&A.

1) What has been one of the highlights of blogging for you?

Wow, not even sure where to start. I don't have a lot of time under my belt so this may seem a silly answer to some, but the best part so far is meeting some incredible people and realizing how much is out there. I never even thought about blogging before a Barnes & Noble book club friend started one of her own ( Deb over at Bookmagic) and seemed to be having a lot of fun with it. So I figured I would dip my toes into the proverbial pool and see how warm the water was.

What I discovered was an entire community of people who love books and reading as much as I do. That no matter how different individual lives may be that this group of people come together and celebrate something that means so much to me. I have enjoyed discovering new books and topics that I may have never chanced upon and "meeting" people I never would have had an opportunity to get to know.

2) What blogger has helped you out with your blog by answering questions, linking to you, or inspiring you?

Obviously Deb at Bookmagic because she was the inspiration behind me getting involved to begin with. I'm really scared to name anyone else because I don't want to hurt anybody feelings (not that I've been doing this long enough to really run that risk). However I think the blogger I've gleamed the most information from (without ever really bugging her with a question) and tend to find myself going back to her blog the most is Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books.

I know there are other sites I've really learned from and gotten great ideas from but I have a massive headache so my thought processes aren't exactly up to their usual high standards. So I apologize now to all you bloggers out there that I've learned from without you even knowing it, for not mentioning you by name. You are all inspirations and role model to those like me who are just starting out.

3) What one question do you have about BBAW that someone who participated last year could answer?

You know, this is probably the hardest question to answer. For I don't know what I'm missing out on. I'm not really sure what information I need that I'm missing. I guess all I can say is if anyone feels like taking the time and telling me about last year's event, I'm all ears (and eyes).

Twenty (and One) Questions on Filmic Experiences

I am borrowing this from Cecelia at Adventures of Cecelia Bedelia. I'm a sucker for these questions lately and can't pass up on one about movies. I'm not only a book nut but also a movie fanatic. So here it goes.


1. Name a movie that you've seen more than ten times.

Better yet I will name two. Both star Rosalind Russell my favorite actress of all time. The first is Auntie Mame. I have seen this movie at least 20 times and now that I've been thinking about it I will probably watch it again tonight from bed or tomorrow while I'm doing laundry. The second movis is The Women. Gossip, cat fights, Joan Crawford, and Rosaling Russell it can't be beat.

2. Name a movie that you've seen multiple times in the theater.

This is embarrasing and I'm sure if I thought about this longer I would be able to give a better answer but the first movie that pops in my head is Spawn.

3. Name an actor/actress that would make you more inclined to see a movie.

I can't leave this with only one answer. Modern day it would be Taye Diggs, Cate Blanchett (loved Elizabeth, good candidate for question 1), Joan Allen, Nicole Kidman, Sarah Michelle Gellar or Diane Keaton

Old Hollywood would be Rosalind Russell, Myrna Loy, William Powell, Agnes Moorehead, Vincent Price, or Barbara Stanwyck.

4. Name an actor/actress that would make you less inclined to see a movie.

Again more than one. Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, or Ben Stiller.

5. Name a movie that you can and do quote from.

Auntie Mame. "Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death"

6. Name a movie musical that you know all the lyrics to all the songs.

Mary Poppins.

7. Name a movie that you've been known to sing along with.

Mary Poppins, The Aristocats, and pretty much every Disney movie.

8. Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see.

Gosh again, too many choices. Auntie Mame, The Women, 12 Angry Men, Up at the Villa, Halloween, The Towering Inferno, Murder on the Orient Express, and I could go on and on but will stop here.

9. Name a movie that you own.

At random I will say, 30 Days of Night.


10. Name an actor/actress that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops.

Cher. One of the few singers that will give a great performance in a movie.

11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, what?

Not since I was a kid. The few movies I remember watching were Creep Show, The Sword in the Stone, Ice Pirates, Dawn of the Dead, and The Dark Crystal.

12. Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven’t yet gotten around to it.

Gone With the Wind

13. Ever walked out of a movie?

The Devil's Own with Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt. Should have walked out of The Ghosts of Mars, The Watcher, The Unborn, Knowing and a few more that I have blocked from my memory.

14. Name a movie that made you cry in the theater.

Marley & Me, could not stop crying.

15. What’s the last movie you saw in the theater?

It's been a while but it would be a toss up between Knowing and Marley & Me.

16. What’s your favorite/preferred genre of movie?

Old mysteries in black & white and horror. Though it's hard to find a good horror movie anymore. For the most part all the new ones are "torture porn".

17. What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?

Bambi. It's also the first movie I can remember crying from.

18. What movie do you wish you had never seen?

The most recent would be Knowing with Nicolas Cage. I should add him to question 4 but I keep hoping he will surprise me.

19. What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed?

Toss up between Time Code and Memento.

20. What is the scariest movie you’ve seen?

It would still have to be Halloween.

21. What is the funniest movie you’ve seen?

Gosh again hard to name just one. For different reasons I would have to say Auntie Mame, The Women, The Last Supper, Very Bad Things, and Baby Boom.

Have You Read 6 Of These Books?

This wonderful list/quiz was posted by For_The_Love_Of_All_That_Is_Written. It sounded like it would be a lot of fun to do it myself just to see how "average" I am.

The BBC believes most people will have read only 6 of the 100 books here. How do your reading habits stack up?

Instructions: Look at the list and put an 'x' after those you have read.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen ()

2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien (X)

3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte ()

4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling (X)

5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee (X)

6 The Bible (X)

7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte ()

8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell ()

9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman ()

10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens ()

11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott (X)

12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy ()

13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller ()

14 Complete Works of Shakespeare ()

15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier ()

16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien (X)

17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk ()

18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger ()

19 The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger ()

20 Middlemarch - George Eliot ()

21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell ()

22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald ()

23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens ()

24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy ()

25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams ()

27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky ()

28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck ()

29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll ()

30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame ()

31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy ()

32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens ()

33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis (X)

34 Emma-Jane Austen ()

35 Persuasion - Jane Austen ()

36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis (X)

37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hossein ()

38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres ()

39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden ()

40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne (X)

41 Animal Farm - George Orwell ()

42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown (X)

43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez ()

44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving ()

45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins ()

46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery ()

47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy ()

48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood ()

49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding ()

50 Atonement - Ian McEwan ()

51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel ()

52 Dune - Frank Herbert (X)

53 Cold Comfort Farm ()

54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen ()

55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth ()

56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon ()

57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens (X)

58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley ()

59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night - Mark Haddon ()

60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez ()

61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck ()

62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov ()

63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt (X)

64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold ()

65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas (X)

66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac ()

67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy ()

68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding ()

69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie ()

70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville (X)

71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens ()

72 Dracula - Bram Stoker (X)

73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett ()

74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson ()

75 Ulysses - James Joyce () Started but couldn't finish

76 The Inferno – Dante ()

77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome ()

78 Germinal - Emile Zola ()

79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray ()

80 Possession - AS Byatt ()

81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens ()

82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell ()

83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker ()

84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro ()

85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert ()

86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry ()

87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White ()

88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom ()

89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ()

90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton ()

91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad ()

92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery ()

93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks ()

94 Watership Down - Richard Adams (X)

95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole ()

96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute ()

97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas ()

98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare (X)

99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl ()

100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo ()

Well I had 18 of them so at least I'm above "average" but I realize I have a lot of books I want to read that I have not gotten to yet. I better get started.

32 Questions Asked and Answered

I was just purursing different blogs and saw this on Joys's_Blog and since she "borrowed" it from another blog I figured I would "borrow" it from her as well. So Joy thank you for doing this and answering so well that it convinced me to do it myself.

1. What author do you own the most books by?
Mercedes Lackey hands down. At 26 she towers over the Kingdom of Bookshelvia followed only by Dame Agatha Christie who came in at 16.

2. What book(s) do you own the most copies of?
Due to unforseen circumstances I only have one copy of any given book in my library. Now if we were to talk about all time it would be 5 different copies of Atlas, Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

3. Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions?
No, if you hadn't asked I probably wouldn't have noticed. Not sure what that says about me but I'm sure it's not good.

4. What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
Not sure I should answer this on grounds undetermined, so I will only say there are only 3 of them and I'm sure they would be very open to any proposal I may choose to make in the future.

5. What book have you read the most times in your life (excluding picture books read to children; i.e., Goodnight Moon does not count)?
Atlas, Shrugged by Ayn Rand, The Eight by Katherine Neville, All of Merceded Lackey books, and tons more. I'm one of the those repeat readers. If I love it I will read it again and again and again and again.

6. What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
Don't remember the name but I'm sure it was an Encyclopedia Brown book.

7. What is the worst book you've read in the past year?
Death's Daughter by Amber Benson would be towards the top of the list. Not because the writing was bad but because the main character was annoying.

8. What is the best book you've read in the past year?
Three way tie: The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Suicide Collectors by David Oppegard, and Pandemonium by Daryl Gregory.

9. If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
I'm not tagging anyone because I don't know how. However if I could strongly recomend a book without using violent force it would be Pandemonium by Daryl Gregory.

10. Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for Literature?
Not sure I have a frontrunner on this one. Might get back to this later.

11. What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
If it was possible (which I don't think it is) I would like to see The Wheel of Time series made into a trilogy of movies.

12. What book would you least like to see made into a movie?
Ageless: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones by Suzanne Sommers

13. Describe your weirdest dream involving a writer, book, or literary character?
Being swept away by one of the characters from question 4 (who will stay nameless) to an isolated island made of marshmallows and hot fudge.

14. What is the most lowbrow book you've read as an adult?
Conan The Barbarian by Robert E. Howard

15. What is the most difficult book you've ever read?
Ulysses by James Joyce

16. What is the most obscure Shakespeare play you've seen?
Titus Andronicus

17. Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
No preference

18. Roth or Updike?
Haven't read enough to fairly answer.

19. David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?
Haven't read any of there work to make even a fake answer.

20. Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer?
Shakespeare (only because I'm in love with Much Ado About Nothing)

21. Austen or Eliot?
Can I answer neither?

22. What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
I would have to say I haven't read alot of Austen the way others seem to be doing right now. Though I'm not embarrased by it. I just can't get into it.

23. What is your favorite novel?
Can anyone answer this question? I have way too many to pick from

24. Play?
If musicals count it would be Into the Woods. If not it would have to be Bent.

25. Poem?
Two of them. The Lady of Shallot by Alfred, Lordy Tennyson and My Heart's in The Highlands by Robert Burns

26. Essay?
The one answer that will be identical to Joy's. Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal."

27. Short Story?
"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. Still gives me chills when I read it.

28. Work of nonfiction?
TV Guides Guide to Television 2006. Best reference book in the world.

29. Who is your favorite writer?
Hmmm.....lot's of answers here, but Agatha Christie and Mercedes Lackey would top the list.

30. Who is the most overrated writer alive today?
Stephanie Meyer

31. What is your desert island book?
I take it this would be the only book available for as long as we are on the island. If that is the case it would have to be fairly long so I will say Atlas, Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

32. And ... what are you reading right now?
The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks, The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie, Daughter of Hounds by Caitlin R. Kiernan, and Under This Unbroken Sky by Shandi Mitchell