The Arctic Midwest and a Reading Meme

Is Spring coming any time soon?? Let's just put it this way: January in the Midwest $*!@& SUCKS!! When I left for work this morning, it was -7 degrees with a -21 Wind Chill Factor. Sheesh. I need some warmth!! At this very moment, the temp is 1.9...with only a -2 Wind Chill!! Have you ever tried to drag a 180 lb. dog outside when he doesn't want to go?? I don't recommend it!! Wimp. He's supposed to LIKE the snow!!

Anyway, I was tagged by the lovely J. S. Peyton at BiblioAddict for a reading meme. Since I'm lacking on words today for lack of heat, I thought I would post it now!! And this fun meme was started by Eva, from A Striped Armchair.....

Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews?

Hmmm....that's a tough question. Certain books catch my eye, and others don't. I guess I would have to say Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. I know. I know. Everyone loves this book. Hell, even Oprah picked it. But I just have never found the desire to pick it up.

If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise), who would they be and what would the event be?

Well....I guess it would be different people for different events!! I would love to go clubbing with Sebastian Vioget from Colleen Gleason's Gardella Vampire Series. He is hot, dangerous, and not all together trustworthy. But I bet he'd be a blast clubbing in the city of Chicago!!

Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird would make a lovely dinner guest. Of all the books I've ever read, Atticus is probably my very favorite literary character. He's smart, lovely and just so moral. I'd love to sit and chat with him about life over dinner and a bottle of wine.

And afternoon tea would have to be spent with Gandolph the Grey from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. That is one brain I would love to pick!!

(Borrowing shamelessly from the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde): you are told you can’t die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for awhile, eventually you realise it’s past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave?

This one was easy. I think the most boring book on the planet would be John Banville's The Sea. I don't care if it did with the Man Booker prize. Sheesh. Watching paint dry would be more exciting!!

Come on, we’ve all been there. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you’ve read, when in fact you’ve been nowhere near it?

I don't know about this one. There were definitely a couple of books in college that I just skimmed. Read enough to pass the test, if you know what I mean. Madame Bovery is the one that comes to mind first!! I know. It's a classic. But I just couldn't get into it back them. Maybe now....

You’re interviewing for the post of Official Book Advisor to some VIP (who’s not a big reader). What’s the first book you’d recommend and why? (If you feel like you’d have to know the person, go ahead and personalise the VIP).

Let's just pretend this VIP is in Government. I would like for the person running our country to show a little compassion, if you know what I mean. I would have to recommend The Words of Mahatma Ghandi by Ghandi, of course. If there was ever a person that was humble and compassionate, it would Ghandi. He could definitely teach a leader some valuable lessons. In the same vein and for the very same reasons, In My Own Words by Mother Teresa.

A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with?

I have always wanted to learn Italian. Talk about the language of love. It's just so beautiful!!

A mischievous fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick?

Absolutely, positively.....To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. My very favorite book and one that I have already reread a few times. It's one of the few books I HAVE reread. I could read it a hundred more times and still love it!!

I know that the book blogging community, and its various challenges, have pushed my reading borders. What’s one bookish thing you ‘discovered’ from book blogging (maybe a new genre, or author, or new appreciation for cover art-anything)?

Another easy question. Neil Gaiman. Anyone who has ever read this blog knows my new obsession with all thing Gaiman. I read my first book this past year, and have since read 4 more of his books. In the same sense, Gaiman has given me a new outlook on the Short Story.

That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she’s granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leatherbound? Is it full of first edition hardcovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favourite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead-let your imagination run free.

If I was to have a library in my house, it would have big, comfy chairs, right next to a huge fireplace. Lots of soft, cozy throw blankets as well. The walls would be lined with floor-to-ceiling built in bookshelves. (I would also like to have one of those rolling ladders to be able to reach that top shelf!) And I would have a whole collection of those beautiful leather-bound books that I have been coveting for years!! Man...that would be a dream come true!!

Now, here’s the hard part: As per the rules, I have to tag 4 people for this meme. My choices are… drumroll, please…

Nicola from Back to Books
Chris from Book-A-Rama
Melody from Melody's Reading Corner
Deb from Nothing of Importance

Can't wait to see your responses!!