Book Meme

Tagged by Jean.

1. One book that changed your life?

I don't follow instructions very well, so I'm going to offer more than one. If I had to choose one (as if the meme police will virus me if I don't comply) it'd be The Chalice and the Blade by Riane Eisler. This was my first clue that something's amiss with the glorification of god, and it served to further loosen the grip religion had on me. But more importantly, a book of Greek myths, A Wrinkle in Time, The Chrysalids, and Breakfast of Champions all showed me, at an impressionable age, that reading doesn't have to be a chore - countering a lesson I was beginning to learn at school.

2. One book you have read more than once?

There's a ton of kid books I can recite by heart (including all of How The Grinch Stole Christmas - aren't you impressed?), but the grown-up book I've read the most is likely Sophie's World by Gaarder because I use it to teach philosophy. The kids all love the twist at the end, but it's got some glaring errors as a textbook.

3. One book you would want on a desert island?

If I had Virgil's Aeneid, I might actually make it all the way through. It's on my "should read" list. For fun, I'd take the I Ching. It's very addictive as a fortune telling tool, and then I could better understand how to accept my fate each day.

4. One book that made you laugh?

As I scanned my shelves I realized that I rarely read anything funny. Most of my books are educational, thought provoking, or depressing. I think Lullaby by Palaniuk had me going (that's the kind of sicko I really am). And I remember laughing at The World According to Garp, and the ending of Galapagos (Vonnegut). Most recent laugh out loud experience was likely with Chuck Klosterman's Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs.

5. One book that made you cry?

Finally an easy one: A Widow for One Year. The mother's grief is so clearly captured, it chokes me up just thinking about it. It comes to mind every time I'm waiting for on-coming traffic to clear so I can make a left-hand turn. Really. (Never turn your steering wheel prematurely.)

6. One book you wish had been written?

Nutricious and Delicious Vegetarian Meals Your Children Will Actually Eat - No Desserts or Treats Included. I have many cooking for kids books, but most are about 70% desserts, squares, snacks, and drinks. Who cares about that crap? Who struggles to get their kids to eat dessert? I want more ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner that don't focus on ground beef or hot dogs.

I'm very sympathetic to my kids because I, myself, was a picky eater as a child. I'd stuff my cheeks with dinner, then ask, with clenched jaw, to please be excused. Like I was going to swallow it all somewhere else. If it wasn't for somer sausage sandwiches, I'd have starved to death. One summer on an extended hideous family road trip, I ate nothing but french fries and chocolate milkshakes. I'm that stubborn. And I can outsit anyone trying to get me to eat brussel sprouts.

7. One book you wish had never been written?

The Bible - just to see what would have happened without it. And every diet book and you-can-finally-look-good-if-you-buy-this-book book ever written.

I wish books like Fast Food Nation and Race Against Time didn't need to be written, but I'm glad they were. I love poorly written books. They give me hope that maybe I can publish something too some day.

8. One book you are currently reading?

No-One Makes You Shop at Wal-Mart by Tom Slee. Well, actually I finished it a while ago, but I'm still paging through it thinking about the arguments he presents. It's very provocative. Out of all these books, read that one first.

9. One book you have been meaning to read?

Think by LeGault. I keep starting it then puttin git down. It got great reviews, but to me it reads like a high school essay, so it feels like work to read it. I also need to read a bunch of Canadian history books because I'm teaching it in September, and I haven't studied Can. History since I was in grade ten myself. The focus is on the last century, so it's mainly French/English/Ist Nation and Canada/U.S. conflicts. I think there were a couple of wars in there too, but the curriculum gods don't care so much about those.

10. Now tag five people.

This was fun because I had to go back to see who's been tagged and met a few new people in the process. So many laughed at Hitchhiker's Guide. I did too, but don't want to go back to add it just to fit in! I thought up the Bible all on my own, though, but wasn't surprised by its popularity. (- that is, I thought it up as an answer here, not the entire text as it stands, in case you were confused.)

I tag Terry, Thinking Girl, Midwestern Transport, Gawain, and Maia.

Apologies to anyone twice tagged; I haven't been around much lately.