Monday, November 2, 2009

it's a book thing.

Listening To: Oh Dear by Brandi Carlile
The Little Couple: is back on TV! Yippie! I heart Bill and Jen.


There are a few things I want to discuss today. Think of this like a board meeting, except if it was a real board meeting, we could all wear comfy clothes. Perhaps even pink bunny slippers because that would make me laugh. And a gigantic plate of brownies would be in the center of the table.

Thing One: More "Treat" than Treat
If you got instant coffee or Ramen Noodles in your treat bag on Halloween night, I bet I know which neighborhood you trick-or-treated in.

Thing Two: Jane Austen Excursion
I have an idea that might not be so good once you help me think it out. Over on Ruth's blog, she posted the trailer for the new version of Emma coming to PBS in January/February. The preview looks really sweet, sweet enough to make me think, "Huh. I should read Emma." The only Austen book I've ever read is P&P. I know, I know. Then I remembered how much the comments light up when somebody name drops Pride and Prejudice. And I wondered ... would you want to read Emma with me? If a few people are into it, we could have a start date. Then try to make it to a certain point every two weeks. Or just read it over the holiday and start talking about it in January. I don't know the logistics yet. I'm not even sure how long the book is? Anyway, one day a week (or two weeks), I could do a post about the section we just read like a real honest-to-goodness book club. *holds hand up in the air* I promise not to make that post boring or lecture-esc. It will be swanky and semi-funny and then fun discussions can go down in the comments. No need to pull out your monocle and cigar and get too deep with it (unless you just want to). If you're interested in the Emma excursion, let me know on here in the comments or email me (nat.lloyd[at]yahoo.com). All you need to join this wild regency par-tay in is a copy of the book.

And if you think this sounds no fun, no worries! I know finals are coming up and pre-Christmas crazy is about to start. (Maybe we could start when your Christmas break starts?) Also, I came up with this plan while my brain was thawing back out from walking through the frozen tundra aka my yard at 8 this morning. So the plan could be faulty. I'll let you know if there's any interest.

Thing Three: Do you NaNoWri?
If you're a writer, you probably know November is a special month for wordy types. This month is National Novel Writing Month, better known as NaNoWriMo. The word NaNoWriMo reminds me of a show called Mork&Mindy that used to come on Nick at Nite. Mork always said, "Nanu, nanu" then tugged his ears. It was some kind of greeting on his home planet. I've been doing the voice or the ear tug everytime I say NaNoWriMo. This is perhaps why I don't have loads of friends? ;) I'd been kicking around doing NaNoWriMo this year for two reasons:

1.) I don't exactly do first drafts right. Not that there is a right way. Every writer seems to have a different method that works. My problem, however, seems to be too much editing while I'm writing a first draft. I hear from countless sources it's better to have a first draft first (go figure). Then work to make something beautiful rise from those overwrought metaphorical ashes. Anne Lammot says writers must allow themselves *crappy* first drafts (she didn't say *crappy* but I'll sensor to keep this blog at a G rating. Er, PG.). Changing too much before the story is complete can be pretty darn disastrous. I think that's why so many novels I've tried to write are now lost in the abyss of my computer. NaNoWriMo *wiggles fingers* (or *tugs ears* whatever) is all about quantity over quality. The goal is to write 50,000 words in one month. I should pause here long enough to be the fuddy-duddy and say that doesn't mean too much at the end of the month. A book is written, which rocketh. But the revision part of writing a book takes awhile. Maybe it doesn't for most people, but it does for me. NaNoWriMo is all about drafting for me, but I'm still excited. Which brings me to my favorite part:

2.) NaNoWriMo is a month when I'm very aware of all the thousands of other moody writers out there slugging through a first draft. Writing isn't always an activity geared toward community. In some ways maybe it is, because it's always fab to meet other writers. You network, you blog, you conference and so on. But writing is also a job where you're alone quite often. If not alone writing, you're alone with all the voices that live inside your head. So the constant community vibe is a cool part of this.

Anybody participating in NaNoWriMo? Here's the site if you want to know more about it. If you're in middle school or high school, you might enjoy this section of the site too.

You'll note a nifty NaNoWriMo badge down in the corner of this blog sometime this week. And I'm hoping to put up a wordcount meter for Thing. Can you think of anything more exciting than seeing Thing grow?! Watching paint dry, you say? Perhaps. Doing a Monday meme? Most definitely!

This comes from a longer meme I found online, but I hacked the length substantially. Happy Monday friends :)

01. What book do you own the most copies of?
I own two copies of Pride & Prejudice and two copies of Wuthering Heights. I have this hobby, that might be considered more of a habit: I'm wild about old books. I don't like first editions or old books worth a fortune. I like books with notes scribbled inside them, books full of coffee stains, and ink stains. Books where the corners of pages are perforated from being turned down so much. I like old books that look worn out and loved. I'm always excited when I find an old copy of a book I already like, but I'm libel to buy the book if it's pretty, or has great illustrations. One of my faves is a copy of Romeo & Juliet my mom gave me for Christmas a few years ago. The inscription inside, from a guy to a girl, is from the late 1800's. Makes me swoon. Another book I'm particularly fond of is a copy of Much Adu About Nothing. The illustrations are beautiful. I bought it at an antique store in my hometown the same day I bought a Kris Kristoferson record. There is one book in particular I'm always looking for in antique stores though -- a 1931 edition of Jane Eyre that looks like this:



That I would love to own. It's not especially rare, so my hope is that someday I'll just stumble across it. Or dig through that old bin in the very back of the store and finally find it Thrill of the chase or something. :) I think that cover is so beautiful. I really like cloth covers on books. I like them better than book jackets usually, even when they're plain. Penguin recently re-released several classic novels with cloth covers and they're all so pretty. Jane Eyre is my favorite of that bunch as well (then Sense and Sensibility).

02. Did it bother you that the first question ended with a preposition?
No. And for those of you who are strict about grammar, this is a good time to apologize. When I'm writing, or reading, I'm more interested in how a story/blog/journal/article flows. I like language that feels musical. I like books that suck me in and make me forget I'm reading. I want to feel like I'm there, seeing this awesome story happen. When I find a beautiful spot of writing and have to re-read it, that's even better. I think it's okay to bend grammar rules to achieve all that. My feelings toward grammar can best be summed up by Captain Barbosa. Grammar is "more what you'd call guidelines than actual rules."

03. What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
It's no secret. Gilbert Blythe is my pick. I would pick him over a sparkly vampire in a beige sweater any day. ;)


04. What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
I should consult my diary. I kept a diary when I was ten and I still have it in my closet. The funniest thing is that the diary has a lock. Because, my word, it would have been the end of the world if someone found my diary, broke the lock, and discovered I:

1.) was totally bummed because the Trapper Keeper I wanted was sold out or
2.) spelled "guess" like "gas"and used the word countless times on each page, so much a casual reader would suggest I stop eating spicy food or
3.) tried to fix my hair like DJ Tanner on Full House or
4.) had a crush on [insert name of boy in class. They're all there. I never went through that phase where I hated boys ... ].

I wrote about books too, but I don't remember which ones. These are some of my favorite pre-teen reads:

Wayside School is Falling Down by Louis Sachar
Blubber by Judy Blume
Bunnicula by James Howe
Nothing But the Truth by Avi
The Witches by Roald Dahl
A Gathering of Days by Joan W. Blos
The Fairy Rebel by Lynne Reid Banks
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (that one came later in middle school...)
Choose Your Own Adventure Books
The Baby-Sitters Club (maybe? Or was it before?)
The Chronicles of Narnia (again - age is iffy)

05. If you could force everybody to read one book what would it be?
If I could invite everybody over to my house for a book club discussion, I want to discuss The Giver by Lois Lowry. Technically, The Giver is YA. However, I was assigned The Giver as part of my reading for a political science class in college. I couldn't stop thinking about it after I read it. I still think about it all these years later. The Giver is worth reading for one amazing twist, one scene you don't see coming that will really shake you up and stick with you. It's dystopian literature at its best. Ethics, morality, faith, who decides when life is worth living -- all those issues are presented in this beautiful, subtle sort of way. I read something about the director of Deathly Hallows doing the film version. Please read The Giver before you see the movie! That plot twist is the kind that is best served up in novel form.

06. What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
Looking for Alaska, by John Green. I think maybe it is being made into a movie? It will be so good. John Green writes great dialogue. If even a little bit of his magic comes through in a movie, it will be phenomenal. I think Neil Gaimon's The Graveyard Book would be a good movie too. Also, I finally watched the cartoon version of Howl's Moving Castle. It was so gorgeous! I never expected it to be that vibrant and pretty. If Tim Burton ever snatched that novel up and made a movie of it, I bet girls would start wearing Team Howl t-shirts.


07. What is your favorite novel?
East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I didn't start the novel anticipating tears (which came) or thinking it would rattle my faith (which it did). This is a book I would reccomend owning. You'll want to go back to it. Funny story though: a few years ago, I was talking about how much I loved this novel. And I mentioned that I discovered it via Oprah. Remember when she made Eden her book club pick? That's when I read it. Anyway, this girl I was talking to thought that was unacceptable. She said it bothered her when people discovered books that way. She probably didn't mean to come off snarky, but book snobbery bugs me so much. I don't really get why it matters if I discovered it on Oprah or found it on the sidewalk. How is her way of obtaining the novel better than my way? Did she sit around sipping wine with top editors discussing great American novels while I watched Oprah with my granny? And if she did, who cares? I don't care about the means by which people hear about amazing books. I just want people reading books and finding new voices they love. This high-brow low-brow book argument is so funny to me. I like all sorts of novels. High brow, low brow, in between brow. There are so many amazing stories out there.

08. Favorite Play?
Our Town by Thorton Wilder.

09. Favorite Poem?
Cloud by Sandra Cisneros

10. Favorite Short Story?
The Wrong Grave by Kelly Link

11. Favorite work of non-fiction?
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning.

If you're up for it, let me know your answers too. To NaNoWriMo! *tugs ears* *wiggles fingers* *does a roundhouse kick*

19 comments:

  1. There are way too many questions on here for me to answer them all. However, I did want to let you know that I'd be interested in reading Emma with you. I'm ashamed to say that even though I absolutely love the movie, I've never read the book. So, if you read it over Christmas/January I'd love to read it with ya.

    Here are some of my other answers: I'm totally with you on the Gilbert Blythe thing. He's awesome. I also agree that The Giver is excellent. My favorite novel is actually a Steinbeck as well, but it's Of Mice and Men. Although, all of his books are great. My favorite play is Nocturne by Adam Rapp. It's not too well-known, but Rapp clearly has a way with words. My favorite non-fiction is Here's to Hindsight by Tara Leigh Cobble; the most refreshing memoir I've ever read.

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  2. Okay, I'm game!!!

    01. What book do you own the most copies of?

    Not sure how many copies of specific books I have. I do know that I've had doubles at different times of several different books, like Miss Hickory, The Wind in the Willows, etc.

    02. Did it bother you that the first question ended with a preposition?

    It really should have, since I'm an English major, but I'm ashamed to say that it didn't.


    03. What fictional character are you secretly in love with?

    Don't get me started! You'll laugh, but I actually have an ongoing list of "Guys from Literature Who Would Make Great Husbands", to which I add names as they appear. So, I would say (among others) maybe Mr. Knightley from EMMA or Sir Percy Blakeney from THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL.

    04. What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?

    All the Anne of Green Gables books! :) :) :)


    05. If you could force everybody to read one book what would it be?

    Dickens' A TALE OF TWO CITIES. Fantastic novel, and I always cry at the ending.

    06. What book would you most like to see made into a movie?

    Hmmm...well, since most of my favorite "advanced" books and novels are already movies, let's go with a children's book: the aforementioned MISS HICKORY. Have you ever read that? Hilarious!

    07. What is your favorite novel?

    Two: To Kill a Mockingbird and Cry, the Beloved Country.

    08. Favorite Play?
    I'm with you on "Our Town".

    09. Favorite Poem?
    "Pied Beauty" by Gerard Manley Hopkins

    10. Favorite Short Story?
    "The Snow Goose" by Paul Gallico

    11. Favorite work of non-fiction?
    The book of John (in the Bible). :)

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  3. I am totally up for the Jane Austen excursion (but I'm sure you could've guessed that, LOL!). I haven't read Emma since...high school? Has it been that long? Yikes! Anyway, perfect timing, m'dear...it'll be nice to have the novel fresh in my mind before the new film starts in January. (BTW, I am slightly freaked out by the fact that I'm talking about something happening in January. 2010!!!)

    Let's see, what book(s) do I own the most copies of...well, no shocker I'm sure that I own 2 or 3 versions of Pride and Prejudice. :) I also have 2 copies of A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers - have I ever asked you if you've read that? Sooner or later I seem to ask everyone I know that question. :) I am very jealous of your copy of Romeo & Juliet, I just want you to know! Speaking of Jane Eyre...I need to re-read that, and watch the miniseries all over again. I need a Toby Stephens as Mr. Rochester fix IN THE WORST WAY!! :P

    More later...

    (BTW...this blog was a lot of fun. :) And it made me wish that you lived closer so we could hang out and go scour antique shops for old books and have movie marathons, that kind of thing.)

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  4. I just spent a long time typing out this long comment, and with one wrong key pushed, it all disappeared. Let me try again.

    You should definitely read "Emma"! I've read it twice, and it's great. If you think Miss Bates is good in the movie, wait until you read her rambling conversations...I have a bachelor great-uncle who talks just like her. I'd definitely be interested in rereading it in a "book club," depending on what's going on with school and stuff. I don't know anyone who reads Austen, so I get so excited when I find people who love her. =)
    I'm doing NaNoWriMo for the first time this year. I'm actually supposed to be writing right now, since I haven't reached my daily goal yet. But I had to take a break to check Blogger. Plus, I've been a little distracted with "Dancing with the Stars," LOL. I'm doing a retelling of Rapunzel, using a basic plot that I started years ago. The writing is terrible, but it's so fun to form a character somewhat after myself and to create a Prince Henry with all the characteristics I want in a dream guy. =)
    I just read "The Giver" for the first time several months ago. I know what scene you're talking about, and it does get into your head. It sort of shocked me, and I couldn't stop thinking about it.

    01. What book do you own the most copies of?
    It's a tie: I own two copies of "Pride and Prejudice," "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," and "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." There's nothing particularly special about any of the editions, it just sort of happened by accident. And I can't bear to get rid of any of them.

    02. Did it bother you that the first question ended with a preposition?
    No. In fact, I didn't even notice it until you mentioned it.

    03. What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
    Mr. Darcy, Mr. Knightley, Prince Caspian, etc...

    04. What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
    Probably either something by Judy Blume or Beverly Cleary, because I really loved them. Or some "Babysitter's Club" book (I regularly went to the Goodwill and picked up those). Or maybe "The Sign of the Beaver," which we read all the time in school, and I always liked.

    05. If you could force everybody to read one book what would it be?
    Not one book, but "The Chronicles of Narnia" series.

    06. What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
    The rest of the Narnia series, if they're done right. And if they weren't butchered in movie versions: "The Goose Girl," "The Princess Academy," "Beauty," "The Two Princesses of Bamarre," and "Ella Enchanted" (done right). Also, "A Series of Unfortunate Events" deserves a second chance.

    07. What is your favorite novel?
    Single: "Pride and Prejudice"
    Series: "The Chronicles of Narnia"

    08. Favorite Play?
    I haven't read or seen many...I don't have a favorite.

    09. Favorite Poem?
    I like a few, but don't really have a favorite.

    10. Favorite Short Story?
    Again, don't have a favorite. (I'm so boring!)

    11. Favorite work of non-fiction?
    I don't know...right now, maybe "When God Writes Your Love Story."

    ~Kristin

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  5. Instant Coffee and Ramen Noodles? That's funny. I was just facebooking with a friend who said his kid came home this year with a pet goldfish. Love it. I have a niece who might enjoy your book "Paperdoll" I will keep my eyes open for it. The last Pink book I read was when I was visiting her. It was "confessions of a triple shot betty" It was lying around and I happen to pick it up one night.(Don't tell anyone) I have to think of my image.

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  6. I only have a few minutes (because I really need to make myself write...)

    So, in reply to Thing Two, I'm definitely in! :)

    And for Thing Three, *SQUEAL* YAY! I've found another NaNo-er! (or...whatever you want to call it haha) This is my first one; I'm praying that I'll make it through, because as much as I really want to do it, it's so hard to make myself sit down and just write. (and not edit what I've just written... and come up with a story that fits together...) Anywho, I'd love to be your writing buddy on there if you wouldn't mind. :) I'm 'the_enchanted_rose'.

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  7. Oh, and a quick P.S. DITTO on Gilbert Blythe! ;) Of course... well, I'm not sure. It's a three-way tie between him, Edmund Pevensie, and Faramir. If I had to choose just one though.... well, I'd be nice and let you have Gilbert, but it would be a horrid choice between Edmund and Faramir!

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  8. Amy, glad I'm not the only one who hasn't read Emma! :) I think Tara Leigh Cobble is a brilliant writer too. I saw where she had a second book out (something about Manhatten?). I need to pick it up. Hindsight was beautiful, definitely one of the best memoirs I've read. The book got me interested in her music too. She can be so poetic and still so funny. I hope she writes more books.

    PoohBonnet, Tale of Two Cities made me cry like crazy. Usually I try not to read books that are violent like that b/c I can't sleep (I'm such a wimp) but in that situation, there was a point to the violence. And the story woven in with all that death and bad stuff was beautiful. I'm glad I read it, even though I probably won't do it again :) Mockingbird is one of my favorites too! And I'll put Miss Hickory on the library list. It sounds so familiar, but I'm not remembering what it's about. Thanks for the recommendation!

    Ruth, I wish we could go look for old books together too! I never went on a book hunt when I was in Nashville, which is just sad. I've never read that Rivers novel, btw. I've only read Redeeming Love and The Atonement Child (that is the same author right?). But I'm interested now. I need to check it out. Her writing is lovely.

    Kristin, you not boring! I have a hard time picking favorites too :) If we do Emma on here, you should jump in on the conversation even if you don't read along! It would be great to have some insight from someone who has read the book more than once. I think your Rapunzel story sounds fabulous. I love fairy-tale retellings. So with you on "Unfortunate Events." Until I read the books, I didn't realize what a smart, snappy series that was. I liked the tone of the movie, and I thought the actors were good. But something was off.

    Hiding Myself From Me, I just clicked over to your blog. I was going to leave a comment and tell you how cute your dog is. But I couldn't figure out how :) Don't worry though -- your pink book reading history is safe here. Thanks for stopping by.

    RT, Nano-er sounds fab! :) I'll see if I can find you on there. I'm still not exactly sure how to use the stuff on that site. Thank you for conceding Gilbert to me. When you're floating around on the Dawn Treader with some hunky Narnia boy you won't regret it :)

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  9. Hi Natalie!
    I used to read your columns in Brio, and I randomly stumbled upon your blog a couple of days ago. I just wanted you to know how much your writing always encouraged me; it was my favorite part of Brio.

    I'd love to read Emma if you start in December. I'm a freshman in college, so my finals end by the 12th and I have a month-long break after that. :)

    As for number 3, it's been a tie between Mr. Darcy and Gilbert Blythe for years now. And for number 5, I'd say Byzantium by Stephen Lawhead. It's a tale of epic adventures across continents that also makes you seriously reflect on who you believe God is. A Tale of Two Cities is a VERY close second, though.

    Natalie's blog's new fan,
    Frannie

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  10. My favorite Jane Austen book is Northanger Abbey. It doesn't get as much publicity and doesn't have a movie (at least not a "legit" one with known actors/actresses like P&P and Emma do), but it is absolutely wonderful.

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  11. Yeah, I knew Cobble had another book out. However, I can't seem to find it anywhere. It's already out of print or something, which is unfortunate. So, if you ever get your hands on a copy, let me know how you got it and whether or not it's as good as her first one.

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  12. I'll play along this week

    01. What book do you own the most copies of?

    It's either Blue Like Jazz cause everyone passed out free copies or, if we got rid of most like I think we did, it would be The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay... cause my wife is sweet and got be a beautiful hardback copy after my paperback started looking worn from re-readings.

    02. Did it bother you that the first question ended with a preposition?

    no

    03. What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
    no one I can think of at the moment...

    04. What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?

    Any of the Fudge series from Judy Blume.

    05. If you could force everybody to read one book what would it be?

    Paperdoll so it would sell over a bajillion copies! (do I win suckup points?)

    06. What book would you most like to see made into a movie?

    Kavalier and Clay could be amazing if done right.

    07. What is your favorite novel?

    See 1 and 6

    08. Favorite Play?
    Boeing-Boeing is the last play I saw that wasn't Shakespeare... it was hilarious! That's not an answer to the "favorite" question huh?

    09. Favorite Poem?
    Book of Job. Specifically the chapters of God speaking to Job.

    10. Favorite Short Story?
    ... ... ...I should read more short stories.

    11. Favorite work of non-fiction?
    I'm currently enjoying First Cut - Conversations with Film Editors. Again not coming up with a favorite per se. OH umm... Salvation on Sand Mountain was really fun.

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  13. Frannie, thank you so much for your comment! I love meeting old Brio readers :) That's fun that you mentioned Stephen Lawhead b/c I feel like I've been seeing his books all over the place lately. I've been hesitant to pick one up, but I'll have to do that now.

    Samantha, I like that you go for the obscure Austen! :) I don't think I've ever heard anybody pick that one as a fave.

    Amy, I'll do some detective work and see what I can find.

    Andman, if Paperdoll sells a gajillion copies I'll buy you and wife something fancy. Like useless fancy. Something from Sky Mall! :) Hugs to you today. I also agree Job has some of the most gorgeous writing. Definitely the most gorgeous in the Bible, but also for poetry in general. Good pick. I meant to ask you if you had Donald Miller's new book. I shall email you post haste.

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  14. Ah, Emma. Not my favorite Austen book, to be honest (the Miss Bates' rambling tended to drive me crazy), but...the story is still good. (What can I say? Jane Austen was brilliant.) I'd have to say that, aside from Pride & Prejudice (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE), Persuasion is my favorite of hers. I definitely recommend it! :)

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  15. 01. I have three copies of "A Walk to Remember" (a lot of people thought I'd like it and gave it to me for Christmas). I also have about four different copies of "God's Smuggler" by Brother Andrew.

    That copy of Jane Eyre is the one that April's dad gave her in "Definitely, Maybe." She loses it and spends years collecting copies of Jane Eyre with notes written in the cover in search of the one her dad gave her.


    02. No, but I'm surprised. It usually does.


    03. Gilbert Blythe, Dave Rygalski (Lane's first boyfriend on Gilmore Girls), and Dmitri from Anastasia.

    04. Anne of Green Gables, but I read a ton and a half of Babysitter's Club back in that day. I used to try dressing up like the different characters to school sometimes, and I'd even use their handwriting for the day. No one ever noticed except my best friend, who made fun of me for it. People probably just thought I was strange.

    I'm running out of time and may finish the rest of the questions later.

    I'm totally in for reading Emma with you. While Pride and Predjudice is her best, Emma is probably my favorite. It's downright hilarious. I'm actually far too much like Emma than I'd like to admit. And you will never watch "Clueless" the same way again. I do want to bring a monocle and a cigar, though.

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  16. I would love to read Emma. They have copies of her books really cheap at Barnes and Noble.

    1. Probably the bible. Haha. I have three. I don't have the same copies of any book but I have many many many books by Rene Gutteridge.
    2.Nah.
    3.Uhhhh, Garrett from Camelot :)
    4. Fudge books by Judy Blume, Ramona the Pest series, Harry Potter, Fig Pudding, Babysitter's Club, Sweet Valley Twins series, Over Sea Under Stone, The Grey King, Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
    5. Paperdoll!!! :) Everyone (girls and guys) need to read that book.
    6. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I'd take a day off for that one. :)
    7.In Search of Eden by Karen Kingsbury
    8. Everyman. More of a Drama, I think.
    9. Dreams by Langston Hughes
    10. don't really have one
    11. Confessions of a Pastor by Craig Groeschel

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  17. Ooh, online book club?? I like it! And I've never read Emma either (just watched the movie...and Clueless. Which counts. It does.).

    I read the Giver in eighth grade and loved it. I can't remember what scene you're talking about (!) but my favorite part was that we all had to rewrite the end and perform it for our class. My performance went into lunch. I'm not proud, but it was fun.

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  18. I definently want to read Emma with you!!! I was just considering reading it...so yes yes yes! It sounds awesome!


    01. What book do you own the most copies of?
    Freaky Friday :)


    02. Did it bother you that the first question ended with a preposition?
    Nope.Not one bit.


    03. What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
    ...It's between Mr.Darcy & Landon Blake from the Baxter family series.


    04. What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
    Nancy Drew Books. Every single one of them.


    05. If you could force everybody to read one book what would it be?
    A tie yet again..between Hidden Places & Lies Young Women Believe...both are girly..but I love them!!!

    06. What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
    I want Hidden Places re-done. They didn't do it right the first time!


    07. What is your favorite novel?
    ...I'm really not sure....

    08. Favorite Play?
    Cinderella by Rodgers & Hammerstein.
    (My Mom took me to see it when I was 8. I got to wear lip-stick & dress up girly.
    Just the two of us went & she bought me a princess wand that was pink & glittery
    with feathers & sequnce...it was a great night :) )
    My Fair Lady is a close second!!!!

    09. Favorite Poem?
    I'll have to think about that...

    10. Favorite Short Story?
    Bartleby The Scrivener by Herman Melville
    (I love the quirky-ness of short stories...they're so unique & I always want it to keep going!!)

    11. Favorite work of non-fiction?
    Hmm....very possibly 'Get Out of That Pit by Beth Moore.
    That book was a big turning point for me.....

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  19. Ellie J - I'll make note of it. It took me awhile to fall in with the rhythm of the language in P&P, but once I did, I liked it. I need to read more of her work for sure. Hello, I'm a booknerd. I should know movies don't cut it and yet I sneak and watch the movies instead ... :) Thanks for the recommendation!

    Ashley, I tried to dot my i's with hearts like Stacie! I don't remember how the other girls wrote, but I remember doing the heart thing :) The super specials were full of their handwriting. I was wild about those! (And I did NOT remember that was the book April was looking for!! Now I need to check out the movie again :)

    Steffanie, I like Rene Gutteridge too. She writes such fun quirky characters. And Langston Huges is epic and gorgeous. Sometimes I stumble over poetry and think - this writer has to be such a beautiful person. That's how I feel about his work, like he had enough empathy and compassion to feel the world in such a beautiful way. Lovely pick!

    Sarah, my favorite part of Clueless, the part I always watch when I come across Clueless on TV is the part when they drive on the freeway for the first time. I laugh every time :) I had such a crush on Paul Rudd b/c of that movie. I still think he's the stuff. Oh, Clueless.

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