I was going to do a full sub-series for April, based on books. I downloaded the prompts and all. Then I decided that no, I had enough on my plate so I’d just answer those I can right now. You might learn a little about me; you might find something to read here too. And if you can answer the questions too, please do so in the comments. I’d love some recommends too.
DAY 1. – A book series you wish had gone on longer OR a book series you wish would just end already. Like half the fantasy world, I wish George R Martin would hurry the heck up and finish the series. Who ends up on the Throne? Where can I buy a dragon? Is it practical to have a dragon and work full time (probably not).
DAY 2. – Favourite side character. This is easy. Silk, from David Eddings’ Belgariad & Mallorean series. I loved his humour, sly comments & all the things he got up to. Except when I first started reading the series I was ten, so I didn’t understand HALF the things he got up to until I was in my twenties. Slow, that’s me.
DAY 3. – The longest book you’ve read. It probably isn’t physically the longest, but Hilary Mantell’s Bringing Up the Bodies just seemed to go on and on…but I loved Wolf Hall. Not sure about watching it on TV but probably will, as Si prefers that medium.
DAY 4. – Book turned into a movie and completely desecrated. Oh please. This list would be far too long and you have a life to lead. Next!
DAY 5. – Your “comfort” book. & DAY 6. – Book you’ve read the most number of times. This is easy too – Pride & Prejudice. I would probably read this once a year. I love the flow of the words, the hidden meanings, the way Austen linked everything together & how she created some memorable characters. It’s nearly a perfect book. The BBC adaptation was nearly perfect too.
DAY 11. – Favourite classic book. DAY 20. – Favourite childhood book.Has to be Winnie the Pooh. My favourite early memories are curled up with my Gran reading AA Milne in my bed at her house in the Wellington Hills (Fantail Grove – wow I remember the name of the street!) or on the chaise. Gran’s reading-out-loud style is one I use today; I can hear her voice in the rhythm of “Disobedience”. Louise chose that as her poem for the school years ago too.
DAY 22. – Least favourite plot device employed by way too many books you actually enjoyed otherwise. Misdirection or assumption – used in far too many romance books. Often leaves the hero/heroine in the TSTL category.
DAY 30. – Book you couldn’t put down. Unbroken. Also listening – Z chose a Michael Morpulgo called Private Peaceful. It’s harrowing and topical (given that we are commemorating WWI this year and looking at the prospect of WWIII) but we couldn’t stop.
DAY 27. – Book that has been on your “to read” list the longest. To Kill A Mockingbird, preferably before the “sequel” comes out!
Disobedience
A. A. Milne, “Disobedience” from The Complete Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh. Copyright © The Trustees of the Pooh Properties reproduced with permission of Curtis Brown Limited, London.
Source: The Complete Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh (Dutton, 1998)