I Make My Own Rules: Book Meme Day 25

[apple_pathways]

I decided I didn't like days 21-24, so I am skipping to:

Day 25 - Any five books from your "to be read" stack

1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky. Recommended to me by several people, notably the lovely rewindclunkplay, I am excited and also nervous to read this book. It promises to be a good read, but may just cut a little too close to home in reminding me of my own issues with anxiety and depression. I'll give it a go.
   
2. Crush, by Richard Siken. A book of poetry recommended to me by tourdefierce, a girl who seems to know her poetry. It has an introduction by Louise Glück! I ♥ her!
   
3. Doctor Who: The King's Dragon, by Una McCormack. What can I say? I'm a nerdy Who fan girl. I've already read The Glamour Chase (pretty good) and Nuclear Time (don't bother).
   
4. Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins. I don't know, you guys: this is one of those series that I love for the idea and the characters, but it kind of falls apart in its execution. My biggest criticism? Is that it reads like a YA book, which a good YA book shouldn't. I've started Catching Fire, and am already wondering how Collins is going to manage to keep the "Gale or Peeta, which one will she choose?" storyline going through the third book without making me want to bludgeon myself into unconsciousness with the hardcover.
   
5. Eleanor Rushing, by Patty Friedmann. I started this book, but it kind of got pushed to the side by other things I wanted to read. (And other things I had to read.) It's about an erotomaniac who falls in love with a local preacher. What drew me to it was that it's a first person narrative, and I love the mystery of the unreliable narrator: what details of her story are true, and what are the delusions? I should get back to it soon.
   
   

Day 01 - A book series you wish had gone on longer OR a book series you wish would just freaking end already (or both!)
Day 02 - A book or series you wish more people were reading and talking about
Day 03 - The best book you've read in the last 12 months:
Day 04 - Your favorite book or series ever
Day 05 - A book or series you hate
Day 06 - Favorite book of your favorite series OR your favorite book of all time
Day 07 - Least favorite plot device employed by way too many books you actually enjoyed otherwise
Day 08 - A book everyone should read at least once
Day 09 - Best scene ever
Day 10 - A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 - A book that disappointed you
Day 12 - A book or series of books you’ve read more than five times
Day 13 - Favorite childhood book OR current favorite YA book (or both!)
Day 14 - Favorite character in a book (of any sex or gender)
Day 15 - Your "comfort" book
Day 16 - Favorite poem or collection of poetry
Day 17 - Favorite story or collection of stories (short stories, novellas, novelettes, etc.)
Day 18 - Favorite beginning scene in a book
Day 19 - Favorite book cover (bonus points for posting an image!)
Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Day 21 - Favorite romantic/sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)
Day 22 - Favorite non-sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)
Day 23 - Most annoying character ever
Day 24 - Best quote from a novel
Day 25 - Any five books from your "to be read" stack
Day 26 - OMG WTF? OR most irritating/awful/annoying book ending
Day 27 - If a book contains ______, you will always read it (and a book or books that contain it)!
Day 28 - First favorite book or series obsession
Day 29 - Saddest character death OR best/most satisfying character death (or both!)
Day 30 - What book are you reading right now?



If anyone else has any recommendations, any AWESOME books that I simply MUST read, please let me know! I really do pay attention to people's recs and rely on them when deciding what I'm going to read next.

I also have a stack of non-fiction books I got on the writing process, and Cooking School Secrets for Real World Cooks. I read anything and everything, so be it a cookbook, a text book, poetry, science fiction, biography, whatever--if you love it, rec it!

Comments

[ladylovelace.livejournal.com]

Oooh, poetry. Very sophisticated and cultured of you :D

The Doctor Who books have always seemed a bit hit-and-miss to me. A lot of them feel like they're cashing in on the franchise more than they're being good books.

Can't vouch for it myself, but I've gotten a handful of recs for Stephen King's 'On Writing'. Apparently it's one of those rare gems, an actually helpful writing helper!

ETA: I think Judith Wright's 'Five Senses' is worth reading in a big way. It's poetry, and I usually hate Australian poetry, but she's good. And not just writing about what a special and unique snowflake the Australian landscape is.

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the recs! I'll add them to the list.

I've heard of Stephen King's 'On Writing', but never read it before! Good call.

And yeah, the Doctor Who books can be fun and a good distraction, but they're hardly great literature.

[jacknjill270.livejournal.com]

Ahh, Doctor Who! :D I've made it a personal challenge to read everything Doctor Who I can get my hands on (though I am super fond of 9 & 10 and so haven't gotten over my denial of series 5 and actually watched it yet, lol).

As for recs, I totally second the one for Stephen King's On Writing. I read it last year, and it was pretty interesting - the first half is more of a memoir though than actual writing tips, so you might want to skip that if it's not your thing. Other than that, I haven't read any really good books lately, I'm sorry to say. :(

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

*gasps* YOUNG LADY, YOU SIT YOUR LITTLE BOTTOM DOWN AND WATCH SERIES 5 RIGHT NOW!

Seriously, it's AWESOME! I thought I wasn't going to be able to go on after David Tennant left, but Matt Smith just grabbed me right from the beginning! Not to mention Amy and Rory! Yes, you must watch the series! (And then read all my fic!) ;)

I have about 7 books I put on hold that I need to go pick up from the library tomorrow, on top of the six or so I've already checked out. But once I'm through all those, I am definitely getting my hands on On Writing, because I've seen it mentioned so many times, it's probably a crime I haven't read it yet! (Bonus: my dad looks like Stephen King. True fax!)