Friday, June 15, 2007

Friday 5: books, books everywhere... and even more to read!

RevGal Sally just returned from a meeting in Cambridge and I took the opportunity of a free afternoon in Cambridge's wonderful book shops. Showing much restraint, she only bought a few- and on sale at that! So with a head full of books we begin:


1. Fiction what kind, detective novels, historical stuff, thrillers, romance????
Fiction? What's that? Oh the kind of books I devour in one sitting and drink in like a thirsty traveler. When I have the luxury of fiction I love: Fantasy and Sci-Fi like: Tolkien, L'Engle, the Harry Potter books and the less lineage, but big dragon fight sort of D&D stuff. Great epic novels like Michener. Sometimes a trashy romance (because really, is there any less no-brain entertainment). and Most often the everyday- not a particular genre novel by Sue Monk Kidd, Barbara Kingsolver, or Lorna Landvik.


2. When you get a really good book do you read it all in one chunk or savour it slowly?
Sadly, my books end too quickly. They are inhaled- and sometimes I'll go back and read a good one again, a little more slowly. I think this comes from the fact that I don't get to read as much fiction as I used to.

3. Is there a book you keep returning to and why?
I have found that certain books are great to read every 5-10 years because new and beautiful thing appear. Some examples: A Wrinkle in Time, The Alchemist, Dakota, Teaching a Stone to Talk.

4. Apart from the Bible which non-fiction book(s) has influenced you the most?
Dakota by Kathleen Norris, Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Freire, Mere Christianity by Lewis

5. Describe a perfect place to read. ( could be anywhere!!!)
Well, pretty much anywhere I can grab some space. A couch, a chair, a bed, a comfy floor. Any uninterrupted place. When I lived in Moscow, the Metro was the best place to read- especially on the 30 minute commutes.

What books influenced and keep on influencing you?

4 comments:

Maria Tafoya said...

Hi Backwoods Rev, thanks for visiting.

I also love Kathleen Norris and Michener. But my first love is sci fi and fantasy.

I don't remember which Lackey book had the wedding in it, but two Hawkbrothers were getting married in one of them and the words to wedding service were just amazing. Maybe it was in one of the later books of the series - I think maybe the groom was a Hawkbrother and the bride was a gryphon's companion.

Durn, now I have to re-read all of them just to find it. :-) Or I could email Mercedes Lackey and ask. I bet she'd answer.

Hot Cup Lutheran said...

It took me forever to get through Dakota... not sure why since I'm in boonieville & that's not much different. might have been my frame of mind at the time or something.

Anyhoo what keeps on influencing... "10 Habits for Effective Ministry"... sounds Stephen Covey-ish but is written by a former bishop reflecting back on what he'd do differently in parish life. Keeps me grounded. sane. directed.

Sally said...

I'd forgotten about a wrinkle in time- awesome book! :-)

Great play.

Unknown said...

I think this may be my daughter's summer for "A Wrinkle in Time," and I can't wait to re-experience the wonder through her.