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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Tag, I'm it!

Thanks to Dolce Bellezza I've been tagged (along with The Parrish Lantern, Ripple Effects, tuesday in silhouette, In Spring it is the Dawn, JoV's Book Pyramid, and kiss a cloud) with The Liebster Award.  All I have to do is answer the following questions, so here goes:

1.  What do you think of literary prizes?  Good or bad idea?
  • I only think they are bad when the author I was rooting for doesn't win.  Case in point - this year's  Nobel Prize in Literature should have gone to Haruki Murakami, but it didn't. UGH! Very disappointing. 
2.  If you could write any sort of book, what would you write?
  • I would love to write a book of short stories as brilliant as Jhumpa Lahiri's and as personal as Sandra Cisneros'.  Those two women know how to create amazing pieces of work that stay with you forever.
3.  Describe your ideal home library/study.
  •  Hmmm.  My ideal library would be pretty much anywhere where I could plop down comfortably with a good book and a cup of tea.  Something like this: 
 
 





















 4.  Name two new authors whose work you think will last the test of time , and explain your choices.
  •  New authors? I'm not really sure which ones to pick, because I'm not sure how new they are.  Two names that pop into my head are Ann Patchett and Sarah Waters.  Ann Patchett's, State of Wonder was just brilliant.  It reminded me of Heart of Darkness at times, but truthfully, I feel it surpassed that book.  As for Waters, I recently read The Little Stranger and was just blown away by it.  I haven't been so caught up in a novel as when I was reading both of these author's works.  Their creativity is amazing, refreshing, and inspiring.  I absolutely fell in love with their works and have already added the rest of their books to my library and look forward to reading them all. 
5.  Which books do you hope to get for Christmas?
  •  I want all the new Vonnegut ones that recently came out, along with The Paris Review Interviews.  Oh, and I wouldn't mind getting, the rest of Murakami's works that I'm missing, and I would love The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, along with Barefoot Contessa's latest one.  There are a bunch of other titles, but I don't want to seem greedy. LOL!
6.  What's the last book you did not finish and why?
  •  The last book I didn't finish was Law Man and here is why: Law Man.
7.  Would you accept 20 books that were absolutely perfect for you and dependably brilliant reads, if they were also the last 20 books you could ever acquire?  
  • Nope, because there are no perfect books.  Plus, I enjoy picking and choosing books based on whatever mood I'm currently in.  I don't want to be limited.  Discovering new authors and re-reading my old favorites are the best part of reading and I wouldn't want to give that up. 
And there you have it - my answers for this bookish meme.  Now, I'm sure I should tag some bloggers and have them join in on The Liebster Award fun, but I think I'd rather just invite you all to have a go at answering these questions.  They really do make you stop and think about the books you read and why.  Enjoy!

8 comments:

Ti said...

I am with you on the literary award question. Murakami was robbed!

The Relentless Reader said...

I like literary prizes because I love lists :) Exploring the long or short list of winning authors is fun and I always discover something new. I'm with you on the Nobel though!

techeditor said...

1. What do you think of literary prizes? Good or bad idea?

Prizes are a good idea. Judges are questionable, though.

2. If you could write any sort of book, what would you write?

Basic grammar and sentence structure

3. Describe your ideal home library/study.

The home: single level with basement, laundry room on main floor

The library: walls lined with bookcases and firm-back reclining chair

4. Name two new authors whose work you think will last the test of time , and explain your choices.

Robert Dugoni because his book was unputdownable and kept me reading nonstop

Paul Grossman for the same reason

5. Which books do you hope to get for Christmas?

SWEET TOOTH by Ian McEwan

CLOUD ATLAS by Mitchell

6. What's the last book you did not finish and why?

THE MALICE OF FORTUNE because it was boring and difficult to read

7. Would you accept 20 books that were absolutely perfect for you and dependably brilliant reads, if they were also the last 20 books you could ever acquire?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Nadia said...

Ti, you know it!

Jennifer, you are so right about the lists - its where I find new titles to add to my TBR list ;) And, the Nobel was so wrong this year!

techeditor, you are so right, its the judges that ruin the prizes ;) I want Sweet Tooth, too - I hear it is excellent! You will love Cloud Atlas - it is an epic read.

bermudaonion said...

Fun memes! I want a chaise longue too!

Bellezza said...

Oh my goodness, the first thing that struck my eye was the most gorgeous photographs of comfy chairs and books! I especially love the last two (I think I need to stack my books like that by the chair as a little 'side table'. :)

I'd like to write the beautiful stories as Jhumpa does, too. She's such a gorgeous writer.

Absolutely concur on the new Smitten Kitchen cookbook. (Is it too late to change my post? :)

Thanks for playing with me! 34

Andi said...

Awesome answers! I love your perfect reading places pics. Anything open, airy, and cushioned would be OK by me.

I'm also SO glad to see your praise for Sarah Waters. I have several of her books but I'm missing Night Watch and Fingersmith. I'm certain I'll add both to my collection sooner than later. Love her!

Nadia said...

bermudaonion, who doesn't? :)

Bellezza, I know! I loved looking up photos of comfy spots I would love read in ;) She is, isn't she! I just love Interpreter of Maladies - my fave! That cookbook looks fantastic! And, thanks for asking ;)

Andi, thanks! And I agree with you on the reading places ;) Waters is an amazing author - am in love with her writing!