The Dread Crew meme: stories that stick
Here we have it—a baker’s dozen meme all about storytelling and the stories of any genre that have impacted you. Post your answers in the comments here or on your own blog (link to the Dread Crew site and this post, and then share the link to your answers in the comments here).
On Halloween Night, a random selection of five meme participants will win a copy of The Dread Crew: Pirates of the Backwoods signed by the author, and a spot in the reviewer’s circle on the author’s blog at kateinglis.com. Now—go!
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1) You are facing an epic journey. You may choose one companion, one tool and one vehicle from any book or film to accompany you. Or just one of the three. It's up to you. What do you choose?
2) You can escape to the insides of any book. Where do you go, and why?
3) You can bring one literary character into your current life. Who do you choose, and why?
4) _________________ is my go-to book. I could read that book fifty-seven times in a row without a break for food or a pee and not be remotely bored. In fact I’ve already done that but it wasn’t fifty-seven times. It was sixty-four.
5) Of all the literary or film characters that made an impression on you as a kid, who was the most enviable?
6) Of all the literary or film characters that made an impression on you as a kid, who was the most frightening?
7) Every time I read _________________, I see something in it that I haven’t seen before.
8) It is imperative that _________________ be made into a movie. Now. I am already picketing Hollywood for this—but if they cast _________________ as _________________, I will not be happy. I will, however, be appeased if they cast _________________.
9) _________________ is a book that should never be made (or should have never been made) into a film.
10) After all these years, the _________________ scene in the book/movie _________________ still manages to give me the queebs.
11) After all these years, the _________________ scene in the book/movie _________________ still manages to give me a thrill.
12) If I could corner the author _________________, here’s what I’d say to them one minute or less about their book, _________________:
13) The coolest non-fiction book I’ve ever read is _________________. Every time I flip through it, it makes me want to _________________.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Reader Comments (61)
Since I'm now waiting to reorder (don't ask) I shall see if my usual bad luck at winning things continues and do this!
You're not trying to tell us that you've got a screenplay brewing out in the writing shed, are you? ;)
This looks like fun.
ah a project to think about and complete today, what fun!
Will have this posted later today. Stupid appointment that drags me away from the keyboard.
this was a toughie, but here's a link to the meme i finally completed! thanks for this, kate, you really had me wracking my brain and memory log.
http://cindyc.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/a-meme-for-tuesday/
Note to self. Do not wrack brain on 4 hours sleep. Brain protests then collapses in a corner, sliding down a little and getting all dirty.
http://vomitcomit.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/kate-tells/
I still did it, but I question the accuracy of my answers. :P
I'm up! What fun!
http://jessalogic.blogspot.com/2009/10/dread-crew-stories-that-stick.html
http://thebhj.com/journal/2009/10/13/kate-interviews-me-about-books-movies.html
I have way too much fun doing these things!
http://psalm145-jen.blogspot.com/2009/10/jen-meme.html
Loved doing this meme!!!
http://www.hooeycritic.com/2009/10/if-you-dont-know-kate-inglis-well-shame.html
Done like dinner! That was harder than I expected (and I'm a proud bookworm, at that). Lots of fun, though. You can check out the results here if you wish: http://eastvanchronicles.blogspot.com/2009/10/meme-of-day.html
Kate! I did it:
http://dustanandbetsy.blogspot.com/2009/10/once-when-i-was-in-college-while-i-was_14.html
We shut down new posts to our blog! ! I so wanted to do this so I hope you'll forgive me from taking up space in your comments:
1) Companion: Edmund Dantes (Dude knows how to get around) aka Count of Monte Cristo aka Sinbad the Sailor, etc. etc.; Tool: Ozma of Oz's magic belt; Vehicle: Athansor, the white horse from Mark Helprin's Winters Tale.
2) You can escape to the insides of any book. Where do you go, and why? I am going to have to go with Tolkien, Lord of the Rings. Because of the adventure and the mystery and the absolute certainty of that which is good vs. that which is evil.
3) You can bring one literary character into your current life. Who do you choose, and why? Bertie Wooster and Jeeves. Because right now i could use the entertainment.
4) Wuthering Heights is my go-to book (because I am a girl born in the wrong century). I could read that book fifty-seven times in a row without a break for food or a pee and not be remotely bored. In fact I’ve already done that but it wasn’t fifty-seven times. It was sixty-four. This is tied with Winters Tale, but you got give it up to Bronte.
5) Of all the literary or film characters that made an impression on you as a kid, who was the most enviable? Nancy Drew. Bad stuff just bounced off of her. No mom, weird non-sexual boyfriend relationship; she always got into trouble but you KNEW everything was going to be okay. Apparently she also had great hair and an awesome car. Jessica Wakefield from Sweet Valley High would have to get a nod as well.
6) Of all the literary or film characters that made an impression on you as a kid, who was the most frightening? 5th grade slumber party - second movie I ever saw on a VCR. Stephen King's Cat's Eye. In the movie there was a small gnome (troll?) that lived in a hole in a wall of Drew Barrymore's room. At night the Troll would creep out and try to steal little Drew's breath, killing her. The cat saved her life by fighting the gnome (troll). I slept with the covers pulled up over my nose and mouth, with my stinky cat, Janet, for YEARS to follow.
7) Every time I read Dune, I see something in it that I haven’t seen before.
8) It is imperative that Winters Tale be made into a movie. Now. I am already picketing Hollywood for this but if they cast Sienna Miller as Beverly Penn, I will not be happy. I will, however, be appeased if they cast Anna Paquin.
9) The ________ book that should never be made (or should have never been made) into a film. I've got to tell you, I am really on the fence about Where the Wild things are.
10) After all these years, the scene in the book/movie American Pyscho where Patrick murders Bethany still manages to give me the queebs.
11) After all these years, the scene where Tita lights the matches because of her love for Pedro in the book/movie Like water for Chocolate still manages to give me a thrill.
12) If I could corner the author Mark Helperin here’s what I’d say to them one minute or less about their book Winters Tale, "Your book made me move to NYC, your book led to my husband and family. I wish you weren't a conservative ass, I really do lie in bed at night wishing that. Come, let's discuss the politics of hope etc. etc. "
13) The coolest non-fiction book I’ve ever read is Titan, the biography of John D. Rockefeller. Every time I flip through it, it makes me want to do more and give more back.
Well, I gave it a try! I was poring through my books since I don't read as voraciously as I used to and it was a pleasant journey! Thanks!
http://starrlife.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/pirates-ahoy/
http://inblueskies.blogspot.com/2009/10/so-i-happen-to-have-soft-spot-for-memes.html
You had me at James Fraser . . .
couldn't resist your creative meme :-) it beats the run-of-the-mill ones, hands down.
http://batesklog3.blogspot.com/2009/10/meemeemee-mehmehmeh.html
http://youareverysmall.livejournal.com/10127.html
that was fun! thanks!
Pick me! Pick me!
http://www.ordinaryartblog.com/?p=818
Ally - loved your answers - I couldn't comment on your LiveJournal without having a LJ account so I hope you see this. Thank you!
Sarah - you had a cat named Janet? I don't know why but this is cracking me up. Great answers. I've never read Dune but have always heard so much about it.
Having so much fun reading everyone. You're all so much cooler than me. I'm like 'Outlander! Outlander!' to every question. Don't tell Penelope.
That was great fun, thanks! (I'm sure my family would have preferred that I cook dinner instead, but meh!)
http://gymisntworking.blogspot.com/2009/10/stories-that-stick.html
Wait - Kate, where are your answers to this meme? I had to Google that word, and I'm admitting that because I feel silly using it in a sentence when I don't even know how to say it out loud. I don't know if that puts a dent in my literary heritage or makes me American or what. But anyways, I can't wait to read some of these books people are mentioning - Outlander series included!
http://gilliangaladriel.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!6BBC33760B6EF0BC!4031.entry
This was fun!
i really want to do this and even copy and pasted to my google docs, but i am getting hung up on outlander and jamie fraser too (should have avoided the comments section). that and farenheit 451. i am going to try to make my mama mush brain work before halloween...here is hoping i make it. :)
'tis done, and here: http://nevergoeswithoutsaying.blogspot.com/2009/10/so-apparently-lifes-all-about-childrens.html
Your Roald Dahl comment pulled me in. Earlier that day, I'd been (re)telling a story that isn't even mine, but I love so much. My husband, glorious in many, many ways, played James in his primary (elementary) school's production of James and the Giant Peach - and Roald Dahl was in the audience.
I KNOW! I mean, I'd have married him just for that. As it was, I only found out a good four years into knowing him, when he was reading Dahl stories aloud to three-day-old son. That's the difference between the two of us right there. If I'd *ever* done anything so cool, it would be the first thing you heard. Before my name, probably.
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Unless Dublin indie bookstores can be convinced that they need Canadian pirates, this is my best shot at the book (well, this and Amazon, clearly), so here's hoping. EVERYONE needs Canadian pirates.
Betsy: you got me, but my answers are not very authorish. http://www.kateinglis.com/blog/2009/10/17/kates-replies-because-what-they-say-about-kilts-is-true.html
Gillian - loved reading yours! I don't have a liveID so I couldn't comment - but wanted to say double and triple yes on that Darcy moment, but I think my favourite is still when he emerges from the pond with his shirt all.. sigh.
neversarah - In awe. Would like your husband's autograph.
Wow-- so much fun. I wracked my brain coming up with answers! Your book looks awesome and I really can't wait to get it. Thank you so much for your writing!
http://amusedartichoke.wordpress.com/2009/10/17/stories-that-stuck-meme/
I didn't even see your post on sweet/salty -- Roald Dahl and the Great Glass Elevator as well!
This was fun...and a little taxing. Can't wait to read your book.
http://mommicked1.blogspot.com/2009/10/ms-mommicked-and-meme.html
T
Kate: I'll swap you his autograph for a signed bookplate for my copy of the Dread Crew when I get one - fab as Dave is, I still think I get the better deal! (signed copies! hooray!)
Okay, here it is!
http://ifbyyes.wordpress.com/2009/10/18/sweet-salty-kate-meme/
I am absolutely loving reading all these answers. I've already got way too many new-to-me books on my list. And am utterly stunned by all the torch-bearing highlander-lovers out there. Or wait. No. Not stunned at all. Keep it coming! This is fun.
1) You are facing an epic journey. You may choose one companion, one tool and one vehicle from any book or film to accompany you. Or just one of the three. It's up to you. What do you choose? I'd bring Nancy and Peggy Blackett. I think they work as a set, since they're sisters, and I'd need them both to sail the Amazon to wherever it was we were going, anyway. So they count as my tool, too.
2) You can escape to the insides of any book. Where do you go, and why? The other side of the Looking Glass, of course. Alice's adventures down the rabbit hole have always fascinated me. I couldn't help wondering exactly what those little cakes tasted like, and I wanted to comfort that poor rat with the sad, sad story.
3) You can bring one literary character into your current life. Who do you choose, and why? Everyone needs a little Ruby in their lives. (Cold Mountain.) She'd whip my lazy rear end into shape in no time flat, and I think she's hilarious.
4) The Narnia series are my go-to books. I could read those books fifty-seven times in a row without a break for food or a pee and not be remotely bored. In fact I’ve already done that but it wasn’t fifty-seven times. It was sixty-four. And I've read them on three different continents, in two languages. That's got to count for something.
5) Of all the literary or film characters that made an impression on you as a kid, who was the most enviable? I'm going for another group deal here, since it's kind of impossible to seperate Philip, Jack, Dinah and Lucy-Ann from each other. (The Adventure Series, Enid Blyton.) They got to have such amazing ... well ... adventures! Crossing raging seas to deserted islands, rushing down rivers, exploring secret castles. Their lives were the stuff my childhood fantasies were made of, and I still dream, sometimes, about that cave with the grass growing green over the mouth.
6) Of all the literary or film characters that made an impression on you as a kid, who was the most frightening? I was scared to death of Jadis in The Magician's Nephew. I don't know if it was the voice my dad gave her when he read to us after dinner, but she had me trembling in my jammies.
7) Every time I read Isaiah, I see something in it that I haven’t seen before (Bible books count, right?) =)
8) It is imperative that _________________ be made into a movie. Now. I am already picketing Hollywood for this—but if they cast _________________ as _________________, I will not be happy. I will, however, be appeased if they cast _________________. Honestly, I'm not sure I can answer this one. I'm not a huge fan of books being made into movies. Never once has a film version of my favourite books lived up to the scenes playing out in my head. I might have to leave this one blank and risk not winning this contest. Please Kate, don't let it disqualify me. Please oh please!)
9) Infinite Jest is a book that should never be made (or should have never been made) into a film. That would just confuse WAY too many people.
10) After all these years, the scene in The Picture of Dorian Gray, where he's found dead, all wizened and old and mangled near the perfect portrait of himself still manages to give me the queebs.
11) After all these years, you know the part at the end of Jane Eyre? Where she comes back to Mr. Rochester and he's blind and only has one hand but they get married an live happily ever after and have a kid AND he gets his sight back? Totally ridiculous, but it still manages to give me a thrill.
12) If I could corner the author Mervyn Peake here’s what I’d say to them one minute or less about their book, Titus Groan: How did you do it? How did you manage to draw those characters out of thin air? They're cartoons, grotesque caricatures of real people, but I see each one as I read. I can see every single scene so clearly and I don't know how your words can do that where my own have never succeeded. What was going to happen? What would they all have done, the Groans and Steerpike and Titus and Fuschia? What would have happened if you had lived?
13) The coolest non-fiction book I’ve ever read is The White Masai Every time I flip through it, it makes me want to pick up and move into the bush to live in a hut and cook over a fire. And drive a Land Rover. (Seriously. Who doesn't want to drive a Land Rover?!)
Oh dear. Now I've gone back and read everyone else's answers, not having wanted to be biased beforehand. And I realize how many books I totally forgot about. How can I have missed Wesley and Stargirl and Meg and Calvin?
The worst part is, I've had this screen up for DAYS, pondering over my answers. Oh well. More memes please Kate; I'll be more careful next time. =)
For what it's worth, Ali, I felt sad I couldn't work more Jane Eyre in. I heart that book. It's my favouritest.
AND I TOTALLY FORGOT THAT SCENE IN DORIAN GRAY. WHY DID YOU REMIND ME? Only the part that got to me was where the chemist deals with the dead body. ICK ICK ICK.
...I have a problem with bodies.
I loved doing this! Wish I could send a thousand oompa lumpas to the printing press of The Dreadcrew to blow on the ink and make it dry quicker!
http://deerbaby.blogspot.com/2009/10/what-kate-did-next.html
Here you go :)
http://mrsmaynard.livejournal.com/260847.html
Ali - we all do. We all want to drive a Land Rover.
1) You are facing an epic journey. You may choose one companion, one tool and one vehicle from any book or film to accompany you. Or just one of the three. It's up to you. What do you choose?
The companion; Amanda Peet: I know, probably a real dumb choice but she is my kind of girl; sexy but could always make me laugh. Tool: swiss army knfe: you never know when you need to open a can of tuna in the middle of the desert in a windstorm . If it had to be a guy, maybe Beck. Vehicle: I always wanted to "ride on that train, high on cocaine" with Casey Jones but maybe the Who's "Magic Bus" would be a more sensible option. Or just settle for a mazda 3 ...zoom zoom...?
2) You can escape to the insides of any book. Where do you go, and why?
Somewhere in a Dr. Suess book, any Dr S book, really...though I always-as much as i really do hate birthdays- would have really, really loved to have the birthday experience of the "It's your birthday" book...I always imagined there was a Dr Suess alternate reality to Disneyland (or just plain life) where everything was created with the warped whimisical sense of Theodrore. (Ron Howard/Jim Carrey bastardizations be damned!)
3) You can bring one literary character into your current life. Who do you choose, and why? If it was 5-10 years ago I would say Holden Caufield. Now, Julia Child. How sad is that? (We really like our baked goods..mmmm)
4) Lord of the Rings would have to be my go-to book(s). It's probably the one book that kicks me in the ass every time I read it and says, "hey dumb %%$%"; when you were 12 this is what you wanted to do; what the he% happened?
5) Of all the literary or film characters that made an impression on you as a kid, who was the most enviable? C'mon I'm a guy of a certain age so not NOT say Harrison Ford as Han Solo (and then less so but still as Indy Jones) would be a lie. And Sean Connery as Bond with that dapper charm and accent was unstoppable...who could get away with those lines, or slappng a bikini-clad spy's bottom for that matter-these days?
6) Of all the literary or film characters that made an impression on you as a kid, who was the most frightening? Jack Nicholson in the Shining would be an obvious choice...but the way Stephen King made you fall in love with characters (ie "IT") and then turn them evil is true mastery
7) Every time I read Lord of fhe Rings I see something in it that I haven’t seen before. And Peter Jackson delivered the most amazing film version of that body of work that was imaginable. I truly feel that in a cinematic sense we will never see such a body of work ever again, and certainly in the literary sense that will never be the case.
8) It is imperative that the (ture) story of Brian Jones & the Rolling Stones be made into a movie. Now. I am already picketing Hollywood for this—but if they cast any of the Jonas Brothers, or anyone who doesn't think that "Let it Bleed" is one of the best rock albums of all time, as Brian Jones I will not be happy. I will, however, be appeased if they cast Brad Pitt as he can pull off the hair and attitude. (Petiotinoing Johnny Depp as Keith Richards is so obvious it's not worth mentioning)
9) The Book of Morman is a book that should never be made (or should have never been made) into a film. Seriously!
10) After all these years, the eating chilled mokney brains scene in the movie "Indiana Jones: Temple of Doom still manages to give me the queebs. Runner up: David Bowie buried in sand at the end of "Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence" is a worthy mention for second.
11) After all these years, the final shoot-out scene in "resevoir dogs" still gets my votefor most thrilling...that or the final zombie funk dance at the of the "Thrriller" video...hmmm...better stick to choice #1
12) If I could corner the author Tom Robbins, here’s what I’d say to them one minute or less about their book, Jitterbug Perfume; this book is an amazing justapoxition interweaving sex, history, religion and primal dogma. My favorite book from my favorite author: no I don't want to move to rainy Seattle but how about a few free tips on prime mushroom picking???
13) The coolest non-fiction book I’ve ever read is Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Every time I flip through it, it makes me want to get Zen and/or learn how to ride a motorcycle (or do maintenance).
Here's my meme entry:
http://diaryofaturtlehead.wordpress.com/2009/10/26/the-dread-crew/
Ali c, your answers were great.... packed with books I've never read. Although that doesn't take much, these days. Again with the Infinite Jest. Given how much it's been mentioned I think I'll have to get it. And yes, in total agreement on the Land Rover. Or men who drive Land Rovers. Jabba the Hutt could drive a Land Rover and I'd totally make him breakfast.
Rick, hi! Great answers too. Han Solo is pretty much a requirement. As is Amanda Peet. That's cute. I don't know about escaping into Suess though... I might need a few hits of acid first. Or maybe less acid.
Off to read the other linked entries... thanks everyone! This is great. Sorry I'm a few days late. I've been staring at the computer having silent panic attacks. I'm swamped.
Kate, I've put this up on Facebook as a note but since my blog is private now, I have to hijack your comments and post my answers here.
1) You are facing an epic journey. You may choose one companion, one tool and one vehicle from any book or film to accompany you. Or just one of the three. It's up to you. What do you choose?
I would travel anywhere with Sam Vimes from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. He is always only himself; he kicks ass in a fight; and he makes it home every night at six to read his toddler son his favourite bedtime story. My tool would be Bilbo's ring from The Hobbit - you know, before it gets a grip on Frodo and is just a nifty handy device for making the wearer invisible. The vehicle would be the Tucker Talisman from Stephen King's Needful Things - it never ran out of gas, couldn't be seen by police so speeding was no problemo, had leather seats and a weird third headlight and was just plain super-cool.
2) You can escape to the insides of any book. Where do you go, and why?
Laura Ingalls Wilder's "These Happy Golden Years". I love all of the "Little House" books - always have. No matter where that family ended up, they were always so happy with one another and satisfied with the simplest things. And that book was really the one where everything started to go right for them. I especially loved the summer singing school Laura and Almanzo attended, and I would love to go myself.
3) You can bring one literary character into your current life. Who do you choose, and why?
The old man in the desert of Drize, from Dr. Seuss' "How Lucky You Are". I would love to have a little man "with a sunny sweet smile on his face" follow me everywhere saying "I'm telling you, ducky, you're really quite lucky! Some people are much more, oh ever so much more, oh muchly much much more unlucky than you."
4) Gone With the Wind is my go-to book. I could read that book fifty-seven times in a row without a break for food or a pee and not be remotely bored. In fact I’ve already done that but it wasn’t fifty-seven times. It was sixty-four.
5) Of all the literary or film characters that made an impression on you as a kid, who was the most enviable?
The title character from Ronia The Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren. She could tame wild horses, climb mountains in her bare feet, she was feisty and awesome and wonderful. I wanted to be her. I even went so far as to pick moss and dry it in bundles secreted throughout the woods around my house, so that if I ever A) ran away from home and B) injured myself while living in a cave, I would have a supply of first-aid materials on hand.
6) Of all the literary or film characters that made an impression on you as a kid, who was the most frightening?
I was terrified of the wicked queen in the Disney version of Snow White. When she transformed herself into that old scary hag woman, and looked back over her shoulder at the camera with that awful blue googly eye and cackled... I'd have run out of the theatre except I was frozen with fear.
7) Every time I read Alex Haley's Roots, I see something in it that I haven’t seen before.
8) It is imperative that Neil Gaiman's American Gods be made into a movie. Now. I am already picketing Hollywood for this—but if they cast Brad Pitt as Shadow, I will not be happy. I will, however, be appeased if they cast Clive Owen.
9) Interview with the Vampire is a book that should never be made (or should have never been made) into a film.
10) After all these years, just thinking about Regan crawling down the stairs all bent over backwards in The Exorcist still manages to give me the queebs. In the book version, she sneaks up on her mother's assistant and licks her ankle, ALL WHILE BENT OVER BACKWARDS. Yerk.
11) After all these years, Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas morning still manages to give me a thrill. When he says "I don't know anything, I never did know anything, and now I know that I don't know, all on a Christmas morning. I must stand on my head, I must stand on my head!" I get all warm and festive-y feeling.
12) If I could corner the author Don DeLillo, here’s what I’d say to them one minute or less about their book, White Noise: I know I was supposed to love it, and it's meant to be a post-modern classic, but I totally didn't get it. I want my $22 back.
13) The coolest non-fiction book I’ve ever read is A Short History of Nearly Everything, by Bill Brison. Every time I flip through it, it makes me want to go back to school and learn more about the natural world. (Apologies to Carol, she came up with this first - but it really is probably my favourite non-fiction book).
This was fun: http://www.magpiemusing.com/2009/10/stories-that-stick.html
1) You are facing an epic journey. You may choose one companion, one tool and one vehicle from any book or film to accompany you. Or just one of the three. It's up to you. What do you choose?
The Genie of the Lamp, and Doc's DeLorean. And a laptop.
2) You can escape to the insides of any book. Where do you go, and why?
Pern. I can't help it, I loves me some dragons.
3) You can bring one literary character into your current life. Who do you choose, and why?
Mary Poppins. I think the boys would dig her. And I'd like to take her out for a drink.
4) Swordspoint is my go-to book. I could read that book fifty-seven times in a row without a break for food or a pee and not be remotely bored. In fact I’ve already done that but it wasn’t fifty-seven times. It was sixty-four.
5) Of all the literary or film characters that made an impression on you as a kid, who was the most enviable?
Sorcha from Willow
6) Of all the literary or film characters that made an impression on you as a kid, who was the most frightening?
Queen Bavmorda
7) Every time I read Where the Wild Things Are, I see something in it that I haven’t seen before.
8) It is imperative that Preacher be made into a movie. Now. I am already picketing Hollywood for this—but if they cast Keanu Reeves as Jesse Custer, I will not be happy. I will, however, be appeased if they cast an unknown.
9) Twilight is a book that should never be made (or should have never been made) into a film.
10) After all these years, the ear cutting scene scene in the book/movie Reservoir Dogs still manages to give me the queebs.
11) After all these years, the opening scene in the book/movie The Lion King still manages to give me a thrill.
12) If I could corner the author Susan Kay, here’s what I’d say to them one minute or less about their book, "I re-read Phantom about twenty million times when I was in middle school. Thank you for your words, for a story I could always, without fail, escape to and become utterly consumed by. One time I dropped the book in the pool. And I had to buy a new copy."
13) The coolest non-fiction book I’ve ever read is The Elements of Style. Every time I flip through it, it makes me want to write.
This was really fun. Here's my entry:
http://wp.me/pkU55-7A
I answered, and had to really think about it on a few questions. Here it is: http://andromeda.qc.ca/?p=1801
1) You are facing an epic journey. You may choose one companion, one tool and one vehicle from any book or film to accompany you. Or just one of the three. It's up to you. What do you choose?
I would like to be accompanied by Mo or Meggie from Inkheart by Cornelia Funke; they could read me into my favorite books. If I had to choose one of the two, I’d choose Meggie, since Mo has all those inconvenient scruples about reading aloud.
As a vehicle, I’d want the bed and bedknob from Bedknobs and Broomsticks by Mary Norton. It would be fantastic; I wouldn’t even need to take off my pjs to travel.
I’d like Lucy Pevensie’s healing cordial from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. It would be nice to know if any of my friends were hurt on our marvelous adventures, I would be able to heal them.
2) You can escape to the insides of any book. Where do you go, and why?
Pat the Bunny. If I have to be on the insides of a book, I want one with some padding.
3) You can bring one literary character into your current life. Who do you choose, and why?
Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia. I know he is in our world with a different name, but I would love having the tangible lion by my side as my moral compass. As soon as I begin to screw up, he could whap me upside the head.
4) Outlander by Diana Gabaldon is also my go-to book. I could read that book fifty-seven times in a row without a break for food or a pee and not be remotely bored. In fact I’ve already done that but it wasn’t fifty-seven times. It was sixty-four. I read it on planes to distract me from the possibility of plummeting. I read it when my heart is broken, and I listen to it on tape on long road trips.
5) Of all the literary or film characters that made an impression on you as a kid, who was the most enviable? The girls in The Secret Language by Ursula Nordstrom. Those midnight feasts, the pond they make, and the freedom they had living in a boarding school was all so appealing to me.
6) Of all the literary or film characters that made an impression on you as a kid, who was the most frightening?
IT on the planet of Camazotz from A Wrinkle in Time still makes me shudder. That giant brain that telepathically controls the planet and makes sure everyone looks and acts the same is just as frightening to me as an adult.
Also, for some reason Beatrix Potter’s creatures were slightly frightening to me as a small child: especially Jeremy Fisher. I don’t know why.
7) Every time I read Watership Down, I see something in it that I haven’t seen before. This missed being my go-to book because I’ve only read it fifty-six times. I love this book. I read it first in third grade and now I try to read it once a year, and I even wrote part of my Master’s Thesis on it.
8) It is imperative that The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield be made into a movie. Now. I am already picketing Hollywood for this—but if they cast Rachel McAdams as Margaret, I will not be happy. I will, however, be appeased if they cast Jennifer Connelly.
9) Inkheart is a book that should have never been made into a film. I just finished watching the DVD and now I wish I could erase that atrocious adaptation from my brain. It was totally heavy-handed.
Along the same lines Captain Corelli’s Mandolin should never have been made into a movie. In the book, the unrequited love that Carlo has for Corelli is painful and poignant. In the movie, his sacrifice makes no sense whatsoever.
10) After all these years, the fly-eating scene in the book Skellig by David Almond still manages to give me the queebs.
11) After all these years, the scene where Samwise turns down the ring of power in the Return of the King still manages to give me a thrill.
A close second would be in The Book Thief when Death talks about the people who sit up to greet him. I find myself looking about me to find those people.
12) If I could corner the author of any of my favorite books, here’s what I’d say to them one minute or less about their book, “Aarhslmgui wowosmdnsugia. Slumoasha ouiusal.” Authors are my rock stars, and when I am ever face to face with them I seem to turn into an incoherent mess. M.T. Anderson, Mo Willem, Eric Carle, Meg Rosoff Jon Scieszka, and Steven Kellogg all spoke very graciously with a slightly twitchy young woman who used to be able to talk. But if I were to speak with Jennifer Weiner about Certain Girls (which I just finished last week), I’d say, “What the heck was up with that ending? Was that really necessary?”
13) The coolest non-fiction book I’ve ever read is Slow, Fat, Triathlete. Every time I flip through it, it makes me want to lace up my tennis shoes and run!
(That was fun! For what it's worth, I don't have a blog yet, but I'm about a week away from launching one.)
No blog, so I'm cutting and pasting.
1) You are facing an epic journey. You may choose one companion, one tool and one vehicle from any book or film to accompany you. Or just one of the three. It's up to you. What do you choose? Samwise Gamgee, because he never will leave you, Thor’s Hammer, because it’s a tool of a god, and the Batmobile, because, DUH.
2) You can escape to the insides of any book. Where do you go, and why? I go to the Tortallan world created by Tamora Pierce (Song of the Lioness Quartet, The Immortals series, and Protector of the Small quartet), because it was the first place I ever really “went” – the first place in a book that I loved and knew and read and reread.
3) You can bring one literary character into your current life. Who do you choose, and why? Mrs. Whatsit, from A Wrinkle in Time – I think she would totally be the cool aunt/friend/neighbor who would be so weird and lovely to talk to, and then she’d make you something random like tuna fish patties and cider, and it would be wonderful.
4) Twilight (OH THE SHAME) is my go-to book. I could read that book fifty-seven times in a row without a break for food or a pee and not be remotely bored. In fact I’ve already done that but it wasn’t fifty-seven times. It was sixty-four. Please understand that I hate myself, but I’m being honest. THERE IS CRACK IN THE INK, I’m SURE OF IT.
5) Of all the literary or film characters that made an impression on you as a kid, who was the most enviable? Claudia Kishi from the Babysitter’s Club – she wore rockin’ outfits, and hid junk food under bed, and her name was Claudia.
6) Of all the literary or film characters that made an impression on you as a kid, who was the most frightening? Randall Flagg, man – the Walking Dude HAUNTED MY DREAMS.
7) Every time I read Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler, I see something in it that I haven’t seen before.
8) It is imperative that Pillars of the Earth be made into a movie. Now. I am already picketing Hollywood for this—but if they cast Sienna Miller as Aliena, I will not be happy. I will, however, be appeased if they cast Emma Watson.
9) The Seeker by Susan Cooper is a book that should never be made (or should have never been made) into a film. That film was a travesty of giant proportions.
10) After all these years, the face melting Nazi scene in the book/movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade still manages to give me the queebs. Kate – I want you to know that I didn’t read your answer before I wrote mine, so I decided not to change it. I remember seeing this was, randomly, my grandparents and my mother (the only other movie I remember my grandpa going to was Saving Private Ryan) and he was SO MAD at my mom for taking me to see it after that scene. The sex didn’t phase him, nor the potential for being burned alive – the face melting apparently bothered him as much as it did me.
11) After all these years, the part where Lucy realizes she loves George scene in the book/movie A Room With A View still manages to give me a thrill.
12) If I could corner the author Frank Hebert, here’s what I’d say to them one minute or less about their book, Dune: Thank you. No, really. Just Thank You. I love Arrakkis, and stillsuits and sandworms and Muad’Dib and Chani.
13) The coolest non-fiction book I’ve ever read is A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. Every time I flip through it, it makes me want to become an anthropologist, astronomer, physicist, change my pillowcases.
Garrggh! Alright, so I've got some catching up to do and can't wait but real quick, I had to post this - anyone who cuts and pastes their answers here (Celeste, Heather, looking at you) - you've got to make sure you leave your email or some kind of way for me to contact you in case you win a copy of the book.
Has everyone else who left their answers here also included their contact info? You better. Don't make me send my brutes to track you down. It'll be ugly.
Here's mine! Fun meme!
http://kenandbelly.blogspot.com/2009/10/stories-that-stick.html
Thanks Kate, I enjoyed coming up with answers to these questions. Can't wait to read your book, my answers might change a bit :)
http://www.girlsandboise.com/2009/10/stories-that-stick-meme.html