Happy & Sad: 30 Day Book Meme

Not long ago, I discovered a lovely book blog, Bibliotica. On it, she was doing a 30-Day Book Meme. According to her blog: "I can’t remember whose blog I saw this on, but I’ve let this site sit idle all spring, and I need to jump-start some content, so I’ll be doing the 30-Day Book Meme, but I will not be posting meme entries every day. Instead, I’ll be posting them 2-3 times a week, til I’ve done all thirty."

I am taking it even more slowly, covering the days here and there. My "30 Days" began last December when I first introduced this meme. Today I'm covering Days 5 and 6: a book that makes you happy and a book that makes you sad.

Happy

I loved Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs as a kid, and I love it even more as a mom. From the sweet grandparents inspiring their grandchildren's imagination to the idea of food falling from the sky, I loved every moment of this book.

Maybe it's because I'm obsessed with food, because I find a little slice of happy on every page. Okay, maybe it also shows my wicked sense of humor. I'm happiest when I'm amused, and seeing a pancake covering a building gets me every time.

Sad

The first book that popped in my head was Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye. I read this book several years ago for a book club, and I cried throughout. It exposed the underbelly of human nature.

I remember being nervous to turn the page, afraid of what would happen next. At times, I didn't think I could go on. Too much sadness. But Toni Morrison crafted such an emotionally intricate tale with characters you cared about that I never could put it down.

Just to give you an idea, this is the book summary from Amazon: Each night Pecola prayed for blue eyes. In her eleven years, no one had ever noticed Pecola. But with blue eyes, she thought, everything would be different. She would be so pretty that her parents would stop fighting. Her father would stop drinking. Her brother would stop running away. If only she could be beautiful. If only people would look at her. When someone finally did, it was her father, drunk. He raped her. New York Times: "So charged with pain and wonder that the novel becomes poetry." Winner of The Nobel Prize in Literature

What is your happy/sad book? Was there a book that made you equal parts happy and sad?

Choosing Favorites and Hunger Games Excitement: Day 4 in the 30 Day Book Meme

For some Friday fun, I'm continuing my 30 Day Book Meme.

Day Four: Favorite Book of Your Favorite Series

I listed my favorite series for Day 3:

1. Lord of the Rings
2. Hunger Games
3. Outlander

I would never attempt to pick a favorite in the Lord of the Rings series. First, I read them as a teenager (I really want to read them again!). Second, I loved them all. And I've read the first four (or five. I admit I've lost count) of the Outlander, and they get progressively better.

In Hunger Games, I've only read the first two so far. Mockingjay is beside my bed taunting me, but I haven't been able to pick it up. I loved Hunger Games! As soon as I was done, I rushed into Catching Fire. It was a bit disappointing. I've found I need to take a break between books sometimes, especially if I love the first.

And I'm so excited for the Hunger Games movie!! Have you seen this...

Jennifer Lawrence - Liam Hemsworth - Woody Harrelson - Elizabeth Banks - Josh Hutcherson - Stanley Tucci - Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

What's your favorite book in a beloved series?

Reading and Enjoying Series: Day 3 in the 30 Day Book Meme

For some Friday fun, I'm continuing my 30 Day Book Meme series.

Day Three: Your Favorite Series

Until a few years ago, I didn't read a lot of series. Instead, I tend to jump all over the genre and author choices when choosing books. But, I get the allure of sitting down with familiar characters and storyline.

The hardest part of any book is getting started. I don't know how agents judge an entire book by the first five pages. I need at least a few chapters to get into the reading groove.

Since becoming a mom, I find myself more drawn to series. I like having an immediate relationship with characters and increasing my chances I'll enjoy a book. Maybe it's Mommy brain and my increasing difficulty with focus.

My favorite series, in order:

1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien - I read these in middle and high school. One of these days, I'd like to reread the series and appreciate them all over again.

2. Hunger Games Trilogy, Suzanne Collins - I've only read the first two, but Mockingjay is sitting by my bed taunting me. My daughter has already read all three and loved them.

3. Outlander Series, Diana Gabaldon - I read the first book just after giving birth to my third daughter in five years. I didn't connect to it, but kept hearing people talk about how much they loved the books. I figured I'd give book two a chance and sure enough... I really enjoyed it. I've read the first five so far.

I also enjoyed the City of Bones books, as has my daughter, but I wanted to name my top three and it just barely missed the cut.

What's your favorite series?

Also, it seems to me that series have become increasingly popular. Do you agree?

Related post: Day Two: A Book You've Read More than Three Times

Rereading Pleasures: Day Two in a 30 Day Book Meme

Continuing with my 30 Day Book Meme series, Day Two poses this question:

Day Two: A Book You've Read More Than Three Times

Easy. None. I love books, and my reading time is way too limited and precious to be rereading books. Even books I have loved, I haven't reread.

I would like to reread some of the classics, though. Too many amazing books are forced upon students who aren't interested or aren't ready, and it's a shame. I know there are some that would mean so much more to me now than they did then.

Still, I wouldn't want to read it three times.

Am I the only person who would rather read a new book, and hopefully find a new favorite, than to reread a book I've already loved and appreciated?

For those who love the classics, what classic would you want to reread?

Related post: Day One: The Best Book You Read Last Year

Best Book I've Read this Year: Day One in a 30 Day Book Meme

Last week I posted about a 30 Day Book Meme. There are 30 days of questions, and I'll try to answer one a week, if not more often.

Day One: The Best Book You Read Last Year

That's so hard! I have a list of my favorite books on the sidebar, but I haven't updated them in awhile. This past year has been a stellar reading year! Not only did I read some wonderful bestsellers, I found some excellent gems in smaller books.

My five star reviews for 2011 (in random order):

1. Max and Menna, Shauna Kelley
2. Valhalla, Jennifer Willis
3. Art of Racing in the Rain, Garth Stein
4. Turning Point, Melissa Luznicky Garrett
5. Come Back to Me, Melissa Foster
6. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot
7. Emeralds Never Fade, Stephen Maitland-Lewis
8. Call Me When You Land, Michael Schiavone

I loved each of these books for different reasons and they span genres. I look forward to reading more books in 2012 and adding to my 5-star list.

What is your top favorite 2011 book?