The First Lines meme
Apr. 8th, 2005 09:41 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lls_mutantThis looked like a fun little meme, gakked from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
marauderthesn.
1. Choose ten of your all time favorite books.
2. Take the first sentence of the first chapter and make a list in your journal.
3. Don't reveal the author or the title of the book.
4. Now everyone try and guess
I think some of these are ridiculously easy (like, oh, number 2, perhaps? Or number 10 for this crew?), but some of them should be a nice little challenge. Of course, the list changes rather daily, except for number 1, but I think it's a good list anyway. Also, even though I ADORE certain authors, I only put one book by each of my favorite authors on the list.
So, in no particular order (except for number 1)...
1.) “Who is John Galt?” Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Guessed byignipes
2.) Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charm as the Tarleton twins were. -Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (yeah, that one was impossibly easy), guessed byfroda_baggins
3.) "Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug. -Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, guessed byfroda_baggins
4.) When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow. -To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, guessed byfroda_baggins
5.) This is my favorite book in all the world, though I have never read it. The Princess Bride by William Goldman, guessed byignipes
6.) Ria's mother had always been very fond of film stars. It was a matter of sadness to her that Clark Gable had died on the day that Ria was born. Tara Road by Maeve Binchy, guessed bykatilara
7.) "I've watched through his eyes, I've listened through his ears, and I tell you he's one. Or at least as close as we're going to get." Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, guessed byhappyreaper and midnitemaraud_r
8.) I will not drink more than fourteen alcohol unit a week. -Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding, guessed byfroda_baggins
9.) The Sun rose slowly, as if it wasn't sure it was worth the effort. -The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett, guessed bycloudlessnights
10.) The villagers of Little Hangleton still called it "the Riddle House," even though it had been many years since the Riddle family had lived there. -Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (which is my favorite despite the lack of Lupin!) by J.K Rowling, guessed byfroda_baggins
And after exploring a little....
gakked fromignipes
You're stuck inside Fahrenheit 451, which book do you want to be?
This is embarrassing, but I've never READ Fahrenheit 451. But making the assumption it's a book that must be saved from people burning it... Atlas Shrugged. In a heartbeat.
Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character? Who?
Well, both Remus and Sirius, of course. But let's go for the less obvious.
Rhett Butler. (SO much less obvious.) Johnny in The Outsiders. F'nor in the Dragonriders of Pern series. I'm adoring Will Parry in His Dark Materials, but given the age I wouldn't call that a crush.
Hank Rearden. Generally I don't crush on Ayn Rand characters, as I find them to be remote and too entrenched in her ideals. But I loved Hank Rearden.
The last book you bought is:
Three at once: The Princess Diaries V by Meg Cabot, The Amber Spyglass by Phil Pullman, and What to Expect when You're Expecting :):):)
The last book you read:
The Princess Diaries V by Meg Cabot at home, and The Subtle Knife by Phil Pullman at work.
What are you currently reading?
The Amber Spyglass. Detecting a trend here?
Five books you would take to a deserted island:
1.) Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand. If I've already read two copies into rags and not gotten sick of it, why should I think I would EVER get sick of it?
2.) The entire Harry Potter series, bound into one book. HAH! I cheat.
3.) Lord of the Rings, because then maybe I'd actually get through it. God, but Tolkien is DRY!
4.) The Bible. See above.
5.) "Surviving on a Desert Island for Dummies."
Five “Hidden Treasures” books (books you like but no one else has ever heard of):
Hmmm. Most of mine are pretty common, so we'll see what I can come up with.
1.) The Chocolate War and Beyond the Chocolate War. Yes, they're pretty well-known, but not so much these days, I think. These were so compelling and such sad reads, and what really got me into drama in the first place. Plus, the group mentality is just terrifying.
2.) The Scarlet Feather by Maeve Binchy. So, Maeve Binchy is pretty well known, but no one I hang out with ever seems to have heard of her. The Scarlet Feather is my favorite of her books. It doesn't follow a few of her more predictable patterns, the issues are realistic and interesting, I love the structure of the book, and any book that talks a lot about food always interests me.
3.) Can't Buy Me Love by Chris Kenry. A story about two gay guys who, in order to pay off some debt, start a prostitution ring. It's absolutely hysterical, especially as the main character tries to keep it all very legal.
Most embarrassing books you like:
Hmmm. What am I embarressed by? Not much, to be honest. I suppose I should be embarrassed that I ADORE the Princess Diaries, but really? How many books are there with a strong, funny, articulate heroine for 15 year old girls? Heck with societal expectations- I love my Princess Diaries!
Book everyone likes that you hate:
Oh, so easy. LORD OF THE RINGS. I mean, I adore Tolkien for what he did for my all-time favorite drama. I appreciate the plot. BUT THE MAN'S WRITING IS DRY. VERY DRY. UGH! I read it in 5th grade (all I remembered was Gollum) and tried to read it again as an adult and just. couldn't. do. it.
I also hated The Devil Wears Prada, even though the chicklit circles were cavelling over it. The heroine annoyed me to no end. Give me Meg Cabot any day!
A “Wow, you actually READ that?” book:
Godel, Escher, and Bach. It's about systems in Math, art, and music. Very interesting.
Book you want to read really badly but somehow never get around to:
Fatherland. My husband even has a copy somewhere and says it's good, but I have yet to read it.
Book that makes you cry:
I cry every single time in Atlas Shrugged when Tony dies. I also always cry when I read Little Women, and at the end of Prisoner of Azkaban when Dumbledore says "those that love us never really leave us."
Book that makes you laugh:
The witches series by Terry Pratchett. Especially when Nanny Ogg and Casanunda are involved!
Non self-help book that nonetheless taught you a lot:
Atlas Shrugged. Look, there's a reason it's my favorite book of all time, okay?
Books you didn't get then but get now:
1.) Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander
2.) Dragonflight by Anne McCaffery
Book you know you’ll just never get:
Anything by John Steinbach. This man was considered a genius WHY?
Personal favorite book-to-movie adaptation:
Lord of the Rings. See, there IS value to Tolkien. The movies remove everything I hate about his writing.
Worst book-to-movie adaptation:
The Princess Diaries was definitely up there, because well over half the movie never happened in the book.
DREAM book-to-movie adaptation:
I have high hopes for the Narnia series.
Favorite book when you were ten:
Probably something from Lloyd Alexander's Black Cauldron series, except for Taran Wanderer, which is now my favorite but then was my least.
Favorite book when you were fifteen:
I read the Fountainhead when I was 15, so that was probably near the top of my list.
Favorite book freshman year college:
I really, really just don't remember.
Do you still like these?
Yes.
At least one book that made you who you are today:
Aside from Atlas Shrugged? Probably Lloyd Alexander's work, because that was what made me want to write.
What book do you want to read next?
I have a copy of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell waiting for me to finish with His Dark Materials.
marauderthesn.1. Choose ten of your all time favorite books.
2. Take the first sentence of the first chapter and make a list in your journal.
3. Don't reveal the author or the title of the book.
4. Now everyone try and guess
I think some of these are ridiculously easy (like, oh, number 2, perhaps? Or number 10 for this crew?), but some of them should be a nice little challenge. Of course, the list changes rather daily, except for number 1, but I think it's a good list anyway. Also, even though I ADORE certain authors, I only put one book by each of my favorite authors on the list.
So, in no particular order (except for number 1)...
1.) “Who is John Galt?” Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Guessed by
ignipes2.) Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charm as the Tarleton twins were. -Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (yeah, that one was impossibly easy), guessed by
froda_baggins3.) "Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug. -Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, guessed by
froda_baggins4.) When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow. -To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, guessed by
froda_baggins5.) This is my favorite book in all the world, though I have never read it. The Princess Bride by William Goldman, guessed by
ignipes6.) Ria's mother had always been very fond of film stars. It was a matter of sadness to her that Clark Gable had died on the day that Ria was born. Tara Road by Maeve Binchy, guessed by
katilara7.) "I've watched through his eyes, I've listened through his ears, and I tell you he's one. Or at least as close as we're going to get." Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, guessed by
happyreaper and midnitemaraud_r8.) I will not drink more than fourteen alcohol unit a week. -Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding, guessed by
froda_baggins9.) The Sun rose slowly, as if it wasn't sure it was worth the effort. -The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett, guessed by
cloudlessnights10.) The villagers of Little Hangleton still called it "the Riddle House," even though it had been many years since the Riddle family had lived there. -Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (which is my favorite despite the lack of Lupin!) by J.K Rowling, guessed by
froda_bagginsAnd after exploring a little....
gakked from
ignipesYou're stuck inside Fahrenheit 451, which book do you want to be?
This is embarrassing, but I've never READ Fahrenheit 451. But making the assumption it's a book that must be saved from people burning it... Atlas Shrugged. In a heartbeat.
Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character? Who?
Well, both Remus and Sirius, of course. But let's go for the less obvious.
Rhett Butler. (SO much less obvious.) Johnny in The Outsiders. F'nor in the Dragonriders of Pern series. I'm adoring Will Parry in His Dark Materials, but given the age I wouldn't call that a crush.
Hank Rearden. Generally I don't crush on Ayn Rand characters, as I find them to be remote and too entrenched in her ideals. But I loved Hank Rearden.
The last book you bought is:
Three at once: The Princess Diaries V by Meg Cabot, The Amber Spyglass by Phil Pullman, and What to Expect when You're Expecting :):):)
The last book you read:
The Princess Diaries V by Meg Cabot at home, and The Subtle Knife by Phil Pullman at work.
What are you currently reading?
The Amber Spyglass. Detecting a trend here?
Five books you would take to a deserted island:
1.) Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand. If I've already read two copies into rags and not gotten sick of it, why should I think I would EVER get sick of it?
2.) The entire Harry Potter series, bound into one book. HAH! I cheat.
3.) Lord of the Rings, because then maybe I'd actually get through it. God, but Tolkien is DRY!
4.) The Bible. See above.
5.) "Surviving on a Desert Island for Dummies."
Five “Hidden Treasures” books (books you like but no one else has ever heard of):
Hmmm. Most of mine are pretty common, so we'll see what I can come up with.
1.) The Chocolate War and Beyond the Chocolate War. Yes, they're pretty well-known, but not so much these days, I think. These were so compelling and such sad reads, and what really got me into drama in the first place. Plus, the group mentality is just terrifying.
2.) The Scarlet Feather by Maeve Binchy. So, Maeve Binchy is pretty well known, but no one I hang out with ever seems to have heard of her. The Scarlet Feather is my favorite of her books. It doesn't follow a few of her more predictable patterns, the issues are realistic and interesting, I love the structure of the book, and any book that talks a lot about food always interests me.
3.) Can't Buy Me Love by Chris Kenry. A story about two gay guys who, in order to pay off some debt, start a prostitution ring. It's absolutely hysterical, especially as the main character tries to keep it all very legal.
Most embarrassing books you like:
Hmmm. What am I embarressed by? Not much, to be honest. I suppose I should be embarrassed that I ADORE the Princess Diaries, but really? How many books are there with a strong, funny, articulate heroine for 15 year old girls? Heck with societal expectations- I love my Princess Diaries!
Book everyone likes that you hate:
Oh, so easy. LORD OF THE RINGS. I mean, I adore Tolkien for what he did for my all-time favorite drama. I appreciate the plot. BUT THE MAN'S WRITING IS DRY. VERY DRY. UGH! I read it in 5th grade (all I remembered was Gollum) and tried to read it again as an adult and just. couldn't. do. it.
I also hated The Devil Wears Prada, even though the chicklit circles were cavelling over it. The heroine annoyed me to no end. Give me Meg Cabot any day!
A “Wow, you actually READ that?” book:
Godel, Escher, and Bach. It's about systems in Math, art, and music. Very interesting.
Book you want to read really badly but somehow never get around to:
Fatherland. My husband even has a copy somewhere and says it's good, but I have yet to read it.
Book that makes you cry:
I cry every single time in Atlas Shrugged when Tony dies. I also always cry when I read Little Women, and at the end of Prisoner of Azkaban when Dumbledore says "those that love us never really leave us."
Book that makes you laugh:
The witches series by Terry Pratchett. Especially when Nanny Ogg and Casanunda are involved!
Non self-help book that nonetheless taught you a lot:
Atlas Shrugged. Look, there's a reason it's my favorite book of all time, okay?
Books you didn't get then but get now:
1.) Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander
2.) Dragonflight by Anne McCaffery
Book you know you’ll just never get:
Anything by John Steinbach. This man was considered a genius WHY?
Personal favorite book-to-movie adaptation:
Lord of the Rings. See, there IS value to Tolkien. The movies remove everything I hate about his writing.
Worst book-to-movie adaptation:
The Princess Diaries was definitely up there, because well over half the movie never happened in the book.
DREAM book-to-movie adaptation:
I have high hopes for the Narnia series.
Favorite book when you were ten:
Probably something from Lloyd Alexander's Black Cauldron series, except for Taran Wanderer, which is now my favorite but then was my least.
Favorite book when you were fifteen:
I read the Fountainhead when I was 15, so that was probably near the top of my list.
Favorite book freshman year college:
I really, really just don't remember.
Do you still like these?
Yes.
At least one book that made you who you are today:
Aside from Atlas Shrugged? Probably Lloyd Alexander's work, because that was what made me want to write.
What book do you want to read next?
I have a copy of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell waiting for me to finish with His Dark Materials.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-04-08 01:49 pm (UTC)3. Little Women
I keep thinking I should know 4 but I'm afraid to venture a guess. Oh it's probably To Kill a Mockingbird.
8. Bridget Jones' Diary
And of course, 10. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
no subject
Date: 2005-04-08 02:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-08 02:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-08 01:54 pm (UTC)9. The Light Fantastic
If not, then it's some other discworld novel. I love those!
no subject
Date: 2005-04-08 02:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-08 10:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-08 03:07 pm (UTC)5. The Princess Bride? That's just a guess...
Godel, Escher, and Bach. It's about systems in Math, art, and music. Very interesting.
I could not get through that book for the life of me. I really did try. I'll probably try again someday...
no subject
Date: 2005-04-08 03:16 pm (UTC)I could not get through that book for the life of me. I really did try. I'll probably try again someday...
There are very few "academic" books I've made it through. There was this one and a book comparing Simpson's characters to various philosophies. But that's about it. I really had to think for a bit before I answered that one!
(Because given my degree, the fact I've read The Chemistry of Hydrocarbon Fuels and Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals just isn't THAT shocking! :) )
no subject
Date: 2005-04-08 03:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-08 08:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-09 04:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-08 03:47 pm (UTC)interesting, very interesting.. I'm sort of reading Jonathan Strange, but finding it a little hard to get into. I think I've been reading interesting young readers books for too long that reading an actual adult book is a bit challenging. Where's the witty dialogue? where's the obvious plot devices? huh?
no subject
Date: 2005-04-08 08:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-09 03:22 am (UTC)absolutely! have you read hitch hikers guide? absolutely bloody hilarious! i highly recommend it. i'm just finishing the second book now.. its wicked :D
no subject
Date: 2005-04-08 05:50 pm (UTC)And you know, with regard to Harry, I can't help wonder if JKR is trying to isolate Harry in a similar way to how the teachers isolated Ender - the need for him to have to rely on only himself. Interesting to think about at any rate!
no subject
Date: 2005-04-08 08:30 pm (UTC)And YES! I've wondered that too. Thank you!
I've used this argument several times when people ask "what possible use to the plot could a canonical relationship between Remus and Sirius have?" Well, I think if Harry found out about it he would be upset. Not necessarily the homosexual aspect, but the fact that this was important and Sirius didn't tell him. And I could see that anger being directed at Remus instead, and him being very, very angry with Lupin. Which is nice in two ways: one, it's different. Two, it means that a.) Harry can initiate the healing of the relationship, which is much more adult, and b.) Lupin doesn't have to die.
But if you look at it, every adult that means something to Harry is being taken away from him:
Lily- dead.
James- dead.
Sirius- dead.
Hagrid- off a lot with Order Business and Madame Maxime.
Dumbledore- pushed Harry away in OotP, and now Harry's pretty angry (although he's obviously going to be speaking to him in HBP!)
Lupin (1)- sacked and ran away. (I think though he might be pushed away again.)
Moody- the Moody Harry felt close to was an imposter. The real Moody seems to freak him out a bit.
Molly- pushing Harry away with her own mothering.
Arthur- nothing. Yet.
other profs like McGonagall, Flitwick, Trewlawny, etc. might care about Harry, but he's not truly close to them like the ones listed above. So yeah. TOTALLY agree!
no subject
Date: 2005-04-08 08:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-08 08:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-04-13 05:49 am (UTC)