Meme

I've enjoyed reading everyone else's and have been tagged by Laura at I'm not a feminist, but and Michelle at LonerGrrrl so here's my contribution to the book meme (tried to go with my gut feeling and not think or analyse my choices too much...)

One book that changed your life?

The entire Patricia Cornwell Kay Scarpetta series – I wrote a dissertation on them for my degree and got a first.

One book you have read more than once?

The Penguin Complete Saki – I’ve read this over and over again and fantasise about living in a world where Clovis and Reginald could actually exist.

One book you would want on a desert island?

I’m not a very practical person so I’m going to go for Ulysses, I could (and do) read that book again and again and always find something new in it – it would keep me entertained forever (or at least until I died of starvation or hypothermia).

One book that made you laugh?

Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel, it doesn’t sound like it will be funny but the humour in it is so sharp – I laughed out loud.

One book that made you cry?

A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens – I’m not usually a sucker for heroic self sacrifice but the end of this novel is so beautifully written that I cried.

One book you wish had been written?

I wish Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli had been written when I was younger. I wonder how different my life would have been if I had read it. You should give it a go.

One book you wish had never been written?

Mansfield Park – I’m aware that given my readership this is probably a contentious choice but Fanny Price is the most excruciating character I have ever had the misfortune to be acquainted with.

One book you are currently reading?

La Bete Humaine by Zola. I do like Zola but can only read him when I’m feeling a bit upbeat.

One book you have been meaning to read?

Too many to name them all, I’ll go with the first two books by Fred Vargas. I love detective fiction written by women, and Seeking Whom he may Devour was amazing.

Now tag five people.

Everyone I read regularly seems to have been tagged already so I tag anyone who is reader not a blogger – leave your list in my comments if you like :)