Ten on Tuesday

A book themed Ten on Tuesday? Be still my heart! :)

1. Favorite book(s) when you were a child and why?
Early childhood - The Sorcerer's Apprentice. I loved it so much, I memorized it. No idea what my fascination was...

Chapter books - The Babysitter's Club. Dear God I wanted to be Mary Anne. That was the BSC member that I most connected with! I adored these books. I would have sleep overs with my best friend and we would seriously go to bed and read these books. Boy were we an exciting pair. I loved the Special Edition ones that were white and extra thick!

2. First “grown-up” book you remember reading (i.e. written for adolescents or with adult themes, such as The Outsiders or Catcher in the Rye).
Animal Farm. We read it in 6th grade. In hind sight, I think that was way too young of an age to read that book! I am sure most of the concepts went way over my head!

3. Favorite movie that came from a book (even if you didn’t read the book and just love the movie).
Hmm... I rarely like movies that are based on books since the book is so much better. The first one that comes to mind is Julie & Julia. I think Nora Ephron got this one right - and I am so glad Meryl Streep won a GG for her role! Such a great flick!

4. Movie that you loved so much that you WISHED there was a book out so that you could find out more about the movie.
You've Got Mail? I want to know what happens after they get together at the end! I just adore that movie. I want to be Meg Ryan. I want her store. I want her cute flat. I want my own Tom Hanks to come along and sweep me off my feet, first with the written word, then with the charming conversation. Ahh, it's swoon-worthy to think about. :)

5. Worst book you’ve ever read?
The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I hated this book. HATED it. What did Oprah see in it? I'm not a huge Oprah fan, but she usually picks decent books for her book club. Total miss on this one.

6. Book that everyone raves about that you either a) haven’t read and feel slightly dumb for not having read it or b) have tried to read and hated and so feel slightly dumb that everyone is getting something you don’t.
The Twilight series. I read the first 3 and wanted to get caught up in the frenzy, but I just wasn't hooked. I actually own the 4th one but haven't gotten around to reading it. The 3rd book pissed me off. And don't even get me started on the movies... not a fan.

7. If you were forced to choose only 3 books that you could read for the rest of your life, which ones would they be? (Or if you were stranded on a desert island, which 3 books would you want there with you?).
1. Tuesdays with Morrie - inspiring, lovely book!
2. Without Reservations - First travel memoir I read! Such a great book!
3. Crime and Punishment - I would pick this if I was on a desert island because then I would have the time to read this sucker. It is long!!

8. Name one book that if you could recommend that everyone you know read, what is it?
Tuesdays with Morrie. Everyone should read this. There is so much wisdom in this book - from love to parenting to life priorities. Such a gem.

9. What is your “guilty pleasure” reading?
Books by Sophie Kinsella. They are mindless reading but so entertaining!!

10. What book (excepting the Bible or other major document of your religion/faith) has changed your outlook on life the most?
I kind of feel like a broken record saying Tuesdays with Morrie again, so I am going to have to say "Lean Forward Into Your Life." It was the first book I reviewed (and my 2nd blog post!). I have lots of tabs in it - see?


It resides on the bookshelf next to my bed and I often go back & re-read those tabbed sections. It has beautiful poems and passages that remind me of the kind of love I am waiting for (like the passage I highlighted in my book review - go on, click here, and read it!)

But mostly, it has helped me deal with the various break-ups I have gone through. In one passage, the author, Mary Anne Radmacher, has this to say about relationships that don't work out:

"I often hear people speak of relationships at their conclusion as "failed." Simply because a thing does not last until its anticipated conclusion, that does not make it a failure. If a flower is crushed while still in bloom, it is not a failed flower. When a younger life is slashed off the planet by a knife or bullet, it doesn't mean that life failed in its presence on the planet. It is indeed a loss to those who remain, but it is not a failure. A relationship must be allowed its cycle and time. Not all comings together are forever even though we bind them to that in our societal vocabulary. The human being whose life is now lived far from my life and who name is not a part of my name has his own story. And his parting was less a failure than a learning."

See? Lots of wisdom is found in the pages of this book! I have a couple of blog posts written in my head that were inspired on this book! So go check it out!

You all know I am a book lover - so answer a few of these questions! I'd love to hear about the books that have captured your hearts!!