Book Meme

Lisa of Rullsenberg has very kindly roped me into the book meme competition that's doing the rounds: It isn't formally a competition, but it's one of those memes that generates competitiveness amongst literary snobs. I'm just moaning, of course, because the central requirement is that the books you cite be works of fiction, which I barely ever read, offering me no opportunity for oneupmanship. Still, I've got plenty of opinions. Which ones would you like?

You're stuck inside Fahrenheit 451, which book do you want to be?

For my own pleasure, I would choose either Bigot Hall, by Steve Aylett, or Milk, Sulphate & Alby Starvation, by Martin Millar. Both immensely funny and, in both books, the language just sparkles. No supposed 'classic' has ever affected me as much as these. Alternatively, I'd plump for Mekons United, which comes with a free CD, giving me an accompanying sound track.

But I suppose I have to select something worthy, so it will have to be The Plague, by Albert Camus. Even in translation, the clarity and conciseness of his language stand out.


Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?

Of course not. They're fictional, aren't they? I have enough trouble with crushes on real people.

Now I come to think of it, though, I did fancy Julie Andrews in A Sound of Music when I was 7.


The last book you bought is:

Hanging Crimes, by Frank Sweeney. All about the death penalty in Ireland. It's a birthday present for my dad. Before you ask, we do get on.

The last work of fiction I bought was Diary, by Chuck Palahniuk, reviewed here.

The last book you read:

As far as fiction goes, see the above answer. Otherwise, I finished The Coming of the Third Reich, by Richard J. Evans, on the train home last night.


What are you currently reading?

Russian Philosophy, by Frederick Copleston (bedside); to help me sleep. Booked, by Tom Humphries (bogside - to help me shit); this contains surprisingly lyrical newspaper articles about such topics as GAA, the travails of Irish soccer, and mountain running.

My new train reading is From Dawn to Decadence, by Jacques Barzun. The next fiction I read will be Money, by Martin Amis.


Five books you would take to a deserted island:

Don Quixote, by Cervantes, because I started it but haven't finished it and my brother says I should.

Q, by Luther Blisset. Italian anarchists write a collective novel about the Reformation. How can you go wrong?

And now for some cheating: Three volumes on my shelves I haven't read but must.

USA, by John Dos Passos. Three novels in one.

The Muriel Spark Omnibus, Volume One: includes Jean Brodie and Memento Mori.

The Essential Gore Vidal. Has excerpts from Myra Breckenridge, Julian, etc.

Look, I could be on that island a long time.



Who are you going to pass this stick to (3 persons) and why?

Reidski, because he doesn't blog often enough.

Alphonse, to see if he lists any books I've heard of.

and Clare, to spread this party further afield.


Ah thenk yow.