What I’m really supposed to be doing (besides laundry) is finishing up George Orwell’s 1984 for my in-person book group next week. But, it’s so depressing (more on that when I finish it), and I need a break. Thankfully, Becky tagged me for Eva’s Reading Meme and now I have an excuse to step away from the book for a while.

Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews? Anything else by Khaled Hosseini. I read The Kite Runner, and I don’t care how good his other books are, or how much people rave about them. I . Will. Not. Read. Them.

If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise), who would they be and what would the event be? I’ve thought about this and I’m not sure I can pick just three. I’ll try, though. I’d love to hang with Elizabeth Bennett (she’d be good and catty– but not really mean — and will make me laugh). Mrs. Baker from The Wednesday Wars. She just seems like an awesome, interesting person. And Eowyn from Lord of the Rings. She rocks.

(Borrowing shamelessly from the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde): you are told you can’t die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for awhile, eventually you realise it’s past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave? The Last of the Mohicans. It put me to sleep every time I cracked it open. The thought of cracking it open puts me to sleep.

Come on, we’ve all been there. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you’ve read, when in fact you’ve been nowhere near it? Probably anything by Dickens. I’ve only read Nicholas Nickleby, and I don’t even really remember that.

As an addition to the last question, has there been a book that you really thought you had read, only to realise when you read a review about it/go to ‘reread’ it that you haven’t? Which book? Okay, I was a doofus, and answered this one wrong the first time around. I’ll try again. I swore I read Jane Eyre back in 8th grade. And, so, had no interest in re-reading it. Yet, last year, when everyone was raving about the miniseries, I finally picked it up, watched it, and realized that I had no idea what this story was. I read it and loved it. Go figure. (I think it was Ethan Frome that I read in 8th grade, but now I’m not even sure about that…)

You’re interviewing for the post of Official Book Advisor to some VIP (who’s not a big reader). What’s the first book you’d recommend and why? (if you feel like you’d have to know the person, go ahead of personalise the VIP) Honestly, I don’t know. It really depends on the person. Lonesome Dove for those macho types. My Name is Asher Lev for those who lean artsy. The Killer Angels for history buffs. You get the picture.

A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with? Spanish. I know enough to frustrate me. And maybe then I would actually get magical realism. Though I have to admit, I’d love to read just about any book in its original language. I’m always very suspicious of translations; I feel like I’m missing out on something.

A mischievious fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick? Persuasion, by Jane Autsen. A beautiful romance, and a wonderful heroine to boot.

I know that the book blogging community, and its various challenges, have pushed my reading borders. What’s one bookish thing you ‘discovered’ from book blogging (maybe a new genre, or author, or new appreciation for cover art-anything)? Good adult fiction. It’s not really a discovery, but more of a direction. I’d wander aimlessly around the library, being endlessly disappointed in my choices for reading material. Now, thanks to the book blogging community, I at last have a direction. (And a really long TBR list!)

That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she’s granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leatherbound? Is it full of first edition hardcovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favourite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead-let your imagination run free. I don’t really have a dream library (though I can tell you what my husband’s looks like. But he’s not doing the meme). I’m not a book owner. I love my public library, and as long as I can get free holds (yay for a year membership), and can get practically any book I desire, I’m happy. I like having the books I like around me, but it really doesn’t matter what shape they’re in… I’m really not too picky. So, if the good fairy came, I’d direct her or him to my husband and let them have at it.

I’d tag people, but I’m not sure who’s left who hasn’t done this one. If you’re interested, go ahead. Just make sure to leave a link at Eva’s; she’s holding a drawing