Book Aficionados Meme

1. Hardcover or paperback, and why?

I prefer hardcovers for my library, but usually can only afford paperbacks...

2. If I were to own a book shop I would call it…

Put Down the Remote

3. My favourite quote from a book (mention the title) is…

In Great Expectations Pip says to Estella:
" . . . You have been in every prospect I have ever seen since - on the river, on the sails of the ships, on the marshes, in the clouds, in the light, in the darkness, in the wind, in the woods, in the sea, in the streets. You have been the embodiment of every graceful fancy that my mind has ever become acquainted with. The stones of which the strongest London buildings are made, are not more real, or more impossible to be displaced by your hands, than your presence and influence have been to me, there and everywhere, and will be. Estella, to the last hour of my life, you cannot choose but remain part of my character, part of the little good in me, part of the evil. But, in this separation I associate you only with the good, and I will faithfully hold you to that always, for you must have done me far more good than harm, let me feel now what sharp distress I may. O God bless you, God forgive you!"
The passionate declaration of love in the face of pain is absolute poetry. Leaves me weeping everytime. Yeah, Dickens was pretty good.

4. The author (alive or dead) I would love to have lunch with would be ….

Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I'd love to have lunch with her on the beach on Sanibel Island that was her inspiration for Gift from the Sea.

5. If I was going to a deserted island and could only bring one book, except for the SAS survival guide, it would be…

I stole this answer, but its still true! I'll give you a hint. It starts with a "B"... If I was allowed three books I'd probably take Jane Eyre. Her indomitable spirit would get me through. (And she is fresh in my memory since I just saw Jane Eyre at the Guthrie!)

6. I would love someone to invent a bookish gadget that….

Do we really need anything other than the books themselves???

7. The smell of an old book reminds me of….

The stacks in the basement at the University of MN.

8. If I could be the lead character in a book (mention the title), it would be….

Madeline, of children's book fame. She's always organizing everyone and coming up with fantastic plans and rescuing those that need saving. Great girl, love her!

9. The most overestimated book of all times is….

So far I haven't met one that didn't deserve the credit it gets.

10. I hate it when a book….

Gives too much away in the Introduction...geeze, its an INTRODUCTION!!! (Readers beware: My "Oprah approved" new copy of Anna Karenina gave away a major piece of plot!)

Jaime...Hallie (if you only had a blog!)...Jan...Trish (you need a blog too!)...and, of course, A...anyone else want to give this meme a whirl??!