Saturday, July 19, 2008

Weekly Geeks #12: Ask Me About My Books


Hooray! I won Free Food For Millionaires by Min Jin Lee in last week's Weekly Geeks giveaway! Thanks, Dewey! I feel a little embarrassed that my desire for the book and my wish to win was so nakedly obvious, but that embarrassment will probably fade without a trace as soon as the book lands in my mailbox.

This week's geekish task is to get some buzz going about each other's books:

1. In your blog, list any books you've read but haven't reviewed yet. If you're all caught up on reviews, maybe you could try this with whatever books you finish this week.

2. As your readers to ask you questions about any of the books in your comments. Most likely, people who will ask questions will be people who have read one of the books or know something about it because they want to read it.

3. Later, take whichever questions you want from these comments and use them in a post about each book. (Dewey suggested an "interview-review"). Link to each blogger whose question you used.

4. Visit other Weekly Geeks and ask them questions.

As usual, I'm behind on reviews, and always have a little trouble getting started with them, so this will help me with procrastination and self-discipline issues. At the same time, as I visit other bookish blogs, the Biblio-Barbarian inside me can run wild, licking her lips wolfishly at lists and lists and LISTS AND LISTS of books and asking questions about everything that catches her tawny eye! Whoooo-hooo!

Okay, here's a list of books I haven't reviewed yet. (Actually, I sort of reviewed The Executioner's Song, but I was much more interested in seeing how clever I could be with a 6-word review. Mailer's novel deserves better than that, so fire away, if you'd like.)

The Executioner's Song - Norman Mailer

The Bone People - Keri Hulme

The Tale Of Despereux - Kate DiCamillo

Self-Consciousness - John Updike

Tete A Tete: The Tumultuous Lives & Loves Of Jean-Paul Sartre & Simone de Beauvoir - Hazel Rowley.

Fifth Business - Robertson Davies

Yo, Geeks! I'll be over to visit your blogs soon! If, in my eagerness, I blunder through the front gate without unlatching it, trample your petunias, rumple the cushions on the chaise-lounge, spill your iced tea or forget to wipe my feet -- it's not me. Blame my Biblio-Barbarian.

23 comments:

Andi said...

I have never read Mailer but have mixed feelings about him since somehow I imagine him as being very macho - dispell that misconception for me, if you will.

Maree said...

I'm intriguied by Tete a Tete, despite not knowing much about either Satre or de Beauvoir. Is this book a good introduction?

Anonymous said...

I understand The Bone People has an 'interesting' writing style/format... What did you think of it?

Bibliolatrist said...

I've only read one book by Updike - THE CENTAUR. It bored me to tears and I had to force myself to finish it, although I can see its merits even if they didn't affect me. What effect did SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS have on you, if any? Would you recommend it?

Anonymous said...

I absolutely loved Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. It is such a good story and perfect read aloud. With the movie coming out soon, do you think it will transfer to the big screen while keeping the quality of the story?

Anonymous said...

I'm just lazy! I don't know any of these books and if I chase down what they are about, I just know I will have to update my tbr list and then go check bookmooch and I'll never get my errands run! SO, the lazy question for any and all books is this: What made you choose this book now? OK, I'm off to the grocer. Congrats on winning Free Food for Millionaires! (oh and don't forget to answer the questions in that post for your review.) how did this comment get so long!?

Joanne ♦ The Book Zombie said...

I've not read any of the books on your list so I have 2 short questions for you for each book.

What one thing (cover/review/recommendation/random choice etc.) made you read this book?

(Stealing this from your post) do some word association - for each book tell us the first 6 words that come to mind.

And thanks for letting me know Im not the only one that goes wolf-like when browsing book-lists! :)

Bookfool said...

Tete a Tete is on my wish list. Well, well? How is it? And, The Bone People? Gotta get my mitts on that one. Should I be jealous of the cousin who moved to New Zealand? Should I visit her? I know, stupid questions but it's all I could come up with. I'm a little afraid of Sartre, but I've read de Beauvoir and was surprised that she was considered a feminist. The Second Sex was a little weak, in my opinion.

Dewey said...

Tete a Tete has been in my wishlist for the longest time! Is it worth the wait? For whom do you feel more sympathy, Sartre or de Beauvoir? Are there letters in the book, or is it all narrative?

Eva said...

Congrats!! ;)

Anonymous said...

On the Tale of Despereux: For the past few years this book has been everywhere and recently made into a film. Does the textual reading live up to its reputation? Have you seen the movie and if so how does it compare? Where do you think the book fits with the history of children's literature?

Anonymous said...

Fifth Business!! My favorite!! So, do you think Mrs. Dempster was a saint?

Jennie said...

To turn your question on my book back to you, is Tete a Tete a serious scholarly work? Or just gossip?

Tale of Desperaux has a lot of hype amongst the children's librarian. Will it live up to the hype, or will I just be disappointed?

Melissa said...

Did Despereaux work for you? Did you find it compelling, or just annoying? (I didn't like it the first time I read it, but loved it when I listened to the audio version...)

Chrisbookarama said...

I've read that you're in love with Robertson Davies. I've never read him. What is it about his writing that you love? And why should I give him a try?

Cheryl Vanatti said...

The Tale Of Despereaux is one of favorite children's books, but I have a hard time describing it to people. Can you describe/summarize it in 3 sentences? Have you read any other Newbery books? If so, which ones did you like best? Have you read or seen because of Winn Dixie? If so, how do you compare the two books?

Anonymous said...

Both The Tale of Despereaux and The Executioner's Song are on my TBR list! I'm excited to see your reviews. By the way, congratulations on winning Free Food for Millionaires. My naked lust for the book from Dewey was embarrassingly apparent too. I'll look forward to your thoughts on it too.

Tara said...

Couldn't help but think of you when I saw this:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/07/22/mcginty.fish.pedicure.wusa

PS. my review of American Wife is up.

Tara said...

did that come out right?

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/07/22/mcginty.fish.pedicure.wusa

Anonymous said...

Fifth business:

How did you find it compares to other Davies fiction?

Will you be finishing the Trilogy?

Do you see Dunstan Ramsey as a reliable, or unreliable narrator? To whom do you think he's really writing? (It is purportedly to the Headmaster -- but is it really?)

Maree said...

Just dropping in to let you know I've answered your question.
Happy Weekly Geeks :)

tinylittlelibrarian said...

This sort of goes with Melissa's question - did you find the narrator annoying in Despereaux? Overall I found it a charming book but I'm not a fan of that type of intrusive, know-it-all type narrator (though I didn't find it as bad as the Lemony Snicket books where he defines words every 2 pages).

Joy Renee said...

I'm interested in the technique and art of storytelling itself so anything along that line would interest me. My questions are for any or all of the fiction titles in your list:

How was Point-of-View handled? Was there a single POV character or did it alternate among two or more. Was it always clear whose eyes and mind were filtering?

How was language used to set tone and mood?

Was the prose dense or spare? Were sentences generally simple or complex?

How was metaphor used? Were associations fresh or did they tend toward cliche? Did they add to your understanding of the theme?

What was the central or organizing theme?

How does the title relate to the story? Was it fitting?

Re Tete a Tete: does this book discuss how their relationship affected each other's philosophy and writing?

>>>>
BTW I'm hosting a book giveaway this week. Four copies of Still Summer by Jacquelyn Mitchard. Four chances to enter until Saturday 3PM PST. (mailing addresses outside N. America aren't viable)