Arts and Literature FAQs
by Jenners • 02/08/2010 • Book Recommendations, Life • 17 Comments
We’re getting close to the end of the FAQs. I probably have about two more weeks worth of questions to answer. FAQs for Jenners: the gift that keeps on giving!
Anyone who loves to read knows this is an impossible question. However, I shall try my best to give you a sense of what books I’ve truly enjoyed. Of course, you could just go over to my book blog and click on “My Favorite Reads” or “Book Recommendations” or anything rated 4.5 stars or higher. I could seriously sit here all day and list books I’ve loved.
- Favorite book read in 2009: Lamb:The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
- Favorite book read so far in 2010: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
- Book I recommend all the time: The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
- Favorite memoir: A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel
- Book I’ve reread multiple times: Gig: Americans Talk About Their Jobs
- Favorite book about gambling: 24/7: Living It Up and Doubling Down by Andres Martinez
- Favorite humorous travel book: The Ridiculous Race by Steve Hely and Vali Chandrasekaran
- Favorite books with twist endings: Life of Pi by Yann Martel and We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
- Favorite writer who started as a blogger: Jen Lancaster
- Favorite short story writer: Jhumpa Lahiri
- Favorite non-fiction authors and my favorite book by them: Bill Bryson (Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way), Jon Krakauer (Into Thin Air) and A.J. Jacobs (The Year of Living Biblically)
- Favorite fiction authors: Christopher Moore and Tom Perrotta
- Author/books I always recommend to guys: Nelson DeMille’s John Corey books
Until 2008, I never tracked how many books I read in year. Then, on a lark, I tracked my reading in 2008; I read 46 books. In 2009, I read 77 books. My goal for 2010 is to read 100 books, and I reached that goal in late November.
One of the neatest things I discovered when I started book blogging was reading challenges. This year, I’m participating in 10 different challenges. I’m also hosting my own reading challenge for the second year in a row called Take Another Chance Challenge. So far, 97 people have signed up to participate!
I tend to like all kinds of books so I don’t limit myself to any one genre. If something strikes my fancy, I’ll give it a try. Some books I read purely for reading challenges. Last year, I did the A to Z Title Challenge (read a book that starts with every letter of the alphabet) and I picked up Q&A by Vikas Swarap for my Q book. Turns out, it was the basis for the movie Slumdog Millionaire and was a really good read.
Some books I read out of personal need. After my dad died this past August, I decided to read books that were important to him or that he always wanted me to read.
Since I started book blogging, I’ve been exposed to all types of books I might not have come across on my own. If a blogger I trust recommends a book highly, chances are I’ll give it a try.
I also tend to read books that everyone raves about just to see how I feel about them. I did this with Twilight and The Hunger Games series.
Sometimes I’ll read a book simply because I like the cover.
It has always been my dream. However, I think I need more discipline. If I write it, will you buy it?
I always forget movies I like but here are the ones that come immediately to mind:
- Pulp Fiction
- The Matrix
- Rushmore
- This Is Spinal Tap
- Oceans 11 (the George Clooney/Brad Pitt one)
Don’t you think I would have made a great Mia Wallace?
You should know that when I was about 12, my favorite movie was Harold and Maude. I watched it at least 15 times. If you’ve ever seen the movie, you’re probably saying “Yes…that makes sense that she would like that movie.”
Movie: The Hangover
Book: Lamb:The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
What are your top 5 albums you would bring on a desert island?Jordan: The Comeback by Prefab Sprout
Showbiz Kids: The Steely Dan Story 1972-80 by Steely Dan
William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet: Music From the Motion Picture (the one with Leonard DiCaprio and Claire Danes)
The Last Waltz by The Band & Others
from 3 Men and a Lady
And I always make time for 30 Rock and The Office.
I think Dexter is the greatest show on TV today.
I never miss The Amazing Race.
I’m still pissed that Arrested Development is off the air. And Knights of Prosperity was great but only lasted like five shows. (Did anyone but me and Mr. Jenners see this show?)
Lots of good book recommendations.. and glad to see that we have similar tastes… Life of Pi and Time Traveller's Wife – the latter was brilliant!
I am still waiting to see your book on the NY Times best seller list…and I would buy it if you wrote it!
Hey you think the naked cowboy would come to your book signing?
show off…here I thought I was doing well reading 12 books.
Of course I'd buy your book. Also, I'd buy copies to give as gifts.
I didn't see Knights of Prosperity, but I don't really watch TV. Unless we're talking Law & Order reruns, in which case I've seen every episode of every series AT LEAST three times. (I'm not joking… I. am. so. lame.)
I've been referring to your book blog more and more lately as I try to hunt down good books to read at my library. So far everything you've recommended to me (Gods Behaving Badly, I Love You Beth Cooper, all that Christopher Moore yummy goodness…) I've loved! (I say that like I'm really busting through your 4.5-stars-and-above list, but really I just have to bring a list of 30-something books with me in hopes I'll find ONE "in stock," haha.)
Oh, and you're obsessed with FaceInHole. I think you might have a problem.
I love reading books that you recommend. I hope to read a lot more this year. It really is one of my favorite things to do.
Don't be shocked. I never saw "Pulp Fiction." I did see "Knights of Prosperity" though. It was funny.
I really, really loved this edition ask Jenners. Especially all the book recommendations!
Thanks for the recommendation on "The Time Traveler's Wife" – I actually have a copy and have yet to read it. I just finished "The Host" by Stephanie Meyer – I highly recommend it. Have you read it yet? I so rarely get to read anything non-school related that I pick carefully. I'll give it a try.
P.S. I would buy your book in a heartbeat, and I'd buy copies for my friends.
LOVE these FAQs! I must have been in La La Land when we were supposed to email them to you. As always, I must say I get SO excited with all this talk about books! Glad to see you loved the Guernsey book. Wasn't it just so freaking charming? Loved it. And what did you think of the Hunger Games books? I'm on book 2 – almost finished…Now, onto TV. We absolutely LOVE Modern Family – one of the funniest shows there is. And The Office and 30 Rock are a couple of our other absolutely favorites that we'd never miss. Sidebar: I saw that you just reviewed I Was Told There'd Be Cake. My online book club selected that as this month's book! Haven't read your review just yet, but thought that was interesting.
Just finished the Time Traveler's Wife … excellent read. Currently reading The Help (LOVE IT!!).
I thought that we were pretty similar until I saw your list of music! teehee
The Amazing Race is my favorite show! I think I have the Life of Pi sitting in my TBR file. I'll have to pull it back out and read it!
Yes, I would buy a book if you wrote it.
And I'm currently reading the Time Travelers Wife. If I hadn't had to go out the last 2 days I would've been done by now. (go figure, I get a good book and it happens to be a busy weekend for once) It's so good! I'm on page 326. I think tomorrow I will "forget" to do my housework and finish the book instead.
oh I do think that's the real you on the cover of pulp fiction–great answers this week
I'm so sad there are only two more weeks worth of questions for FAQs! Blog readers, HELP! We must come up with MORE!!!
I plan to read The Time Traveller's Wife, b/c I am dying to see the movie b/c I love Eric Bana but I like to read the books 1st.
I like Jen L's books, too, and used to read her blog all the time until she took the comments away.
My favorite books lately are Philippa Gregory's series on the Tudor's. Love them!
You do a lot of reading, girl! How do you read AND blog?
Here are two books I finished reading in 2009 (must be some sort of record for me, and you would think being an ex-English teacher I would read more, but unless it is about jewelry or art or something I don't have the time):
Jewels, A Secret History by Victoria Finlay is a fascinating romp through time and cultures and everything you never knew about 9 different jewels from Amber to Diamonds. I plan to reread it, at least some of my favorite chapters.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Lisa See. I love it when I really get into the characters and feel that I am in that time, that place. Snow Flower did that for me.
And the book I hope to finish in 2010? Style Statements by Danielle LaPorte and Carrie McCarthy. I can't wait to discover what my two word style statement is and to start applying that to my life, my home, my passions.
I am with you on Jen Lancaster. She is freakin' hilarious! I still haven't read all her books, but I rarely miss her blog.
The Time Traveller's Wife is great. Not sure I would like the movie though, but I might rent it.
Have you read Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon? Another book that transported me. I am so hoping this will be a movie someday. A mystery, part fairy tale, and a love story all wrapped up in one.
And I started 'reading' on my MP3 player (that is MIA and never really worked anyway) the Thirteenth Tale, which I think I would enjoy actually reading.
Currently reading The Women by TC Boyle. I am not a fan of the way it is written but find the subject intriguing, about Frank Lloyd Wright's many wives and mistresses. Quite the enigma.
Thanks for sharing. I now know that I no longer need to rely on Oprah for my reading choices, I need only come to you!
Enjoy the day, dear!
Erin