New Kid tagged me and I’m too exhausted to think. I spent the day outside at a theme park. Yes, I know. It was 103. I know. Besides, I love books.

1. A book that changed my life.

I can’t really name just one, but The Sound and the Fury is definitely a biggie. Also, Love in the Time of Cholera was one of the best books I’ve ever read and probably corrupted my idea of romance forever. Both of these books were books I couldn’t put down and though I’d experienced the need to read to the end before, somehow these were different.

2. One book I’ve read more than once.

I’ve read both the above books more than once and I’d read them again. Okay, I read Great Expectations twice, both required. The second time I fell in love with it so much I read sections of it to my students. I just think there’s something cool about reading a book the second time and having it be a completely different book because you are now a different person with different experiences. Maybe I’ll read it again and hate it. Who knows.

3. One book I’d want on a desert island.

I think I’d want the collected works of Shakespeare. There’s a lot to read. We could act out some of the stuff when we got bored (and maybe loopy). And we could later use the pages as kindling. Hey, we’re talking survival here.

4. One book that made you laugh.

Richard Russo’s Straight Man. Seriously, if you haven’t read it, you have to. I’ve read it three times now and laughed every time. It. is. so. funny.

5. One book that made you cry.

The Sound and the Fury. I was reading it during History class, hiding it behind my history book. I wasn’t reading it because I was late or anything. I’d just gotten that hooked that I needed to keep reading through history. And then I got toward the end and started crying. Not a good thing to do in the middle of a lecture on American history.

6. One book you wish had been written.

My biography. Seriously. I used to puruse the biographies in the library in 3rd grade and I assumed one day, mine would be there. Gradually over the years, I realized I was just a slightly smarter than the average person and probably wouldn’t end up on the book shelf with those other people. Yeah, there’s still time, but I don’t think it’s happening and I’m okay with that.

7. One book you wish had never been written.

There’s so many. I’ve read some pretty bad books in my day. There was a book Mr. Geeky and I listened to on tape once. It was given to us I think. It was The Yellow Eye or something like that. It was a detective novel and it was sexist and horrible. We kept listening because at some point, it became entertainment to point out how bad it was.

8. One book you’re currently reading.

I’m nearly done with White Noise. I’m hoping to read a couple more from my class reading list in the next few weeks. Is there a service where you can look a book up online and then see which nearby bookstore is selling it? If there isn’t, there should be. And if some Web 2.0 entrepreneur takes this and runs with it, all I ask is a little nod of the head (and maybe a stock option or two).

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read.

There are so many. I remember when I realized I would never be able to read all the books in the world. So distressing. But I really want to read The World is Flat. I purchased it, in hardback, and have only read the first 5 pages or so. Damn, it’s long.

10. I’m not tagging anyone. Just comment here if you want.