The book meme

[gordonzola]

I realize that I covered some of this ground back in November but I was specifically asked to do this, so here we go:

You're stuck inside Fahrenheit 451, which book do you want to be?
First off, I wish that I had written what Slit wrote in this thread.
Since I didn’t, I’d say Living My Life by Emma Goldman

Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character? Who?
Heh. Like all the time. I would totally date VI Warshawski except that her boyfriends always get beat up and her fashion sense is a total lust-killer. Phillip Marlowe appeals to the side of me that just wants to take someone in, cuddle them, and tell them everything is going to be alright. Plus I have a weak spot for people who have a way with words.

Also, I would totally go out with Emma Goldman’s autobiography. Autobiographies are always part fiction.

The last book you bought is:
In Me Own Words: The Autobiography of Bigfoot Graham Roumieu
No Bosses Here (book about worker co-ops written in the mid ‘70s)
Home Girls ed. Barbara Smith
Fears of Your Life Michael Bernard Loggins
all bought together at the Anarchist Bookfair

The last book you read:
Venus of Chalk by susanstinson Wow. Now I’m even more proud to have had her in my home. Go buy it because Susan should be a famous author living off of royalties by now.

What are you currently reading?
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter Carson McCullers
In Me Own Words: The Autobiography of Bigfoot Graham Roumieu
Justice Dominick Dunne



Five books you would take to a deserted island:
I hate this question because of course the literal answer would be guidebooks to edible plants, camping survival texts, diagrammed irrigation system maps, Canoe Building for Dummies etc.

Also, there’s something off-putting about the question in that it is a dismissal of urban concerns as somehow unnatural. Certainly, essays on race, gender, sexuality, class, gentrification etc. will have less meaning on a desolate island, especially as the years go by and especially if I’m alone on the island which is always how I picture it. Of course, if I’m "alone" like Robinson Crusoe some of those might be useful.

I mean, I love Raymond Chandler, but how old will it get to read about Murphy beds, knock-out drops and dames with secrets while I’m sitting , sunburnt and lonely in the middle of the Pacific. It’s a question that tries to stack the deck towards so-called Great Books.

But, accepting the whole premise, my list today would be:

Living My Life I mean geez, if I’d Fahrenheit 451 it, I’d certainly bring it to the island.
Black Athena Martin Bernal. I’ve never been able to finish this book. Here’s my chance.
Just Above My Head James Baldwin
Cloudsplitter Russell Banks
Despite Everything Aaron Cometbus. Ya know, gotta keep it real. (I might have Fahrenheit 451ed this one, but Aaron already has!)

Comments

[dairryiere.livejournal.com]

Ok, Ok, I'll read Fahrenheit 451 next.

EASY RAWLINSxoxoxox, I know you've read the series. If I didn't have a crush on him in a particular story there was certainly a lady friend of his that was appealing.

The last book I bought was 924 Gilman. Specifically so I won't show up at your house, take the book off your shelf, and chuckle to myself until you kick me out. I was even bold enough to sneak off and look someone up in it during a potluck you were hosting, talk about rude!