My ABC's of Literature (via Kaye Dacus)

Okay, this isn't a HTTYD post (they're coming, I promise) but ...

Author Kaye Dacus wrote a book "quiz" I decided I wanted to try out ... I guess you can tell she was an English/Literature major, hmm?  As per her instructions, feel free to re-post to your own blog or Facebook page and share you link in the comments!

My ABCs of Literature 

List your favorite . . .

Austen (Jane) novel: Sense & Sensibility or Pride & Prejudice.

Brontë sister’s novel:  I haven't read any yet, though I did see the Jane Eyre film adaptation from a couple years back (the one starring Emily Blunt, I believe), so I'll say Jane Eyre.

Clancy or Crichton novel and/or movie:  I think The Hunt for Red October is the only one I've watched (the whole way through). 

Dickens novel and/or film:  I caught the last two episodes of Little Dorrit on PBS several years ago ... It piqued my interest enough that it's been on my "to watch and read" list for awhile ...

English class you took:  Hands down, Eng. 385 - Fairy Tales and their Adaptations.  "Comparative analysis of selected tales of magic and their adaptations across history, cultures and media such as book illustration and film."  Dr. B and her TA were amazing --best large sized class (50ish students) I was ever in.  They worked hard to make sure it wasn't just a lecture course and encouraged interaction and discussion.

Frequently read author:  Ooh, this is too hard.  Julie Lessman, Camy Tang, Donita K. Paul.  Bonus: growing up it was Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Grisham novel and/or movie: Never read or watched ... at least, I don't remember doing so.

Historical novel*:  Um, out of authors I haven't mentioned, anything by Julie Klassen or Elizabeth Camden (she's also an academic librarian).  They stand out to me because of the research and historical details they have in their novels. *Written at a time well after that in which it’s set.

Iconic fictional character: Leia Organa Solo. Okay, Star Wars books probably don't count as literature ... um, Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia.

James Joyce or Henry James?  How about Henry James Alden?  Boxcar Children Mysteries FTW!

King in literature (i.e., a character who’s a king, real or fictional): High King Peter Pevensie of Narnia.

Lord of the Rings character:  Eowyn of Rohan, with Aragorn son of Arathorn coming a close second.

Movie made from classic literature:  Probably Pride & Prejudice (2005 version starring Keira Knightly), Walden Media's Chronicles of Narnia films or Peter Jackson's Tolkien based films ...

Newberry Medal–winning book: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Oldest book you own (not necessarily “favorite,” just oldest): Dana Girls #15. The Secret of the Jade Ring by Carolyn Keene. 1953, 1st edition.

Pirate in literature:  Faves are in Wayne Thomas Batson's Isle of Swords, Kaye Dacus' Ransome's Quest, and the Redwall series by Brian Jacques.

Quiet place to read:  In my room (the line that cues the Beach Boys song ... er, never mind, just kidding.)

Robin Hood version (which film/TV series?):  A Bollywood Robin Hood was a fun and entertaining play ... I want to watch the BBC Robin Hood television series someday.

Shakespeare play or poem:  A Midsummer Night's Dream - The only play of his I've read in it's entirety (shhh!).

Twain (Mark) novel/story/essay: I don't remember reading any of his work.

USA Today Bestseller:  The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan (I remember anticipating this one so much) or Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.

Villain: The White Witch from The Chronicles of Narnia comes to mind first and Pauline Baynes' illustrations with her straight dark hair ...

Walt Whitman or William Wordsworth?  Who? I've heard of them but haven't read any of their work ... *ducks and hides*

Xanthippe (an ill-tempered woman; a shrew): I'm going to cave and say former Queen Mother Ta'a Chume of the Hapan Consortinum (now of the Star Wars: Legends expanded universe).  Although I was shocked at how it happened, I was glad when she was gone ... a very calculating woman.

Yawn-inducing bedtime read:  Trying to read textbooks or other assigned reads for class can do the trick ... ;-)

Zealously protected book you’ll never part with: Hard choice ... some autographed books would fit the bill for sure, but ...I don't know!  =)  Okay, Mossflower, 1st edition US paperback by Brian Jacques.  I found it at the huge annual public library sale when I was in high school for seventy cents!  I didn't even realize it was autographed at first ... Even though it's not autographed to me (I don't know who Leanna is or why she decided to part with her copy), I love it because I think it was autographed around the time he wrote it (or at least early on in his career?) because most of the autographed copies I saw on ebay after his death only had his name ... Or perhaps he was more detailed here because it was signed to a specific individual.  In any case, I always hoped that I'd be able to meet "Sir" Brian Jacques one day, but since his passing in 2011, I guess it's not to be.  I'll always treasure this book and his work which was a huge part of my teen years. 
Picture of my autographed copy of Mossflower by Brian Jacques
So it's not autographed to me, but this book was touched by Brian Jacques!



Dare to try?  Post or link to your list in the comments (or just answer one or two prompts)!

2 comments

  1. Dawn CrandallNovember 25, 2014 at 12:10 PM

    I really like this! I think I'll do it on my blog! I'll tell them all where I got the idea too (you doing it here). :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Artist LibrarianNovember 30, 2014 at 5:08 PM

      Ooh, I'd love to see yours if you do (send me a link after)! Definitely don't forget to credit Kaye Dacus as well, since she put the ABC theme together. =)

      Delete

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