Monday Meme

Recently, I've started reading Sassy Britches at Well okay, Sassy Britches! and she had a meme up for the taking. Well, I was just wrapping up my 100-4-100 and thought, "hey, if'n I do this meme, people might thunk I is smrt or somethun."

She got it from Eva at A Striped Armchair.

The rules are at the bottom:

Meme: What's on your bookshelf:

Tell about the book that's been on your shelf the longest:

That would have to be 100 Selected Poems by e e cummings - This is actually a school book from my Honor's Rhetoric class at my college. I really love to play with, take apart, and reassemble the English language and the written word. Always have. And that's why he resonates with me so well. This book is yellow paged, dog eared, and has notes scribbled in the margins. Like any good poetry book should be.

Favorite poem: in Just - Pan is the Man!

Tell about a book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, place, time, etc.):



My senior year of high school yearbook, the Tolo. I didn't love high school. I didn't hate high school. I enjoyed it well enough, but those weren't my "glory days" (that was college). Yet, this book marks the end of an era. Most of these kids I was with for most of my growing up. My class size was 47. Most I had been with since 2nd grade. Many since Kindergarten. And this was it for that part of the journey. My class of '84 is having its 25 reunion this summer. And the class of '83 and '85 are joining us for early and late ones as one merged year. I'm so looking forward to this, I can’t tell you.

Tell about a book you acquired in some interesting way (gift, serendipity in a used book store, prize, etc.):

This is a TOTAL cheat. The actual answer to this one is a book I'm using later, but no trip to my bookshelf would be complete without a graphic novel. I used to read an on-line cartoon called, "The Norm." The artist, Michael Jantze, is about my age, and grew up in Normal, IL (hence the name). I like the style and the humor enough that when he went out of syndication and tried to do a subscription based service, I did that for a few years. But, he hit some production issues and I just kind of let it lapse. But, when I signed up, I got this collection as my signing bonus.

And since I've a very linky guy, the kind you don't take home to MOTHER:
Jantze Studios & old Norm strips.

Tell about the most recent addition to your shelves:

I got Paul of Dune by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson from my brother for Christmas. I read the 6 original Dune books before Frank Herbert died leaving it at a cliff hanger. When his son and Kevin Anderson picked it up years later, my brother started getting me one of the new books for Christmas each year, and I enjoyed the trilogies, too. But then they went and wrapped up the cliff hanger, and I can't say I was impressed.

That left a sour enough taste in my mouth, that I haven't really gotten into Paul of Dune yet. Plus, I'm too busy writing and reading in the bloggy world!

Tell about the book that has been with you to the most places:

The More Than Complete Hitchhiker's Guide by Douglas Adams – I had read "The Hitchhiker's Trilogy" when they came out. And when the 4th book was added to the trilogy (yes, they still called it that) I even read that. Well, my at first professional job interview in Chicago, they paid me mileage, which worked out to about $40! Flush with cash and seeing that I knew I would never be back (they offered me the job a week later) I was looking through a gift shop in the Sears Tower, and I knew I had to have it. Soft leather cover. Gold edging. The fanciest book I own.

And then he published a 5th book in the trilogy (yup, still called that) and so it was no longer complete. I usually have it lying around. I carry it with me when I fly. I just pick it up and read a few pages at random, and spend time with my old friends. I can become engrossed for minutes or hours, and it's okay if I get interrupted.

Tell about a bonus book that doesn't fit any of the above categories:

I saw this book in the Crate & Barrel Outlet and had to buy it: How To Be A Villain by Neil Zawacki This is the book that helped my decide that my super villain name would be 'Baron Bloodhammer'. I have since kicked it up a notch with a 'von' and some umlauts to become 'Baron von Bloodhämmer'.


The Rules for this Meme:
1. Tag 3-5 people, so the fun keeps going!

2. Leave a comment at the original post at A Striped Armchair so that Eva can collect everyone’s answers. I heard that if you leave a comment and link back to Eva as the meme’s creator, she will enter you in a book giveaway contest! From what I understand, she has a whole shelf devoted to giveaway books from which you'll be able to choose, or a bookmooch point if you prefer.

3. Remember that this is all about enjoying books as physical objects, so feel free to describe the exact book you’re talking about...all the way down to that warping from being dropped in the bath water! Make the meme more fun with visuals (covers of the specific edition you’re describing to us, photos of your bookshelves, etc.)!

I'm not tagging anyone, but if you'd like to participate, please let me know because I'd love to hear about your books!