Monday 13 June 2011

The Thirty Day Book Challenge - Part Two - Days 11 - 20

I'm finally getting around to doing the next part of this (work and school holidays getting in the way!).  My first part of the challenge can be seen here. So without further ado here are the next ten books.

Day 11: A book from your favorite author - Murder Most Royal - Jean Plaidy

This one was really tough for me as I don't particularly have one favourite author.  So I decided to go on the basis of number of books owned from a single author and Jean Plaidy is by far and away the winner! Murder Most Royal is probably my favourite one, telling the story of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard.  Sad at times, infuriating at times, slightly inaccurate at times; nevertheless this book is vivid, colourful and I can never put it down!

Day 12: Book that is most like your life


I have really struggled with this one.  In fact I'm still struggling with this one.   I can't think of a book that is like my life because my life has been very, very normal.  Wonderful but normal.  So if anyone can suggest a book about a girl with a wonderfully happy childhood, who marries her soul mate and has a child then answers on a postcard please!

Day 13: Book whose main character is most like you - Harry Potter series - JK Rowling


 My mother would say Scarlett O'Hara - which I refute most strongly...... I would have to go for Molly Weasley.  Nurturing, adore my family and over-cater on every know occasion.

Day 14: Book whose main character you want to marry - Rivals - Jilly Cooper



I defy anyone, ANYONE who has read this book not to immediately want to shack up with Rupert Campbell-Black!  He might be dreadfully profligate but he's gorgeous and very, very rich. 


Day 15: First “chapter book” you can remember reading as a child - Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery



I think I must have been about 6/7 at the time.  I can still re-read it over and over again!  It captured my imagine so much I went on the read all the other "Anne" books.  I can vividly remember playing with Victorian playmobil and having on rather conveniently with a long ginger plait that was my Anne!

Day 16: Longest book you’ve read - Dynasty series - Cynthia Harrod-Eagles



I'm possibly cheating slightly but given this is a series then I think I'm allowed.  And frankly who's going to care anyway! Starting in Tudor times the Dynasty series is a huge undertaking that Cynthia Harrod-Eagles is going to take to present day.  She is currently at book number 33 (I own up to 32 - have to be in paperback to match!).  My grandmother collected these books and every year I would buy her the newest for her birthday.  I was given the series of books when she died.  The collection will be finished one day Grandma, I promise!

Day 17: Shortest book you’ve read - The Turn of the Screw - Henry James



Short, sweet and very, very scary!  What's not to like?!

Day 18: Book you’re most embarrassed to say you like - Twilight series - Stephanie Meyer



My name is Rachel and I like Twilight.  There.  I've said it.  They're not the greatest works of literary fiction every but entertaining and very, very readable.  Especially if one is into vampires, which I am. 

Day 19: Book that turned you on - Once - James Herbert


I know, I know bear with me.  On the face of it a horror novel shouldn't particularly turn you on and I swear that it isn't the ghoulish horror aspect that does it.  However there are two very vivid scenes that are very erotic.  And I'm not going to tell you which, you'll have to read it and find out!  They are both...how shall we say it.....solo situations and highly, highly arousing!

Day 20: Book you’ve read the most number of times - Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte



I know I'm duplicating but I really have no choice.  I have read the book at least once a year since I was 9.  That's 21 years of loving and reading this book and I still find bits that I don't remember!  The alternative option is to say that the book I have read the most number of times is "Bear Snores On" by Karma Wilson.  I have read this book Every. Single. Night since February 2008.....when you have a poor sleeper for a child you will do anything and I mean anything to ensure an easy bedtime.  So daughter requires this to be read to her every night.  And there I recite read it to her every night.  It takes two times through for her to be asleep.

Tune in shortly for the third and final part of this challenge!