Continuing On...

More on the literary meme;

What is the most difficult book you've ever read?

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen. Not tough to read but hard to face that kind of in your face reality.

Do you prefer the French or the Russians?

This one is a no brainer for me. C'mon now, I named my kids after Russian royalty! Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Checkov (almost Russian). Yeah, I prefer those guys.

Roth or Updike?

Not so much either but Roth does have a slight edge.

David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?

I am not familiar with Eggers. But Sedaris, especially the 6 - 8 Black Men, cracks me up every time I read it (or watch it on YouTube).


What is the most embarrassing gap in your reading?

Dante's Inferno. Every so often I try again but I just can't do it.

What is your favorite novel?

I can't think of just one. There are so many great authors and books.

Favorite play?

Chicago. Yeah, I know, not very highbrow but a dang good time.

Favorite short story?

I am not a fan of short stories (you just get into the story and it's over). I do seem to read The Red Pony every few years but I think that is only because I keep hoping for a different ending.


Favorite work of non-fiction?

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. So well written I didn't realize it was non-fiction until after I finished the book.

Who is the most overrated writer alive today?

I don't think I can answer that. All authors (except Harper Lee and Margaret Mitchell) seem to write an occasional crummy novel.

What is your desert island book?

I would like to say Anna Karenina just to watch Fuchsia's head explode but in all honesty it would have to be something along the lines of How To Survive Anywhere.

What are you reading now?

Star Island by Carl Hiassen. He makes me laugh.

That's it. There were a few other questions but I chose to ignore them. Mostly because I really don't care about English Lit as a whole (I blame that on a Brit Lit class in college).

What about you? Do you have any recommendations?