Mortaine’s Blog

One book that changed my life:
Split Infinity. It’s not like this is a soul-shattering excellent book. But it was the doorway. My dad left it behind when he and my mom split up, and I ended up reading it and suddenly this whole world of science fiction and fantasy opened up to me.

One book that you’ve read more than once:
Well, I won’t cheat and use Split Infinity twice. Okay, I’ve read As You Like It a few times, both for class and not. It’s technically a play, not a book, but I’ll count it anyway.

One book you’d want on a desert island:
OK, I won’t cheat and use As You Like It twice… how about Life of Pi, which is an awesome book and full of philosophical insight, while also being quite entertaining.

One book that made you laugh:
Most recent: Hogfather by Terry Pratchet. Not-so-recent: Stiff by Mary Roach. There is something to be said for having someone stop you in a coffeeshop and ask you what you’re reading,because you’re obviously enjoying it so much. And then to show them the cover and explain it’s a book about dead bodies.

One book that made you cry:
Videoblogging for Dummies. Oh, that’s not what you meant. OK…. His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik. There’s not a lot that’s really sad in the novel, but there’s a particular dragon character, and, well, I really hate the idea of anyone being needlessly cruel or neglectful of any animal.

One book you wish you had written:
Pale Fire by Nabokov. I wish I were that intelligent.

One book you wish had never been written:
Ulysses by James Joyce. Actually, almost everything by Joyce, but particularly Ulysses and Finnegan’s Wake.

One book you’re currently reading:
I started reading Drink yesterday. I’m also reading the sequel to The Seven Suns.

One book you’ve been meaning to read:
The Book of Taltos (omnibus) by Steven Brust, which is 2 more of the Vlad Taltos novels in one volume. I have quite a few more books I’ve been meaning to read, but that one I actually have a chance of getting around to.

My addition:
One book you took a chance on and were rewarded for your risk.
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. It’s a first novel, and there aren’t any sequels yet, but it has a good atmosphere, and a good heroine, which I find important.

Shameless Plug: Want more book reviews? Check out my podcast!