Today is September 1st. Two years ago, on September 1, I sat down and cracked open my college copy of Homer's Odyssey. I began this whole process with a feeling of excitement, trepidation, and yes, a little doubt. I really felt back then that I would give up shortly through the process.
However, here I am, STILL reading a bookish diet of classics. Sure, I have meandered a few times into other areas (for example, last November I read ONLY children's classics). But, I am still reading classic after classic. I have added quite a few authors to my "favorites" list, as well as given second and third chances to authors I still don't really care for (that would be Dickens).
Most of all, I have grown a lot in this process. While I don't feel "smarter," I do feel like I have a lot of things stored up that many people do not. I feel like I have something to offer. And quite frankly, I feel bad for all those people and school districts who don't see that.
Anyway, two years ago I began with The Odyssey, so it is fitting that I give away a copy, right? Here it is:
Yep, it is another Penguin clothbound (I can't help it). But it wants to go home with one of you, and for this one, you need to make sure you answer the question I ask, or I definitely won't count your entry! Got it?
Here are the rules:
- The giveaway ENDS Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 11:59 EST.
- You must be 13 or older to enter.
- You must live in the U.S. (internationals-go see giveaway 3!)
- You can only enter once.
- You do not have to "follow" or subscribe (but do if you so feel the desire)
- You must leave your e-mail in your comment so I can contact you if you win.
- If you win, you have 24 hours to respond or I will choose a new winner.
- In your comment/entry below, answer the following question: If you embarked on a literary odyssey of your own, what five books would you put on your list? (they don't have to be classics, but they should be books that will "define" you in some way, or have a significant impact on you).
- Winner will be chosen randomly using random.org
I guess the five books I would most define myself as are the books I am most proud of having read.
ReplyDelete'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen
'The Lord of the Rings' by J. R. R. Tolkien
'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald
'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini
'Relic' by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
You have the BEST questions! :D
kimie142002 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I own a nice copy of The Odyssey already, so please leave the giveaway open to other entrants. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat said, awesome question! I'd have to say:
- Jane Eyre because it was the classic that got me started on my own project.
- Gone With the Wind because it's the first classic I ever read.
- Pride and Prejudice because I struggled with it and ultimately found I LOVE Jane Austen.
- Little Women because it's close to my soul.
- A Christmas Carol because Mom and I read it aloud last year -- a new Christmas memory. :-)
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
ReplyDeleteDeath Comes for the Archbishop - Willa Cather
A Man for All Seasons - Robert Bolt
The Ugly American - Eugene Burdick
The Decameron - Giovanni Boccaccio
Four because they are about men whom I would be proud to be and one because we all need a good laugh from time to time.
tjmathews (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) net
I'm with Jillian, I own a copy of this one (the same one you're giving away), so don't enter me. I just love your questions.
ReplyDeleteI'm listing 5 books that have impacted me in a huge way instead of books I haven't read yet.
1) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - Showed me that a strong, clever woman doesn't have to change who she is to get the guy.
2) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - Made it clear that powerful books come in all forms. Sometimes they are young adult historical fiction with pictures, but no matter what form they take, they stay with you forever.
3) Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card - Taught me that brilliant writing transcends genre.
4) Travel With Charley by John Steinbeck - Made me realize that travel memoirs can be beautiful.
5) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt - Opened my eyes to the world of creative nonfiction and I fell in love with it.
The Riverside Chaucer - I really would love to master medieval English. I also have the huge Kelmscott edition from Folio Society. The illustrations are lovely.
ReplyDeleteThe Riverside Shakespeare - of course, must add the Bard. I have only read a handful of his plays and the plan is to read all of them as well as the sonnets.
The Sagas of the Icelanders - I never really studied Nordic lit in college and would love to rectify that.
Le Morte d'Arthur - Only read bits and pieces in college.
The Secret Garden - Saw the movie many years ago and loved it. I have a beautiful copy waiting to be read.
silenceinthelibraryplease[at]gmail[dot]com
No need to enter me, I just wanted to extend my congratulations for your wonderful achievement.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ManOfLaBook.com
Let's see..
ReplyDeleteThe Bible
The Great Gatsby
Bel Canto
The Hours
Pigeon English
Lindsey.Stefan@comcast.net
*I think I'd do a Sci-Fi Fantasy one.
ReplyDeleteJRR Tolkien's The Hobbit
Frank Herbert's Dune
Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game
Brandon Sanderson's Elantris
Robert Jordan's The Eye of the World (because that first book is just amazing)
Benz1966 at gmail dot com