It's been a busy time here at Casa Electric Grandmother. Sick kids, and sick me, and house maintenance and writing stories, and other such things.

So, no. If major life events are occurring and I haven't commented in your journal about it, it's not that I'm ignoring you -- I've just evidently been ignoring everybody :).

But I was looking through some journals last night, and the fabulous Haddayr has tagged me for a meme. So, of course, because it's Haddayr, I'm back. (At least for this. We'll see where the week takes us.)

Ah hem.

The meme:

1. One book that changed your life

I love that they always make us choose one.

One, huh?

Let's say The Stories of Ray Bradbury. It was the first short story collection I'd ever read. My father gave it to me after he watched me bawl at the end of The Electric Grandmother (the TV adaptation of Bradbury's "I Sing the Body Electric"). At first he thought the show had scared me, but eventually it became apparent that my little six- or seven-year-old self had found the story so beautiful that it had moved me to tears.

The book blew my mind -- the stories, the language -- it was all incredible.

At least three things resulted from this book:

1) I fell in love with Bradbury's stories,
2) I fell in love with short stories (though it's possible I just adore books),
3) I wanted to make stories just like Bradbury.

And so now, I try. (I would like to say I do, but I'm not sure that will ever happen.)

2. One book you have read more than once

These things ask the hardest questions.

There are a few books, however, that I read at least once a year, or every couple years. Sometimes I just pick up the book on a day when there's not a lot going on, and I'm in need of whatever the book can provide.

My number one comfort book is L'Engle's A House Like a Lotus. I first read it when I was twelve, I think, and I have probably read it at least once a year since then. It's impossible for me to read it with any sort of objectivity now; it's like reading my hands -- much used, comfortable, familiar. True, it evolves for me as I grow and develop as a person, but it's still the same wonderful book about love, forgiveness, and healing. Things I've always needed to read a lot about.

And actually this book deserves an entry of its own. Someday.

3. One book you would want on a desert island

...

This is like the question, "If you could only take one cosmetic with you on a desert island, what would you take?"

...

Um... the OED. Even if it were the shorter OED.

4. One book that made you laugh

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I thought I would die the first time, and the second, and the third, and... Very funny stuff.

5. One book that made you cry

Lost Boys, by Orson Scott Card. This is another book I have read several times. (I haven't read it for a while because a friend borrowed my copy years ago and never returned it. I may just have to repurchase it. I also haven't reread it since I've had children. Maybe I couldn't do it now.) And every single bloody time I this book I cry. I don't cry exclusively because of the Horrible Thing That Happens at the end, but because of how the family and the community deals with it. It's a lovely ending.

6. One book you wish you had written

The Time Traveler's Wife. I wish I could write something that had that sort of emotion, which was also intellectually tickling, and was about time travel. Also, that book totally screwed with my head; it moved its way into me, and wiggled around inside of me, and really shook me up.

7. One book you wish had never had been written

Anthem. We had to read that bloody book in my eleventh grade English class. Stupid, stinking, awful book.

8. One book you are currently reading

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. Yes, I am a "literature" lover. (You should see my classics collection.) I also love southern writers. And Ms. McCullers was such a fine writer at such a young age. Lots to learn from her.

9. One book you have been meaning to read

Read or re-read?

I need to re-read The Elements of Style because I'm really rusty on my elements and need to restudy. (I haven't actively studied grammar since, um, 1993. *cough* And it needs to be done.)

From my birthday, I have a lovely stack of books to read. Up first: To Charles Fort, with Love.

I'm supposed to tag five people, but instead of tagging five of you, I'm just going to tag you all. :)

Feel free to leave your comments here, or over in your journal.

Happy reading.