We saw this at Kati’s place (who saw it at Nicola’s) and we thought: wow, what a cool meme, we want to play too!

So here it goes:

1. What author do you own the most books by?

Ana:
Agatha Christie – I own all of her books and read every single one of them by the age of 13.. Runner-up would be Neil Gaiman.

Thea:
Oooh, Stephen King. Easily. I have two bookshelves full of King, and that’s not counting some of my older, tattered books back at my family home or the Dark Tower spinoff comics. I’m not even sure who the runner up would be; I read a lot of series’ so it’s probably inadvertently Laurell K. Hamilton or something.

2. What book do you own the most copies of?

Ana:
O Menino Maluquinho by Ziraldo. See below

Thea:

I generally try to stick with the one copy rule to save my wallet from complete ruin, but if I had to say the book I’ve had to re-purchase the most over the years, it would have to be Mara Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw. I’ve read my old copies to the point where the books have literally fallen apart, and I’ve lent out copies that somehow never make it home.

3. What fictional character are you secretly in love with?

Ana:
That’s easy and it is not a secret at all: Sebastian St Vincent from Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas.

Thea:
Umm…Batman.

4. What book have you read more than any other?

Ana:
Don’t laugh but that would be The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry

Thea:
Probably Mara Daughter of the Nile again.

5. What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?

Ana:

Please remember I am Brazilian and grew up in Brazil. This means all the children’s books I read were by Brazilian authors. When I was ten years old, I was in love with Ziraldo’s books. He is an amazing writer and my favorite is O Menino Maluquinho (roughly translated as The Crazy Boy). It is the story of a young boy who was different from anyone else. It is all about this boy who was just… a happy boy. A growing up tale that is all.kinds.of.awesome. I still have my first copy of this from 1980, the year the book came out. I was 4 years old then and my mother wrote the following: “to my daughter so that you can fall in love with reading.” This copy is falling apart and I bought another one when I was older. This is the ONLY book I have two copies of.

Thea:

I’m cheating and taking three books: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce were two great favorites of mine…but the one book I loved more than anything else was Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz. Man I must’ve checked that badboy out from the library every week. I loved the scary stories and the freaky artwork. Just…awesome.

6. What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?

Ana:
In the past year?? Phenomenal Girl 5 by A.J. Menden

Thea:
Easy. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. There’s a couple of days of my life that I’ll never see again.

7. What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?

Ana:

I think it will have to be King of Sword and Sky by C.L. Wilson. BUT I am reading one right now, that may well get the top spot: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. It is EXTRAORDINARY so far but I still have 300 pages to go.

Thea:
A much more difficult question! In 2009 so far I don’t think I have a clear-cut best book, but I some memorable ones I’d have to go with are: Goth by Otsu-ichi, Eon by Alison Goodman, The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs, Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews, and The Magicians and Mrs. Quent by Galen Beckett.

8. If you could tell everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?

Ana:

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón.

Thea:

Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey. Man, I love that series.

9. What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?

Ana:
I really can’t remember anything in particular but I am sure some of the books I had to read for uni were galling. Possibly the ones for Economics 1

Thea:
Hah! As an econ grad, I take that to heart dear Ana. My most difficult fiction book would have to be The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. And by difficult I mean, difficult to read without giving in to the urge to throw the book with disgust. Ayn Rand makes me sick.

10. Do you prefer the French or the Russians?

Ana:
French (although never read any of the Russians). But from Voltaire’s Candide and Flaubert’s Sentimental Education to all of the amazing French Historians like Philippe Ariès, Lucien Febvre, Georges Duby and so many others, French authors were the most important to my formative years.

Thea:
French for the fries, apple pie and dressing. Oh MAN, I AM LAME! Seriously, I’d probably have to go with the French authors too. Yeah I was a history major as well, and a lot of the required reading used Rousseau, Voltaire, Diderot…and even just going on classic literature, I far prefer Victor Hugo to Leo Tolstoy. Give me Les Miserables over War and Peace any day.

BUT if I had to choose where I’d rather visit? I’d totally go with Russia.

11. Shakespeare, Milton or Chaucer?

Ana:
Shakespeare, obviously. I try to watch at least 2 of his plays every year at the Globe or at Stratford Upon Avon

Thea:
Uh…Shakespeare. Although Milton is awesome, Chaucer is not my thing (boyfriend was an English major and I sat in on a few classes with him and helped him edit his papers – and that minimal exposure to Chaucer was more than enough for my lifetime).

12. Austen or Eliot?

Ana
Austen: Persuasion is one of my favorite novels of all times.

Thea:
Jane Austen, hands down. It’s all about the Bennets, baby.

13. What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?

Ana:
Quite possibly the fact that I never read the Russians. Not that I care, really.

Thea:
Hmm. I’ve never read a James Patterson, Danielle Steel, or Nora Roberts book before in my life. Dont know if that’s embarrassing, but there you have it.

14. What is your favorite novel?

Ana:

Oh man. Really? The more I think about it, the more I think The Sandman is the most complete and astonishing work of art ever. There.

Thea:

Aw, come on! Favorite EVER? Can I pick a series? The Dark Tower books by Stephen King, as deeply flawed as they are, will always hold a special place in my heart. If I had to pick one book from the series for a favorite, it would be book 3, The Waste Lands. And book 4, Wizard and Glass. And book 5, Wolves of the Calla. OK! That’s it! Are you happy now?

15. Play?

Ana:
In my opinion, plays are to be seen and not read. To read Shakespeare for example is not the same thing as watching one of his plays on stage. Bearing that in mind, the most amazing play I have ever SEEN was The Taming of the Shrew, by Shakespeare, by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Thea:
Oh, I don’t know about that. I love reading and dissecting plays, as well as seeing them performed on the stage. My favorite plays to read are Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and Eugene O’Neill’s painful Long Day’s Journey Into Night.

16. Poem?

Ana:
I am not a huge fan of poetry. But I do really love The Lady of Shallot by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Thea:
Oh it’s all about Edgar Allan Poe. The first poem I ever memorized when I was a wee thing (7-8 years old?) was Poe’s “El Dorado.” I have this beautiful collection of Poe work, poems and short stories, illustrated with these gorgeous oils that was another one of my favorite books when I was younger. My two favorite poems have to be “El Dorado” and “Dream Within A Dream” by Poe.

17. Essay?

Ana:
Humm, can I skip that one? Otherwise I would have to say my own on Brazilian native Indians and their religious beliefs against the invading catholic missionaries on the 16th century. Yep. I haven’t got a single gram of humility in this body of mine.

Thea:
Essay? Do people really have favorite essays? Hurmm. The only essays I’ve read have been for university. The only real memorable one was…

….

Exactly.

18. Short Story?

Ana:
I don’t read short stories that often.

Thea:
I love short stories. Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell Tale Heart” and “The Cask of Amontillado” were always my two favorites, but I’m also a huge fan of “Children of the Corn,” “The Raft,” and “Crouch End” by Stephen King. Does “Tales of the Black Freighter” from Moore’s Watchmen count too?

19. Non Fiction

Ana:
I recently read and loved Bill Bryson’s A Short History on Nearly Everything and thought is was so interesting.

Thea:

The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene is freaking fascinating (Super String theory of the universe…very cool astrophysics made understandable to the non-MIT/NASA minded laymen). Also Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs, and Steel and Collapse are both fantastic (he also teaches at my alma mater!).

20. Graphic Novel?

Ana:
The Sandman – see question number 14

Thea:

Just one? The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller. It’s such a beautiful character study, so seminal, so…epic. Of course, Gaiman’s Sandman is high on the list, along with Moore’s Watchmen and Willingham’s Fables.

21. Science Fiction?

Ana:
Does Romantic Scifi count? I love everything that Linnea Sinclair writes. More recently I read In Her Name by Michael Hicks and was awed by it.

Brand new cover!

Thea:

Oh this is easy – Dan Simmons’s Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion. I also love C.J. Cherryh’s Cyteen, and Lois McMaster Bujold’s Miles Vorkosigan books.

22. Who is your favorite writer?

Ana:
Neil Gaiman. Bar none. The man is my God of Writing.

Thea:
For sentimental reasons, Stephen King (even though I know, intellectually know, that his writing isn’t perfect – but he’s just such a damn fine storyteller). But on basis of all around merit? I’d have to go with Neil Gaiman or Jacquelline Carey.

23. Who is the most over rated writer alive today?

Ana:
Stephen King? *ducks Thea’s shoe*

Thea:

Hah! Just because Ana can’t stomach horror doesn’t mean he’s not a damn important, iconic writer. For overrated? I’ll go with Dan Brown. I would rather gouge my eyes out with a corkscrew than read his gawdawful prose. Example:

“Almost inconceivably, the gun into which she was now staring was clutched in the pale hand of an enormous albino with long white hair.”

Are you freaking kidding me?

Though Stephenie Meyer gives Brown a run for his money. Example: “Reneseme.” Come on now.

24. What are you reading right now?

Ana:
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss and The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers by Angie Fox.

Thea:
Blood Lite by assorted authors of the Horror Writers Guild, and Wings of Wrath by C.S. Friedman.

25. Best Memoir?

Ana:

Oh man, Groucho Marx’s autobiography Groucho and Me is one the most hilarious things I ever read.

Thea:
I don’t read memoirs too often, but the last one I read was Barack Obama’s Dreams From My Father. I’m taking it Memoirs of a Geisha doesn’t really count, eh?

26. Best History?

Ana:
L’Invention du Quotidien. By Michel de Certeau and The Conquest of America by Todorov. Both changed the way I look at things and people.

Thea:

A Constructed Peace by Marc Trachtenberg is probably the most informative, balanced, all-encompassing deconstruction of the Cold War I have read. Of all the history texts I was required to read, this stands out as the single best. Also, Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs and Steel is fantastic.

27. Best mystery or Noir?

Ana:
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins.

Thea:

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie for best mystery. For best noir, I go with Raymond Chandler’s The Big Sleep. Absolutely brilliant.

And that’s it for us! We tag…everyone who wants to play!

We’ve been tagged!

This time, it’s by Zara over at Sucker Love Reviews. Here’s the deal: create a list of your top 10 all-time favorite television couples, tag five other bloggers, and pass it on. Easy-peazy lemon-squeezy. So, without further ado, we give you our Smugglers very own Top 10 TV Couples!

10. Josh and Donna, The West Wing

Ana luuuuuurves The West Wing, and one of the reasons (besides the awesome writing and acting) is because of Josh and Donna. The assistant to Josh’s Deputy, these two had chemistry from the pilot episode. Years of innuendo and tension pass until the final season, when these two finally get together. Awwwww.

9. Joey and Pacey, Dawson’s Creek

Another of Ana’s favorites! Girl Next Door Joey and Goof-off Pacey begin as good friends, but eventually become something more.

8. Ricky and Lucy, I Love Lucy

Who doesn’t love this quirky, hilarious couple? Not only was Lucille Ball one of the finest comediennes the television has ever seen, this groundbreaking show turned the cultural standard on its head. A bi-racial couple with a non-conventional woman going against her husband’s instructions? AWESOME. Their real life chemistry only makes it funnier.

7. Ross and Rachel, Friends

On again, off again, on a break or not–we fell in love with Ross and Rachel from the get-go. Two words: PROM VIDEO.

6. Spike and Buffy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Spuffy FTW! As much as Angel and Buffy captured our hearts in the early seasons, for Ana and I it really comes down to the bad boy Spike. That tension! The love-hate-sexy thing they had goin’ on was waaaay hotter than any emo-Angel BS.

5. Starbuck and Apollo, Battlestar Galactica

This is a bit of a tough call really–BSG is full of awesome relationships that would melt the coldest of hearts. Personally, I loved Kara and Sam together–he’s not as whiney as Lee, and accepts Kara for the frak-up she is. BUT…then there was ‘Unfinished Business’. Probably one of my favorite episodes of the entire show. I’ll admit to rewinding that last fight and watching the end of the episode repeatedly on the DVR. Even though they were a royal mess together…I still love them. We’ll see how the final episodes shape up for Lee and Kara.

4. Inara and Mal, Firefly

Our favorite space cowboy and companion, by far. Even though the show’s run was tragically, prematurely terminated (thanks a lot Fox), Firefly lives on as one of the most cherished cult series’ ever. Wash and Zoe were cool, the Doc and Kaylee were cute–but it’s all about the beautiful and wise Inara & hilariously heroic Captain Tight Pants Mal.

3. Jim and Pam, The Office

Three seasons full of angst and bad timing, but finally Jam is together at last! And the best part is–even a season deep of them being together hasn’t made them any less heartwarming. Check out this video of some favorite Jim and Pam scenes.

2. Sawyer and Kate, LOST

You knew it was coming. We love LOST, as you’ve probably surmised by now. There are a number of ships on this show that we adore–Jin and Sun (“Jun”) and Desmond and Penelope in particular (“DoPe”–awmygosh they have a baybay and named him Charlie! Guh!). Considering Ana and I were hardcore, unapologetic Skaters (that’s Sawyer and Kate shippers, for the laymen) when we met, we both share a soft spot for the snarky southern confidence man. These two have C-H-E-M-I-S-T-R-Y, ever since that first trek out into the jungle together. Don’t believe us?

“Baby, I’m tied to a tree in a jungle of mystery.” ~ Confidence Man

The infamous ‘I Never’ scene ~ Outlaws

Collision

And just for kicks, two of our personal favorites:

1. Mulder and Scully, The X-Files

The ship that started them all! Just last year, Ana discovered the wonder that was The X-Files. Chock full of mystery, conspiracy, creepiness, and intrigue, this show was so great for so long because of the incredible chemistry between Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. LONG LIVE THE X-PHILES! And, because this scene just kicks all ass:

And that’s it for our top 10!

TAG! You’re it:

Christine from The Happily Ever After
Orannia from Walkabout
KMont from Lurv a la Mode
The Discriminating Fangirl of The Discriminating Fangirl
Zeek from The Way I See It

And of course, whoever else wants to play.

Kimberly Swan of Darque Reviews has nominated us Book Smugglers for the Kreative Blogger award! We now pass the award on to some of our favorite blogs. A big thanks to Kimberly for the mention!

Here are the rules:

1. Mention the blog that gave it to you.

2. Comment on their blog to let them know you have posted the award.

3. Share 6 values that are important to you.

4. Share 6 things you do not support.

5. Share the love with six other wonderful blogging friends.

*NOTE: We decided to go in a slightly different direction, since I’m sure we will all agree that friendship, honesty, etc are good values, and murder, dishonesty, abuse, etc are bad things*

Six Things Important to Us:
1. Oxygen (without which, we wouldn’t be typing right now)
2. Rainbows and Ponies (Because rainbows and ponies make you feel better after contemplating economic recessions and other assorted depressing topics)
3. Batman (because…he’s Batman)
4. Receiving those wonderful coupon emails from Borders and Barnes & Noble (especially the notification that you’ve earned $5 in Borders Bucks–yeah, it means you’ve spent $100 at Borders, but it’s the gift that keeps on giving)
5. HDTV (it’s beautiful)
6. Clint Eastwood. Because, like Batman, he’s Clint Eastwood. And we so badly want to see Gran Torino.

Maybe this explains it best:

Six Things We Do Not Support:
1. Jack and Kate, aka “Jate” (from the show LOST–Jate makes us want to hurl. Don’t even get us started on the bubbleheads)
2. Proposition 8 (DOWN with bigotry!)
3. The fact that True Blood is nominated for two Golden Globes when a truly AWESOME, non-cheesy, well-written and exceptionally acted show like Battlestar Galactica is snubbed year after year. Seriously, Anna Paquin is nominated for a best actress globe!?!?!? You want good female acting? I’ll take Katee Sackhoff, Mary McDonnell, Tricia Helfer, Lucy Lawless or Grace Park over weaksauce Anna Paquin any day. And come on, Six is way hotter than Sookie!

4. Housekeeping (dust, dishes, vacuuming, the works–working full time and then having to come home and keep things clean? Gaah. We no likey.)
5. The fact that chocolate is fattening (Thea says: I don’t really care for chocolate anyways, this one’s for Ana)
6. The Boston Celtics. (Thea says: This one’s for me. I hate the Celtics with all the inky blackness of my heart)

Six Blogs We Want to Share:

Ana:

Best New Blog: Racy Romance Reviews

Best Creative Blog: The Thrillionth Page

Best In-depth Review Blog: Lurv a la Mode

Thea:

Best Blog to Find New Books to Read: Angieville

Best Niche Blog: The Galaxy Express

Best Fantasy Review Blog: Fantasy Cafe

Go forth and check these blogs out!

We have been tagged by Kmont!

The rules:

Grab the nearest book. Open the book to page 56. Find the fifth sentence. Post the text of the next two to five sentences in your journal/blog along with these instructions.

Don’t dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the closest. Tag five other people to do the same.

Ana: (Because I am such a tease) Right now, I am reading Hope’s Folly by Linnea Sinclair (and it’s awesome). Page 56:

“Subbie?”
“Their weapons were set to stun. Not kill. They wanted you alive”
Martoni stared at her. Philip’s smile widened.

Thea: I’m reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Annnnd pg 56:

“I’ll speak to Neri, but I don’t think he’ll give it back to me. Perhaps he doesn’t even have it anymore. Anyhow, what do you want the book for? Don’t tell me it’s to read it.”

“No. I know it by heart.”

Ooooh sounds mysterious, doesn’t it?

We tag anyone who wants to play!!!

Good Sunday!!

This week marks Banned Books Week–where we celebrate our right to free speech, and stand against censorship.

The Top 10 Banned Books of 2008:

1. And Tango Makes Three, Justin Richardson

2. The Chocolate War, Robert Cormier

3. Olive’s Ocean, Kevin Henkes

4. The Golden Compass, Phillip Pullman

5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain

6. The Color Purple, Alice Walker

7. TTYL, Lauren Myracle

8. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou

9. It’s Perfectly Normal, Robie H. Harris

10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky

This week we encourage everyone to read at least one of these books. We have The Chocolate War and Tango Makes Three in progress!

AND–we’ve both been Tagged by Christine!

Even Darth Vader reads Harry Potter

How to Play:

1: Copy this list.
2: Highlight the ones you have read (or at least remember reading) in RED (since red clashes pretty badly with the green background, we’re highlighting in BLACK).
3: Tag five people to play.

Thea’s list:

1. Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz (Oh my GOD I love this series, recently repurchased the box set! The illustrations are awesome)
2. Daddy’s Roommate by Michael Willhoite
3. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
4. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
6. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
7. Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
8. Forever by Judy Blume
9. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
10. Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
11. Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
12. My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
13. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
14. The Giver by Lois Lowry (I LOVE this book as well, still have it since 5th grade)
15. It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
16. Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine(Loved R.L. Stine’s teen books too!)
17. A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck
18. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
19. Sex by Madonna
20. Earth’s Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel
21. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
22. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (An all time favorite)
23. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
24. Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
25. In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
26. The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard
27. The Witches by Roald Dahl
28. The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein
29. Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry
30. The Goats by Brock Cole
31. Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
32. Blubber by Judy Blume
33. Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan (I adore Lois Duncan!!!)
34. Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam
35. We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier
36. Final Exit by Derek Humphry
37. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
38. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
39. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
40. What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters by Lynda Madaras
42. Beloved by Toni Morrison
43. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
44. The Pigman by Paul Zindel (Paul Zindel, as well as Lois Lowry, visited my middle school in Jakarta–and I will never forget the readings they did for us, and how powerful their books are. My fave Zindel will always be My Darling, My Hamburger)
45. Bumps in the Night by Harry Allard
46. Deenie by Judy Blume
47. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
48. Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden
49. The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar
50. Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat by Alvin Schwartz
51. A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein (another awesome collection of poems–and a collection I will always cherish though I prefer Where the Sidewalk Ends)
52. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
53. Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice)
54. Asking About Sex and Growing Up by Joanna Cole
55. Cujo by Stephen King
56. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
57. The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell
58. Boys and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
59. Ordinary People by Judith Guest
60. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
61. What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons by Lynda Madaras
62. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume (Judy Blume ain’t getting no love, huh?)
63. Crazy Lady by Jane Conly
64. Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher
65. Fade by Robert Cormier
66. Guess What? by Mem Fox
67. The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende (Love this book)
68. The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney
69. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
70. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
71. Native Son by Richard Wright
72. Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women’s Fantasies by Nancy Friday
73. Curses, Hexes and Spells by Daniel Cohen
74. Jack by A.M. Homes
75. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya
76. Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
77. Carrie by Stephen King
78. Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume (Judy Blume again!)
79. On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
80. Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge
81. Family Secrets by Norma Klein
82. Mommy Laid An Egg by Babette Cole
83. The Dead Zone by Stephen King
84. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
85. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
86. Always Running by Luis Rodriguez
87. Private Parts by Howard Stern
88. Where’s Waldo? by Martin Hanford (WHAT!?!??!?!?!??! What in the world is offensive about Where’s Waldo!??!)
89. Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
90. Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman
91. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
92. Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
93. Sex Education by Jenny Davis
94. The Drowning of Stephen Jones by Bette Greene
95. Girls and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
96. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
97. View from the Cherry Tree by Willo Davis Roberts
98. The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
99. The Terrorist by Caroline Cooney
100. Jump Ship to Freedom by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

BAD Waldo. BAD!

Ana’s List:

1. Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz
2. Daddy’s Roommate by Michael Willhoite
3. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
4. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
6. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
7. Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
8. Forever by Judy Blume
9. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
10. Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
11. Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
12. My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
13. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
14. The Giver by Lois Lowry
15. It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris
16. Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine
17. A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck
18. The Color Purple by Alice Walker (I saw the movie does it count?)
19. Sex by Madonna
20. Earth’s Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel
21. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
22. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
23. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
24. Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
25. In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak
26. The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard
27. The Witches by Roald Dahl
28. The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein
29. Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry
30. The Goats by Brock Cole
31. Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane
32. Blubber by Judy Blume
33. Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan
34. Halloween ABC by Eve Merriam
35. We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier
36. Final Exit by Derek Humphry
37. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
38. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
39. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
40. What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Girls: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Daughters by Lynda Madaras
41. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (again, I saw the movie!)
42. Beloved by Toni Morrison
43. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
44. The Pigman by Paul Zindel
45. Bumps in the Night by Harry Allard
46. Deenie by Judy Blume
47. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
48. Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden
49. The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar
50. Cross Your Fingers, Spit in Your Hat by Alvin Schwartz
51. A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
52. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley 5
3. Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice)
54. Asking About Sex and Growing Up by Joanna Cole
55. Cujo by Stephen King
56. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
57. The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell
58. Boys and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
59. Ordinary People by Judith Guest
60. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
61. What’s Happening to my Body? Book for Boys: A Growing-Up Guide for Parents & Sons by Lynda Madaras
62. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
63. Crazy Lady by Jane Conly
64. Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher
65. Fade by Robert Cormier 6
6. Guess What? by Mem Fox
67. The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende
68. The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney
69. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
70. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
71. Native Son by Richard Wright
72. Women on Top: How Real Life Has Changed Women’s Fantasies by Nancy Friday
73. Curses, Hexes and Spells by Daniel Cohen
74. Jack by A.M. Homes
75. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya
76. Where Did I Come From? by Peter Mayle
77. Carrie by Stephen King
78. Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume
79. On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer
80. Arizona Kid by Ron Koertge
81. Family Secrets by Norma Klein
82. Mommy Laid An Egg by Babette Cole
83. The Dead Zone by Stephen King
84. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
85. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
86. Always Running by Luis Rodriguez
87. Private Parts by Howard Stern
88. Where’s Waldo? by Martin Hanford
89. Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
90. Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman
91. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
92. Running Loose by Chris Crutcher
93. Sex Education by Jenny Davis
94. The Drowning of Stephen Jones by Bette Greene
95. Girls and Sex by Wardell Pomeroy
96. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
97. View from the Cherry Tree by Willo Davis Roberts
98. The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
99. The Terrorist by Caroline Cooney
100. Jump Ship to Freedom by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier

This is so pathetic. I feel really bad that from such a list, out of the few books I read I only really liked the Harry Potter ones! In my defense though, please remember I grew up in Brazil where most of these books never arrived and were never translated! So yeah. I think I have a preeeetty good excuse. What about you?

TAG! YOU’RE IT!

Angie from Angieville

M from Apprentice Writer

Kmont from LurvaLaMode

KristieJ from Ramblings on Romance

JenB – Jen, The Ginger Kid

Tagged! Not by slimer though. This time from Aidan of A Dribble of Ink!

Copy the list below.

Mark in bold the movie titles for which you read the book.

Italicize the that you’ve watched.

Tag 5 people to perpetuate the meme. (You may of course play along anyway.)

THEA’S:
1. Jurassic Park
2. War of the Worlds
3. The Lost World: Jurassic Park
4. I, Robot
5. Contact
6. Congo
7. Cocoon
8. The Stepford Wives
9. The Time Machine
10. Starship Troopers
11. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
12. K-PAX
13. 2010
14. The Running Man
15. Sphere
16. The Mothman Prophecies
17. Dreamcatcher
18. Blade Runner(Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?)
19. Dune
20. The Island of Dr. Moreau
21. Invasion of the Body Snatchers
22. The Iron Giant(The Iron Man)
23. Battlefield Earth
24. The Incredible Shrinking Woman
25. Fire in the Sky
26. Altered States
27. Timeline
28. The Postman
29. Freejack(Immortality, Inc.)
30. Solaris
31. Memoirs of an Invisible Man
32. The Thing(Who Goes There?)
33. The Thirteenth Floor
34. Lifeforce(Space Vampires)
35. Deadly Friend
36. The Puppet Masters
37. 1984
38. A Scanner Darkly
39. Creator
40. Monkey Shines
41. Solo(Weapon)
42. The Handmaid’s Tale
43. Communion
44. Carnosaur
45. From Beyond
46. Nightflyers
47. Watchers
48. Body Snatchers

Lots of Crichton on there and not nearly enough King! And apparently I watch a shocking amount of movies. Oh well.

ANA’S:

1. Jurassic Park
2. War of the Worlds
3. The Lost World: Jurassic Park
4. I, Robot
5. Contact
6. Congo
7. Cocoon
8. The Stepford Wives
9. The Time Machine
10. Starship Troopers
11. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
12. K-PAX
13. 2010
14. The Running Man
15. Sphere
16. The Mothman Prophecies
17. Dreamcatcher
18. Blade Runner(Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?)
19. Dune
20. The Island of Dr. Moreau
21. Invasion of the Body Snatchers
22. The Iron Giant(The Iron Man)
23. Battlefield Earth
24. The Incredible Shrinking Woman
25. Fire in the Sky
26. Altered States
27. Timeline
28. The Postman
29. Freejack(Immortality, Inc.)
30. Solaris
31. Memoirs of an Invisible Man
32. The Thing(Who Goes There?) (apparently I do)
33. The Thirteenth Floor
34. Lifeforce(Space Vampires)
35. Deadly Friend
36. The Puppet Masters
37. 1984
38. A Scanner Darkly
39. Creator
40. Monkey Shines
41. Solo(Weapon)
42. The Handmaid’s Tale
43. Communion
44. Carnosaur
45. From Beyond
46. Nightflyers
47. Watchers
48. Body Snatchers

I had to do a search online for most of these movies since most titles get translated into Portuguese in Brazil LOL. I can’t believe I haven’t watched Blade Runner yet. Must rectify it very soon.

And we tag…

Heather (Galaxy Express)
Katie(babs) (Ramblings on Romance)
Kristen (Fantasy Cafe )
Christine (The Happily Ever After)
ThRiNiDiR (Realms of Speculative Fiction)

So…checking out the always wonderful Fantasy Cafe, we found out we’ve been TAGGED!

Here’s the deal:

Get yourself to the nearest book, flip to page 123, and copy the 5th sentence out here…

Thea’s: Closest book to me at the time is Neil Gaiman’s American Gods. So, here we go:

A wraith appeared on the right of the church, while on the left of the church something with a half-glimpsed, pointed, unsettlingly birdlike face, a pale, Boschian nightmare, glided smoothly from a headstone into the shadows and was gone.

How sick is that? This is a perfect example of why Gaiman is THE man. How engaging is this sentence? ‘A pale, Boschian nightmare’…eerie stuff.

Ana’s: Closest book to me right now is one I just finished reading and LOVED. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr. The fifth sentence is actually the end of a sentence so I will cheat and enter the whole paragraph:

“Aislinn looked away before he could see how tempted she really was, before she
admitted to herself how much she wanted to ignore all reason”

Aislinn, dealing with her attraction-repulsion to all things fey. “He” being Keenan, the Summer King. Seriously, this book is awesome.

And We Tag….

Kristie & Katie from Ramblings on Romance

Kate from What Kate’s Reading

Christine from The Happily Ever After

Kmont from Lurv a la Mode

*ninjas in*

Tagged by partner in smuggling crime, Ana

ONE Word Answers (as Ana said, there is no way I can do this in one word answers only)

You are feeling: stuffy

To your left: biiiig window (I can see Nakatomi Plaza beetches!)

On your mind: moving

Last meal included: salsa verde

You sometimes find it hard to: turn down the competitiveness

The weather: sunny and HOT (gotta love the schizo LA weather)

Something you have a collection of: other than the obvious :p I have a killer dvd collection

A smell that cheers you up: fresh laundry

A smell that can ruin your mood: eggs *shudders*

How long since you last shaved: who wants to know? :p This morning.

The current state of your hair: squeaky clean and shiny

The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer): stacked inbox

Your skill with chopsticks: I catch flies like Daniel-san

Which section you head for first in a bookstore: SF/Fantasy

Something you’re craving: cheeseits.

Your general thoughts on the presidential race: so over the whole debacle

How many times have you been hospitalized this year: none

Favorite place to go for a quiet moment: bedroom

You’ve always secretly thought you’d be a good: astronaut

Something that freaks you out a little: MOTHS *dies*

Something you’ve eaten too much of lately: takeout in general

You have never: gone quail hunting

You never want to: pay bills

Hmm…Shannon, you’re it!

I was tagged by Jill D. for this one word meme.

ONE Word Answers (there is no way I can do this in one word answers only)

You are feeling: sleepy
To your left: wall
On your mind: X-files
Last meal included: gammon
You sometimes find it hard to: not to read
The weather: raining (ye good old England)
Something you have a collection of: books?
A smell that cheers you up: spring
A smell that can ruin your mood: papaya
How long since you last shaved: one day
The current state of your hair: clean
The largest item on your desk/workspace (not computer): telephone
Your skill with chopsticks: non-existent
Which section you head for first in a bookstore: romance
Something you’re craving: chocolate. Always.
Your general thoughts on the presidential race: I don’t live in the US
How many times have you been hospitalized this year: zero
Favorite place to go for a quiet moment: kitchen
You’ve always secretly thought you’d be a good: archeologist
Something that freaks you out a little: Insects
Something you’ve eaten too much of lately: beans
You have never: been to Disney
You never want to: go back to Brazil

Thea, I tag thee!

We were tagged by Kristie for this one….

1. I am a beast at guitar hero on ‘hard’ (and I’m getting better on ‘expert’). I make it cry. I actually threatened my pinky finger to either learn how to shift up and become more dexterous or I’d break it off.

Now, who to tag? We are new to blogging and don’t know many people and the few we “know” we think have been tagged already! But let’s try:

JMC

Gisele

Jill D

Stacy

And anyone else who would like to do this!