Readers Uncovered is a biweekly feature, featuring readers and their answers to tough reading questions.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ONE, AND ONLY ONE, BOOK THAT WOULD BEST REPRESENT YOU AS A READER, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Before reading my answer, stop to consider what single book you would choose for yourself. It’s like the game in which you choose which book to take to a deserted island! In that case, naturally I’d choose the largest literary anthology with the densest font I could possibly find. A book that represents me as a reader will need to… impress people with more than my need for maximum page count.
Do I choose a book by an author I admire? A heroine who reminds me of myself? A representative of a favorite genre? An old favorite I could imagine re-reading? Do I limit myself to fiction? At this point you may realize I have begun writing without nailing myself down to a choice.
I scoured my LibraryThing catalog for this one. A book that represents me as a reader will have to be one I love so much it makes my chest burst. It’ll need to be long, because I’m wordy, and have odd characters, because, well… It’ll have to include a little history. It should be something I had to anticipate and wait to read, because I do a lot of that. Finally, it’ll have to be something that not everybody “gets.” The Magicians and Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell were major contenders, but I’m voting for Darkmans.
-Jessica from Both Eyes Book Blog
If we’re purely going by title, I’d have to say Word Freak by Stefan Fatsis. I think that title epitomizes me as a reader. However, if we’re going with what’s between covers of a book, then I’d have to say The Likeness by Tana French. That book is such a fantastic blend of literary fiction and mystery, two of my favorite genres.
-Trish from Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’?
I think the book that represents me quite nicely is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and here are the reasons why:
– It demonstrates the true meaning of word manipulation. Part (actually a lot) of the fun of reading is to see how the language itself is used. I love reading all the different author writing styles and figuring out which ones work for me. Let’s just say, this one works for me!
– It’s a bit edgy and shocking and packs a punch, which I like.
– It’s about a real event in history, so I learn something about our world while reading.
– It has dynamic characters and complex relationships, something that I truly need in a book.
– It’s highly emotionally charged, another bookish element that I’m drawn to.
– Even though I just mentioned that I love to read about real things, I also love fantasy. So how cool is it that this book also incorporates that feature into the story with the character of Death!
– It even has a little romance! Something that completes every story! Yes, romance (as a storyline, not necessarily a genre) is something I really love.
– And finally, it’s a YA book, which I’m very much into right now.Yes, I’d say that this particular book truly describes my bookish loves!
-Suey from It’s All About Books
Hmm, I’m not sure if I’m choosing this because it really represents me as a reader of just because I love it so much that I always choose it whenever anyone asks me to choose a book for anything, but I’m going to go with East of Eden by John Steinbeck. There is just so much to Steinbeck’s epic: love, betrayal, learning to get along with one’s sibling. In many ways, East of Eden goes back to the basics, to the core of the human experience and expresses that experience through some of the most beautiful words I’ve ever read. I read to be moved, but more so I read to get a fundamental understanding of the people and the world around me.
-Jen from Devourer of Books
Thank you to our lovely August panelists. Stay tuned for their answers to this question: What is your most reliable source of book recommendations, and how did it earn that status?
They answered the tough question; now it’s your turn. Which book best represents you as a reader?
{ 7 comments }
What a tough question! Kudos to all the bloggers for their great answers. This is a fun feature.
Y’know, the very first thing I wanted to associate with is the characters in the book, which is not what most of the posters did. Still giving it some thought…
christina´s last post ..TSS- Teaching Classics to Students
Too hard. Perhaps The Road. A little sparse, severe, minimalist? That, or Island of the Blue Dolphins – good for the short attention span, adventure-loving, introverted.
blake´s last post ..I want to rub this trailer all over me
Very, very hard question, and I’d probably answer it differently every week. But maybe it is Diana Wynne Jones’s Fire and Hemlock–that mix of reality and fantasy, and the bookishness, and the intention of one day slaying a dragon. :)
Jenny´s last post ..Nonfiction
I would choose nonfiction The Soul of the New Machine, pulitzer prize winner by Tracy Kidder. It sparked my appreciation and fondness for Kidder and expanded my reading awareness. Plus, it’s technical, historical, and a fascinating study of human nature.
Such an interesting spin on the old question. I love it! I had to go with Austen’s Northanger Abbey. I fully confess to my own naiveity. Loving the blog and can’t wait for more.
Poppy Red.
Poppy Red´s last post ..Readers Uncovered 1
Kathy – I’m loving this feature, but I haven’t been able to answer this question myself yet!
Christina – That’s an interesting perspective. I was considering the book as a whole, as these readers did, rather than the characters. I’d be interested to hear which characters you would select.
Blake – THE ROAD is a little too bleak to be my pick, but I understand the sentiment. I’m still struggling with my answer.
Jenny – I’ve never heard of that one, but now I’m curious. I’ll watch out for it. Thanks!
Care – A nonfiction pick. Interesting. I still haven’t decided my own criteria.
Poppy Red – Nice selection. I love that you picked it based on your conception of your own character traits. I enjoyed your post on it as well.
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