Day 17: Favourite Quote From My Favourite Book

Impossible, really, to choose a favourite book, but I suppose it would be Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. And this is my favourite quote from the book:

"In that direction," the Cat said, waving its right paw round, "lives a Hatter: and in that direction," waving the other paw, "lives a March Hare. Visit either you like: they're both mad."

"But I don't want to go among mad people," Alice remarked.

"Oh, you can't help that," said the Cat: "We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad." 

"How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice. 

"You must be, said the Cat, "or you wouldn't have come here." 

Often-quoted, much-analysed, but probably the best dialogue in the whole book!

Day 16: Favourite Female Character

At the risk of choosing a very predictable answer, my favourite female character would just have to be Alice, from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Based on a real girl (Alice Pleasance Liddell), Alice is one of those unforgettable characters that one reads about as a child, but goes back to continuously, as an adult - simply because she's so wondrously layered. Her handling of situations, her child-like appeal, and her freshness all make her unique - she's one little girl I'd love to have met in real-life!

Day 15: Favourite Male Character

I can always, always go back to Hercule Poirot - the funny little Belgian detective with an egg-shaped head, the man who feels that no crime is impossible to solve. Hercule Poirot's Christmas remains one of my best-loved books, and plus, how can an obsessive-compulsive man like him not be my favourite male character? *wink*

Day 14: Favourite Book Of My Favourite Writer

Because it's impossible for me to choose one single favourite among Wodehouse's books, I'd say any Jeeves and Wooster book would fit the bill. As long as the book in question features the ever-bumbling and perpetually-confused Wooster and Jeeves (the valet who always saves the day), I'll count it as a favourite.

Day 13: My Favourite Writer

There's nothing quite like a delicious P G Wodehouse book to curl up with on rainy afternoons, or when you're sad and need some cheering-up, or even in those so-so moods - because Wodehouse works his magic at all times, at all places. Quintessentially British humour, hilarious situations that make you actually laugh out loud, and endearing characters - what more does one need? I will always love this man for Jeeves and Wooster, and for Mr. Mulliner. Be it short stories or novels - Wodehouse's writing is truly one of a kind!

Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton would follow closely behind for this part of the tag.

Day 12: A Book I Used To Love But Don’t Anymore

I think we've all been through the "Holden Caulfield" phase, that time when everything seems oh-so-pointless and everyone around seems out to make life miserable. There was a time when I used to love this book, when I identified with Holden and his problems, but now, when I read it, I am struck by how much things have changed - what seemed like cool adolescent angst then is pure whiny attitude now. The book's very well-written and Salinger has created a classic, no doubt. It's just that I don't love this book as much as I used to - maybe I have grown up, or maybe I just see life differently.

PS - My point of view here is going to clash drastically here with someone's - she almost worships this book, so if I have offended her sentiments, I beg forgiveness. :)

Day 11: A Book I Hated

I don't know why I wasted my time on this book. It is by far the most awful piece of work I have ever read. It's so bad it makes you want to tear your hair out in large chunks. It's boring, it's insipid, and it's mind-numbingly shallow. Almost makes you want to go to your kitchen and throw away all the spices you just read about, just because they remind you of the chapters in Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's book.

Casting Aishwarya Rai in the movie adaptation didn't help any, as I was stuck with that mental image of Tilo. Blech.

Day 10: Favourite Classic Book

I'm not sure how I would exactly define a 'classic', and if I go by the generally-accepted definitions, I'm ashamed to admit I haven't even read that many 'classic' books (yes, this after four years of being an English Literature student) - but 1984 would lead the list. 

Thematically very deep, with brilliant writing - this is something everyone should read. 1984 is one of those few books which has the ability to send chills down my spine. In my opinion, it marks the point that all dystopian literature should aspire to.

Day 9: A Book I Thought I Wouldn’t Like But Ended Up Loving

 
I'd watched the movie (which I loved) before reading the book. When I decided to give the book a try, I didn't like it much, I found it hard to get through the first few chapters because of the difficult language, and for the most part, Burgess' writing went right over my head. I remember actually thinking this was turning out to be one of those books that have better movie adaptations.

However, this is a book that needs a little patience and effort, and I am glad I stuck to it - because it does get better and once you follow the Nadsat, it's an overwhelmingly deep piece of literature that stays with you long after you've put the book back to the shelf. It plays with your head, it hits on the theme of freedom of choice and the subject matter is quite unpalatable! Started out not liking it, but today it remains one of my favourites.

Day 8: Most Overrated Book

I had a strong urge to put Wuthering Heights on this part of the tag, but I think Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code wins hands-down. Good choice of source-material, decently drawn characters - but the writing is very very mediocre, and I always get the feeling he's pushing forward too many bunkum theories.

I never understood the fuss about this book - it works as a thriller, but that's about it. It's forgettable and certainly not deserving of so much publicity. Personally, I believe Dan Brown cashed in on subjects he knew would raise controversy, thus gaining the book attention which in turn increased sales. So if a book works better as a marketing strategy than as actual writing, that doesn't say much for the book in question.

Day 7: Most Underrated Book

I just finished this book a month ago, and it has all the beauty and simplicity of McCall Smith's writing. He's better known for his 44 Scotland Street and The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels, which is why I was surprised to find this at the library, not having heard of it before. 

I'm glad I read it, though - while it does have its shortcomings (rushing through certain points and lacking required depth in others) it makes for a very heart-warming read, for anyone who believes in the power of love and music.

Plus, the writing is lucid and typically McCall Smith-esque, but different from his other works in the sense that it's a lot more profound, and if you search for hidden meaning beneath the words, you'll find it in the guise of a simple love story that is made even sweeter with the presence of music.

Day 6: A Book That Makes Me Sad

I realise this is a very unconventional choice, as this book is generally read on various levels - the issue of parenthood, the debate between artificial creation and natural creation - but Frankenstein makes me sad every time I read it. I can't help feeling a pang of sorrow for the monster, brought into the world by the means of science, shunned by all because of his ugliness, craving love and acceptance, and then finally embracing death because it seems a preferable alternative to his disastrous life. 

It's a beautifully poignant book, one whose appeal is enhanced by its striking references to Milton's Paradise Lost, and like I said, probably not  a very conventional choice, but the most appropriate one to me, nonetheless.

Day 5: A Book That Makes Me Happy

I'm thinking that many would question my book choices for this tag as pretty childish so far, and might make me come off as a 12 year old, instead of a 22 year old English Literature student. But I can't help it, erudite and well-read be damned. Here goes one more - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one of those magically happy-making books. I smile in glee when Charlie finds the Golden Ticket, I smile in smug satisfaction when the four naughty children get their just desserts, and there's a "Woop-de-doo!" for Charlie at the end of the book.
Dahl sure knew how to bring on the smiles. Years on, and it's still one of my best-loved. Plus, chocolate - need I say more? :)

Day 4: Favourite Book Of My Favourite Series

Very hard to choose my favourite Asterix comic, but if I absolutely had to - it would be Asterix in Britain. Shameless stereotyping, blatant fun at the expense of 'Britishisms', not to forget an appearance by The Beatles!