Mollywogger

The lovely rockmama-in-waiting tagged me for this one.

One book that changed your life:

As a young person: Constance: A Tale of Early Plymouth.  This was my first foray into historical fiction, and I was hooked.  Now, most of the books I read are history or historical fiction.

As an Adult:  A fascinating book called A Midwife’s Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based On Her Diary, 1785-1812.  In this book the author, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, closely studies Martha Ballard’s diary of midwifery in early New England.  Ulrich uses entries in Ballard’s diary to take a closer look at 18^th century American law, medicine, housekeeping, economics, and social life.  This book made me want to be an archivist.  (More info on Martha Ballard here)

 
One book that you've read more than once: See above.  Both of those have definitely been more than once.

 
One book you would want on a desert island: I’ve agonized over this one.  I suppose something like this would be the most practical, but then I thought, “Well, I’d be alive, but I’d probably be bored.”  So my real pick is East of Eden by John Steinbeck.  I hugged this book after I finished reading it, it was that good.

One book that made you laugh: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents America: A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction.  What’s not to love about Jon Stewart?  Seriously?  Funniest line in the faux textbook is a discussion question at the end of the chapter about the legislature: "If 'con' is the opposite of 'pro,' then isn't Congress the opposite of progress? Or did we just fucking blow your mind?!?"

One book that made you cry: Cold Mountain.  Watching the movie makes me a weeping wreck, so I thought I’d give the book a try and see whether I liked it.  I loved it.  Amazing, lyrical writing, and it’s baffling to think that it’s Charles Frazier’s first novel.  It truly blew me away.

One book that you wish had been written: Oh, my dearest Jane Austen.  She died so young, with the potential for so many more beautiful books.  Now I hang with my homey’s at Austenblog for Jane fun and snark. 

One book that you wish had never been written: The O’Reilly Factor for Kids: A Survival Guide for America’s Families by Bill “Douchebag Magoo” O’Reilly.  I was working at Barnes & Noble when this gem came out, and it took everything in my power to stop myself from defacing this literary turd.  Great, Bill – give ‘em an early start on the stupid!  My true feelings on Mr. O’Reilly are pretty well-explained here.  Check out the bingo game!

The book that you are currently reading: The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir.  Thanks to darling Kath for the recommendation.

One book that you have been meaning to read: The History of Love by Nicole Krauss.  Looks like a stunner.

OK, Ms. Pru, your turn.  You've got to do something while you're pumping.