Book Whore Chronicles: The Meme

I normally don't post twice in one day, but someone tagged me with a meme so I felt it best to cooperate before anything bad happens. (Memes are like internet chain letters, I've heard.) So, Jef, this meme's for you....

1. How many books do you own?

Possibly a little over 200. It consists mostly of books that I have yet to read. I keep only a few books, usually the ones that mean a lot to me or that I simply enjoy reading over and over. I tend to give books away or to sell them once I've finished.

2. Last book read?

Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors, though I've only read three of her novels. This one in particular stands out because the gender of the narrator is never revealed which greatly enhances the story.

3. Last book purchased?

Fatal Shadows by Josh Lanyon. I read the second novel in Lanyon's detective series before this one and was immediately hooked with the characters. So I had to find the first one just to learn a bit more background on Adrien English and his closeted detective pesudo-boyfriend who's into S&M.

4. Name five books that mean a lot to you.

Like People in History by Felice Picano. The first gay-centric novel that I read which made me feel good about being gay.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. I recently finished this non-fiction novel. What impressed me was how Capote turned the true events into such a compelling novel, far better than many of the fictional detective novels around. At times, I forgot that I was reading a non-fiction book.

As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner. The only pre-college book on the list. We read this one for American Literature in high school, and after finishing it, I had to find every novel by Faulkner. This one stuck with me for a few reasons: the form, with each chapter belonging to a specific character, using his/her particular voice; the point of view from a dead character; and one chapter in particular, when Vardaman says "My mother is a fish." The impact and meaning of that little sentence is simply staggering.

Best Actress by John Kane. Just a campy, kitschy, all-out fun book to read. It never ceases to make me laugh.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. One of the all-time scary creepy eerie novels I've ever read and re-read. This is the novel that hooked my interest in haunted house and ghost stories.

5. Tag five more people.

Hmmm.... Five people? I know this meme has been making the rounds so I'm only going to tag one person: Joela.