The bookshelf challenge.

I love bookish tags, because sometimes it's nice to hear people's opinions on books in a format other than a review. When I saw Hannah do the Bookshelf Challenge, I shamelessly stole the idea even though I wasn't tagged. :) {She answered the questions in a vlog, which was adorable and awesome. But if I attempted a vlog, it would just be awkward for me and you guys, so you're welcome.}

Here we go...

1. Is there a book that you really want to read but haven't because you know that it will make you cry?

The only thing that comes to mind is Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. I love the idea of Steinbeck's books, but when I tried to read East of Eden several years ago, I never made it past the first couple of pages. (I like the movie, depressing as it is.) One day I'll try again, but for now I think I'll start with the much shorter Of Mice and Men. I've heard that the end is sad, though, so I'm a bit reluctant to read it. I have to be in a certain mood for a sad book.

2. Pick one book that helped introduce you to a new genre.

Across the Universe, by Beth Revis. It's the first book in a YA sci-fi trilogy that I enjoyed. This was the first real experience I had with sci-fi in any way: book, film, or TV. I still don't see sci-fi as a genre that I will read often (if ever), but I think reading this book before I started watching Doctor Who made me more open to the sci-fi-ness of that show. :)

3. Find a book that you want to reread.

I really want to finish reading the Wildwood trilogy, but I want to reread the first two books before I pick up the third one because it's been quite a while since I read them. I was a bit disappointed with Wildwood, but I absolutely loved the second one. Aren't these books just gorgeous? The covers, the spines, the illustrations inside...they're some of the prettiest books I've ever seen.

4. Is there a book series you read but wish you hadn't?

There are very few books that I wish I hadn't read, even if I hated them. At least now I know that I don't like them so I won't ever waste my time with reading them again! :) For this question I picked the Matched trilogy, by Ally Condie. It's not that I wish I hadn't read these books, but overall I'm just really disappointed with them. When I read the first book, I liked it a lot. Later, when I went back to reread it and to complete the series, it wasn't nearly as good as I remembered, and the next two books just got worse. Compared to the other dystopian YA I was reading at the time (like the Hunger Games and the Across the Universe trilogy), these were just dull.

5. If your house were burning down and all of your family and pets were safe, which book would you go back inside to save?

Despite the fact that I would never go back inside a burning house for a book (I'm obsessive about my books but I'm not dumb :), there's only one answer for me here: my Chronicles of Narnia box set. Yes, these ugly, beat-up editions from the 70s. They're my favorite books and these copies have sentimental value to me. Plus, they're actually numbered in the correct order (I'm forever an advocate for publication order over chronological order!), unlike those shiny modern sets. :)

6. Is there one book on your bookshelf that brings back fond memories?

Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine. It was my favorite book for the longest time, and it's still a favorite. It made me a lifelong fan of fairy tales and of Levine's books.

7. Find a book that has inspired you the most.

The first thing that came to mind for this question was Pride and Prejudice, though it doesn't make much sense. I don't know why it has inspired me...basically, I just love this story to pieces. It makes me laugh and cry and I feel like I personally know the characters, so I guess that's pretty inspiring?

8. Do you have any autographed books?

Yes, though I haven't met any of these authors. When I bought The Fault in Our Stars at Sam's several years ago, it was an autographed edition, though John Green's signature is nothing but an indecipherable scribble. I bought Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact at a bargain store, and it was also autographed. (It sounds interesting and I like the cover, but I still haven't read it yet.) The only of these that's actually special is A Snicker of Magic, because it's personalized from the sweet author, Natalie Lloyd.

9. Find the book that you have owned the longest.

On my shelf, it's probably these Judy Blume books, which I've owned since elementary school. I probably have some American Girl or Babysitter's Club books packed away upstairs that I've had longer, but these are the ones I could put my hands on.

10. Is there a book by an author that you never imagined that you would read or enjoy?

Growing up, I only had a vague idea of who Julia Child was...she was that tall lady who cooked and had an unusual voice. About three years ago, I went through a phase of reading travel memoirs, especially ones set in Paris. I stumbled across Julia Child's My Life in France and decided to read it, even though my interest in cooking is pretty low. (I know I need to learn but honestly I'm much more interested in fiber than food. Except desserts. I love dessert. :) I didn't expect to like it, but I loved it. Even with all of the emphasis on cooking and foods that I've never even heard of, it was such a good book. It's still one of my favorite memoirs. (And now I'm sort of fascinated with Julia Child.)

So that's the bookshelf challenge! If any of you guys want to participate, I'd love to hear your responses. :)