Book meme thingy
BB cheated and tagged all people previously untagged, so I'm cheating even more and giving lame answers! What can I say? My memory sucks.
1. One book that changed your life-
"The Forest People" by Colin Turnbull. This book, about a Mbuti Pygmy tribe in Africa, is the first book I read in Cultural Anthropology class in college. That class, and the book, really struck a chord in me. You know how they say you really have learned another language when you can think, speak, and hear in that language without translation? This was the first book where I really felt that happening, except it was a process of seeing another culture without putting through the filter of my own. That process, whether it be culture or class or race or so many other things, is what really took hold in me starting with this book.
"There Are No Children Here" by Jonothan Kozol Alex Kotlowitz (duh) is way, way up there, though.
2. One book you have read more than once?
None come to mind. Too many I still haven't read yet.
3. One book you would want on a desert island?
Any good photography book that doesn't have pictures of the desert. ;)
4. One book that made you laugh?
"America: The Book". Damn, the inside cover had me rolling!
5. One book that made you cry?
I could hardly get far into "After Silence" by Nancy Venable Raine before the tears obliterated my ability to read further. Still haven't finished it.
6. One book you wish had been written?
Heck, I just wish I could write better.
7. One book you wish had never had been written?
I'll concur with others on the Bible.
8. One book you are currently reading?
Lame answer: not currently reading anything. I go through spurts.
9. One book you have been meaning to read?
One? My wish list is unbearable. I've got several in the categories of photography, cultural anthropology and social issues, skepticism, and classics. I'm really good on focusing on one thing at a time and not being good at balancing.
10. Now tag 5 people.
No. BB tagged 'em all!
***
Extra Credit: (because I say so and because I watched two movies tonight)
"The Long Walk Home" made me cry a few times. Think I got mad more often than that. Some great performances, though.
"Mysterious Skin" made me feel like I could barely breathe the whole time. It was direct, raw, and painful. Freakin' damn.
for the NNAF
5 comments:
OK, now you've expanded my book list and my movie list!
Well, then I'll give an extra warning. "Mysterious Skin" is very good, but also very hard to watch. If it weren't for a few very poignant, tender moments, I don't think it would be nearly as good. The tenderness is the contrast, the relief, and the hope, really. Still, yikes. Some painful stuff that will hit you in the gut about 300 times.
Oh, and I could give all kinds of cultural anth-type book recommendations! Happiness would be being able to read every one in existence. :) (SHoulda had a different major!)
Hehe, I only cheated a little bit *grin*.
Oh and I tried to ring you yesterday but I got your machine. I'll probably give it a shot again today!
Your booklist makes me remember that I would want a Robert Vavra book on that desert island, perhaps Horses Of The Sun.
I love Jonothan Kozol. "Rachel and Her Children" influenced my desision to accept my current position working with homeless households.
Dang. You know what I have to do? Slap myself. Kozol did not write "There Are No Children Here". Alex Kotlowitz did. Well, I blame me thinking they are two of the best. Yeah, that's it.
That is SO cool, Kaka. Kozol is consistently fantastic, nonetheless. ;) Almost as fantastic as one of his books being such a major influence on your life.
BB, you have one more day before my kid's grandparents take over the household. ;) Really, I'll need the cleaning break! You'll be doing me a huge favor!
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