The One Book Meme

I was probably divinely called to complete this, as I’ve seen it in two places at about the same time (Listless Lawyer and BittersweetLife).

1. One book that changed your life:

The Republic, Plato.

I first read this book in high school and have read it since as well; I’m not a hardcore Platonite, his ideas are fascinating but naturally flawed (there are better descriptions of reality). Really, the reason The Republic earns this slot is because it opened my heart and my mind to the world of philosophy; the moment I encountered Plato’s description of justice my heart started palpitating with excitement, and my enthusiasm hasn’t waned. Yes, I am fortunate that I found a true passion in high school, and The Republic is what brought focus and vision to an ambient fascination.

2. One book that you’ve read more than once:

I’ve read many books more than once; really, I agree with a famous author who name fails to come to mind at present. That unnamed sage claimed that you haven’t actually read something unless you’ve read it twice. I will select an old favorite here, one that I’ve read close to 10 times.

The Hobbit, by JRR Tolkien.

3. One book you’d want on a desert island:

The Complete Works of Shakespeare

So much life, so many ideas, epically beautiful, and it keeps on giving.

4. One book that made you laugh:

The Joke, by Milan Kundera.

5. One book that made you cry:

Crime and Punishment, by Dostoevsky. The Greater Trumps, by Charles Williams.

That’s two, but the moment in each book that brought me to tears is as galvanizing as any textual experience I’ve had and the memory still burns with a fervor.

6. One book you wish had been written:

I’ve got a couple ideas that may not have been taken yet; but there’s so much good stuff out there it’s really hard to be sure.

7. One book you wish had never been written:

Lila: An Inquiry Into Morals, by Robert Pirsig

I thoroughly enjoyed Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and found myself wondering why Pirsig doesn’t enjoy more credence in the world of philosophy; Lila, Zen’ sequel, answered my question with a bang. Pirsig is a very smart fool. Lila was poorly written and full of baseless conjectures presented as brilliant epiphanies. Zen was probably ambiguous enough to look good, but Pirsig’s specificities in Lila prove him to be an idiot.

8. One book you’e currently reading:

The Book of Sorrows, by Walter Wangerin.

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:

The Trouble with Principle, by Stanley Fish.

(Listless keeps reiterating how great it is, so I ordered a copy; I’ll be starting it soon after it arrives).

10. Tag Someone Else:

If you like Books give this a go; I’m thinking T. Goering might be a good candidate.