Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award

First of all, thank you so much to Prescription Fiction for nominating me for this tag! It's my first actual tag nomination, so I'm pretty excited.  I think tags, memes, events and the like are important. Not only do they foster discussion, they also help to connect the book blogging community and grow friendships. They're also really fun to fill out. Let's get to the questions!

1. If you could change the ending to any book, what would it be and what would you change it to?

There are so many books that I wish had gone on for another hundred pages, not because the ending was lacking, but because I wanted to spend more time with the characters. But this question does not refer to those books. This question deals with books with HORRIBLE and UNBELIEVABLE endings. I know just the one to bellyache over. 

A few years ago, I was wrapped up with with Cynthia Hand's Unearthly series, which builds a great story around the idea of angels on earth. Then the final book, Boundless, happened.  The ending was just bizarre.  The whole epic plot of the series reached its climax in a reduced, pitiful, measly confrontation. Previously compelling, likable characters were turned on their heads and made the most head-scratching, facepalm-inducing decisions.  The last few pages drove me crazy.

To say how I would change the ending would involve massive spoilers, so I won't go there.  But I would like a re-write of that entire book. It was a travesty.

2. If you could dump hot noodle soup over the head of any one book character, who would you choose?

Mr. Poe from The Series of Unfortunate Events. As a kid, I hated him more than I hated evil Count Olaf, because Mr. Poe was so stupid, and boring, and apathetic.  I think Poe is representative of the negligent caregiver who allows children to slip through the cracks over and over again.  He's not actively evil, but he stands by, pulling the wool over his own eyes, which makes him contemptible. Noodle soup over the head for him.

3. You're getting married! Choose your soon-to-be spouse, your best man, your bride's maids, and your DJ.

I would pry Cassel Sharpe from Curseworkers away from Lila Zacharov and make him my spouse. Sorry, Lila.  Cassel's best man would be Ronan Lynch from The Raven Cycle. (Chainsaw would be his plus one.)  My bridesmaids would be Regan, Goneril, and Cordelia from King Lear, because what's a wedding without a little drama?  The DJ would be Elise Dembowski from This Song Will Save Your Life, of course.

4. Sum up one book with an album or Playlist.

It's not a perfect match, but Arcade Fire's album The Suburbs, especially its more morose songs, makes me think of The Virgin Suicides.  Both works have something to say about the urban sprawl, transitioning from childhood to adulthood, alienation, humanity in the modern world, etc.  I'd also add in some Runaways for Lux and Celtic Woman for Cecilia.

5. You've stolen a chocolate fudge cake from a bakery and you're about to be shoved into prison for 22 years, with one book character of your choice. Who do you choose?

I would choose Eugenides from The Thief because he would break us out.

6. If you could ask any author three questions, who would it be and what?

Mmm, how about Laini Taylor.  I would ask her where she gets her ideas from. (Partly a joke, partly not.) I would ask, who are your stylistic idols?  Also, what are your least and most favorite fairytales, myths, or pieces of folklore?

7. If you could attend one fictional school for an entire year, what would it be?

Remember Meg Cabot's The Mediator series?  Suze goes to school in a historic mission in Southern California.  I might go there.  That, or the American School in Paris, from Stephanie Perkins' novels.

8. Would you rather snog Draco Malfoy, Luna Lovegood, or Ron Weasley? State why.

Luna Lovegood, just because of the process of elimination.  I don't think it'd be too bad of an experience...

9. If you had to get a tattoo of one character's face on your body, who would it be and where?

Recall Lola's sketchy boyfriend, Max, in Lola and the Boy Next Door? He had a tattoo of Max in his wolf suit from  Where the Wild Things Are, and I thought that was so appropriate.  But, to answer the question, I would get a fish, probably on my back because the skin doesn't get as stretched out there. (I've given this thought.)  The fish wouldn't be a character exactly, but it would represent David Foster Wallace's commencement address to Kenyon College, titled This Is Water. So deep, I know.

10. You can bring one fictional character back from the dead, but in doing so, kill of another.  Who do you choose?

You know the character who dies in Allegiant? I would bring that character back, because that whole death business should not have happened.  In exchange, I would kill Nicholas Sparks' writing career.


My questions:
1. In your opinion, what is the most important piece of fiction that's been written during your life?
2.  Have you ever wound up being more intrigued than repulsed by a fictional villain?
3. What is your opinion on audiobooks? Do you have a favorite production or narrator?
4.  In order, list what attracts you to a book: the cover, the blurb, the author's past work, the author's reputation, reviews from other readers, reviews from published critics.
5. You are the editor of an anthology.  What is the theme of the collection, and what authors do you ask to contribute?
6. You are teaching a college class on YA fiction.  What is the reading list?
7. Everyone has genres that they're drawn to, and genres they avoid.  What is a book you loved that came from a genre you don't typically read?
8. What notable books have you read in translation? What did translation add to the experience and what did it take away?
9. You are organizing an author Q&A comprised of deceased writers.  Who do you choose to be in your panel of five?
10. What is the most age-inappropriate book you've ever read?

I tag Sierra from Bookish Thoughts and any other person who sees this and feels like tackling my questions!  If you do fill out my questionnaire, be sure to let me know in some way!

k