Weekly Geeks 2009-33: One Title Collection

Last year, I saw a movie, I think it was called Definitely, Maybe, that got me to thinking. In this movie, one of the girls was on a quest to find a particular copy of Jane Eyre, I forget now the specific reason why. But in the process of her search, she ended up with this massive collection of Jane Eyre books, from all sorts of places and years and styles. She had a shelf that went all the way around her room, filled with these wonderful Jane Eyre books.

It made me wish I had a collection like hers, a collection of one particular title, in all it's various versions.

So, Weekly Geeksters, tell us, do you have a collection, (or are you starting a collection,) of one particular book title? If so, what's your story? Why that book, and how many do you have, and what editions are they? Share pictures and give us all the details.

Or perhaps you dream about starting such a collection. What title would it be and what would it take for you to get motivated to start collecting?

Or maybe it's the works of a particular author you collect (or want to collect) instead a certain book title?

Once you've written about your collection (or dream collection) be sure sign Mr. Linky with your post and don't forget to visit other Geeksters to see what they're collecting!

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Round-Up for Weekly Geeks 2009-32

This week's challenge was to tell us about a book (or books) you have been meaning to read. What is it? How long have you wanted to read it? And, why haven't you read it yet?

Thirty-six geeks participated and there were lots of excuses explanations for the books gathering dust on TBR shelves or waiting patiently to be snatched up and read:

• Book Sexy admits to being "a compulsive book buyer" and lists The Nautical Chart by Arturo Pèrez-Reverte (current shelf life: 1 year, 1 month), The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann is a different kind of mystery story altogether (current shelf life: 4-6 months), and Mellon: An American Life by David Cannadine (current shelf life: 1 year, 5 months) as books that are calling out to be read.
• Elena from All Booked Up (a first time geeker - welcome!) writes: "I've got almost too many books to chose from to answer this question. Enough so that I've made a list of the books and posted it to try and prune it down." But she did pick one book which she's had since 2005 - Diana Gabaldon's Breath of Snow and Ashes. The delay in reading this book? She need's to re-read the sequel first!
• Deanna from Kitsch Slapped admits to a tendency to hoard. She writes: "I think sometimes my desire to own, the reality of time to read, and the love of books have given me a false sense of security when I buy books. It’s as if when I grab a book, clutch it to my bosom, and greedily pay for it, I loose all sense of reality… I cling to the fantasy of Someday." Deanna got a bit philosophical in her post and shares her world view: "If it doesn’t matter to me how much time has passed between when the book is written & when the book is read, how can it matter how much time passes between when you bought a book & when you read it?" I couldn't agree more!
• Trisha at Eclectic/Eccentric has put off reading The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco for over a year and a half (after having bought it for $7 "in a rather dirty, unorganized book/old junk shop"). After putting it aside a couple of times, she finally picked it up right before this week's Weekly Geeks challenge posted...and is happily cruising right through it. Awesome, Trisha!!!
• Missy at Missy's Book Nook tends to forget about books unless they are shelved directly in her line of sight and she doesn't have to bend down to get to them. This explains why Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood has been collecting dust on the bottom shelf of her bookcase for two years.

This is only a sampling of some really terrific answers. Click through to Mr. Linky to read them all.

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Weekly Geeks 2009-32: Why Haven't I Read This Yet?

I think just about every reader has a least one book that they've been meaning to read for awhile (months or even years) but, for one reason or another, they just haven't gotten around to it. Maybe it's a book a friend recommended last year, or a title you've flirted with in a bookstore on more than one occasion, or maybe it's a book that's sitting right there on your bookshelf, patiently waiting for you to pick it up -- but the thought is always there, in the back of your mind: Why haven't I read this yet?

This week, tell us about a book (or books) you have been meaning to read. What is it? How long have you wanted to read it? And, why haven't you read it yet?

When you have written your post, be sure to come back and leave a link to the post's URL (not your blog's main URL) to Mr. Linky. Be sure to visit other Geeks and see which books they've been meaning to read. Have a great week everyone!

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Roundup for Weekly Geeks 2009-31

Before we get started with this week’s roundup, I’m happy to announce that Weekly Geeks has been nominated in three categories for Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW): Best Series or Feature, Best Challenge Host and Most Collaborative Blog. Last year, Dewey's blog won in two categories – Best Community Builder and Best Challenge Host. She did much more than host Weekly Geeks, this meme that a group of us have kept going in her honor since the first of the year. (For those who don’t know, Dewey died in November of last year.) We’re proud to be nominated and acknowledged as carrying on this part of her legacy. Thanks to all those who participate in this unique meme!

The short list for BBAW will be announced September 7th and voting will take place between the 7th and the 12th. Be sure to check the BBAW website after the 7th and vote for your favorite blogs!

Now back to your regularly scheduled blog program. Last week’s Geek exploration was about Second Chances: Becky asked if we’d given up on a book (or movie or music) only to discover that it’s “lovelier the second time around.” (OK, I’m dating myself with Frank Sinatra songs.) Or have you contemplated giving a book or author a second chance? And if not, she challenged us to do so. Says Becky: “It is just very interesting to me how time can change tastes and perceptions. How subjective the reading experience is and always will be.”

There were a variety of responses to this challenge.

• Maree found Margaret Atwood’s The Blind Assassin well worth a second read “…because there's always more to find..” Gautami gave up on The Blind Assassin at first, but then picked it up again after six months and now considers it one of her best reads to date. (Edited 8/22/09 after getting it so wrong!)
  

• another cookie crumbles finds it miraculous that she talks “about Anne Enright, Salman Rushdie and JK Rowling in the same post.” She’s given up on one of these and embraced the others after a second look. You’ll have to read her post to find out who and why!

• The Lord of the Rings showed up in several posts: Lahni at Nose in a Book went from being unable to finish it the first time to having it make her top ten favorites list. Kim at Page after Page thinks she’ll give the trilogy another try next year.

• One genre that showed up in several posts was the classics. Melissa hasn’t broken out in hives yet rereading The Grapes of Wrath. Michelle had a more negative reaction to Gone with the Wind on a second read; her life experience affected how she felt about it. She’s curious what her reaction will be the next time she reads it.
  

• Classics guilt (which many of us suffer from!) drove Coversgirl to give Dickens a second chance after her inability to get past the first page earlier in her life. Now she “can foresee a lifelong literary love ... proving that stubbornness pays off.” Suey tried Dickens’ Great Expectations again after experiencing an 8th grade nightmare. "I felt very sorry for my 8th grade self and all that she missed during that foggy first reading," says Suey. Now Great Expectations is one of her alltime favorites.

• Some contemporary authors have come under the axe: Tricia has decided to try Atonement by Ian McEwan again; maybe she’ll have the same experience as Care did and come to love it.

• Gigi blogged about Alice Hoffman. “She's an author I'm forever giving another chance to - not always with good results.”

• After a 2-year hiatus Ali is finishing A Prayer for Owen Meany. Here's her Twitter message:

  Went to bkstore to buy #Owenmeany. Reread a few pages & couldn't do it. ... I'd forgotten how Owen grated on me. I can hear his voice all too well and it's like fingernails on a chalkboard.

  And though Ali came to like it, she’s not inclined to give John Irving another try.
  

Great responses, Geeksters! I wonder what Ruth has in store for us tomorrow!
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Weekly Geeks 2009-31 (Second Chances)

Second Chances

There have been times in my life where I reread a book (or author) I hated--or thought I hated--but the second time around ended up loving. Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever changed your mind about a book or author the second time around? Have you ever given a book or author a second chance?

If you have, I'd love to hear your stories. Blog about your experience(s) in giving second chances.

If you haven't, I'd like you to consider giving a book or an author a second chance. You can blog about your intentions to do so--or if you're a quick reader, maybe you can even squeeze something in!

Can't think of a single book or author? Don't worry, you can stretch this one to include movies or music if you prefer.

It is just very interesting to me how time can change tastes and perceptions. How subjective the reading experience is and always will be.

Leave your answers (links) in the comments!

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Round-up for WG 2009-30

This week’s Weekly Geek was very mysterious. Kristen and Chris challenged us to talk about favorite mysteries and detectives, or to even create a TV show or movie from a favorite mystery story or character. Here are a few of this week’s Geeks:

Gautami tripathy talked about all the mysteries she has loved.

Kerrie created a beautiful Wordle.

CoversGirl traces her love of mysteries back to Nancy Drew.

Rikki focused on Lord Peter Wimsey.

As usual, a big thank you to all of our participants!

Also, if you haven’t already heard, there are two upcoming events in the world of book bloggers:

Book Blogger Appreciation Week will be September 14-18.

The autumn 2009 Read-a Thon will be October 24-25.

Check out their websites for details on both of these fabulous events!

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Weekly Geeks 2009-30

It's a mystery!

1."Do you love a little suspense in your life? Have you ever read a book that keeps you twisting and turning until the last page? Tell us about it (but not too much , we want to be left hanging ourselves). Or maybe there is a series of mysteries that you adore. Why do you keep reading about the same detectives?"***

2. To expand on that a little: the new TV series Castle revolves around a popular mystery writer. There's even talk that a novel will be published supposedly written by Castle himself. TV and books will muddy the entertainment waters once again. I think we all know of the Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes series on PBS and BBC as well. Not to mention the new movie Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law will open December 25, 2009. Looks pretty exciting!

If you were to be given special TV or movie producing powers, which mystery novel character(s) would you create a TV series or movie for? Who would you cast in the major roles?

You can:

Get creative and post photos of the cast, even the locations you'd love to see them in. If you're really feeling artsy, create a fake imbd page on your blog or make a trailer for your fantasy show.

Have fun!

*** This week's idea came from Kristen: Bookworm Kristen. Thanks! Remember anyone can send Weekly Geek ideas to us through the Contact Us page.

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