Day 24 - A book that you wish more people would’ve read

Although a similar plot, vastly superior to Pride and Prejudice. 

Day 19 - Favourite book turned into a movie

The Lord of the Rings because I love both the books and the movies. Although the films aren’t strictly faithful representations I think they are as close as you could ever get to a faithful adaptation and they are simply great films with a great legacy.

Day 17 - Favourite quote from your favourite book

“A story was a form of telepathy. By means of inking symbols onto a page, she was able to send thoughts and feelings from her mind to her reader’s. It was a magical process, so commonsplace that no one stopped to wonder at it.” 

Ian McEwan, Atonement 

Day 16 - Favourite female character

I’m afraid it would have to be Claire Fraser, from Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander (groan, I know, I know).

I don’t like Claire because she is the female lead who ends up with the male lead, I don’t particularly like Claire because she is pretty, intelligent and witty (although these are plus points, but they can be found in almost any female character). I like Claire because she is flawed. She is stubborn, often stupidly so, she swears (a lot), she thinks she knows best all the time and she is selfish. I feel that I can relate to Claire a lot more than other female characters because she is so flawed and so real. But, she is also strong, adaptable and resilient - qualities that I think are admirable and that everyone should aim for. In essence, she is very real in her failings but also gives you something to strive for. A character that you can admire, relate to and also learn from.

Day 15 - Favourite male character

What, ever? This changes pretty much every week. There are some characters that I am overly attached to though. My favourite of the male persuasion is probably, Dilly (the dinosaur) from Tony Bradman’s Dilly the Dinosaur series. Ok, weird choice I know, but stick with me.

I loved him as a child, I thought he was brilliant with his 150-mile-per-hour super-screams. Dilly might seem an unlikely hero, forever getting into trouble, but most of it was an accident and as a child, I could completely relate. The reason I think he is my favourite male character (although, I’m not sure he is, but I’m not sure who else is, either) is that he has stuck with me since childhood. I can still quote Dilly and I came across one of his books the other day and still enjoyed it. What more could you ask for in a character, than to stick with you from childhood?

Day 14 - Favourite book of your favourite writer

A book of short stories, each and everyone is brilliant. 

Day 13 - Your favourite writer

Adore Ian McEwan and his books. Especially his short stories. A lot of people find him quite boring, I am aware of this, but I find him fascinating and intriguing and his short stories are, quite plainly, twisted and I love it. Also look out for On Chesil Beach his novella that is being turned into a film with Carey Mulligan

Day 12 - A book you used to love but don’t anymore

This is quite a strange question to ask in my opinion, and I found it quite difficult to answer. I decided upon The Chronicles of Narnia (as a set) as I used to adore them when I was younger, as well as the t.v. series that my older sister had on video. However, while I still like them as books and the films are fairly enjoyable (I know, I’m a bit strange) re-reading them as an adult is a bit heavy going once you are aware of the really quite heavy Christian overtones and parallels within the books. As a child I was blissfully unaware of these and I would still encourage people to read them.

Day 10 - Favourite classic book

Are we allowing modern classics? If so then I stick by my above, if not then my reserve is below. Tough, tough, question.