I haven’t yet been tagged in the book meme going around St. Blog’s Parish, but the questions about books interested me, an inveterate reader, so I figured I’d leap into the fray untagged.
- Total books owned: Likely in the thousands. Every few years, I tend to collect enough to open a used bookstore in my house. I purge them by donating to libraries or used bookstores, and then the vicious cycle starts again. My name is Michelle and I’m a bookaholic.
- Last book purchased: We Have a Pope!, an upcoming biography of Pope Benedict XVI by Matthew Bunson. I bought it through Catholic Answers and am eagerly anticipating receiving a copy when the shipment arrives. <Commercial>If you want to purchase a copy, too, GO HERE.</commercial>
- Last book read: Benedict XVI by John L. Allen Jr. Although some of Allen’s later books, such as Conclave and All the Pope’s Men, are very good, I understand now why Allen himself thinks this book (originally written when the Pope was Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger) is not one of his best. It is not so much a biography of the Holy Father but uses him as a pretext to discuss Allen’s own liberal views. Allen said recently that he wished he had been able to write new material to preface the U.S. edition of the book, but did not have the opportunity. Apparently, though, the U.K. publisher did allow for a new preface.
- Five books that mean a lot to me: The Bible (natch), God Help Me! These People Are Driving Me Nuts by Gregory K. Popcak (very helpful), Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Karl Keating (first Catholic book I read), Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer (favorite romance novel), Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (favorite book growing up).
- Tagging: Since I wasn’t tagged myself, I won’t tag another blogger; but feel free to answer one or more of the questions in the comments box. Consider yourself tagged, if you like.
(Nod to Selkie for inspiration to do the St. Blog’s Book Meme.)
