Sunday, June 1, 2008

Tagged?!?!? Orbis Terrarum and 123 Page Memes

So, I guess I was only officially tagged for the 123 Page meme, but I wanted to participate in the Orbis Terrarum meme as well since I'm loving the challenge so much.

First, if you are participating in Bethany's Orbis Terrarum Challenge, pop over HERE to participate in her fun meme.

1.) What country do you always go back to in your travels (not just while reading for OT)?

It seems that the country I read most from (outside the US) is the United Kingdom--particularly England. Although last year I traveled a lot to the Middle East (Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey) and this year I've been to Africa and will continue to go back (Sierra Leone, Sudan, Nigeria). Maybe next year I'll focus on Asia and Russia!

2.) If you could visit 4 of the countries you have read about in your life (that you haven't been to yet), which would they be and why?

Holland - Anne Frank Remembered (Gies)
India - Midnight's Children (Rushdie); Eat, Pray, Love (Gilbert)
New Zealand - The Bone People (Hulme)
Eastern Europe - The Historian (Kostavos)

3.) Have you ever dreamed about a country you have read about, that you have never actually traveled to- except in your dreams?

I don't remember a whole lot of my dreams, but the other night, while in the middle of Anne Frank Remembered, I had horrible dreams about hiding people and being caught by the Nazi's. The only other thing is that while in grad school, I would fall asleep while reading but be dreaming that I was still reading--very freaky!

4.) In what ways has reading about different countries opened up your perspective about global issues?

I think that I haven't really ventured out of my comfort zone until recently, so I am just starting to discover these global issues through reading (versus other media like the news). Reading these books has certainly helped me not be so ethnocentric and has helped me be aware of some of the things that are happening in other cultures/countries. The thing that reading gives me to that the news doesn't, is for a minute (or few days), I can see what is really going on not just at the forefront, but also in individual people's lives--how these events are really affecting people.

5.) What countries have you felt your judgment was off about-after reading about that nation?

I can't claim to be completely judgment free, but I try try try not to be. If anything the books help me understand a little more.

6.) Which is your favourite book that you would recommend for this challenge (you don't have to have read it during the challenge)?

I really liked The House of the Spirits by Allende and The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Kundras.

7.) I am thinking about hosting again, for a full year next time starting in January, do you have any constructive criticism, is one book a month about right...more? less? Give me some thoughts.

I like the shorter challenges better. If I have 12 books on my list I tend to get a little bored and antsy. But for you, Bethany my dear, I will do a 12 month-12 book challenge if I have to. :)

8.) Anything else that you have been wanting to tell us all about? let us have it!

You've been a great hostess and I love your enthusiasm! AND I love the map you periodically put up showing our progress!
***********************************************************************************
I was tagged by Valentina for the 1 2 3 Pages Meme:

1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people, and acknowledge who tagged you.

Anne Frank: The Diary of Young Girl (yay...picked it up yesterday! Can't wait to read)

"Still, I wouldn't dream of pointing out to Mummy that, in the case of her daughters, it isn't at all as she imagines, because she would be utterly amazed and wouldn't know how to change anyway; I want to save her the unhappiness it would cause her, especially as I know that for me everything would remain the same anyway.
Mummy certainly feels that Margot loves her much more than I do, but she thinks that this just goes in phases! Margot has grown so sweet; she seems quite different from what she used to be, isn't nearly so catty these days and is becoming a real friend."

Since I think I am the last person on the planet to actually do this meme, if you think YOU are the last person on the planet who hasn't...TAG YOU'RE IT! :)

Happy Sunday.

11 comments:

raidergirl3 said...

I would fall asleep while reading but be dreaming that I was still reading
Is this like how I dream I'm in the shower instead of actually getting up and getting ready in the morning?

I almost put New Zealand on my list for the exact same book.

Great answers, I'm loving this challenge too, and Bethany is hosting most excellently!

bethany (dreadlock girl) said...

I love your answers!!! I especially liked number 4. I feel the same way. The instant-media cannot take you to the place of caring-for-the-individual and family that a novel can, I feel that is my favourite part too...falling in love with the people of that nation, and feeling that I know itsy-bit more than before.

Thanks for answering the meme!!! Thanks for your input!!!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Raidergirl - I really wanted to put down Atlantic Canada--but technically I couldn't. :) Thought of you for that answer, though. When I was in grad school I dreamt all sorts of strange things--I wrote the most brillant term papers in my sleep. I guess at the time reading and writing were the things that were always on my mind--awake or asleep.

*Bethany - To be honest, I don't think I had ever really thought about that question/answer until just now. But, for me, that is why I love reading [anything] so much--experiencing and seeing up close. Thanks for hosting such a great challenge!

katrina said...

I've dreamt that I was reading a book before - it was a nightmare as it was a book for university and when it got to the seminar I couldn't remember which parts where in the real book and which parts I had dreamt, very confusing...

Debi said...

I've been regretting not joining that challenge, so it's nice to hear she's thinking of hosting it again next year. ('Cause, yeah, I really need more challenges...lol.)

Bookfool said...

I've dreamed about reading or writing or writing songs and awakened with the lines still running through my head. It's kind of cool. I don't dream about reading while falling asleep reading, though! That's unique!

I'd do the meme, but I want to keep my book reviews up at the top of my page for a bit, so here you go:

"You pay me nothing, these rebels must have thought while filling the Scantron sheet with mockingly artistic designs, you get nothing in return." --from Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior. It's an interesting book.

Laura said...

If you do this challenge next year and focus on Asia and Russia, you can read The Brothers K! I don't know if you've read Dr. Zhivago, but that one is less intimidating.

I tend to stay in my comfort zone as well when reading, but I think I am getting a bit better about it these days. Thank you to the all the good challenges out there! :)

valentina said...

Thanks for playing:)
I loved the House of the Spirits too, it was my favourite book when I was a teenager.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Katrina - I've had that happen with books that I've had to read for class that I've also seen the movie of--there have been times where I couldn't remember which happened in what medium.

*Debi - It's been a great challenge and experience--I'm looking forward to continuing with it next year!

*Bookfool - It was more stress than anything--and not a very pleasant nap since I never woke up feeling as though I got a good break from the work I was doing. Pretty cool that you can still remember the lyrics when you wake up!

*Laura - Oh dear...Brothers K. I think eventually I'll have to read it. I don't know why I haven't read a lot (any) of Russian literature, but I'd really like to. I love how challenges really stretch my reading as well! Glad you've joined me. :)

*Valentina - I didn't read House of Spirits until in college, but it is one that I'd like to re-read someday. Have you read any of her other works?

Ana S. said...

"The only other thing is that while in grad school, I would fall asleep while reading but be dreaming that I was still reading"

This has happened to me as well, lol. Then I'd wake up and be disappointed that I hadn't actually done any progress.

I like this meme! I think I'm gonna do it later on.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Nymeth - No progress and no real rest! I had a little bit of that this weekend when I was reading Something Wicked This Way Comes--falling asleep while reading and dreaming that I was still reading the book. I'm not quite sure what that means...? :)