Friday, May 09, 2008

Finally, part 2

Sandy tagged me April 11. And even though I have a pile of good reads on my nightstand none of them have anything good on page 123. I spied a book on my bookshelf yesterday and I decided that I was using it no matter what because I want other people to know about this book and because pulling it off the shelf will inspire me to read it again.

The book is The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien.

I've mentioned here before that my dad left for Vietnam when I was a week old. In college I took a semester-long colloquium on Vietnam in film and literature, and I was introduced to this book. That spring I was privileged to meet the author, who had come to my school for a literary conference. He was amazing.

And here is the meme:
Pick up the nearest book of at least 123 pages.
Open the book to page 123.
Find the 5th sentence.
Post the next 3 sentences.
Tag 5 people.

"Try to tell them about it, they'll just stare at you with those big round candy eyes. They won't understand zip. It's like trying to tell someone what chocolate tastes like."

Thanks, Sandy, for putting me back in touch with a dear old friend.

I tag Ava and Nancy.

7 comments:

  1. I remember reading that book back in college :)

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  2. I read the book in a Vietman literature class [about it; not from it] and was SO disappointed to learn he made it all up--especially about his daughter. I mean I knew it was fiction, but I didn't want it to be.

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  3. I used to teach excerpts from this book to my American Studies students. It's powerful, huh?

    Thanks for playing.

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  4. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! ((hug))

    I'm intrigued by this book and think I need to read it. I'm at work...I'll see what the closest book is and play along. *warning* It could put you to sleep =P

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  5. Okay...I realize you didn't tag ME...but I'm playing anyway. Because I'm like that.

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  6. You have set the bar pretty high. I shall do my best.

    Ava

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  7. I am with Ava on this one. I will try to find something worthy.

    nancy

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