Monday 31 August 2009

Da Surname Meme

The wonderful Nathan Shumate, editor of Arkham Tales has tagged me in a most wonderful meme that proves I do have a lot of books on my shelf and leaves me thankful I don't have a really weird, long name. Here be the rules....

From the biggest bookcase you have, pick out one book whose author’s last name starts with each letter of your last name. If you have no books by an author whose last name starts with a particular letter, go to the next letter. If you have two of the same letter in your last name, get two separate authors, not two books by the same author. Bonus: If you can, pick the first book you haven’t read off your shelf, unless you’re one of those people who’s read all the books you own.

- Post the first sentence of each book, along with the author and title. Feel free to skip prefaces and such, especially if they’re by a different writer.


***


I expect you might think the story I am about to tell you is untrue or perversely Gothic in some unhealthy way. (Love Curse of the Rumbaughs by Jack Gantos - read and most truly a brilliant book).

So she tells me, the words dribbling out with the cranberry muffin crumbs, commas dunked in her coffee. (Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - read and loved).

My mother used to tell me about the ocean. (The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan - excellent, sequel now please).

Peter Trilling watched quietly as the other children played in the dust by the side of the porch. (The Cosmic Puppets by Philip K. Dick - memorable).

Maybe if he had one more drink they'd leave him alone. (The Twelve by Stuart Neville - to be read).

And out of the Darkwood Mr Toppit comes, and he comes not for you, or for me, but for all of us. (Mr Toppit by Charles Elton - to be read).

The pipe under the sink was leaking again. (The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan - can't wait for the sequel).

***

And I tag: Aaron Polson, Carrie Harris (who can make hers up if she wants and do a super twist on it), Jamie Eyberg, and if he has the time, Barry Napier (to wake him up).

10 comments:

Jamie Eyberg said...

Thank god my name isn't any longer.

Kimbra Kasch said...

Very fun! I loved reading the first lines. Thanks for this post.

K.C. Shaw said...

Fun meme! It would be hard for people with last names like Kuchenbrugger or whatever. :)

I really want to read The Demon's Lexicon. I read the first chapter online and liked it a lot. Maybe I'll pick up a copy this weekend.

Cate Gardner said...

Jamie, Your Y would bother me...

Kim, KC, I wish now I'd added you to the tag list as your surnames are delightfully short.

Laura Eno said...

Fun! Once again, I'm thankful for a short name.

Carrie Harris said...

Of course, now that you said I CAN make it up, you realize that means I NEED to make it up. :)

Unknown said...

That's a genius line from wintergirls.

Katey said...

The Forest of Hands and Teeth is so on my to-buy list. Man.

Fun meme!

Aaron Polson said...

I like tag. I like this meme.

Danielle Birch said...

Great Meme. I've read The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs, it was most interesting and I enjoyed.