Friday, February 8, 2013

Friday Five



It's Friday, so today I want you to name five books you'd want to have if you knew you were going to wind up on a desert island. Also, why would you choose said books?

My impromptu picks:

1. War and Peace. One book I've never even picked up, it's long, and I would be able to tell people that "Yes, I have read War and Peace." Provided I ever got off the island.

2. The Hobbit. I tried reading this one many moons ago when I was in high school. I wanted to read it because I had always considered it to be the pre-cursor to Dungeons and Dragons. Back then, I don't think I had quite the appreciation for Tolkien's work, or writing in general, for that matter. I wonder if I'd think different today?

3. A compilation of the Myth Series novels, by Robert Aspirin. Something I could read over and over again. The imagination and originality put into these books never gets old and the subtle humor is awesome.

4.  Any Sherlock Holmes book. Preferably a compilation of stories or, barring that, The Hound of the Baskervilles. Because....well.....Sherlock Holmes...

5. The Jon Carter of Mars series. You can never go wrong with old-school sci-fi.

The practical, 'be prepared' side of me would say How to Stay Alive in the Woods....but, then, that wouldn't be too much fun now, would it? ;)




Fridays (now) also mean a post for something I've just joined....

The Healthy Writer's Club, hosted by Shallee McArthur.



It's a way to highlight how, as writers,we're also trying to stay in good physical shape. As writers/bloggers, a lot of us spend a lot of time sitting on our rump roasts behind a computer. The HWC encourages us to mention a little of how we've been trying to lead a healthier lifestyle.

To be honest, I haven't made much progress in this area. My good intentions to get back to our home gym has, pretty much, fallen flat. It's never too late, though.

On a more positive note, though, I've been pretty active on MyFitnessPal. Keeping track of what I eat and counting my calories has really been an eye opening experience. Into how much I'm actually eating, as well as making me think more about just what it is I'm putting into my body. I'd recommend it to anyone as a great starting point on the road to getting fit.

My link is under the "Other Social Places" tab of this blog if you're looking for more pals.

I hope you all have a fit Friday and a fun, relaxing, weekend.


22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well for a start I would like to have Cassastar and CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh my own two Negative V. Positive and Written from the Heart to remind me of what I had achieved and a self help book by Paul McKenna .
Yvonne.

M.J. Fifield said...

Even though I am a fantasy writing English teacher, I struggled for years to get through the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I didn't manage it until I spent a month in Russia and read them out of desperation because I was surrounded by Cyrillic and couldn't read it that well. LOTR was the only thing around in English.

As for books I'd bring with me to my desert island, I'd have to say I need to think long and hard about this question, but I like your War & Peace idea.

jaybird said...

Mark- I think you are my brother from another mother. I'm with you on the Hobbit and Sherlock Holmes picks. I would have to bring them with me, for sure.

And a Healthy Writers Club? I love that idea. I do spend an unusually long time sitting on my giant arse in front of the computer. But tomorrow- I'm going back to the gym. (I've been promising/saying that to myself every single day, for two years now) LOL

Tyrean Martinson said...

Nice picks for the desert island, although I would forgo War and Peace.
I would choose: The Bible, The Hobbit, Ender's Game, The Narnia series (hey, they do come in single huge books), and, hmm . . .it's the fifth slot that's giving me trouble. there are too many good books.

Best of wishes with your fitness goals!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Nice picks for the desert island, although I would forgo War and Peace.
I would choose: The Bible, The Hobbit, Ender's Game, The Narnia series (hey, they do come in single huge books), and, hmm . . .it's the fifth slot that's giving me trouble. there are too many good books.

Best of wishes with your fitness goals!

Mark Means said...

@Yvonne: Great picks! Especially your own works to remind you of your achievements. The Cassa books would also be worth taking, no doubt :)

@M.J.: I couldn't get past book two in the LotR trilogy....which, sort of, explains why I'm not a huge fan of the movies (sacrilege, I know)

@jaybird: Ha! Maybe 'birds of a feather'? (no pun intended :) ) Oh yeah, if you're interested in fitness, give it a look. I have a linky on my sidebar. For me, the more I talk/write about it, the more apt I'll be to actually -do- something....'cause I need it! :)

@Tyrean: Actually, The Bible was one I was heavily considering, too. I've read "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" many, many, many, years ago, but could stand to read it again as well as the other books in the series. Thank you, I'm going to need those good wishes :)

Unknown said...

Hi! I'm not much for religion but do love to get lost in a great story. I think I would take "Broken for You" by Stephanie Kallos, "The Liars Club" by Mary Karr "The Hunger Games" and maybe some Mary Oliver poetry...

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Most people consume way more calories than they should because they just don't realize what they are eating.
I'd have to think about five books, but I know one would be my Bible.

Mark Means said...

@Juliet: Sounds like some great picks and I think poetry would be soothing...especially on a desert island :)

@Alex: Exactly! I've become infinitely more aware of that since doing MyFitnessPal...I never realized eggs had so many calories. Yes, the Good Book seems to be a solid choice, and with good reason.

Mark Koopmans said...

Hey Mark,

Interesting question, so let's see... on the fly I would choose

THE STAND and IT by Stephen King;

GONE, BABY GONE by Dennis Lehane (*love* him in a non-biblical way:)

WESLEY THE OWL by Stacey O'Brien;

WINSTON CHURCHILL by Robert Taylor

BEYOND BAND OF BROTHERS (the war memoirs of Maj. Dick Winters

Golden Eagle said...

I totally second The Hobbit and Sherlock Holmes. :)

I'm currently reading the first book in the John Carter series. I love SF from that time period--the future and space were viewed so differently.

Tammy Theriault said...

Since I started blogging and writing, my gym days are so few, but running hasnt stopped...try that!

Mark Means said...

@Golden Eagle: Ditto on Jon Carter. After I saw the movie, I became interested in finding out more and found them (for free!) on Kindle. I'm slowly getting through them and enjoying them

@Tammy: Heh, I'm not a runner anymore...my shins can't handle it. I'll stick to the weights :)

Jeremy [Retro] said...

Would you be interested in being a "Minion" for me and the "A to Z Challenge"... let me know.

If one of my other Co-Host have not snagged you up yet?

Jeremy [Retro]
AtoZ Challenge Co-Host
Oh No, Let's Go... Crazy
jeremy@jmhdigital.com

Nick Wilford said...

I managed to digest the Hobbit pretty easily as a young kid but didn't manage to get through Lord of the Rings until I was about 17. Even then it took a year. So yeah, War and Peace is on the bucket list... but it might take a desert island!

Apart from that I'd have to bring something by Terry Pratchett. The problem would be picking which one.

Sherry Ellis said...

The Hobbit would be a great book to read on an island! So would any Sherlock Holmes book.

Mark Means said...

@Mark: Sorry, I think I left you out of the last batch of answers. Maybe I thought I was talking to myself? :D Anyway, I'm still in the middle of The Stand...after I don't know how many years. I started reading it after the miniseries came out, if that tells you anything. It's a huge book and would be great if you had an extended time to read. I'll have to check out your other selections, too...they sound interesting.

@Jermey: Sure thing....I left you a reply on your blog so hit me up with the info when you get it :)

@Nick: I've never read anything by Pratchett, but have heard nothing but great things. I'll have to rectify that sometime soon.

@Sherry: Definitely agree! :)

Jeremy [Retro] said...

Please email... I will give you the plan/details?

Thank You!
Jeremy [Retro]
AtoZ Challenge Co-Host
jeremy@jmhdigital.com

Morgan said...

Love your perspective----YES, it's never too late! Proud of you--keep it going!

And five books? Definitely the first five books in the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. *dies* They're sooooooo good... I could reread them on a desert island for the rest of my life...

Fun post. :)

Mark Means said...

Thanks Morgan...since I'm not getting any younger, I have to do what I can to fend off Father Time :)

I've never heard of this series....I'll have to look them up.

Thanks!

Shallee said...

Welcome to the Healthy Writers Club! I think being aware of what you're putting in your body is a huge and important step to being healthy. Looks like you're on the right track!

Mark Means said...

Thank you, Shallee and I'm hoping this will help keep me on that track! :)

Great program, by the way!

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