Whatever that is.
1) Total number of books I’ve owned:
The last time I moved I had about 45 cases of books. I have the equivalent of 7-1/2 floor-to-ceiling Ikea bookcases some of which have more books in them as they are two layers deep. I would guess about 1500 or so books.
2) The last book I bought:
Today, St. Augustine’s Confessions, in an abridged version (which I found out only after I bought it). I’ve been working with a group who together are translating it as a Latin exercise. It’s quite difficult later Latin but fun to translate.
3) The last book I read:
A book by my Columbia University faculty advisor and Dean of the College Peter Pouncey, “Rules for Old Men Waiting”. It’s his first novel and quite interesting.
4) Five books that mean a lot to me (in no particular order):
The American Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer. My first exposure to Anglicanism and much better than either Common Worship or the Alternative Service Book.
Isaac Asimov’s biography, “In Memory Yet Green” and “In Joy Still Felt”. Interesting and voluminous 2-volume autobiography covering about 57 years. It goes to show you what keeping a diary can do for your memoirs.
The Bible. Sorry, folks, but there it is.
Hitchhiking to Heaven, by Lionel Blue. His fuller autobiography. He is an openly gay Rabbi here in the UK who is retired but often appears on Radio 4’s Thought for the Day. He is funny, poignant, and a role model in that his faith is constantly tested and he is constantly seeking transcendence in everything and everyone. He’s one of my heroes.
The Cornish Trilogy by Robertson Davies. He was a very funny Canadian author. The first book in the trilogy includes a character who reminds me very much of a friend of mine from the seminary (who is now dead). He was not the scoundrel that Davies’ character was but the character’s mannerisms and views on life remind me of Richard very much.
5) Tag five people and have them fill this out in their LJs
On second thought, let me tag one person, spwebdesign. He gets what he asked for!
A book by my Columbia University faculty advisor and Dean of the College Peter Pouncey, “Rules for Old Men Waiting”. It’s his first novel and quite interesting.
Holy corn-eating Thucydides! Pouncey was your adviser?!? He was the president of Amherst College while I was there! I love his dry humor! Damn, this is a small world! 🙂 I’ll have to check this novel out.
5) Tag five people and have them fill this out in their LJs
Um, I think I’ll skip this one.
Bummer! I’ve been waiting for someone to tag me in this meme.
Yes, Pouncey was my faculty advisor 1970-1972. He was a dry witted young Brit in the Classics department. In 1972 he became Dean of Columbia College and his signature is on my diploma (I know it was a signature machine, bt what the hell…)
Anyway, don’t bother to buy the book; I have it so when you get here you can read it if you have time.
OK, you want to be tagged?? Read the article again…
Or, on second thought, buy it as it will help support a retired Classics scholar…