Alina tagged me last week and I finally had the time to think about some book-related firsts. Except I chose to go with an English version of the tag, for those who do not speak Romanian. And because I simply wanted to have this tag written in two languages on eLitere. Once you’re done reading this, tell us about your first books.
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The first book you‘ve read
I grew up with fairytales, either told by my grandparents or read by me. But, these aside… I’ll be honest, I don’t remember the title of the first book I’ve read. I think it was Mary Poppins și casa de alături (Mary Poppins and the House Next Door). I still have (and love) it. The story and the book itself are special to me and remind me of my childhood.
The first book series you’ve finished reading
I don’t like book series. I haven’t even finished The Chronicles of Narnia, despite the fact that I love The Magician’s Nephew and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. If it’s a series, chances are I will not start reading it, no matter how appealing the story seems to be. That being said, my answer here will be Harry Potter. It’s the first and only book series I’ve finished, but that happened only after I got my hands on all seven volumes.
The first book you’ve read in a day
Stephen King’s The Shining. I remember that day, I was supposed to be studying for an important exam. I regret nothing!
The first book you haven’t finished reading
I’ve finished all of them so far. Some were a waste of time, but I really can’t think of one I haven’t finished. I mean, even if it takes months, I eventually go back to the stories I start reading. I’m looking at you two: Shan Sa’s Jucătoarea de go (La Joueuse de go/ The Girl Who Played Go) and The Countess: A Novel of Elizabeth Bathory (a novel written by Rebecca Jones, translated as Elizabeth Bathory: Contesa sângeroasă).
The first book you’ve read and didn’t enjoy
I’ll go with Fetish by Tara Moss. I have no idea why I bought that book in the first place, but it happened. Fortunately, it’s not long, but I don’t recommend it.
The first book that made you cry
This one’s easy: Les Miserables (Victor Hugo). I posted a review on eLitere last year and I’m thinking about writing a new one, just for the book. It’s amazing!
The first book you’ve bought
There were three books I bought at the same time back when I was around eighteen years old: Promisiunea îngerului (Frederic Lenoir, Violette Gabesos), Tokio (Mo Hayder) and Dicționar de mitologie slavă (Ilie Danilov).
The first book you received as a gift
People don‘t give me books as gifts… pity. But someone, a friend and colleague, did offer me a book a couple of years ago: Amantul doamnei Chatterley (Lady Chatterley’s Lover by DH Lawrence). It wasn’t the first, but it’s the gift I remember right now.
Tag someone
That would be a long list. Let’s start with Mihaela, Vlad and Noexis.
by Elena Atudosiei
[…] First Book Tag October 28, 2015 […]
Now that’s a true book lover, I feel like a novice beside you, but I have a lifetime to read more than I did. I like the books you chose and I can’t wait to read the book review for “Les Miserables”, I only read From Victor Hugo “Notre Dame de Paris”. Btw, “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” is also on my reading list. This title haunted me a lot when I was a freshman.
My “to be read” list is so long you wouldn’t believe it. I’d say that you’ve read more than me, but different books. We complement each other, sis :).
Exactly, differences brought us together. I have no doubt that your list is very long. Mine too. :))
This is interesting, let’s see.
The first book you‘ve read
I guess I’ll go with my all time favorite, “The Ugly Duckling”. I had a tape, as well as a book with wonderful illustrations that I used to look over.
The first book series you’ve finished reading
It’s not hard to pinpoint this one. “Harry Potter” of course. Loved the series, the excitement of buying a new book and of course, the feeling that the series gave me that will never go away.
The first book you’ve read in a day
Hm, this one is a bit tricky, as I had a period when I couldn’t stop reading a book until I finished it. I’ll go with “A Clockwork Orange”, as I remember that day when I sat in the kitchen and couldn’t put it down.
The first book you haven’t finished reading
Unfortunately, I had quite a few. But one which I regret from not having read completely is “The Good Soldier Švejk” which I would like to go back to reading someday, providing I have the time and the money to afford all of the volumes.
The first book you’ve read and didn’t enjoy
“Crime and Punishment” all the way. That book gave me a lot of nightmares and a really bad state of mind. There’s just something about the anxiety presented there that seems too close to home.
The first book that made you cry
Because my mind is like a sieve, I can only recall the time I read “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince” for the first time and cried. Although I’m pretty sure there were other books before it.
The first book you’ve bought
I’m going to sound pretty repetitive right now. The first book I ever bought with my own money was “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”, because I thought I would finish it in a year but it took me two weeks and made me realize how wonderful reading can truly be.
The first book you received as a gift
Although I would like to say it was Vlad’s gift of “The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories”, there were plenty others before it, like “The Happy Prince and Other Stories”, “Puss in Boots and Other Stories” and many more followed. The first time I ever received books was from my mom back when I was eight. She bought me two books for my name day, “Thumbelina and Other Stories”, which I begged her to buy and “The Wizard of Oz”, a book that I enjoyed far more than I expected, finishing it in two days, which at that time seemed pretty amazing.
I’ll skip the tagging part and add that this was fun, brought back some pleasant memories. Thank you Elena and Alina Andreea. You gals are the best!
Thank you! :* After reading the last bit of your list, I feel like watching a Tim Burton film. And I remember now receiving a copy of “The Wizard of Oz” when I was a child. It’s from my parents; I still have it and I love that story.
Thank you, Mihaela, for answering this book tag and for your appreciative words! I wish you all the best and I miss reading something written by you. :*
Inspiring post. 🙂 I made my own list too: http://www.devikafernando.com/blog/first-book-tag-blog-post-game
Thank you for sharing it with us! 🙂
Thank you very much for sharing your answers to our post, Devika. 🙂