The Lit Bit

Borrowed from The Observer by way of Dick Jones' Patteran Pages

1. The Bible or Shakespeare?
   Can't choose. According to some authorities, Shakespeare had a hand in translating the King James' Version, so I could have my cake and eat it too. I'll confess that I have probably read more of the Bible than I have Shakespeare, but it's darn close.
2. A word you like
   Pontificate
3. Most romantic moment in fiction
   When Gatsby first sees Daisy.
4. Overrated writer
   Pick a name from the top five on the bestseller list. Odds are, that person is overrated.
5. Favorite Translation
   Merwin's translation of Neruda's 20 Love Poems was my introduction to that poet's work. I also deeply love Stephen Mitchell's Full Woman, Fleshly Apple, Hot Moon
6. Best meal in English Literature
   Robert Parker's "Spenser" series probably doesn't count as great literature, but the meals he describes are exquisite. I've often thought someone should produce a "Spenser" cookbook.
7. Underrated writer
   No one comes immediately to mind.
8. Favorite Children's Book
   The Runaway Bunny
9. Book(s) by your bedside right now
   Mirrormask, Neil Gaiman & Dave McKean
   Four Dubliners, Richard Ellman
   Benedict's Dharma, Norman Fischer
   Red Dirt Marijuana, Terry Southern
   There's also two translations of the Bible (NAB and NRSV), and the Book of Common Prayer. And a Forward Day by Day.
10. Sexiest Book
    Don't know if we're talking eros, which would be covered by any of Colette's books, or if we're speaking of SEX. If the latter, any of Henry Miller's Tropic series or The Rosy Crucifixion will do. If we're talking PORN, then Miller's Opus Pistorum (aka, Under the Roofs of Paris) will do quite nicely.