Fantasy fantasy bookshelf

Gosh, I suppose I would start with the Hobbit, then cheat with all three LOTR books.
What is the first book of fantasy on your fantasy bookshelf?

Biography bookshelf

Blogging from the train today.  Today we are building a biography shelf.  My first biography book would be Ernest Hemingway where I  found my all-time favorite quote: "A son of a bitch always follows the rules.
Who's bio would be first on your bookshelf?

Poetry bookshelf

Today's bookshelf will be poetry.

The first book on my poetry shelf is Near Changes by Mona Van Duyn.  The year that she won the Pulitzer and was named Poet Laureate she gave a reading at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival.  That was a long time ago, but it was an unforgettable experience to be in the audience for that reading. 

What is the first volume of poetry that you will place on your fantasy bookshelf?

Fantasy Fiction Bookshelf

This week, because I am going into marathon novel-writing mode, we're going to be building a fantasy bookcase.  Each day we will start one shelf. 

Because we are all highly organized individuals (wouldn’t that be nice?) each shelf of our fantasy bookcase will house one specific type of writing.  And our books will be arranged by shelf in order of preference.  Let’s begin with fiction. 

I have to start with Lady Chatterley's Lover. It was the first literary title that I picked up and read, not because I had to, but because I wanted to.  I remember thinking while I was reading, "I will never be able to read crappy writing again."  I credit that book with opening my eyes to good writing, so it has to go first on my fiction shelf.

What is the first fiction title that you will put on your bookshelf?

Fifth question...

Last question for the week.  We are asked and often discuss our favorite authors.  My question is who is your least favorite author and why?

I once threw a book across the room.  It was The Good Mother by Sue Miller.  The main character's daughter was possibly molested by her boyfriend.  As soon as the mother started to defend the boyfriend, I couldn't take it and threw the book.  I should probably go back and revisit that one.  I never read Sue Miller again.  I was young.

For a long time my least favorite author was Stephen King.  It had nothing to do with his writing.  I had only read two of his books, but for a time I worked in a book store.  We were constantly hauling and unpacking his books, and I came to dread his name.  I would love to hear your least favorite authors based on their writing alone.  I should probably rethink my own choices.

Question four...

For a writer, at least for this writer, a desk is a thing that can induce lust.  A beautiful desk with a large surface, just the right number of drawers, and a design that fits your writing style is a thing of beauty.

How many desks have you owned in your life?  You know exactly how many don’t you, because a desk is a magical thing.  Which was your favorite?

Third question...

Congratulations!  You have been awarded a literary prize.  Upon hearing these words, what literary prize would you choose to receive?  Or, I should say, other than the Nobel prize (we all want that), if you could receive any literary prize, what would it be?  I think I would like to win a Pulitzer.  It's such a lovely thing to say, "Pulitzer."  It sounds much better than "Pushcart," or "Mann-Booker," don't you think?