The Spoopy Memes Book Tag (v.2): Funny & October-ish

I found a really fun book tag created by the wonderfully witty Emily: The Spoopy Memes Book Tag (v.2). Thanks to Caffeine and Books and Kristin Kraves Books, who helped me discover my first Book Tag.

Rules:

• Link back to Emily’s blog.
• Use the banner if you want, and don’t forget to copy the memes for each question!
• There’s an older version of the tag too which you can try out!

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Name a character that keeps repeating the same mistakes, despite having multiple opportunities to prevent them

That’s got to be Bertie Wooster from the Jeeves and Wooster Series by P.G. Wodehouse. You’d think Bertie will reform from his harum-scarum ways, but that really never happens. What would he do without Jeeves, really?

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Name a book where the characters got their just desserts

Both Fernand Mondego and Danglars receive their “just desserts” at the end of The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas. This is one of the finest revenge plot stories ever written.

“How did I escape? With difficulty. How did I plan this moment? With pleasure.”

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Name a book that tries to put a positive spin on something terrible

If you’re looking for glass half-full people, look at the Stoics. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius and Letters from a Stoic by Seneca. Well, they’re not precisely “optimistic”. It’s more about being indifferent to pain, pleasure, grief, or joy. You can’t control external events, but at least you can control your reaction to them — and there lies the art of dealing with all things terrible.

“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

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Name a book that delves into an existential topic

The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus still remains as mind-boggling as when it was written in 1942. Life is absurd and repetitive and meaningless (umm, hello, existential crisis). But you can overcome it by accepting it and then defiantly carrying on nevertheless. Very deep; let me know if you’re able to hack this.

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What trope or theme in a book do you really like that you don’t feel gets enough attention?

I really like identity amnesia tropes, and don’t think I’ve seen them much, except in Asian dramas. Not where they use amnesia as a hackneyed plot device to extend the middle parts, but where the test is whether you can remember. And if you can, do you even want to? Margery Allingham’s Traitor’s Purse and The Disillusionists Series by Carolyn Crane come to mind. But always on the look-out for recommendations!

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Name a character(s) whose humor is consistently under-appreciated by those around them

The odd impish Roger from The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf by Gerald Morris has a dry sort of wit and knowing-ness that always has the last word. Not Appreciated by his audience, let me tell you. In fact, all of Morris’s The Squire’s Tales series are excellent comic takes on the Arthurian Knights.

“I said you lie, knave!” shouted Beaumains, drawing his sword. “And for telling such craven falsehoods, you must die!”
The knight looked plaintively at Roger. “What’s wrong with this fellow?”
“He was dropped on his head when he was a baby,” answered Roger.”

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Name a book (or two or three) that has helped you get through this year

Georgette Heyer’s backlist is ever reliable to churn up laughs just when you want them. The Reluctant Widow for one-upmanship on droll retorts; The Convenient Marriage for two of the funniest, silliest young fops; and Frederica for the most adorable rapscallion who ever wanted to know about locomotives and parachutes. I could go on forever.

“Do you forget that I am your sister?”
“No; I’ve never been granted the opportunity to forget it.”

from Frederica by Georgette Heyer

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What are your plans for Halloween this year if you celebrate it? How do you plan on spending what’s left of October?

As if international events right now aren’t horror enough, I plan to wrap up Halloween with a Spooky Movie/ Show. Perhaps, some Korean zombie horror: Train to Busan or The Kingdom series on Netflix?

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