In response to all the “book reading memes” with which I am continually tagged, a new book reading meme:
1. Open the book you’re currently reading to page 133.
2. Read the fourth line on the page.
3. Put the book back where it had been resting.
4. Tell no one of what it was you just did.
5. Think of five friends to tag with this meme.
6. Do not actually tag them. They are busy and have lives.
7. Go about your life as if nothing has happened.
8. Carry the secret of this meme to your grave.
I’m reading this book now called “The Lost Colony” by John Scalvi. I’m not up to page 133 yet though
Wow, that was easy!
Currently reading the new Neal Stephenson novella Anathem, not up to page 133 on it either, but so far it’s interesting.
oh and.
<== does not follow directions.
I do believe #1 and #3 may have just tagged you with your own archived meme, John. Whoa.
“I just cried and cried.”
Page 133, line 4 of what I’m reading.
… but then how will I be able to demonstrate my clear intellectual superiority over those who I know, and (more importantly) those who I don’t know??!!!?!
I’m currently reading Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready. I’ll be sure to pay special attention to that page when I get to it.
It’s funny that you posted about memes today because I was thinking this morning about a book where Dean Koontz talks about memes and doesn’t seem to understand them. Or at least his characters don’t, which could of course be entirely different.
“Being the optimist that I am, I brought along my overnight bag and condoms.”
(I’m not good at following instructions either…)
“I trust you haven’t let the old ones loose in any unreliable places.”
(I wasn’t going to do it, but it seemed such a… fascinating follow-on to John H’s.)
“Montag,” the TV set said, and lit up. “M-O-N-T-A-
Sorry, I’m not very good at the whole keeping things to myself thing.
“DO NOT LOITER”
Yeah, it’s in caps too… Of course, I’m reading Stand on Zanzibar right now, so I’m sure that with a different combination of page/line you could find something REALLY interesting…
“Olivia, half fainting, saw the ape heaving, thrashing, and writhing, gripping, manlike, the hilt that jutted from its body.”
Thank you Mr. Scalzi, and thanks to Mr. Howard’s shade. Now I will not worry about abusing commas for the rest of the day.
It’s a trick! If enough people post the lines here, he can collect them and write a book out of the lines!
It’s a trick! If enough people post the lines here, he can collect them and write a book out of the lines!
Hey, it worked for the Dead Sea Scrolls…
Carry it to your grave literally and have it engraved on your grave marker. Forget the inspiring quotes, let your descendants ponder purple prose from a forgotten writer.
Last night, I randomly placed my bookmark in the new novel that I was planning to start reading today.
It was placed at page 133! Dun Dun Daaaa!
The Ghost Brigades
Page 133
Fourth line
“Don’t cream yourself.”
When did the word “meme” come to mean “Stupid quiz or list of mindless activities.”?
Now that we know Scalzi attaches special significance to line four of page 133 – so special he wants you to read line 4 of page one-hundred-thirty-three but doesn’t trust your friends with the information either of what you read or that they should be assiduously checking out the fourth lines of the hundred-thirty-third pages of books, it all becomes clear:
John Scalzi has a hidden message, just for us, on the 4th line of the 133rd page(s) of one or more of his books.
I call for a dedicated exegesis!
(Also, some numerology, with that whole 4 and 133 thing …)
Missed this the first time through, and find it incredibly funny now. Thanks for the repost.
@19: I’ve wondered that as well. One thing that annoys me about the web is how it re-purposes perfectly useful words in useless and redundant ways.
So many folks are not following instruction 4 that I feel I must counterbalance it by not following instructions 1 and 2.
I have followed all of the instructions except the last. I hope that I won’t have the opportunity to do the last one for many years.
Actually, my plans for cremation mean I’ll never follow the last instruction. Sorry to let you down, John.
jeff o @1 – hey I’m reading that too! The following is barely a spoiler at all:
“Why?”
GuotiGuitarGoittorrezJones said. “I don’t understand. What are you showing us?”I think Scalvi needs an editor.
Error: Read past EOF on line 2.
Well, that’s what happens when a) you’re taking a programming course, and b) you’re re-reading the rules of a game you referee.
#6: Hmmm. I’m reading this at work because I can’t get started after my vacation. I, apparently, have all the time in the world, and appear to not be busy at all.
I can pretty much respond to any meme you send, including the “an internet meme is not a meme” meme.
I saw this at http://prairieprogressive.com and had to take a look. I love it.