Doug got me involved in the book meme that's Everywhere! It's Everywhere!
Total number of books owned, ever: Wouldn't you worry just a little bit about someone who could definitively pick a number? Say.....37. Yep. I've owned 37 books in my life as an example. So, my answer, like everyone else, is lots and lots of books. Too many to count.
As far as collections, scattered throughout the compound somewhere here are boxes full of Reader's Digest Condensed books purchased in anticipation of building a huge library shelf in the basement some day. I grew up reading them and thought it would be fun to collect all of them. I'm missing probably the first 12 or something. If I can ever get them on a shelf so I can look at them and figure out what's missing, I'll start looking for the rest of them.
Last book I bought: Unspoken by Angela Hunt at Sam's Club last week. It belongs in the category of "might be interesting" paperbacks purchased so they can be thrown into luggage and easily carried on a future trip.
Last book I read: This is probably a tie between two Hewitt offerings, In, But Not Of: A Guide to Christian Ambition, (the most recent "car" book), and Blog: Understanding the Information Reformation That's Changing Your World, (the most recent "bathroom" book.) I don't remember which one I finished first.
Five Books that mean a lot to me:
The Bible: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.........
The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey: Don't laugh when you read the reviews. It was handed to me at just the right moment in my life. The most important things gleaned were just how very, very much God loves me just as I am, (still a mystery to me), and the role of prophecy in the Bible, (not that Hal had it right necessarily, but how much prophecy is there and why, etc.) I don't know what I'd think if I went back to read it now, but it was a case of right message, right time.
My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok: Potok tells the story of a young Hasidic Jew that is also a gifted artist and the conflict between his two worlds. If you have never read it, run to the nearest book store. It's that good.
The Tripods by John Christopher: This is actually a four book series. I chose it because it's the first science fiction I ever remember reading. If I were to pick one that I remembered the most it would be The City of Gold and Lead. I purchased the series for the Boy to read in the last year or so. Re-reading them as an adult, the quality of the writing doesn't hold up to my memory of being captivated in the elementary school library, but they still have a special place in my heart, (and the Boy liked them enough to pass them on to a friend.)
Alongside Night by J. Neil Schulman: Another novel read long ago, but important for its introduction to libertarian ideas. I think I have a copy around here somewhere. I'd like to find it and reread it to see how it holds up.
Maybe not the most scholarly list, but I make no apologies. Good fiction has the power to challenge your worldview.
Now, to find five others and demand they bow to my will and play along.
Rew of The Power Liberal (She's kind of like a little sister to us and we look forward to the day she converts to the dark side.)
Aelfheld of Gall and Wormwood
Jeff of Have Coffee Will Write
Chris Muir of Day by Day (You can send them to us and we'll post your answers.)
Dave from Ohligarchy