it's a book thing

I know, I know. I'm not the biggest fan of the guilt-inducing tag, but I sincerely want to thank 28goingon40 for this one. I was sort of dreading getting it, because I haven't had much time to read lately. but I loved answering the last question!

How many books do you own?

I have no idea as most of my books are packed in boxes in my basement after a little house flood. they are still awaiting new bookshelves, but guessing probably a hundred or so.

What is the last book you bought?

I haven't bought a book for myself in I can't even tell you how long. I often get them as gifts or loans (permanent or temporary) from friends. part of that is I never know what to buy. I need a book guru to tell me the books I'd want to read.

What is the last book you read?
I'm currently reading The Life of Pi, by Yann Martel. Been a while since I'd read anything else of mention.

What's the one book that you can't wait to read?
Angels and Demons, by Dan Brown. I really enjoyed the da Vinci Code, and have heard A&D is even better. I've got the hardcover, I just have been too busy to read at home and hate carting around the hardcovers. (Also for you da Vinci Code fans, you should read The Genesis Code, by John Case)

What 5 books are most important to you?

I have to pick just 5?

Jonathon Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach - read it in high school and it was an inspiration to me. I'd always been the good, quiet kid, and never drew attention to myself or pushed too hard for what I wanted. I think reading this started to crack my shell a little. (I also love Bach's Illusions and One)

The Catcher in the Rye, by J. D. Salinger - think my love of this book had a lot to do with the way Holden interacts with his sister. how I wished my brothers would have acted toward me when I read it. they are protective and loving now, and probably were then, but just didn't let me see or know it.

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee - always thought it was fantastically written. an inspiration to look beyond simple appearances to what is in people's hearts.

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, by Robert Fulgham - I love, LOVE his collection of short stories and life lessons. actually may be what has most shaped the way I write. (I also like his other collections, in particular True Love, where he shares love stories of all kinds from readers and others. guess it speaks to the hopeless romantic lurking within me.)

my unabridged collection of Robert Frost poems - another pivotal bit of reading for me, as I love many of his poems, two favorites being "The Road Not Taken" very poignant at times regarding life choices and "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" as most days I feel as if I have miles to go before I sleep.

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and now I'm supposed to tag 3 more people, but I don't think that anyone who reads here regularly hasn't already done this one. so if you want to answer, feel free, I'll even properly tag you if you want. it's really not so bad, once I got around to it.