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Book meme snagged from penguinfaery
1. Favorite childhood book?
Huh. Childhood. Uh...the ones that come to mind are Once On This Island(Gloria Whelan) and Quest For A Maid(Frances Mary Hendry). I almost couldn't decide when from "childhood" I wanted to go from, but these both stuck with me a long, long time.
Also both are wonderful. Especially Quest For A Maid. I would solidly recommend it now.
I was really into historical fiction as a kidlet.
2. What are you reading right now?
The Return of the King. I'm very close to done, now, and I don't really want to be done.
Also, vaguely, The Hair Wreath and Other Stories(Halli Villegas.) But it's short stories, and I'm not making a super concentrated effort to finish it in any kind of short order.
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
None. I don't use a library nearly as much as I should.
4. Bad book habit?
Beating them up; throwing them in a purse or backpack where they get more than the usual wear, tear&love. Also losing them.
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
Nothing.
6. Do you have an e-reader?
No. I'm on the fence about them as a concept. In a nonsensical loyalty to paper books kind of way.
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
Absolutely one at a time. I'm technically reading two now, but one of them is a pretty, non-energetic read. I only really focus on one book at a time even if I'm reading more than one. Like this.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
I don't...really think so.
9. Least favorite book you read this year, so far?
Ha. Uh, unfinished, but The Hair Wreath and Other Stories. It has the super frustrating thing going on where the short story concepts are interesting, but the stories don't tell enough of the...story. Like, "short story" becomes "excerpt from a story that you'll never get to read he rest of because it doesn't exist."
10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?
The Return of the King. Again, not quite done. But not just because it's been my one and only real/concentrated read so far, they're right up there in my favorite books.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
Um..I don't know, really. Not as often as I read inside it? But I'm working on reading more nonfiction, and I would count that as...not exactly outside of my comfort zone, but not as much in it as other genres.
Or something.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
My ultimate comfort zone is books I've already read and loved. Not that those are the only things I am comfortable reading, but those are the things that are most comfortable. And comforting.
Other than that..fiction; fantasy, lighter sci-fi, horror/paranormal/supernatural.
13. Can you read on the bus?
How do you think I ride the bus? ;)
14. Favorite place to read?
Outside, when it's warm.
15. What is your policy on book lending?
Share the love. It sucks when that leads to books disappearing, but that's a risk I'm willing to take unless the copy I own is something really special to me.
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
Ask if I ever don't.
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
Um, not generally. Usually if it's something I need to say that badly, I'll call someone and say or or write it on a scrap of paper and leave it in the book. But I can't say I've never written in a book, either.
18. Not even with text books?
Sometimes. But I usually take notes in a notebook.
19. What is your favorite language to read in?
English is the only language I could read and completely comprehend a book in.
20. What makes you love a book?
Characters I care about, plot I care about, and/or writing style that I'm attached to. I would say...that if I had to choose, characters are the most important factor? Maybe? And ideally, all three would be present. That's what makes my favorite books my favorite.
But there are books I would read for characters or plot even if I didn't care as much about the writing, and there are books I am very attached to because of they're written beautifully even though the story and characters aren't as much what I'm attached to (White Oleander(Janet Fitch) is totally an example of this.)
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
How much I enjoyed it, and how much I think who I'm recommending it to would enjoy it. Honestly mostly probably how much I enjoyed it.
Or maybe if I think there's some reason it's important that it be read.
22. Favorite genre?
Fantasy/sci-fi/horror/paranormal.
With this weird soft spot for chick-y fiction about Southern women in the 1960's.
23. Genre you rarely read,but wish you did?
Um...I'd like to read more straight-up sci-fi, and more non-fiction and history. But I'm also actively working on this, as per the reading list I'm working through now.
24. Favorite biography?
I don't know that I have ever read a biography, actually.
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
Pft. I used to be a 13 year old girl. I read the shit out of teen self-help books.
26. Favorite cookbook?
Um...I don't know. I mean I'm sure I have them. But most of the ones I find useful are at my parents' house and I don't know the names... I do love food blogs, too, though. This is one of my favorites.
27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
The Return of the King. I kind-of suck at these "this year" questions, because I haven't started and completed any one book yet this year. But these are 100% among my favorite books, like Top 5, so I would say that they have had a pretty significant impact on me.
Despite the fact that I have no other valid answer, anyway.
28. Favorite reading snack?
Anything delicious. I don't have any one thing. But I do love to snack while I read.
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
...Hm. Um...Maybe Anansi Boys(Neil Gaiman)? Not that I really got a lot of hype from other people, but I had read&loved most of his other books by then and kind-of...hyped myself up, I guess?
And then was let down.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
I don't...ever read book critics. So I have no idea.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
Not at all. I mean, I only ever give reviews in the form of talking to people I know or posting about it, and I'll say what I think the book deserved.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?
Spanish. As it is the language I am currently studying.
33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
The Bible (I have not completely read the Bible. Working on it. But not by a long shot, so far.)
Also, Dune, until I actually got into it, because I had very different expectations for that book than what it ended up being. I thought it was going to be a lot more intense and dense in terms of writing, and harder to read.
And Dreamcatcher, because it was my first Stephen King experience and god damn that dude can fill up some pages. I also was under the impression his writing style would be a lot harder to read than it is.
34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
A Conflict of Visions(Thomas Sowell.) It's some political theory book (I believe?) that my dad gave me and told me it was important for me to read. And I believe him, but...I also doubt I'll enjoy reading it much, so I'll just put that off...a while longer.
35. Favorite Poet?
Uh...Jewel. Like the singer. At least, she is the only one whose book of poetry I have on my shelf and I will read over and over and over.
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
None, at this point in my life. I haven't used the library since summer.
37. How often have you returned books to the library unread?
Sometimes. It happens.
38. Favorite fictional character?
I can't even address this. This list would be ridiculous.
As soon as my fandom list is up, I'll link to that and you can see for yourself.
39. Favorite fictional villain?
I'm pretty into Randall Flagg, from Stephen King-verse. Also, fandom list. As discussed above.
40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?
Whatever I'm reading at the time. I've clocked some pool-side hours with my Jewel poetry book, and that was nice, but I don't think I'd alter what I was reading because I was going on vacation. I'd just take whatever I was in the middle of.
41. The longest I’ve gone without reading.
Probably...not more than a couple weeks. If that. I don't know. I don't really keep track, because it's never THAT long. I'll find time to read a page or two.
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
Daywatch(Sergei Lukyanenko) and Tommyknockers(Stephen King). I actually really hate not finishing books. I've finished books I actively didn't like just for the sake of seeing them through to the end, because it bugs me to leave them unfinished.
Both of these books just lost me. I got to the point where I wasn't reading, because I didn't want to be reading that. And I started them around the same time, and for whatever reason at that point it was easier for me to put a book down and move on.
43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
Having to move, intense conversation.
44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?
Stardust, I solidly like the movie better than the novel.
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
A lot of Stephen King movie/TV adaptations. I'm betting there may be others, but that's what comes to mind.
46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
Probably in the realm of...$60? At one time?
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
Sometimes. I always read the back/inside cover of the book.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
Not a lot. My rule, I guess, is that if it gets to a point where I'm not reading, anymore--like a week, or whatever, whatever amount of time that feels right--that I haven't read it because I don't want to and I don't think anything will inspire me to...I'll stop.
But it has to be something that I both don't want to read and find hard to read. I'll finish an easy read I don't like, just...'cause.
49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
I do. Just kind-of by relevant genres/themes, with the ones I'm actively going to read next separate.
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
I like to lend them out, but if I like/want the book, it's still mine.
51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?
The one previously discussed that my dad gave me. And kind-of the Bible, but that's...forgetting or not having time, more than active avoidance.
52. Name a book that made you angry.
The Time Traveler's Wife(Audrey Niffeneger.) I don't even want to talk about this book. Other books have pissed me off, sure (like 50% of the time Stephen King ends a novel), but this is a book that it actively bothers me that people like. It makes me that angry.
53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?
Dune. Or...I don't know that I didn't expect to like it, but I didn't expect to love it a lot.
Also The Help(Kathryn Stockett). I can't really tell you exactly why I love that book so much. But I do.
54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?
Hm...I know there have to be things in this category, but...I'm blanking.
Okay. I'm going to go Pet Sematary(Stephen King). It was just gross. Sad and miserable without being even interesting.
Also I swear I read things not written by Stephen King. For real.
55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
Old favorite books I've already read 598794875 times.
1. Favorite childhood book?
Huh. Childhood. Uh...the ones that come to mind are Once On This Island(Gloria Whelan) and Quest For A Maid(Frances Mary Hendry). I almost couldn't decide when from "childhood" I wanted to go from, but these both stuck with me a long, long time.
Also both are wonderful. Especially Quest For A Maid. I would solidly recommend it now.
I was really into historical fiction as a kidlet.
2. What are you reading right now?
The Return of the King. I'm very close to done, now, and I don't really want to be done.
Also, vaguely, The Hair Wreath and Other Stories(Halli Villegas.) But it's short stories, and I'm not making a super concentrated effort to finish it in any kind of short order.
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
None. I don't use a library nearly as much as I should.
4. Bad book habit?
Beating them up; throwing them in a purse or backpack where they get more than the usual wear, tear&love. Also losing them.
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
Nothing.
6. Do you have an e-reader?
No. I'm on the fence about them as a concept. In a nonsensical loyalty to paper books kind of way.
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
Absolutely one at a time. I'm technically reading two now, but one of them is a pretty, non-energetic read. I only really focus on one book at a time even if I'm reading more than one. Like this.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
I don't...really think so.
9. Least favorite book you read this year, so far?
Ha. Uh, unfinished, but The Hair Wreath and Other Stories. It has the super frustrating thing going on where the short story concepts are interesting, but the stories don't tell enough of the...story. Like, "short story" becomes "excerpt from a story that you'll never get to read he rest of because it doesn't exist."
10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?
The Return of the King. Again, not quite done. But not just because it's been my one and only real/concentrated read so far, they're right up there in my favorite books.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
Um..I don't know, really. Not as often as I read inside it? But I'm working on reading more nonfiction, and I would count that as...not exactly outside of my comfort zone, but not as much in it as other genres.
Or something.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
My ultimate comfort zone is books I've already read and loved. Not that those are the only things I am comfortable reading, but those are the things that are most comfortable. And comforting.
Other than that..fiction; fantasy, lighter sci-fi, horror/paranormal/supernatural.
13. Can you read on the bus?
How do you think I ride the bus? ;)
14. Favorite place to read?
Outside, when it's warm.
15. What is your policy on book lending?
Share the love. It sucks when that leads to books disappearing, but that's a risk I'm willing to take unless the copy I own is something really special to me.
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
Ask if I ever don't.
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
Um, not generally. Usually if it's something I need to say that badly, I'll call someone and say or or write it on a scrap of paper and leave it in the book. But I can't say I've never written in a book, either.
18. Not even with text books?
Sometimes. But I usually take notes in a notebook.
19. What is your favorite language to read in?
English is the only language I could read and completely comprehend a book in.
20. What makes you love a book?
Characters I care about, plot I care about, and/or writing style that I'm attached to. I would say...that if I had to choose, characters are the most important factor? Maybe? And ideally, all three would be present. That's what makes my favorite books my favorite.
But there are books I would read for characters or plot even if I didn't care as much about the writing, and there are books I am very attached to because of they're written beautifully even though the story and characters aren't as much what I'm attached to (White Oleander(Janet Fitch) is totally an example of this.)
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
How much I enjoyed it, and how much I think who I'm recommending it to would enjoy it. Honestly mostly probably how much I enjoyed it.
Or maybe if I think there's some reason it's important that it be read.
22. Favorite genre?
Fantasy/sci-fi/horror/paranormal.
With this weird soft spot for chick-y fiction about Southern women in the 1960's.
23. Genre you rarely read,but wish you did?
Um...I'd like to read more straight-up sci-fi, and more non-fiction and history. But I'm also actively working on this, as per the reading list I'm working through now.
24. Favorite biography?
I don't know that I have ever read a biography, actually.
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
Pft. I used to be a 13 year old girl. I read the shit out of teen self-help books.
26. Favorite cookbook?
Um...I don't know. I mean I'm sure I have them. But most of the ones I find useful are at my parents' house and I don't know the names... I do love food blogs, too, though. This is one of my favorites.
27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
The Return of the King. I kind-of suck at these "this year" questions, because I haven't started and completed any one book yet this year. But these are 100% among my favorite books, like Top 5, so I would say that they have had a pretty significant impact on me.
Despite the fact that I have no other valid answer, anyway.
28. Favorite reading snack?
Anything delicious. I don't have any one thing. But I do love to snack while I read.
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
...Hm. Um...Maybe Anansi Boys(Neil Gaiman)? Not that I really got a lot of hype from other people, but I had read&loved most of his other books by then and kind-of...hyped myself up, I guess?
And then was let down.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
I don't...ever read book critics. So I have no idea.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
Not at all. I mean, I only ever give reviews in the form of talking to people I know or posting about it, and I'll say what I think the book deserved.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?
Spanish. As it is the language I am currently studying.
33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
The Bible (I have not completely read the Bible. Working on it. But not by a long shot, so far.)
Also, Dune, until I actually got into it, because I had very different expectations for that book than what it ended up being. I thought it was going to be a lot more intense and dense in terms of writing, and harder to read.
And Dreamcatcher, because it was my first Stephen King experience and god damn that dude can fill up some pages. I also was under the impression his writing style would be a lot harder to read than it is.
34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
A Conflict of Visions(Thomas Sowell.) It's some political theory book (I believe?) that my dad gave me and told me it was important for me to read. And I believe him, but...I also doubt I'll enjoy reading it much, so I'll just put that off...a while longer.
35. Favorite Poet?
Uh...Jewel. Like the singer. At least, she is the only one whose book of poetry I have on my shelf and I will read over and over and over.
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
None, at this point in my life. I haven't used the library since summer.
37. How often have you returned books to the library unread?
Sometimes. It happens.
38. Favorite fictional character?
I can't even address this. This list would be ridiculous.
As soon as my fandom list is up, I'll link to that and you can see for yourself.
39. Favorite fictional villain?
I'm pretty into Randall Flagg, from Stephen King-verse. Also, fandom list. As discussed above.
40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?
Whatever I'm reading at the time. I've clocked some pool-side hours with my Jewel poetry book, and that was nice, but I don't think I'd alter what I was reading because I was going on vacation. I'd just take whatever I was in the middle of.
41. The longest I’ve gone without reading.
Probably...not more than a couple weeks. If that. I don't know. I don't really keep track, because it's never THAT long. I'll find time to read a page or two.
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
Daywatch(Sergei Lukyanenko) and Tommyknockers(Stephen King). I actually really hate not finishing books. I've finished books I actively didn't like just for the sake of seeing them through to the end, because it bugs me to leave them unfinished.
Both of these books just lost me. I got to the point where I wasn't reading, because I didn't want to be reading that. And I started them around the same time, and for whatever reason at that point it was easier for me to put a book down and move on.
43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
Having to move, intense conversation.
44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?
Stardust, I solidly like the movie better than the novel.
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
A lot of Stephen King movie/TV adaptations. I'm betting there may be others, but that's what comes to mind.
46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
Probably in the realm of...$60? At one time?
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
Sometimes. I always read the back/inside cover of the book.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
Not a lot. My rule, I guess, is that if it gets to a point where I'm not reading, anymore--like a week, or whatever, whatever amount of time that feels right--that I haven't read it because I don't want to and I don't think anything will inspire me to...I'll stop.
But it has to be something that I both don't want to read and find hard to read. I'll finish an easy read I don't like, just...'cause.
49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
I do. Just kind-of by relevant genres/themes, with the ones I'm actively going to read next separate.
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
I like to lend them out, but if I like/want the book, it's still mine.
51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?
The one previously discussed that my dad gave me. And kind-of the Bible, but that's...forgetting or not having time, more than active avoidance.
52. Name a book that made you angry.
The Time Traveler's Wife(Audrey Niffeneger.) I don't even want to talk about this book. Other books have pissed me off, sure (like 50% of the time Stephen King ends a novel), but this is a book that it actively bothers me that people like. It makes me that angry.
53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?
Dune. Or...I don't know that I didn't expect to like it, but I didn't expect to love it a lot.
Also The Help(Kathryn Stockett). I can't really tell you exactly why I love that book so much. But I do.
54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?
Hm...I know there have to be things in this category, but...I'm blanking.
Okay. I'm going to go Pet Sematary(Stephen King). It was just gross. Sad and miserable without being even interesting.
Also I swear I read things not written by Stephen King. For real.
55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
Old favorite books I've already read 598794875 times.