(no subject)
Stolen from Rhiannon - thanks, this was intriguing and made me think about my reading habits!
1. Favourite childhood book?
WInd in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. I loved the Piper at the Gates of Dawn chapter. I read it, and reread it, hardly daring to believe what I'd just read.
2. What are you reading right now?
The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
We've got way too many books here to bother with the library! I also use Project Gutenberg a lot.
4. Bad book habit?
Speed reading. Skimming sci-fi info dumps.
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
I don't.
6. Do you have an e-reader?
Nope. Can't afford one. I spend a lot of time on Project Gutenberg instead.
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
Usually one at a time these days.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
They've not really.
9. Least favourite book you read this year (so far?)
A forgettable one on Gutenberg. Can't even remember what it was called, but it was a dismal period unrequited love story, which ended with the perfect heroine on her deathbed. Even the book of sandwich recipes was better.
10. Favourite book you've read this year?
I THINK it's likely to be the one I'm reading at the moment, The Children's Book. It encompasses a great many of my favourite elements, a historical piece, elements of revolution, imperfect characters, fairytales, art and creativity. But we shall see.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
I don't. I read for pleasure and there are so many good books out there, I don't see why I should waste time on reading a book I'm unlikely to enjoy. But I also have an exceptionally large comfort zone which ranges from graphic novels to all sorts of classics.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
I have a strange comfort zone which covers a great many genres - I don't do Jeffrey Archer style thrillers for example, or biographies of people that mean absolutely nothing to me or overhyped badly written fiction (50 Shades, I'm looking straight at you). I'm used to many forms of classic literature, I love sci-fi, fantasy, plays, poems, factual books, all sorts - there's really not much out of my comfort zone.
13. Can you read on the bus?
I've taught myself to do so. It's handy when I travel the 1 1/2 hours to or from work. But sometimes it makes me feel ill.
14. Favourite place to read?
Bed, snuggled up with the kittens.
15. What is your policy on book lending?
Generally I don't have a problem with it, unless it's a really expensive/sentimentally valued book.
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
I'm not the best with books, but I don't dog ear them.
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
Only in text books.
18. Not even with text books?
I consider text books fair game - but only when they're mine.
19. What is your favourite language to read in?
I can only read in English. I fail at linguistics.
20. What makes you love a book?
An intriguing storyline, good writing, unexpected twists, passion and taking the story where it needs to go rather than it being a formulaic piece to please the general readership.
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
If I love it and I think the other person will like it.
22. Favourite genre?
I don't think I've got a favourite genre. I like too many to choose one.
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
Good autobiogs/biographies. The last ones I read were Chris Lee's and Tom Baker's. I loved them both, they've had exceptional careers and it felt like they had something to say. I don't tend towards reading biographies because I really don't enjoy reading about c'lebs who are barely out of the womb and have sod all in the way of life experience to share.
24. Favourite biography?
It's a tie between Chris Lee's and Tom Baker's. I think Chris wins though!
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
Yes, it was a book on mindfulness, and it really helped me when I was in a dark place. The new age stuff can take a running jump.
26. Favourite cookbook?
It's a secondhand Paula Wolfert's book on Moroccan cookery, closely followed by my Delia, the Hugh Fernley Whittingstall books
and the cakes and desserts book containing a certain pineapple upsidedown cake recipe.
27. Most inspirational book you've read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
I'm going to hold off that one because nothing's actually inspired me to do this, that or the other. If anything's inspiring me, it's my husband's currently bizarre blog of fake creatures - I keep coming up with ideas for it and away he goes!
28. Favourite reading snack?
I was going to say chocolate, but it's messy when it melts so I'm going to opt for fruit pastilles or children's sweets like foam shrimps or bananas.
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
The only book I've read which has been hyped was Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. I didn't believe the hype, and it was already ruined for me, as a good few years previously I'd read Holy Blood, Holy Grail, the book on which the "scandalous" twist was based. I struggled to finish it, found the whole thing a waste of time and went back to avoiding hyped books.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
I don't really read critics' reviews. We're all different. What floats one boat might not float mine.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I have no problems at all if, in my mind, the book deserves it. I have a few occult books which really, really deserve it. They're on the charity shop/sale pile. For the record, if it's labelled as the "Complete" book of Ancient Wisdom, and you miss out the entirety of the Kabbalistic tree of life, then you deserve all you get.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?
Hebrew. I'd like to read the scriptures in their original form. I'd also like to learn Latin.
33. Most intimidating book you've ever read?
I think it has to be Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco.
34. Most intimidating book you're too nervous to begin?
I don't have one at the moment.
35. Favorite poet?
I love poetry, so I'd have a difficult time with this. Currently though, I think I might opt for Rumi. I need to read more Rumi. Although I do like some of my own poetry too!
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
I don't.
37. How often have you returned a book to the library unread?
I don't.
38. Favorite fictional character?
John Constantine (yes, in MY book graphic novels count)
39. Favorite fictional villain?
Prince Humperdink (The Princess Bride)
40. Books I'm most likely to bring on vacation?
Pretty much the same that I'd read at home. I want a book I can enjoy, that's enough for me.
41. The longest I've gone without reading.
I've always read something. I went through a dryish patch last year but still read a fair bit.
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
I just couldn't get into Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum. Also struggled with the Marquis De Sade's 120 Days of Sodem.
43. What distracts you easily when you're reading?
Cats sitting on the pages.
44. Favourite film adaptation of a novel?
It has to be Chocolat or Like Water For Chocolate. But the Princess Bride also deserves an honerable mention.
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
Constantine. They Americanised him, turned him into something completely different. It wasn't bad. But it wasn't MY Constantine.
46. The most money I've ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
I can't remember, it's probably been about £20-30. I usually buy second hand books these days.
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
I usually skim a little before buying a book, just to get a feel. Not more than the blurb and a page though.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
There's not a lot that disgusts me fictionwise though I did have a major hiccup with a book when it described a sack of kittens being drowned once. I had to put it down and return to it later.
49. Do you like to keep your books organised?
Nope. I'd like to but it's nigh on impossible!
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you've read them?
It depends on the book. If it's so awful I'd be up for sending it to a charity shop. Sadly Ian refuses to get rid of books that easily, so we've got loads.
51. Are there any books you've been avoiding?
One which has Fifty in its title? Mostly I avoid hyped books.
52. Name a book that made you angry.
That's a difficult one. I don't think there's any book that has made me want to scream and shout. I've grumbled about inaccuracies in the past, but I appreciate a book which makes me think about difficult subjects. That said, I've never read any Gor. I think I may revisit this question if I do.
53. A book you didn't expect to like but did?
Starship Troopers. I really enjoy Heinlein, but didn't read this until well after I'd seen the film, as I wasn't sure how I felt about the film. It's far better than I expected.
54. A book that you expected to like but didn't
The first Game of Thrones - I started reading it after I watched the first season and I couldn't get into it because it was too similar.
55. Favourite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
Period children's literature, such as E. Nesbit.
1. Favourite childhood book?
WInd in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. I loved the Piper at the Gates of Dawn chapter. I read it, and reread it, hardly daring to believe what I'd just read.
2. What are you reading right now?
The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
We've got way too many books here to bother with the library! I also use Project Gutenberg a lot.
4. Bad book habit?
Speed reading. Skimming sci-fi info dumps.
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
I don't.
6. Do you have an e-reader?
Nope. Can't afford one. I spend a lot of time on Project Gutenberg instead.
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
Usually one at a time these days.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
They've not really.
9. Least favourite book you read this year (so far?)
A forgettable one on Gutenberg. Can't even remember what it was called, but it was a dismal period unrequited love story, which ended with the perfect heroine on her deathbed. Even the book of sandwich recipes was better.
10. Favourite book you've read this year?
I THINK it's likely to be the one I'm reading at the moment, The Children's Book. It encompasses a great many of my favourite elements, a historical piece, elements of revolution, imperfect characters, fairytales, art and creativity. But we shall see.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
I don't. I read for pleasure and there are so many good books out there, I don't see why I should waste time on reading a book I'm unlikely to enjoy. But I also have an exceptionally large comfort zone which ranges from graphic novels to all sorts of classics.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
I have a strange comfort zone which covers a great many genres - I don't do Jeffrey Archer style thrillers for example, or biographies of people that mean absolutely nothing to me or overhyped badly written fiction (50 Shades, I'm looking straight at you). I'm used to many forms of classic literature, I love sci-fi, fantasy, plays, poems, factual books, all sorts - there's really not much out of my comfort zone.
13. Can you read on the bus?
I've taught myself to do so. It's handy when I travel the 1 1/2 hours to or from work. But sometimes it makes me feel ill.
14. Favourite place to read?
Bed, snuggled up with the kittens.
15. What is your policy on book lending?
Generally I don't have a problem with it, unless it's a really expensive/sentimentally valued book.
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
I'm not the best with books, but I don't dog ear them.
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
Only in text books.
18. Not even with text books?
I consider text books fair game - but only when they're mine.
19. What is your favourite language to read in?
I can only read in English. I fail at linguistics.
20. What makes you love a book?
An intriguing storyline, good writing, unexpected twists, passion and taking the story where it needs to go rather than it being a formulaic piece to please the general readership.
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
If I love it and I think the other person will like it.
22. Favourite genre?
I don't think I've got a favourite genre. I like too many to choose one.
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
Good autobiogs/biographies. The last ones I read were Chris Lee's and Tom Baker's. I loved them both, they've had exceptional careers and it felt like they had something to say. I don't tend towards reading biographies because I really don't enjoy reading about c'lebs who are barely out of the womb and have sod all in the way of life experience to share.
24. Favourite biography?
It's a tie between Chris Lee's and Tom Baker's. I think Chris wins though!
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
Yes, it was a book on mindfulness, and it really helped me when I was in a dark place. The new age stuff can take a running jump.
26. Favourite cookbook?
It's a secondhand Paula Wolfert's book on Moroccan cookery, closely followed by my Delia, the Hugh Fernley Whittingstall books
and the cakes and desserts book containing a certain pineapple upsidedown cake recipe.
27. Most inspirational book you've read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
I'm going to hold off that one because nothing's actually inspired me to do this, that or the other. If anything's inspiring me, it's my husband's currently bizarre blog of fake creatures - I keep coming up with ideas for it and away he goes!
28. Favourite reading snack?
I was going to say chocolate, but it's messy when it melts so I'm going to opt for fruit pastilles or children's sweets like foam shrimps or bananas.
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
The only book I've read which has been hyped was Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. I didn't believe the hype, and it was already ruined for me, as a good few years previously I'd read Holy Blood, Holy Grail, the book on which the "scandalous" twist was based. I struggled to finish it, found the whole thing a waste of time and went back to avoiding hyped books.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
I don't really read critics' reviews. We're all different. What floats one boat might not float mine.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I have no problems at all if, in my mind, the book deserves it. I have a few occult books which really, really deserve it. They're on the charity shop/sale pile. For the record, if it's labelled as the "Complete" book of Ancient Wisdom, and you miss out the entirety of the Kabbalistic tree of life, then you deserve all you get.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?
Hebrew. I'd like to read the scriptures in their original form. I'd also like to learn Latin.
33. Most intimidating book you've ever read?
I think it has to be Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco.
34. Most intimidating book you're too nervous to begin?
I don't have one at the moment.
35. Favorite poet?
I love poetry, so I'd have a difficult time with this. Currently though, I think I might opt for Rumi. I need to read more Rumi. Although I do like some of my own poetry too!
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
I don't.
37. How often have you returned a book to the library unread?
I don't.
38. Favorite fictional character?
John Constantine (yes, in MY book graphic novels count)
39. Favorite fictional villain?
Prince Humperdink (The Princess Bride)
40. Books I'm most likely to bring on vacation?
Pretty much the same that I'd read at home. I want a book I can enjoy, that's enough for me.
41. The longest I've gone without reading.
I've always read something. I went through a dryish patch last year but still read a fair bit.
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
I just couldn't get into Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum. Also struggled with the Marquis De Sade's 120 Days of Sodem.
43. What distracts you easily when you're reading?
Cats sitting on the pages.
44. Favourite film adaptation of a novel?
It has to be Chocolat or Like Water For Chocolate. But the Princess Bride also deserves an honerable mention.
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
Constantine. They Americanised him, turned him into something completely different. It wasn't bad. But it wasn't MY Constantine.
46. The most money I've ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
I can't remember, it's probably been about £20-30. I usually buy second hand books these days.
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
I usually skim a little before buying a book, just to get a feel. Not more than the blurb and a page though.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
There's not a lot that disgusts me fictionwise though I did have a major hiccup with a book when it described a sack of kittens being drowned once. I had to put it down and return to it later.
49. Do you like to keep your books organised?
Nope. I'd like to but it's nigh on impossible!
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you've read them?
It depends on the book. If it's so awful I'd be up for sending it to a charity shop. Sadly Ian refuses to get rid of books that easily, so we've got loads.
51. Are there any books you've been avoiding?
One which has Fifty in its title? Mostly I avoid hyped books.
52. Name a book that made you angry.
That's a difficult one. I don't think there's any book that has made me want to scream and shout. I've grumbled about inaccuracies in the past, but I appreciate a book which makes me think about difficult subjects. That said, I've never read any Gor. I think I may revisit this question if I do.
53. A book you didn't expect to like but did?
Starship Troopers. I really enjoy Heinlein, but didn't read this until well after I'd seen the film, as I wasn't sure how I felt about the film. It's far better than I expected.
54. A book that you expected to like but didn't
The first Game of Thrones - I started reading it after I watched the first season and I couldn't get into it because it was too similar.
55. Favourite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
Period children's literature, such as E. Nesbit.