Starting with a literature meme
Thanks for your interest in my brand new journal:). I thought I'd get started by borrowing a book meme, since it seems like an interesting start. I love reading, always have, and it's a pleasure to reflect on it now, when my years of studying literature are behind me. So, here goes...
1. Favourite childhood book?
I'm going to pick the first book that popped into my mind, which is "Riverboat adventures" by Lucy and Eric Kincaid. It's a story of three friends, an otter, a mole and a dormouse, who spend the summer on their own riverboat and have some funny adventures. The illustrations are brilliant and the story still makes me laugh.
2. What are you reading right now?
I'm reading "The Cider House Rules" by John Irving. I love the film and the book is interesting, but a little depressing. Well, abortion is a central issue, so it doesn't make for the funniest story, but the characters are realistic. I'm interested in history, medicine and moral dilemmas, and this book has them all.
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
I haven't any right now, but I'm going to make a request for Hugh Laurie's "The Gun Seller" soon.
4. Bad book habit?
Reading and eating, or reading and knitting, or even reading and attempting to watch TV simultaneously. I ought to concentrate on one thing at a time, but often I don't. When I just read, it gives me great pleasure, but I don't do it often enough.
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
Mark Haddon's "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" (interesting) and some others.
6. Do you have an e-reader?
No, but I read fanfiction.net on my mobile phone:).
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
Several at once, at all times. I don't read all of them every day, but I do want to be able to switch books depending on my moods.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
I'm just getting started, so no:). I've only started reading Jane Austen books last year, so that's a relatively new departure for me
9. Least favourite book you read this year (so far?)
I really don't know. I don't seem to be getting anywhere with Susanna Clarke's "Jonathan Strange and Mister Norrel", but I've gathered that it might be worth the effort. What do you think?
10. Favourite book you’ve read this year?
"The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield, definitely. It's really interesting and the language is beautiful.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
I prefer to stay in my comfort zone, so no thrillers for me, as a rule. I would like to be a more daring reader.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
No graphic violence, and especially no scenes with torture. Also, horror isn't really my cup of tea, although I have read some excellent horror stories. Power play is interesting, but stories about miserable lives seldom interest me.
13. Can you read on the bus?
Yes, thank goodness. I almost always have a book in my bag.
14. Favourite place to read?
Curled up on my bed or on the sofa.
15. What is your policy on book lending?
It's not a problem, I lend books to my friends and have always gotten them back. I also borrow books from others and return them. Is this supposed to be an issue?
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
No, I always use a bookmark, if it seems I will need one.
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
No.
18. Not even with text books?
Very seldom.
19. What is your favourite language to read in?
I prefer to read books in their original language, so English, Finnish and Swedish are all OK. I seem to read a lot in English nowadays.
20. What makes you love a book?
The language, characterization and an interesting story. I prefer historical settings, but the characters are more important.
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
I tend to like books that make me reconsider issues and view the world and the people in it in a new way. Extraordinary use of language is also a point in favour, and may inspire me to recommend a book.
22. Favourite genre?
Many of my favourite books are written for or about children.
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
I wish I could like "chick lit", because then I would have so many new books to read. Most of the English language sections in the libraries near me seem to be filled with Marian Keyes, Liza Jewell (i'm not sure how to spell it) and others that just don't interest me.
24. Favourite biography?
"Angela's Ashes", "'Tis" and "Teacher Man" by Frank McCourt, may he rest in peace.
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
Yes, I read a book about "being nice" in the right way, that is without being made a doormat. It was OK, but perhaps not an eye-opener.
26. Favourite cookbook?
I don't have one.
27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
"The Thirteenth Tale" inspired me to continue writing a diary, and perhaps ultimately to start writing here, too.
28. Favourite reading snack?
Tea and anything sweet: cake, chocolate, biscuits...
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
I'm going to get mail but... the Harry Potter books. I like them all right, but I started reading them in my twenties, which was probably too late. I have all but the first one, but I wouldn't have read them all if it weren't for Stephen Fry's audio books. He is a wonderful performer and makes the books interesting. I like the films and love some of the fanfiction, but the books simply didn't wow me.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
Fairly often. I loved "The Crimson Petal and the White" by Michael Faber, and my tastes are relatively mainstream. So it would depend on the critic:).
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I think that reviews are meant to make writers mis... ahem, consider their strengths and weaknesses and possibly learn something. It's always difficult to know what a reader/listener/viewer will find interesting, amusing, scary and so on. Of course everyone should be encouraged to write from their heart, but getting a text published will mean that someone is going to disagree with it. I would try to be constructive if I were to review something.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?
I would like to read French better, and possibly Russian as well. I only know the basics of both languages.
33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
"The Crimson Petal and the White". It's a great book, but I felt embarrassed by the subject matter (a young prostitute trying to make her way by seducing a married man, not my usual cup of tea). The language and the stark realism were intimidating as well.
34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
I really ought to read "Crime and Punishment" by Dostoyevsky, and "The Egyptian" by Waltari. But everyone keeps telling me what great books they are, and I'm afraid I'll be dreadfully disappointed, or alternatively called a Philistine if I don't appreciate them;).
35. Favourite Poet?
Karin Boye and Gustaf Fröding, two Swedish poets from way back.
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
About 10.
37. How often have you returned books to the library unread?
Quite frequently. If a book doesn't seem worth while, I give up.
38. Favourite fictional character?
Who on earth came up with this one, and whom did they choose? There are so many kinds of good characters in so many books, and you love them for different reasons... I liked Mr Knightley in Jane Austen's Emma. He has dignity and is a decent man, but he's got a sense of humour too, and he seems wise.
39. Favourite fictional villain?
John Gabriel in Mary Westmacott's (also known as Agatha Christie) "The Rose and the Yew Tree" was the first one I could think of. Fine, the second one, the first one being Voldemort:). But I don't exactly like Voldemort as a literary villain, although Ralph Fiennes plays him well. John Gabriel is a rising politician, who wants to be a Tory (Conservative) Member of Parliament, but is very conscious of his working class roots, and feels that his party members despise him because he doesn't know which fork to use:). Then he falls in love and loses everything. And in the end he makes good.
40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?
I always bring some old favourites, often a Christie detective story.
41. The longest I’ve gone without reading.
Probably three or four days, when I was in intensive care after a heart surgery:).
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
I'm seriously considering not finishing "Northanger Abbey" by Jane Austen. Catherine Morland is silly enough to drive me up the wall. Any thoughts?
43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
Bad spelling and bad grammar. I must be guilty of these myself occasionally (English is my third language, sorry). But they still distract me.
44. Favourite film adaptation of a novel?
The "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. I'm halfway through reading "The Two Towers", but I don't know when I'll finish it.
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
I don't think I have one.
46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
Probably about 50€ (about 45$, i think).
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
Does anyone not do this? I dont' read the ending, but certainly I skim through the book,
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
If the story doesn't seem to be going anywhere, or the characters are uniformly uninteresting, or the language is bad enough, I give up.
49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
I try, but I haven't got enough shelf space to organise everything properly.
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
If I read a book, I usually keep it until I grow out of it. And that may never happen...
51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?
Well, the thrillers and intimidating books I named earlier.
52. Name a book that made you angry.
"Under the North Star", a trilogy by Finnish writer Väino Linna. It describes the social injustices leading up to the Finnish civil war in 1918 and the decades it took to get over it. I'm Finnish myself and this is a sore subject for many Finns to this day, since almost everyone has an ancestor who fought on one side of the frontline.
53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?
"The Unknown Soldier", also by Väinö Linna, about the WWII in Finland. The dialects and the grim humour are fascinating. The English translation loses something due to the loss of the Finnish idiom.
54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?
When I was a tween, I gave the Nancy Drew books a go. It wasn't my thing.
55. Favourite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
As opposed to what, guilty torture reading? I don't feel guilty about reading anything. If I don't want to have to concentrate too hard, I read comics (Get Fuzzy, Calvin and Hobbes, Garfield, Mutts, Baby Blues). And sometimes "Anne of Green Gables" with all its sequels is perfect for an escapism trip.
1. Favourite childhood book?
I'm going to pick the first book that popped into my mind, which is "Riverboat adventures" by Lucy and Eric Kincaid. It's a story of three friends, an otter, a mole and a dormouse, who spend the summer on their own riverboat and have some funny adventures. The illustrations are brilliant and the story still makes me laugh.
2. What are you reading right now?
I'm reading "The Cider House Rules" by John Irving. I love the film and the book is interesting, but a little depressing. Well, abortion is a central issue, so it doesn't make for the funniest story, but the characters are realistic. I'm interested in history, medicine and moral dilemmas, and this book has them all.
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
I haven't any right now, but I'm going to make a request for Hugh Laurie's "The Gun Seller" soon.
4. Bad book habit?
Reading and eating, or reading and knitting, or even reading and attempting to watch TV simultaneously. I ought to concentrate on one thing at a time, but often I don't. When I just read, it gives me great pleasure, but I don't do it often enough.
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
Mark Haddon's "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" (interesting) and some others.
6. Do you have an e-reader?
No, but I read fanfiction.net on my mobile phone:).
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
Several at once, at all times. I don't read all of them every day, but I do want to be able to switch books depending on my moods.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
I'm just getting started, so no:). I've only started reading Jane Austen books last year, so that's a relatively new departure for me
9. Least favourite book you read this year (so far?)
I really don't know. I don't seem to be getting anywhere with Susanna Clarke's "Jonathan Strange and Mister Norrel", but I've gathered that it might be worth the effort. What do you think?
10. Favourite book you’ve read this year?
"The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield, definitely. It's really interesting and the language is beautiful.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
I prefer to stay in my comfort zone, so no thrillers for me, as a rule. I would like to be a more daring reader.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
No graphic violence, and especially no scenes with torture. Also, horror isn't really my cup of tea, although I have read some excellent horror stories. Power play is interesting, but stories about miserable lives seldom interest me.
13. Can you read on the bus?
Yes, thank goodness. I almost always have a book in my bag.
14. Favourite place to read?
Curled up on my bed or on the sofa.
15. What is your policy on book lending?
It's not a problem, I lend books to my friends and have always gotten them back. I also borrow books from others and return them. Is this supposed to be an issue?
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
No, I always use a bookmark, if it seems I will need one.
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
No.
18. Not even with text books?
Very seldom.
19. What is your favourite language to read in?
I prefer to read books in their original language, so English, Finnish and Swedish are all OK. I seem to read a lot in English nowadays.
20. What makes you love a book?
The language, characterization and an interesting story. I prefer historical settings, but the characters are more important.
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
I tend to like books that make me reconsider issues and view the world and the people in it in a new way. Extraordinary use of language is also a point in favour, and may inspire me to recommend a book.
22. Favourite genre?
Many of my favourite books are written for or about children.
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
I wish I could like "chick lit", because then I would have so many new books to read. Most of the English language sections in the libraries near me seem to be filled with Marian Keyes, Liza Jewell (i'm not sure how to spell it) and others that just don't interest me.
24. Favourite biography?
"Angela's Ashes", "'Tis" and "Teacher Man" by Frank McCourt, may he rest in peace.
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
Yes, I read a book about "being nice" in the right way, that is without being made a doormat. It was OK, but perhaps not an eye-opener.
26. Favourite cookbook?
I don't have one.
27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
"The Thirteenth Tale" inspired me to continue writing a diary, and perhaps ultimately to start writing here, too.
28. Favourite reading snack?
Tea and anything sweet: cake, chocolate, biscuits...
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
I'm going to get mail but... the Harry Potter books. I like them all right, but I started reading them in my twenties, which was probably too late. I have all but the first one, but I wouldn't have read them all if it weren't for Stephen Fry's audio books. He is a wonderful performer and makes the books interesting. I like the films and love some of the fanfiction, but the books simply didn't wow me.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
Fairly often. I loved "The Crimson Petal and the White" by Michael Faber, and my tastes are relatively mainstream. So it would depend on the critic:).
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I think that reviews are meant to make writers mis... ahem, consider their strengths and weaknesses and possibly learn something. It's always difficult to know what a reader/listener/viewer will find interesting, amusing, scary and so on. Of course everyone should be encouraged to write from their heart, but getting a text published will mean that someone is going to disagree with it. I would try to be constructive if I were to review something.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?
I would like to read French better, and possibly Russian as well. I only know the basics of both languages.
33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
"The Crimson Petal and the White". It's a great book, but I felt embarrassed by the subject matter (a young prostitute trying to make her way by seducing a married man, not my usual cup of tea). The language and the stark realism were intimidating as well.
34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
I really ought to read "Crime and Punishment" by Dostoyevsky, and "The Egyptian" by Waltari. But everyone keeps telling me what great books they are, and I'm afraid I'll be dreadfully disappointed, or alternatively called a Philistine if I don't appreciate them;).
35. Favourite Poet?
Karin Boye and Gustaf Fröding, two Swedish poets from way back.
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
About 10.
37. How often have you returned books to the library unread?
Quite frequently. If a book doesn't seem worth while, I give up.
38. Favourite fictional character?
Who on earth came up with this one, and whom did they choose? There are so many kinds of good characters in so many books, and you love them for different reasons... I liked Mr Knightley in Jane Austen's Emma. He has dignity and is a decent man, but he's got a sense of humour too, and he seems wise.
39. Favourite fictional villain?
John Gabriel in Mary Westmacott's (also known as Agatha Christie) "The Rose and the Yew Tree" was the first one I could think of. Fine, the second one, the first one being Voldemort:). But I don't exactly like Voldemort as a literary villain, although Ralph Fiennes plays him well. John Gabriel is a rising politician, who wants to be a Tory (Conservative) Member of Parliament, but is very conscious of his working class roots, and feels that his party members despise him because he doesn't know which fork to use:). Then he falls in love and loses everything. And in the end he makes good.
40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?
I always bring some old favourites, often a Christie detective story.
41. The longest I’ve gone without reading.
Probably three or four days, when I was in intensive care after a heart surgery:).
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
I'm seriously considering not finishing "Northanger Abbey" by Jane Austen. Catherine Morland is silly enough to drive me up the wall. Any thoughts?
43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
Bad spelling and bad grammar. I must be guilty of these myself occasionally (English is my third language, sorry). But they still distract me.
44. Favourite film adaptation of a novel?
The "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. I'm halfway through reading "The Two Towers", but I don't know when I'll finish it.
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
I don't think I have one.
46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
Probably about 50€ (about 45$, i think).
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
Does anyone not do this? I dont' read the ending, but certainly I skim through the book,
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
If the story doesn't seem to be going anywhere, or the characters are uniformly uninteresting, or the language is bad enough, I give up.
49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
I try, but I haven't got enough shelf space to organise everything properly.
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
If I read a book, I usually keep it until I grow out of it. And that may never happen...
51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?
Well, the thrillers and intimidating books I named earlier.
52. Name a book that made you angry.
"Under the North Star", a trilogy by Finnish writer Väino Linna. It describes the social injustices leading up to the Finnish civil war in 1918 and the decades it took to get over it. I'm Finnish myself and this is a sore subject for many Finns to this day, since almost everyone has an ancestor who fought on one side of the frontline.
53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?
"The Unknown Soldier", also by Väinö Linna, about the WWII in Finland. The dialects and the grim humour are fascinating. The English translation loses something due to the loss of the Finnish idiom.
54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?
When I was a tween, I gave the Nancy Drew books a go. It wasn't my thing.
55. Favourite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
As opposed to what, guilty torture reading? I don't feel guilty about reading anything. If I don't want to have to concentrate too hard, I read comics (Get Fuzzy, Calvin and Hobbes, Garfield, Mutts, Baby Blues). And sometimes "Anne of Green Gables" with all its sequels is perfect for an escapism trip.