Book/reading meme
I was tagged by snowcrash314 ages ago. I should get to the end of year memes by, oh, March? (hopefully actually sooner!)
+++INTRODUCTIONS+++
1. What's your name?
Joanne. But you can call me Jo.
2. Do you read a lot?
I try to, but sometimes I don't read as much as I'd like to.
3. What's your favorite genre?
If Regency romances are a genre, that would be it. If not... actually probably biographies.
+++FANTASY AND SCI-FI+++
4. Do you prefer fantasy or science fiction?
Fantasy I think (these genres often confuse me).
5. What's your favorite fantasy book/series?
Discworld by Terry Pratchett.
The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice (well, up to Tale Of The Body Thief at least).
Howling Mad by Peter David.
6. Who's your favorite fantasy author?
Terry Pratchett.
7. What's your favorite science fiction book/series?
The Power Lines series (I think that's the series name) by Anne McCaffrey.
Decision At Doona, Anne McCaffrey.
Friday by Robert Heinlein.
And I've got several favourite tie-in Star Trek (all series except Enterprise) books that I count under here - anything by Peter David or A.C. Crispin and there are others.
8. Favorite sci-fi author?
Anne McCaffrey, mostly because I actually read very little other SF.
+++MYSTERY, HORROR, AND THRILLERS+++
9. Which do you prefer: a puzzling mystery, or a terrifying thriller?
Mystery, preferably but not only a historical one. Regency period is even better.
10. Do you have a favorite mystery novel?
The Julian Kestrel series by Kate Ross.
The Vicky Bliss mysteries by Elizabeth Peters.
The Brother Cadfael mysteries by Ellis Peters (I think that's the name).
11. A favorite horror novel?
Possibly Frankenstein if it's still considered horror. Otherwise I do not read.
11b. A favorite mystery/horror/thrillers writer ?
Agatha Christie, Elizabeth Peters.
+++ROMANCE+++
12. Do you read romance novels?
Yes, I do, sometimes to my chagrin, sometimes to my pleasant amusement.
13. How about gay romance novels?
I have never actually found any to read.
14. What's your favorite?
For Harlequin/Mills & Boon, I read by author - I'll give anything by Emma Darcy or Penny Jordan at least a glance.
For others I like Amanda Quick and Georgette Heyer's Regencies.
+++CHILDREN'S AND YA+++
15. What's your favorite children's book?
A good fairy tale collection - preferably without sanitised happy endings.
16. Is it the same book that was your favorite when you were a kid?
Sort of? I had a collection of Hans Christian Anderson that didn't have the forced happy ends to everything and I loved it.
17. What's your favorite YA book?
The Abbey series by Elsie J. Oxenham.
The Harry Potter series is a close second.
18. Did you actually read it as a YA?
The Abbey books I did, actually, I've read them on and off for years. No to Harry Potter, I was already an adult when they were published.
19. In general, do you prefer children's books over grown-up books?
Not generally, no. Though I prefer the Abbey series over some adult books even now. It really depends on the books. And I think the Abbey series has appeal to adults in a different way.
+++CLASSICS AND GENERAL FICTION+++
20. What's your favorite classic novel?
Venus In Furs by Masoch (I'm actually only part way through this, I may end up hating it, but so far it's very interesting).
Any Jane Austen.
Jane Eyre.
Wuthering Heights.
Robinson Crusoe.
A Tale Of Two Cities.
A Christmas Carol.
21. What about general fiction?
I love over the top 80s best seller type books, Sidney Sheldon, Jackie Collins, that kind of thing, most of all. I don't really consider them romance novels because they aren't only about romance.
22. What classic novel do you just *not* *get*?
Lots of them. Can I think of one off the top of my head? No.
23. Do you have a favorite play or drama?
Romeo & Juliet, Shakespeare.
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare.
24. What do you think of Shakespeare?
It's easier to read when you have an audio version of the play. Especially the Romeo & Juliet version with Michael York reading Romeo. Of course that may just be me.
+++POETRY+++
25. Could you pick a favorite poem?
She Walks In Beauty - Byron.
26. What about a favorite poetry collection?
Not really... I tend to read individual poems.
27. Who's your favorite poet?
Byron.
+++COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS+++
28. Do you read comics or graphic novels?
Sometimes.
29. Do you have a favorite series?
Green Lantern and I'll always love Superman and Batman and Wonder Woman.
30. A favorite book?
No.
+++SHORT STORIES AND NOVELLAS+++
31. Do you prefer short stories (or short novels) over full-length novels?
I don't mind short stories but I prefer longer reads. Except in fandom - I'll read anything in fandom, any length, as long as it engages me.
32. What's your favorite short story?
Brokeback Mountain, by Annie Proulx. I prefer the short story to the movie.
33. Favorite short story collection?
Any of Jeffrey Archer's.
34. Do you have a favorite short story author?
Jeffrey Archer.
+++NONFICTION+++
35. What kind of nonfiction do you usually read?
Biographies.
36. Do you have a favorite nonfiction book?
Faithfull by Marianne Faithfull.
Followed very closely by John Barrowman's Anything Goes. But Marianne's had a bit more... depth. Not that John's wasn't great but as a reading experience I definitely preferred Marianne's.
37. Read any interesting biographies?
See above answer.
38. History books?
Usually biographies/novels - I read a lot of Jean Plaidy's stuff and I know it's not historically accurate but it's very readable. I'll read anything with Charles II in it (he's my historical boyfriend).
39. Politics?
No. Definitely not.
40. Religious texts?
Not for years. I prefer not to. Not to mention I couldn't find the bible at home without a good solid search for it.
41. How about books on mythology, fairy-tales, or other cultural stories?
Yes, definitely, especially of cultures other than the usual ones - I bought a book on Norse mythology a while back to read something a little different
+++ELEMENTS OF FICTION+++
42. What's the most important element of a novel? Plot? Characterization? Style? Themes? Happy ending?
An ending that makes sense. I don't even care if the characters die as long as it's not forced or weird.
43. What kind of plot interests you the most?
It's more the settings. Historical settings will always grab me.
44. What kind of characters usually appeal to you?
Ones that don't treat other characters too badly. And that's incredibly subjective, I know.
45. What is your favorite book overall?
God. Couldn't name it.
+++PASS IT ON+++
46. What's the last book you read?
I read an Emma Darcy Harlequin novel, A Very Stylish Affair. It made me giggle the whole way through.
47. What are you reading now?
The Vampyre by Tom Holland and Venus In Furs. The Vampyre is about Lord Byron being a vampire.
48. What are you going to read next?
Probably finish Venetia by Georgette Heyer. I tend to pause in her books a lot for some unknown reason.
49. Is there a book you would recommend to everyone on your friends list?
Either Faithfull or Anything Goes. Or both!
50. Tag five people to fill out this meme:
Oooh. Can I just tag anyone who hasn't and wants to? Yes. I can. :) So... go for it.
+++INTRODUCTIONS+++
1. What's your name?
Joanne. But you can call me Jo.
2. Do you read a lot?
I try to, but sometimes I don't read as much as I'd like to.
3. What's your favorite genre?
If Regency romances are a genre, that would be it. If not... actually probably biographies.
+++FANTASY AND SCI-FI+++
4. Do you prefer fantasy or science fiction?
Fantasy I think (these genres often confuse me).
5. What's your favorite fantasy book/series?
Discworld by Terry Pratchett.
The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice (well, up to Tale Of The Body Thief at least).
Howling Mad by Peter David.
6. Who's your favorite fantasy author?
Terry Pratchett.
7. What's your favorite science fiction book/series?
The Power Lines series (I think that's the series name) by Anne McCaffrey.
Decision At Doona, Anne McCaffrey.
Friday by Robert Heinlein.
And I've got several favourite tie-in Star Trek (all series except Enterprise) books that I count under here - anything by Peter David or A.C. Crispin and there are others.
8. Favorite sci-fi author?
Anne McCaffrey, mostly because I actually read very little other SF.
+++MYSTERY, HORROR, AND THRILLERS+++
9. Which do you prefer: a puzzling mystery, or a terrifying thriller?
Mystery, preferably but not only a historical one. Regency period is even better.
10. Do you have a favorite mystery novel?
The Julian Kestrel series by Kate Ross.
The Vicky Bliss mysteries by Elizabeth Peters.
The Brother Cadfael mysteries by Ellis Peters (I think that's the name).
11. A favorite horror novel?
Possibly Frankenstein if it's still considered horror. Otherwise I do not read.
11b. A favorite mystery/horror/thrillers writer ?
Agatha Christie, Elizabeth Peters.
+++ROMANCE+++
12. Do you read romance novels?
Yes, I do, sometimes to my chagrin, sometimes to my pleasant amusement.
13. How about gay romance novels?
I have never actually found any to read.
14. What's your favorite?
For Harlequin/Mills & Boon, I read by author - I'll give anything by Emma Darcy or Penny Jordan at least a glance.
For others I like Amanda Quick and Georgette Heyer's Regencies.
+++CHILDREN'S AND YA+++
15. What's your favorite children's book?
A good fairy tale collection - preferably without sanitised happy endings.
16. Is it the same book that was your favorite when you were a kid?
Sort of? I had a collection of Hans Christian Anderson that didn't have the forced happy ends to everything and I loved it.
17. What's your favorite YA book?
The Abbey series by Elsie J. Oxenham.
The Harry Potter series is a close second.
18. Did you actually read it as a YA?
The Abbey books I did, actually, I've read them on and off for years. No to Harry Potter, I was already an adult when they were published.
19. In general, do you prefer children's books over grown-up books?
Not generally, no. Though I prefer the Abbey series over some adult books even now. It really depends on the books. And I think the Abbey series has appeal to adults in a different way.
+++CLASSICS AND GENERAL FICTION+++
20. What's your favorite classic novel?
Venus In Furs by Masoch (I'm actually only part way through this, I may end up hating it, but so far it's very interesting).
Any Jane Austen.
Jane Eyre.
Wuthering Heights.
Robinson Crusoe.
A Tale Of Two Cities.
A Christmas Carol.
21. What about general fiction?
I love over the top 80s best seller type books, Sidney Sheldon, Jackie Collins, that kind of thing, most of all. I don't really consider them romance novels because they aren't only about romance.
22. What classic novel do you just *not* *get*?
Lots of them. Can I think of one off the top of my head? No.
23. Do you have a favorite play or drama?
Romeo & Juliet, Shakespeare.
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare.
24. What do you think of Shakespeare?
It's easier to read when you have an audio version of the play. Especially the Romeo & Juliet version with Michael York reading Romeo. Of course that may just be me.
+++POETRY+++
25. Could you pick a favorite poem?
She Walks In Beauty - Byron.
26. What about a favorite poetry collection?
Not really... I tend to read individual poems.
27. Who's your favorite poet?
Byron.
+++COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS+++
28. Do you read comics or graphic novels?
Sometimes.
29. Do you have a favorite series?
Green Lantern and I'll always love Superman and Batman and Wonder Woman.
30. A favorite book?
No.
+++SHORT STORIES AND NOVELLAS+++
31. Do you prefer short stories (or short novels) over full-length novels?
I don't mind short stories but I prefer longer reads. Except in fandom - I'll read anything in fandom, any length, as long as it engages me.
32. What's your favorite short story?
Brokeback Mountain, by Annie Proulx. I prefer the short story to the movie.
33. Favorite short story collection?
Any of Jeffrey Archer's.
34. Do you have a favorite short story author?
Jeffrey Archer.
+++NONFICTION+++
35. What kind of nonfiction do you usually read?
Biographies.
36. Do you have a favorite nonfiction book?
Faithfull by Marianne Faithfull.
Followed very closely by John Barrowman's Anything Goes. But Marianne's had a bit more... depth. Not that John's wasn't great but as a reading experience I definitely preferred Marianne's.
37. Read any interesting biographies?
See above answer.
38. History books?
Usually biographies/novels - I read a lot of Jean Plaidy's stuff and I know it's not historically accurate but it's very readable. I'll read anything with Charles II in it (he's my historical boyfriend).
39. Politics?
No. Definitely not.
40. Religious texts?
Not for years. I prefer not to. Not to mention I couldn't find the bible at home without a good solid search for it.
41. How about books on mythology, fairy-tales, or other cultural stories?
Yes, definitely, especially of cultures other than the usual ones - I bought a book on Norse mythology a while back to read something a little different
+++ELEMENTS OF FICTION+++
42. What's the most important element of a novel? Plot? Characterization? Style? Themes? Happy ending?
An ending that makes sense. I don't even care if the characters die as long as it's not forced or weird.
43. What kind of plot interests you the most?
It's more the settings. Historical settings will always grab me.
44. What kind of characters usually appeal to you?
Ones that don't treat other characters too badly. And that's incredibly subjective, I know.
45. What is your favorite book overall?
God. Couldn't name it.
+++PASS IT ON+++
46. What's the last book you read?
I read an Emma Darcy Harlequin novel, A Very Stylish Affair. It made me giggle the whole way through.
47. What are you reading now?
The Vampyre by Tom Holland and Venus In Furs. The Vampyre is about Lord Byron being a vampire.
48. What are you going to read next?
Probably finish Venetia by Georgette Heyer. I tend to pause in her books a lot for some unknown reason.
49. Is there a book you would recommend to everyone on your friends list?
Either Faithfull or Anything Goes. Or both!
50. Tag five people to fill out this meme:
Oooh. Can I just tag anyone who hasn't and wants to? Yes. I can. :) So... go for it.