GIANT AWESOME BOOK MEME
Oct. 23rd, 2011 11:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gothrockrulzStolen from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
rhoda_rants.
1. Favourite childhood book?
Little House in the Big Woods. To put it simply, Laura Ingalls Wilder shaped my character growing up. I am only obsessed with all things old-fashioned because I read and re-read her books till they were falling apart. I also think I owe my love of stories and story-telling to her, because I actually made up extra stories about Laura, before I even knew what fanfiction was. :)
2. What are you reading right now?
Snippets of Pride and Prejudice and The Hobbit, as well as The Midnight Disease by Alice W. Flaherty and various books on ancient Persia and writing YA.
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
Nothing right now.
4. Bad book habit?
Taking notes for taking notes on books I'm using as research for my WIP, and then leaving everything in limbo for months.
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
The aforementioned Midnight Disease.
6. Do you have an e-reader?
NO. Screens are for online blogs and such. If I can get a classic in hardback, I read it in hardback. I hate e-readers, and I'm not going to apologize for it.
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
With fiction, I usually like to read one at a time, unless I'm re-reading old faves. With nonfiction, I juggle far too many at once. :)
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
Since starting a blog? No. Since starting to write a novel with the express intent of publishing it? Yes. I made the huge mistake of almost abandoning reading, so I could have more time to write and less trouble with accidentally ripping off others' work. Again, HUGE MISTAKE.
9. Least favourite book you read this year (so far?)
I haven't read anything I disliked that much. I'm a picky reader, so I rarely pick up something I'm not 99% sure I'll like.
10. Favourite book you've read this year?
Among new books, it's a tie between Kiersten White's Paranormalcy and its sequel Supernaturally.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
Never. Life's painful as it is; why waste your time to escape by enduring more pain?
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
Classics, period drama, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie . . . and that's about it.
13. Can you read on the bus?
I never take the bus.
14. Favourite place to read?
My room!
15. What is your policy on book lending?
I never lend books.
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
No. Why would I do that?
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
No.
18. Not even with text books?
I'm the first of five homeschooled kids. Of course not!
19. What is your favourite language to read in?
English. Can't read anything else, save my Sindarin dictionary.
20. What makes you love a book?
Complex, engaging plot wedded with complex, engaging characters narrated by a complex, engaging writer's voice. Try to say that five times fast. XD
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
Ditto my last answer.
22. Favourite genre?
Anything written by somebody who has been dead over 50 years. My brain is not wired for the 21st century. Except for online stuff like LJ and tumblr. :)
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
Mystery. I need to read ALL of Agatha Christie's books, not just an occasional Poirot.
24. Favourite biography?
Nothing comes to mind.
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
I've amassed a ton of notes from books on writing.
26. Favourite cookbook?
Don't have one.
27. Most inspirational book you've read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
Hmm, can't decide.
28. Favourite reading snack?
ANYTHING NUMMY.
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
Hype doesn't affect my reading one way or another. If I like a book, I like it. Simple as that.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
I don't know. I don't pay much attention to critics. (If I did, anyone and everyone who applauded Pride and Prejudice and Zombies would not be breathing anymore . . .)
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
If a book stinks, it stinks. I don't feel bad about saying so. (If I meet a very sweet, lovable person who writes books that stink, that stance may change . . .)
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose?
Can't decide. I'd love to read Phantom of the Opera and The Hunchback of Notre Dame in French, but I'd also like to read Italian, Spanish, and Japanese. Decisions, decisions.
33. Most intimidating book you've ever read?
Moby Dick. I slogged through that during my mid teens, and abandoned it about 1/3 of the way through. I lost patience when I had to look up four or five new words each sentence, several sentences in a row, just so Melville could tell me how white the whale was. Ugh.
34. Most intimidating book you're too nervous to begin?
The Harry Potter series. I know I must read it, but I also know that once I begin, I'll get sucked into an obsession that may end all my other obsessions. I'm not sure I have the time for that now. :/
35. Favourite Poet?
Not sure.
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
About 20.
37. How often have you returned books to the library unread?
Next to never.
38. Favourite fictional character?
Can't pick just one. Any Jane Austen or J. R. R. Tolkien character.
39. Favourite fictional villain?
DON'T MAKE ME CHOOSE!
40. Books I'm most likely to bring on vacation?
Austen and Tolkien. Why are all these questions geared to make me give the same answers? :P
41. The longest I've gone without reading.
I honestly don't know.
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
The aforementioned Moby Dick.
43. What distracts you easily when you're reading?
Hunger and thirst.
44. Favourite film adaptation of a novel?
Oooo, tough call. I'd have to say the 1995 Persuasion and the Lord of the Rings movies.
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
There are so many, I'm not sure which to name first. Oh, wait, yes I am. The new Sherlock Holmes movie(s) withIron Man Robert Downey Jr. I will not watch them. Period.
46. The most money I've ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
20 bucks or something.
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
Never, really. I dive right in, and if I don't like it, down it goes.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
Too much profanity or obscenity, obnoxious characters, boring same-old, same-old plot, or a preachy narrative.
49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
LOL, no!
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you've read them?
I almost always read a book before I buy it, so if I'm buying, I'm keeping.
51. Are there any books you've been avoiding?
The Twilight series. Never going to read it--even if it is in front of my eyes, as Edward would say.
52. Name a book that made you angry.
I Capture the Castle. I loved the first half of that book to pieces, because the main character was practically me. Then the second half came around, and I hated some of the choices the main character made. So I never can decide whether I love or hate that book more.
53. A book you didn't expect to like but did?
Paranormalcy. I picked it up because it's cover looked AMAZING, but I was cautious, knowing you should not judge a book by its cover, even if you do. I read the first witty lines, and I fell in love.
54. A book that you expected to like but didn't?
The aforementioned I Capture the Castle. I don't like it--I'm torn between love and hate.
55. Favourite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
I know I sound like a broken record, but I don't care: AUSTEN AND TOLKIEN!!!
rhoda_rants.1. Favourite childhood book?
Little House in the Big Woods. To put it simply, Laura Ingalls Wilder shaped my character growing up. I am only obsessed with all things old-fashioned because I read and re-read her books till they were falling apart. I also think I owe my love of stories and story-telling to her, because I actually made up extra stories about Laura, before I even knew what fanfiction was. :)
2. What are you reading right now?
Snippets of Pride and Prejudice and The Hobbit, as well as The Midnight Disease by Alice W. Flaherty and various books on ancient Persia and writing YA.
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
Nothing right now.
4. Bad book habit?
Taking notes for taking notes on books I'm using as research for my WIP, and then leaving everything in limbo for months.
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
The aforementioned Midnight Disease.
6. Do you have an e-reader?
NO. Screens are for online blogs and such. If I can get a classic in hardback, I read it in hardback. I hate e-readers, and I'm not going to apologize for it.
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
With fiction, I usually like to read one at a time, unless I'm re-reading old faves. With nonfiction, I juggle far too many at once. :)
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
Since starting a blog? No. Since starting to write a novel with the express intent of publishing it? Yes. I made the huge mistake of almost abandoning reading, so I could have more time to write and less trouble with accidentally ripping off others' work. Again, HUGE MISTAKE.
9. Least favourite book you read this year (so far?)
I haven't read anything I disliked that much. I'm a picky reader, so I rarely pick up something I'm not 99% sure I'll like.
10. Favourite book you've read this year?
Among new books, it's a tie between Kiersten White's Paranormalcy and its sequel Supernaturally.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
Never. Life's painful as it is; why waste your time to escape by enduring more pain?
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
Classics, period drama, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie . . . and that's about it.
13. Can you read on the bus?
I never take the bus.
14. Favourite place to read?
My room!
15. What is your policy on book lending?
I never lend books.
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
No. Why would I do that?
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
No.
18. Not even with text books?
I'm the first of five homeschooled kids. Of course not!
19. What is your favourite language to read in?
English. Can't read anything else, save my Sindarin dictionary.
20. What makes you love a book?
Complex, engaging plot wedded with complex, engaging characters narrated by a complex, engaging writer's voice. Try to say that five times fast. XD
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
Ditto my last answer.
22. Favourite genre?
Anything written by somebody who has been dead over 50 years. My brain is not wired for the 21st century. Except for online stuff like LJ and tumblr. :)
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
Mystery. I need to read ALL of Agatha Christie's books, not just an occasional Poirot.
24. Favourite biography?
Nothing comes to mind.
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
I've amassed a ton of notes from books on writing.
26. Favourite cookbook?
Don't have one.
27. Most inspirational book you've read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
Hmm, can't decide.
28. Favourite reading snack?
ANYTHING NUMMY.
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
Hype doesn't affect my reading one way or another. If I like a book, I like it. Simple as that.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
I don't know. I don't pay much attention to critics. (If I did, anyone and everyone who applauded Pride and Prejudice and Zombies would not be breathing anymore . . .)
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
If a book stinks, it stinks. I don't feel bad about saying so. (If I meet a very sweet, lovable person who writes books that stink, that stance may change . . .)
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose?
Can't decide. I'd love to read Phantom of the Opera and The Hunchback of Notre Dame in French, but I'd also like to read Italian, Spanish, and Japanese. Decisions, decisions.
33. Most intimidating book you've ever read?
Moby Dick. I slogged through that during my mid teens, and abandoned it about 1/3 of the way through. I lost patience when I had to look up four or five new words each sentence, several sentences in a row, just so Melville could tell me how white the whale was. Ugh.
34. Most intimidating book you're too nervous to begin?
The Harry Potter series. I know I must read it, but I also know that once I begin, I'll get sucked into an obsession that may end all my other obsessions. I'm not sure I have the time for that now. :/
35. Favourite Poet?
Not sure.
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
About 20.
37. How often have you returned books to the library unread?
Next to never.
38. Favourite fictional character?
Can't pick just one. Any Jane Austen or J. R. R. Tolkien character.
39. Favourite fictional villain?
DON'T MAKE ME CHOOSE!
40. Books I'm most likely to bring on vacation?
Austen and Tolkien. Why are all these questions geared to make me give the same answers? :P
41. The longest I've gone without reading.
I honestly don't know.
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
The aforementioned Moby Dick.
43. What distracts you easily when you're reading?
Hunger and thirst.
44. Favourite film adaptation of a novel?
Oooo, tough call. I'd have to say the 1995 Persuasion and the Lord of the Rings movies.
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
There are so many, I'm not sure which to name first. Oh, wait, yes I am. The new Sherlock Holmes movie(s) with
46. The most money I've ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
20 bucks or something.
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
Never, really. I dive right in, and if I don't like it, down it goes.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
Too much profanity or obscenity, obnoxious characters, boring same-old, same-old plot, or a preachy narrative.
49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
LOL, no!
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you've read them?
I almost always read a book before I buy it, so if I'm buying, I'm keeping.
51. Are there any books you've been avoiding?
The Twilight series. Never going to read it--even if it is in front of my eyes, as Edward would say.
52. Name a book that made you angry.
I Capture the Castle. I loved the first half of that book to pieces, because the main character was practically me. Then the second half came around, and I hated some of the choices the main character made. So I never can decide whether I love or hate that book more.
53. A book you didn't expect to like but did?
Paranormalcy. I picked it up because it's cover looked AMAZING, but I was cautious, knowing you should not judge a book by its cover, even if you do. I read the first witty lines, and I fell in love.
54. A book that you expected to like but didn't?
The aforementioned I Capture the Castle. I don't like it--I'm torn between love and hate.
55. Favourite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
I know I sound like a broken record, but I don't care: AUSTEN AND TOLKIEN!!!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2011-10-24 06:43 pm (UTC)NO. Screens are for online blogs and such. If I can get a classic in hardback, I read it in hardback. I hate e-readers, and I'm not going to apologize for it.
Heh--this was my initial thought as well, when they first started coming out. However, since so many of my writer friends are contracted with epublishers, I have no choice but to buy the ebooks if I want to support them. It'd be nice to have something smaller and more portable than my laptop to read them on.
And DUUUUUDE, you need to read Harry Potter!! I know it's a huge undertaking, but they will go by so fast you won't believe it. Also, unlike those of us who read the books as they were being published, you won't have to deal with all the speculative nail-biting that went on while we were waiting for the next one to come out. (Pure torture, I tell you! But in a good way.)
I really need to read more classic mysteries as well as more non-fiction. I've read exactly one Agatha Christie--Crooked House--which was quite good, obviously, and a few Sherlock Holmes stories here and there, and Poe sometimes wrote mysteries--in fact he wrote a number of stories with a gothic detective character that some scholars think was a predecessor to Holmes, but I can't think of the name right now--but that's about it.
And I couldn't finish Moby Dick either. I still should, at some point. That whole chapter on the biology and habits of whales is what killed me.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-10-24 07:01 pm (UTC)Hmmm, good point.
I will read the HP books . . . eventually. After I'm done with my current WIP (first draft is almost done! Whee!), and after I've churned out its sequel for NaNoWriMo. Why do I drive myself crazy with silly ambitions? *sigh*
If I have to recommend one of the few Christie books I've read, it's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Absolutely, mind-blowingly brilliant.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-10-25 02:59 am (UTC)We writers are made of crazy, aren't we? I'm not doing NaNo this year only because I have so many other projects already underway. I don't want to make myself too crazy.
*jots down title and adds it to The List*
(no subject)
Date: 2011-10-25 03:04 am (UTC)Seen any of those?
(no subject)
Date: 2011-10-25 05:21 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-10-24 11:58 pm (UTC)Any recommendations from the Sherlock Holmes novels? I've always wanted to read some.
And you really should read Harry Potter. Seriously. It has everything - memorable characters, exciting stories with twists and turns, a well-built world, drama and hilarious moments. You will love the ride. ;)
(no subject)
Date: 2011-10-25 05:16 am (UTC)I own the Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes, which is a compilation of most of the stories written about him. I love it! Definitely recommend it.
Once I have the time to devote to reading the HP books, I will. And I'll post a chapter-by-chapter commentary here, just for fun. :)