Friday, August 20, 2010

BOOKING THROUGH THURSDAY...ON FRIDAY (1)

This is my first time doing Booking Through Thursday! A little late with it, but I couldn't resist...I saw this over at Ready When You Are, C.B. and I love Q & As so....
1. Favorite childhood book?
Little Women...I really wanted to be just like Jo!

2. What are you reading right now?
The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran
Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show by Frank Delaney
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
Under the Dome by Stephen King

3. What books do you have on request at the library?
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

4. Bad book habit?
I have a bad habit of spilling drinks...always when there is a book around to spill it on!

5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
Negotiating with the Dead: A Writer on Writing by Margaret Atwood
A Novel in a Year: From First Page to Last in 52 Weeks by Louise Doughty
Write Away: One Novelist's Approach to Fiction and the Writing Life by Elizabeth George
How to Grow a Novel: The Most Common Mistakes Writers Make and How to Overcome Them by Sol Stein
The Game on Diet by Krista Vernoff & AZ Ferguson

Why so many books on writing?  Stay tuned for my life and blog update post for details!

6. Do you have an e-reader?
yes, a Sony Reader (pocket)...I know, I know! 'I thought you were against e-readers, Michelle?'  Well, I was (sort of)...I just don't want print books to go the way of the dinosaurs.  But I decided I wanted an e-reader because it would be cheaper (and less back strain) to download my college textbooks to it.  Well, due to recent news (again, stay tuned for my update), this will no longer be necessary! Anyway, I won it from Shawna @ Book Giveaways & Trying to Stay Calm...lucky me! I do not purchase e-books, but I do download free stuff.  I have Cranford and The Mysteries of Udolpho on my reader now, among a few others.

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
As you can see from question 2, I prefer several at once...obviously! Sometimes it is out of necessity!

8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
I know I read more (largely because people are depending on me to review their books).  I've also become exposed to new genres.  I'm reading more YA and Dystopian books.  I'm also becoming more entrenched in my first loved genre, historical fiction.  I have found so many more wonderful historical authors since I started blogging.

9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far?)
That would be Powers by John B. Olson.  This was a did-not-finish...only the second in my life, if you can believe that!

10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?
This is hard because I've read some great ones.  So far, I'm going to say The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.

11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
rarely, if never.

12. What is your reading comfort zone?
historical fiction, horror, fantasy, general or literary fiction, classics

13. Can you read on the bus?
I don't ride the bus, but if I did, I know I could.  I used to read on the school bus as a child/teenager.

14. Favorite place to read?
In my library, sitting in my big, comfy armchair with my feet up.

15. What is your policy on book lending?
I can be persnickety about it.  I HATE when someone doesn't return a book.  Case in point:  One of my ex co-workers has 2 of my books, since last year!

16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
NEVER!

17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
No way!

18. Not even with text books?
Nope.

19. What is your favorite language to read in?
Well, since I only speak English...

20. What makes you love a book?
An engaging plot, great character development, and I especially appreciate beautifully written prose.  I also love any book with some kind of historical details regarding the characters, even if it's not an historical novel.

21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
All of the above and, of course, books by my favorite authors.

22. Favorite genre?
historical fiction

23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
romance....I wish I wasn't such a prude...not really! =O)

24. Favorite biography?
Sadly, I haven't read too many, although I have a ton on my shelf.  I have a Vincent Price biography really calling to me! I'm going to say Mommie Dearest...purely for nostalgia.  I read it when I was very young.

25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
quite a few, actually.

26. Favorite cookbook?
I have an old cookbook that my mom had when we were kids.  It's called The Settlement Cookbook.  My famous dressing for turkey comes from that book! I also like the Fix-It and Forget-It books by Phyllis Good.

27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
Live a Life You Love by Dr. Susan Biali

28. Favorite reading snack?
I don't generally snack while reading.  Don't like to get the pages dirty.  Occasionally, some kind of non-sticky candy, like sour neon gummi worms!

29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
Found out stuff that happens in Breaking Dawn that I would have rather found out about in reading it, but how could it be helped with all the hype!

30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
It varies.  I don't think I'm as critical of books as are some people.  I just love books so much, that I usually can find something redeeming in the pages.

31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I'm not fond of giving negative reviews (see above ?).  I tend to see the good amongst the bad in all that I read...mostly! However, I do not sugarcoat my reviews either.

32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose?
French

33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
Beowulf

34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
I really do not get intimidated by books.  Well, maybe a smidge nervous about War and Peace.

35. Favorite Poet?
Edgar Allan Poe

36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
Maybe 5-10

37. How often have you returned book to the library unread?
*hangs head in shame*  too many times to count!

38. Favorite fictional character?
The vampire Lestat from Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles

39. Favorite fictional villain?
Every villain in Stephen King's books.  I'm reading Under the Dome and I was just telling my Mom that King is so great at making you hate certain characters.  Also, Lord Voldemort!

40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?
Pretty much any books I'm reading at the time.  I don't have certain books for vacation reading, plus I haven't been on a REAL vacation since I went to New Orleans in 1999!

41. The longest I’ve gone without reading.
a day, maybe!

42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
same as question 9...Powers by John B. Olson

43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
My kids...ugh!

44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?
The Silence of the Lambs

45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
Queen of the Damned (my favorited book), HANDS DOWN! Terrible adaptation (but the soundtrack rocks)!

46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
Bricks and mortar...$25  online...$60

47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
I might read the first page once, but I usually dive right in.

48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
It would take a lot, but probably an annoying premise or if it was excruciatingly boring.

49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
yes.  Fiction, alphabetical by author.  Non-fiction, organized by subject.

50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
Uh, yes! Case in point, I own over 3000 books and 1700+ are fiction!

51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?
Please don't ask me why because I really don't know, but The Help by Kathryn Stockett! I'll probably get around to reading it eventually!

52. Name a book that made you angry.
I hate to beat a dead horse here, but again, Powers.

53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?
The House of Sand and Fog

54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?
Elsewhere by William Peter Blatty

55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
A really good horror novel!
$

9 comments:

Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment. It means so much.

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  1. Ooooo Queen of the Damned was very bad and I remember really liking the book. Good call!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great answers Michelle! I forgot about Lord Voldemort - he's an awesome villain!

    I'm partial to your answer on #1 as I was named after the youngest daughter, Amy :) It's my mom's fave book of all time!

    I don't know how you can read more than 1 book at a time...you must be very focused!

    And we both chose French as the language we wish we could read in...great minds think alike!

    This was such a fun meme..thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I almost put Queen of the Damned as my choice for worst adaptation. I was so angry that they neglected such an amazing storyline with the twins. I actually walked out of Timeline, which is why I put it as my worst.

    Can't wait to read your review of The Lace Reader.

    ~Jenn

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Michelle,
    Just wanted to let you know I have an award for you at A Cup of Tea.

    I was thinking about joining this meme. It looks like fun! I love Q & A things!

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've read How to Grow a Novel and every few pages Sol Stein refers to his other novel, thus I don't think there's any point of reading this one without the other one nearby.

    That place in the library seems enjoyable to read.

    Wow, you're bookshelf must be really organised. I wish I had more room for another bookshelf.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great answers! Love memes like this, as it's fun to compare answers with everyone! And no need for hanging your head in shame about returning unread books to the library, as I think most of us have done that! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm intrigued by your answers as a few of mine would be the same. I love memes like this but won't do this one because I don't do BTT.

    ReplyDelete
  8. 51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?
    Please don't ask me why because I really don't know, but The Help by Kathryn Stockett! I'll probably get around to reading it eventually!

    After I read The Help I felt like I had read something very important. It really affected me for days. But unfortunately, I hadn't heard of the book before I read it so there was no hype.
    -Anne
    http://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
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