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alwaysjbjSnagged from quite a few people, but most recently from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
slaymesoftly
1. Favourite childhood book?
Hmm...it's impossible to pick one. I got a lovely collection of children's classics as a present when I was about 8 which I adored, my favourites being Around the World in Eighty days, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Gulliver's Travels, Swiss Family Robinson and other wonderful adventure stories, my least favourite being the more 'girly' books. When I was 10 I was given the Silver Brumby books by Elyne Mitchell which I guess are my absolute favourite childhood books as I have read them so many times I can quote large sections. I also loved and adored Jennie by Paul Gallico, The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper and The Narnia books (although the series I had only had didn't include The Magician's Nephew, so one day I must read that one).
2. What are you reading right now?
Um... a fanfic, actually, but I do have Guild Wars: Edge of Destiny that I just purchased from Amazon waiting for me to finish the fic (although in some way I guess it kind of counts as a fanfic too. lol.)
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
I like to own books, so I don't tend to use the library any more... haven't since my kids were quite young.
4. Bad book habit?
None that I can think of... a book rarely looks read after I finish with it. Oh...does reading to the exclusion of anything else including cooking dinner for my family count?
6. Do you have an e-reader?
Yes. I have an old Sony e-reader which has been used so much its buttons have worn out, so I treated myself to a Kindle last year and absolutely love it!
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
I used to read multiple books at once, but now days I usually stick to one at a time.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
Oh yeah... fanfic has saved me a fortune! I used to go through so many books, then I discovered fan fic and for a few years I hardly read any 'real' books, only buying books by my favourite authors, and otherwise reading mostly fic...since getting my Kindle I have gone back to reading a lot more actual books.
9. Least favourite book you read this year (so far?)
Firelight a YA book that sounded promising, but I just couldn't get into it.
10. Favourite book you’ve read this year?
I haven't read many books so far this year, so there aren't a lot to choose from. I guess I'd say Avempartha.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
Rarely. There are too many books in my preferred genres that I have yet to read, so I don't feel a need to read from other genres.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
Fantasy, some Historical fiction, the occasional SciFi.
13. Can you read on the bus?
No, I suffer from terrible travel sickness so I can't read even for a minute in a car or bus...strangely trains and planes don't affect me.
14. Favourite place to read?
Mostly in bed.
15. What is your policy on book lending?
It's something I do because I feel bad if someone asks to borrow a book and I say no, but they rarely come back in the condition I would like them to. *sigh*
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
Never
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
Again, never!
18. Not even with text books?
Nope.
19. What is your favourite language to read in?
English. It's the only language I speak, so not a lot of point trying to read in another. LOL
20. What makes you love a book?
Good writing, interesting plot/subject matter, characters that appeal to me. (Keptslaymesoftly's answer as it was perfect)
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
If I really like it and think others would too.
22. Favourite genre?
Fantasy
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
None that I wish I read.
24. Favourite biography?
I don't often read biographies, so I don't have many to choose from. I read it years ago, but I remember that Yul Brynner's biography was quite interesting.
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
No.
26. Favourite cookbook?
Foodcraft by Nerys Purchon
27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
None.
28. Favourite reading snack?
Nothing.
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
None that I can think of. I don't really listen to hype anyway, and if I start reading something that I don't like I just stop reading it and go find something else...so my reading experience isn't 'ruined', just put on a temporary hold until I find a new book to read.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
I don't read reviews.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I don't give reviews for real books. If a friend asks me what I think of a book, I will give them an honest opinion, be it positive or negative--but I see no point in leaving a review on a site like Amazon etc.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?
Latin.
33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
No idea.
34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
No idea... I can't think of any.
35. Favourite Poet?
Banjo Paterson
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
None. See #3
37. How often have you returned book to the library unread?
Never. Years ago I used to borrow books, and they were always read by the time they were due back.
38. Favourite fictional character?
Oh, hard... Master Robinton, F'Lar and Lessa from Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern books. Arutha from Raymond E Feist's Riftwar Saga.
39. Favourite fictional villain?
Kaspar Olasko again from Raymond E Feist's books... first appearance in the Conclave of Shadows story arc.
40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?
That would involve actually going on a holiday, wouldn't it? LOL My Kindle...that way I don't have to choose.
41. The longest I’ve gone without reading.
No idea, not long...maybe a day or two if I've been sick.
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
Hmm... I can think of many that I never made it more than a few chapters, but one that I tried to read many times because multiple friends told me that it was good was Lord Foul's Bane and I could never get more than about halfway through it, it was just too boring.
43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
Not a lot.
44. Favourite film adaptation of a novel?
The Lord of the Rings and To Kill a Mockingbird (LOL I also can’t improve on these answers!)
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
The Dark is Rising
46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the book shop at one time?
No idea.
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
Never--I detest spoilers.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
Painful writing, if it was boring or just plain stupid.
49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
Yes.
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
See #3 I'm a book hoarder.
51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?
“The Twilight Saga”
52. Name a book that made you angry.
Can't think of any.
53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?
Nothing that comes to mind right now. If I don’t expect to like it, I’m not likely to have spent money or time on it. (Kept this answer!)
54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?
Many! Most recently Firelight.
55. Favourite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
There's such a thing as guilty pleasure reading? I guess, fan fic, but I don't see why anyone should ever feel guilt about reading something they enjoy no matter what the genre/format...unless it was harmful/hurtful to others.
slaymesoftly1. Favourite childhood book?
Hmm...it's impossible to pick one. I got a lovely collection of children's classics as a present when I was about 8 which I adored, my favourites being Around the World in Eighty days, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Gulliver's Travels, Swiss Family Robinson and other wonderful adventure stories, my least favourite being the more 'girly' books. When I was 10 I was given the Silver Brumby books by Elyne Mitchell which I guess are my absolute favourite childhood books as I have read them so many times I can quote large sections. I also loved and adored Jennie by Paul Gallico, The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper and The Narnia books (although the series I had only had didn't include The Magician's Nephew, so one day I must read that one).
2. What are you reading right now?
Um... a fanfic, actually, but I do have Guild Wars: Edge of Destiny that I just purchased from Amazon waiting for me to finish the fic (although in some way I guess it kind of counts as a fanfic too. lol.)
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
I like to own books, so I don't tend to use the library any more... haven't since my kids were quite young.
4. Bad book habit?
None that I can think of... a book rarely looks read after I finish with it. Oh...does reading to the exclusion of anything else including cooking dinner for my family count?
6. Do you have an e-reader?
Yes. I have an old Sony e-reader which has been used so much its buttons have worn out, so I treated myself to a Kindle last year and absolutely love it!
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
I used to read multiple books at once, but now days I usually stick to one at a time.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
Oh yeah... fanfic has saved me a fortune! I used to go through so many books, then I discovered fan fic and for a few years I hardly read any 'real' books, only buying books by my favourite authors, and otherwise reading mostly fic...since getting my Kindle I have gone back to reading a lot more actual books.
9. Least favourite book you read this year (so far?)
Firelight a YA book that sounded promising, but I just couldn't get into it.
10. Favourite book you’ve read this year?
I haven't read many books so far this year, so there aren't a lot to choose from. I guess I'd say Avempartha.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
Rarely. There are too many books in my preferred genres that I have yet to read, so I don't feel a need to read from other genres.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
Fantasy, some Historical fiction, the occasional SciFi.
13. Can you read on the bus?
No, I suffer from terrible travel sickness so I can't read even for a minute in a car or bus...strangely trains and planes don't affect me.
14. Favourite place to read?
Mostly in bed.
15. What is your policy on book lending?
It's something I do because I feel bad if someone asks to borrow a book and I say no, but they rarely come back in the condition I would like them to. *sigh*
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
Never
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
Again, never!
18. Not even with text books?
Nope.
19. What is your favourite language to read in?
English. It's the only language I speak, so not a lot of point trying to read in another. LOL
20. What makes you love a book?
Good writing, interesting plot/subject matter, characters that appeal to me. (Kept
slaymesoftly's answer as it was perfect)21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
If I really like it and think others would too.
22. Favourite genre?
Fantasy
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
None that I wish I read.
24. Favourite biography?
I don't often read biographies, so I don't have many to choose from. I read it years ago, but I remember that Yul Brynner's biography was quite interesting.
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
No.
26. Favourite cookbook?
Foodcraft by Nerys Purchon
27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
None.
28. Favourite reading snack?
Nothing.
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
None that I can think of. I don't really listen to hype anyway, and if I start reading something that I don't like I just stop reading it and go find something else...so my reading experience isn't 'ruined', just put on a temporary hold until I find a new book to read.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
I don't read reviews.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I don't give reviews for real books. If a friend asks me what I think of a book, I will give them an honest opinion, be it positive or negative--but I see no point in leaving a review on a site like Amazon etc.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?
Latin.
33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
No idea.
34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
No idea... I can't think of any.
35. Favourite Poet?
Banjo Paterson
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
None. See #3
37. How often have you returned book to the library unread?
Never. Years ago I used to borrow books, and they were always read by the time they were due back.
38. Favourite fictional character?
Oh, hard... Master Robinton, F'Lar and Lessa from Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern books. Arutha from Raymond E Feist's Riftwar Saga.
39. Favourite fictional villain?
Kaspar Olasko again from Raymond E Feist's books... first appearance in the Conclave of Shadows story arc.
40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?
That would involve actually going on a holiday, wouldn't it? LOL My Kindle...that way I don't have to choose.
41. The longest I’ve gone without reading.
No idea, not long...maybe a day or two if I've been sick.
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
Hmm... I can think of many that I never made it more than a few chapters, but one that I tried to read many times because multiple friends told me that it was good was Lord Foul's Bane and I could never get more than about halfway through it, it was just too boring.
43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
Not a lot.
44. Favourite film adaptation of a novel?
The Lord of the Rings and To Kill a Mockingbird (LOL I also can’t improve on these answers!)
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
The Dark is Rising
46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the book shop at one time?
No idea.
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
Never--I detest spoilers.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
Painful writing, if it was boring or just plain stupid.
49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
Yes.
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
See #3 I'm a book hoarder.
51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?
“The Twilight Saga”
52. Name a book that made you angry.
Can't think of any.
53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?
Nothing that comes to mind right now. If I don’t expect to like it, I’m not likely to have spent money or time on it. (Kept this answer!)
54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?
Many! Most recently Firelight.
55. Favourite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
There's such a thing as guilty pleasure reading? I guess, fan fic, but I don't see why anyone should ever feel guilt about reading something they enjoy no matter what the genre/format...unless it was harmful/hurtful to others.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 23/1/11 02:43 am (UTC)Gabrielle
no subject
Date: 23/1/11 02:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 23/1/11 02:47 am (UTC)Gabrielle
no subject
Date: 23/1/11 03:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 23/1/11 05:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 23/1/11 03:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 23/1/11 04:24 am (UTC)45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
The Dark is Rising
word. I loved those books, and I adore Christopher Eccleston. It could have been awesome!
no subject
Date: 23/1/11 05:35 am (UTC)It could have been...there was so much potential, alas it fell FAR short of the mark!
Yes, the Kindle is fantastic. And I love that I can load fanfic as well as books onto it.
no subject
Date: 24/1/11 12:58 am (UTC)