Carola over on The Brilliant Years posted answers to 55-questions she stumbled upon somewhere in the internet realm. I have chosen to answer 39 of the questions. I didn't go with all 55 for fear I was spending too much time answering and not doing my other required life duties.
Stop by to see her full set of questions and answers - Reading Habits: 55 Reading Questions
I remember enjoying The Encyclopedia Brown series, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Judy Blume and Beverly Clearly books to name a few.
2. What are you reading right now?
Well, according to Goodreads I have 38 books on my Currently Reading shelf. I will list the few reads I am trying to finish before the end of the month.
- Hunger by Knut Hamsun ~ DWS Around-the-World Challenge: Northern Europe, Library Challenge, Dearly Departed Challenge
- Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak ~ Russian Challenge, Library Challenge, Dearly Departed Challenge
- Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert ~ Library Challenge, Dearly Departed Challenge
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
I tend to request months in advance using a future hold date for things that I know are upcoming. So I have only listed the next few books coming up.
- Le morte Darthur by Sir Thomas Malory ~ I have started, needed to return, but want to still plug away on this for a few challenges [Library Challenge, Dearly Departed Challenge, Arthurian Literature Challenge]
- The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis ~ C.S. Lewis Project, Library Challenge
- The Sleepwalkers by Christopher Clark ~ History Challenge, Library Challenge
4. Bad book habit?
Can books really be a bad habit? I suppose wanting to read everything now and getting sucked into too many books at once.
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis ~ Completed, need to review and return
- Hunger by Knut Hamsun ~ Little over 25% done
- Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak ~ way behind! Only completed one chapter
- The Warden by Anthony Trollope ~ way behind! Only read a few pages
- Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert ~ Almost done, Part III left [93 pgs]
- The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye ~ Have to return unread
- Copperhead by Tina Connolly~ Have to return unread, again
- The Trial by Franz Kafka ~ Completed, need to review and return
- IBM and the Holocaust: The Strategic Alliance Between Nazi Germany and America's Most Powerful Corporation by Edwin Black ~ Have to return unread
- Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis ~ Haven't started yet
6. Do you have an e-reader?
Yes, a second-generation Kindle Paperwhite, which I love. I wasn't sure when I was gifted my first Kindle Keyboard how I would like reading digital over real paper. I read in both formats, some months end up being almost exclusive to physical books, which slows me down. It is much harder to cart around my 38 books in physical form. I also am completely spoiled by the dictionary and newest in-line footnotes feature on the newest Paperwhite.
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
I read multiple books at once for a few reasons. Sometimes I am in the mood for a certain book over another. Sometimes knowing I only will have a short period free to read will point my choice to a certain book.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
I still am reading tons, however trying to create post and reviews does take away from some of my reading time. However, read-alongs and read-a-thons have helped me gain more out books with the discussion or spurred me on to complete a book I might not have in a timely fashion. So while my reviews are dreadfully behind right now, I am glad I have pushed beyond my comfort zone and attempted a blog.
9. Least favourite book you read this year (so far)?
Hmm. I am a bit of a softy when it comes to books. I would say my biggest disappointment was actually The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum. I was expecting something more magical, but I just didn't find myself thrown into a whirlwind and landing in Oz.
10. Favourite book you’ve read this year?
Only one? Can't be done....
- Historical Fiction: The Auschwitz Escape by Joel C Rosenberg [review]
- Classic: Thérèse Raquin by Émile Zola [review]
- Middle-Grade Book: A World Without Princes (The School for Good and Evil, #2) by Soman Chainani [review]
- Picture Book: I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll [review]
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
Actually frequently, as my passion is history books. That being said, they can be heavy reads requiring me to break things up with others reads. However, if you extended that into areas I'm not crazy about, horror for example, I barely dabble my toe. I will read a wide range of books and happily do so.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
Does it sound odd to find comfort in non-fiction history? History is a topic that interest me and the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know. When I need to give my brain a break, I'll gravitate to middle-grade books, why such a difference? It is a break from life, and not filled with the drama and angst that is commonly found in YA/NA books for example. I neglected the classics in school, so I have been working on reading many of those and found some new to me authors that I can't wait to read more from. I don't neglect new authors and current releases in all sorts of genre's, I just don't have all the time I would like to read everything. So I have a mile long TBR and Wish list (well mile may be an understatement).
13. Can you read on the bus?
Thankfully, I don't have an issue with motion sickness, so I can read anywhere. Although noise can be a distraction, so if I have forgotten headphones to listen to background music to drown out other noises I can't concentrate on some reads.
14. Favourite place to read?
Somewhere warm and comfy.
15. What is your policy on book lending?
I don't mind loaning books, most people I know that would want to borrow a book know how to treat a book.
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
Really? You just sent shivers down my back. No, I do not dog-ear books!
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
If it is a textbook yes, otherwise, no writing allowed in my books.
18. What is your favourite language to read in?
Well, being I can only read, speak and write in one language I am going to have to go with English here. [I do know a smidgen of French.]
20. What makes you love a book?
For fiction, if I can get swept into the book and find a character to root for.
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
If it is a book I read that I think fits person Y's taste.
22. Favourite genre?
Going back to comfort zone, non-fiction history.
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did)?
Hmm. In general terms I would say the classics, I am trying to catch-up on reading books that you will find talked about frequently so I can be part of the conversation and not just smile with that dumb deer in headlights look on face because I'm clueless.
24. Favourite biography?
Last year I read a biography on Madame Curie that was written by her daughter, [Madame Curie: A Biography by Eve Curie] I enjoyed, I have a large selection of biographies in my TBR pile to read. I have been brought to tears by many of the memories of Holocaust survivors.
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
Probably, but it isn't an area I read often, maybe I should? I probably need some help.
26. Favourite cookbook?
Well, I'm lucky and don't have to do the cooking in the household. I do like Alton Brown and we own cookbooks, but I can't say I have a favorite. It does have to be simple with simple ingredients, I don't want to run all over town finding some odd instrument and ingredient to make a dish.
27. Favourite reading snack?
Tea or water to drink and snacks, I don't typically snack while reading. I like popcorn, but don't want butter on my pages! Chocolate, well, who doesn't like a nibble of dark chocolate every now and again.
28. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
I don't really pay attention to professional critics, as we don't usually see (read) eye to eye. I read The Book Thief prior to it becoming popular and being made into a movie, I have to say, I was not overly moved by the book. It was just OK in my eyes, but you would think it was the greatest thing since sliced bread right now. There are books that capture this time period in a more meaningful way for me, and I'm not sure the narrator being death worked for me.
29. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I admit, I am gentle and really don't want to give a completely negative review. Thankfully, I have not been faced with this challenge yet in my short blogging span. I have not read a book that was a complete turn-off.
30. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?
I would go with French as my first choice of foreign language to learn to read in.
31. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
Embarrassing.... Pride and Prejudice, this just is not my favorite genre. I made it through this short read, but it still didn't sell me on loving Jane Austen. I will read more of her books, as they are classics and it wasn't a terrible experience, just not my favorite.
32. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
I guess right now, looking at my 50 in 5 list, I would go with Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. I think right now its sheer size has been intimidating me because I have so many tomes I'm already working on.
33. Favourite poet?
Poetry is not one I can say I have a favorite.
34. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
Must I answer and admit? Way too many, upwards of 10.
35. How often have you returned books to the library unread?
Again, must I answer and admit? Too often, I wish it was untrue.
36. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
I can get sucked into a TV show if sitting on the couch trying to read while someone is watching a show.
37. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
Probably around $100, Christmas time makes it easy to add to the purchase pile.
38. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
Never, I will look at the book enough to know if it's broken down into Parts or something along those lines, but I don't pre-read.
39. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
Keep, there is something about books that just wants me to keep them.
[Notice: Original posting 2014-05-28 at Plethora of Books Blog: http://bookchallenges.weebly.com]
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