Saturday, July 26, 2014

55 Questions About Books and Reading (Part 1)

Stealing this from Nevillegirl! :)

1. Favorite childhood book?

Harry Potter. Always has been, always will be. I also used to love the Magic Treehouse series and all of the American Girl books, especially the Samantha ones.

2. What are you reading right now?

To Kill a Mockingbird (with my mom), City of Heavenly Fire, Coffee at Luke's, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

3. What books do you have on request at the library?

Right now, surprisingly, nothing.

4. Bad book habit?

I write in my books. I underline, draw little hearts, the whole bit. I also eat and drink around my books.

5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. (Yes, I had to look up how to spell her name, and no, I have no idea how to pronounce it.)

6. Do you have an e-reader?

I had one, but it broke (through no fault of my own!). :P So now I have to resort to using my iPod, which has a pathetically tiny screen. Luckily an iPad is on the way for me (thank you, Vavó)!

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?

People actually only read one book at once?! Who has the time for that?!

8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?

Definitely. I have way more to read now! When I was younger (maybe 10 or 11), I had to resort to picking random books off the shelves at the library for new books to read. :P

9. Least favorite book you read this year so far?

Since I'm sure you've already read (several times) about how much I loathed Catcher In the Rye, I'll skip over that and jump right in to The Alchemyst by Michael Scott. I tried to get into it, but I just couldn't. :P It was too boring, the writing was sub-par, and the dialogue was jerky. I also couldn't get into The Book Thief.

10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?

Other than rereads, I'd have to say Cress! :) LOVED that book!

11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?

Probably less than I should. :P Book clubs help me to do this, and sometimes I'll make a point of reading non-fiction or classics, or something else I don't usually read. I have to go out of my way to read something different, otherwise it's very easy for me to fall into a rut. I'm glad I tried science-fiction again, because I discovered that I don't dislike sci-fi, I just don't like the hardcore stuff. (For example, Ender's Game was a dud for me, but I LOVED the Lunar Chronicles, These Broken Stars, The Host, "Doctor Who," and "Torchwood."

12. What is your reading comfort zone?

Fantasy, dystopian, and recently, contemporaries, all YA.

13. Can you read in the car?

Most of the time.

14. Favorite place to read?

In my room, on my cozy chair with my funky lamp. :)

15. What is your policy on book lending?

I only lend books to my family members and BFF. I also kind of hate borrowing books from anyone except them, because it makes me feel pressured to read those books first. :P

16. Do you ever dog-ear books?

No.

17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?

Um, yeah. (Don't hate me!)

18. Not even with textbooks?

I don't think so, since I'll probably end up selling them later.

19. What is your favorite language to read in?

I can only read in English.

20. What makes you love a book?

Great characters, witty dialogue, good writing, and anything that evokes strong emotions. I love books that can make me laugh out loud or sob (or, better yet, both!). Also, if it causes me to have a book hangover afterward or be rendered speechless when I try to review it, I know it's good.

21. What will inspire you to recommend a book? 

See number 20. If I know a friend of mine likes a specific genre or style, and I read a good book that applies to that genre or style, I'll recommend it.

22. Favorite genre?

Fantasy! :)

23. Genre you rarely read but wish you did?

Sci-fi, I guess. I've really gotten into it with "Doctor Who," "Torchwood," the Lunar Chronicles, and These Broken Stars, but I've yet to find anything else worth reading. :P If you have recommendations for me, I'd love to hear them!

24. Favorite biography?

I don't read a lot of biographies, but the one I read about John Lennon--John Lennon: All I Want Is the Truth--was pretty good.

25. Have you ever read a self-help book?

Do how-to-write books count?

26. Favorite cookbook?

I don't have one.

27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)? 

Harry Potter, always. Cress, The Fault In Our Stars, and These Broken Stars also make the list.

Part 2 coming soon! :)

4 comments:

Rebecca said...

I feel the same way about borrowing books from people. I'm always afraid I (or certain brothers who shall remain unnamed) will damage or lose them.
I can't wait for part two!

The Magic Violinist said...

@Rebecca Jane Ha ha ha, I can actually trust my brother more than some of my friends because he's really uptight about that stuff. ;)

Boquinha said...

LOVE these! I think it's funny you say, "People actually only read one book at once?! Who has the time for that?!" Seems more like something to be said about people (like us) who read several at once!! :P

The Magic Violinist said...

@Boquinha Too many books, too little time! That's my motto. ;)