A L-o-o-o-o-ng Book Meme!
September 3rd, 2013 11:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lunadelcorvo1. Favourite childhood book?
Tough one, because I had so many, and they varied by age. When really small, I remember Santa Mouse best, but then it was the Hobbit, then Watership Down, then the Prydain series, and of course Nancy Drew and…..
2. What are you reading right now?
Well, quite a few. More's Utopia, Eliade's Sacred and Profane (teaching those), Inferno (again, teaching that in Spring), Machiavelli: A Biography (for fun) and Black Swan Rising for lighter fun.
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
Amazingly, none at present!
4. Bad book habit?
Well, if it's something at all academic, I write in my books, like a LOT. I don't usually dog-ear, and treat them well otherwise. I do tend to keep them too long, especially inter-library loans.
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
Also nothing, but then the semester just started, and I already own the ones I end up teaching. I also have way too may I have yet to get to!
6. Do you have an e-reader?
I adopted out my 1st gen. Nook, but I do read fairly often on my iPad. I prefer real books, but the iPad doesn't need a light and keep my hubby awake at night!
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
See the answer to #2, should be self-evident!
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
Yes, but not for that reason. SInce I started my LJ/DW, I went from design to academia, which has me reading a lot more (and which I love!)
9. Least favourite book you read this year (so far?)
I've started a few I just couldn't get into, and didn't finish. Of those I did, in non-fic it would have to be 13 Books that Ruined the World. Don't get me started, but I had steam coming out my ears the whole time! What a peeve of trash. (loops, got me started!) In fiction - fought o say; maybe The Demon's Wife? It was an early reviewer book at LibraryThing, and it just wasn't well-written.
10. Favourite book you've read this year?
Wow, also a tough call. I loved Lovett's The Bookmans' Tale, and (to my own surprise) the Fairwick Series. Then again, I've picked up a few fantastic academic books, too, most notably William's Figure of Beatrice, and a couple others.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
I have a pretty big comfort zone, so I guess not too often. I don't tend to bother with romance, barring a few well-written historical pieces, or novels that have romance in them. I'm not a fan of memoirs or tell-alls, either. I don't tend to read in nonfiction areas where I don't have interest, so I read lots of history, but not really say, 18th C European. Otherwise, I think I'm pretty varied, I suppose.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
Well, as above, pretty much anything as to genre, depending on the topic, if that makes sense.
13. Can you read on the bus?
Well, I haven't ridden the bus for years, but I used to, so I guess I still can!
14. Favourite place to read?
In bed, in a comfy chair with a cup of tea or coffee to hand… anywhere I can really snuggle in and let the world around me vanish!
15. What is your policy on book lending?
I do it, but not often, and these days, not usually happily, unless it's someone I know will get it back to me. Often this is pure practicality - I need a lot of my books on hand for research/teaching!
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
Only very rarely, and then only books that are what I term 'frivolous,' like fluff fiction or brain candy. even then I prefer a bookmark, but don't always have one handy.
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
Academic-type books, yes, prolifically! Otherwise, no, no reason to.
18. Not even with text books?
See above - yes, with text-books (though I don't do many 'text-books' these days, it's more monographs and primary sources.
19. What is your favourite language to read in?
Well, I can read in German, and some Italian, but English, definitely.
20. What makes you love a book?
A great many things, depending on what it is or is trying to be. Fiction, anything that grabs me, makes me care, takes me there. It's not always clear what will do that, or always something I expect, but there it is….
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
See above? Or if something offers a really approachable or unique perspective on a topic.
22. Favourite genre?
Uh… depends? Medieval history, good lit-crit in my field, quirky and surprising fiction?
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
None, really, I'm pretty well multi-genre, and OK with my variety, thanks.
24. Favourite biography?
This week? Machiavelli: A Biography (Unger) or maybe Hitchen's Why Orwell Matters. Next week, who knows. I don't tend to care about bios of 'famous people' unless I have some other interest in them, e.g. Orwell, Dante, Giotto, etc….
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
Many years ago, probably. I pretty much think they're largely tripe these days.
26. Favourite cookbook?
My own, that I've compiled over almost 3 decades. After that, I have this one Christmas Cookie book that I have all but worn the ink off the pages. I'm not a recipe chef much, more of a throw things in and see what works, so I tend to be baking-heavy when it comes to cookbooks.
27. Most inspirational book you've read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
Depends on what you mean by inspirational. Rereading Dante is always an amazing experience; same with Ibsen and Orwell. Maybe Hitch 22; I adored Hitchens, and miss him dearly….
28. Favourite reading snack?
Tea and biscuits, I think. Or coffee and same.
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
Well, I rarely read 'hyped' books, so I really honestly can't think of any.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
Again, I rarely read NYT bestseller type books, so often there are few critics to be found. In terms of academic reading, I usually can at least see where a critic (or reviewer) is coming from whether I agree or not.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
If I do give a negative review, I try to be factual of professional about it. I'd never say "this sucks," I'd say the plot seemed rushed, the characters lacked depth, the research was inadequate, etc. In other words, I will give a negative but constructive review.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?
Italian (it's beautiful, and I WILL read the Divine Comedy in Dante's Italian before I die) or Latin, because there is SO uch material I want/need to read!
33. Most intimidating book you've ever read?
As an academic in the humanities, I don't intimidate easily! Maybe Durkheim's Elementary Forms of Religious Life, or Weber's Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism (both of which I recommend!)
34. Most intimidating book you're too nervous to begin?
None.
35. Favourite poet?
Dante Alighieri, then maybe Browning, or Burns.
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
Varies wildly. I don't tend to use the library for personal reading, but for research it can easily be in the tens or more, but not really consistently.
37. How often have you returned a book to the library unread?
Unread cover to cover, often, if it didn't end up suiting my research purposes.
38. Favourite fictional character?
Oh, golly. SO very, very many, and not all from books!
39. Favourite fictional villain?
Same as above, I guess!
40. Books I'm most likely to bring on vacation?
Light reading, unless I have deadlines for papers and such.
41. The longest I've gone without reading.
Uh….day or so, at most?
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
Wow, there have been a bunch. I read fiction for fun and relaxation, so I don't tend to slog through something if it's not working for me. So recently, The Gargoyle, The Geographer's Library, something else that I don't recall (doubtless why I didn't finish it…)
43. What distracts you easily when you're reading?
Family, work obligations, the usual, I suspect.
44. Favourite film adaptation of a novel?
Well, drat - I don't tend to see movies much either, especially the ones made from the sort of books people make movies from.
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
See above….
46. The most money I've ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
Oh, dear, several hundred, I should think, though I'd sort of rather not!
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
Fiction, I don't. Non-fiction, almost always.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
If it just doesn't catch me, or if it becomes clear it's not what I need to whatever I"m working on.
49. Do you like to keep your books organised?
Yes, by subject, then by author. Though, as I run out of shelf-space it gets harder….
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you've read them?
Usually keep them, unless they are sort of frivolous. I keep non-fiction, unless it's just something I low I'll never use, and I keep books for which I develop affection.
51. Are there any books you've been avoiding?
Not really.
52. Name a book that made you angry.
The one above, The 13 Books That Screwed Up the World - grrrrr! And this one book, on the Albigensian Crusades; totally nonsense! LOL
53. A book you didn't expect to like but did?
The Fairwick Trilogy by Juliet Dark. Expected a light, slightly trashy read, but found that I really got drawn in...
54. A book that you expected to like but didn't?
Lots, I'm kinda picky and maybe even a little fickle about my fiction especially.
55. Favourite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
Outlander Series - hey I almost went into Scottish history before the Middle Ages fought me 'round the throat, what can I say! ;)
Tough one, because I had so many, and they varied by age. When really small, I remember Santa Mouse best, but then it was the Hobbit, then Watership Down, then the Prydain series, and of course Nancy Drew and…..
2. What are you reading right now?
Well, quite a few. More's Utopia, Eliade's Sacred and Profane (teaching those), Inferno (again, teaching that in Spring), Machiavelli: A Biography (for fun) and Black Swan Rising for lighter fun.
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
Amazingly, none at present!
4. Bad book habit?
Well, if it's something at all academic, I write in my books, like a LOT. I don't usually dog-ear, and treat them well otherwise. I do tend to keep them too long, especially inter-library loans.
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
Also nothing, but then the semester just started, and I already own the ones I end up teaching. I also have way too may I have yet to get to!
6. Do you have an e-reader?
I adopted out my 1st gen. Nook, but I do read fairly often on my iPad. I prefer real books, but the iPad doesn't need a light and keep my hubby awake at night!
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
See the answer to #2, should be self-evident!
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
Yes, but not for that reason. SInce I started my LJ/DW, I went from design to academia, which has me reading a lot more (and which I love!)
9. Least favourite book you read this year (so far?)
I've started a few I just couldn't get into, and didn't finish. Of those I did, in non-fic it would have to be 13 Books that Ruined the World. Don't get me started, but I had steam coming out my ears the whole time! What a peeve of trash. (loops, got me started!) In fiction - fought o say; maybe The Demon's Wife? It was an early reviewer book at LibraryThing, and it just wasn't well-written.
10. Favourite book you've read this year?
Wow, also a tough call. I loved Lovett's The Bookmans' Tale, and (to my own surprise) the Fairwick Series. Then again, I've picked up a few fantastic academic books, too, most notably William's Figure of Beatrice, and a couple others.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
I have a pretty big comfort zone, so I guess not too often. I don't tend to bother with romance, barring a few well-written historical pieces, or novels that have romance in them. I'm not a fan of memoirs or tell-alls, either. I don't tend to read in nonfiction areas where I don't have interest, so I read lots of history, but not really say, 18th C European. Otherwise, I think I'm pretty varied, I suppose.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
Well, as above, pretty much anything as to genre, depending on the topic, if that makes sense.
13. Can you read on the bus?
Well, I haven't ridden the bus for years, but I used to, so I guess I still can!
14. Favourite place to read?
In bed, in a comfy chair with a cup of tea or coffee to hand… anywhere I can really snuggle in and let the world around me vanish!
15. What is your policy on book lending?
I do it, but not often, and these days, not usually happily, unless it's someone I know will get it back to me. Often this is pure practicality - I need a lot of my books on hand for research/teaching!
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
Only very rarely, and then only books that are what I term 'frivolous,' like fluff fiction or brain candy. even then I prefer a bookmark, but don't always have one handy.
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
Academic-type books, yes, prolifically! Otherwise, no, no reason to.
18. Not even with text books?
See above - yes, with text-books (though I don't do many 'text-books' these days, it's more monographs and primary sources.
19. What is your favourite language to read in?
Well, I can read in German, and some Italian, but English, definitely.
20. What makes you love a book?
A great many things, depending on what it is or is trying to be. Fiction, anything that grabs me, makes me care, takes me there. It's not always clear what will do that, or always something I expect, but there it is….
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
See above? Or if something offers a really approachable or unique perspective on a topic.
22. Favourite genre?
Uh… depends? Medieval history, good lit-crit in my field, quirky and surprising fiction?
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
None, really, I'm pretty well multi-genre, and OK with my variety, thanks.
24. Favourite biography?
This week? Machiavelli: A Biography (Unger) or maybe Hitchen's Why Orwell Matters. Next week, who knows. I don't tend to care about bios of 'famous people' unless I have some other interest in them, e.g. Orwell, Dante, Giotto, etc….
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
Many years ago, probably. I pretty much think they're largely tripe these days.
26. Favourite cookbook?
My own, that I've compiled over almost 3 decades. After that, I have this one Christmas Cookie book that I have all but worn the ink off the pages. I'm not a recipe chef much, more of a throw things in and see what works, so I tend to be baking-heavy when it comes to cookbooks.
27. Most inspirational book you've read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
Depends on what you mean by inspirational. Rereading Dante is always an amazing experience; same with Ibsen and Orwell. Maybe Hitch 22; I adored Hitchens, and miss him dearly….
28. Favourite reading snack?
Tea and biscuits, I think. Or coffee and same.
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
Well, I rarely read 'hyped' books, so I really honestly can't think of any.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
Again, I rarely read NYT bestseller type books, so often there are few critics to be found. In terms of academic reading, I usually can at least see where a critic (or reviewer) is coming from whether I agree or not.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
If I do give a negative review, I try to be factual of professional about it. I'd never say "this sucks," I'd say the plot seemed rushed, the characters lacked depth, the research was inadequate, etc. In other words, I will give a negative but constructive review.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?
Italian (it's beautiful, and I WILL read the Divine Comedy in Dante's Italian before I die) or Latin, because there is SO uch material I want/need to read!
33. Most intimidating book you've ever read?
As an academic in the humanities, I don't intimidate easily! Maybe Durkheim's Elementary Forms of Religious Life, or Weber's Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism (both of which I recommend!)
34. Most intimidating book you're too nervous to begin?
None.
35. Favourite poet?
Dante Alighieri, then maybe Browning, or Burns.
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
Varies wildly. I don't tend to use the library for personal reading, but for research it can easily be in the tens or more, but not really consistently.
37. How often have you returned a book to the library unread?
Unread cover to cover, often, if it didn't end up suiting my research purposes.
38. Favourite fictional character?
Oh, golly. SO very, very many, and not all from books!
39. Favourite fictional villain?
Same as above, I guess!
40. Books I'm most likely to bring on vacation?
Light reading, unless I have deadlines for papers and such.
41. The longest I've gone without reading.
Uh….day or so, at most?
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
Wow, there have been a bunch. I read fiction for fun and relaxation, so I don't tend to slog through something if it's not working for me. So recently, The Gargoyle, The Geographer's Library, something else that I don't recall (doubtless why I didn't finish it…)
43. What distracts you easily when you're reading?
Family, work obligations, the usual, I suspect.
44. Favourite film adaptation of a novel?
Well, drat - I don't tend to see movies much either, especially the ones made from the sort of books people make movies from.
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
See above….
46. The most money I've ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
Oh, dear, several hundred, I should think, though I'd sort of rather not!
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
Fiction, I don't. Non-fiction, almost always.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
If it just doesn't catch me, or if it becomes clear it's not what I need to whatever I"m working on.
49. Do you like to keep your books organised?
Yes, by subject, then by author. Though, as I run out of shelf-space it gets harder….
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you've read them?
Usually keep them, unless they are sort of frivolous. I keep non-fiction, unless it's just something I low I'll never use, and I keep books for which I develop affection.
51. Are there any books you've been avoiding?
Not really.
52. Name a book that made you angry.
The one above, The 13 Books That Screwed Up the World - grrrrr! And this one book, on the Albigensian Crusades; totally nonsense! LOL
53. A book you didn't expect to like but did?
The Fairwick Trilogy by Juliet Dark. Expected a light, slightly trashy read, but found that I really got drawn in...
54. A book that you expected to like but didn't?
Lots, I'm kinda picky and maybe even a little fickle about my fiction especially.
55. Favourite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
Outlander Series - hey I almost went into Scottish history before the Middle Ages fought me 'round the throat, what can I say! ;)
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Date: September 4th, 2013 10:06 am (UTC)Because I work in a library, I rarely buy books. But lately I have.