Seeing as I have plenty of things I could post but don’t particularly want to, here’s a book quiz. I thought it might be interesting to compare answers from October 2009 to September 2011, as I’ve certainly learnt a lot...though I doubt that much will change! Here goes...
Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?
Just by my parents reading stories with me at night.....they must of read A LOT of stoies for me!
This answer is pretty much the same, although nowadays I’d try and say something like the idea of books absolutely fascinated me. Books contained such a knowledge that I so strongly desired. People who read books were so clever and I really looked up to them. I suppose a love of reading also developed because it was one of the only things I was really good at in school.
What are some books you read as a child?
Micheal Morpurgo - The Butterfly Lion - I swear I read it constantly in Primary School, think they tried to wean me off it with other books....Lucy Daniels and her Animal Ark stories....Shelty the Shetland Pony....Jaquline Wilson
What is your favorite genre?
I like a good old, nearly 'adult' fiction, historical novels by Elizabeth Chadwick, Fantasy stuff, 19C stuff mostly.
As I have begun to read other things since coming to university, I have to say this has changed considerably. I haven’t actually touched a fantasy book I haven’t read before for a couple of years as I find it increasingly difficult to find a fantasy which is not the same as all the others. I have begun experimenting with Ian Fleming and I love those gritty spy books. I still love historical fiction – I enjoy C.S. Forester. I have also been reading a lot of literary fiction, because that’s the market university tells us is more profitable. Ever since helping out at Bristol Short Story Prize, a love of the short story has blossomed, as well.
Do you have a favourite novel?
Not at this particular moment in time, though I must say I adore Chadwick's The Greatest Knight, and Temeraire by Naomi Novik
This is an incredibly difficult question, even a couple of years on. A couple of novels I read earlier in the year have been spectacular: Lolita, because of it’s gorgeous, gorgeous writing and sheer genius, and The Tortilla Curtain, which I always think about even though it’s been several months since I’ve read it. The Tortilla Curtain is an American novel, and where before I usually avoid such things, I found the story and language absolutely engaging. It certainly gave me a completely different view of life and prompted me to look at more of T. C. Boyle’s work.
Where do you usually read?
Anywhere, but mostly in bed! Though I was in a random park in Bath leaning against a tree reading Jayne Eyre in the sun the other week.
I love to read in a busy library, and by the lake at university. On the Three C’s is a pretty good place to read – it usually takes a few hours to get from one place to another and a considerable chunk of reading can be spent laying in my bunk and reading along to the relaxing motion of the boat...
When do you usually read?
When I need to loose myself in another world and rich exciting prose.
When I’m not tired, or not tired enough. Recently I’ve found it very difficult to read just before sleeping – I’m usually so tired that I find my eyes are closing even if I have a completely readable 30 pages left. Reading is also ‘productive procrastination’, unlike the internet. I love reading in my holidays and trying to see how much I can read in my time off.
Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
I try not to, but since starting university, I've got a HUGE reading list, and several books 'on the go' (well, meant to be 'on the go')
Technically I have 5 books ‘on the go’ at the moment. Ulysses and Rousseau’s Confessions are ‘on the go’ because I never finished them at university on time but I am determined to finish them some day in the far distant future. I started Jennie by Paul Gallico but that has come to a considerable halt as I’m re-reading a book in time for a talk with the author at the end of the month at Bath’s Children’s Literature Festival.
Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
I prefer not to, but I force my way through it if I do! I think a libray is the best place to read non-fiction, books about Nazis and boing politicans don't seem fitting for my comfy bed.
When I’m reading non-fiction I tend to be more liberal with a pencil, where as with fiction I mark quotes and words I like, I highlight in non-fiction things that are usually relevant to what I am studying. When reading more ‘difficult’ non-fiction I read it in bursts, a chapter at a time, and never any more.
Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
I buy them, mostly. Again, university requires too many books so I'll get some out of the library. I usually get second hand books anyway.
I don’t like reading library books, for some peculiar reason. I’d rather have my own copy so I can do whatever the hell I like with it. I rarely borrow books, and have the very unfortunate habit of buying books and keeping the ones I like, which means my shelves are getting clogged up fast, although it’s unlikely I’d read any of them again for a long time.
Do you keep most of the books you buy?
Uh-huh. I have quite a few books that I've had for a while but every two yeas or so I get rid of all the stuff I don't really like - for example, a recent purge involved charity-shopping Point Horror books apart from my favourites.
I keep the books I buy and then read them to determine whether they get condemned or not. As a result I have a hell of a lot of ‘to read’ books on a stand-alone bookshelf.
If you have children, what are some of the favourite books you have shared with them?
When I have children I would like to share the books I have written with them; and Micheal Morpurgo, JK Rowling and the usual.
I’d have to change my answer here: not J.K. Rowling. That would be something they’d discover without me. I would provide Garth Nix and Mervin Peake and Eleanor Updale.
What are you reading now?
I'm supposed to be reading The Mill On The Floss for uni, Digin in The Nightingale's Eye, and Jyne Eyre
Brisingr – Christopher Paolini
Jennie – Paul Gallico
Confessions – Rousseau
Ulysses – James Joyce
The Betrothed – Alessandro Manzoni
Do you keep a to-read list?
I usually have a 'to read' list pinned to the back of my diary but I can't read for pleasure anymore, unless I gain super-quick reading powers over night and finish my huge book-lst within days.
I keep a ‘to read’ book shelf or pile. It’s not in any order. I think I should put in in some sort of order – might be entirely more constructive.
What's next?
UUrhhh. Something on my booklist.
It should be a set text, like The Shoemaker’s Holiday, Michaelmas Term and The Country Wife but is more likely to be Flying Colours.
What books would you like to reread?
Naomi Novik, The Dream Merchant, Montmorency series, Garth Nix
This hasn’t changed much, either. I’ve re-read Temeraire and Montmorency recently, just the rest of the series to go now...
Name ten novelists who come to your mind who you love:
Naomi Novik, Elizabeth Chawick, Garth Nix, Antony Horrowitz, JRR Tolkien, JK Rowling, Micheal Morpurgo, Eleanor Updale, Emily Bronte
Adding to the list: T.C. Boyle, Helen Oyeyemi, Ian Fleming, C.S. Forester, George Eliot, Mal Peet.
Which book has been on your shelves the longest?
Micheal Morpurgo for sure, but also Roald Dahl, The Witches
What is your last read?
the last book I finished hastily before my creative writing lectue about it was A Clockwork Orange
Live and Let Die – Ian Fleming
What book did everyone like and you hated?
A Clockwork Orange! Terry Brooks
Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck. I HATED reading this book in the crappy ‘library’ sessions we used to have to encourage us to read at high school. I don’t think they knew what kind of books I was reading at that point but I certainly thought that Of Mice and Men was far too easy and boring for my reading level.
Which book do you keep telling yourself you’ll read?
The Mill On The Floss! hahaha.
The Time Traveller’s Wife. It’s sat on my ‘to read’ shelf gathering dust like the other thirty books on there. TTTW is always a potential to read next, but never quite makes the cut, because it looks dauntingly long and I’m far too lazy to read it.
Which book coming out in 2009 is top priority to read?
ermmm....The Elder Scrolls - The Infernal City
(2011) Since I don’t usually keep up to date with what is coming out and things, I’d say it is the last of Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle, as I’ve already pre-ordered it.
Last page: read it first or wait ’til the end?
It's so, so, tempting, occasionally I do but usually I can restrain myself so I don't.
I sometimes accidently see a last word when I’m flicking through a book and think, ‘Balls, that’s ruined it.’ But by the time I get to the end I’ve forgotten what it is and remember I’ve accidentally stumbled upon it before after I’ve read it.
Acknowledgements: waste of ink and paper or interesting?
Sometimes they can be quite cool; it makes me smile with some dedications, like what a nice gesture!
Sometimes the acknowledgements are fascinating. For example, dare I say it, Stephanie Mayer attributes Muse to her inspiration. And Paolini’s reference to Doctor Who. It’s also interesting from the point of view that the authors really give an insight in how the book has been out together - for example, Elizabeth Chadwick is not really a historian but does a heck of a lot of research and I could easily follow up that research if I was interested in the subject.
Which book character do you hate?
Urrhhhh. Gosh, can't remember very many to be honest....any of Clockwork's evil characters, especially Alex.
Frodo Baggins.
Which authors do you want to read that you haven’t yet?
Eliot! lols! Dan Brown, Stephen King
I have no desire to read either of these authors any more. Susan Hill, Bernard Cornwell and Neil Gaiman are perhaps more accurate.
Which books are still on your shelf from when you were in school?
The Bloody Chamber (LOVE Angela Carter) To Kill a Mocking Bird, Oleanna, A Merchant's Tale....
Which book has been with you to the most places?
Gosh I have no idea. I would say Harry Potter (finished book 3 at work inbetween scooping icecream) and LOTR.
Any “required reading” you hated in school that wasn’t so bad ten years later?
To be honest, I've loved all the books we've had to read....so far.....
Stephen King or Anne Rice?
Wouldn't know.
Used or brand new?
I tend to get cheepo used Amozons, charity shop books, but I do like a new book too
Used. There’s no character in new books, although I’m partial to the smell.
Have you ever seen a movie you liked better than the book?
Hahaha difficult. I must say, LOTR is a supreme film, and the book can be read as non-fiction too much, but still excellent. I live in fear of books becoming movies because they would ruin them....e.g, i ABSOLOUTLY refuse to see Eragon.
Who is the person whose book advice you’ll always take?
Very recently, probably my Creative Writing tutor Morgana (yes, thats her name) because she is incredibly crazy, and I think this year will be very interesting!
The above answer no longer counts. It has always been my brother, and will always be my brother.
Recommend a series/ or book:
Naomi Novik, Temeraire series!
Mr Fox – Helen Oyeyemi
What is the first book you remember reading?
Puddle Lane books.....
Pick up the nearest book (magazine or any available printed material will do). Turn to page 24 (or the closest to it). Go to the 7th line. What is it?
'...of Tristan, the Liebestod, with the single, cryptic word:.....' Angela Carter, The Bloody Chamber
‘...which connects the two banks at that point seem to make the...’ The Betrothed, Alessandro Manzoni
If you could be any character in literature, who would you be?
Scout Finch
Lady Barbara Wellesley from Hornblower, because he loves her. Or otherwise Delysia Lafosse from Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson.
Name three poets that come to mind that matter to you:
uurh. Chaucer, TS Ellliot, Chaucer.
I don’t read poetry, so this answer has not changed much.
What non-fiction books made a deep impression on you?
Urrh havn't really read that much non-fiction :S
A Book About Books by Frederick Harrison. I loved this book, it was so fascinating, and is a great reference.
What three science fiction authors intrigue you this moment?
Douglas Adams (I'm going to say he's sci-fi) Alan Dean Foster (wrote Transformers novelisation) can't think of anyone else.
Plus John Wyndham.
What is the last mystery novel you read?
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.............i can't remember.
I haven’t read much mystery.
