Reading Habits Questionnaire (Part II)

28. Favourite reading snack?
This just happens to be my favorite snack, in general: Sunflower seeds!  ;9

29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
I don't listen to hype.

30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
I don't take stock in what a critic says, to be honest.  I may just enjoy the book for the experience of reading it.

31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
There is only one book I gave a negative review to.  I never even got past the first chapter.  I honestly don't recall the title, either...  It was forgettable.

32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose?
Hmmmm...  Japanese.

33. Most intimidating book you've ever read?
Evil Genes: Why Rome Fell, Hitler Rose, Enron Failed and My Sister Stole My Mother's Boyfriend by Barbara A. Oakley.  Some of the science was well over my head.

34. Most intimidating book you're too nervous to begin?
Nothing intimidates me about a book.  Though there is always a feeling of intimidation, mixed with awe, when you read a classic that you've never read.

35. Favourite Poet?
Matsuo Kinsaku (better known as Basho).

36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
Around four, when I take them out.

37. How often have you returned books to the library unread?
A handful of times.  That one book I mentioned that I couldn't finish...that one was one.

38. Favourite fictional character (s)?
Recent:  Vish Puri (from Tarquin Hall's novels), Davos Seaworth (from A Song of Ice and Fire series), and many more.

Classic: Mr. Bennet (Pride and Prejudice--he may be my favorite fictional character EVER!) and Ford Prefect (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.)

39. Favourite fictional villain?
It's hard for me to choose my favorite literary villain...  As I generally do not like the villains.  Mrs.Coulter from His Dark Materials comes to mind.  As does Saruman from Lord of the Rings.

40. Books I'm most likely to bring on vacation?
Whatever I am reading before going on vacation, I suppose.

41. The longest I've gone without reading.
I read every day.  Even if it isn't from a book.  I read articles, etc.

42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
Here it is, the title of that book from several questions.  Darkmans.  The first chapter didn't hook me, and was so boring.  I couldn't do it.

43. What distracts you easily when you're reading?
When people are trying to speak to me.  Otherwise, I tune a lot out.

44. Favourite film adaptation of a novel?
Pride and Prejudice, the BBC version with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.

45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

46. The most money I've ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
If we're talking textbooks?  Over $600.  If not, only ~$50.

47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
I don't skim.  I read the blurb and go on that,usually.

48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
If the writing is boring and slogs on.  Ugh...

49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
Hahahaha Noooooo way.

50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you've read them?
Keep them.  Always keep them.  My precioussss...

51. Are there any books you've been avoiding?
Hmmm...  Books that are in-your-face!  "EVERYONE ELSE IS READING THEM, SO SHOULD YOU!"  Yeah, don't tell me what to do.

52. Name a book that made you angry.
None that I can think of.

53. A book you didn't expect to like but did?
A Game of Thrones.  I am usually not that into fantasy like GoT, but it worked its magic on me.

54. A book that you expected to like but didn't?
None that I can think of.

55. Favourite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
Novels from the Star Wars expanded universe.  Many don't like them, but I like to keep up with what's going on because I am a huge geek.

Reading Habits Questionnaire (Part I)

I am not much of a blogger, as I tend to just...let them fall by the wayside. But my friend's survey spurred me to write about my reading habits. Here's the first part of the questionnaire.  Maybe I'll just keep writing about reading...


1. Favourite childhood book (s)?
Anything by Roald Dahl. The BFG is my favorite of his books. I also enjoyed The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L.Frank Baum.

2. What are you reading right now?
Obasan by Joy Kogawa. I am reading it for my Multicultural American Literature class. I am also reading On Monsters An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears by Stephen T. Asma.

3. What books do you have on request at the library?
I...uhhh...owe some late fees to the library right now... hehe

4. Bad book habit?
None whatsoever.

5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
See question 3.

6. Do you have an e-reader?
I will be receiving a Kindle Touch for Christmas. I am not a HUGE fan of e-readers, but I do like the Kindle. Way to go Amazon!

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
I prefer to read one book at a time, but I can multitask them.

8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
This is not the first blog I have written, but it doesn't change my reading habits.

9. Least favourite book you read this year (so far?)
There isn't anything too...bad...that I have read this year.

10. Favourite book you've read this year?
The Order of Odd-Fish by James Kennedy. It is a magical YA book! I posted a review on Good Reads which I will link to at some point.

11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
What is out of my comfort zone is trashy romance (like Harlequin). So...never.

12. What is your reading comfort zone?
I read anything, and I mean anything. Except for trashy romance.

13. Can you read on the bus?
Yes I can read on a bus. Or in a car. Or on a plane or on a train! I can read books anywhere!

14. Favourite place to read?
Anywhere I feel comfortable.

15. What is your policy on book lending?
I lend books to trusted friends who promise not to mar them.

16. Do you ever dog-ear books?NO! That is a cardinal sin!

17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
I've never had a reason to, but I wouldn't.

18. Not even with text books?
On occasion, but it's still bad to me.

19. What is your favourite language to read in?
English, but I can read rather well in French.

20. What makes you love a book?
Honesty. In characters, and writing style. As long as it isn't pandering, it's OK by me!

21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
It's gotta move me. Make me laugh or cry. And the person I am recommending it to must enjoy the genre.

22. Favourite genre?
I don't really have a favorite genre. I read most anything, so I can't pick a favorite.

23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
Not that it's a genre, but I rarely read classics. I do pick them up now and again, but I would prefer to read more of them.

24. Favourite biography?
I have never actually read a real bio. When I was young I read a younger readers book on The Beatles (my favorite band), but nothing recently.

25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
I do not read these if I can help it. (I like the answer my ginger friend had!)

26. Favourite cookbook?
Hmmmm... My grandmother's cookbook. I think it's Better Homes and Gardens, or something.

27. Most inspirational book you've read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
There hasn't really been anything I've read recently that has resonated as "inspirational" this year. I have read Haruki Murakami's What I Talk About When I Am Running. It inspired me to write a bit, which I don't do often enough.