Bookish Meme

I recently saw this meme posted by Carolyn at Book Chick City and couldn't resist. Which one of us DOESN'T like to ramble on about our book habits? Plus, I think it's fun to get a little insight into other blogger's book-obsessed little minds. Feel free to play along!


Hardback, trade paperback or mass market paperback?

Generally, I am in the hardback or trade paperback category, but you will find some mass market paperbacks on my shelves as well.

Waterstones, Borders or Amazon?

It's those darned Borders coupons! Evil! However, now that I have a Kindle, I have an open tab at Amazon as well.

Bookmark or dog-ear?

I collect bookmarks, so I take a certain amount of pride in waving them around. But I must admit, I have dogeared a time or two (hangs head in shame). Don't tell.

Amazon or brick-and-mortar?

Again, gotta support Amazon to get my Kindle fix, but prefer brick and mortar. There is nothing like touching and smelling (get to that in a minute) a real live book!

Alphabetize by author, or alphabetize by title, or random?

My bookshelves are a complete, total random disaster! The only order imposed is the separation between "read" and "unread".

Keep, throw away, or sell?

What about give away? I keep many of my books, but also give away/donate or trade with the local used bookstore. No throwing away! Horrible!

Keep dust jacket or toss it?

I repeat, nothing is thrown away! I'm getting the chills.

Read with dust jacket or remove it?

Normally, the dust jacket stays on the book, but there are some that insist on getting in the way, and I certainly don't want it to get ripped up. In that case, it is tucked away in a safe place until I've finished the book.

Short story or novel?

I've only recently discovered the beauty of the short story, but if I had to choose, it would be a novel.

Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket?

No contest! Harry Potter rules.

Buy or borrow?

A little of both. If I dare walk into a book store, I will buy, coupon or no. But I do make good use of the library as well. Our downtown Orlando library is amazing. They have a service where you request the book online, and they deliver to your house!

Buying choice: book reviews, recommendations, or browse?

98% of the time, it will be a book review that causes me to get out my credit card. That would be book reviews in magazines, newspapers and on all of your blogs. Once in awhile I'll pick up something that looks interesting, or will take the lead from a friend, but I usually shop with a list in hand.

Tidy ending or cliffhanger?

Give me loose threads and cliffhangers. The book better be darned good if it is wrapped up with a bow at the end.

Morning reading, afternoon reading, or nighttime reading?

Whenever I get the time!

Stand-alone or series?

I'm not partial to either. I am "married" (it IS a commitment after all) to a long list of series, but read just as many stand-alones.

Favorite series?

Harry Potter, without a doubt. I do quite enjoy the Stephanie Plum series if I want to laugh, and the Jack Reacher series if I feel angry and want to punch something!

Favorite children’s book?

The sentimental favorite is Goodnight Moon, because it reminds me of when the kids were little. We read it thousands of times and have it memorized.

Favorite YA book?

This is a new genre to me, as the kids are now getting old enough to read them. We thoroughly enjoyed "The Hunger Games" on audio. We have yet to secure an audio copy of "Catching Fire", but are on the mission to lay on hands on one.

Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?

Not that I'm not blue in the face for trying to spread the word, but I love anything written by Connie May Fowler. "Remembering Blue", "The Problem with Murmur Lee", and "When Katie Wakes" are her best. Need to get this lady on the radar.

Favorite books read last year?

Well, I wasn't blogging last year and of course I didn't keep a list. But I would say either "The Post Birthday World" by Lionel Shriver or "Into That Darkness" by Gitta Sereny.

Favorite books of all time?

That is like asking me to choose my favorite kid! Not fair! I will throw a few out though..."Beach Music" by Pat Conroy, "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.

Favorite book to recommend to an 11-year-old?

I'm sounding like a broken record, but the first thing that comes to mind is Harry Potter. It is a phenomenal read, whether you are 11 or 70. My daughter would also endorse the Inkheart series.

Favorite book to re-read?

I'm sitting here trying to think of the last book I re-read. Can't think of one.

Do you ever smell books?

Why do I feel perverted answering this question? Yes, of course I smell books! There is no better smell in the world in my opinion, even if the books are old. They should make a car freshener in that smell (ha).

Do you ever read primary source documents like letters or diaries?

I'm sure I have. There is always the Diary of Anne Franke. The other book that comes to mind is Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky. The unfinished story is wonderful, but what makes the book more poignant are the diary entries of the author at the back of the book, detailing her life of writing while trying to escape the Nazis.

What are you reading right now?

I have four in process right now. The kids and I are listening to the Harry Potter series on audio (Chamber of Secrets currently), and are reading the sequel to Skeleton Creek called "Ghost in the Machine" by Patrick Garman. I am listening to the 47 disc audio of "The Fiery Cross" by Diana Gabaldon (part of the Outlander series), and reading a WWII novel called "Night of Flames" by Douglas W. Jacobsen.

What are you reading next?

I need to get cracking on my RIP Reading Challenge, so am going to listen to "Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Ruis Zafon on audio. The kids and I will continue to plow our way through the Harry Potter series. I will be reading "Family Tree" by Barbara Delinsky for my book club, and will be reviewing "Meggie's Remains" by Joanne Sundell for an ARC and also maybe for RIP. Beyond that is up for grabs!