Booking Though Thursday: Mystery or Love Story

It's been a long time....

Booking Through Thursday December 8, 2011: All things being equal, which would you prefer–a mystery? Or a love story?

My answer: I'm not sure what all things being equal refers to, but this is an easy one: LOVE STORY. You could have paired almost any other genre against mystery and I would pick the other genre (except Western...then maybe I would pick mystery). For some reason I really don't like mystery novels...I find the suspense frustrating...I just want to get on with it!!! I do like love stories in their own right too!!

Booking Through Thursday: Vacation

Booking Through Thursday question for October 20,2011: I’m on vacation this week. I didn’t go anywhere exciting or exotic, I’m just not at work. Spending time puttering around the house, playing with the dog and … oh yeah. Reading. A lot.
Do your reading habits change when you’re on vacation? Do you read more? Do you indulge in lighter, fluffier books than you usually read? Do you save up special books so you’ll be able to spend real vacation time with them? Or do you just read the same old stuff, vacation or not?

My answer: Guess what-I'm going on vacation too!!! To Nova Scotia for Marcia and Jesse's wedding (HURRAY) and to see Dave's brother Richard (hurray)! Do my reading habits change while on vacation-yes-sometimes I get to read more, sometimes (like now) less. In the summer I do tend to read "fluffier" books, or books that are "easy reads". Sometimes I will save a book for vacation but I will usually start reading it a day or two before so that I'm already well into it before getting to the airport or my destination. I get distracted quite easily-especially if I'm just starting a book, or not really loving it.  With that being said here is what my vacation reading will look like: I am only bringing my kindle- I have been reading the book The Forever Queen for what feel slike forever-it's really quite good, but it's a long one (which I love) but it's a bit slow so I've "put it to the side" for now and I'm reading a novel called Barefoot-it was actually one of the Kindle Daily Deals that I bought for $1.99. It's a bit on the fluffier side and I'm really enjoying it. I'm not sure how much reading I'll get done-maybe none, or maybe 5hours worth on the plane on the way there if Félix doesn't sleep-but either way I'll still have a book to fall back on (that I'm already into) should I happen to finish Barefoot.

Booking Through Thursday: In Public

Question September 22, 2011:  Do you carry books with you when you’re out and about in the world?
And, do you ever try to hide the covers?

My answer: Absolutely!! When I'm reading a book I usually take it with me EVERYWHERE! Well, by usually I mean before Félix was born. If we're out and about at this point it's because we are running errands so that doesn't really leave time for reading. When we were living in Toronto and I was on the subway for 45 minutes each way I ALWAYS had a book with me. Did I ever hide a cover.....I don't think so but I know there were a few times where I felt a bit self-conscious about a title/cover, but I can't think of any specific examples.

Booking Through Thursday: National Book Week

 

Booking Through Thursday August  11,  2011 Question: It’s National Book Week. The rules: Grab the closest book to you. Go to page 56. Copy the 5th sentence as your status
(We’ve done something similar to this before, but it’s always fun, so … why not?)

My answer: I am currently reading an Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor on my Kindle. This question taught me to use the search or "Go To" function! So on page 56 (of the Kindle addition) the 5th sentence is "He finished the last of Mrs. Kincaid's cold lobster salad and put the plate on a coffee table beside his armchair."

Booking Through Thursday: Anticipation

Question August 4, 2011: What’s the last book you were really EXCITED to read?
And, were you excited about it in advance? Or did the excitement bloom while you were reading it?
Are there any books you’re excited about right NOW?

My answer: The last book that I was super excited to read was Jean Auel's latest Earth's Children novel The Land of Painted Caves (my review here). Although the first of theses novels was released in 1980, I came across the series a few years ago. I was so excited last year when I read that Auel would be releasing a 6th and final book in the series. I did enjoy The Land of Painted Caves, however it wasn't all that I thought that it would be-see the review.

As for right now, I am pretty excited when I have ANY time to read-but find it hard to concentrate I will be using the "blame the baby brain" excuse thank you very much!!

Does anyone have any awesome book recommendations for me?

Booking Through Thursday: Repeats

Question July 21, 2011: What’s the first book that you ever read more than once? (I’m assuming there’s at least one.) What book have you read the most times? And–how many?

My answer: The first book I can remember reading multiple times is The Hobbit. I think I've probably read it 4-5 times, so it's also the book I've read the most.  I have always loved The Hobbit, and although I also LOVE The Lord of the Rings movies, I could never really get into the books. Another book that I've read at least 3 times is Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible. I think that one is due for another read sometime soon (by soon I mean maybe this year).

Booking Through Thursday: Soundtrack

Question June 23, 2011: What, if any, kind of music do you listen to when you’re reading? (Given a choice, of course!)

My answer: The only time I ever listened to music while reading was when I was taking the subway, and that was mostly so I could drown out other people. When I read I generally like to have it quiet. If I'm reading while someone else is watching tv or a movie, it usually doesn't bother me if I'm really into a book. If I'm having a hard time getting into a book,or concentrating, then I will usually go to another room, so no music for me!

Booking Through Thursday: Interactive?

Question June 16, 2011: With the advent (and growing popularity) of eBooks, I’m seeing more and more articles about how much “better” they can be, because they have the option to be interactive … videos, music, glossaries … all sorts of little extra goodies to help “enhance” your reading experience, rather like listening to the Director’s commentary on a DVD of your favorite movie.
How do you feel about that possibility? Does it excite you in a cutting-edge kind of way? Or does it chill you to the bone because that’s not what reading is ABOUT?

My answer: I don't really know how I feel about the interactive component of eBooks. I have a Kindle and like it for ease of portability, it's light and it's easy to have a few books on hand at once! I haven't read any with interactive features-but I will say I've used the dictionary a few times, and that was convenient. IT kind of makes me think about when CDs, especially movie soundtracks, started having special features you could play on your computer. I specifically remember my Romeo and Juliette soundtrack had stuff you could do on the computer, but I don't remember ever being interested in that. At the same time though, I think of how often I end up searching on the internet after reading a book-especially historical fiction-to find more specific information, or to find discriminate between fact and fiction.
So after all of that-how do I fell about possible enhancements to eBooks.....I guess I'll have to come across one that does and see if it adds to or takes away from the reading experience!

Booking Through Thursday: Own or Borrow?

 
Question June 9, 2011: All things being equal (money, space, etc), would you rather own copies of the books you read? Or borrow them?

My answer: OWN!!!! If I had all the money in the world (and the space too!!) I would absolutely want to own every book I read. For a number of reasons, they include:
1. I love looking at my bookshelf. I have my books organized by colour because it looks pretty and makes me feel good inside. 
2. I could then lend my books to other people-I do already, but I could lend them even more books!!
3. I would be supporting the author (and their teams) by purchasing their work
4. Ummmm that would just be super awesome.

What about you?

Booking Through Thursday: Reviews

Question June 2, 2011: Do you read book reviews? Whose do you trust? Do they affect your reading habits? Your buying habits?

My answer: This question seemed very familiar so I took a look at my previous BTT posts, and lo and behold I found it: June 24, 2010: Book Reviews! My answer continues to be: no not really. Sometimes I'll notice that a book is getting a lot of "press" whether that be reviews on other blogs, in magazines, or posters on the subway (that was back in my Toronto days-ok ok a month ago!), and that may grab my attention. I don't trust one more than the other, and I rarely buy books these days-I've been getting most of them from the library!

Booking Through Thursday: Rut

Question May 26, 2011: Do you ever feel like you’re in a reading rut? That you don’t read enough variety? That you need to branch out, spread your literary wings and explore other genres, flavors, styles?

My answer:  I have definitely had that feeling before!! Sometimes I like to immerse myself in a particular author or genre-but I usually have enough after about 2-3 books-especially if there are a bunch of other books I want to read. My last book review post was about Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea cycle and I did feel like I was a bit stuck in a  self created rut because I wanted to read all 4 books in a row, but there were so many baby related books I wanted to read I had a hard time concentrating on anything else!  Generally speaking though, I think I do read a bit of a variety from sci-fi and fantasy, to literature (often what's popular), historical fiction, nd now some YA too.

What about you my dear readers??

Booking Through Thursday: Age Appropriate AND Age Inappropriate

I didn't get around to doing Booking Through Thursday last week, and it just so happens that this week is a bit of an extension from last week-so I will do both!




May 12, 2011:

Do you read books “meant” for other age groups? Adult books when you were a child; Young-Adult books now that you’re grown; Picture books just for kicks … You know … books not “meant” for you. Or do you pretty much stick to what’s written for people your age?

May 19, 2011:
          In contrast to last week’s question–What do you think of censoring books BECAUSE of
          their intended age? Say, books too “old” for your kids to read?

My answers: I do read books meant for other age groups. I've read a few young adult novels recently and really enjoyed them (Hugner Games Trilogy!!). When I was in late elementary and early junior high I read a lot of Stephen King books-I'm not sure that those were above my age level necessarily but I know my mom thought they were and wouldn't let me read Gerald's Game because she felt like it was inappropriate.I actually think she threw it out after reading it because she found it so offensive.  I could easily have found a copy at the library but because my parents had never told me what I could or couldn't read I guess I just accepted that if it was that bad I probably didn't want to read it anyway. When I look at the  description of the novel I'm glad that I didn't read it!! So how do I feel about books being "censored" based on age...well censored is a pretty strong word, but I do think that some material -specifically of a highly violent or sexual-or violent AND sexual nature-is inappropriate for younger readers-but I also think it depends on the individual, and I think parents not only have a right, but an obligation to protect their children.  I don't necessarily think a parent should just say "no absolutely not" to a novel without a very good reason-and if anything I think they should then read the book in question to determine why they don't want their child reading it and have a discussion about it. I may feel differently once it comes to my own children though!

Booking Through Thursday: Not in Theaters

Question May 5, 2011: And–the reverse of last week’s question. Name one book that you hope never, ever, ever gets made into a movie (no matter how good that movie might be).

My answer: Easy: I hope Freedom by Jonathan Franzen never makes it to the big screen!! Oh man that book was so boring I couldn't finish it. One movie that shouldn't have been made into a movie but was is Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates. I read it in 2009 but apparently didn't review it. I found it to be incredibly pretentious and even though Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio are in it, I can't make myself watch it!!

What do you think?

Booking Through Thursday: Coming to a Theater Near You

Question April 28, 2011: If you could see one book turned into the perfect movie–one that would capture everything you love, the characters, the look, the feel, the story–what book would you choose?

My answer: I would love to see The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society turned into a movie!! I loved this book BOTH times I read it!! See my review here. I loved the characters, the time period (just after World War II), the setting (The Channel Island of Guernsey!), and everything about this book. I would love to see it on the big screen!!  I would also like to see The Hunger Games as a movie. (My review of the book here). This book totally caught me by surprise and I want other people to discover this book for themselves, so I don't want to write anymore about it-but I do think the movie would be quite exciting!

What book would YOU like to see turned into a movie?

Booking Through Thursday: Cover

Question April 21, 2011: CAN you judge a book by its cover?

My answer: Well of course you CAN! Do you, or should you are completely different!!!  I do judge books by their covers, especially if I am browsing at the book store (rather than online). If a cover catches my eye I will pick it up and look at the title and read the back blurb-yes I read the blurbs!! At the same time, if I don't like how a book looks, I may not pick it up.  I think I am more intrigued or dissuaded from books based on their titles than any images. Should I? I may miss many good books this way, but I can't possibly read every single book, or even consider every (or even most) books that I see!

What about you?

Booking Through Thursday: Visual

Booking Through Thursday question for April 7, 2011: So … the books that you own (however many there may be) … do you display them proudly right there in plain sight for all the world to see? (At least the world that comes into your living room.)
Or do you keep them tucked away in your office or bedroom or library or closet or someplace less “public?”

My answer: Our books are in the bookshelf in the bedroom based on space issues more than anything. I am definitely not hiding them. I love my books, and love when somebody sees one they'd like to read and then I get to lend it to them. I wish I could have an actual library, or room  for books-I would spend all my time in there!!

What about you?

Booking Through Thursday: Cereal

Booking Through Thursday for March 31, 2011: If you’re like me, you grew up reading everything under the sun, like the cereal boxes while you ate your breakfast, the newspapers held by strangers on the subway, the tabloid headlines at the grocery store.
What’s the oddest thing you’ve ever read? (You know, something NOT a book, magazine, short story, poem or article.)

My answer: Hmmmmmm...I have to think about this for a minute. The oddest thing I've ever read. Well I don't know how odd it is, because I think most people do it, but if there is writing on public bathroom stalls I always read a few! Don't you? If you said no, I DO NOT believe you. Maybe you don't go into a public washroom with that purpose, but if there is writing on the walls AS IF YOU DON'T read?? Who would turn their head away?? Ok what else....once in awhile I will check out the missed connection section on craigslist to see if I can match people up!! I haven't...yet!!  When I lived in Winnipeg there was a church on Grant avenue that changed it's sign every week...it was usually pretty funny. That's all I can really think of.

How about you??

Booking Through Thursday: Serial

March 24, 2011 question: Series? Or Stand-alone books?

My answer:

Short answer: Series please!! I love being able to find out what happens next!!

Long answer: I feel like I answered this question a while ago so I looked back through my archives to see:

On September 30, 2010 the question was about a series “jumping the shark, you can see my response here. In that post I did list my favourite series: The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, Anne of Green Gables, Earth's Children (Jean Auel), The Outlander series (Diana Gabaldon), The Josephine B. Trilogy (Sandra Gulland), His Dark Materials (Philip Pullman), Twilight, Rashi's Daughters (Maggie Anton), Magic Kingdom of Landover (Terry Brooks), The Foundation Series (Isaac Asimov), The Finovar Tapestry (Guy Gavriel Kay), and I would now like to add Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games trilogy!!

On August 16, 2010 I also mentioned my love of series (you can read that post here).

On June 3, 2010 I wrote about my love of lengthy novels, especially in a series (here).

So back to the short answer: I love reading books in a series!!

Booking Through Thursday: Multi-Tasking

March 10, 2011: Do you multi-task when you read? Do other things like stirring things on the stove, brushing your teeth, watching television, knitting, walking, et cetera?
Or is it just me, and you sit and do nothing but focus on what you’re reading?
(Or, if you do both, why, when, and which do you prefer?)

My answer: It depends. If I'm reading on the subway then I am just reading (unless people are talking WAY TOO LOUD, then I have to put my IPod in to drown them out). If I'm reading at home though, it could go either way. If I'm really into a book I usually zone out and won't even respond to people talking to me, never mind doing anything else!! If I'm not really into a book or if there's is something on my mind (like baby stuff!!) then I might get up every once in a while and do stuff-usually google whatever I'm thinking about, or check facebook or my email. Sometimes I'll read while the TV is on, but that's usually if someone else is around watching something I don't really care about.

What about you?

Booking Through Thursday: Cheating

March 3, 2011: Do you cheat and peek at the ends of books? (Come on, be honest.)

My answer: Nope! I used to look at the last WORD of a book, but that was YEARS ago. I don't want to spoil the story by accidentally seeing a name of someone who you think might not make it to the end!

How about you?