Booking Through Thursday

1. Favorite childhood book?

I have loads - but think I'd choose The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. I really loved the idea of the magical land at the top of the tree and loved the characters that lived in it.
I also love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl and it was also one of my fave films. Again it was the magical setting that I loved.



2. What are you reading right now?

The Only boy for me- Gil McNeill
I have a friend who sends me a box of books when she's finished with them. When she finds an author she likes she buys lots more of them and Gill McNeill is a new favourite with me.



3. What books do you have on request at the library?
The only book I have on reserve at the moment is The Beach Bar by Kate McCabe
Guy is moaning about the amount of books on the shelves- so trying to read more of my own books for a while. It probably won't be long before I have to add more!


4. Bad book habit?

I can't walk past a discount book shop and if I have to collect my daughter from school (she normally has a 'guide)'- I ALWAYS come home with new books

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


After the party- Lisa Jewell
Legacy- Katherine Webb
The Beach Hut- Veronica Henry
Savour the moment- Nora Roberts

6. Do you have an e-reader?

No, I love REAL books- not sure I'd get on with an electronic page.

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?

I prefer only one book at a time- but occasionally I'll have one in my handbag that's easier to read on the move. Sometimes when I have a 'heavy' book, I'll read something frothy alongside it.

8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?

A few things have changed my reading habits of late. I still read anything that comes across my path- but for the last year have been taking part inn a seasonal reading challenge and have been influenced into picking things I wouldn't necessarily have come across. I have decided to take a break from it over the autumn to read a few books I just fancy reading with no pressure to pick to fit a theme. Or at least that is the plan right now! But the other thing that has changed is seeing what other people are reading and adding hundreds of books to my tbr list!
9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far?)


Fire and ice- Janet Dailey

10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?
The Mill House - Susan Lewis
The Ice Cream girls- Dorothy Koomson (I've loved everything I've read by her so far)

11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?

The reading challenge has been great for taking me out of my comfort zone. The tv book club has also added books I wouldn't necessarily have picked- but this season I sent 2 of the books back unread because I wanted to read others more!

12. What is your reading comfort zone?
I have quite a broad comfort zone- I love chick lit and thrillers particularly.

13 Can you read on the bus?
I can - although I can get distracted gazing out of the window.

14. Favorite place to read?

On the sofa in the lounge.

15. What is your policy on book lending?
I used to be quite 'precious' about my books- but space dictates that a book has to be given away as soon as it is read now.

16.Do you ever dog-ear books?

Noooo- I can't mistreat any of my books. I used to hoard all of my books and it has been a real wrench to start releasing them!

17.Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
No! I couldn't even imagine doing that!

18. Not even with text books?

The last time I did this was back in school- and it 'hurt' then! I kept the books I'd used and bought the school new ones when I'd finished!

19. What is your favorite language to read in?

English.

20. What makes you love a book?
I like books that really draw you in to the characters. It doesn't have to have a heavy plot line as long as the characters are interesting.

21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
I rarely recommend a book- although I do know when my mum will love something I've read.

22. Favorite genre?

Chick lit I think
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
Historical Romance

24.Favourite biography?
I enjoy biographies of people I don't know much about- I find it fascinating to hear how their lives were influenced and how they came to choose the path they did.
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
I have read tiny bits of some- but never all the way through!
26. Favourite cook book?
I have a few- anything by Jamie Oliver, Ainsley Harriot, Nigella Lawson, Rachel Allen

27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?

Not really sure on that one.

28. Favorite reading snack?
Mine is probably a cup of tea- sometimes accompanied by some chocolate. It's more likely to be a drink though,

29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
I don't know whether hype necessarily ruins my reading experience- but I found it hard to get through all of the Harry Potter books. I stopped with book 4. A friend has even lent me an audio version to get through this one!

30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
I don't necessarily check with critics. I tend to be more influenced by the books the 'friends' on goodreads complete. I'll look them up and if the storyline appeals I'll add it to my list!

31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I might not leave a really scathing review as I have seen several authors read GoodReads. I just take the view that everyone has different taste!

32.If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose?
It wouldn't appeal to me to read in another language. I read to 'escape' not stretch my mind necessarily.

33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
War and Peace- Tolstoy
I had a challenge with my dh when we were first going out together that he would take me for a meal if I finished it! I did read it- but it wasn't my cup of tea at all.


34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
Gone with the Wind- I even read that if I could read just 10-20 pages a day over the season I would get it read. But it's been on the bookshelf for quite a while.
35. Favorite Poet?
I don't really read poetry- there are poems that I have enjoyed , but none are on the tip of my tongue.

36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
We can have 8- and sometimes I've had to read them really quick in order to pick up the next reservations.

37. How often have you returned book to the library unread?
I hate to do this- but recently have forced myself to realise that I shouldn't force myself to read things that aren't on my preferred reading list! The last one that I had to take back that I really wanted to read was House Rules by Jodi Picoult. The main character had aspergers and my daughter who is on the asd spectrum was going through a particularly challenging period at the time. I just didn't want to read it then- so I bought my own copy.

38. Favorite fictional character?
I tend to like the general feel of a book rather than a particular character.

39. Favorite fictional villain?
I don't really go for villains!

40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?
I like chick lit on holiday- something I can really lose myself in.

41. The longest I’ve gone without reading.
I can't really recall a time where I've ever gone that long without reading anything- although I do have times where I don't read a lot.

42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
I don't remember many that I give up on. Once I've started a book I really hate to give up on it. Just lately I have been a bit more selective about starting something I think is a bit heavy for the time!

43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?

I can read in most situations- and I usually have tv on in the background as I rarely watch tv without doing something else. It infuriates my dh! But the thing that really distracts me is someone trying to have a conversation with me!

44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?
I think it would have to be Charlie and the chocolate factory or The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. I also loved the first Harry Potter film.

45.Most disappointing film adaptation?
Several haven't been as good as the book- they rarely are!

46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
Probably around £70 from the Book People when ordering books for Christmas. If money was no object- the sky really would be the limit!

47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
I rarely skim a book before reading apart from maybe the first page or so just to see the style.

48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
I rarely stop half way through- if a book was really hard work I might skim the last part. But I hate to give up!

49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
I used to have them organised quite a lot. I had a shelf for biographies, one for tv book club selections, chick lit, crime, classics. The landing bookshelf is still organised that way.  Now I have a small bookcase in the dining room with the seasonal book challenge choices waiting, some of the sets I've bought and a shelf of classics! The small lounge bookcase has the more urgent tbr books. Neither of the downstairs bookcases should really be there- we're just a bit overrun with books. My daughters built in wardrobe has the less urgent books- although we've recently culled a lot of those!
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
I used to keep all of my books- but more recently as soon as they've been read they are passed on.

51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?
I have avoided the Twilight books so far- although I was given my own set for Christmas.

52. Name a book that made you angry.
I can't think of one at the moment- actually all of the child abuse memoirs make me feel really angry and sad about what some poor little children have to go through.

53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?
Several on the TV book club list.

54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?
I haven't enjoyed some of the heavier choices that I wish I enjoyed!

55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
I'm not sure whether they are guilt free- or more my guilty secret- but I have to read the latest Danielle Steel. You know what to expect- but also know that you can lose yourself throughout it.