Bookworm Meme

Lisa at Lisa Writes posted this book meme ages ago, but I just stumbled across it and since reading seems to be the theme of the day, I couldn’t resist – because I have no will power where reading is concerned. So the rules are fairly simple – if you like to read, too, feel free to post this meme on your own blog, or even just reply to this entry with your answers if you’re so inclined. Ready?

Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?

I don’t know exactly when or why I decided that I LOVED reading, but I know my grandmother and my father always encouraged it – my grandma loved to take me to the library or our local bookstore when I was visiting her and I remember one of the first times we went to the library together, I asked her how many books I could get – and there was no limit, but somehow she felt I wouldn’t understand that so she made up a really big number, that I couldn’t possibly want more than – 17 I think. So I was holding something like 8 books and said, “Oh good, I can get 9 more” and the librarian’s jaw dropped because apparently that was really impressive math for a kid my age (I was reading picture books then). And then I went back and got the other 9 books, which surprised my grandma, too. The really impressive thing is I’m sure I read all 17 books and went back within a week for 17 more. It wasn’t until a LONG time later, that I realized she’d been joking about the limit, and by then the books I was reading were much to big to take out 17 at a time.

What are some books you read as a child?

I have always been a big fan of the series thing – I devoured Baby Sitters Club books with a fierce tenacity, and read a lot of the Sweet Valley High books, Anastacia Krupnick and a few others whose names I don’t remember. I also remember loving The Secret Garden and From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler. I read a lot of books back then, though, so this is a very small selection of what I remember reading.

What is your favorite genre?

That’s so tough to say – I like a kind of light and fluffy mystery novel – you know heavy on the whodunnit but light on the murder and mayhem. Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series being a key example. I loved the Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz and am recently obsessed with the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde. I am also a big fan of young adult fantasy lit – think Twilight, Harry Potter, A Great and Terrible Beauty, etc. I may be a bit late in catching on to this trend at 25 years old, but I love it all the same – it’s nice looking back on those years of my life now, from the outside looking in.

Do you have a favorite novel?

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell or else Lamb by Christpher Moore

When do you usually read?

It varies between nap time and just before bed. I always mean to read during MM’s naps but frequently get caught up with other chores. I always read before bed, but how much I read depends on where I am in the book (you know sometimes you hit a point of no return) and how tired I am…

Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?

I tend to focus on one book a time, but often put down a book in the middle and start another, hoping to get back to the previous book later. When I finish one book, I usually grab 4 or 5 books I’ve been meaning to read and read a chapter of each book to see which one is catching me at that moment, and occasionally I have a hard time choosing and I’ll read a few at once, but it doesn’t generally take long until I’ve narrowed it down to one for the time being.

Do you read non-fiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?

I probably skim non-fiction a bit more, but for the most part, it’s all the same.

Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?

All of the above? I buy about half of them I’d say, I’ve recently become a bit better at going to the local library and I have several friends that like to trade books with me from time to time.

Do you keep most of the books you buy? If not, what do you do with them?

For a time I was selling books to a second hand bookstore that gave you book credit for your old books – so I’d drop off 4 or 5 books and get one for “free” – but I don’t really like parting with my books so it didn’t last long and some of the books I sold, I wish I’d held onto now… and it’s strange because it doesn’t matter if I ever read it again I just like to have them near me – to be in their company you could say. I know, I’m rather odd.

If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? Were they some of the same ones you read as a child?

Most of the books MM and I read right now, I don’t remember reading as a child, but I’m hoping when he gets older, we’ll share more books. Right now we love All by Myself by Mercer Mayer, How Do Dinosaurs Clean Their Rooms by Jane Yolen, a Curious George collection by H.A. Rey and hmmm Goodnight Moon is always good. We’ve done a few Dr. Seuss books and our favorite is probably Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? We also really like Pat the Bunny and That’s Not My Bunny – bunnies are good, you could say. OH haha and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus – that one’s brilliant.

Oh I just remembered one I liked as a child, that I read to my son now – The Monster at the End of This Book – Starring Grover – I always loved that book and MM thinks it’s hysterical. We’re big Sesame Street fans so that one was a no brainer.

What are you reading now?

Alanna: the First Adventure by Tamora Pierce and I’m getting ready to possibly replace it with Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde

Do you keep a TBR (To Be Read) list?
I have a goodreads account with a long, extensive list of books read and books to read, etc.

What’s next?

after Lost in a Good Book will be Pride and Prejudice for the Classics Book Club, and then hopefully Rumors by Anna Godbersen, god willing.

What books would you like to reread?

Lamb by Christopher Moore and Gone With the Wind; maybe some of the Baby Sitters Club books for fun and someday I’ll reread the Harry Potter series

Who are your favorite authors?

Janet Evanovich, Stephenie Meyer, J.K. Rowling, Philip Pullman, Lisa Lutz, Christopher Moore, Jennifer Weiner, Charles Dickens, Chaucer, Lemony Snickett, Libba Bray, Margaret Mitchell