1. How did you learn to read? Mom taught me. I don't really remember any of it, to be honest.
2. What foreign languages do you read? I can read Spanish, (obviously) and can hold my own with the other romance languages: French, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian. I can muddle through Esperanto and Latin.
3. What 's the funniest book you ever read? Big Trouble, a novel by Dave Barry. My friend Imelda's dad found it at Dulles airport, and I happened to pick it up to read when visiting them once. He told me to keep it. So glad I did!
4. What books have changed the way you look at the world or the way you live your life? The Awakening by Kate Chopin. On The Road by Jack Kerouac. Almost every Berenstain Bears book.
5. What books have affirmed what you believe about life or the way you look at things? The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.
6. What books have you changed your mind about? A Farewell to Arms by Hemmingway. At first I thought it was a good romantic tragedy. I don't like it so much any more.
7. What are some of the scariest books you've ever read? Kiss The Girls by James Patterson. That scene with the snakes just freaked me out.
8. About how many books do you own? I'd say about 500.
9. How many books per month do you usually borrow from the library? I don't usually borrow from the library, because I hate to read on a deadline. I know, I know, you can just renew them, but I still feel like I have to hurry up and read.
10. How much would you say you've paid in library fines in your life? I don't think I've ever paid a library fine.
11. Do you read in bed? Yes, frequently when Harold's watching TV downstairs.
12. Do you ever read while walking or driving? No. I can't even chew gum while walking.
13. Where is the strangest place you've read a book? Waiting for the gynecologist in that silly paper robe? I don't read in a lot of strange places.
14. Do you listen to audio books? Yes, on the trip to and from PA, but usually short stories.
15. Has anyone ever read aloud to you or you to them? Not in my adult life.
16. What book was the most difficult to read? I read the first Harry Potter in Spanish, and that was a challange for me at the time. As fas as sheer muddling through I'd have to say The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, OR maybe Silas Marner by George Eliot.
17. Do you read every word of a book, or skip parts that don't hold your interest? I do a lot of skimming in books that I don't particularly enjoy. I like to think at this point I'm pretty good at identifying "fluff" and jumping over it.
18. What books do you keep intending to read but put off? Nectar in a Sieve, The Kite Runner.
19. Do you buy new or used books, paperbacks or hardbacks, leather or collector's items? I almost always buy used, and nearly always paperback (because they're lighter). I have one leatherbound book, Ivanhoe.
20. How do you feel about writing in books, dog earing, etc I don't mind it. In fact, I like to read books that others have made comments in; I think it's a lovely way of gaining more insight.
21. What is the first book you remember reading? Either Hand Hand Finger Thumb or The Bike Lesson (Berenstain Bears!)
22. What were your favorite books when you were a child? Really young I like Robert McCloskey, the Berenstain Bears, Amelia Bedilia and Dr. Seuss. Later I loved Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, The Babysitters' Club, Ramona, and the Sweet Valley series. Oh, and the Black Stallion.
23. What children's books do you most enjoy as an adult? Winnie the Pooh. Harry Potter.
24. What books would you especially recommend to young people? Bristle Face, by Zachary Ball. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume. Caddie Woodlawn, by Carol Brink. The Little House Series.
25. Do you ever read the ending first? NO!
26. Did you ever agree to read the book somebody was pushing on you if they would read one for you in exchange? What were the books? I don't think so. Unless this book club counts!
27. Have you ever read a book more than once? If so, mention them and why you read them more than once. I have re-read tons and tons of books. Here are my favorites: Ivanhoe, by Sir Walter Scott, because it's the classic Robin Hood with a twist. The entire Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, because they are so funny and the characters so well written, they almost seem like my friends! Tristessa by Jack Kerouac, because it takes me back to another time in my life. The Pelican Brief by John Grisham, because it's a great suspense story with some romance thrown in. Like Water for Chocolate, by Laura Esquivel, because it's such a great concept and I like a little magical realism every now and again.
28. What frequently recommended books have you been unable to finish? The only book I've never finished is The Fountainhead. Ugh.
29. Which of these world classics did you actually plow through at one time or another in your life?
X The Iliad X The Odyssey The Aeneid X Dante's Inferno reading this now, it's not that bad! Paradise Lost Goethe's Faust War and Peace Ulysses Les Miserables Atlas Shrugged X Moby Dick Gone with the Wind Remembrance of Things Past Churchill's History of England Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
30. What other favorite books of yours are extremely long? Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J K Rowling. The Pelican Brief is decently long.
1. How did you learn to read? My mom taught me. I also do not remember it. So long ago.
2. What foreign languages do you read? I can read Spanish and French pretty well, though I will need a dictionary because my vocabulary isn't spectacular. I 'used to could' Latin, German, Russian, and Gaelic but I am afraid I have lost them all without practice.
3. What 's the funniest book you ever read? I would have to say the Mutts comnic strip collections by Patrick McDonnell. If they don't count as a real book then maybe one of the books in the Plum series, since those usually have me cracking up, too.
4. What books have changed the way you look at the world or the way you live your life? Definitely "Mister God, This is Anna". Phenomenal book that will have you rethinking how you think about life.
5. What books have affirmed what you believe about life or the way you look at things? I am almost ashamed to admit, "Little Women". I like to look at the good and assume the best about people and that book really sums it up.
6. What books have you changed your mind about? I used to love Christopher Pike books (teen thrillers) and I reread one of them last fall (to see if I wanted to keep them or get rid of them) and realized how pathetic they are. So I gave them to a teenage girl who is obsessed with Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine. Let her enjoy them.
Also, Louis L'Amour, a little bit. I used to LOVE those books and now I only like them.
7. What are some of the scariest books you've ever read? Recently, "Prey" by Michael Crighton, because it seems as though it really could happen. Otherwise, I really don't read a lot of scary books. Or at least the books I read do not scare me. :-)
8. About how many books do you own? Oh dear, I think Ken and I estimated it at over 1,000 sometime last fall when he asked me the same question (as he got down box after box of books out of the attic for me). I've donated and sold a lot since them, but I've also bought quite a few.
9. How many books per month do you usually borrow from the library? I don't usually borrow from the library, either. For the most part, the books I want to read are so eclectic that it is not often the library has them. Plus, I have a pretty good system with buying used books and then selling them for almost as much or as much as I bought them for.
10. How much would you say you've paid in library fines in your life? Okay, that isn't a fair question for a graduate student! I've probably paid about $50 in fines, but they were all for academic books, which I don't count as REAL books because I don't read them for fun.
11. Do you read in bed? Yes. Who doesn't?
12. Do you ever read while walking or driving? I don't read while driving, though I have pulled off to read a book when I couldn't stand the anticipation any longer. I used to read while walking a lot as a teenager but haven't done it as much now that I am older.
13. Where is the strangest place you've read a book? Hmmm, the strangest place? I guess in our boat in the summer, while Ken fishes.
14. Do you listen to audio books? You know, I tried that and it just didn't do it for me so I've given it up.
15. Has anyone ever read aloud to you or you to them? I read "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" aloud to Ken on the drive back from PA the year it first came out. He didn't want me to read it before him and I didn't want to have to wait for him, so I read it aloud while he drove. TEN hours of reading out loud.
16. What book was the most difficult to read? Definitely Moby Dick. It isn't so much that the book is difficult, but sometimes (for example, the chapters on whales in art) it was so dull that I felt I had to force myself to keep going.
17. Do you read every word of a book, or skip parts that don't hold your interest? I never used to skim, until Moby Dick. I also found myself doing it in "House of Seven Gables" (the chapter about the dead man). However, I get very guilt stricken, like I'm cheating.
18. What books do you keep intending to read but put off? I had been putting off "The Other Boleyn Girl" because it was so long, but finally read that. I've also had "Marley and Me" for a long time and haven't read it yet (because the dog dies in the end). Also, there is a long list of academic books that I should read and have been avoiding.
19. Do you buy new or used books, paperbacks or hardbacks, leather or collector's items? I buy a little bit of everything. I prefer older books (printed before the 1900s) because I like the way they are bound and the way the pages feel. I try to buy used, for environmental reasons and also because I like to think of the people who read the book before me. I do have several leather bound books- all bought used.
20. How do you feel about writing in books, dog earing, etc Pet peeve. Writing lightly in pencil in the margins is acceptable, but anything in pen drives me crazy. It is worse than vandalism! Ken insists on breaking the spines of books, which also drives me crazy. He doesn't do it to my books (smart man) but does it to all of his.
21. What is the first book you remember reading? "The Cat That Clumped". It was my favorite book. I still have it.
22. What were your favorite books when you were a child? Really young I liked The Cat That Clumped, The Little Donkey, any horse story, Amelia Bedilia and Dr. Seuss. Later I also loved Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and Ramona. I did NOT like The Babysitters' Club or the Sweet Valley series. I was really into Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie, and Little Women, too. Oh, and the Jungle Book.
23. What children's books do you most enjoy as an adult? I second Winnie the Pooh and Harry Potter. I would also add Peter Pan and Little House on the Prairie.
24. What books would you especially recommend to young people? It would depend on the sex of the young person, I think. The Little House Series and Little Women for girls. Little Men and Hardy Boys for boys. Harry Potter for all.
25. Do you ever read the ending first? NO! and I add, ABSOLUTELY NOT.
26. Did you ever agree to read the book somebody was pushing on you if they would read one for you in exchange? What were the books? Ken and I sometimes do this. When I force him to read one of my books (for example, Twilight or Metro Girl recently) then he wants me to read one of his (for example, Prey). I have the benefit in this exchange because I buy him most of his books and I don't buy him anything I won't read, with the exception of Stephen King.
27. Have you ever read a book more than once? If so, mention them and why you read them more than once. Like Angie, I have re-read tons and tons of books- in fact most of them on my shelves. Here are my favorites: Harry Potter- it never gets old. Ditto on the entire Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich (okay, I haven't reread them yet, but I know I am going to!), because they are so funny and the characters so well written, they almost seem like my friends! Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon (L.M. Montgomery) and Little Women (L.M. Alcott) because they are so refreshing. They always make me feel happy and content with my life. Victoria Holt's books and the Twilight series- they are my "escapist" books. They take me to another time/situation and help me forget myself (when I am sick or stressed).
28. What frequently recommended books have you been unable to finish? The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie. I just can't get into it. But, I'll try again some day.
29. Which of these world classics did you actually plow through at one time or another in your life?
X The Iliad X The Odyssey The Aeneid Dante's Inferno X Paradise Lost Goethe's Faust War and Peace Ulysses Les Miserables Atlas Shrugged X Moby Dick X Gone with the Wind Remembrance of Things Past Churchill's History of England Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
30. What other favorite books of yours are extremely long? Harry Potter, the last three books. The Other Boleyn Girl (over 650 pages). Twilight, last two books are pretty long. Count of Monte Cristo- seriously, over 1,000 pages long. I'm not sure it is one of my favorites, but it is a good book and I keep it on my shelves.
2. 2. What foreign languages do you read? I can read BASIC Spanish.
3. 3. What's the funniest book you ever read? I just read Free-Range Chickens by Simon Rich about a month ago and it was hysterical. I laughed out loud and even read passages to Randy.
4. What books have changed the way you look at the world or the way you live your life? Ceremony of the Innocent made me think about how the world is run and scared me immensely. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman made me look at the future of the world. And The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom made me think about the hereafter.
5. What books have affirmed what you believe about life or the way you look at things? Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
6. What books have you changed your mind about? I used to like books by Michener but now they are too predictable and too long.
7. What are some of the scariest books you've ever read? See # 4. Also, Ceremony of the Innocent by Taylor Caldwell. Also, I agree with Angie, Kiss the Girls and the snakes is FREAKY!
8. About how many books do you own? Maybe 200, I try to get them from the library and if I REALLY REALLY like the book, I will buy it. Now I download a lot.
9. How many books per month do you usually borrow from the library? Depends on the month. I load up in June before summer break and other vacations. I have a pretty lenient policy with the school library.
10. How much would you say you've paid in library fines in your life? $2.00 – a nickel at a time.
11. Do you read in bed? Absolutely. Second best place to read is the BUBBLY BATH!
12. Do you ever read while walking or driving? No.
13. Where is the strangest place you've read a book? Bathtub, but I don’t think that’s strange.
14. Do you listen to audio books? No, they put me to sleep.
15. Has anyone ever read aloud to you or you to them? Have a kid and see how many YEARS you will read aloud. Eli and I have read some GREAT books, though. It is a wonderful way to explore kid’s books that weren’t around when you were growing up. OUR favorites from the last 2 years – Holes, Witches, Hoot, The Phantom Tollbooth, Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.
16. What book was the most difficult to read? I HAD to read the Scarlet Letter in 7th grade and I hated it. I will never go back to it. Come on, the SCARLET LETTER in 7th grade? I had no clue what it was about.
17. Do you read every word of a book, or skip parts that don't hold your interest? I skip parts that get a bit long winded.
18. What books do you keep intending to read but put off? I have a nice edition of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Miserables, combined in one book. It has been moved from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania, back to Massachusetts and back to Pennsylvania. I haven’t sold it or given it away because some day I will read it.
19. Do you buy new or used books, paperbacks or hardbacks, leather or collector's items? Usually new paperback, unless it is available only in hardback. Now – I download everything!
20. How do you feel about writing in books, dog earing, etc No problem. I like the care worn book, shows me it’s been around and been loved perhaps.
21. What is the first book you remember reading? Dick and Jane.
22. What were your favorite books when you were a child? Goodnight Moon, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Pippi Longstocking, Mr. Popper’s Penquins, Charlotte’s Web and the Little House series.
23. What children's books do you most enjoy as an adult? I still like the Little House books, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and the Grinch. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day – I read this whenever I get down in the dumps and think things are just Horrible and this book makes me get things in perspective.
24. What books would you especially recommend to young people? Little House, Harry Potter, and Mark Twain – Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.
25. Do you ever read the ending first? NO!
26. Did you ever agree to read the book somebody was pushing on you if they would read one for you in exchange? What were the books? No, don’t think so.
27. Have you ever read a book more than once? If so, mention them and why you read them more than once. Too many. Basically if I own the book, I’ve read it more than once. Usually I read it once from the library, second time when I go and buy it for myself.
Favorites – read NUMEROUS times Anne of Green Gables series A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Five People You Meet in Heaven Bridges of Madison County Diary of Anne Frank Gone with the Wind Little House series
28. What frequently recommended books have you been unable to finish? Doctor Zhivago – I’ve started it many times, get confused with all the Russian names, wimp out and watch the movie instead.
29. Which of these world classics did you actually plow through at one time or another in your life?
The Iliad The Odyssey The Aeneid Dante's Inferno X Paradise Lost Goethe's Faust War and Peace Ulysses Les Miserables Atlas Shrugged - no but I did read Fountainhead Moby Dick X Gone with the Wind Remembrance of Things Past Churchill's History of England Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
30. What other favorite books of yours are extremely long? Harry Potter, the last three books. Gone with the Wind Guess I prefer the short-medium read.
Nice to see I am not the only Little House fan here!
Also, I plowed my way through Dr. Zhivago and didn't like it (miserable people leading miserable lives until they die- ugh) and so I've never brought myself to watch the movie. Is the movie any good?
Finally, since you like Mark Twain, one of his lesser known works was recommended to me as one of his best works- "Innocents Abroad". It is supposed to be witty and well-written, with true Mark Twain humor. Maybe I should choose that one for my next pick? (If you haven't already noticed, it is hard for me to pick a book and stick with it!)
OMG. Joy. You must read Moby Dick. We have a great list of chapters that you can just SKIP. It will make the book about 200 pages long.
Also I love that book that Mimi has "Hundreds of cats, Thousands of cats, Millions and Billions and Trillions of cats" or something like that. I hope she leaves me that book in her will.. Anthony can have the house, I just want the books!
I used to be a Little House FANATIC! I still am but not quite so zealous. I visited Walnut Grove and saw what was left of Laura's dugout house like it was a religious experience. Also, visited Mankato. And wrote to all the other places Laura had lived and asked for FREE stuff so I could plan a trip. They sent me stuff too. Since, I've lost my enthusiasm but given the chance would pack my bag and go.
Did the same thing with the "Anne of Green Gables" series. I have a video from the "Prince Edward Island Tourism Bureau" but alas haven't gotten there yet.
Also, visited Hannibal Missori for the Mark Twain experience. You'll like this story Melissa, remember it Ang? Anyway, every little nook and cranny of Hannibal is plastered with something of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, a sculpture, books, t-shirts, quotes, etc. So I stop at "Ye Olde Hannibal Tourism Shoppe" and ask if there is anything in town of Colonel Potter's of MASH. The lady looks me in the eye and tells me "Colonel Potter is a FICTIONAL character". HELLO!?!?!?!?!? DO they have a clue? Last I looked, Huck Finn was FICTION!
Also after reading Bridges of Madison County, I went to visit the bridges in Madison County, Iowa and again it was truly a religious experience. Imagine standing IN a corn field ON a bridge where water NO longer flows and thinking that was COOL! I loved it and would go back anytime.
So, you see reading is a VACATION DESTINATION for me and having been to Oregon many times, Twilight just isn't cutting it for me.
I am in the middle of reading Innocents Abroad. It's a good pick up, put down book, about Twain's adventures travelling across Europe. Another good one of his is Roughin It. That was a laugh out loud kind of book. I recently downloaded ALL of Mark Twain's stuff - speeches, short stories everything for 99 cents. What a deal!
Melissa, do watch Dr. Zhivago the movie. It is excellent, an epic, and long - maybe 3 or 4 hours???? The winter snow scene is awesome.
And Yes, Ang, the book is Millions of Cats. I remember that one too.
I actually own "Hundreds of cats, Thousands of cats, Millions and Billions and Trillions of cats". It was another one of my favorite children's books. My mom hated it, though. :-) I think it was because the cats fight and kill each other at the end. It must be hard to be a parent and have your kid ask you to read the same book over and aver hundreds of times, thousands of times, millions and billions and trillions of times.
I haven't been to the Ingall's historical sites, but I did see Green Gables on PEI when I was 15. I begged mom to take me. We liked PEI, but the actual Green Gables itself is surrounded by parking lots and gift shops so it is a little disappointing. You can't even see the Lake of Shining Waters from it.
The Mark Twain/MASH story is funny. Sometimes I think those towns get so caught up in their own tourism that they forget it is fake! And since you are in the middle of Innocents Abroad, I won't choose it. I'll read it on my own time and find another book for us.
I just put Dr. Zhivago on my Netflix queue, though it is quite a ways down. I'll let you know my opinion (because I know you are waiting for it on the edge of your seat! L0L) when I finally watch it.
7 comments:
1. How did you learn to read?
Mom taught me. I don't really remember any of it, to be honest.
2. What foreign languages do you read?
I can read Spanish, (obviously) and can hold my own with the other romance languages: French, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian. I can muddle through Esperanto and Latin.
3. What 's the funniest book you ever read?
Big Trouble, a novel by Dave Barry. My friend Imelda's dad found it at Dulles airport, and I happened to pick it up to read when visiting them once. He told me to keep it. So glad I did!
4. What books have changed the way you look at the world or the way you live your life?
The Awakening by Kate Chopin. On The Road by Jack Kerouac. Almost every Berenstain Bears book.
5. What books have affirmed what you believe about life or the way you look at things?
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.
6. What books have you changed your mind about?
A Farewell to Arms by Hemmingway. At first I thought it was a good romantic tragedy. I don't like it so much any more.
7. What are some of the scariest books you've ever read?
Kiss The Girls by James Patterson. That scene with the snakes just freaked me out.
8. About how many books do you own?
I'd say about 500.
9. How many books per month do you usually borrow from the library?
I don't usually borrow from the library, because I hate to read on a deadline. I know, I know, you can just renew them, but I still feel like I have to hurry up and read.
10. How much would you say you've paid in library fines in your life?
I don't think I've ever paid a library fine.
11. Do you read in bed?
Yes, frequently when Harold's watching TV downstairs.
12. Do you ever read while walking or driving?
No. I can't even chew gum while walking.
13. Where is the strangest place you've read a book?
Waiting for the gynecologist in that silly paper robe? I don't read in a lot of strange places.
14. Do you listen to audio books?
Yes, on the trip to and from PA, but usually short stories.
15. Has anyone ever read aloud to you or you to them?
Not in my adult life.
16. What book was the most difficult to read?
I read the first Harry Potter in Spanish, and that was a challange for me at the time. As fas as sheer muddling through I'd have to say The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, OR maybe Silas Marner by George Eliot.
17. Do you read every word of a book, or skip parts that don't hold your interest?
I do a lot of skimming in books that I don't particularly enjoy. I like to think at this point I'm pretty good at identifying "fluff" and jumping over it.
18. What books do you keep intending to read but put off?
Nectar in a Sieve, The Kite Runner.
19. Do you buy new or used books, paperbacks or hardbacks, leather or collector's items?
I almost always buy used, and nearly always paperback (because they're lighter). I have one leatherbound book, Ivanhoe.
20. How do you feel about writing in books, dog earing, etc
I don't mind it. In fact, I like to read books that others have made comments in; I think it's a lovely way of gaining more insight.
21. What is the first book you remember reading?
Either Hand Hand Finger Thumb or The Bike Lesson (Berenstain Bears!)
22. What were your favorite books when you were a child?
Really young I like Robert McCloskey, the Berenstain Bears, Amelia Bedilia and Dr. Seuss.
Later I loved Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, The Babysitters' Club, Ramona, and the Sweet Valley series. Oh, and the Black Stallion.
23. What children's books do you most enjoy as an adult?
Winnie the Pooh. Harry Potter.
24. What books would you especially recommend to young people?
Bristle Face, by Zachary Ball. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume. Caddie Woodlawn, by Carol Brink. The Little House Series.
25. Do you ever read the ending first?
NO!
26. Did you ever agree to read the book somebody was pushing on you if they would read one for you in exchange? What were the books?
I don't think so. Unless this book club counts!
27. Have you ever read a book more than once? If so, mention them and why you read them more than once.
I have re-read tons and tons of books. Here are my favorites:
Ivanhoe, by Sir Walter Scott, because it's the classic Robin Hood with a twist.
The entire Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, because they are so funny and the characters so well written, they almost seem like my friends!
Tristessa by Jack Kerouac, because it takes me back to another time in my life.
The Pelican Brief by John Grisham, because it's a great suspense story with some romance thrown in.
Like Water for Chocolate, by Laura Esquivel, because it's such a great concept and I like a little magical realism every now and again.
28. What frequently recommended books have you been unable to finish?
The only book I've never finished is The Fountainhead. Ugh.
29. Which of these world classics did you actually plow through at one time or another in your life?
X The Iliad
X The Odyssey
The Aeneid
X Dante's Inferno reading this now, it's not that bad!
Paradise Lost
Goethe's Faust
War and Peace
Ulysses
Les Miserables
Atlas Shrugged
X Moby Dick
Gone with the Wind
Remembrance of Things Past
Churchill's History of England
Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
30. What other favorite books of yours are extremely long?
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J K Rowling.
The Pelican Brief is decently long.
1. How did you learn to read?
My mom taught me. I also do not remember it. So long ago.
2. What foreign languages do you read?
I can read Spanish and French pretty well, though I will need a dictionary because my vocabulary isn't spectacular. I 'used to could' Latin, German, Russian, and Gaelic but I am afraid I have lost them all without practice.
3. What 's the funniest book you ever read?
I would have to say the Mutts comnic strip collections by Patrick McDonnell. If they don't count as a real book then maybe one of the books in the Plum series, since those usually have me cracking up, too.
4. What books have changed the way you look at the world or the way you live your life?
Definitely "Mister God, This is Anna". Phenomenal book that will have you rethinking how you think about life.
5. What books have affirmed what you believe about life or the way you look at things?
I am almost ashamed to admit, "Little Women". I like to look at the good and assume the best about people and that book really sums it up.
6. What books have you changed your mind about?
I used to love Christopher Pike books (teen thrillers) and I reread one of them last fall (to see if I wanted to keep them or get rid of them) and realized how pathetic they are. So I gave them to a teenage girl who is obsessed with Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine. Let her enjoy them.
Also, Louis L'Amour, a little bit. I used to LOVE those books and now I only like them.
7. What are some of the scariest books you've ever read?
Recently, "Prey" by Michael Crighton, because it seems as though it really could happen. Otherwise, I really don't read a lot of scary books. Or at least the books I read do not scare me. :-)
8. About how many books do you own?
Oh dear, I think Ken and I estimated it at over 1,000 sometime last fall when he asked me the same question (as he got down box after box of books out of the attic for me). I've donated and sold a lot since them, but I've also bought quite a few.
9. How many books per month do you usually borrow from the library?
I don't usually borrow from the library, either. For the most part, the books I want to read are so eclectic that it is not often the library has them. Plus, I have a pretty good system with buying used books and then selling them for almost as much or as much as I bought them for.
10. How much would you say you've paid in library fines in your life?
Okay, that isn't a fair question for a graduate student! I've probably paid about $50 in fines, but they were all for academic books, which I don't count as REAL books because I don't read them for fun.
11. Do you read in bed?
Yes. Who doesn't?
12. Do you ever read while walking or driving?
I don't read while driving, though I have pulled off to read a book when I couldn't stand the anticipation any longer. I used to read while walking a lot as a teenager but haven't done it as much now that I am older.
13. Where is the strangest place you've read a book?
Hmmm, the strangest place? I guess in our boat in the summer, while Ken fishes.
14. Do you listen to audio books?
You know, I tried that and it just didn't do it for me so I've given it up.
15. Has anyone ever read aloud to you or you to them?
I read "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" aloud to Ken on the drive back from PA the year it first came out. He didn't want me to read it before him and I didn't want to have to wait for him, so I read it aloud while he drove. TEN hours of reading out loud.
16. What book was the most difficult to read?
Definitely Moby Dick. It isn't so much that the book is difficult, but sometimes (for example, the chapters on whales in art) it was so dull that I felt I had to force myself to keep going.
17. Do you read every word of a book, or skip parts that don't hold your interest?
I never used to skim, until Moby Dick. I also found myself doing it in "House of Seven Gables" (the chapter about the dead man). However, I get very guilt stricken, like I'm cheating.
18. What books do you keep intending to read but put off?
I had been putting off "The Other Boleyn Girl" because it was so long, but finally read that. I've also had "Marley and Me" for a long time and haven't read it yet (because the dog dies in the end). Also, there is a long list of academic books that I should read and have been avoiding.
19. Do you buy new or used books, paperbacks or hardbacks, leather or collector's items?
I buy a little bit of everything. I prefer older books (printed before the 1900s) because I like the way they are bound and the way the pages feel. I try to buy used, for environmental reasons and also because I like to think of the people who read the book before me. I do have several leather bound books- all bought used.
20. How do you feel about writing in books, dog earing, etc
Pet peeve. Writing lightly in pencil in the margins is acceptable, but anything in pen drives me crazy. It is worse than vandalism! Ken insists on breaking the spines of books, which also drives me crazy. He doesn't do it to my books (smart man) but does it to all of his.
21. What is the first book you remember reading?
"The Cat That Clumped". It was my favorite book. I still have it.
22. What were your favorite books when you were a child?
Really young I liked The Cat That Clumped, The Little Donkey, any horse story, Amelia Bedilia and Dr. Seuss.
Later I also loved Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and Ramona. I did NOT like The Babysitters' Club or the Sweet Valley series. I was really into Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie, and Little Women, too. Oh, and the Jungle Book.
23. What children's books do you most enjoy as an adult?
I second Winnie the Pooh and Harry Potter. I would also add Peter Pan and Little House on the Prairie.
24. What books would you especially recommend to young people?
It would depend on the sex of the young person, I think. The Little House Series and Little Women for girls. Little Men and Hardy Boys for boys. Harry Potter for all.
25. Do you ever read the ending first?
NO! and I add, ABSOLUTELY NOT.
26. Did you ever agree to read the book somebody was pushing on you if they would read one for you in exchange? What were the books?
Ken and I sometimes do this. When I force him to read one of my books (for example, Twilight or Metro Girl recently) then he wants me to read one of his (for example, Prey). I have the benefit in this exchange because I buy him most of his books and I don't buy him anything I won't read, with the exception of Stephen King.
27. Have you ever read a book more than once? If so, mention them and why you read them more than once.
Like Angie, I have re-read tons and tons of books- in fact most of them on my shelves. Here are my favorites:
Harry Potter- it never gets old.
Ditto on the entire Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich (okay, I haven't reread them yet, but I know I am going to!), because they are so funny and the characters so well written, they almost seem like my friends!
Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon (L.M. Montgomery) and Little Women (L.M. Alcott) because they are so refreshing. They always make me feel happy and content with my life.
Victoria Holt's books and the Twilight series- they are my "escapist" books. They take me to another time/situation and help me forget myself (when I am sick or stressed).
28. What frequently recommended books have you been unable to finish?
The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie. I just can't get into it. But, I'll try again some day.
29. Which of these world classics did you actually plow through at one time or another in your life?
X The Iliad
X The Odyssey
The Aeneid
Dante's Inferno
X Paradise Lost
Goethe's Faust
War and Peace
Ulysses
Les Miserables
Atlas Shrugged
X Moby Dick
X Gone with the Wind
Remembrance of Things Past
Churchill's History of England
Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
30. What other favorite books of yours are extremely long?
Harry Potter, the last three books.
The Other Boleyn Girl (over 650 pages).
Twilight, last two books are pretty long.
Count of Monte Cristo- seriously, over 1,000 pages long. I'm not sure it is one of my favorites, but it is a good book and I keep it on my shelves.
1. How did you learn to read?
At school.
2. 2. What foreign languages do you read?
I can read BASIC Spanish.
3. 3. What's the funniest book you ever read?
I just read Free-Range Chickens by Simon Rich about a month ago and it was hysterical. I laughed out loud and even read passages to Randy.
4. What books have changed the way you look at the world or the way you live your life?
Ceremony of the Innocent made me think about how the world is run and scared me immensely. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman made me look at the future of the world. And The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom made me think about the hereafter.
5. What books have affirmed what you believe about life or the way you look at things?
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
6. What books have you changed your mind about?
I used to like books by Michener but now they are too predictable and too long.
7. What are some of the scariest books you've ever read?
See # 4. Also, Ceremony of the Innocent by Taylor Caldwell. Also, I agree with Angie, Kiss the Girls and the snakes is FREAKY!
8. About how many books do you own?
Maybe 200, I try to get them from the library and if I REALLY REALLY like the book, I will buy it. Now I download a lot.
9. How many books per month do you usually borrow from the library?
Depends on the month. I load up in June before summer break and other vacations. I have a pretty lenient policy with the school library.
10. How much would you say you've paid in library fines in your life?
$2.00 – a nickel at a time.
11. Do you read in bed?
Absolutely. Second best place to read is the BUBBLY BATH!
12. Do you ever read while walking or driving?
No.
13. Where is the strangest place you've read a book?
Bathtub, but I don’t think that’s strange.
14. Do you listen to audio books?
No, they put me to sleep.
15. Has anyone ever read aloud to you or you to them?
Have a kid and see how many YEARS you will read aloud. Eli and I have read some GREAT books, though. It is a wonderful way to explore kid’s books that weren’t around when you were growing up. OUR favorites from the last 2 years – Holes, Witches, Hoot, The Phantom Tollbooth, Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.
16. What book was the most difficult to read?
I HAD to read the Scarlet Letter in 7th grade and I hated it. I will never go back to it.
Come on, the SCARLET LETTER in 7th grade? I had no clue what it was about.
17. Do you read every word of a book, or skip parts that don't hold your interest?
I skip parts that get a bit long winded.
18. What books do you keep intending to read but put off?
I have a nice edition of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Miserables, combined in one book. It has been moved from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania, back to Massachusetts and back to Pennsylvania. I haven’t sold it or given it away because some day I will read it.
19. Do you buy new or used books, paperbacks or hardbacks, leather or collector's items?
Usually new paperback, unless it is available only in hardback. Now – I download everything!
20. How do you feel about writing in books, dog earing, etc
No problem. I like the care worn book, shows me it’s been around and been loved perhaps.
21. What is the first book you remember reading?
Dick and Jane.
22. What were your favorite books when you were a child?
Goodnight Moon, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Pippi Longstocking, Mr. Popper’s Penquins, Charlotte’s Web and the Little House series.
23. What children's books do you most enjoy as an adult?
I still like the Little House books, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and the Grinch.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day – I read this whenever I get down in the dumps and think things are just Horrible and this book makes me get things in perspective.
24. What books would you especially recommend to young people?
Little House, Harry Potter, and Mark Twain – Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.
25. Do you ever read the ending first?
NO!
26. Did you ever agree to read the book somebody was pushing on you if they would read one for you in exchange? What were the books?
No, don’t think so.
27. Have you ever read a book more than once? If so, mention them and why you read them more than once.
Too many. Basically if I own the book, I’ve read it more than once. Usually I read it once from the library, second time when I go and buy it for myself.
Favorites – read NUMEROUS times
Anne of Green Gables series
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Five People You Meet in Heaven
Bridges of Madison County
Diary of Anne Frank
Gone with the Wind
Little House series
28. What frequently recommended books have you been unable to finish?
Doctor Zhivago – I’ve started it many times, get confused with all the Russian names, wimp out and watch the movie instead.
29. Which of these world classics did you actually plow through at one time or another in your life?
The Iliad
The Odyssey
The Aeneid
Dante's Inferno
X Paradise Lost
Goethe's Faust
War and Peace
Ulysses
Les Miserables
Atlas Shrugged - no but I did read Fountainhead
Moby Dick
X Gone with the Wind
Remembrance of Things Past
Churchill's History of England
Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
30. What other favorite books of yours are extremely long?
Harry Potter, the last three books.
Gone with the Wind
Guess I prefer the short-medium read.
Nice to see I am not the only Little House fan here!
Also, I plowed my way through Dr. Zhivago and didn't like it (miserable people leading miserable lives until they die- ugh) and so I've never brought myself to watch the movie. Is the movie any good?
Finally, since you like Mark Twain, one of his lesser known works was recommended to me as one of his best works- "Innocents Abroad". It is supposed to be witty and well-written, with true Mark Twain humor. Maybe I should choose that one for my next pick? (If you haven't already noticed, it is hard for me to pick a book and stick with it!)
OMG. Joy. You must read Moby Dick. We have a great list of chapters that you can just SKIP. It will make the book about 200 pages long.
Also I love that book that Mimi has "Hundreds of cats, Thousands of cats, Millions and Billions and Trillions of cats" or something like that. I hope she leaves me that book in her will.. Anthony can have the house, I just want the books!
I used to be a Little House FANATIC! I still am but not quite so zealous. I visited Walnut Grove and saw what was left of Laura's dugout house like it was a religious experience. Also, visited Mankato. And wrote to all the other places Laura had lived and asked for FREE stuff so I could plan a trip. They sent me stuff too. Since, I've lost my enthusiasm but given the chance would pack my bag and go.
Did the same thing with the "Anne of Green Gables" series. I have a video from the "Prince Edward Island Tourism Bureau" but alas haven't gotten there yet.
Also, visited Hannibal Missori for the Mark Twain experience. You'll like this story Melissa, remember it Ang? Anyway, every little nook and cranny of Hannibal is plastered with something of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, a sculpture, books, t-shirts, quotes, etc. So I stop at "Ye Olde Hannibal Tourism Shoppe" and ask if there is anything in town of Colonel Potter's of MASH. The lady looks me in the eye and tells me "Colonel Potter is a FICTIONAL character". HELLO!?!?!?!?!? DO they have a clue? Last I looked, Huck Finn was FICTION!
Also after reading Bridges of Madison County, I went to visit the bridges in Madison County, Iowa and again it was truly a religious experience. Imagine standing IN a corn field ON a bridge where water NO longer flows and thinking that was COOL! I loved it and would go back anytime.
So, you see reading is a VACATION DESTINATION for me and having been to Oregon many times, Twilight just isn't cutting it for me.
I am in the middle of reading Innocents Abroad. It's a good pick up, put down book, about Twain's adventures travelling across Europe. Another good one of his is Roughin It. That was a laugh out loud kind of book. I recently downloaded ALL of Mark Twain's stuff - speeches, short stories everything for 99 cents. What a deal!
Melissa, do watch Dr. Zhivago the movie. It is excellent, an epic, and long - maybe 3 or 4 hours???? The winter snow scene is awesome.
And Yes, Ang, the book is Millions of Cats. I remember that one too.
I actually own "Hundreds of cats, Thousands of cats, Millions and Billions and Trillions of cats". It was another one of my favorite children's books. My mom hated it, though. :-) I think it was because the cats fight and kill each other at the end. It must be hard to be a parent and have your kid ask you to read the same book over and aver hundreds of times, thousands of times, millions and billions and trillions of times.
I haven't been to the Ingall's historical sites, but I did see Green Gables on PEI when I was 15. I begged mom to take me. We liked PEI, but the actual Green Gables itself is surrounded by parking lots and gift shops so it is a little disappointing. You can't even see the Lake of Shining Waters from it.
The Mark Twain/MASH story is funny. Sometimes I think those towns get so caught up in their own tourism that they forget it is fake! And since you are in the middle of Innocents Abroad, I won't choose it. I'll read it on my own time and find another book for us.
I just put Dr. Zhivago on my Netflix queue, though it is quite a ways down. I'll let you know my opinion (because I know you are waiting for it on the edge of your seat! L0L) when I finally watch it.
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