Just found out I was tagged by Hermione Fowl for the
I’m ready to tackle the questions, so here goes…
Inside flap / Back of the book summaries: Too much info? Or not enough (Discuss)
If the inside flap or back cover blurb tells the whole story, then I don’t buy the book. If the inside flap or back cover blurb only contains snippets of other authors saying how brilliant the author’s other books are, then I don’t buy the book. I want a taste of what to expect. I don’t think I’m asking for too much.
New book: What form do you want it in? Be honest: audio book, e-book, paperback, or hardcover?
Lately, nearly all the books I buy are e-books. But I still love paperbacks and hardcover books. If it’s an author I adore, I will buy both the e-book and the paperback (or hardcover) edition.
Scribble while you read? Do you like to write in your books, taking notes, making comments, or do you keep your books clean clean clean? (Tell us why)
I write in my books. If I see a line or a passage that speaks to me, I underline it. I write notes to myself. If there are foreign words in the book, I look up the translations and write them in the margins. If I’m reading an e-book, then I put e-notes in the books for things I like or things that jump out at me.
In your best voice, read for us your favourite first sentence from a book.
My favorite first sentence from a book…? I’ve always liked the opening line of Bret Easton Ellis‘s The Rules of Attraction.
…and it’s a story that might bore you but you don’t have to listen, she told me, because she always knew it was going to be like that.
I’m also rather partial to the opening lines of A Nice Girl Like Me by Abigail Bosanko.
My best friend, Flora, is a professional whisky connoisseur. For around three hundred pounds you could spend some time with her at the Whisky Society in Edinburgh, sampling fine single malts while she explains the art of nosing and tasting…
Does it matter to you whether the author is male or female when you’re deciding on a book? What if you’re unsure of the author’s gender?
A writer’s gender doesn’t make much difference to me. If their story sounds interesting, then I’ll buy the book.
Ever read ahead? Or have you ever read the last page way before you got there?
If I am not enjoying a book, I will read ahead just to get through it faster. Or if the sex scenes are way too long, then I will skip ahead. I love a sexy book; I don’t love when the sex scenes take over.
Organized bookshelves, or outrageous bookshelves?
Once upon a time, my bookshelves were perfectly organized. I love organized bookshelves–I used to maintain beautifully organized bookshelves when I worked in a bookstore. Now, I find my bookshelves are outrageously messy. Maybe that should be my weekend project: organizing my bookshelves again.
Under oath: have you ever bought a book based on the cover (alone)?
Yes. And I’ve also NOT bought books because the covers were simply too tacky or too ugly for words. I can’t abide a tacky cover. I don’t care how good the story is–invest in a great cover! I know the old saying is that you can’t judge a book by its cover, but if the cover is messy or unprofessional-looking, then you’ve lost me as a reader.
Take it outside to read, or stay in?
I read everywhere. When the weather is nice, I read outside. When it’s cold, I find somewhere cozy to sip coffee and get lost in a good book. More often than not, you’ll find me reading on a bus or subway. Or a plane.
And now that I’ve answered every question, I encourage you to join in the fun! I’m tagging some of my other writer friends. I hope they’ll join too! 🙂
Are you up for it?
