Friday 15 August 2014

A-Z bookish questions

A to Z Bookish Questions
Borrowed from Kara at Flowers of Quiet Happiness

Author you've read the most books from: I'm not sure, but I think it might be Lynn Austin. I read almost all of her books.

Best sequel ever: Well, maybe not the best (and I know many people will not agree with me), but certainly a remarkable one was Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley. Just because it gave us a chance to spend more time with Scarlett and Rhett and for them to have a happy (happier?) ending.

Currently reading: Slowly making my way through He knew he was right by Anthony Trollope and just about to start on Jane Austen's First Love by Syrie James

Drink of choice while reading: Tea all the time!


E-reader or physical book: Both. I love reading physical books, but an e-reader gives me the opportunity to have access to much more books (through NetGalley for example or free ebooks.

Fictional character you probably would have actually dated in high school? I was in love with Byron Sully from Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman during my high school period, but he's not (really) from a book. I was also very much enamored by Berton de Fleur from the Dutch children (I think we would call it YA now) book Geef me de ruimte! by Thea Beckman

Glad you gave this book a chance: The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. I tried reading this two times, the first time I didn't get very far, but the second time I finished it and enjoyed it so much. Yes, there's a lot of detail, but if you look beyond that, there are great stories in this book!

Hidden gem book: Promise me this by Cathy Gohlke

Just finished: For such a time by Kate Breslin. Amazing and very thought-provoking.

Kind of books you won't read: Erotica and horror. I also hardly ever read Dutch literature or suspense/mystery, but I can't say I 'won't' ever read these.

Longest book you've read: If Lord of the Rings counts as one book, then most likely that one. Otherwise probably something by Dickens or Eliot.

Major book hangover because of: Cress by Marissa Meyer. Just the thought of having to wait so long before I knew how the story would go on....

Number of bookcases you own: Just one, but it's very full and it's high time for a second one!

One book you read multiple times: Arena by Karen Hancock

Preferred place to read: I can read almost everywhere, but I really like reading in the garden when it's summer or in the train

Quote you like from a book you read“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” (Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien)

It's a very well-known one, but it never fails to inspire me.

Reading regret: So many books, so little time...

Series you started and need to finish: The Staff and the Sword series by Patrick Carr. I really loved the first book, A cast of stones

Three of your all time favorite books: Sense and sensibility by Jane Austen, Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien and The well of lost plots by Jasper Fforde

Unapologetic fangirl for: Jane Austen, Tolkien and Jasper Fforde

Very excited for this release more than all the others: Winter from Marissa Meyer

Worst bookish habit: Forgetting to return by library books in time!

X marks the spot: I often buy bookmarks as souvenirs. At the moment I have a really nice Art Nouveau one from Brussels.

Your latest book purchase: Well, not a purchase really as it was a free ebook, but Wildwood Creek by Lisa Wingate

Zzzz snatcher book: Not so much zzz snatcher as work-time snatcher, but this week I was reading For such a time by Kate Breslin during the incubation times at my job (I work in a laboratory and in some experiments you have multiple 'waiting-steps' of 5 minutes. You can't really do anything useful in 5 minutes, so I usually read on my Kindle-app during those times) Especially the last quarter of this book is nail-bitingly exciting, so I kept wanting to read on in stead of go on with my experiment! (The experiment did end up succeeding though, just in case you were wondering...)

12 comments:

  1. So glad you joined in, Birdie! :)

    I've been eyeing For Such a Time for a little while, you're convincing me I should really move it up my tbr pile. :)

    I'm in the middle of Cress right now and already I know it'll be an excruciating wait until Winter! *sigh* Why do you do this to us, Marissa Meyer?!

    I am notorious for forgetting when my library books are due. I have racked up a few fines in my day.... ;)

    I haven't read much of Jasper Fforde actually. But you're making a good case for reading more of his stories. I'll definitely have to check out The Well of Lost Plots.

    Great answers! :D

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    1. I must admit I was a bit skeptical about For such a time (the story of Esther set in the Holocaust? Would that really work?) But it did work and it was wonderful. I hope to write a review about the book.

      Jasper Fforde's books are one of the few books which can make me laugh out loud while reading. I'm sometimes afraid whether my housemates will hear me snickering and wonder if I'm alright when I read his books!

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  2. I'm horrible with my library books, too! I keep asking if I can re-check them, and eventually they have to say, "No, please bring them back now." And then they fine me, because I forget again!

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    1. Sometimes I almost want to cave and pay for the 'alert service' my library offers!

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    2. You all have a paid alert service? That's interesting! My library calls me a few days after they're due, and if I don't bring them back that day, they start the fines. Then after...I think it's a month or two, you have to pay for them to replace the book (because they assume you've lost it). I've only had to do that once, with a book for my son. Goodness knows where that book is now. Maybe he ate it!

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    3. Yes, you pay for getting a text message or email on the day your books are due.

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  3. I always feel so guilty when I have something overdue at the library. Hang my head like a convicted felon as I slink to the desk and hand over my fine. But then again... that money goes to support my local library and help them get more books, so really I should think of it as a donation, right? But still... feels like I'm a terrible person.

    But our library emails us for free to let us know two days before books are due, so I have no excuse other than just not having time to check my email on a particular day or whatever. Or deleting the email before renewing -- I've done that twice lately. Oops!

    This is a fun meme, and I want to do it myself... but I'm over a week behind reading blogs, much less writing my own posts... been a busy month...

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    1. Our library has an automated lending and returning system, so I don't have to face anyone when I bring back my books or dvds shamelessly late!

      I know all about wanting to post so many things but not having enough time...

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  4. Yay for For Such a Time. I've heard only the loveliest of things for that novel. Guessing at some point, I'll be sure read it. Hoping soon.

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    1. Yes, I also read a lot of positive reviews, and now I can say for myself that I totally agree with them!

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  5. Thea Beckman is good, isn't she! I love her book 'Kruistocht in Spijkerbroek' so much. :) I'm stealing this tag... love it! :-)

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    1. Always fun to meet someone who also knows Thea Beckman in the Blogging world!

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