Hey Bookworms!
What’s this? Why it’s a survey about books! Why am I doing this? I may or may not be slightly behind in my reading. Plus, I like to change things up from time to time. So, I’d like to thank Rory at Fourth Street Review for inspiring Sarah of Sarah Says Read to complete this survey… I’d also like to thank Sarah for posting it so that I’d have something to jabber about today. My blog friends are the coolest.
Book Q&A Rules
1. Post these rules
2. Post a photo of your favourite book cover
3. Answer the questions below
4. Tag a few people to answer them too
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you’ve tagged them
6. Make sure you tell the person who tagged you that you’ve taken part!
Plus, my bookmark totally matched.
Your Favorite Book Cover:
I don’t think I can really claim to have a “favorite book cover.” Cover art usually isn’t something I get all swoony over. However, I really dug the cover of Fangirl. I’m in a coral and turquoise phase right now. Which leads me to this particular turmoil:
Katie: I really love coral and turquoise
Inner Snarky Voice: Oh really? You love coral and turquoise? Maybe you should move to Miami in the 80s and see if The Golden Girls need another roommate.
Katie: Ouch, Inner Snarky Voice. But kudos on working The Golden Girls into a blog post. Bea Arthur would be proud.
What are you reading right now?
I am currently ping ponging between Peter and Wendy by JM Barrie and The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Luis Zafron. (Fellowship of the Worms pick, you guys! Although, a little housekeeping. Instead of tackling this on Monday the 12th, we’ll be doing it on Thursday the 15th. The blogoversary is on Monday and I’ve got a SWEET giveaway I want to do.)
Do you have any idea what you’ll read when you’re done with that?
Oh goodness, I’ve got quite a stack. It’ll just depend on how the mood strikes me when it’s time to pick up the next one.
What five books have you always wanted to read but haven’t got round to?
Oh yes. These too.
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Yeah, they’re all classics. I need to fill in the holes left by my education.
What magazines do you have in your bathroom/ lounge right now?
We don’t get any magazines. Is that weird? And if we did, they wouldn’t be in our bathrooms. We wouldn’t want our reading material to be flagged, now would we?
What’s the worst book you’ve ever read?
That’s a bit of a sticky question, now isn’t it? There’s plenty (and I mean PLENTY) of books that I don’t like, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have merit. To somebody. Somewhere. Who has terrible taste… Nah. Really, I can’t think of one. I’m going to abstain.
What book seemed really popular but you didn’t like?
A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan. I just can’t. I don’t understand what all the hoopla was about. I’m either not smart enough or not cool enough to appreciate it. Probably a little bit of both. But. Meh.
What’s the one book you always recommend to just about everyone?
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. (Sarah and I concur on this one!) Seriously, I do recommend this to just about everyone because it’s got a little something for everyone. Sci-Fi? Historical Fiction? Romance? Naked Time? Trauma? Family Relationships? Practical applications of leeches? I’m telling you. Ev. Ry. Thing. And it’s completely amazeballs. So there’s that too,
Mmmm. Jamie Fraser… (Source)
What are your three favourite poems?
I don’t read a whole lot of poetry. It’s not that I don’t appreciate it, it’s just that… If poetry were music it would be classical. I prefer my music to have guitars and lyrics. That said, Emily Dickinson is my homegirl.
Where do you usually get your books?
Most of the time I order titles for my Kindle from Amazon. I do occasionally get books via NetGalley, and the library, of course.
When you were little, did you have any particular reading habits?
None that I remember. I do recall climbing trees a lot and wanting to drag a book up there with me, but a tree limb isn’t a comfortable lounging situation for more than a few minutes. Even a 10 year old backside could tell you that.
Gratuitous cute childhood photo. I am like 3 or 4 here. Not 10. Late bloomer I was, but not THIS late.
What’s the last thing you stayed up half the night reading because it was too good to put down?
I stayed up way too late finishing Fangirl last week. What can I say? I HAD TO KNOW THINGS.
Have you ever “faked” reading a book?
Sometimes when I take those “have you read this” quizzes and they list “the collected works” of someone, I’ll go ahead and mark it if I’ve read a handful of their stuff. No, I have not read ALL of Shakespeare or Edgar Allen Poe or Oscar Wilde. It seems unfair to have to have read the ENTIRE catalog to get credit. Humph.
Have you ever bought a book just because you liked the cover?
I barely notice covers these days thanks to my digital predilections. I have, however, bought plenty of books just because they were on sale. I’m a sucker for a bargain bin.
What was your favourite book when you were a child?
When I was really small, we had this book about an owl. I remember it had a dark purple cover. No idea what it was called, but that was a frequent bedtime request. Once I could read to myself, I dearly loved pretty much anything by Beverly Cleary.
MORE gratuitous cute childhood photos…
What book changed your life?
Changed my life? That’s a tall order, now isn’t it? I don’t know that it changed my life, but Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret soothed my tortured tween soul in ways nothing else could have.
What is your favourite passage from a book?
I’ve always loved Alice’s famous line “Curiouser and curiouser.” Because she was always messing up her words. Much like Amy in Little Women. I have a fondness for reaching beyond one’s vocabulary…
Who are your top five favourite authors?
Tough call but… Diana Gabaldon, JK Rowling, Rainbow Rowell, Jojo Moyes, and Margaret Atwood. Aaaaand basically the only thing any of them have in common is that they’re female. Which is unintentional, but whatever. High five to my literary ladies!
What book has no one heard about but should read?
Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald. Yes, it was an Oprah’s book club pick, but it’s one that’s sort of been glossed over. I don’t hear much about it and it’s one of the most amazing books I’ve ever read.
What books are you an ‘evangelist’ for?
Uhhh… I kind of hate the term “evangelist” because it has negative religious connotations for me. Although, since we’re on the topic of religion, let’s talk about ladies and their roles in it. How’s about The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross, and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood? All awesome.
My brother got a Broadway musical, and all I got was this (awesome) book. Nobody bought me a technicolor dreamcoat.
What are your favourite books by a first time author?
Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt. Go read this right now. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.
What is your favourite classic book?
That is a tough call, because I love me some classics. Probably Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
Five other notable mentions?
Notable classics I actually enjoyed? Sure. Tess of the D’urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
Right. Now I’m supposed to tag people or something? Well I’m not doing that. But if you’re a blogger and you need a topic one day, I recommend this survey. Fun times, I tell you. Fun times.
Anybody have anything to add to this list of goodness? Another question to me to answer? Your own answer to some of these? Talk to me, Bookworms!
Andi (@estellasrevenge)
This is so fun! And a lot of your classics that you want to read are on my read or re-read lists! We should BUDDY READ sometime! Maybe Dracula? When the RIP VIII event rolls around in September/October? Just sayin’.
Words for Worms
Whaaaaaaat? Yes. Clearly we need to tag team. I need the motivation.
A.M.B.
Awww, you were so cute! Great pictures. I highly recommend reading Du Maurier’s Rebecca and Steinbeck’s Grape of Wrath (the latter is one of my favorite books of all time). It’s time for me to revisit both!
Words for Worms
Thanks! Both are high on my priority list! 🙂
Charleen
“But if you’re a blogger and you need a topic one day, I recommend this survey.”
Done and done! (I don’t know why I always say that, even if there aren’t two things to be “done.”)
(And I haven’t actually done it yet, but I just potentially had my weekend taken away from me, so having a topic handed to me for next week is just what I needed.)
(I’m very parenthetical.)
Rory
I am super guilty of perhaps being too parenthetical (I typically try to write as I would talk about something and has a reaction to some much technical writing at work – I need the informality).
Words for Worms
(Being parenthetical is wonderful. I don’t know why I ever write anything outside of parenthesis.)
Charleen
I mainly write how I talk too. The plus side is I can go over and reorganize my thoughts, but there’s going to be a lot of side tangents regardless. Some days are more tangent-filled than others.
Words for Worms
Yay! I’m glad you’re going to play along!
Charleen
(!!!)
Morley Bisquick
Morley Bisquick here… Post more childhood photos. Us Leopard Seals would like to see them. You didn’t seem to be a leopard seal hater back then.
Words for Worms
I thought you only spoke French, you dastardly leopard seal!
Samantha
I remember not particularly enjoying Pride and Prejudice. I don’t remember why, though. Maybe it’s time for a reread.
I hate when I take those quizzes and there’s books like I’ve started, or gotten halfway through, but haven’t finished. And I’m like, “well sort of?” but can’t count them. *grump*
One that was popular and I didn’t like? Bridget Jones’ Diary. I couldn’t finish it. I’m not sure why. It wasn’t BAD, just…boring? I couldn’t do it.
Words for Worms
Well, if you didn’t love P&P that may explain why you didn’t love Bridget Jones either. I loved Bridget for her neuroses and her vices, though I occasionally wanted to shake her.
Rory
You’re welcome – by proxy sort of.
Although I should point out she hates Jane Eyre. Who can hate Jane Eyre?!? 😉
I’m with you on the Goon Squad. I suspect I;m just not cool enough to love it like everyone else did. I totally forgot about the Beverly Cleary books, I LOVED Ramona when I was little.
Words for Worms
Wait who hates Jane? Does Sarah hate Jane? Sigh. Well. I suppose we can’t all be perfect, now can we> 😉
Lori
Ahhh you highly recommend Fall On Your Knees AND The Red Tent. They have both been on my shelf for YEARS! They have moved with me twice! I am gearing up for a good week of reading when the hubby goes off to Burning Man at the end of the month. Maybe it’s time dust them off. I’ve also always wanted to read The Count of Monte Cristo but put The Scarlett Letter on my list instead because it seems like it’s constantly referred to, at least in what I read. I love that you are a fellow Outlander fan. I am looking forward to the STARZ series and praying it won’t be terribly disappointing.
Words for Worms
Oh you MUST read them both! Seriously, they’re really fantastic. I would not lead you astray! Perfect reading for “my husband is off at burning man” weekends!
Jennifer @ The Relentless Reader
Sweet Moses, love this post! I get all evangelical about the same books that you’ve mentioned. And hello you cute little monkey, love the pics!!
Words for Worms
Hahahha thank you! I was like “too much text, too much text… What can I put in here?” Luckily I was pretty cute so it all worked out :).
Lillian Connelly
Yay! More books to add to my list. Plus, I love imagining you as a cast member of The Golden Girls. Good times!
Words for Worms
Ha! The fact that I found my first gray hair at 22 makes me a shoe-in doesn’t it?
Cindy W
Book Club is next week?! Guess I know what I’m reading this weekend…
How is it mid-August already? Time flies when you’re having fun. Or when you’re an accountant and still consider it July because that’s what month you’re still making entries in and analyzing.
Words for Worms
Seriously I have no idea where the time has gone!
Erica
I love when I read your lists, and I and I actually read something on them. (I TOTALLY read The Red Tent. Yay…I’m part of the cool crowd!)
Words for Worms
I’m afraid I can’t pretend to be the cool crowd, but you’re fully in the Worm crowd. WELCOME!
Megan M.
I read “Look At Me” by Jennifer Egan because it was made a big deal of when it came out also, and I did not enjoy it at all. I also felt like I wasn’t cool enough or smart enough to get it, but come on – WE are definitely smart and cool. It must be everyone else who isn’t. 😉 I have a love-hate relationship with what’s classified as “literary fiction” because some of it is just so amazing, but a lot of it feels like people just like it because they want everyone else to think they’re smart, or deep or whatever.
The last thing I really stayed up late reading was Eleanor & Park. I refused to put that book down until I got to the end and nobody better talk to me and try to take me away from it because I will cut you! That was my attitude while reading E&P. LOL
My favorite, favorite book that I reread a bazillion times when I was 11-12ish was A Plague of Sorcerers by Mary Frances Zambreno. It’s out of print now. It was about a boy wizard with a skunk familiar (which is embarrassing, you’re supposed to have a cat) who has to try to solve the mystery of a plague taking out the city’s most powerful wizards. If I had a copy, I would read it right now. (I used to check it out repeatedly from the library, I think I was the only one – that was back when they actually stamped the back.)
Words for Worms
I have the same relationship with Lit Fic. I strongly suspect that a good many people don’t actually like it as much as they claim to, but cite it to sound smart. I want to read this sorcerers book now! A copy must exist. It simply must!
Tiffany
Thanks for the idea! I am totally stealing this for my blog!
I can’t wait to see what you think of The Shadow of the Wind.
And I cannot recommend The Count of Monte Cristo enough. Its amazing!
Words for Worms
By all means! Take it and run with it! Surveys are for everyone!
Daddio
Favorite poems? Only things that come to mind: one fish, two fish… May explain my penchant for fishing. Something that rhymes with Nantucket and a story about a crow with a singularly short vocabulary.
Words for Worms
Ha! Oh Daaaaaaaaaaad. Poe jokes? Really?
Jennine G.
Nice! I’ve been on vacation all week and haven’t anything to post until I return! I might use this 🙂
Read The Count of Monte Cristo in July and it was good. You will like it. I too loved Les Mis…something about reading a big old Classic I guess!
And for the record, I read Fall on Your Knees! But soooo long ago (at least 8 years ago), I can hardly recall much about it…but it’s still on my bookshelf!
Words for Worms
Good to hear about Monte Cristo. And yaaaaaaaay for Fall on Your Knees!
Sarah Says Read
YOU WERE SO STINKIN CUTE as a kid!
Outlanderrrrrr!!!! I see they’ve picked Jamie? Not bad… still not what I see in my head, but closer than a lot of suggestions I’ve seen. I’m afraid to look at his face too much, because I don’t want to lose the Jamie I see in my mind, lol.
Fall On Your Knees sounds interesting – I like reading about places like Nova Scotia… man, I want to live there just because it’s fun to say. NO-VA SKO-SHA.
Words for Worms
I very nearly snarfled water out my nose imagining you saying “No-Va Sko-Sha.” My brain Jamie is a bit different than this actor, but overall I’m pleased, I must admit. I suppose the real test will be the show itself. I was pretty cute, wasn’t I? 🙂
RebeccaScaglione - Love at First Book
Tell your snarky voice that unless you’re REDECORATING in those colors that she can shut up! 🙂
But she needs to emerge if you even THINK about redecorating like that. . . seriously.
Words for Worms
Hahahahaha. Right now it’s limited to my wardrobe. There’s so much GORGEOUS coral out there right now. Hubs would step in if I tried to buy coral or turquoise paint, I’m sure.
kokkieh
Got here via Cheap Thrills. My college girlfriend introduced me to Outlander (though it was published under the title Cross Stitch). I absolutely loved it. I read the second book as well, but it didn’t grab me as strongly as the first.
Dracula is a worthwhile read. Incidentally it’s also written in a diary format like Twilight, but so much better (and scarier).
Words for Worms
Hello and welcome! I’ve adored the whole Outlander series, but once a character gets under my skin, I have to read EVERYTHING EVER. I’m kind of excited about Dracula. I think I’m going to save it for October so I can get in the scary spirit!
melony92
Reblogged this on Melonyz Blog.