What I like to read! (Favourite Authors)

Member Name: bamamo

Product:	Favourite Authors
Date:	26/10/08 (68 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap/free, opens your eyes to new things and makes you use your imagination

Disadvantages: Lose sleep reading "just one more chapter"

Duly noted that this is probably in the wrong category - have asked Dooyoo to move it!

*Question: What is your favourite genre?*
In the past I had a pretty standard answer for this, "I like anything about something which has happened or could feasibly happen". Meaning that sci fi and fantasy were a no-no.
Then I realised this was too vague and that some of my favourite books were probably EXTREMELY unlikely to happen, it also implied I read a lot of biographies which I really don't. I also realised that this was boring, and ruling out good books because of their genre was as bad as judging them by their cover (which I do, to an extent).
I now read anything and everything as long as it sparks my interest. Saying that I'm still not into fantasy and I can't stand chick lit/romance novels. I especially love short stories (satisfying my appalling attention span) and usually have one book of those going that I can dip into.

*Question: Do you read the classics, i.e., the great authors of the 18th and 19th century?*
So far I honestly haven't read too many. I think this is partly down to being forced to read several at school, and I always ended up hating no matter what book we were reading, just because it got dragged out and dissected so much that any enjoyment I got from it was lost. I realise this means I could be missing out on some great reads, but for me reading is relaxing and enjoyable so I don't want it to seem like hard work, and as such I will read whatever I like!


*Question: Are you interested in thrillers?*
Definitely. I can always guarantee to pick up at least 20 different crime novels/thrillers in my house which I haven't read, because my dad is constantly reading them, so when I don't feel like reading anything in my "to-read" box (which is overflowing), I find them a good easy and entertaining read. I go through phases where I will read several in a row, then forget about the genre for a while.


*Q: What about horror stories?*
Sometimes. It's not the first shelf I go to in the library, admittedly, but I have definitely read some great horror books and they fall into the category above of "when I don't feel like anything else".


*Q: Do you read Science Fiction?*
I always used to hate it, but my friend recently gave me A Scanner Darkly to read, as she had loved it. I have to say I was surprised to enjoy a sci fi book, and will be much more open minded in future, but haven't read any more yet.


*Q: How many Harry Potter books have you read?*
None. And I'm proud of that.


*Q: Have you ever read and enjoyed biographies or autobiographies?*
I really hate the celebrity autobiographies that are constantly being churned out - especially when people in their 20s and 30s are already on their third! I have enjoyed several inspirational memoirs in the past, but these tend to be works like Cider With Rosie or Reading Lolita in Tehran - in my opinion far more interesting and worthwhile than knowing about Jordan's childhood.


*Q: Do you remember any of the books you read and loved as a child?*
The Velveteen Rabbit was probably my favourite. I also loved a book which nobody has ever heard of and looks at me like I'm crazy if I try and explain it to them. It was about a couple who lived in a vinegar bottle until one day it smashed (they were called Mr and Mrs Vinegar, of course) and it had the most beautiful illustrations. I also loved My Naughty Little Sister, The Worst Witch (Harry Potter is such a rip off!) and, being a horse lover, Black Beauty.


*Q: Have you reread these books as a grown-up?*
I actually bought a notebook from Etsy which is made from a recycled book of The Velveteen Rabbit. It's spiralbound with the front and back covers of the book, blank pages in the front and the complete story still in the back. I absolutely love it and haven't dared use it yet!


*Q: Is there a book of which you can say it has influenced you?*
I can't single one out, but I would still say in some way everything influences me to some extent, if only to broaden my imagination or make me consider a topic or situation I've previously not thought about. Not only that but there are countless facts I can recall, not be sure how I know them and then realise it cropped up in a book I was reading.


*Q: Which are your favourite authors?*
While there are several authors I am pleased to see have brought out a new book, I'm often disappointed when I don't like something they wrote, so I prefer to treat each book as fresh and not get too attached to any particular authors. This is especially true of Douglas Coupland - I love some of his work and cannot stand others. Some favourites who (so far) haven't let me down are Chuck Palahniuk, Paul Auster, Jonathan Lethem (although I've heard hideous things about his latest), and John Steinbeck (except The Pearl).


*Q: Which book would you take with you on a desert island?*
Well, I'm not much of a re-reader because I feel there are so many books out there I haven't read and might love I would rather give my copy to someone else to enjoy when I'm done with it, and try another. Saying that, in a desert island situation I would rather bring a book I know I love. My favourite at present is probably Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen, so that could be a contender. The Life of Pi would also be an apt choice, which I enjoyed as well.


*Q: What is your attitude towards translations?*
If it's not too glaringly obvious and reads okay, then so be it. Of course it does make me feel somewhat inadequate I cant just read the original.


*Q: Do you buy your books/get them from the library/borrow them from friends/steal them?I used to be big on the library, but I feel too pressured to read books within a time scale, so I prefer to buy them (although I'm a cheapskate - Amazon Marketplace for me) and add them to my "to-read" box so I can read them when the mood strikes me. I also enjoy scouting the charity shops to pick up something I wouldn't normally consider for a few pence.


*Q: When you buy books, do you prefer hardcover editions or pocket books?*
Paperback all the way. I don't really keep my books, I give them away after reading to someone I think will like them, or bookcross them (ie leave on a bus, bench, etc with a note encouraging someone to do the same), or give them to a charity shop.


*Q: Have you ever tried Audio Books?*
No. While I know my blind grandfather is definitely very grateful of them, while I am able to physically read, I will, because I don't want the voice of the narrator to alter the way I imagine the characters.

Well, hopefully that was at least somewhat interesting, leave me a comment and suggest something great for me to read!

Summary: No matter what your interests there's a book for you so I don't see why anyone shouldn't read!