I got this from Anna.
Favorite childhood book? I wish I still had Where Does the Butterfly Go When It Rains? by May Garelick. I’ve looked for it on Alibris and Abe Books from time to time, but the issue I want (from the 60’s) is usually more than I want to spend or unavailable. I still have Key to the Treasure by Peggy Parish, a hardcover I got from Scholastic.
What are you reading right now? I’m listening to The History of Love by Nicole Krauss. I’ve read it, but haven’t listened to it. It’s one of my favorite books, like, ever. I’m also listening to The Gates by John Connolly with my son on the school commute. I’ve just started Confessions of a Pagan Nun by Kate Horsely.
What books do you have on request at the library? None right now. Most recently I had The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean on request. I didn’t finish it. I may check it out again, but it has several holds on it. I don’t want to finish it that badly. I didn’t like the format. It was written as though for a layperson, but could have done with a few graphics, or at the very least, when naming an element, he could have put the Periodic Symbol in parentheses. Help a sister out, eh?
Bad book habit? Buying too many.
What do you currently have checked out at the library? Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. I actually listened to this on audio, but I have this fetish for books. If I’m enjoying an audiobook, I crave the actual book. I also have The Profiler by Pat Brown and Bob Andelman. Haven’t started it yet. Oh, and some sewing books. No, I can’t sew. Whatever. They’re free.
Do you have an e-reader? A Kindle.
Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once? I don’t have a hard and fast rule. If I end up with more than one book going, okay. I guess I’d pick one at a time as ideal. Like cross-stitching, one-at-a-time isn’t reality.
Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog? I read on the computer a lot more, instead of books. I think my attention span is shorter.
Least favorite book you read this year (so far?) The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. I hated both the protagonists. It’s definitely not a good sign if one character is planning a suicide and you’re thinking, “Stop thinking about it and get busy!” Especially if that character is a child. I didn’t finish it.
Favorite book you’ve read this year? The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.
How often do you read out of your comfort zone? Rarely.
What is your reading comfort zone? I usually prefer general fiction. I also enjoy some thrillers, some science fiction and fantasy, true crime and the occasional non-fiction book. I like a lot of things.
Can you read on the bus or train? Yes.
Favorite place to read? On my bed. I like to read on the couch, too, but the TV ends up on, and that distracts me. I dream of a chaise longue for reading.
What is your policy on book lending? I’m having an anxiety attack thinking about it, but I’d likely lend you a book.
Do you ever dog-ear books? Not usually, but sometimes.
Do you ever write in the margins of your books? Yes, especially a non-fiction book I’ve bought for research.
Not even with text books? Definitely with text books.
What is your favorite language to read in? English
If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose? I suppose French. I have some French stitching books whose text I would be happy to understand.
What makes you love a book? I have to fall into it entirely, like I’ve woken up in a new world that I don’t want to leave. <–That’s what Anna said. Me: This.
What will inspire you to recommend a book? If I love a book and believe others would, too. Sometimes I love books but don’t recommend them. I think I have weird taste in books.
Favorite genre? Fiction. Is that a cop-out? Tough.
Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?) Poetry, I guess. I don’t much like poetry. I like several famous poems, but don’t give me a poetry book or ask me to read a poem you’ve read. I won’t get it. I also don’t read animal books. I don’t care how wonderful Marley and Dewey are. I don’t read romance novels, either. I prefer romance movies over books. I’m not especially rueful that I don’t read any of these genres.
Favorite biography? I don’t like biographies. I guess I could sort of count The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, but I don’t. I remember reading a biography about J. Edgar Hoover a couple of decades ago. What an asshole.
Have you ever read a self-help book? Yes.
Favorite cookbook? The one someone else uses to cook me something yummy.
Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)? Beaded Macrame Jewelry by Sherri Haab. Creative inspiration counts, right?
Favorite reading snack? I always picture eating an apple when I think of an afternoon reading, but I don’t eat them when I read. Not since that time after 6th grade when I was reading outside and was eating an apple and a bird pooped on me. Worst. Reading. Memory. Ever. It was a new shirt!
Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience. I am drawing a total blank.
How often do you agree with critics about a book? I don’t keep track, really. I will make a choice based on Bookmarks magazine. I didn’t agree that Disappearing Spoon was four stars. Same for Elegance of the Hedgehog.
How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews? If I can’t stand a book, I’ll tell you. I like reading negative reviews on Amazon.com. This year I read negative reviews about A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick. A lot of negative reviews said they liked the book better when it was called Waltz into Darkness by Cornell Woolrich. I was intrigued, so I read Waltz…too. They are basically the same story, only different. There’s more similarities to these books than just the author’s last names. 😉 Goolrick says the movie Wisconsin Death Trip inspired A Reliable Wife. I haven’t read anywhere that it inspired him to do a riff on Waltz. I wish I had. Because it’s so obvious. I preferred A Reliable Wife, by the way.
Most intimidating book you’ve ever read? Maybe a physics book I picked up and looked at without actually reading.
Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin? Name a physics book.
Favorite Poet? Mother Goose. No, really. It’s not just because I don’t like poetry. I love nursery rhymes.
How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time? Anywhere from zero to eight.
How often have you returned book to the library unread? Routinely.
Favorite fictional character? Andy DuFresne. Jean Louise Finch.
Favorite fictional villain? Smaug. Because he’s a dragon!!
Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation? The Kindle.
The longest I’ve gone without reading. I don’t know. It’s not something I keep track of. I’m assuming you mean a book. Otherwise, a few hours.
Name a book that you could/would not finish. The Elegance of the Hedgehog.
What distracts you easily when you’re reading? The TV.
Favorite film adaptation of a novel? The Lord of the Rings. Because, wow. And of course, To Kill a Mockingbird. I’m also extremely excited to see True Grit. I love that book. I loved the movie w John Wayne, but I never much liked Kim Darby as Mattie Ross, so I’m looking forward to getting that taste out of my mouth.
Most disappointing film adaptation? The Handmaid’s Tale was pretty disappointing.
The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time? More than $200, but I don’t really remember how much.
How often do you skim a book before reading it? Sometimes. Especially craft books.
What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through? A plot I can’t bear one minute longer.
Do you like to keep your books organized? Oh, yes. I must.
Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them? Keep.
Are there any books you’ve been avoiding? Sure.
Name a book that made you angry. I’m sure there’s at least one, but I can’t think of any right now.
A book you didn’t expect to like but did. The Beekeeper’s Apprentice.
A book that you expected to like but didn’t. Life of Pi.
Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading. Audiobooks. They count.
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The Muse Asylum by David Czuchlewski
Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
Littlejohn by Howard Owen
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
Stranger in a Strange Land by by Robert A. Heinlein
Raised by Poodles 
