It's currently half one in the morning and I'm Natalie, a literature student, tea-drinker insomniac and on reading some book surveys by people I subscribe to on youtube I was inspired to start my own little book blog.
Also, I am amused by the ambiguous blog title that came to me. Granted, probably more amused than I should be.
So let's get started! Book survey!
1. Favorite childhood book?
J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter was a massive part of my childhood and I adore it, but I loved Allan Ahlberg's poetry and absolutely anything by Roald Dahl. I love revisiting them because they were the first books that got me interested in reading and without them I wouldn't be the same person that I am now.
2. What are you reading right now?
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell for my dystopian fiction focused extended report.
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
The Long Walk by Stephen King, I came across it on the internet while researching my dystopian project, it sounds similar to the Hunger Games in some ways, which I'm also writing about in my essay.
4. Bad book habit?
Trying to read too many books at once and leaving all of them half-finished or rushed. Ah, the pressures of student life...
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
Nothing at the moment, the last thing I checked out was Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club.
6. Do you have an e-reader?
I do! I love the sentimentality and feel of reading actual paper and ink books, but as I'm moving to university (hopefully!) this year and won't have much space, the Kindle is a really good alternative. I love how little it is and the e-paper screen and it's really simple and extraordinarily quick to get new reading material. And it is really easy to use - and that is coming from a technophobe.
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
I prefer to read one at a time but the fact that I'm a student and love to read for fun means I'm usually stuck between two or three books at a time, especially as I'm trying to get through the classics as well as sticking to my comfort zone.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
(First blog post renders this question irrelevant - sorry!)
9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far?)
I think all the books I've read this year have been quite good, I can't remember the last book I read that really disappointed me - I'm easy to please.
10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. It's YA fiction, but touches on so many issues and is so very insightful that I can't help but recommend it to anyone, not just teenagers. It makes me laugh and cry in equal measure and really is very cleverly written.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
Not very often, but I'm trying to expand my horizons by reading more 'classic' novels. I'm looking forward to reading Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Grey and a beautiful copy of all the Austen novels.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
At the moment it would probably be YA fiction, dystopia and of course, I'm partial to a bit of chick-lit! I'm open to most things though and I'm usually surprised by books that I've put off reading for a while.
13. Can you read on the bus?
No, I get far too distracted and can never retain anything and end up reading the same line over and over.
Trying to read too many books at once and leaving all of them half-finished or rushed. Ah, the pressures of student life...
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
Nothing at the moment, the last thing I checked out was Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club.
6. Do you have an e-reader?
I do! I love the sentimentality and feel of reading actual paper and ink books, but as I'm moving to university (hopefully!) this year and won't have much space, the Kindle is a really good alternative. I love how little it is and the e-paper screen and it's really simple and extraordinarily quick to get new reading material. And it is really easy to use - and that is coming from a technophobe.
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
I prefer to read one at a time but the fact that I'm a student and love to read for fun means I'm usually stuck between two or three books at a time, especially as I'm trying to get through the classics as well as sticking to my comfort zone.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
(First blog post renders this question irrelevant - sorry!)
9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far?)
I think all the books I've read this year have been quite good, I can't remember the last book I read that really disappointed me - I'm easy to please.
10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. It's YA fiction, but touches on so many issues and is so very insightful that I can't help but recommend it to anyone, not just teenagers. It makes me laugh and cry in equal measure and really is very cleverly written.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
Not very often, but I'm trying to expand my horizons by reading more 'classic' novels. I'm looking forward to reading Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Grey and a beautiful copy of all the Austen novels.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
At the moment it would probably be YA fiction, dystopia and of course, I'm partial to a bit of chick-lit! I'm open to most things though and I'm usually surprised by books that I've put off reading for a while.
13. Can you read on the bus?
No, I get far too distracted and can never retain anything and end up reading the same line over and over.
14. Favorite place to read?
Definitely my bed or sofa, possibly in a nice quiet coffee shop.
Definitely my bed or sofa, possibly in a nice quiet coffee shop.
15. What is your policy on book lending?
I couldn't get by without it. There's something about sharing a book you love and watching other people fall in love with it that makes you feel like you've made the world a little bit nicer for someone.
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
Not usually, only if I'm saving my place quickly or reading something for an essay or a lesson so I can flip quickly between them, but usually I use colour coded post it notes because I'm crazy.
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
Only the ones I need to annotate for lessons, or poetry.
18. Not even with text books?
Yes, text books too, though I mostly highlight them.
19. What is your favorite language to read in?
English. I’m not bilingual, unfortunately.
20. What makes you love a book?
Usually it's the writing style, some authors can just spout lovely phrases that I want to quote over and over again. Also, well crafted characters and witty dialogue will always make me keep reading.
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
It's cheesy, but if it made me actually feel something I will definitely recommend it. If I cried, or it kept me guessing or if I feel an actual sadness at finishing it, just because it's done then it's definitely worth recommending.
22. Favorite genre?
YA fiction at the moment, specifically the well written kind that can relate to anyone. I love dystopian fiction and anything with an element of fantasy.
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
Detective fiction. I'd love to read Conan Doyle's novels as well as Agatha Christie's.
24. Favorite biography?
I don't really read biographies, but Caitlin Moran's semi-autobiographical, semi feminist literature How To Be A Woman was excellent.
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
Not that I can recall.
26. Favorite cookbook?
A book my mum gave me called '100 Cookies, 1 Dough'. To be honest, I get most of my recipes from the internet if I want to make something.
27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I have to mention it again because the subject matter is really close to my heart and it truly affected me. It's inspiring and soul destroying at the same time.
28. Favorite reading snack?
Anything that's not too messy, Minstrels and Pringles are always the way to go.
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
It's an unpopular opinion but The Catcher In The Rye by JD Salinger was ruined for me, because the entire time I was reading it, I was expecting something spectacular to happen to justify everything I'd heard about it. I was disappointed after the first reading and though I can appreciate it, I wish I hadn't heard so much about how it had changed people's lives before I'd read it because it changed my perception of it.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
Critics usually make me pick up on things I hadn't noticed but I only really look up critic reviews if I really loved or hated the book.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I don't like to give negative reviews and would rather keep my thoughts to myself because you can't escape the fact that someone, in fact many people, put so much effort into making that book come to life and I hate the feeling of rudeness that picking faults gives me - I try to be constructive.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?
I'd pick French or Japanese so I could read the original versions of novels and pick up on things that were lost in translation..
33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
Probably Jane Eyre because it was the first 'classic' novel I ever attempted to read.
I couldn't get by without it. There's something about sharing a book you love and watching other people fall in love with it that makes you feel like you've made the world a little bit nicer for someone.
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
Not usually, only if I'm saving my place quickly or reading something for an essay or a lesson so I can flip quickly between them, but usually I use colour coded post it notes because I'm crazy.
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
Only the ones I need to annotate for lessons, or poetry.
18. Not even with text books?
Yes, text books too, though I mostly highlight them.
19. What is your favorite language to read in?
English. I’m not bilingual, unfortunately.
20. What makes you love a book?
Usually it's the writing style, some authors can just spout lovely phrases that I want to quote over and over again. Also, well crafted characters and witty dialogue will always make me keep reading.
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
It's cheesy, but if it made me actually feel something I will definitely recommend it. If I cried, or it kept me guessing or if I feel an actual sadness at finishing it, just because it's done then it's definitely worth recommending.
22. Favorite genre?
YA fiction at the moment, specifically the well written kind that can relate to anyone. I love dystopian fiction and anything with an element of fantasy.
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
Detective fiction. I'd love to read Conan Doyle's novels as well as Agatha Christie's.
24. Favorite biography?
I don't really read biographies, but Caitlin Moran's semi-autobiographical, semi feminist literature How To Be A Woman was excellent.
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
Not that I can recall.
26. Favorite cookbook?
A book my mum gave me called '100 Cookies, 1 Dough'. To be honest, I get most of my recipes from the internet if I want to make something.
27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I have to mention it again because the subject matter is really close to my heart and it truly affected me. It's inspiring and soul destroying at the same time.
28. Favorite reading snack?
Anything that's not too messy, Minstrels and Pringles are always the way to go.
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
It's an unpopular opinion but The Catcher In The Rye by JD Salinger was ruined for me, because the entire time I was reading it, I was expecting something spectacular to happen to justify everything I'd heard about it. I was disappointed after the first reading and though I can appreciate it, I wish I hadn't heard so much about how it had changed people's lives before I'd read it because it changed my perception of it.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
Critics usually make me pick up on things I hadn't noticed but I only really look up critic reviews if I really loved or hated the book.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I don't like to give negative reviews and would rather keep my thoughts to myself because you can't escape the fact that someone, in fact many people, put so much effort into making that book come to life and I hate the feeling of rudeness that picking faults gives me - I try to be constructive.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?
I'd pick French or Japanese so I could read the original versions of novels and pick up on things that were lost in translation..
33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
Probably Jane Eyre because it was the first 'classic' novel I ever attempted to read.
34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo - I love the musical and I'm really intrigued as to how it follows the novel, but it's MASSIVE.
35. Favorite Poet?
My GCSE poetry lessons led me to Simon Armitage who phrases things in such a hilarious way that I went out and bought more of his poetry. It's witty, realistic and really clever, especially Book of Matches.
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo - I love the musical and I'm really intrigued as to how it follows the novel, but it's MASSIVE.
35. Favorite Poet?
My GCSE poetry lessons led me to Simon Armitage who phrases things in such a hilarious way that I went out and bought more of his poetry. It's witty, realistic and really clever, especially Book of Matches.
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
About three, probably.
37. How often have you returned book to the library unread?
Only once I can remember, Russell Brand's Booky Wook.
38. Favorite fictional character?
This is difficult to answer because it changes so often, in fact I'll probably write another blog post specifically on this topic, but for the moment I'd say Charlie from Perks of Being a Wallflower, because I love the voice of the novel.
39. Favorite fictional villain?
Iago in Shakespeare's Othello, because he's so well constructed and the fact that I've had to study his lines in such detail means that I've become a little obsessed. His conspiratorial soliloquies with the audience and his change in tone really makes him a realistic character, even though it's clear that he's definitely a little bit psycho.
40. Books you’re most likely to bring on vacation?
I always do a pre-holiday book haul, but I'd definitely take a few light summer books, like The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants or something.
About three, probably.
37. How often have you returned book to the library unread?
Only once I can remember, Russell Brand's Booky Wook.
38. Favorite fictional character?
This is difficult to answer because it changes so often, in fact I'll probably write another blog post specifically on this topic, but for the moment I'd say Charlie from Perks of Being a Wallflower, because I love the voice of the novel.
39. Favorite fictional villain?
Iago in Shakespeare's Othello, because he's so well constructed and the fact that I've had to study his lines in such detail means that I've become a little obsessed. His conspiratorial soliloquies with the audience and his change in tone really makes him a realistic character, even though it's clear that he's definitely a little bit psycho.
40. Books you’re most likely to bring on vacation?
I always do a pre-holiday book haul, but I'd definitely take a few light summer books, like The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants or something.
41. The longest you’ve gone without reading.
It'd probably only be a matter of weeks, I can't remember a stage in my life when I haven't had something on my bedside table, ready to read.
It'd probably only be a matter of weeks, I can't remember a stage in my life when I haven't had something on my bedside table, ready to read.
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
I can never get through the Lord of the Rings series, though I have read The Hobbit.
43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
Music and thinking about things that I should be doing instead of reading, or even other books that I'd rather be reading.
44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?
I saw Bridget Jones' Diary before I'd read the books and though they're very different, I think the essence of Bridget transferred so well onto screen.
I can never get through the Lord of the Rings series, though I have read The Hobbit.
43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
Music and thinking about things that I should be doing instead of reading, or even other books that I'd rather be reading.
44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?
I saw Bridget Jones' Diary before I'd read the books and though they're very different, I think the essence of Bridget transferred so well onto screen.
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
The Harry Potter movies have obvious flaws, so I prefer to treat them as totally separate so I can appreciate them as well as the novels. I really dislike films that change too much of the books, or dumb them down if they're intended for kids, like Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz, Northern Lights/Golden Compass by Philip Pullman or Eragon by Christopher Paolini.
46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
Far, far too much.
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
Hardly ever, I only ever read the blurb or a pae to see whether I like the tone.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
Being distracted by other books or shifts in plot that create the impression that the idea of the novel hadn't been thought through.
The Harry Potter movies have obvious flaws, so I prefer to treat them as totally separate so I can appreciate them as well as the novels. I really dislike films that change too much of the books, or dumb them down if they're intended for kids, like Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz, Northern Lights/Golden Compass by Philip Pullman or Eragon by Christopher Paolini.
46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
Far, far too much.
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
Hardly ever, I only ever read the blurb or a pae to see whether I like the tone.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
Being distracted by other books or shifts in plot that create the impression that the idea of the novel hadn't been thought through.
49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
I keep books by the same author together and they're grouped by my current favourites or genre.
I keep books by the same author together and they're grouped by my current favourites or genre.
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
I keep them but lend them out to friends.
I keep them but lend them out to friends.
51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?
Mostly the Lord of the Rings books, and I'm not sure why.
Mostly the Lord of the Rings books, and I'm not sure why.
52. Name a book that made you angry.
Inheritance, the fourth in Paolini's Inheritance cycle. It's fairly new so I don't want to ruin it for others and I'm probably only angry about it because I recently finished it, but I wish it didn't end the way it did. Also Looking For Alaska by John Green because of the very obvious plot point that I missed on the build up to it. You should know what it is if you've read it. It is a very good book though.
Inheritance, the fourth in Paolini's Inheritance cycle. It's fairly new so I don't want to ruin it for others and I'm probably only angry about it because I recently finished it, but I wish it didn't end the way it did. Also Looking For Alaska by John Green because of the very obvious plot point that I missed on the build up to it. You should know what it is if you've read it. It is a very good book though.
53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?
I had to read The Great Gatsby for a class and expected to dislike it after the whole Catcher in the Rye fiasco, but found that it had some great description and metaphor and an unbearable sense of irony.
54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?
I'm usually quite a good judge of what I'd like, so I don't really go into a lot of books that I don't think I'll like.
I had to read The Great Gatsby for a class and expected to dislike it after the whole Catcher in the Rye fiasco, but found that it had some great description and metaphor and an unbearable sense of irony.
54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?
I'm usually quite a good judge of what I'd like, so I don't really go into a lot of books that I don't think I'll like.
55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
I do love a good teen romance or diary-style novel, as well as anything considered slightly cliche thanks to Meyer's Twilight epidemic, but sometimes there's just a good vampire/werewolf novel waiting to be read!
This was fun, I hope to post a few reviews or borrow some post ideas from other literature blogs that I've been reading :)
I do love a good teen romance or diary-style novel, as well as anything considered slightly cliche thanks to Meyer's Twilight epidemic, but sometimes there's just a good vampire/werewolf novel waiting to be read!
This was fun, I hope to post a few reviews or borrow some post ideas from other literature blogs that I've been reading :)
