So Nicola over at Alpha Heroes posted this on her facebook page and I thought it would be kind of fun to post over here as well. If anything, it might give you a little look into my literary mind, which, to some, may be very limited. I will admit, I’m not a classical reader and I stick to what I like.
What author do you own the most books by?
Probably either Laurell K. Hamilton or Sherrilyn Kenyon since they have such a huge number of books in one series and I own them all.
What book do you own the most copies of?
At the moment, I only have one copy of everything, but I did have a couple different copies of the entire Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon at one time.
What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
I don’t think I really have a fictional character I’m in love with. I have a few that I enjoy reading about – Drake from Katie MacAlister’s Aisling Grey series, Jamie Fraser from Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, and the wereleopards in LK Hamilton’s Anita Blake series – but I really don’t have any kind of fantasy wrapped around any of them.
What book have you read more than any other?
Probably the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon because I was reading each novel again before each new release since they are so awesome and there is so much information in them.
What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
Charlotte’s Web by EB White. That was a book I would read constantly and ended up wearing out a copy. I really want to get a new one for Ian, but he’s still too young to really want to sit through a reading of it.
What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?
I really don’t think in terms of “worst book”, but more in the “not for me” catalog. In all honestly, no book is really bad otherwise a publisher won’t print it (at least I hope), but that doesn’t mean every book in print is for me. My husband loved Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson and I did try to read it, but I couldn’t get into it. I got 50 pages in and it didn’t catch my attention, I had no interest in the characters and I couldn’t tell what the ultimate plot was. So I stopped reading it after 50 pages, but it’s still on my TBR stack because I did promise Jesse I would read it.
What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?
At Grave’s End by Jeaniene Frost. I love her Night Huntress series and this last one was phenomenal. I laughed, I cried, I bawled, it took me on an emotional roller coaster ride and I didn’t care. I wanted to keep reading and I love the characters.
If you could tell everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
Either Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost or Grimspace by Ann Aguirre. The first one – see the previous answer. That is generally true for the entire series and I can’t wait for Destined to an Early Grave to come out this summer. As for Grimspace, that was one that completely took me by surprised. I’m not a fan of science fiction, even with romantic elements, but I loved this one. It was a great story, the characters were intriguing and it completely blew me away.
What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?
Right now, it’s The 12th Demon by Bruce Hennigan. It’s a copy I received to review and I started reading it, but I could see the potential in the novel, but it wasn’t doing anything to captivate me. There isn’t a lot of character development, but a ton of hints to things in the past, and I’m not one for Christian literature, but this one brought the Christianity angle to a vampire/demon story to the forefront a little more than I liked. I totally plan on finishing it, but it’s going to be one of those I read while in the car on a long drive. Granted, this one is the second novel in a series and I didn’t know that at the time.
Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
The French or Russian what? I’m confused?
Shakespeare, Milton or Chaucer?
Shakespeare. Definitely. I like the intricacies to his novels. Plus I’ve never had the urge to pick up anything by Milton or Chaucer.
Austen or Eliot?
I’m assuming Jane Austen and TS Eliot? Again, no interest in either. Not even in the movies.
What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
I don’t believe I have one. I read for enjoyment, not because someone else tells me I have to read this one novel because it’s expected. I actually get annoyed at the book snobs who say the only good novels out there are the classics (i.e. Austen, Hemingway, etc) or have some deep convulated meaning to them that you have to figure out. Reading should be for enjoyment, not because you’re forced to. I actually had one used book seller tell me “ooh that” in regards to Urban Fantasy as if it wasn’t worth his time. I left his store soon after that. Just because a genre isn’t what you like to read doesn’t make it any less of a work of art.
What is your favorite novel?
I don’t have one favorite novel, but many. However, if I was told to suggest one book without knowing what that person liked, it would have to be Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I know, I’m sounding like an old record on this one, but this novel actually has something for everyone. Gabaldon spends years making sure all of her historical references are spot on (so there’s something for the historical buffs), there’s the ongoing love story between Jamie and Claire (for the romantics), we’re given a whole new look to war through the eyes of a time traveler who experiences one kind of war and then gets shipped to a whole different ballgame (for the action types) and it’s just beautifully written.
What is your favorite play?
I really don’t have a favorite play, but I do really enjoy Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummers Night’s Dream by Shakespeare. Although, I do love the songs from Cabaret.
What is your favorite poem?
Again, I really don’t have one, but I do enjoy Sylvia Plath.
What is your favorite essay?
Don’t have one.
What is your favorite short story?
Anything by Edgar Allen Poe.
What is your favorite non-fiction
Don’t read it. Don’t want to. I get enough realism through the news. Reading is a way of escaping for me, so I would rather go someplace I can’t.
What is your favorite graphic novel?
I really didn’t start reading comics until Laurell K Hamilton’s Guilty Pleasures came out as a comic. Then I found out that Joss Whedon was doing a season 8 of Buffy and a season 6 of Angel via comics, then I started reading them. So I would have to say those are my favorites since I really don’t read them.
What is your favorite science fiction?
Grimspace by Ann Aguirre. I’m not a fan of science fiction, even with romantic elements, but I loved this one. It was a great story, the characters were intriguing and it completely blew me away.
Who is your favorite writer?
I don’t have one favorite writer. I like a bunch of them – Diana Gabaldon, Laurell K Hamilton, Keri Arthur, Jeaniene Frost, etc etc.
Who is the most over rated writer alive today?
Stephen King. I honestly don’t get him. I tried reading It and it put me to sleep. I hated all the flashbacks he did and nothing made sense. I spent more time confused than actually enjoying anything.
What are you reading right now?
Currently, I’m reading Keeper of Light and Dust by Natasha Mostert and Wild Highland Magic by Kendra Leigh Castle (or I will be as soon as I write the review for Real Vampires Get Lucky by Gerry Bartlett, which I just finished)
Best Memoir?
Too depressing half the time. No desire to read them.
Best History?
Does Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series count? Or any other historical romance novel? Otherwise, I don’t read them.
Best mystery or noir?
I really don’t have a favorite mystery novel. I like my novels with a romantic element, even if it isn’t center staged and most straight mystery novels don’t have that. As for noir, I’ve never ready any, but I’m getting ready to read my first one – Private Midnight by Kris Saknussemm.
As soon as a I have a free moment I plan to do this one too. It’s such a great meme and loved your answers!
Jackie, this is great! I share a lot of the same opinions about reading. I also tried to read Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson because my son read it and loved that book. I, on the other hand. could not get into it. Tried several times, but it is still sitting in book shelves waiting for me to read it.
I feel the same about book snobs. When I read it is purely for my enjoyment and I hate to be told what I should be reading. Thanks for sharing. :)
Great idea. I stole the meme and put it up on my blog too. Have a look and let me know what you think of my answers!
Yep, think I may have to do this one. Loved your answers, Jackie!