09 October 2008

Booking through Thursday

This is my first time at this meme, but it looks like a great one. Click on the button to see links to other blogs.

What was the last book you bought?

Crosscut, by Meg Gardner.

Name a book you have read MORE than once

Lord of the Rings trilogy, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Walden, and others. Can't think of anything else at the moment.

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?

Emerson's Essays (both series plus Nature).

How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews

I admit that I am sometimes swayed by the cover design. Sometimes I look at book jacket summary. Mostly I choose books from reviews -- from all sorts of sources. I also take recommendations.

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?

Tough call. One of my favorite genres is nonfiction historical biography, but I also really love fantasy, mystery, and novels. I read a bit of history as well. If I had to choose, I guess I'd pick fiction.

What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?

Beautiful writing can compensate for a less-than-perfect plot. So I'll go for beautiful writing here. But if the plot is truly bad, the writing won't save it.

Most loved/memorable character (character/book)

Oh, um, many: Elizabeth Bennett (isn't she one for zillions of people?), Jamie and Claire from the Outlander series, many characters from LOR, Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturine (from the Patrick O'Brian novels).

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?

These are the books that are at the top of the pile:

  • Love and Louis the XIV (Antonia Fraiser)
  • Heat (Bill Buford)
  • Genghis: Lords of the Bow (Conn Iggulden)
  • To Say Nothing of the Dog (Connie Willis)
  • Hippopotamus Pool (Elizabeth Peters)

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?

Dawn on a Distant Shore, by Sara Donati. Finished it a couple of days ago.

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?

Yes, two that I can think of: A Hundred Years of Solitude and Gravity's Rainbow. I tried them each about 3 times. And no go for me.


6 comments:

SmilingSally 10/9/08, 6:20 PM  

Welcome to BTT.

I finished A Hundred Years... but it was for a class. Yuk!

I used to read cover to cover; I was driven! But now I've recently decided that life is too short to waste my valuable reading time.

Come see my answer.
http://bookcritiques.blogspot.com

...and check out my giveaways

Anonymous,  10/9/08, 11:14 PM  

Beth, I'm with ya on One Hundred Years of Solitude.

Elizabeth Bennett seems to be a favorite of many people. I love her ... but I love Jane Eyre more :)

Anonymous,  10/9/08, 11:39 PM  

I am amazed you read Lord of the Rings more than once. I never did finish the third one. I've read the Hobbit lots :)

Shelley 10/10/08, 3:27 PM  

If I did this meme it would be very similar to yours!

Mari 10/10/08, 10:42 PM  

Ah yes, Elizabeth Bennett. Forgot her!

J 10/11/08, 4:09 PM  

I came over here randomly from the huge list of people at BTT. :) And I am comforted to see a few more people who couldn't get through One Hundred Years of Solitude. I thought it was just me. Seems like maybe it's a love it or not kind of book.

Thanks for stopping by. I read all comments and may respond here, via e-mail, or on your blog. I visit everyone who comments, but not necessarily right away.

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