Category: Meme

I’ve seen this meme circulating, so decided to answer the questions for you.

1. What author do you own the most books by?
It is probably Ian McEwan or Penelope Fitzgerald, as they have the most books on the Booker short list – books which I intend to read one day, but haven’t got round to yet (because I’m not massive fans of their books)

2. What book do you own the most copies of?
I don’t own more than one copy of any my own books, although I do have 10 signed copies of The Invention of Hugo Cabret gift edition with DVD for sale in my online shop!

3. Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions?
No!

4. What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
It is shocking, but I don’t think I’ve found my type of man in a book yet. Can you recommend any books with a great male character I can fall in love with?

5. What book have you read the most times in your life (excluding picture books read to children)?
I don’t re-read books, as I have too many other books I want to read. I love reading for the plot, and not the language, so once I know how it ends I’m not really that interested. I might start reading books again when I’m older and have forgotten how they end!

6. What was your favourite book when you were ten years old?
I loved reading about other children and so at that point I was reading all the Bobsey Twins and Jennings books.

7. What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?
Offshore by Penelope Fitzgerald. I need a bit more action in my books.

8. What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins manages to beat Blindnessby Jose Saramago by a tiny margin.

9. If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
I would force all book lovers to read A Fine Balance, and all people who claim not to enjoy reading to try The Hunger Games. Do you think anyone could fail to love reading after trying it?

10. Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for Literature?
I’m afraid this is one prize I’m not qualified to judge. Samantha Harvey should win the Orange Prize, and probably the Booker prize for The Wilderness though.

11. What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
I am very scared they’d ruin it, but I think The Hunger Games would be great.

12. What book would you least like to see made into a movie?
Offshore – can you imagine how slow that would be?!

13. What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?
I’m not sure, I can’t think of anything particularly difficult – possiblyRushdie’s Midnight’s Children, but that wasn’t too bad, perhaps I should be stretching myself a bit more. 

14. Roth or Updike?
I love Roth, but have never read any Updike. I have some of Updike’s work in my TBR pile, so I’ll let you know next year!

David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?
I’ve not read either I’m afraid. Should I?

Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer?
I’m not a big fan of any of them – sorry!

Austen or Eliot?
I’ve not read any Eliot either. Terrible aren’t I?! I loved Jane Eyre though.

Feel free to copy this and answer the questions on your own blog, as I’d love to know your answers!

Simon from Savage Reads challenged us to answer these time related questions, so here are my answers:

What time do you find the best time to read?
I generally read all evening; once my boys are in bed I have a few hours to relax, have a bath and read until it’s time for bed.

What are you spending time reading right now?

Gone with the Wind is taking up most of my time now. I’m really enjoying it, but the type is tiny!

What’s the best book with time in the title you have read?
The Time Travellers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, I can’t actually think of any others, but as this is in my top 25 I know it is the best.

What is your favourite time (as in era) to read novels based in?
I like reading about periods in history that I know nothing about. The more obscure the country, or time the better.

What book could you read time and time again?
I’m afraid I don’t like reading books more than once, so I’d have to say something like my favourite cook book: Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s The River Cottage Meat Book

What recently published book do you think deserves to become a classic in Time?

A Fine Balance (see below) or Fingersmith by Sarah Waters.

What book has been your biggest waste of time?
Lord of the Rings – I really tried to like it. I spent months trying to read it, but only made it to the end of Fellowship of the Ring. I’m afraid it just wasn’t for me. 

What big book would you recommend to others to spend time reading if they haven’t?
The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth’s Children)by Jean Auel is a very big book, but is well worth reading. The research that has gone into this book is phenomenal. If you want to experience what like was life for early man then this book is the best I’ve found.

What’s your favourite read of all time?
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. The characters are well drawn, the plot is amazing, and it is packed with emotion. I can still remember is all vividly. Please read it as soon as you can!

Who is your favourite author of all time?
This is a difficult one, as it involves all the books they’ve published. I think it would have to be David Mitchell, as he is one of the few authors I have read, and enjoyed all his books. I can see Sarah Waters or Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie joining the list soon though.

I’d love to see your answers to these questions, so if you have the time please have a go, and let Simon know too!