Bookworm Enthusiast discussion

It'd be nice to give a little overview on what you like to read, etc. Also it's important that you know anyone can start a topic :)
Useful guideline: Name, Age, Location, favorite book(s)/movie(s)/music.

I believe my name is quite unnecessary here as it is indicated, but I go by Dani. I'm 18 years old and I'm from Chile, South America (therefore my native language is Spanish). Just as Charlie, from 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower', my favorite book often tends to be the last one I read; in this case 'Looking For Alaska'. Before that it was 'The Fault in Our Stars'. Between those I read 'It's Kind of A Funny Story' which disappointed me a bit. I'd say my absolute favorite book ever, though, might be by Hermann Hesse: Steppenwolf.
I like prose and I like poetry. I dislike vague, superficial writing such as 'Fifty Shades of Grey' and I wouldn't read it even if I had no books left. I am not particularly inclined to fantasy though I absolutely adored Harry Potter (my childhood, really) and The Mortal Instruments. I don't like romance based book, that have nothing else to offer. I enjoy anything not-so-easy to unravel.
I am not fond of summer (to be quite honest, I despise it). Winter is my time and I become a human being past midnight. Before that I don't talk or move much. Coffee is my drug, and so is music. Radiohead is one of my favorite bands, with Apparat on the side. My favorite movie right now is the last one I saw: Mr. Nobody. Although I will always love Amelie, Fight Club, Coraline, V for Vendetta, Dead Poets Society and many more.
I think I covered everything! But this is maybe too long and no one will read it anyway haha

Ok so I will introduce myself too, following Dani's example :)
My name is Becci, I'm 19 years old and I live in Germany . Despite the fact that German is my native language I almost exclusively read books in English since I was 13. I don't really know why, but the language just sounds so much more beautiful to me.
Basically grew up with books since my mother is a writer and my father is a journalist. Our house is stacked with books from bottom to top.
I have a lot of favorite books but the ones I love the most are probably "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte, "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath as well as her poetry, especially the "Ariel" poems, "A tale of Love and Darkness" by Amos Oz and "Wasted" by Marya Hornbacher.
I don't really like fantasy books, except for Harry Potter of course. He's my childhood hero.
I enjoy classic novels, especially the Bronte sisters, Joseph Conrad and Jane Austen, historical fiction and challenging novels.I think "The Buddenbrooks" by Thomas Mann is genius because of all the motifs and metaphors which tell the true story of the family in between the lines and Shakespeare is my all time literary hero.
I also read recent literature of course, I love John Green, Laurie Halse Anderson, Jay Asher and Amos Oz.
My favorite movies are "Thirteen", "Black Swan" and since I'm a sucker for romantic movies "Titanic", "The Notebook" and "A walk to remember" :)
What else.. um I love summer and hate winter almost more than anything, I love my bed and hate Parties, I'm addicted to Diet coke and tea and I love my cat and my family and I think that's all I can say about me since I actually am really boring and awkward and no one is going to read this anyways :D

I guess I will also introduce myself! My name is McKia, Im 12 years old, and I live in the USA. Obviously, My native language is, indeed, English. I am a 7th grader. My dad was in the Army (he is currently retired) and my mom is disabled so neither of them get to work. Basically, they get paid to do nothing. Which is fine with me. My favorite books are "Divergent" by Veronica Roth. Actually, I like the whole trilogy. I also adore "The Boys Next Door" by Jennifer Echols. Fantasy is not my thing either. I enjoy Romance and Dystopian novels. Hmm... Movies, I enjoy comedy and romance. And occasionally Sci-fi. "Bridesmaids" "Kicking and Screaming" and "Helen" are my all time favorite movies. I love all seasons. I am a snowboarder! I live in the mountains so that makes sense. I am more of a quiet person. I also LOVE to draw. I guess you could say I am a artist. I have 2 cats and 2 dogs! I am a nerd also. On the whole, Im a pretty nice person and easy to get to know! :D

I'll introduce myself too :) My name's Ananda, but my friends usually call me Nandy. I'm 20 and I live in Brazil. It's nice how all of us have a different native language - spanish, german, english... Mine is portuguese.
Reading is my favorite thing to do. When I was 5 I was the only kid in class who could read, so my parents encouraged me by giving me books at all times. I got Harry Potter when I was 8, and that's when I fell in love with literature. I had a lot of friends at school, as a kid, but deprived myself from playing with them often, as I stayed in class reading. I don't do that anymore, though. I do like fantasy, I'm currently reading a game of thrones. But I mostly enjoy classic literature. Not because it's canon. The mainly reason why I love it is because authors are not afraid of writing passionate dialogues and descriptions, and these works are so beautifully worded it's like the authors meant them as a tribute to the language they were originally written in. I like recent literature too, and The shadow of the wind has got to be one of the best books ever written.
My favorite books are The picture of Dorian Gray, Hamlet, Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice. That list can change from time to time.
Aside from reading, I'm fond of tv series, like Gilmore Girls, How I Met Your Mother and Supernatural.
My dream is to be a diplomat and I study a lot of languages to achieve that goal (it's one of the most difficult jobs to get into in my country).
I'm afraid I talked too much x)I just don't know how to be concise...

Ananda wrote: "I'll introduce myself too :) My name's Ananda, but my friends usually call me Nandy. I'm 20 and I live in Brazil. It's nice how all of us have a different native language - spanish, german, english..."
I relate to you in many ways, actually. Harry Potter made me fall in love with literature, but I enjoy classics much more than fantasy (and the reasons you listed above... I agree completely). I adore The Picture of Dorian Gray and I added it to our soon-to-read list.
I'm glad you weren't precisely concise and got to say everything that you thought was important (it indeed, was!).
Nice to meet you :)

As you can see, I'm Jackson. Hi there! I'm 19, I'm British, I reside in a small town called Bexhill, England, and as we speak I'm backpacking through the mainland of Southeast Asia; currently residing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

I'm into many genres of literature - being an avid book lover, I'm open to pretty much anything; however I do have a dislike for the Twilight series and Fifty Shades (I have read the Twilight series for a challenge, and managed to read the first Fifty Shades for a Youtube Vlog, so I've made my opinion.)

My first book I ever read by myself was The Hobbit, and it has forever since been my favourite. I love the works of Tolkien, Haruki Murakami, George Orwell and many other such brilliant writers. I'm attempting to read 50 books in 2013; something of which I have never attempted before, and of which is going surprisingly well.

I'm sorry to have given you a shortened life-story - I look forward to the enjoying the rest of the year in the 'online' company of you guys.

@Jackson:
First off; England, what a marvelous country! I didn't have the chance to visit it while I was traveling around Europe last year but I will definitely drop by at the beginning of 2014.
Traveling is my passion and what you're doing right now- backpacking- fascinates me. I wish I had the chance to do it soon myself. I am starting uni very soon, though, my major being psychology; for which I'll find myself a bit tied up for a few months.
I'd very much like to hear your story- the reason behind you traveling, what you've seen and how it has affected you so far, etc. So if there's any way I could contact you for further communication could you maybe inbox me?
Thank you and welcome!

Hello, I'm Sarah. I'm 22 and I'm in the UK too. I can't remember a time when I haven't wanted to be reading. I started quite young and it's been one of my favourite things to do for my whole life. I read most genres, apart from fantasy (except Harry Potter! I love Harry Potter). I don't think I really have a favourite book. I really love Pride and Prejudice and Tess of the d'Urbervilles though. I also really enjoy re-reading my childhood favourites - Geraldine's Blanket and the Famous Five series. My 'to-read' pile of books keeps growing, because I'm in my 3rd year of uni and don't have too much time to read...although I take my kindle to boring lectures, so I get through stuff on that quite quickly! :D

Nice to meet you too, Dani :) I'm glad to see we have so much in common. The picture of Dorian Gray is just so full of astonishing quotes! It's a good thing you've added it to our bookshelf, anyone who hasn't read it yet should do it soon, it's literature at its best.

Hello, I'm Bonnie. I'm an 18 year old teenager from southern California, USA.
My overall favorite book tends to change every week. Books on this weekly rotation include Jane Eyre, Cat's Cradle, Anne of Green Gables, Dorian Gray, Lord of the Flies, and Gone with the Wind.
I like the TV shows Community and Battlestar Galactica and the movies Indiana Jones (Raiders) and Singin' in the Rain.

@Nandy: I'm currently reading The Picture of Dorian Gray and it is absolutely fabulous, I probably just fell in love with Oscar Wilde, his style of writing is so beautiful! :)

Hey guys! I'm Olivia. I'm 15, a freshman in high school. I love reading obviously. I play the violin, twirl baton, dance. I enjoy watching sci-fi television shows on Netflix. I just finished reading Bossypants by Tina Fey, which I highly recommend. I like Doctor Who. Harry Potter is my childhood. I'm currently reading Tales of the City, the first book in a series by Armistead Maupin. I realized my bio here is all over creation. I have ADHD. Beagles are amazing. Beatles are amazing. And I plan on being a photographer when I grow up. Weeeee. Bye. :)

Hey all, I'm Jess/19 years old/Sheffield, UK
I'm currently reading Flesh House by Stuart Macbride because I feel like crime novels are quite an easy read and I've had a virus so I was too ill/tired to concentrate on anything else haha!
I'm an Art and Design/Philosophy student so most of my favourite books are around these subjects (The Republic, Strangeland, 1984 etc..) but others include Candy, Wuthering Heights, A Clockwork Orange and Still Life With Woodpecker. I don't know why but I am drawn to books about madness and/or drug addicts but hey!
I only recently joined GoodReads but I've found it's reawakened my love of reading!

Welcome to you two!

@Olivia: Wow, it's really impressive how many things you are doing/learning! I wish I was that broadly talented to be honest :)

@Jess: I absolutely share that affinity to books about madnedd and drug addicts and about mental illness in general! As a whole I love your taste in books and Wuthering Heights is simpl great :)

Welcome to everyone! As Becci said, I am greatly impressed by the the subjects of your studies/what you're all currently doing with your lives. It's nice to know that we all share the love for books and even are inclined to similar genres! We won't have big trouble picking books haha. Remember to take a look at the other discussions,it's important to decide which will be our first book!

@Becci: It's great you're reading it! The ending is... very surprising. Keep going! haha

@Jess: I'm also a fan of books about drug addicts. Have you ever read The basketball diaries? I've been meaning to write a story, and the main character is supossed to be an addict. So I'm always searching for something that could be inspiring.

@Nandy: I have a few theories already on the ending but they change all the time omg I'm excited to find out! haha

@Becci: I would love to hear those theories! If you get it right, do tell me!

Oh my God, yes, that book has such... shocking ending haha. Mine is highlighted from beginning to end wow

Hi, I'm Amanda (middle name is Hana). I am almost 16 (tomorrow) and live in Switzerland. So my mother tongue is german but I read almost all books in english since 7th grade. My parents have both worked in bookshops for their whole life and I have grown up with books. The first book my dad read to me was the little hobbit but I was around three years old so I don't remember anything and because of that Harry Potter is my earliest book. I'm trying to read a book in its original version because there's always something lost in translation. The writing style is very important for me and no matter how good the content is, I don't like a book if it isn't well written. I'm focusing on the english classics at the moment like Viriginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath, Oscar Wilde etc. because their language is practically perfect.

Hana wrote: "Hi, I'm Amanda (middle name is Hana). I am almost 16 (tomorrow) and live in Switzerland. So my mother tongue is german but I read almost all books in english since 7th grade. My parents have both w..."

Happy Birthday!

Hana wrote: "Hi, I'm Amanda (middle name is Hana). I am almost 16 (tomorrow) and live in Switzerland. So my mother tongue is german but I read almost all books in english since 7th grade. My parents have both w..."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! <3 I hope you have a beautiful day!

I totally agree with you, a writers particular style is always lost in translation. For example, no one could ever translate Oscar Wilde perfectly!!

@Nandy: I will definitely tell you if one of my theories proves to be right! But now, since you say that the ending is so shocking I have the strangest theories like I don't know Dorian destroys his portrait which kills him as well haha!

Hana wrote: "Hi, I'm Amanda (middle name is Hana). I am almost 16 (tomorrow) and live in Switzerland. So my mother tongue is german but I read almost all books in english since 7th grade. My parents have both w..."

Happy Birthday!!!

@Becci: Yes, and please tell us when you're finished with the book haha

Sorry guys; I've been away on vacation with only my cellphone on me, and the goodreads on there wouldn't allow me to see everything properly.
So, I'm sorry I've become active really late!
My name is Janaya, and I'm from Canada. I'm sixteen, and speak English, so most of the books I read are in English, yes. I've been reading young adult novels since I was in the first grade, and started reading books in French when I was a freshman in highschool!I have far too many favourite books, but I like The Fault In Our Stars, Journey To The Center Of The Earth, and Unwind. Also goes for movies, I have far to many favourite moveis. I love Horror, Thriller and Action, though. Okay, sure.

@Amanda
Haha, my clock was wrong about an hour and so it's not until tomorrow :S but thank you anyway!

Hi Janaya! Where have you been on vacation? That's so nice :)

@Nandy: I have just finished the book and I'm really quite shocked: my theory was really pretty good, wasn't it? :D

Hey Becci :) I was in several different cites and towns in my province, but not anywhere specific :P
What book were you reading?

Janaya wrote: "Hey Becci :) I was in several different cites and towns in my province, but not anywhere specific :P
What book were you reading?"

Traveling in Canada seems literally perfect to me! :) Did you have fun?
I read The Picture of Dorian Gray (and I recommend it strongly!!)

@Becci: your theory was so great I had to stop myself from complimenting you before I ruined everything for you haha (:

Becci: I had fun, yes :) I'll have to check it out!
Ananda: Can I assume that you also liked the book? ;)

@Janaya: oooh I love it! Oscar Wilde is such an amazing writer. Do you know that quote "to define is to limit"? He's written it. Well, now that quote is way overused and mostly cliché, but it's still good. He's got many more where this one came from (:

I probably highlighted half of the book, there are just so many great quotes in it! I'll definitely read his other works now, too. He is really amazing (: I think I'll open a new discussion for our favorite authors so we won't make the Introduction a Oscar Wilde appreciation thread :))

Hello I'm Sara, 16 this year from Sweden. I basically spend a lot of time reading and being on tumblr and watching lots of tv-series. I've always loved reading and since 7th grade I started to almost explicitly read in english because well, I really like english. I read a lot of Young Adult Fiction but i try to vary and read everything I find interesting. I can't really choose what my favorite books are but I really like Wuthering Heights, The Fault In Our Stars, Harry Potter, The Outsiders and plenty more which I can't remember at the moment. I don't know what more to tell you guys, I just hope i'll find some good books to read from here.

Ananda: I do know that quote! It's a good quote, whether or not it is overused ;)

And hello, Sara! You have a good list of books that you've mentioned, haha.

Welcome, Sara! I think you will find more than one interesting book to read here :)
To everyone: If you could please go to the topic: books of the month and vote for the books you'd like to read during March it'd be much appreciated x

Hiya, I'm Elspeth and I'm 14 years old. I used to read a lot but stopped and I'm trying to get back into it. I live in England, in Nottinghamshire. My favourite books are The Fault in Our Stars andThe Perks of Being a Wallflower. I have a kindle and the kindle app on my ipad, but I prefer books because of the smell, they smell so nice haha(: so yeah, that's me!

Elspeth wrote: "Hiya, I'm Elspeth and I'm 14 years old. I used to read a lot but stopped and I'm trying to get back into it. I live in England, in Nottinghamshire. My favourite books are The Fault in Our Stars and..."
I know, I really like to read actual books instead of digital copies. There is just something about actually turning the pages...

yes! an ereader is just a lot more practical because you don't have to bring a box full with books with you in the holidays.

I have a kindle but I definitely prefer to read "real books". It's just not the same, when you can't turn the pages or highlight your favorite quotes in all colours or smell the book..

Hi all, I'm Cassandra, I'm 23 and in England. I've always read too much for my own good, and working in a library has done nothing to slow that down! I mostly tend towards fantasy, often YA. I don't know that I could easily choose a favourite book, though The Book Thief is definitely always near the top. I've found I've been doing a lot of superficial reading recently, which is nice and all, but I'm hoping this group will be a push to get back into reading a bit deeper (and have some nice conversations as well)!

Rebecca wrote: "I have a kindle but I definitely prefer to read "real books". It's just not the same, when you can't turn the pages or highlight your favorite quotes in all colours or smell the book.."

definitely, the smell of books is just unique. and the feeling of the book in my hands... and i'm so superficial, for me is even the cover important

Hi my name is Berna, I'm 16 years old and I live in the Netherlands. I speak Dutch and also the most books I read are in Dutch. English isn't really my strongest point, but I hope I can also read some English books soon. (:
I prefer to read YA, mystery, crime and psychological thrillers. I hope I can read some more English books, while joining this group!
*don't know more to tell you*

Hi everyone. I'm Alyssa, I'm 21, and I'm from Canada.
I definitely agree with Dani about the last book I've read being my favourite. However, for poignancy's sake I guess I'd list The Perks of Being a Wallflower in my top choices, along with The Five People You Meet In Heaven, The Kingkiller Chronicles (though I usually hate fantasy), Harry Potter (that seems to be a consensus around here), Night, The Edible Woman, Stargirl, and if I don't stop now, I will be listing all day.
My music taste varies, because I'm a dancer and we unfortunately warm up to exclusively top forty - and I can't lie, it's super catchy. When I have my choice some favourites would be Death Cab for Cutie, the Avett Brothers, Billie Holiday, Coldplay, Ellie Goulding, Ingrid Michaelson, Flight of the Conchords, Of Monsters and Men, and more, of course. Movie wise, I just saw the movie version of Perks and I wept like a baby at the end, so that probably should be included. My movie taste is so varied and awkward that I think I'll leave it out of here.
I'm also addicted to the smell of books, but due to the ridiculous amount of money I was spending on them, my boyfriend bought me a Kindle and I think I love it almost equally.

Berna wrote: "Hi my name is Berna, I'm 16 years old and I live in the Netherlands. I speak Dutch and also the most books I read are in Dutch. English isn't really my strongest point, but I hope I can also read s..."

English is pretty easy to read because it doesn't have as much grammar as, for example, french or german. at the beginning it's a bit of a ordeal but you'll be good soon.

Hi everyone! My name is Elizabeth, but I often go by Effy, I am 17 years old, and I'm from the United States. I'm an ex gymnast, but I now coach, which takes up PLENTY of my time, while also being a full time Advanced Placement student (I will be honest, I'm extremely busy, so I will do my best to keep up with this group because it sounds really fun!).
Like, Charlie (from The Perks of Being a Wallflower) and Dani, my favorite book is normally the last one I read, unless I do not enjoy it, but that's not common. So right now, my favorite is I Wrote This For You by pleasefindthis -- it's a beautiful book!
If I wrote out all of my favorite movies, it would be ridiculously long list, but I do really enjoy Dirty Dancing and The Notebook, which are classic favorites. I listen to almost all types of music. I really enjoy The Avett Brothers, Laura Marling, Imagine Dragons, Awolnation, The Last Bison, Florence + the Machine, Mumford and Sons, and Neon Trees - but truly the list goes on!
I think that's it!

Daniela wrote: I envy you. Since I left the Netherlands all I want is to come back (I stayed two months, I barely understand any dutch since I was in the Frisian part lol) "
Ahw, did you like it here that much? I'm a Frisuan girl and also talk Frisian, but I think that when you stay in the Netherlands, Frisia is the hardest place. That's because the two different languages that are spoken here, Frisian and Dutch. Although I think Frisian is much easier to learn and it's more relatable to English (:

Hi everyone my name is Carmen. I am 43, live in the suburbs of New York and love to read every chance I get. I enjoyed reading The Twilight Series, James Patterson's Women Murder Club books and Alex Cross too and many others. I don't think there is not a type of genre that I wouldn't read or enjoy. I have read The Great Gatsby twice. I also like to watch movies. I just finished watching Superman Returns and Safe Haven. I listen to many types of music that are in Spanish and English. From pop to country. If it's got a good beat I'm there.