All About Books discussion

1. Have you always loved books? Who, if anyone, in your life has most inspired you to read?

Yes, ever since I was small. I remember my parents reading Dr Seuss books to me – I loved all the rhyming! My mum’s never been much of a reader, but she used to drop us off at the local library for a couple of hours each Saturday and then collect us complete with armfuls of books! I don’t think anyone else particularly inspired me to read – I just loved reading!

2. What was your favourite childhood book?

I think it would have to be A Little Princess, with Ballet Shoes and Marianne Dreams as runners up. I read lots of Enid Blyton, including all The Famous Five (didn’t like The Secret Seven, though) and I also liked fairy tales – all the classics. I remember I had a year-book with 365 stories and poems which I absolutely loved.

3. Which books do you remember studying at school? Did you enjoy them?

I particularly remember Lord of the Flies, Animal Farm, Jamaica Inn, and enjoyed them all. Once I’d read Animal Farm, I went on to read 1984 – in 1984 – just had to be done!

4. Where do you most enjoy reading? Do you need silence to read, or can you read almost anywhere?

I read mostly in bed, sometimes at lunchtime (when I get a lunch break, that is!!!) but I do like silence or minimal background noise. I don’t like to be interrupted and as a teenager used to get very grumpy if anyone spoke to me while I was reading.

5. Choose five of your favourite books and tell us why you loved them so much!

This is so hard, but if I have to choose…
Jane Eyre. What’s not to like?
Frankenstein. I studied this at college a few years ago – thought I would hate it. I would never have read it if it wasn’t selected as a set book for the course. I absolutely loved it. Just goes how wrong you can be about judging books you haven’t read. I loved the way the story was put together – a story within a story – and I felt so sorry for the creature.
The Lord of the Rings. Read when I was 16-17 but was totally absorbed in the story – no other book had affected me like this before. It wasn’t like I was reading the story, I felt as though I was there. When I saw the films, many years later, I thought they were wonderful. Just like I imagined.
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever. Read them all in my late teens, when I would just shut myself away and read. I don’t do that now, I don’t have time. Like The Lord of the Rings, I was captivated.
Rebecca. I read this myself, in my twenties, having read Jamaica Inn at school. Very cleverly written, I loved the way the mystery gradually unfolded – I wouldn’t mind reading it again, and I am not usually one to re-read books.

6. Do you prefer reading fiction or non fiction?

Fiction. I am more captivated by a good story. It's why I read.

7. Are you fond of a particular author and what attracts you to their books? (You can pick a few if you can’t choose!)

Daphne Du Maurier – it's just that everything I have read by her, I have liked! This year, I have read lots of books by different authors I have been meaning to try for ages. Next year, I will read more books and then I can decide if they are a favourite author or not!

8. Is there an author you haven't yet tried but you'd really like to?

I tend to go for books rather than follow authors, but I’d like to try reading Mitch Albom, Ali Smith, Helen Dunmore, JM Coetzee. I have a few of their books on my to read list.

9. Do you rely on goodreads to keep track of your reading or do you have your own method?

Until last year, I have never kept track of what I have read. There must be loads of books I have read which are not listed as “read” on goodreads. Now I keep goodreads updated, and a spreadsheet, too!

10. What's the best book you've read so far this year? What are you reading at the moment? What will you be reading next?

I think the most unusual and memorable book I’ve read this year is Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, but I also loved Tell the Wolves I'm Home and The Almond Tree! To be honest, I’ve enjoyed most of this year’s books!
At the moment, I am reading Wuthering Heights and my next book will be Their Eyes Were Watching God, if I ever finish Wuthering Heights which is dragging a bit now!

I love reading your answers, I loved 1984, I only read it last but I really thought it was fascinating that it was written in the 40s.

Loved your journey Shirley!

My good friend recommended me The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever to me yesterday and I'd never heard of it until then! A second recommendation and the deal is sealed, going on the Amazon wishlist for Christmas!

Great journey, Shirley. We seem to have quite similar taste in books although I didn't like Jane Eyre

Great answers Shirley.

Nice journey, Shirley! We have similar tastes, so I will have to check out The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever. I have never heard of this series before!

We have very similar favourite books! A lovely journey :)

Great reading journey. I too was surprised by Frankenstein and by Rebecca, which I didn't expect to enjoy so much! It sounds like you've had a good year of reading as well, I'll have to check out some of your choices that I haven't heard of :)

Alannah wrote: "I love reading your answers, I loved 1984, I only read it last but I really thought it was fascinating that it was written in the 40s."

I know, it's amazing really - very insightful book.

Leslie wrote: "Nice journey, Shirley! We have similar tastes, so I will have to check out The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever. I have never heard of this series before!"

Hope you like it, Leslie - but just a warning, Leslie -you will probably not like the main character to start with, but he grows on you - and if you like fantasy fiction, this is definitely worth reading.

Heather wrote: "My good friend recommended me The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever to me yesterday and I'd never heard of it until then! A second recommendation and the deal is sealed, g..."

Well I hope you like it, Heather!! It is a bit of a love/hate book, so I would be interested to hear what you think of it!

Thanks for your comments, everyone, I do feel like (apart from the childhood books) my answers will change over time, but as a snapshot of me now, it's fairly accurate - although I will probably look at it in a few days and think to myself - "why didn't I think of this book instead!!"

The encounter with Mary Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN seems to be very universal. Many of my friends had shared the same opinion that it was an accidental read that just took them by surprise. I too had the same experience. I never wanted to read it and when I read it by chance I loved the book much. Your encounter with it affirms the same premise.

Dhanaraj wrote: "The encounter with Mary Shelley's FRANKENSTEIN seems to be very universal. Many of my friends had shared the same opinion that it was an accidental read that just took them by surprise. I too had t..."

I think with Frankenstein, it's because of the films, which are only very loosely connected to the story, that a lot of people (me for one) will be put off.

Hello Shirley
I loved your reading journey thank you for sharing.
Jane Eyre has become one of my favorites too and Tell the wolves I'm home is waiting to be read on my shelf early next year. :)

Tracey wrote: "Hello Shirley
I loved your reading journey thank you for sharing.
Jane Eyre has become one of my favorites too and Tell the wolves I'm home is waiting to be read on my shelf early next year. :)"

Thanks Tracey, I hope you enjoy reading it!

Leslie wrote: "Nice journey, Shirley! We have similar tastes, so I will have to check out The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever. I have never heard of this series before!"

This is a book I'd like to see as well

How have I not seen this thread before? I loved your journey Shirley and there's quite a bit of overlap of our tastes too. I'd vaguely heard of Stephen R. Donaldson (think there may be a couple on our shelves...) but it sounds as though I should actually try him out!

Thanks for sharing this. And by the way, I heartily approve of your favourite author :D

My father in law got the Dr Seuss collection for my son, I have read Cat in the Hat and I really don't get it at all. I think it's very creepy! My husband says I'm reading too much into it lol.

Loved Rebecca too, I have seen that one mentioned a lot through the journeys. Daphne Du Maurier is definitely a hit in this group.

Gemma wrote: "My father in law got the Dr Seuss collection for my son, I have read Cat in the Hat and I really don't get it at all. I think it's very creepy! My husband says I'm reading too much into it lol.

Lo..."

Ha ha, it is wacky, but the rhyming and the artwork is what really makes it all so memorable. Your son will probably enjoy it though! Try "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish" - my girls loved that one!

Jean wrote: "How have I not seen this thread before? I loved your journey Shirley and there's quite a bit of overlap of our tastes too. I'd vaguely heard of Stephen R. Donaldson (think there may be a couple on ..."

Yay! Knew you would approve!

Stephen Donaldson is an acquired taste. The main character is not at all likeable, and a couple of friends of mine tried reading it but couldn't get on with it at all...but I was completely immersed in the world he created, and would consider it a masterpiece of fantasy fiction.

OK right... After reading your journey, I asked Chris about his Stephen R Donaldson books and he ummed and aahed and eventually said they were like a sort of twisted Tolkien. But when I started to get very interested at that, he then said I might find them a bit dull! LOL! Like you though, he reckons you can get very involved in the world he created.

I'm with Gemma as to Dr. Seuss though. I could never "get" him at all! Mind you, I only came to him as an adult, (teaching) so maybe that was the problem...

Will give that one a go, Shirley. My husband loves them, but he was read them as a Child so I think it's sentimental for him too.

Hi Shirley. I like this thread and enjoyed your answers. I've been reading a lot of threads since I joined this group a few days ago and Daphne Du Maurier comes up so many times I figured I needed to get to her so I just ordered Frenchman's Creek & Rebecca from paperback swap. Hope it's good.

Summerdale wrote: "Hi Shirley. I like this thread and enjoyed your answers. I've been reading a lot of threads since I joined this group a few days ago and Daphne Du Maurier comes up so many times I figured I needed ..."

Thanks Summer, I hope you enjoy them both - my favourite would be Rebecca, though!