Guilty Pleasures discussion
Book Questionnaire
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1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?
I think my parents started reading to me before I was born. I’ve always been fascinated with books and was reading before I started school. I also had a sixth grade teacher who was a reading fanatic. She let us read when we finished our other work. I spend half the day reading that year. I finished over 50 books!
2. What are some books you read as a child?
I’m assuming you mean up until I became of a majority. Of course the classic kids stuff, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Wind in the Willows, anything written by Mark Twain, all of Jack London’s books, Tolkien, Edgar Allen Poe, Lewis Carroll and more.
3. What is your favorite genre?
Suspense, erotica, 20th century American Culture
4. Do you have a favorite novel?
No. I can’t imagine picking one. It would have to be my top 100 or so.
5. Where do you usually read?
Either in my office, my study, the beach or in bed
6. When do you usually read?
Whenever I get an uninterrupted fifteen minutes.
7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
I always have at least two going at a time and often more. I am always in the midst of something for entertainment and one or two in American Culture because I teach in the field.
8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
Absolutely. I read non-fiction mostly in my office or study, although I like to read on the beach and might take any kind of book there with me. I read more casually for entertainment. I only need to get the story. This is a much faster pace. When I read history, politics or something in my field, I’m more patient and am digging for detail and explanation. I’m reading for knowledge.
9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
I buy almost everything I read. I’m a bibliophile. I’ve been collecting books all my life and now it’s first editions. My home library is probably seven thousand volumes or more.
10. Do you keep most of the books you buy?
Now I only keep the first editions or something I might want to read again. I often trade books at the used book store.
11. What are you reading now?
For entertainment I’m reading Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs. For edification, Bad Money: Reckless Finance, Failed Politics and the Global Crisis of American Capitalism by Kevin Phillips and The Wrecking Crew; How Conservatives Rule by Thomas Frank.
13. Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?
If only I could avoid this. I have occasions when I feel that I’m so far behind because of this damn list!
14. What's next?
Today or in life? Today (it’s Saturday), I’ll attempt to write 5000 words, read 100 pages, listen to good music while doing both. Sammi, my roommate, and I will share a bottle of red wine and do dinner together and then walk on the beach with Cap (Cappuccino, the dog) . In life, I hope to have a million more days just like today.
15. What books would you like to reread?
Honestly, almost all of them.
16. Who are your favorite authors?
Hemingway, Michener, Clavell, Rowling, Ludlum, Rice, Grisham, Leonard, Tolkien, Chandler, le Carre’, Vidal, Emma Goldman, Twain, Ian Fleming, Arthur Schlesinger, Studs Terkel, and I can keep going.
I think my parents started reading to me before I was born. I’ve always been fascinated with books and was reading before I started school. I also had a sixth grade teacher who was a reading fanatic. She let us read when we finished our other work. I spend half the day reading that year. I finished over 50 books!
2. What are some books you read as a child?
I’m assuming you mean up until I became of a majority. Of course the classic kids stuff, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Wind in the Willows, anything written by Mark Twain, all of Jack London’s books, Tolkien, Edgar Allen Poe, Lewis Carroll and more.
3. What is your favorite genre?
Suspense, erotica, 20th century American Culture
4. Do you have a favorite novel?
No. I can’t imagine picking one. It would have to be my top 100 or so.
5. Where do you usually read?
Either in my office, my study, the beach or in bed
6. When do you usually read?
Whenever I get an uninterrupted fifteen minutes.
7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
I always have at least two going at a time and often more. I am always in the midst of something for entertainment and one or two in American Culture because I teach in the field.
8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
Absolutely. I read non-fiction mostly in my office or study, although I like to read on the beach and might take any kind of book there with me. I read more casually for entertainment. I only need to get the story. This is a much faster pace. When I read history, politics or something in my field, I’m more patient and am digging for detail and explanation. I’m reading for knowledge.
9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
I buy almost everything I read. I’m a bibliophile. I’ve been collecting books all my life and now it’s first editions. My home library is probably seven thousand volumes or more.
10. Do you keep most of the books you buy?
Now I only keep the first editions or something I might want to read again. I often trade books at the used book store.
11. What are you reading now?
For entertainment I’m reading Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs. For edification, Bad Money: Reckless Finance, Failed Politics and the Global Crisis of American Capitalism by Kevin Phillips and The Wrecking Crew; How Conservatives Rule by Thomas Frank.
13. Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?
If only I could avoid this. I have occasions when I feel that I’m so far behind because of this damn list!
14. What's next?
Today or in life? Today (it’s Saturday), I’ll attempt to write 5000 words, read 100 pages, listen to good music while doing both. Sammi, my roommate, and I will share a bottle of red wine and do dinner together and then walk on the beach with Cap (Cappuccino, the dog) . In life, I hope to have a million more days just like today.
15. What books would you like to reread?
Honestly, almost all of them.
16. Who are your favorite authors?
Hemingway, Michener, Clavell, Rowling, Ludlum, Rice, Grisham, Leonard, Tolkien, Chandler, le Carre’, Vidal, Emma Goldman, Twain, Ian Fleming, Arthur Schlesinger, Studs Terkel, and I can keep going.
When I was a kid the library was a safe haven for sissies like me because the local bullies never, ever went there. They may not even have know where it was. I could go and sit quietly and read without anyone calling me a faggott (somehow everyone but me knew by third grade). Also, during the hot, muggy, mosquito-laden New Jersey summers, the library was an oasis of air-conditioning.
1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading? My mom was a children's librarian until my brother and I were born, so we read all the time. On road trips we would be "rewarded" with books via a pillow case full of thrift store books. When we finished one, we'd get to reach into the magic bag for a new one!
2. What are some books you read as a child?
I love all of Walt Morey's books (Gentle Ben, Kavik the Wolf Dog, etc), books by Lloyd Alexander (The Book of Three, Black Cauldron), the Little House on the Prairie series, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Harriet the Spy, Island of the Blue Dolphins...
3. What is your favorite genre?
I really like non-fiction that is written in a readable adventurous style, like Simon Winchester's "The Professor and the Madman", or Eric Larson's "Devil in the White City", or Mary Roach's "Stiff". I enjoy memoirs (by non-famous folks), especially travel memoirs, and some contemporary fiction.
4. Do you have a favorite novel?
My default for the last 20+ years is "Gone With the Wind". Another that always pops up is "Housekeeping" by Marilynne Robinson.
5. Where do you usually read?
On the bus! My mom is always amazed at how many books I read, and it is almost always on the bus!
6. When do you usually read?
Commuting hour and just before bed.
7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
I'm usually reading at least two. My bedtime book is different than my bus book... kind of to cleanse my palate, I suppose! Some of my bus books are not appropriate to read just before falling asleep. :)
8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
I'd say no, since nonfiction is kind of my default for fun reading anyways.
9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
Library! Library! Library! I only buy the books that completely knock my socks off and that I want for my permanent collection. One that I hope to find a nice used copy of is "The Book Thief", which I thought was outstanding.
10. Do you keep most of the books you buy?
Yes, because I only buy books I want to keep! Every few years I purge though. But usually if I add a book to my collection, it is because I want that book for keeps.
11. What are you reading now?
"The Inner Circle" by TC Boyle (I'm halfway through, and have the sneaking feeling that I've read this before... but might just be confusing it with the movie "Kinsey" which was based on this book), and "Maiden Voyage" by Tania Aebi.
13. Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?
On GoodReads I do!
14. What's next?
I've got a couple books waiting for me at the library: Marilynne Robinson's latest "Home" and "Wings in the Snow" by Jim Oliver.
15. What books would you like to reread?
The ones that I've bought for my permanent collection. Sometimes I just like to look at the titles and reminisce about how much I like them!
16. Who are your favorite authors?
Marilynne Robinson, Bill Bryson, Sarah Waters, Alex Garland, Khaled Hosseini, Tim Moore... though I tend to love specific books more than authors... however if any of the above came out with a new book, I'd be all over it.
1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading? I remember magical trips to the library as a child. I felt the way other kids probably did in a toy store or candy store. My dad would read stories to my brother and I at bedtime and I was really proud of my ability to entertain myself "like an adult" by reading on my own.
2. What are some books you read as a child?
The Amelia Bedelia series, Julie of the Wolves, The Westing Game, the Boxcar Children series, the "Shoes" series, Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing, The Girl with the Silver Eyes, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, Nothing's Fair in 5th Grade, Halfway Down Paddy Lane, the Phantom Tollbooth, the Miss Switch series, the Hawkins Series, The Pink Motel, The Spaceship Under the Apple Tree, The Little Princess, the Anne of Green Gables series, an absurd amount of the Sweet Valley High series, and a book about a girl named Jennifer feeding her cat tuna fish in 1st grade--if anyone knows this book please tell me the title! :-)
3. What is your favorite genre?
At the moment, I'm enjoying memoirs by not traditionally famous people and travel writing quite a bit.
4. Do you have a favorite novel?
Nope.
5. Where do you usually read?
In bed or stretched out on the sofa.
6. When do you usually read?
Just before bed, while waiting (in line, at an office, in the car, etc.), and on lazy weekend afternoons.
7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
I'm usually reading at least two categories. I'm reading a non-fiction book for work or something someone's recommended to me and also a work of fiction as an indulgence/escape just for me.
8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
Absolutely. I tend to sit up straighter and read non-fiction at a coffee shop or in lines and save fiction for the weekends.
9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
Mostly the library. I tend to only purchase books I've already read and want to have on hand to pass down to future generations or re-read in the future.
10. Do you keep most of the books you buy?
Yes. If I do purchase a book I hadn't previously read--at an airport, for instance--and don't love it, I'll donate it to a library or book drive.
11. What are you reading now?
All travel memoirs and non-fiction actually
13. Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?
Yes...and GoodReads has been great with helping me to keep track.
14. What's next?
I have a few books waiting for me at the library...inter-library loan is such a blessing!
15. What books would you like to reread?
The books that I identified with so mightily and found profoundly impactful as a young adult and adolescent.
16. Who are your favorite authors?
Of GLBTQ authors: Carol Guess, Audre Lorde, Lillian Faderman, Leslea Newman, Diane Ayres, Marilyn French, Marge Piercy and classic books like "Patience and Sarah", Oscar Wilde
1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading? When I was little my parents would allow my sister and I to stay up a little later but only if we were reading a book. I remember lying in bed with a giggle over getting something past my mom and dad as I read only to stay up late, not for the joy of reading. But as I read more and more books I began to read for the right reasons.
2. What are some books you read as a child?
Judy Blume (Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Blubber, etc), James Howe (Bunnicula, Howliday Inn, etc), Donald Sobol (Encyclopedia Brown series), Beverly Cleary (the Ramona Series) and C. S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia) to name a few.
3. What is your favorite genre?
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Historical Novels, Literary Fiction
4. Do you have a favourite novel?
Gosh, I'd have to say The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
5. Where do you usually read?
#1: At work. #2: The bathroom (I'm being honest!) #3: In bed.
6. When do you usually read?
All the time. My job doesn't require much so I read a lot at work. Other than that I read mostly before I fall asleep.
7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
I generally will have two going just because I'm forgetful (sometimes I leave a book at work or at home). But one will usually be new and the other will be something I've read before.
8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
Not really.
9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
If the book is by an auther that I know and love I usually just buy the book (Michael Chabon, David Sedaris, etc). But if it's something that I'm not sure of I borrow from the library.
10. Do you keep most of the books you buy?
If I don't like the book then I donate it to my work (if it's appropriate).
11. What are you reading now?
Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler and The Thousand Orcs by R. A. Salvatore
13. Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?
Yes, some are on my profile.
14. What's next?
The High Window by Chandler and The Lone Drow by R. A. Salvatore
15. What books would you like to reread?
The Lord of the Rings books by J. R. R. Tolkien
16. Who are your favourite authors?
Raymond Chandler, David Sedaris, Michael Chabon, R. A. Salvatore, Bob Smith and Carrie Fisher to name a few
1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading? I remember how I hated reading when I was little, it was the most horrible chore. But then somewhere during high school I couldn't get enough. I don't know what made me change.
2. What are some books you read as a child?
Some kind of disney book that my grandmother made me read a bit of everynight before I went to bed, I hated it. And there were a couple of other book too... I prefered to sit in front of the TV.
3. What is your favorite genre?
I like mostly non-fiction. And for the longest time that was all that I would read. But one day I read a Christian fiction book on accident, and figured out that it wasn't so bad, so that opened up the door...
4. Do you have a favorite novel?
I don't have a novel that is my favorite, but I do have a autobiography that I love The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
5. Where do you usually read?
Out on my balcony with my dog by my side, because we like to people watch while we are out there.
6. When do you usually read?
During the day, or night... Any time I have time...
7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
I try to only have one at a time going... But today I had 3, and I was able to knock one out... grr...
8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
Nope, I get sucked into both of them.
9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
Half.com is where I get most of my books, and for only 75cents too! woot woot! I would like to start going to the library though, but right now I just have so many books I need to read at home that I can't even start to think about what I would like to check out!
10. Do you keep most of the books you buy?
I use to keep all of the books that I finished, I just couldn't bring myself to part with them... But I have broke myself of that bad habit and am able to resale them on half.com
11. What are you reading now?
I just, just finished The Vagina Monologues, and I am reading Early Embrasses II, and Havah the Story of Eve.
13. Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?
I have so many that I would spend a good chunk of the day just listing them.
14. What's next?
Whatever I'm feeling at the time.
15. What books would you like to reread?
The ones that I bought and are colleting dust on my shelves. They are just sitting there, waiting their turn.
16. Who are your favorite authors?
I don't have a favorite... I have so many different books...
Guilty Pleasures
Books mentioned in this topic
Gone with the Wind (other topics)The Fellowship of the Ring (other topics)
Romeo and Juliet (other topics)
The High Window (other topics)
Beloved (other topics)
More...
1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?
I honestly don't. All I know is that I've been reading since, like, um, forever. (I still even vividly remember reading picture books as a toddler.)
2. What are some books you read as a child?
Outside of textbooks, I remember reading a lot of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries. I also read some of Judy Blume's and Roald Dahl's. (And I secretly started reading Harold Robbins and Jackie Collins in the fifth grade. Heehee.)
3. What is your favorite genre?
Literary fiction
4. Do you have a favourite novel?
Oi! It changes. My most recent favorite is The Perfect Waiter by Alain Claude Sulzer.
5. Where do you usually read?
My work desk at home, by the window. However, my favorite place to read is at this cafe near my house.
6. When do you usually read?
In the afternoon.
7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
I usually have more than one book lined up but seriously, I don't know how some people can read more than one at a time. When I don't like a book after the first couple of chapters, I usually just end up abandoning it entirely.
8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
I'm probably more attentive when it comes to the background of the work in terms of nonfiction books.
9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
It depends. If it's a new author, then I would usually check it out of the library first. If I'm impressed by the second chapter, then I'd go and buy it.
10. Do you keep most of the books you buy?
I usually just donate the relatively inexpensive ones to the public library when I'm done with them.
11. What are you reading now?
Life: A User's Manual by Georges Perec (It's a bit thick but so far, I'm quite impressed by it.)
13. Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?
Yuppers. (See my profile.)
14. What's next?
Um, dinner. Oh, to read? Um, Now Is The Hour.
15. What books would you like to reread?
All the Shakespeare plays that I read in college. Someday, when I'm old and gray. ;-)
16. Who are your favourite authors?
Novelists: E.M. Forster, Jane Austen, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Edmund White, Paul Monette, Toni Morrison, Amy Tan, GUstav Flaubert, Milan Kundera (and omg, so many others!)
"Writers" (encompassing short stories, non-fiction, and essays): Dennis Cooper, Ann Rule, Andrew Sullivan, Gloria Steinem, Kate Chopin (and omg, so many others!)
Poets: e.e. cummings, Emily Dickinson, Edward Arlington Robinson, Edgar Allan Poe (and omg, so many others!)
Playwrights: Tennessee Williams, Oscar Wilde, William Shakespeare, Tony Kushner, Neil Simon (and omg, so many others!)