We all like questionnaires, right? RIGHT? Well, I like both reading and answering them. They remind me of my childhood and it makes me feel like I'm being interviewed.
The lovely Devynn from Quicker than a Kiss posted this literature questionnaire, which I really enjoyed reading. It's a good way of learning about a person's tastes and getting to know each other. I took the liberty of shortening it a bit, I hope she doesn't mind. I'm a shy person, I can't stand being interviewed for too long.
1. Favorite childhood book?
I actually love children books and have plenty of them. Some of the most known that feature in my collection are The tale of Peter Rabbit, Le Petit Prince and Ink Heart.
2. What are you reading right now?
The Chronicles of Narnia - I didn't mention this, but I still read children's books.
3. Bad book habit?
Reading even if I'm sleepy and totally not paying attention.
4. Do you have an e-reader?
No and probably will never have - I'm not much into gadgets.
5. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
Not several, but always two. Usually a non-fiction and a fiction book, because this way I don't confuse names, dates or locations.
6. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
A bit. I try to be more organized now to easily spot passages I want to blog about.
7. Favorite book you’ve read this year?
Emma, by Jane Austen, hands down.
8. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
Hum... pretty much never. I read difficult books and books I don't fully understand but never things that make me uncomfortable or scare me.
9. Can you read on the bus?
Yes, but I haven't ever since someone told me you can go blind by doing this.
10. Favorite place to read?
Anywhere quiet, but probably my bed after sleeping in on Sundays.
11. What is your policy on book lending?
11. What is your policy on book lending?
I pretty much lend any book people ask me and even lend them voluntarily if I think someone should read them.
12. Do you ever dog-ear books?
Not really, I like using (and making my own) book markers.
13. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
Always. I write comments, opinions about characters, an occasional "haha".
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| "I hate her"written on the side of my copy of Emma |
Classics.
15. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
Biographies.
16. Have you ever read a self-help book?
Well, I don't know if this qualifies as self help, but I once read a Dr. Phil book on how to lose weight.
17. Favorite cookbook?
Any from Martha Stewart - or my mother's.
18. Favorite reading snack?
I don't eat while reading, but I do like to drink some hot cocoa.
19. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
Since I mostly read classics, there's not a lot of hype going on. But I do hate those modern interpretations of Shakespeare, for example, that have nothing to do with the text and are only valid on the critic's mind.
20. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
50/50 I guess. I know I just bad mouthed literary critics, but I do enjoy reading criticism even when I don't agree with it.
21. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I have never done so in my blog, despite doing it in conversations in real life. I prefer to offer good recommendations as opposed to criticize.
22. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?
French. I would really like to read Flaubert's correspondence in the original.
23. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon. I actually never got around to finishing the book.
24. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
Ulisses by James Joyce.
25. Favorite Poet?
I like a lot of poets. Louis Macneice, C. Day Lewis, Robert Frost, Fernando Pessoa are some of my favorites.
26. Favorite fictional character?
Off the top of my head, Hamlet.
27. Favorite fictional villain?
Ivan from Brothers Karamazov. Maybe he's not such a villain-villain, but his mihilistic speech frigthens me.
28. Books you’re most likely to bring on vacation?
Any short paper back - I like to pack light.
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29. The longest you’ve gone without reading.
For the past 5 years (when I started college), a couple of days, I guess.
30. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
A lot of books because I recently decided not to finish a book just to finish it. If it doesn't seem right, I stop and never look back.
31. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?
That's a tough one. There are many movies I like that were based on novels (Dr. Zhivago, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, A Clockwork Orange, Lord of the Rings) but since I never read the actual novels, I can't really compare. I really like 1984 with John Hurt, though.
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley. Not a popular answer, but I didn't really like the portrayal of Elizabeth and Jane.
31. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
I never really spent a lot, that's just not my style. I use the library and shop at used book stores. Plus, I'm lucky enough to always receive books as gifts.
32. Do you like to keep your books organized?
I sure do. As a matter a fact everytime I dust my books (once every 2 or 3 months) I rearrange their order - for fun and to exercise my memory a little.
33. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
It depends. If I'll want to read again or consult it in the future, I keep them. The ones I didn't like or are not relevant to me anymore are donated to church.
34. Name a book that made you angry.
When a book starts making me angry I actually stop reading it. But To the Lighthouse made me a little angry. I mean, how about just going to the Lighthouse already?
35. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
Something I read only for the pleasure of it is Nero Wolfe detective books, but I haven't read any for a while.
I hope you enjoyed the questionnaire. Do answer it too so we can know a little bit more about each other. I'd love to check your answers!
Images via For the love of books (except image 2)
Images via For the love of books (except image 2)
