Wednesday Meme Placeholder

I'm in the midst of hanging out with Miss D'Arcy and will post more later but here's a meme in the meantime... this one is from Stefanie.

Do you remember how you developed a love of reading?
I learned how to read very young, sometime between age 2 and 3. I have been reading voraciously ever since. It occurs to me that I have actually never questioned why I loved reading so much at such a young age... maybe it just has something to do with my introvert nature... also I just loved how the words created stories and entire new realities in my head, and I could visit them anytime I wished. Reading made me incredibly happy (and still does).

What are some books you loved as a child?
Oh boy, is this a big question. Let's see. I loved all the Golden Books when I was very little, and I loved this series called Old Mother Westwind Stories (and all the other Thornton Burgess books). I loved Little Women, and all the Little House books, and all the Oz books. Some more favorites include Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, Nancy Drew, Shel Silverstein and.. oh, well, and just about anything that came across my path. I read anything I could get my hands on.

What is your favorite genre?
Generally fiction. I particularly like a certain gloomy sort of fantasy style, but I wouldn't really call myself a 'science-fiction/fantasy' fan (although I certainly am a huge fan of certain fantasy novels). I like really good novels about families and I like anything that has a supernatural twist to it. I like quirky novels and I like novels set in Britain, for some reason. But really? I will read anything.

Do you have a favorite novel?
This is way too hard of a question. I love The Lord of The Rings for sheer scale and power of story. I really loved The Poisonwood Bible. Little Women is an old favorite. I can't pick just one.

Where do you usually read?
Honestly? Anywhere I can get away with it. At home it's usually on the couch. Also every night in bed. I like reading in the car or on trains. I love reading on planes. I like reading while eating alone in restaurants. I could go on.

When do you usually read?
At least every night. And then, see above.

Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
I used to, but it was frustrating because I would get sucked into something and then another something, and never finish this or that other book. I don't mind abandoning a book if I really don't like it, but I generally I try to avoid not finishing books. So now I try to just read one at a time. I feel like I get more reading done that way. But if I had a whole summer vacation to read, I would have quite a few going, I'm sure.

Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
It depends. I'm more willing to just pick and choose the parts of the book that I want to read, rather than slogging through the whole thing. Generally, however, I read it the same way. I try to throw in random non-fiction to learn new things, but I've been forgetting to do that lately (unless you count cookbooks...).

Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out from the library?
I usually borrow books from friends (or they are pressed upon me), or I check them out from the library. If I know the library does not have a certain book that I want to read, I will find it used, either in a store or on Amazon. I rarely buy new books -- I just read them too quickly and it seems like a waste. We also have an amazing amount of books here at home so I sometimes read those (Terri is also a bookworm).

Do you keep most of the books you buy?
Unless I really love it and can see myself rereading it, or unless it's a 'reference' sort of book, I usually don't keep books... mostly because I just don't have room. I would love to keep them all because I just love books, but seriously, our living room is piled with them, spilling over everything. We need at least three more bookshelves and have no room for them. A neighbor of ours has our fantasy library -- high ceilings, wood-panelled, with a bookshelf ladder... we can see it from the street and are very envious.

If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them?
No kids yet, but I have a huge list in my mind of books that I can't wait to share. See: the book I listed as favorites, plus Dr. Seuss, fairy tales and all the classics.

What are you reading now?
Right now I'm reading Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. I can hardly put it down.

Do you keep a To Be Read List?
Do you know what? I don't! I can't believe it. What a dummy I am, I never really thought of doing that. I keep little notes here and there, but not in one place, and I can never find them when I want to. I like Stefanie's idea of a spreadsheet. But I actually really enjoy just sort of breadcrumbing my way along, one thing leading to the next, to the next, and so on... I like to just go where the books take me.

What’s next?
The rest of the Neil Gaiman stack, plus a gigantic pile next to the bed. Not sure what after the Neil Gaiman books.

What books would you like to re-read?
I'm not sure. I already have a few that I routinely re-read. I'd like to re-read the entire Harry Potter series all in one go. I'd like to re-read Little, Big, and I would really like to reread The Witching Hour by Anne Rice.

Who are your favorite authors?
Currently, Neil Gaiman is rocking my world. I love Margaret Atwood, Charles de Lint... um, too many to list. Also, I forget everytime I'm asked that question.