Ug

Sorry, everyone. Off this week, too. I'm miserably sick with the flu. As soon as I can breathe again, I'm off to bed, where I belong...

Please hang with me. Have a great New Year's celebration, and I'll see you next year. :-)

Skipping a week

Yup. With Mom arriving tomorrow to spend Christmas with us, all the prep for that, Christmas cooking, parties, etc., my plate is full enough. I'll be back after Christmas. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, or whatever else you celebrate. :-)

Seasonal stories

What with Christmas coming and all...

1. Do you read Christmas-themed (or Hanukkah, or?) stories this time of year? If so, what kind (religious, mystery, etc.)?
2. Do you have any stories you traditionally read this time every year? If so, what? How did your tradition start?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> What with Christmas coming and all... <ol> <li><em>Do you read Christmas-themed (or Hanukkah, or?) stories this time of year? If so, what kind (religious, mystery, etc.)? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Do you have any stories you traditionally read this time every year? If so, what? How did your tradition start? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

Wish list

Jeanne thought that it might be nice to have something a little simpler for a change, and I have to agree. Thanks for your suggestions, Jeanne!

1. What's on your book/reading wish list?
2. What books are you giving this year?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> <a href="http://mathomhouse.typepad.com/bluestocking/">Jeanne</a> thought that it might be nice to have something a little simpler for a change, and I have to agree. Thanks for your suggestions, Jeanne! <ol> <li><em>What's on your book/reading wish list? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>What books are you giving this year? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

Lost in translation

This week's questions brought to you by Renée.

1. Have you ever read a book in a language other than your native language?
2. If so, how would you describe your experience?
3. Have you ever read a book translated from another language into your native language?
4. Why or why not?
5. If so, how would you describe your experience?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> <ol> <li><em>Have you ever read a book in a language other than your native language?</em> Reply here</li> <li><em>If so, how would you describe your experience?</em> Reply here</li> <li><em>Have you ever read a book translated from another language into your native language?</em> Reply here</li> <li><em>Why or why not?</em> Reply here</li> <li><em>If so, how would you describe your experience?</em> Reply here</li> </ol>

Biography

I'm back from vacation. Sorry about the lack of questions last week, but well, I had other things on my mind... ;-) This week's questions are brought to you by Nicki.

1. Biographies and autobiographies—do you read them?
2. If so, whose life story has inspired you most and why?
3. If not, why not?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> This week's questions are brought to you by <a href="http://plushcat.blogspot.com/">Nicki</a>. <ol> <li><em>Biographies and autobiographies—do you read them? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>If so, whose life story has inspired you most and why? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>If not, why not? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

Movies from books

A slight twist on last week's theme...

1. What book (or books) would you like to see made into a movie? Why?
2. What book (or books) would you definitely not want made into a movie?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> <ol> <li><em>What book (or books) would you like to see made into a movie? Why? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>What book (or books) would you definitely not want made into a movie? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

Books into movies

Jeanne suggested that we talk about books that have been made into movies. Great idea! Thank you, Jeanne.

1. When you think of books that have been made into movies, what one comes to mind first?
2. Did the movie really capture the feeling of the book?
3. What about other movies from books? Which movies do you feel really captured (or if you prefer, didn't capture) the feeling of the books they were based on?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> <a href="http://mathomhouse.typepad.com/bluestocking/">Jeanne</a> suggested that we talk about books that have been made into movies. <ol> <li><em>When you think of books that have been made into movies, what one comes to mind first? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Did the movie really capture the feeling of the book? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>What about other movies from books? Which movies do you feel really captured (or if you prefer, didn't capture) the feeling of the books they were based on? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

Fess up

This week's questions suggested by Christine, who didn't leave a URL so I can't link to her! :-(

1. What books have you read that you hate to admit reading? (You can either limit this to recent reads or go way back in time. Your choice.)
2. Why?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> <ol> <li><em>What books have you read that you hate to admit reading? (You can either limit this to recent reads or go way back in time. Your choice.) </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Why? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

Book clubs

I'm referring to the reading type of book club, where members all read the same book, then gather to discuss it.

1. Do you, or have you, ever belonged to a book club?
2. Why, or why not?
3. If you are in a book club, or were once, what did you like about it?
4. What did you dislike about the book club?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> I'm referring to the reading type of book club, where members all read the same book, then gather to discuss it. <ol> <li><em>Do you, or have you, ever belonged to a book club? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Why, or why not? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>If you are in a book club, or were once, what did you like about it? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>What did you dislike about the book club? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

How bad is bad?

Here's another set of questions from Nicki.

1. What's the worst book you've ever read?
2. What's the book you hated the most?
3. Is the answer the same to both questions? If not, why not?
4. Why was this book (or these books) so bad?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> Here's another set of questions from <a href="http://plushcat.blogspot.com/">Nicki</a>. <ol> <li><em>What's the worst book you've ever read? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>What's the book you hated the most? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Is the answer the same to both questions? If not, why not? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Why was this book (or these books) so bad? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

Inconvenient

The answers to last week's questions were fun to read, so I'm going to do the same thing this week, with a little spin on it. I want you to dig out a book that's in a hard-to-get-to spot, then answer the same questions about it. As an example, I'll get a book out of our library upstairs. Now, you'd think this would be easy, but this time it isn't. There's a bookcase in the corner behind the wingback chair. I have to move the chair to get to the lower shelves. To make it even more inconvenient, I'll reach down behind the floor lamp that's there and get something off the bottom shelf.

Go get a book that is in the most inconvenient place in your home.

1. What corner of your house did you dig this book out of?
2. What are the book's title and author?
3. Turn to page 127. Locate the third paragraph, first sentence. Type that sentence here:
4. Does the sentence make sense out of context?
5. Seeing it sitting here by itself, out of the book, is it funny? Sad? Strange? Does it make you want to explore its source?
6. Are you currently reading this book? Why?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> Go get a book that is in the most inconvenient place in your home. <ol> <li><em>What corner of your house did you dig this book out of? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>What are the book's title and author? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Turn to page 127. Locate the third paragraph, first sentence. Type that sentence here: </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Does the sentence make sense out of context? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Seeing it sitting here by itself, out of the book, is it funny? Sad? Strange? Does it make you want to explore its source? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Are you currently reading this book? Why? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

Nearby

I'm posting this a little early as I know right now I'm not going to be able to do it on Thursday. I'm borrowing the inspiration for this from something I saw in a blog about five or six months ago. So, here goes.

Pick up the book that is closest to where you're sitting right now.

1. What are the book's title and author?
2. Turn to page 127. Locate the third paragraph, first sentence. Type that sentence here:
3. Does the sentence make sense out of context?
4. Seeing it sitting here by itself, out of the book, is it funny? Sad? Strange? Does it make you want to explore its source?
5. Are you currently reading this book? Why?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> Pick up the book that is closest to where you're sitting right now. <ol> <li><em>What are the book's title and author? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Turn to page 127. Locate the third paragraph, first sentence. Type that sentence here: </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Does the sentence make sense out of context? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Seeing it sitting here by itself, out of the book, is it funny? Sad? Strange? Does it make you want to explore its source? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Are you currently reading this book? Why? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

Abridged and edited

Another fun suggestion from Nicki. Lady, you are the bomb! If anyone has suggestions for the future, please let me know.

1. Are abridged books a good thing or just plain awful?
2. How about books that are edited to modernize them?
3. Is dated language part of the charm of a book or an irritation?
4. Have you ever read an abridged or edited version of a book?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> <ol> <li><em>Are abridged books a good thing or just plain awful? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>How about books that are edited to modernize them? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Is dated language part of the charm of a book or an irritation? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Have you ever read an abridged or edited version of a book? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

A few things

A couple questions from Kim and Nicki...

1. What are your five favorite books of all time? Why did they make the list?
2. What's the earliest book you can remember? Do your family read? Who encouraged you to read?
3. Reference books—do you have any? Why do you have the ones you do? Do you use them?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <br> A couple questions from <a href="http://www.knitterinprogress.blogspot.com/">Kim</a> and <a href="http://plushcat.blogspot.com/">Nicki</a>... <ol> <li><em>What are your five favorite books of all time? Why did they make the list? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>What's the earliest book you can remember? Do your family read? Who encouraged you to read? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Reference books—do you have any? Why do you have the ones you do? Do you use them? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

Dream library

Kerry wants to know what your dream library is like. I think I'll expand on that a bit...

1. What kind of room is your dream library in (one wall of your living room, dedicated room, corner of the kitchen, etc.)?
2. What genre are most of your books?
3. Are the books all hard cover, paperback, leather, or mixed medium?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <br> <ol> <li><em>What kind of room is your dream library in (one wall of your living room, dedicated room, corner of the kitchen, etc.)?</em> Reply here</li> <li><em>What genre are most of your books?</em> Reply here</li> <li><em>Are the books all hard cover, paperback, leather, or mixed medium?</em> Reply here</li> </ol>

Desert island

Another suggestion from Nicki—the old desert island question. I don't know about you, but this one's always been difficult for me. I've always found it difficult to narrow it down to just a few books.

1. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three books would you want to have with you?
2. Why?
3. Is this list different than it would have been ten years ago? How?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <br> <ol> <li><em>If you were stranded on a desert island, what three books would you want to have with you?</em> Reply here</li> <li><em>Why?</em> Reply here</li> <li><em>Is this list different than it would have been ten years ago? How?</em> Reply here</li> </ol>

Dinner party

Today's questions brought to us by Nicki, who has come up with a ton of fun ideas, this being the first that struck me.

1. Which three authors would you invite to a dinner party (they can be dead)?
2. Why?
3. Would they get along?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> Today's questions brought to us by <a href="http://plushcat.blogspot.com/">Nicki</a>, who has come up with a ton of fun ideas, this being the first that struck me. <ol> <li><em>Which 3 authors would you invite to a dinner party (they can be dead)?</em> Reply here</li> <li><em>Why?</em> Reply here</li> <li><em>Would they get along?</em> Reply here</li> </ol>

Ugh

Sorry, folks, but my brain is completely in the wrong place today, and I have no ideas whatsoever. If I come up with something later on, I'll ask it, but don't hold your breath.

Desperately seeking ideas

If you have any suggestions, please share them with me. I'd love some input. I'll quite happily link to the blog of anyone suggesting something that I use.

The Belgariad

There seem to be quite a few people in addition to me who have read David Eddings series, The Belgariad, multiple times. So, this week, a few questions about these books.

1. First, have you read this five-book series? If so, how many times?
2. What brings you back to read this story again?
3. Who are your favorite characters? Why?
4. If you could magically be a part of their saga, would you? Would you want to take the place of one of the characters, or be someone new?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> There seem to be quite a few people in addition to me who have read David Eddings series, <em>The Belgariad, </em>multiple times. So, this week, a few questions about these books. <ol> <li><em>First, have you read this five-book series? If so, how many times? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>What brings you back to read this story again? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Who are your favorite characters? Why? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>If you could magically be a part of their saga, would you? Would you want to take the place of one of the characters, or be someone new? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

Fantasy anyone?

Roger Zelazny's Amber series, J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings, David Eddings' Belgariad, and Stephen R. Donaldson's Thomas Covenant trilogies, are all classic examples of fantasy. None of them are books either of my parents would ever consider reading. I've devoured them all... And more.

1. Do you like to read fantasy?
2. What's your favorite (or least favorite if you don't like the genre) thing about reading fantasy?
3. Do you prefer regular people placed in alternate realities, like the Thomas Covenant stories and the Amber books, or do you prefer the whole world to come from the author's imagination? Or something else?
4. Do you have a favorite author or theme that you go back to again and again?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> Roger Zelazny's <em>Amber </em>series, J.R.R. Tolkein's <em>Lord of the Rings, </em>David Eddings' <em>Belgariad, </em>and Stephen R. Donaldson's <em>Thomas Covenant </em>trilogies, are all classic examples of fantasy. None of them are books either of my parents would ever consider reading. I've devoured them all... And more. <ol> <li><em>Do you like to read fantasy? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>What's your favorite (or least favorite if you don't like the genre) thing about reading fantasy? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Do you prefer regular people placed in alternate realities, like the Thomas Covenant stories and the Amber books, or do you prefer the whole world to come from the author's imagination? Or something else? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Do you have a favorite author or theme that you go back to again and again? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

The knights of the round table

Whether based in fact or fiction, the legends of King Arthur have been the inspiration for many novels including Le Morte D'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory, The Once and Future King by T. H. White, The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, The Arthurian Saga series by Mary Stewart, and even A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain, to name just a few.

1. Do you enjoy reading the legends of the King Arthur and the knights of the round table?
2. How long ago did you read them?
3. Will you ever read more of them or re-read any that you've read before?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> Whether based in fact or fiction, the legends of King Arthur have been the inspiration for many novels including <em>Le Morte D'Arthur</em> by Sir Thomas Malory, <em>The Once and Future King </em>by T. H. White, <em>The Mists of Avalon </em>by Marion Zimmer Bradley, <em>The Arthurian Saga </em>series by Mary Stewart, and even <em>A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court </em>by Mark Twain, to name just a few. <ol> <li><em>Do you enjoy reading the legends of the King Arthur and the knights of the round table? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>How long ago did you read them? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Will you ever read more of them or re-read any that you've read before? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

Celebrate freedom

I bought a sweatshirt for my husband some years ago that says, "Celebrate freedom. Read a banned book." The shirt then goes on to list ten books that were currently banned somewhere in these United States. Here are a few examples: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, The Call of the Wild by Jack London, and Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. (For more information, see banned books online, and other sources.)

1. Have you ever knowingly read a banned book?
2. Have you read any of the books I listed above?
3. Knowing that the above books have been banned, would you read them now? Why?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> I bought a sweatshirt for my husband some years ago that says, "Celebrate freedom. Read a banned book." The shirt then goes on to list ten books that were currently banned somewhere in these United States. Here are a few examples: <em>The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn</em> by Mark Twain, <em>The Catcher in the Rye </em>by J. D. Salinger, <em>The Grapes of Wrath </em>by John Steinbeck, <em>The Call of the Wild </em>by Jack London, and <em>Gone With the Wind </em>by Margaret Mitchell. (For more information, see <a href="http://digital.library.upenn.edu/books/banned-books.html">banned books online</a>, and other sources.) <ol> <li><em>Have you ever knowingly read a banned book?</em> Reply here</li> <li><em>Have you read any of the books I listed above?</em> Reply here</li> <li><em>Knowing that the above books have been banned, would you read them now? Why?</em> Reply here</li> </ol>

Children's books

With J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince making its sensational debut last weekend I started thinking about children's books. There have been a lot of wonderful ones over the years, The Cat in the Hat, Where the Wild Things Are, Bambi, the Mother Westwind stories, the Chronicles of Narnia, the Chronicles of Prydain, Nancy Drew, and on and on.

1. As an adult, do you own children's books?
2. If you do, do you still read them even when there are no children around?
3. What were your favorites as a child? Now?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> With J.K. Rowling's <em>Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince </em>making its sensational debut last weekend I started thinking about children's books. There have been a lot of wonderful ones over the years, The Cat in the Hat, Where the Wild Things Are, Bambi, the Mother Westwind stories, the Chronicles of Narnia, the Chronicles of Prydain, Nancy Drew, and on and on. <ol> <li><em>As an adult, do you own children's books? </em>Reply here </li> <li><em>If you do, do you still read them even when there are no children around? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>What were your favorites as a child? Now? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

Come again?

Most stories are about people. Some authors are better with descriptions of places or things or weaving a tale than they are with character development. Some authors make the characters really come alive, seem like flesh and blood individuals with wills of their own, not merely the creation of someone's imagination.

1. What author that you remember having read does the best character development?
2. What book/series do you think is that author's shining work with regards to character development?
3. What was (were) your favorite character(s) in that book or series?
4. Do you ever find yourself really liking a character in a book that you're certain you would never be friends with in real life?
5. Do you ever re-read a book to visit a character because you miss him/her?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> Most stories are about people. Some authors are better with descriptions of places or things or weaving a tale than they are with character development. Some authors make the characters really come alive, seem like flesh and blood individuals with wills of their own, not merely the creation of someone's imagination. <ol> <li><em>What author that you remember having read does the best character development? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>What book/series do you think is that author's shining work with regards to character development? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>What was (were) your favorite character(s) in that book or series? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Do you ever find yourself really liking a character in a book that you're certain you would never be friends with in real life? </em>Reply here</li> <li><em>Do you ever re-read a book to visit a character because you miss him/her? </em>Reply here</li> </ol>

Coffee table books

My own personal definition of a coffee table book is a book that is large, over-sized, has lots of pictures, is about a specific theme (e.g., Georgia O'Keeffe's 100 Flowers, steeple chasing, Disney Animation, the Golden Gate Bridge, etc.) and generally speaking not something that most people would sit down and read in an afternoon. Coffee table books are often displayed singly or in piles for the benefit of guests to peruse, to stimulate conversation, because they look good, or whatever.

1. Do you have any coffee table books?
2. Do you have one or two, or would you say you have a collection of them?
3. Do you keep them on your coffee table? If not, where?
4. What are they about?
5. Have you read them? All of them? None? Why?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p> My own personal definition of a coffee table book is a book that is large, over-sized, has lots of pictures, is about a specific theme (e.g., Georgia O'Keeffe's 100 Flowers, steeple chasing, Disney Animation, the Golden Gate Bridge, etc.) and generally speaking not something that most people would sit down and read in an afternoon. Coffee table books are often displayed singly or in piles for the benefit of guests to peruse, to stimulate conversation, because they look good, or whatever. <ol> <li>Do you have any coffee table books? </li> <li>Do you have one or two, or would you say you have a collection of them? </li> <li>Do you keep them on your coffee table? If not, where? </li> <li>What are they about? </li> <li>Have you read them? All of them? None? Why? </li> </ol>

Detective qualities

Most people I know enjoy some sort of mystery stories. My mother-in-law loved police and courtroom procedurals. My mother likes detective fiction. There are also murder mysteries, general mysteries, and hard-boiled detective stories, with protagonists such as Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade, Amelia Peabody, Kinsey Millhone, Mamur Zapt, and Perry Mason to name a few.

1. Do you enjoy reading mysteries?
2. What's your favorite kind of mystery?
3. Do you like plenty of blood and guts, or do you prefer the details to be left to the reader's imagination?
4. Do you prefer mystery stories based in the author's time or in previous centuries?
5. Do you prefer mysteries based in your own country, or in distant lands?
6. Do you like to figure out the solution, or do you allow yourself to be carried away with the story?

If you want, highlight the stuff in the box, then copy it to your blog.

<a href="http://bookingthroughthursday.blogspot.com">Booking Through Thursday</a> <p>Most people I know enjoy some sort of mystery stories. My mother-in-law loved police and courtroom procedurals. My mother likes detective fiction. There are also murder mysteries, general mysteries, and hard-boiled detective stories, with protagonists such as Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade, Amelia Peabody, Kinsey Millhone, Mamur Zapt, and Perry Mason to name a few.</p> <ol> <li><em>Do you enjoy reading mysteries?</em> Answer</li> <li><em>What's your favorite kind of mystery?</em> Answer</li> <li><em>Do you like plenty of blood and guts, or do you prefer the details to be left to the reader's imagination? </em>Answer</li> <li><em>Do you prefer mystery stories based in the author's time or in previous centuries? </em>Answer</li> <li><em>Do you prefer mysteries based in your own country, or in distant lands? </em>Answer</li> <li><em>Do you like to figure out the solution, or do you allow yourself to be carried away with the story? </em>Answer</li> </ol>

Series

Probably most books stand on their own. But a lot of them are part of a series. J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings trilogy comes immediately to mind, as well as Stephen R. Donaldson's Gap series, Elizabeth Peters Amelia Peabody series, and lots more.

1. Do you read books that are part of a series?
2. Do you collect all the books in the series before starting?
3. What if the series is brand new, and the only book that's been published so far is Book 1?
4. As subsequent books in the series are published, do you go back and re-read the preceding books?

How many?

Some people are like my uncle, and they read four or five books a week, every week. Some are like my father, and read four or five books in a year.

1. How many books do you read in a week? Month? Year?
2. What's the best book or series of books you've read so far this year?
3. What's the worst book you read this year? Did you finish it?

Format

Some people, like my mother, only read paperback books. Others prefer hard cover books. Some read hard cover books because they come out first, but prefer paperbacks otherwise. And you?

1. Do you prefer to read hard cover or paperback books?
2. Why?
3. Do you read books in the other format anyway?

Buy, borrow, trade

Some people like to be surrounded by books, and keep everything they've ever read. Others don't like the clutter, and keep them long enough to read them. Most people seem to be somewhere in the middle...

1. Do you buy the books you read, or do you borrow them from the library or from friends or from somewhere else?
2. Do you prefer new or used books?
3. If you buy them, do you keep them?
4. If you don't keep them, how long do you hold on to them before letting them go? What do you do with them?

A numbers game

Some people read one book at a time. Some people have a number of them on the go at any given time, perhaps a reading in bed book, a breakfast table book, a bathroom book, and so on, which leads me to...

1. Are you currently reading more than one book?
2. If so, how many books are you currently reading?
3. Is this normal for you?
4. Where do you keep your current reads?

An introduction to genres

I thought for this first question I'd start with something fairly basic...

I once knew a man who read about WWII. He read everything he could get his hands on on the subject. He had a whole wall of books that were all about WWII. It amazed me. How could he continue to find one subject that engrossing? My mother, on the other hand, loves to read best sellers. I've known other people who read science fiction to the exclusion of everything else; for others it was philosophy, self-help, or history.

So, to the questions...

1. What kind of books do you like to read?
2. Why? Provide specific examples.

I moved my response to this question to my regular blog. If you want to see it, it's here.

Suggestions?

Have a suggestion for questions I might include here? Add a comment to this post, and I'll consider your suggestion. I'll give credit by providing a link to the blog of anyone suggesting something that I use.

The birth of a new meme?

Well, that's my intention, anyway. Only time will tell if this is a good idea or a horrid one. I am admittedly quite new to blogging and memes. I am, however, a life-time reader of the voracious sort, and have been poking around in search of a weekly book meme. And I haven't found one. So, here I am, ready to give it a whirl.

If this proves to be a popular idea, I will consider adding some sort of an email list so that people will know when I post the week's meme.

Meme questions will be about books, authors, reading preferences, that sort of thing. If you want to participate, please jump on in.

Questions will be released on Thursday mornings. The exact time will vary.