Rita tagged me, and thank god she did, cause I’m running short of blogging ideas. NaPloBoMo is a real challenge!
+++INTRODUCTIONS+++
1. What’s your name?
Christina
2. Do you read a lot?
Pre-Oliver I did, now I read a moderate amount.
3. What’s your favorite genre?
Non-fiction
+++FANTASY AND SCI-FI+++
4. Do you prefer fantasy or science fiction?
Fantasy.
5. What’s your favorite fantasy book/series?
Harry Potter or LOTR, they’re so different, it’s hard to decide which I like better.
6. Who’s your favorite fantasy author?
J.R.R. Tolkien.
7. What’s your favorite science fiction book/series?
I don’t read a lot of sci-fi, but I have read the 2001, 2010, 2061, 3001 series.
8. Favorite sci-fi author?
Given my answer to the previous question, I suppose that would have to be Arthur C. Clarke.
+++MYSTERY, HORROR, AND THRILLERS+++
9. Which do you prefer: a puzzling mystery, or a terrifying thriller?
The mystery for sure.
10. Do you have a favorite mystery novel?
I really like Elizabeth Peter’s Amelia Peabody books. They’re historical and funny, the characters develop from book to book and the quality hasn’t gone down at all like you find in most mystery series.
11. A favorite horror novel?
I used to read a lot of Stephen King and Anne Rice when I was a teenager, but haven’t really since then. When I was a teenager, my favorite book was The Stand (the uncut version).
+++ROMANCE+++
12. Do you read romance novels?
If Jane Austin is romance, then yes. If you mean hunky pirates saving poor damsels in distress, then no.
13. How about gay romance novels?
I don’t think I’ve ever read a gay romance novel, unless you count the homoerotic undertones of the Vampire Chronicles. I have seen a LOT of gay porn. I wouldn’t call 10 cowboys in chaps having a throwdown romantic.
14. What’s your favorite?
Pride and Prejudice (I know, how predictable).
+++CHILDREN’S AND YA+++
15. What’s your favorite children’s book?
Not sure, I read a lot of Dr Seuss to Oliver, I guess my favorite of his books is Hop On Pop.
16. Is it the same book that was your favorite when you were a kid?
No, I think when I was a kid I really liked Shel Silversteins books, and Where the Wild Things Are. I should read them again now that I’m an adult. I also liked the Encyclopedia Brown series. Are they still in print?
17. What’s your favorite YA book?
I like Harry Potter.
18. Did you actually read it as a YA?
Nope. Wasn’t published yet. As a young adult I read Stephen King. I read Christine when I was in the 4th grade. I was a weird kid.
19. In general, do you prefer children’s books over grown-up books?
No, I prefer grown-up books.
+++CLASSICS AND GENERAL FICTION+++
20. What’s your favorite classic novel?
That would be Pride and Prejudice, but since I already answered that for Romance, I’ll add another favorite here, Oliver Twist.
21. What about general fiction?
From more recent stuff, I love Middlesex.
22. What classic novel do you just not *get*?
Really could not get into Crime and Punishment.
23. Do you have a favorite play or drama?
Hamlet.
24. What do you think of Shakespeare?
Good stuff.
+++POETRY+++
25. Could you pick a favorite poem?
No, I don’t think so. There are too many good ones.
26. What about a favorite poetry collection?
Still no, I don’t generally read poetry collections.
27. Who’s your favorite poet?
Ai. Her poems are so raw and graphic. They really evoke an emotional response.
+++COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS+++
28. Do you read comics or graphic novels?
Not really.
29. Do you have a favorite series?
No.
30. A favorite book?
No.
+++SHORT STORIES AND NOVELLAS+++
31. Do you prefer short stories (or short novels) over full-length novels?
Full length novels.
32. What’s your favorite short story?
I don’t know. It’s been so long since I read short stories regularly. The most recent one I read was Brokeback Mountain and I thought the movie was really better. I read a lot of Poe and King when I was younger, but nothing sticks out in my memory as a favorite. Possibly Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King.
33. Favorite short story collection?
I guess Different Seasons.
34. Do you have a favorite short story author?
See #32.
+++NONFICTION+++
35. What kind of nonfiction do you usually read?
History, science, sociology, parenting.
36. Do you have a favorite nonfiction book?
Hard to say.
37. Read any interesting biographies?
I really enjoyed The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin.
38. History books?
I liked 1066: The Hidden History in the Bayeux Tapestry. Warriors of God: Richard the Lionheart and Saladin in the Third Crusade was good too.
39. Politics?
Wouldn’t say I have a favorite, but The United States of Europe was interesting.
40. Religious texts?
Maybe the Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis.
41. How about books on mythology, fairy-tales, or other cultural stories?
I flip through Bulfinch’s Mythology from time to time. I also like the Brothers Grimm and Andersen’s tales.
+++ELEMENTS OF FICTION+++
42. What’s the most important element of a novel? Plot? Characterization? Style? Themes? Happy ending?
Characterization is really important to me and so is plot. I don’t like every story to have a happy ending and style only matters in that it shouldn’t get in the way of telling the story.
43. What kind of plot interests you the most?
Not sure what this is asking.
44. What kind of characters usually appeal to you?
I like characters who feel like they are real. I don’t have to agree with them, but there should at least be something likeable about some of the characters. Books like The Corrections just get on my nerves.
45. What is your favorite book overall?
Pride and Prejudice.
+++PASS IT ON+++
46. What’s the last book you read?
The No Cry Discipline Solution.
47. What are you reading now?
Punished by Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, As, Praise and Other Bribes.
48. What are you going to read next?
The Science of Parenting.
49. Is there a book you would recommend to everyone on your friends list?
I really liked What’s Going on in There? : How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life. It’s a “parenting book,” but really it’s a very interesting book on brain development and how we learn.
50. Tag five people to fill out this meme:
I’m not into tagging people, so just let me know if you do this and I’ll put a link to you on here.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
“44. What kind of characters usually appeal to you?
I like characters who feel like they are real. I don’t have to agree with them, but there should at least be something likeable about some of the characters. Books like The Corrections just get on my nerves.”
– i know what you mean. i’m well into the first 2ß pages — and am already struggling!