A To Z Bookish Survey

A few weeks ago I picked up on a meme that brilliant book blogger Jamie at The Perpetual Page-Turner was running. As always I’m a little late to get my entry in but here we go with my A-Z of reading survey.

A – Author you’ve read most books from

Undoubtedly this is Agatha Christie –I’ve read almost every book of hers and been a big fan for a long time. The only partwork collection I’ve ever completed was a Christie collection which contained around about 75 novels, short story collections and plays. There’s only 4 or 5 that I haven’t got to yet – I’ve even read both volumes of her autobiography.

B – Best sequel ever

I’m not sure that any sequel have ever bowled me over. I enjoy a good series of books, most recently I read the Hunger Games Trilogy in three days and knew that I wouldn’t be able to rest until I had completed the story. Straight sequels – nope, can’t think of any.

C – Currently reading

A Naked Singularity by Sergio de la Pava. I won this in a Goodreads giveaway and it’s probably a book I wouldn’t have picked up. Literally. It’s an 864 page hardback novel. I’m only on about page 100 and intrigued by it rather than loving it yet.

D – Drink of choice while reading

Anything really – mostly soft drinks like Diet Coke or Irn Bru are my favourites. I’m not great at drinking alcohol while reading, the words go all funny.

E – E-reader or physical book

I love the old fashioned printed book and looking at beautiful collections on my bookshelves but increasingly I’m favouring my Kindle. It’s so comfortable and convenient, especially for travelling and reading books over 500 pages long.

F – Fictional character you would probably have dated in high school

I’ll be honest, it’s not something I’ve ever thought about but looking back on books I loved while at secondary school I imagine I would have had a crush on Todd Wilkins of Sweet Valley High but dated the geeky Winston Egbert.

G – Glad you gave this book a chance

A bookclub friend suggested The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, a science fiction classic about the lone survivor of a Jesuit mission to a new world. I’m not a science fiction fan but I thoroughly enjoyed this and would recommend it anyone – hardened sci-fi fan or genre novice.

H – Hidden gem book

I’m not sure if this would count but I think The L-Shaped Room by Lynne Reid Banks has probably been forgotten in the half century since it was published.

I – Important moment in your reading life

There’s two really significant moments – joining my bookclub (The Tome Raiders). Not only did I make some great new friends but my reading really grew since then – I explored different genres and books I wouldn’t normally have chosen. The second moment was setting up this website; I love sharing my views and finding out what others think about the books that we’ve shared.

J – Just finished

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I was showing my mum how to use the Kindle and this was a free download, so obviously I had to take the lesson through to its logical conclusion.

K – Kinds of books you won’t read

I’m not sure there’s any genre I would ever say never about but I don’t read misery porn or the current 50 shades type of soft porn. That’s not to say I wouldn’t in the future but at the moment they hold absolutely no interest for me.

L – Longest book you’ve ever read

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (1488 pages). I read it about 15 or so years ago and I have it on my Kindle for a re-read at some point. I also have War and Peace waiting for me (1440 pages) so that’s 2014’s reading sorted out.

M – Major book hangover because of

I’m not sure what a book hangover is… one you feel sick and headachey after reading?

N – Number of bookcases you own

This is currently in a state of flux. Where we live at the moment there are 10 of varying sizes but we’re moving house and will be fitting a whole room of large (floor to ceiling) bookcases. Hooray.

O – One book you have read multiple times

I could answer with A Christmas Carol or To Kill A Mockingbird, both would be true but the real answer is Jilly Cooper’s Riders.

P – Preferred place to read

Most places but curled up on the sofa or under a warm duvet are probably my favourites.

Q – Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read

“It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.” Diary of a Young Girl – Anne Frank.

R – Reading regret

I don’t really have regrets when it comes to reading but probably the issue that I alternate between regret and guilt with is giving up on books I’m hating. I regret spending time on something I hate when I should be enjoying myself but I also feel very guilty when I give up on a book. Why yes, I am Catholic….

S – Series you started and need to finish (all books are out in the series)

I probably should read the final Twilight book but Bella is just so weepy and annoying. Hey teenage girls – don’t throw yourself off cliffs because a teenage boy is aloof and definitely don’t set out to die to impress that aloof boy no matter how sparkly he is. On a more positive note and I know not all books are out yet but I read A Game of Thrones recently and really want to continue with the series.

T – Three of your all time favourite books

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee and from childhood Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.

U – Unapologetic fangirl for

The Book Thief – more than any other book this is one which I tell everyone that they have to read. The story of Germany during World War Two looks at perpetrators, bystanders and rescuers during the Holocaust but also is a beautiful love letter to the power of words.

V – Very excited for this release more than all the others

I tend not to read books when they are released, I catch up with the novel of the day about three years after it has been published so I can’t really answer this question. Sorry.

W – Worst bookish habit

Oh this is easy, buying books then not reading them for years – letting my TBR pile just grow and grow. I currently have 172 unread books, some of which must have been on the pile at least six or seven years.

X – X marks the spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book

Oops, all of my physical books are packed in boxes ready for the big move. The 27th book on my Kindle is The Underwater Photographer by Martin Edge. My husband is a PADI scuba diving instructor, photography and wreck photography instructor. I take snaps.

Y – Your latest book purchase

Not a purchase but free download was the aforementioned The Great Gatsby.

Z – Zzz-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late)

I like my sleep A LOT so am usually quite disciplined at going to sleep. The last book I remember still being up at two in the morning and being told to turn out the light was Me Before You by JoJo Moyes. I went to sleep with 20 pages left, I was annoyed but apparently the light had to go out….

I loved this survey and I’m really enjoying reading everyone’s – if you’ve done your own let me know.