A-Z of Books survey

October 3, 2013 by chestnutbookblog 3 Comments

Lovely, a survey! Just the thing for a gloomy Thursday evening! I saw this on Katie’s blog and thought I’d add my version to cyberspace! Thank you to Jamie who invented it, introducing me to her blog at the same time.

Author you’ve read the most books by:

Hmmm as an adult, probably Margaret Atwood, but realistically Enid Blyton in my childhood probably trumps everything else.

Best sequel ever:

That is a difficult one! Maybe one of the Harry Potters or Lord of the Rings sequels I think. Fantasy does good sequels in my opinion!

Currently reading:

Parade’s End by Ford Madox Ford. I watched the television adaption last year and it inspired me to read the book. I’m really enjoying it at the moment and will review it for you when I’ve finished.

Drink of choice while reading:

It has to be English Breakfast tea. Ideally Yorkshire Gold.

E-Reader or physical book?

Absolutely no contest – physical book every time.

Fictional character you probably would have dated in school:

I was horribly in love with Mr Darcy aged 14. Swoon! I probably still am a little bit!

Glad you gave this book a chance:

My animals and other family by Claire Balding. I’m not a horsey person after a childhood surrounded by horse bores and bad memories of Black Beauty, so I had my misgivings about reading this. However, I really enjoyed getting to know Claire and her animals better.

Hidden gem book?

I think I’ll choose Katherine by Anya Seaton. I just love it. I know it is loved by lots of other people as well, but it doesn’t often get a mention so there you go!

Important moment in your reading life?

Reading Jane Eyre for the first time around the age of ten or eleven. It was the first classic I had read and it opened my eyes (and still does when I re-read it!).

Just finished:

A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel – review coming!

Kinds of books you won’t read:

Erotica – I wouldn’t be seen dead reading Fifty Shades of Grey or anything of that ilk. Life is too short and there are too many good books to read for me to waste time on badly written trash to be honest.

Longest book you’ve read:

I’m not really someone who counts pages of books or pays much attention to it, but I have read War and Peace so probably that.  A Suitable Boy is next on my hitlist and I heard that was the longest book in the English language, so we shall see.

Major book hangover because of:

The Shining by Steven King – I just had to finish it! 2am, 3am, 4am! And scaring myself silly as well!

Number of bookcases you own:

Three – I need more desperately.

One book you have read multiple times:

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. One of my favourites. I re-read my favourites all the time though so this is a bit of an arbitrary choice. As I have mentioned before, I have certain books I return to in a particular season. For example, a re-read of the His Dark Materials series is creeping up!

Preferred place to read:

Curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea and lots of candles on. I’m quite partial to reading in bed as well though.

Quote that inspires you from a book you have read:

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte

This is one of my favourite quotes from any book, so much so that I have it engraved on one of my bracelets. It reminds me that I always have choices, and that that is fortunate and I should exercise it wisely.

Reading regret:

I have still not started Middlemarch! It is gathering dust on my bedside table but I am determined to tackle it soon!

Series you have started but need to finish (All the series is out):

I’m not completely sure where the Game of Thrones series is now, but there are many more out than I have read so I need to get back into that at some point as I’d like to know what happens to Arya and Tyrion in particular.

Three of your all-time favourite books:

No, don’t make me choose!! I’m not sure I can get it to three, but here are my top five; Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale; Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights; Ian McEwan’s Atonement; Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca and Susan Hill’s Howard’s End is on the Landing. I suspect Parade’s End will be quite high up in my favourites by the time I finish it as well.

Unapologetic fangirl for:

Hilary Mantel. I absolutely love her. Funny, sharp as a razor, clever and kind.

Very excited for this release more than all the others:

I’m actually most looking forward to several books being released in paperback this winter, rather than new releases. I only like to buy hardbacks when I know I will adore them forever so I wait for paperbacks in the main. For example, I’m waiting for Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie impatiently!

Worst bookish habit:

Folding the corners down on passages I like. Naughty!

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

Junk by Melvyn Burgess. I’ve not read it for many years, but I remember being very moved by this take on drug addiction and chaotic lives.

Your latest book purchase:

I’ve just ordered two new books. I’m the King of the Castle by Susan Hill and The Novel Cure: An A – Z of Literary Remedies. I’m excited about them arriving and I’ll let you know what I think.

Zzz snatcher book (the book that kept you up way too late):

Too many to mention I think, but just recently it has been Parade’s End.

That completes this survey. I hope you have found it interesting! It took me much longer than I thought to complete it, but I enjoyed doing it!