General Book Tag

I saw this tag on Lauren Read YA (here). Although I cannot find out who originally started the tag, I’ve seen it in different variances (thus the general name—no pun intended). As always, I was not tagged and I’m not tagging someone in particular, but feel free to do it yourself!

What is your favorite book?

My favorite book changes practically monthly with my newest obsession. But of all time, I might choose something like Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare (it’s a play, but it’s published in book form so it totally counts) or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Who is your favorite author?

Shakespeare. You think I’m kidding, but nope. I love that guy! I’m still making my way through his comedies.

What genre do you prefer?

Mystery. Not thriller, mind you, but those books that make you think. It could be a straight-up murder mystery, or it could be just something mysterious—like philosophy.

What is your favorite book series?

I don’t read a lot of book series, but I’ll have to say the Molly Murphy series by Rhys Bowen. It’s a cozy historical mystery series.

What books did you hate reading in school?

I loved the books I read in school! But I will say at the time I wasn’t fond of The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. I could appreciate it from a literary perspective, but because it’s written in the language of the fisherman, it is rift with improper grammar and weird wording.

What is the first book you remember reading as a child?

I read a lot of books as a child, so it’s hard to remember the first one, but one of the first was Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson.

Bookstores or libraries?

Libraries. Because they are free and you can get as many books as you want!

How many books do you own?

Um…give me a second (*goes to bookshelf and counts each one). 291 actual books and about 50+ books on Kindle.

Do you read before bed?

Almost every night!

What is your most comfortable reading position?

It changes. That is to say, when I’m reading I like to change positions every twenty minutes or so. I’ll be pacing sometimes, or sitting cross-legged on the floor, or curled up in bed. I just hate to be stuff in one position for too long.

What is the most recent book you read?

The Merry Spinster: Tales of Everyday Horror by Mallory Ortberg.

What quote from any book will you never forget? Why is it significant?

“Et tu, Brutus?” (translation: “You too, Brutus”) from Julius Caesar by Shakespeare. I use this phrase a lot in my real life. For context, Brutus has just betrayed Caesar, who is about to die. It’s short and memorable, and I never forget it. Plus, it’s Latin, so you say it and everyone is like, “What?”

Science Fiction or Fantasy?

I don’t read either much, but I occasionally enjoy Fantasy.

What books do you regret reading?

Double Dating With Death by Karen Kelley. It is one of the worst books I have ever read…I shiver in disgust thinking about it now and I probably read it about six years ago.

How large is your bookshelf?

Far too tiny for the amount of books I own. I have books doubled up and stacked in various other places around my room. I really should invest in a bigger bookshelf, but then my room is probably too small for it to fit.

On average, how many books do you read per year?

Anywhere from 50 in a busy year (when I was school) to 200 or more in a less busy year.

What book can you read hundreds of times and never get tired of?

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I know, it’s cliqued and has simplistic characters, but since I was about thirteen I have loved it! I’ve watched every adaptation I could get my hands on and I’ve probably read the book at least a dozen times, and that is saying a lot because I rarely reread a book.

Do you like to read outside?

Usually no, just because I get paranoid that something is going to happen to my book—like it falls into a mud puddle (this actually happened to one of my books when I was a child). However, I’ll go out on my deck on occasion to read in the summer.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from a book?

You may think you know a lot, but in truth you know very little of what is known in the world. I realize this fact the more and more I read.

Of the past year, what is the greatest book you’ve read?

First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers by Loung Ung and its sequel Lucky Child: A Daughter of Cambodia Reunites with the Sister She Left Behind. I still need to read the third book, but this autobiographic series is so beautiful!

 

If you do the tag, let me know! I’d love to hear your answers!

Best wishes in your life of adventure,

Madame Writer