Tag: book questions

What’s one book that you wish you could read again for the first time?

Posted on by Shawshank

I’ve always said that you can only read a book for the first time. You can only be surprised by a twist or a cliff hanger once.

Which book do you wish you could read again for the first time?

For me, it’s A Storm of Swords by George RR Martin. Yes, that one. For those in the know, they know what I’m talking about. Crystal does for sure.

This is the one book that I’ve thrown across the room once I hit that certain chapter. Do you know which one I’m talking about?

The North Remembers.

Yeah, I’m talking about The Red Wedding. Martins writing in that chapter is flawless. He navigates with expertise, I didn’t know what was happening until it was over. Cue throwing the book, and just rushing to get it, and rereading the chapter over again.

I wish I could read it again for the first time.

Why do you read?

Posted on by Shawshank

I read for a number of reasons. Before, I didn’t have anything else to do. So I read to pass the time. I hoarded books under my bed. I think before I left, I had about 20 books in my “TBR” or to be read pile. Some of them looked promising, others were junk that I could blow through in an afternoon.

My favourite ones that I’d already read, were on display, against the rules on my desk. The Twilight series, and the books that Crystal had sent me. They were, and still are comfort books for me. I may not reread them often now, but I’ll still pick up and flip through House of Leaves. In its pages are treasures. Seriously, there’s metaphorical treasures, and physical ones as well. That’s the book I flip through when I’m really homesick. When I’m on the verge of tears, I’ll pull out that book, and if I squeeze my eyes shut hard enough, I can almost see Crystal doing the same thing, and flipping through the pages.

Sounds kind of stupid, huh?

I read to escape. I’ve been reading now for a hobby since mid February, and now I’m starting to notice that I can picture what’s going on in my minds eye. That surprised me. Before, I’d read and see nothing in my mind. It’s slowly coming back to me, that makes me excited to keep reading.

I read to laugh, to cry, to be transported some place different. To meet and interact with characters much better than me. I can dive into a book, and not be myself for a little while. I can be a hero, a side character, or just be invisible to watch how things unfold.

To me a book can be way better than a movie or a TV show. So much more detail, more…. humanity I guess. I mostly buy books that their cover catches my eye. Then the back of the book

Will this book take me away on an adventure? That’s my ultimate goal – to escape for just a few precious minutes. To become someone that’s not me just for a second.

Why do you read?

This or that Tuesday

Posted on by Shawshank

This one is also a fun one, forcing me to choose this or that. Sometimes I can choose, sometimes I can’t. It’s fun to figure out when I can or can’t.

So let’s not wait for it. Let’s get this party started. It’ll be lit, as the kids say these days.

Trilogy or book series of 10+ books?

Why not both? Here’s where I can’t choose. I loved the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and my favourite book series would be the Dresden Files. I’m happy with both. But here’s the real question, what ever happened to just simple stand alone books? Why does every new book have to be part of a series?

Would you want to own a bookstore or have a large personal library?

Is the bookstore a small but cozy store that you can just walk up and down the aisles, or am I like a manager at a Barnes and Noble? If it’s a small but cozy store. I’d be happy to own it. If it’s a manager position at B&N, no thanks it’s like a toy store that carries some books.

What book would you like to see under the tree this year?

I’d be pretty happy with any book under the tree and I’ll probably get one. But there’s no tree here. We’re the only house on this corner of the block with no Christmas lights. It doesn’t even feel like Christmas here. But anyways, back to the question. I’d like to get The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle – Agatha Christie meets Groundhog Day.

Until next time book nerds!

Mondrei (drei is German for 3)

Posted on by Shawshank

Who’s your favourite fictional couple?

Wow, that’s either an easy answer, or a very difficult one. Depending on what you expect me to say. Heh. The easy one would be to say Bella and Edward. Or even Hermione and Ron. But that might be really too easy, amirite? So I’ll have to say Eric and Clio from The Raw Shark Texts. They have a great banter back and forth. You can almost feel the love come off the page.

What’s a book you’d give as a present?

Hmm. This is a hard one. There’s been so many great books that I’ve read this year. I’d have to say that I’d have no problem giving House of Leaves as a gift. Or even Ship of Theseus. My number one would definitely be House of Leaves.

What was your least favourite book you’ve read this year?

Simple! I really really did not like The Goldfinch. Totally unliveable characters, I won’t even mention the mess that the author called “the middle of the book”. I’m pretty sure I didn’t finish it because everyone in the book is a terrible person, and life is too short to waste time on a shitty book.

Until next time, book nerds!

Riddle me this…

Posted on by Shawshank

Ok, I’m new at the whole book blogging thing, but I have a question. And I’ll try not to sound like an ass. But please believe me, I’m asking out of total curiosity, no malice at all.

What’s the draw of reading YA novels?

It seems that like 80% of all book bloggers blog about the newest and greatest YA book. Is it because you don’t like “adult” novels? I don’t understand what’s so great about them. Or do you just read them to fly through your GoodReads reading challenge?

Again, I’m not trying to disparage or insult the books you read, just simply curious.