50 Bookish Questions

I am trying to get in as many book-related posts as I can over my two-week Christmas break. I found this one on Thrice Reads‘ blog. (I adapted just a little though.)

50 Bookish Questions

1. What was the last book you read?

   Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson.

2. Was it a good one?

   Very good!

3. What made it good?

   I loved that it was about her life, her personal experiences as a young girl growing up during the Civil Rights Movement. Very powerful and thought-provoking.

4. Would you recommend it to other people?

   Definitely. I would recommend it to everyone because it is a book that makes you think about inequality, injustice, and fighting for what you believe in.

5. How often do you read?

   At least every evening before bed.

6. Do you like to read?

   Of course I do! Silly question….

7. What was the last bad book you read?

   Hmm…I really don’t like saying a book is bad. However, I read Four by Veronica Roth and I just thought it was written in a hurry to make money and please her fans. I was not pleased.

8. What made you dislike it?

   It had good intentions-it was Four’s side to the Divergent story. However, it was jumpy, didn’t give enough context and assumed you remembered everything from the books, and I didn’t feel like I needed to understand him. I gathered enough from the other books. I would have prefered reading a sidestory about Peter or Tris’ mother.

9. Do you wish to be a writer?

   Nope.

10. Has any book ever influenced you greatly?

    Pretty much every book I read. Most historical fiction books influence me about the past and how we need to both protect our history and learn from it. Dystopian influences me in how to be strong and true to yourself. I believe that all books have a message to learn from.

11. Do you read fanfiction?

    Not really. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child would have been the closest to fanfiction.

12. Do you write fanfiction?

    Nope.

13. What’s your favorite stand-alone book?

    Counting By 7’s by Holly Goldberg Sloan.

14. What’s your least favorite book?

    Again, Four by Veronica Roth.

15. Do you prefer physical books or read on a device?

    It really depends on the situation and my mood. For convenience, I love reading on my Kindle. I can get library books on it and read at any time in any position. I don’t have to hold up a book…yes, I can be that lazy. It’s also portable and can hold so many books, so I know I always have something to read. However, a good physical book is always nice once in awhile, they just take me longer to read. (I usually read at night with my Kindle.)

16. When did you learn to read?

    I’m not sure! However, I’ve been reading since I can remember.

17. What is your favorite book you had to read in school?

    I’m going to go with a Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. I read it in college and it was the first classic I really fell in love with.

18. What is your favorite series?

    Harry Potter of course. Another series would be the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott.

19. Who is your favorite author?

    JK Rowling.

20. What is your favorite genre?

    Science Fiction-Dystopian.

21. Who is your favorite character in a book series?

    Neville Longbottom because of his growth throughout the Harry Potter series.

22. Has a book ever transported you somewhere else?

    Every. Single. Time.

23. Which book do you wish had a sequal?

    The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. I just had so many questions after it was finished.

24. Which book do you wish DIDN’T have a sequal?

    Insurgent in the Divergent series-sorry to complain about this series again, but I didn’t like Allegiant and how it ended, so I wish it had all stopped at Insurgent (with some minor changes to make it end completely.)

25. How long does it take you to read a book?

    It depends on the time I have and the book. Sometimes I only have about 10-15 minutes a night to read, so it can take awhile. However, if I have a lot of time and it is a good book, I can finish pretty quickly. I remember reading the newer Harry Potter books in a day when they were released.

26. Do you like when books become movies?

    I do. I think it is a great way to get the word out about a book, even if the movies are different. I try to keep them separate in my mind when I watch them so I don’t get upset.

27. Which book was ruined by its movie adaptation?

    I am not sure a book can be ruined by the movie, at least not for me. However, if there is a movie that did not do justice to the book it would be The Giver. That movie was awful and would not promote the book at all.

28. Which movie has done a book justice?

    I think the Harry Potter movies have really kept the love of Harry Potter alive. They were nicely done and very entertaining.

29. Do you read newspapers?

    Not really. I do read news on my phone though.

30. Do you read magazines?

    No.

31. Do you prefer newspapers or magazines?

    I prefer to read the news.

32. Do you read while in bed?

    Yes! It’s pretty much the only time I have to read where it’s quiet and uninterrupted. Although, I tend to doze off and forget what was going on.

33. Do you read while in the car?

    Yes. I always read in the car when my husband is driving. I also like listening to audiobooks while I am driving, but now I have a little one who dictates what we listen to.

34. Where’s the strangest place you’ve read a book?

    During a monster truck show or at a car show.

35. Are you a fast reader or slow reader?

    I am a fairly fast reader. However, I don’t read often so it can take awhile to finish a book.

36. Where is your favorite place to read?

    Outside.

37. Is it hard to concentrate while you read?

    It’s getting more difficult as I get older. I used to be able to read and block out all distractions, however now I read best when there isn’t anything else going on.

38. Do you need a room to be silent while you read?

    Yes.

39. Who gave you your love for reading?

    My grandma (Mee-mee). I used to spend every summer with her and she took my brother and me to the library all the time. I would cart home a huge stack of books. I remember her getting huge stacks of books too and reading all the time while laying on the couch. She was always reading and I think that is why I developed an obsession as well. I also remember her reading to me.

40. What book is next on your list to read?

    Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

41. When did you start to read chapter books?

    I am not sure. I recently found an old book of mine (American Girl) that I got when I was 9 and was a chapter book.

42. Who is your favorite children’s author?

    JK Rowling.

43. Which author would you most want to interview?

    Lois Lowry. She has so many amazing books, I would love to talk with her about where she gets her ideas.

44. Which author do you think you’d be friends with?

    I think JK Rowling and I could be friends! She seems snarky like myself. I love her humor and creativity. I might be a tad intimidated by her though.

45. What book have you reread the most?

    Harry Potter-I don’t know how many times I’ve reread it. I pick it up every few years.

46. Which books do you consider “classics”?

    Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, and one day Harry Potter. Classics are books that never seem to go away. New generations just pick them up and their popularity continues.

47. Which books do you think should be taught in every school?

    Wonder by RJ Palacio. Such a wonderful book to teach kindness.

48. Which books should be banned from all schools?

    None. Freedom of choice. I would add that school libraries should match the age ranges of the students.

49. How do you choose your next book?

    I get a lot of ideas from my Instagram, Goodreads, and friends. Usually, whatever comes available on a holds list first or what I grab first is where I start. I don’t really have a method of choosing because I have so many books I want to read.

50. What book so you recommend for someone struggling with reading?

    Harry Potter of course. The humor in the writing, the vivid description and details, the suspenseful plot, and the characters will draw anyone in. In m experience, a struggling reader needs a good series, and this is the best one.

I challenge you to this 50 question post! Tag me in it and comment so I can read it!