Sunday, January 19, 2003

 

Hmm, whenever I'm away from the net for a while I start to think that when I come back, it will have changed in some way. Like it will have moved on in my absence, which is, of course, not the case. Which probably explains why I'm ina "stupid internet. why are you soooo boooring" mood. I've read all my dailies, and just can't seem to find anything inspiring. Admittedly I haven't looked that hard, but still, it starts to bring you down.

I did find this little quiz thang at Wanderlost.Org which I thought I'd fill in.

1.) Do you read often? How many books would you say you read in a year? Do you read magazines?

Yes, I read a lot (onr of the benefits of working in a bookshop!) I would guess that, on average, I probably read about 40 books a year, maybe more. I mean, because I've been ill this last week, I've gotten through about 4 books, but normally I'll take about a week to read a book. And I'll have dry-spells, where I just won't feel like reading. I read some magazines, maybe 3 a month, sometimes more, if I'm on a borong lunchbreak.

2.) When you read, what type of books do you read? What type of magazines? What are some of your favorite books or magazines?

I mostly read science fiction: Iain Banks; Neil Gaiman; Jeff Noon; Alastair Reynolds are my current favourites. I'll read the occasional classic, just to kind of stretch myself. I also enjoy some older children's literature, kicked off mainly by Harry Potter and His Dark Materials. Sometimes kid's books explore themes in a way adults books just can't, and it's nice to escape to that world sometimes. I read some straight, popular fiction, and occasionally dabble in biographies too.

3.) If you read, why do you think you read? If you don't, why not?

Well, I've always read, ever since I was little I've loved books, and reading and writing. I don't do so much of the writing these days, but I still love to read. I feel it's an escape, to other worlds and places (especially with the Sci-fi.) I also enjoy learning about new things, seeing things from perspectives I'd never considered before, and experiencing things through books that, for whatever raeson, I can't in real life.

4.) Did you read a lot as a child? What are some of your favorite books from childhood?

Yeah, I read all the time, though I can't remember that many favourites. I loved all the Arthur Ransome books, which were about a group of children who went on sailing holidays, and set their own camp on an island. That appealed to the explorer in me. I also loved the Wizard of Oz books, they were often slightly surreal but always interesting. I can only really remember series of books that I enjoyed, not so much the one offs.

5.) When do you read? Do you read in specific places? (If so, where?)

Well, my work hours dictate that a little, (despite many misconceptions, people who work in bookshops, can't spend all their time reading!) Mostly in bed, either first thing in the morning, if I wake up in time, or late at night. If I'm reading a really good book, I'll make time for it. I can read pretty much anywhere, but If I can choose, either in bed, or in my comfy chair in my room.

6.) Last question: How do you choose books to read?

Well, some of it is based simply on the fact that I know of the author, have read other stuff by them, and know I want to read more. If I'm browsing for books, I'll read the blurb on the back, see what the comments are (if there are any) and who they're from. People say to never choose a book by it's cover, but it's hard when your confronted by a whole shelf-load of books, not to be drawn to anything that looks striking or unusual. Again, my work gives me an advantage in this area, as I can look at the books when they come into the shop, and i'm puttiing them away.

There, that's my reading habits laid bare!

posted by Happy Amnesiac 6:54 PM