- Author you’ve read the most books from: Ever? It would probably be a pretty even split between Stephen King and Dean Koontz, although I haven’t read either of them this year at all. Or in childhood it would be Enid Blyton – no doubt about it.
- Best Sequel Ever: I don’t really read a lot of books in series so was going to pass on this one, but John Marsdens Young Adult series which starts with “Tomorrow when the War Began” is a great series of books for action and adventure – all 7 books in the series are worth a read.
- Currently Reading: Jorge Carrion “Bookshops”, George Orwell “Coming up for Air” and Margaret Atwood “On Writers and Writing”
- Drink of Choice While Reading: Coffee, or a nice fruity red wine.
- E-reader or Physical Book: Physical book every time, even when travelling. Buy a real book and keep the book shops viable…PLEASE!
- Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School: Knowing my luck it would probably be Stephen King’s “Carrie”.
- Glad You Gave This Book A Chance: “Tuesdays with Morrie” – Mitch Albom. – a random book choice from a second hand store and not something I would usually read. Glad I did.
- Hidden Gem Book: One recommended to me by the owner of Loco Coffee and Books – shop in Featherston NZ – John Baxter’s “A Pound of Paper”. It’s an autobiographical account of how Baxter first got into writing, book dealing and book collecting – his life and loves from his childhood in Australia to working in the UK, USA and finally settling in Paris, France. It combines so many of my own interests I found it hard to put down. He is a very easy writer to read.
- Important Moment in your Reading Life: As a child, being introduced to Enid Blyton books for the first time, by a couple of friends. I’ve been an avid reader ever since.
- Just Finished: John Baxter’s – “The most beautiful walk in the world”. About walking around Paris following the steps of “Literary Giants” of the past. Paris is, and always has been, a hive of literary creativity.
- Kinds of Books You Won’t Read: Romance in general, Historical Romance in particular.
- Longest Book You’ve Read: Not sure… Stephen King’s – Beneath the Dome was long-ish. A non-fiction work probably was longer…”Livestock and complete Stock Doctor, A Cyclopedia” – was pretty heavy going and took several attempts to get through. Given to me by my wife’s grandfather and well over a hundred years old.
- Major book hangover: If this means it gave me a headache? Dean Koontz’s “Dark Rivers of the Heart” totally exhausted me by the end. A good book, but emotionally and physically draining I found.
- Number of Bookcases You Own: 7, Plus several T chests and boxes in my shed full of books. (I need more book cases let’s face it…)
- One Book You Have Read Multiple Times: I’m constantly flicking through the Shakespeare and Company book mentioned below in question 20.
- Preferred Place To Read: Usually the couch….or in bed. But if its for research, in my “Lazy-boy” chair in my office.
- Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read: “Forever is composed of Nows”. (Sylvia Whitman).
- Reading Regret: Reading Stephen King’s “Insomnia” – (it cured mine). Zzzzzz
- Series You Started And Need To Finish (all books are out in series): A 3 Volume set of the works of Byron – “Finden’s Illustrations to Lord Byron’s Life and Works”.
- Three of your All-Time Favorite Books: “A Pound of Paper” – John Baxter, “Notes from a Small Island” – Bill Bryson, and a book about George Whitman’s Shakespeare & Company bookshop in Paris called “Shakespeare and Company – a History of the Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart”. – a lovely book of words and photos about the life and times of an amazing book shop and the eccentric man who made it all happen.
- Unapologetic Fan-girl/boy For: John Baxter’s literary/travelogue books especially about his life in Paris.
- Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others: The next John Baxter book.
- Worst Bookish Habit: Buying more books than I can possibly read.
- X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book: Jefferson Parker – “The Blue Hour” – haven’t read it yet.
- Your latest book purchase: “Passages” by Linda Trubridge – a local writer. (Bought yesterday at a book signing).
- ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late): Leonard Pitt’s – “My Brain on Fire”. It’s about Pitt’s early life – visiting Paris as a wanna-be writer – life and loves…..successes and disasters. Just had to get it finished.
- Favourite Genre: I have a few…Travelogues or books about writers and writing would probably be my most favourite.
- Most over-rated writer (in your opinion): For me it would be a toss up between Hemingway and Kerouac – two writers who’s style of writing annoy the crap out of me.
- Favourite “Classic” read: Probably Jules Verne – Around the world in Eighty Days – as I love books about travel and adventure.
- Favourite bookshop visited, so far: Shakespeare & Company, Paris – a magical place in an awesome setting on the bank of the Seine.
My favorite classic is Wuthering Heights and in my opinion the most overrated author would have to be Nicholas Sparks.
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Nicholas Sparks? Interesting choice. I haven’t read any of his yet….maybe I should put him on the don’t bother list?
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Yeah I wouldn’t mess with him.
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