#BEDM - 26th: Inside and Out Book Tag
I spent some time this weekend following the #BEDM hashtag on Twitter. It's a great way to while away a few minutes. I found this book tag over on Ali's blog, and thought I would join in...you can't beat questions and opinions about books and reading!
So, here goes:
Inside flap/back of the book summaries: too much information or not enough?
For me, the blurb on most books is fine. I will read everything printed on the cover, and anything on the inside flap if available. Of course the praise for the book/author will be positive, otherwise what's the point of printing it? I may not pay much attention to it, but I will read it. I also love dedications and acknowledgements.
New book: What form do you want it in? Be honest - audio book, e-book, paperback of hardcover?
Paperback as a rule, please. Although if it's a big fat book then I'll have it on my Kindle to save my thumbs! I don't tend to keep the books I read, I get them from friends/charity shops/the library and then give them back/pass them on as appropriate, so the relative cheapness of paperbacks is appealing. Kindle books are great, especially when you find a Kindle bargain, but paperbacks still remain my format of choice.
Scribble while you read? Do you like to write in your books, taking notes, making comments, or do you keep your books clean?
The only books I write in are my own copies of text books and recipe books (and books I was studying at school). I don't write in fiction books, I don't turn the corners of pages over and I hate purposefully breaking the spine of a book. It makes me wince!
In your best voice, read for us your favourite first sentence from a book.
"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" - Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen.
Does it matter to you whether the author is male or female when you're deciding on a book? What if you're unsure of the author's gender?
This is something I've never considered! As I've never considered it, I don't think it matters to me.
Ever read ahead? Or have you read the last page before you get there?
Always. I hate surprises. I read about a third of the book before I turn to the end, so I've usually met the main characters and know enough about them for the ending to make some sense. I also regularly skip pages if I feel the plot is dragging somewhat or I want to hurry up and reach a good stopping point before I go to sleep. I like knowing what's going to happen. I do a similar thing with films, I only watch them after I've read an outline online, or someone's told me the ending, as I hate waiting to find things out.
Organised bookshelves or outrageous bookshelves?
Oooohhhh, what's an outrageous bookshelf? Just badly organised? I'm not too fussy, my academic books are all together one one bookcase in one room, and my fiction books and non-PhD related non-fiction books are in the living room (and there's a pile of books on the floor by my bed). I used to organise my books by author's surname, then in the order I wanted to read them (which was pointless, as I never stuck to it) but now they just go where they fit. One day I would love a house big enough for a library (I'm picturing the library the beast gives to Belle in Beauty and the Beast) and that will probably have more organisation, but I'm not too fussy about order right now.
Under oath: Have you ever bought a book based on the cover alone?
No. Words have always meant much more to me than a picture.
Take it outside to read or stay in?
I'll read anywhere...in bed, on the sofa, on a deckchair, on the beach, on a train etc etc etc...although if it's sunny and I have spare time to dedicate solely to reading then I'll read outside.
I quite enjoyed that! Will be interesting to find out what other people thought. And from now on I'm probably going to be looking at whether an author is female or male and then second-guessing myself as to whether I'd have chosen it as the next book to read if it was different!
So, here goes:
Inside flap/back of the book summaries: too much information or not enough?
For me, the blurb on most books is fine. I will read everything printed on the cover, and anything on the inside flap if available. Of course the praise for the book/author will be positive, otherwise what's the point of printing it? I may not pay much attention to it, but I will read it. I also love dedications and acknowledgements.
New book: What form do you want it in? Be honest - audio book, e-book, paperback of hardcover?
Paperback as a rule, please. Although if it's a big fat book then I'll have it on my Kindle to save my thumbs! I don't tend to keep the books I read, I get them from friends/charity shops/the library and then give them back/pass them on as appropriate, so the relative cheapness of paperbacks is appealing. Kindle books are great, especially when you find a Kindle bargain, but paperbacks still remain my format of choice.
Scribble while you read? Do you like to write in your books, taking notes, making comments, or do you keep your books clean?
The only books I write in are my own copies of text books and recipe books (and books I was studying at school). I don't write in fiction books, I don't turn the corners of pages over and I hate purposefully breaking the spine of a book. It makes me wince!
In your best voice, read for us your favourite first sentence from a book.
"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" - Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen.
Does it matter to you whether the author is male or female when you're deciding on a book? What if you're unsure of the author's gender?
This is something I've never considered! As I've never considered it, I don't think it matters to me.
Ever read ahead? Or have you read the last page before you get there?
Always. I hate surprises. I read about a third of the book before I turn to the end, so I've usually met the main characters and know enough about them for the ending to make some sense. I also regularly skip pages if I feel the plot is dragging somewhat or I want to hurry up and reach a good stopping point before I go to sleep. I like knowing what's going to happen. I do a similar thing with films, I only watch them after I've read an outline online, or someone's told me the ending, as I hate waiting to find things out.
Organised bookshelves or outrageous bookshelves?
Oooohhhh, what's an outrageous bookshelf? Just badly organised? I'm not too fussy, my academic books are all together one one bookcase in one room, and my fiction books and non-PhD related non-fiction books are in the living room (and there's a pile of books on the floor by my bed). I used to organise my books by author's surname, then in the order I wanted to read them (which was pointless, as I never stuck to it) but now they just go where they fit. One day I would love a house big enough for a library (I'm picturing the library the beast gives to Belle in Beauty and the Beast) and that will probably have more organisation, but I'm not too fussy about order right now.
Under oath: Have you ever bought a book based on the cover alone?
No. Words have always meant much more to me than a picture.
Take it outside to read or stay in?
I'll read anywhere...in bed, on the sofa, on a deckchair, on the beach, on a train etc etc etc...although if it's sunny and I have spare time to dedicate solely to reading then I'll read outside.
I quite enjoyed that! Will be interesting to find out what other people thought. And from now on I'm probably going to be looking at whether an author is female or male and then second-guessing myself as to whether I'd have chosen it as the next book to read if it was different!
I always thought that I'd never be so shallow as to buy a book based on the cover, but then I realised that my collection of orange-covered Penguin Classics were bought purely because of their lovely looks! I do always want to actually read the book too, though.
ReplyDeleteBooks published like that, with cohesion in the design, are very lovely, and do look great on a shelf. I have often bought a specific version of a book if there were two available in a shop and I preferred one over the other, but like you I did want to read the actual book too!
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