20 Questions Book Tag

    Once again, I must apologise for this Slight Delay—I’m trying to get back into the rhythm of posting every week consistently, but, well—anything worthwhile takes work! (Even if it’s scribbling away in the most unholy hours of the night after the demands of Real Life have released me from their hold.)

    Ahem. Anyhow. Today I’m stealing borrowing a tag from Lizzie over at Starlight and Saucepans—more precisely, the 20 Questions Book Tag. 

Judging from the questions posted, this will have a good deal to do with what’s your favourite book and what’s your favourite this and that—which is… lovely, I suppose, except for Bookish People like myself it’s almost impossible to answer. So I’m going to do my best here, but We Shall See…

1. How Many Books Is Too Many in a Series?

    Erm. See, I tend to be Very Particular about this sort of thing. Because it depends on the story, on the kind of writing, as well as how likable the characters are. To me trilogies are the perfect length, but if it’s a fantastic story like Lewis’ Narnia then upwards of five is alright. So really it depends!

2. How Do You Feel About Cliffhangers?

    Yes, please! (If you’ve read any of my stories you’ll know that I love torturing my poor readers… heh)

3. Hardback or Paperback?

    Hardback! (Paperback is fine and cheaper and all that, but hardcover books, especially classics, are just so beautiful.)

4. Favorite Book?

    Ah, here we go… This cannot be answered. There are so many amazing and fantabulous and wonderful books. Buuuut if you were to threaten me on pain of death, I’d probably say either The Lord of the Rings, Till We Have Faces, or Jane Eyre. (Yes, that’s three, but come on, this is hard!)

5. Least Favorite Book?

    Um. I don’t know? I don’t tend to read things I dislike, to be completely frank. But—oh, yes, there was this awful book I had to read in fifth grade (goodness, that was a long time ago) and I think it was called The Great Horn Spoon or something like that? I can’t remember exactly, but it was extremely cliche, about some ignorant lad in the gold rush who tries to make his fortune and then looses it because of his lackluster butler. (I am in no shape or form recommending this book. Please refrain from doing so. It is not worth your time.)

6. Love Triangles? Yes or No?

    Yeah. Sure. Whatever. Just as long as it’s not cliche. 

7. The Most Recent Book You Couldn’t Finish?

    I… don’t know. Like I said earlier, I don’t really tend to read books I know I’ll dislike, and it’s been so long since I DNF’d a book I legitimately can’t remember. 

8. A Book You’re Currently Reading?

    Walking on Water by Madeline L’Engle.

9. The Last Book You Recommended to Someone?

    The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie, to a friend looking for an excellent mystery story. It’s really a fun and intriguing read!

This is Agatha Christie, in case you were wondering…

10. Oldest Book You’ve Read by Publication Date?

    If by oldest this means earliest written, then aside from the Scriptures, probably The Odyssey and The Iliad followed by The Aeneid and Beowulf. (A random side-note, but if you’ve never heard Beowulf in its original tongue, it’s quite something.)

11. Newest Book You’ve Read by Publication Date?

    Ehm. I must be honest, now—I can’t remember. I don’t exactly pay attention to publication dates. (Probably should?) But even though technically this hasn’t been published, I read a friend’s completed manuscript (which was quite excellent, by the way!)

12. Favorite author?

    Please, do not torture me thus!! 

    …Fine. Lewis, Austen, and Tolkien. Since you made me.

14. A Book You Dislike that Everyone Else Seems to Love?

    The Elsie Dinsmore Series, indubitably. Granted, I read the original versions and not the Life of Faith revisions, but guys, these books had Issues. They absolutely did not accurately demonstrate the life of a young Christian girl. I haven’t read the revisions, but do yourself a favour and do your research before reading them.

15. Bookmarks or Dogears?

    Bookmarks. Because dogears are Morally Wrong.

16. A Book You Can Always Re-read?

    Hmm, a comfort book! I love that. Let’s see… well obviously The Lord of the Rings, but also (maybe even more, if I dare say so) The Hobbit. It’s just so comforting and warm-fuzzies-by-the-fireplace kind of atmosphere. And hey, it’s Tolkien. ;)

Bilbo’s such a dear lad!

17. Can You Read While Listening to Music?

    See, I’m a musician. Any type of music will be distracting to me, because I tend to do this thing where I’ll be peacefully reading, and then Tchaik 6 will come on and I’ll be like, oh, that was my excerpt for this audition, and wait, that’s a deceptive cadence and just in general I can’t concentrate on two things I love at once. Because both of them must get equal attention. (And also I have perfect pitch and it can be incredibly distracting.)

    (The only exception would be this very specific lovely jazz piano playlist that we play in the evenings occasionally.)

18. One or Multiple Points of View?

    It really depends, but I tend to prefer one (unless the multiple are well-written!)

19. Do You Read a Book in One Sitting or Over Multiple Days?

    Well, I technically prefer over multiple days, because it’s so much nicer to stew in it for a while, but I tend to get sucked in Rather Frequently. Not my fault, okay? Books are just so good…

20. A Book You’ve Read Because of the Cover?

    Last question! Okay, so truth be told, I haven’t really done this. I do love collecting classics with beautiful covers, but what tends to suck me in is the story, not the cover. 

Alright, that’s it! Thanks for the tag, Lizzie, and whoever else so desires, please feel free to participate!

Soli Deo Gloria, 

Astrya