Some Book Questions

Instead of this week's Top Ten Tuesday (Authors that Deserve More Recognition; couldn't think of any) I decided to do a book survey thingie....  Enjoy!

1. What was the last book you bought? - A special birthday surprise for J.  I was so excited to find it and be able to use my 50% off coupon.  The guy at the register was really excited, but disappointed that I bought it.  He loves the subject, but really wanted to buy the book himself.  There was only one copy.  I'm really excited to give it to him.
2. Name a book you have read MORE than once. - The Great Gatsby.  It's become a once every other year read.
3. Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it? - The Awakening by Kate Chopin.  Read it sophomore year of high school.  Really opened my eyes to other ideas, issues, and pushed me to take Women's Studies classes in college.  And then I majored in it at IPFW.
4. How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews - Variety of sources.  Lately I've been getting ideas from the various book bloggers that I follow.  I have a huge spreadsheet of recommendations.  I've actually crossed many off; getting them from the library.
5. Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction? Lately it's been lots of fiction, but I'll always have a special reading time for nonfiction, specifically history books.
6. What’s more important in a novel – beautiful writing or a gripping plot? Definitely gripping plot.  No plot, me close book and put away.  Bad writing does bug me, but doesn't necessarily hinder me from finishing a book.
7. Most loved/memorable character (character/book). Let's go with Jay Gatsby.  Such an interesting character.  We observe him from the outside seeing only a bit of him, but we all want to know more.  Such an intriguing character.
8. Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment? Let's see. I'm reading Date with a Devil (Anne Stuart, Cherry Adair, and Muriel Jensen).  I have Steamed (Katie MacAlister) and Dreadfully Ever After (Steven Hockensmith) ready to read next.
9. What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it? Yesterday I finished Really Unusual Bad Boys by MaryJanice Davidson.  Read it in one day (usual reading behavior for less than 300 pages fun books).
10. Have you ever given up on a book half way in? Of course.  If I can't get into a book within the first 50 pages, I put it down and move on.  I have no problem ending my relationship with a book if we just don't get along.