I'm a Book Nerd, What Can I Say?

1. What author do you own the most books by? 

Definitely Anne Rice.  I'm pretty sure that I own the entire Vampire Chronicle series.  Diana Gabaldon comes in second with the entire Outlander series.  (Gearing up for my author readathon for July!)

2. What book do you own the most copies of?

I actually don't think I own multiple copies of any book.  I used to have many copies of Persuasion by Jane Austen, but I gave many of those away to friends and family.  So, I'm back down to just one.

3. What fictional character are you secretly in love with?

Of course that has to be Captain Wentworth from Persuasion.  I would totally wait eight years for him.

4. What book have you read more than any other?

Persuasion, without a doubt.  Notice a nice theme here.

5. What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?

Probably From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg.  I absolutely loved the adventure and mystery.  Plus, like every 10 year old, I wanted to run away to somewhere exotic.  A museum is definitely exotic and I loved going to them.

6. What is the worst book you've read in the past year?

Notes from a Spinning Planet: Ireland by Melody Carlson.  Read why I couldn't read it from my review.

7. What is the best book you've read in the past year?

I'm going to have to go with At the Scent of Water by Linda Nichols.  Amazing book!  I ran the gauntlet of emotions while reading the book.  There were times that I even had to put it down because everything got too overwhelming.  But that's a good thing.  The book had a large affect on me.

8. If you could tell everyone to read one book, what would it be?

I'll have to go with my favorite book of all time: The Awakening by Kate Chopin.  It's not beloved of all people I meet, but it completely changed my life.  The story is so sad, but there's a flicker of hope in the story.

9. What is the most difficult book you've ever read?

For the sheer density of the story, I would have to say Shakespeare.  Yeah, I know, not a book, but every line of his plays have multiple meanings.  It has taken me years to really truly appreciate him, but now I do.

10. Do you prefer the French or the Russians?

Russians, I guess.  I couldn't get through much French literature, but loved the Russian playwrights.  For the record, I've never gotten through Tolstoy or Dostoyevsky, but they are on my TBR list.

11. Shakespeare, Milton or Chaucer?

Shakespeare all the way, especially the comedies.  Milton is too pompous for my tastes.  Chaucer's fun, but not something I read again and again.

12. Austen or Eliot?

Umm.. Austen.  Have you read my blog?  I think my love of Austen comes across loud and clear.

13. What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?

Contemporary fiction.  Those best-selling "high fiction."  I have pretty much covered the classics.  I have been on a romance kick lately.  I've always loved horror.  Been reading a lot of young adult stuff lately.  So, I'm going to have to go with contemporary fiction.

14. What is your favorite novel?

The Awakening by Kate Chopin, beloved since my sophomore year in high school.

15. Play?

Lysistrata or Much Ado About Nothing.  It's really a toss up between those two.

16. Poem?

Anything by Emily Dickinson.  Her morbid, isolationist view of the world fascinates me.

17. Essay?

Common Sense by Thomas Paine.  Turned the tide for the rebel cause.  Heart changing.

18. Short Story?

Anything by Edgar Allan Poe.

19. Non Fiction

You Don't Know Much About U.S. History...  really the entire You Don't Know Much About series.  They are awesome little books to gain more knowledge.  Or if I was going more serious, The Federalist Papers.  I'm a U.S. History dork, it just seems appropriate.

20. Graphic Novel?

Fables: Legends in Exile.  Combined comics and fairy tales.  My two new favorite things.  I loved it!  And now I need to read the rest of the series.

21. Science Fiction?

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams -- funniest book ever!

22. Who is your favorite writer?

Jane Austen for classics, Rick Riordan for contemporary fiction

23. Who is the most over-rated writer alive today? 

Couldn't think of one, so going with an over-rated dead guy: John Steinbeck.  I just can never get into him.  I think I've read four of his novels and still can't see the appeal.

24. What are you reading right now? 

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell.  I've really been meaning to read this for my Page to Screen and 2011 challenges.  I absolutely love the mini series.  So far, the books is reminding me of Jane Austen (but not as awesome).

25. Best Memoir?

I don't really read memoirs, so can't think of one to put here.

26. Best History?

I'm going to go with the classic Herodutus for history.

27. Best mystery or Noir?

Not really a big fan of mystery or noir.  I'm found only a few that I like, but should read more from the genre.  Nothing really jumps out at me.

28. What is in your pile of books 'to be read'?

Good graciousness... where do I begin?  I have way too many books laying around my room and packed in boxes waiting to be read.  It's just a bit crazy around my room.

29. Do you prefer to own books or to borrow them?

I would prefer to own my books, alas, I am poor.  I am very choosy when it comes to my book purchases.  (Except when it comes to the Borders closing sale and $1 clearance rack at Half Price Books.  I just can't resist.)  I absolutely adore my local library, one of the best in the nation, and frequent it at least once a week.  I think I might have an obsession with my library.  But it says me money and I still get to read my books.

30. Do you write in your books?

Very rarely.  I have nothing against writing in the books, but I just really don't do it very often.