Books Worth Reading

Booking Through Thursday

I do make a good-faith effort to do a Booking Through Thursday post each week. Most of the time, the questions require more of a thoughtful response than I have time for, which is a compliment to BTT. But I guess there’s always time for a meme, which — ha ha — doesn’t require much thought at all.

What was the last book you bought?

The last book I bought was Small-Batch Baking. The last non-cookbook I bought was The Runaway Bunny (I think). If you don’t mean a cookbook or a baby’s book, then I honestly can’t remember. I have abused BookMooch far too much lately to actually buy books. But I think the last work of fiction I actually plopped down money for was Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris.

Name a book you have read MORE than once

Several, but the ones that spring immediately to mind are Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and The Stand and It, my two favorite Stephen Kings.

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?

I am sure the answer to this is yes, but I can’t pin down the actual book. Books have always been very influential on me, and the impact has been cumulative. I would say that every great book I have read has colored the way I look at life and the world.

How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews

I tend to read authors I already like. Beyond that, I browse reading lists and look for books on themes I’m interested in or similar to books I already love. I don’t really read reviews before I’ve read the book, but sometimes books are so highly regarded that they make it onto my TBR list that way. Recommendations from family and friends are treated very seriously. Last, if I’m browsing the bookstore and an interesting book catches my eye — whether a back cover summary or intriguing cover — then I might give it a whirl.

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?

I prefer fiction, but I like to read a healthy amount of nonfiction for balance.

What’s more important in a novel – beautiful writing or a gripping plot?

For me, the plot is the most important thing. I get bored with books that have great writing but nothing going on. (My husband is the exact opposite.) I will forgive clumsy writing in exchange for plot. Stephen King is a prime offender. On the other hand, if the writing is just excruciating, I’ll probably be turned off well before I get into the plot.

Also, I have to connect with a character. That’s probably just as important as the plot. I don’t have to like the person, just relate to him/her.

Most loved/memorable character (character/book)

I am in love with Stu Redman from The Stand. He is just the person I would like to have around in case of an apocalypse.

One of the most memorable characters for me is Tarquin Winot in John Lanchester’s The Debt to Pleasure. I think he is one of the most perfectly realized characters I have encountered in fiction.

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?

The book I am reading: Special Topics in Calamity Physics. And the book I just finished reading: Always Coming Home by Ursula Le Guin.

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?

See above. I finished reading it two days ago.

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?

Frequently. I give myself permission to give up on any book that is not connecting with me, for any reason, at any point. If I get past page 100, I do give it a little extra effort, though. Life is too short to read bad books.