Booking Through Thursday, and a meme

I've been pointed to a weekly book meme blog, called Booking Through Thursday, by shinyshiny, a Twilight fan/knitter friend of mine, and I thought the meme she did on her blog looked fun, so I'm giving it a whirl! Depending on how their questions, I might make this a weekly ritual.

“What tomes are waiting patiently on your shelves?“

So, so, SO many. I'm attempting to read or reread my entire library at the moment, partially because I can't really afford to buy a whole lot of new books. But the main ones that are definitely in the queue to be read at the moment:

- all of Jane Austen, minus Pride and Prejudice which I just finished, and Northanger Abbey, since I'm reading that one now.
- The rest of the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde (I'm currenlty on 2, there are five).
- Jane Eyre
- The entire Anne of Green Gables series.

And last weeks, cause I can.

What was the last book you bought?
River Secrets by Shannon Hale

Name a book you have read MORE than once
I'm a chronic re-reader. How about I name the most recent? Pride and Prejudice. Well over half of this year's reading list is made up of re-reads, though.


Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
Unquestionably I'd say I Never Promised You a Rose Garden by Joanne Greenberg. It's difficult to explain the how, but when you get to the end of the book, and Deborah's defeating her illness, you feel somehow like you're achieving something, too. It's fantastic.

How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews
Recommendations, what I know of the author, and yes, I do fall for a good cover sometimes.

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
Fiction. I can't help myself. I'm a lover of writing itself, and fiction writers tend to care more about the craft than non-fiction ones, though of course there are all kinds of exceptions to that.

What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
I sway more towards writing. But I can't read three hundred pages of nothing happening, either.


Most loved/memorable character (character/book)
I'm going to be my very nostalgic self and say Anne Shirley here. She's still everything I want to be, smart, sassy, bold, and genuine.

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
I don't have a nightstand. But you can check out my current reads in the sidebar. :)

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?
The last book I finished was Pride and Prejudice, about a month ago.

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
Once or twice. Nothing memorable enough for me to give you the title.


This turned out being a little repetitive, but eh, that's okay. :)