Bookish Meme

I’ve been sitting on this for a while now, and since I had a lull in book reviews, I thought I’d post it now. I got the following Bookish Meme from The Kari AnnAlysis (this particular one is from her “old” blog, her “new” blog is here), and since it looked like mostly new questions, I thought it would be fun to answer.

Hardback, Trade Paperback or Mass Market Paperback?

Oh, I am usually a Mass Market Paperback kind of guy, especially when buying books. They’re just cheaper. But, being a lit major (and now an English grad student) Trade Paperback is usually the order of the day. I’ve also been reading a lot of hardbacks lately … but that’s because that is what the library usually has. So, I guess I go three ways when it comes to books (though—as I said—my preference (and a good 90% of my collection) is Mass Market Paperbacks).

Waterstones, Borders or Amazon?

I’ve never even heard of Waterstones? Is that an East Coast thing maybe? I dunno. Anyway, I’m not too terribly discerning when it comes to bookstores, though I will say that since I am partial to horror novels from the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s, websites such as ABEBooks and brick-and-mortar stores like Half Price Books are my best friends.

Bookmark or Dog-Ear?

At one time, the only answer was “Bookmark.” I used to see dog-earing as the ultimate blasphemy. Then, I realized that books are not things to be revered and worshipped in a sterile environment, but rather things to be used and worked over and utilized. So, now I highlight, dog-ear, bookmark, write in, every thing possible to crystallize my experience in the book so as better to express my opinions about it in writing (be that here on the blog, or in an academic paper). The exception, of course, is with library books.

Alphabetize by Author, by Title or “Other”?

By author, then title (unless it is a series, then it is in order of the series). I have a friend who organizes her bookshelves by color, and it drives me nuts. I want to reorder them every time I see them.

Keep, Throw Away or Sell?

I never throw away, unless the book is completely ruined (such as when my daughter peed on my copy of Jack Ketchum’s Off Season … that one had to go). If I’m not keeping a book I’ll try to sell it and if that doesn’t work it goes to either the local thrift store donation or donated to the library.

Keep Dust Jacket or Toss It?

Always keep it. The cover art are 33.3% of the reason I buy a book, so why would I throw away ⅓ of my reason for picking up a book in the first place?

Read with Dust Jacket or Remove It?

Always read without it. On the shelf, book jackets are gorgeous. On a book while I’m trying to read it? Those things are damn annoying.

Short Story or Novel?

Oh, that’s a hard one. There’s something to be said for a complete story that you can read in one sitting, but then there is the pleasure of reading a novel that takes a couple of days to draw out the enjoyment. So, I have to equivocate and say both. I love both.

Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket?

As much as I love the Lemony Snicket novels, I have to go with Harry Potter on this one, hands down.

Buy or Borrow?

Always buy (see my answer to Bookmark or Dog-Ear above as to why).

Buying Choice: Book Reviews, Recommendations or Browse?

I think that this question is asking about how you choose the books you buy? If that is what this question is asking, then it is a combination of the three. I have found some of my favorite books just browsing the shelves (just as I have bought some real stinkers from reviews).

Tidy Ending of Cliffhanger?

Who cares? I mean really? An ending is an ending, and they are unique to each book, so I don’t discriminate over endings.

Morning Read, Afternoon or Nighttime Read?

Any time I can.

Stand-Alone or Series?

See my answer above to Short Story or Novel. It is much the same. I don’t really have a preference one way or the other and read both kinds.

Favorite Series?

Oh… if I have to choose, it would be a tie between the Dragonlance novels and the Harry Potter novels.

Favorite Children’s Book?

Does Harry Potter count as a children’s book? If it does, then Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. If not, then it’d probably be Bunnicula.

Favorite YA Book?

Honestly? I don’t know. Maybe Harry Potter fits here? It’s not the Twilight series, that’s for sure. I guess I don’t read a lot of young adult lit.

Favorite Book of Which Nobody Else Has Heard?

I have a lot of those. Make Room! Make Room! by Harry Harrison. Burnt Offerings by Robert Marasco. The Doll Who Ate His Mother by Ramsey Campbell. I make a habit of collecting obscure books especially—as I said above—horror novels from the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.

Favorite Book(s) Read Last Year?

It would be a toss-up between: The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead by Max Brooks (reviewed January 2008); World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks (reviewed April 2008); The Ruins by Scott Smith (reviewed July 2008) and Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World by Dan Koeppel (reviewed August 2008).

Favorite Book to Re-Read?

The Shining by Stephen King, The Stand by Stephen King and the Harry Potter Septology.

Do You Ever Smell Books?

Oh yes. The smell of books, especially old books, is one of the best smells in the world.

Do You Ever Read Primary Source Documents, Like Letters or Diaries?

Not really.

What Are You Reading Right Now?

Rose Madder by Stephen King, and I’m listening to the audiobook edition of The Terror by Dan Simmons and read by John Lee.

What Are You Reading Next?

Under the Dome by Stephen King. It is currently winging its way “In Transit” to my local library for me to pick up on hold. (insert fanboy grin and squeal here)