I found this set of questions on Sheila’s blog.
What was the last book you bought?
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (Russian: Один день Ивана Денисовича Odin den’ Ivana Denisovicha) – Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. We are reading it in book club this month and I need to finish it by Tuesday night. I am well known for not finishing book club books. I get to choose the book we read next. Any recommendations?
Name a book you have read MORE than once.
The Bible. I generally don’t reread fiction (unlike MissN who rereads everything – which makes buying books for her a pleasure as I know she will have endless hours of pleasure and that my money has been well spent. She is currently reading LOTR for the fourth sixth time.)
Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
What’s so Amazing about Grace by Phillip Yancey. I was a very new Christian. Wow.
How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews
Generally from recommendations or reviews.
Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
I read more fiction but enjoy non-fiction too. I read travel books, memoirs, biography.
What’s more important in a novel – beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
That’s sort of an either/or question. I prefer both/and.
Most loved/memorable character
Commissario Guido Brunetti – the hero of Donna Leon’s Venice crime novels. I could fall in love with Guido!
What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?
I finished The Shack by William P. Young this morning. It was profound, Flawed but powerful and moving. Now I can read John Mark Hicks’ blogposts on it! Readers in the USA can order a free copy of The Shack here. I know the 2 friends I ordered it for were blessed by it, and they in turn have blessed others with it.
Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
Many times. One book I tried to read so many times (it went on every holiday I went on for at least 5 years) was Peter Carey’s Oscar and Lucinda, which C gave me for Christmas the year it was published (1988 I think). I got halfway quite a few times but could NOT finish it. Now I have enjoyed the movie and won’t ever attempt to read it again. I was relieved when I met others who had the same problem with O&L!
Which book or books can be found on your bedside table at the moment?
ESV New Testament
Wilful Behaviour – Donna Leon (I have just 2 Brunetti novels to read after this – her 2 newest.)
Five Quarters of an Orange - Joanne Harris (borrowed from a friend at least 2 years ago)
A Bunch of Everlastings – F. W. Boreham (my Boreham collection is growing)
The Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook – Ian Brodie
A Gathered People – John Mark Hicks, Johnny Melton & Bobby Valentine (we started discussing it in a Yahoo group I am in)
TNIV Bible Experience
The Scandal of the Season – Sophie Gee (one of my Christmas presents – haven’t begun it yet)
On the floor, next to my bedside table are:
The Gathering – Anne Enright (book club several months ago – I got to page 142)
The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini (I gave it to C for Christmas because I knew I would enjoy it too – haven’t begun it yet. He enjoyed it.)
Cover to Cover – Through the Bible as it Happened (I need to pack this away – have tried using it twice but it’s too “bitty” – jumps around too much)
An Omelette and a Glass of Wine – Elizabeth David (now back in my cookbook bookcase – I did pack something away!) Elizabeth David is a favourite. I have most of her books.
A Suitable Boy – Vikram Seth (a signed copy I bought in 1994 when I heard him speak at Writer’s Choice at Sydney Uni – I keep intending to read it. I took it on holiday in December. I think I need to pack it away! Or maybe just leave it out to take on holiday this December!)
There is also a (neat) pile of magazines but let’s not go there.
Or mention the books IN the bedside cabinet.
What books are next to YOUR bed?
