Book habits

I swiped this meme from Melanie's Musings. It's right up my alley.

Hardback, trade paperback or mass market paperback? I prefer hardback, but they usually aren't in my budget so I end up paperback.

Barnes & Noble or Borders? Until 6 months ago we had a Bookstop, which was owned by Barnes and Noble, within minutes of our house, but it closed. So now I go to Bookpeople, a locally owned store, or Half-Price Books.

Bookmark or dog-ear? Dog-ear. I always lose bookmarks.

Amazon or brick-and-mortar? When I have specific books in mind, I go with Amazon. But if I'm in the mood to wander and find something new, I'll go to an actual store.

Alphabetize by author, or alphabetize by title, or random? I have a system, although my husband would argue that point. I group books by author, and then certain authors belong together. Like no way David Sedaris and Edith Wharton belong together, but David and Sarah Vowell completely do.

Keep, throw away, or sell? I keep them unless I really hate the book, then I give it to my kids' school for the annual used-book sale.

Keep dust jacket or toss it? Keep. I take them off while I read, but then they get put back on.

Short story or novel? Novels

Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket? Harry Potter. I tried Lemony Snicket and couldn't get through the first book.

Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks? I read until I can't keep my eyes open.

“It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time”? Either

Buy or borrow? Both. I like owning my books, but I've also discovered some great books through borrowing from friends.

Buying choice: book reviews, recommendations, or browse? All of the above.

Tidy ending or cliffhanger? Tidy

Morning reading, afternoon reading, or nighttime reading? I have four kids, so the only time I get to read is after they're in bed.

Stand-alone or series? Depends on the series.

Favorite series? Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie, Harry Potter, Horatio Hornblower

Favorite children’s book? Where the Wild Things Are

Favorite YA book? Anne of Green Gables, Phantom Tollbooth

Favorite book of which nobody else has heard? I have no idea

Favorite books read last year? I read too many to pick.

Favorite books of all time? They have changed through the years, but I think Age of Innocence would have to rank way up there.

What are you reading right now? Otherwise Normal People - it's about competitive rose exhibiting.

What are you reading next? I'm hoping to get my hands on Lost Paradise, about the recent sex-abuse trials on Pitcairn Island.

Favorite book to recommend to an 11-year-old? Phantom Tollbooth

Favorite book to re-read? I read Age of Innocence and A Room with a View at least once a year.

Do you ever smell books? Yes. I think I could probably identify some of my favorite books by their smell.

Do you ever read primary source documents like letters or diaries? Yes. I love reading histories and biographies, the best of which include primary sources.