Hello! My name is Julia, and I love to read books. I also love to read fanfiction from said books, and information on author's websites. It's all very fun, cool activites. I'm in grade twelve at a high school in Northwestern Ontario. (Ontario being, of course, in Canada.) I've only currently read two books this year so far (an epic fail on the epic fail scale) but I've got goals. And resolutions. It'll change.
But here I have a reading survey for you to read. ENJOY.
1) What author do you own the most books by?
Wow, this is a tricky question. Because of the sheer magnitude of the awesome powers of Meg Cabot, I’m going to have to assume she’s the author whose books I own the most of. It’s sad however, that I don’t even have all of them.
2) What book do you own the most copies of?
The amount of copies of The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot I own is seriously creeping up on me. I don’t really see this as a problem per say.
3) Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions?
No, it did not bother me. Why would it, seriously? Is it a common problem that bothers people?
4) What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
It aint no secret anymore, but it IS Michael Moscovitz. Oh hai, yummy man!
5) What book have you read the most times in your life?
It’s sad to admit its Twilight. But I want to say this was before I came to my senses.
6) What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
A book in The Baby-Sitter’s Club series, I think. I don’t really have a specific book that pops out, though.
7) What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?
I don’t know! I can’t really think of any particular bad books I’ve read in 2009. This question does apply to 2009, right? I’m gonna assume this. But yeah, as I said, I don’t know what book.
8) What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?
This question is ALSO tricky! There are so many books I’ve enjoyed. I guess Forever Princess by Meg Cabot because I was waiting so long for the book, and when it finally came, it just seriously made my life.
But honestly, there are a LOT more. You’ll get to read about them soon enough!
9) If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
Hm… I think awesome people should read Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty.
I’m kind of weird with books in the sense that I don’t want EVERYONE to read a book I enjoy, because it just kind of makes it less special. Am I alone in this?
10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for literature?
I don’t know. Who are the previous winners? Because it seems not many young adult authors would win y’know? BUT! I don’t know. I really don’t. Meg Cabot? Yeah. She’s like a Renaissance man.
11) What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
NOTHING.
12) What book would you least like to see made into a movie?
I once did an introduction thing where I had to state something I liked, disliked and what I was most looking forward to. As my dislike, I said I didn’t like my favorite books being made into movies. I stand by this answer, and I say “no movies”.
So everything that is cool in my eyes.
13) Describe your weirdest dream involving a writer, book, or literary character.
I was actually able to work with Ron and Hermione in helping Buffy (the SLAYER) from these anarchist clowns. That was seriously a weird dream.
14) What is the most disappointing book you’ve read as an adult?
I’ve only been an adult for so many months. As in, if I commit a crime, the LAW will smack me like an adult. But no book comes to mind! I don't know why. I DON'T KNOW WHY.
(Maybe because I read such awesome books.)
15) What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.
16) Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
As Tolstoy is really only my encounter with the Russian authors, I’m going to have to say that I prefer… Neither, as of the moment. I don’t have an opinion (or knowledge) on the French to answer this question fairly.
17) Roth or Updike?
Who? I don’t know these people!
18) David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?
DITTO! I don’t know who David Sedaris or Dave Eggers is! I mean, David’s got a nice name, and Eggers’ is an amusing last name, but still.
19) Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer?
Shakespeare `cause he wrote Hamlet. Also because I don’t know what Milton or Chaucer wrote. They sound familiar of course, but could I name a piece of work by them if I had a gun to my head? Probably not.
(Let’s all hope this situation NEVER arises.)
20) J Austen or G Eliot?
Jane Austen! While I may have never actually read what she wrote as of yet, I am planning on it. Plus I am familiar with her works, as I’ve watched movies based on them. Yes.
21) What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
I haven’t really read too much beyond the ‘young adult’ category. Even within that category, I haven’t really gone into the fantasy genre. Damn you, coming of age stories! *shakes fist in rage*
22) What is your favorite novel?
There are too many to name. After all, I AM a reader. I will however, give you a list of novels I’ve enjoyed that come to memory as of this moment: Forever Princess by Meg Cabot, Paper Towns by John Green, Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty, Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner, All-American Girl by Meg Cabot, and Tomorrow, When The War Began by John Marsden.
23) Play?
Hamlet by Shakespeare. As I actually really enjoyed reading this play the second time around.
24) Short story?
“I Never” by Cassandra Clare. It appeared in the anthology Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd.
25) Work of nonfiction?
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. I read this this past summer, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
26) Who is your favorite writer?
I’ve got too many! But authors include Meg Cabot, Megan McCafferty, John Green, Maureen Johnson, Sarah Dessen, J.K. Rowling, John Marsden, L.J. Smith, Holly Black, Lauren Mechling, Scott Westerfeld and many more that I’m apparently forgetting. I’m sorry, authors that I adore.
27) Who is the most overrated writer alive today?
Stephenie Meyer, no doubt.
28) What is your desert island book?
Hm. Tricky! I guess I’d really enjoy having this MASSIVE book that has yet to be published of the complete works by Meg Cabot. That’d be a book full of fantastic times.
29) What are you reading right now?
Right now I’m in between books. I know, it’s a scandalous situation. But I did just pick up and read the first page of Remember Me by Christopher Pike, so yeah. That’s the book I’m currently reading!
30) If you knew you would have the chance to read just one more book/play before you?
Before I what? Incomplete sentence! I’m going to assume dead, and what would it be. As it seems the most likely. I guess I’d just re-read an old favorite. I’d want to have it fresh in my mind as I … died.
31) If you could trade places with any character from a book for a day, who would you be and why?
O.O I love this situation! The answers are endless, though. >.< I guess I’d really enjoy being Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series. I’d choose Hermione because she’s my favorite character from the books, AND because I’d be able to do magic, like super well! Because I assume I’ve got her talents, as well. Plus I’d be able to give Harry and Ron a hug. And see all the stuff I love from the Harry Potter universe.
Or on another route, be Bella Swan and jump off a cliff. But make sure there are no supernatural creatures near to save me. As I would die. Good times!
32) What is the last book you read? Would you suggest it to a friend? Why or why not?
The last book I read was Life of Pi by Yann Martel for my English class. I would suggest it to a friend (which I did already) because it’s an amazing book. There are just so many possibilities to this story, it’s pretty cool. Plus if you don’t know where it’s leading, it’ll kind of blow your mind a little bit.
33) Name three characters from a book that you'd like to invite to your birthday party.
Mia Thermopolis, Jessica Darling and Hermione Granger. Oh my god! That’d be the perfect birthday party EVER.
34) Do you have a favorite quote from a book? If so, what is it?
So many quotes! But the quote that I enjoy for this moment is when Mia says “give me anime, or give me death” in her speech for president (of student council). But don’t worry; I’ve got a load more I can talk about!
35) Tell us about your top three favorite books of all time.
Garh, you! So many tricky questions to answer. I really enjoyed reading Ready or Not by Meg Cabot, Perfect Fifths by Megan McCafferty and The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares.
*This answer changes from above, but whatever.
35) If you had the opportunity to meet any author (dead or alive), who would you choose to meet, and what three questions would you ask him/her?
I would love to meet Megan McCafferty. I would ask her questions that weren’t listed on her FAQ thing of her website (ha). I don’t know what I would ask her, but I know I would seriously love to meet her.
--
Ha, reading that survey, I seem rather obsessed with Meg Cabot. But you know what? I SORT OF AM. But that’s all for now, but later on there will be some reviews of the books mentioned, and MUCH MORE. Like character duels. Win!
- Julia
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Hello! It's a book survey!
Hey! My name’s Leah, and I love reading (obviously). I’m a first year college student in the Southeastern United States. I don’t have loads of time to read, but I make time where I can. And now…let the book survey begin!
1) What author do you own the most books by?
Probably Iris Johansen. Or possibly Meg Cabot.
2) What book do you own the most copies of?
One of the Harry Potter books. Possibly the fifth one?
3) Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions?
No, it’s ok. I forgive you.
4) What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
I don’t know that I’m SECRETLY in love with one, but I am in love with several. There’s Michael Moscovitz, Harry Potter, Lionello Andreas, Jack Reacher, Jean Marc Andreas, David, Neal, Lee, Homer, and maybe some more. I fall in love with way too many fictional characters.
5) What book have you read the most times in your life?
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, I think.
6) What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
Umm…there were these books. About mice or rats or something. Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of Nymm. And Harry Potter, but I’m not sure what age I actually read that one.
7) What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?
Hmm…I don’t actually read too many bad books. Or not bad to me, I guess. I think I’ll go with Breaking Dawn.
8) What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?
Oh, this one’s REALLY hard! Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden…only I’ve read it before this year. Does it still count?
9) If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
I think I’m going to have to answer Tomorrow, When the War Began. That book is SO GOOD, but no one knows about it! Sorry for not being original.
10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for literature?
Umm…I’ve never put that much thought into this. J.K. Rowling. Yeah, her.
11) What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
Tomorrow, When the War Began OR one of the Jack Reacher series (by Lee Child)
12) What book would you least like to see made into a movie?
Umm…The Wind Dancer by Iris Johansen. I want to keep it inside my head. It’s nice there.
13) Describe your weirdest dream involving a writer, book, or literary character.
Just one? Ok, well I have recurring Jo dreams, in which I meet J.K. Rowling. In the latest one, she showed up at my cousins’ birthday party and sat down across from me. And she looked straight into my eyes and said, “I will answer any questions that you have about Harry Potter,” in her nice British accent. And I COMPLETELY BLANKED! I spent the rest of the dream TRYING to think of a question to ask her, even though I REALLY have approximately one million questions to ask her.
14) What is the most disappointing book you’ve read as an adult?
Well, I haven’t been an adult for THAT LONG. Just a year and a half. I can’t think of one. Sorry. FAIL!
15) What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?
Like, difficult to understand? Or difficult to get through? Or difficult ideas? VAGUE QUESTION! Difficult to get through would be Great Expectations because it was FREAKING BORING. Difficult to understand…no idea. If I can’t understand it, then I don’t read it. I don’t really push my limits that much as a reader. I should, but I don’t. And I can’t think of any ideas that I couldn’t wrap my head around.
16) Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
Uhh…Russians? Yeah, I’ll go with that because I know some Russians. OH, are you talking about French or Russian AUTHORS?? Well, you should have SAID so! I’ll go with French on this one because I’m pretty sure I’ve never actually read and Russian books.
17) Roth or Updike?
Why do you keep asking these things that I can’t answer?! You’re making me feel very illiterate right now, and I don’t appreciate it!
18) David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?
Again…are you just trying to make yourself feel smart? HOW RUDE!
19) Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer?
Ok, here’s ONE I’ve read! So Shakespeare wins by default.
20) J Austen or G Eliot?
HEY. HEY. I did my term paper on a Jane Austen book senior year! So I suppose she wins, even though I can’t read that book anymore. There’s only so much writing I can do on a book and still want to read it.
21) What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
The classics. You probably should have GATHERED that by now.
22) What is your favorite novel?
Oh…umm…SO MANY. WHY do you have to ask the HARD QUESTIONS?! I shall go with Counterfeit Son, mostly because it’s a stand alone book instead of a series…because answering a whole series would be cheating.
23) Play?
I don’t usually like plays much. They’re frustrating to read. I’ve only read the ones that I’ve HAD TO for school. Oh, how about Trifles by…Susan Glaspell? I don’t know if that’s who wrote it. But SOMEONE wrote it, and it wasn’t bad.
24) Short story?
I don’t usually like short stories either. But there was this one that we read…The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe. Yeah, that was CREEPY!
25) Work of nonfiction?
Umm…memoirs count, right? If so, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. If not…I don’t know.
26) Who is your favorite writer?
I REFUSE to choose just one! REFUSE! I shall give you a list of them. John Marsden, JK Rowling, Tamora Pierce, Lee Child, Meg Cabot, Iris Johansen, Megan McCafferty, John Green, Maureen Johnson, Betty Smith, Dodie Smith…
27) Who is the most overrated writer alive today?
Oh, Stephenie Myer for sure!
28) What is your desert island book?
I’ve never thought much about this. But probably Tomorrow, When the War Began. There are a lot of survival-type tips in it, AND it’s really good!
29) What are you reading right now?
The Dead of Night by John Marsden
30) If you knew you would have the chance to read just one more book/play before you ?
Before I what?? Die? Before I…eat lunch? Before I…take a shower? If I was about to die, then I would read the Bible. If I was about to eat lunch, then something short because it’s almost lunch time and I’m getting hungry. And before a shower…ehh…whatever looks good at the time.
31) If you could trade places with any character from a book for a day, who would you be and why?
I would switch places with Ginny Weasley. For Harry and for magic.
32) What is the last book you read? Would you suggest it to a friend? Why or why not?
Letters to Julia, and I already have! Because her name is Julia.
33) Name three characters from a book that you'd like to invite to your birthday party.
Alright. Robyn Mathers, Harry Potter, and Mia Thermopolis.
34) Do you have a favorite quote from a book? If so, what is it?
I have lots of favorite quotes! I love quotes! But here’s one: “It’s good to keep changing your mind. It shows you’re thinking. I’ll only stop changing my mind when I’m dead. And maybe not even then.” –Ellie from Darkness be My Friend. I think I like this one because I’m really indecisive.
35) Tell us about your top three favorite books of all time.
As in, you want details? Or you just want to know what they are? Ok number one is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It’s the end of Harry Potter, and it’s brilliant. Number two is Tomorrow When the War Began. It’s the beginning of the story of Ellie and her friends. And number three is First Test because it is all about little Kel!
36) If you had the opportunity to meet any author (dead or alive), who would you choose to meet, and what three questions would you ask him/her?
WOAH…SUPER HARD QUESTION! Seriously! I guess I would have to say Jo because of all of my dreams about meeting her. And I would ask her 1) What is she writing next???, 2) Are you happy?, and 3) Are Harry and Ginny and everyone happy and will we ever hear from them again? See how I snuck multiple questions in that last one?
And that concludes the book survey! Soon Julia and I will begin our REGULAR PROGRAMMING, which will include reviewing books and dueling characters and things like that!
Keep reading and being awesome!
Leah
1) What author do you own the most books by?
Probably Iris Johansen. Or possibly Meg Cabot.
2) What book do you own the most copies of?
One of the Harry Potter books. Possibly the fifth one?
3) Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions?
No, it’s ok. I forgive you.
4) What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
I don’t know that I’m SECRETLY in love with one, but I am in love with several. There’s Michael Moscovitz, Harry Potter, Lionello Andreas, Jack Reacher, Jean Marc Andreas, David, Neal, Lee, Homer, and maybe some more. I fall in love with way too many fictional characters.
5) What book have you read the most times in your life?
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, I think.
6) What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
Umm…there were these books. About mice or rats or something. Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of Nymm. And Harry Potter, but I’m not sure what age I actually read that one.
7) What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?
Hmm…I don’t actually read too many bad books. Or not bad to me, I guess. I think I’ll go with Breaking Dawn.
8) What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?
Oh, this one’s REALLY hard! Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden…only I’ve read it before this year. Does it still count?
9) If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
I think I’m going to have to answer Tomorrow, When the War Began. That book is SO GOOD, but no one knows about it! Sorry for not being original.
10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for literature?
Umm…I’ve never put that much thought into this. J.K. Rowling. Yeah, her.
11) What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
Tomorrow, When the War Began OR one of the Jack Reacher series (by Lee Child)
12) What book would you least like to see made into a movie?
Umm…The Wind Dancer by Iris Johansen. I want to keep it inside my head. It’s nice there.
13) Describe your weirdest dream involving a writer, book, or literary character.
Just one? Ok, well I have recurring Jo dreams, in which I meet J.K. Rowling. In the latest one, she showed up at my cousins’ birthday party and sat down across from me. And she looked straight into my eyes and said, “I will answer any questions that you have about Harry Potter,” in her nice British accent. And I COMPLETELY BLANKED! I spent the rest of the dream TRYING to think of a question to ask her, even though I REALLY have approximately one million questions to ask her.
14) What is the most disappointing book you’ve read as an adult?
Well, I haven’t been an adult for THAT LONG. Just a year and a half. I can’t think of one. Sorry. FAIL!
15) What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?
Like, difficult to understand? Or difficult to get through? Or difficult ideas? VAGUE QUESTION! Difficult to get through would be Great Expectations because it was FREAKING BORING. Difficult to understand…no idea. If I can’t understand it, then I don’t read it. I don’t really push my limits that much as a reader. I should, but I don’t. And I can’t think of any ideas that I couldn’t wrap my head around.
16) Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
Uhh…Russians? Yeah, I’ll go with that because I know some Russians. OH, are you talking about French or Russian AUTHORS?? Well, you should have SAID so! I’ll go with French on this one because I’m pretty sure I’ve never actually read and Russian books.
17) Roth or Updike?
Why do you keep asking these things that I can’t answer?! You’re making me feel very illiterate right now, and I don’t appreciate it!
18) David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?
Again…are you just trying to make yourself feel smart? HOW RUDE!
19) Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer?
Ok, here’s ONE I’ve read! So Shakespeare wins by default.
20) J Austen or G Eliot?
HEY. HEY. I did my term paper on a Jane Austen book senior year! So I suppose she wins, even though I can’t read that book anymore. There’s only so much writing I can do on a book and still want to read it.
21) What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
The classics. You probably should have GATHERED that by now.
22) What is your favorite novel?
Oh…umm…SO MANY. WHY do you have to ask the HARD QUESTIONS?! I shall go with Counterfeit Son, mostly because it’s a stand alone book instead of a series…because answering a whole series would be cheating.
23) Play?
I don’t usually like plays much. They’re frustrating to read. I’ve only read the ones that I’ve HAD TO for school. Oh, how about Trifles by…Susan Glaspell? I don’t know if that’s who wrote it. But SOMEONE wrote it, and it wasn’t bad.
24) Short story?
I don’t usually like short stories either. But there was this one that we read…The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe. Yeah, that was CREEPY!
25) Work of nonfiction?
Umm…memoirs count, right? If so, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. If not…I don’t know.
26) Who is your favorite writer?
I REFUSE to choose just one! REFUSE! I shall give you a list of them. John Marsden, JK Rowling, Tamora Pierce, Lee Child, Meg Cabot, Iris Johansen, Megan McCafferty, John Green, Maureen Johnson, Betty Smith, Dodie Smith…
27) Who is the most overrated writer alive today?
Oh, Stephenie Myer for sure!
28) What is your desert island book?
I’ve never thought much about this. But probably Tomorrow, When the War Began. There are a lot of survival-type tips in it, AND it’s really good!
29) What are you reading right now?
The Dead of Night by John Marsden
30) If you knew you would have the chance to read just one more book/play before you ?
Before I what?? Die? Before I…eat lunch? Before I…take a shower? If I was about to die, then I would read the Bible. If I was about to eat lunch, then something short because it’s almost lunch time and I’m getting hungry. And before a shower…ehh…whatever looks good at the time.
31) If you could trade places with any character from a book for a day, who would you be and why?
I would switch places with Ginny Weasley. For Harry and for magic.
32) What is the last book you read? Would you suggest it to a friend? Why or why not?
Letters to Julia, and I already have! Because her name is Julia.
33) Name three characters from a book that you'd like to invite to your birthday party.
Alright. Robyn Mathers, Harry Potter, and Mia Thermopolis.
34) Do you have a favorite quote from a book? If so, what is it?
I have lots of favorite quotes! I love quotes! But here’s one: “It’s good to keep changing your mind. It shows you’re thinking. I’ll only stop changing my mind when I’m dead. And maybe not even then.” –Ellie from Darkness be My Friend. I think I like this one because I’m really indecisive.
35) Tell us about your top three favorite books of all time.
As in, you want details? Or you just want to know what they are? Ok number one is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It’s the end of Harry Potter, and it’s brilliant. Number two is Tomorrow When the War Began. It’s the beginning of the story of Ellie and her friends. And number three is First Test because it is all about little Kel!
36) If you had the opportunity to meet any author (dead or alive), who would you choose to meet, and what three questions would you ask him/her?
WOAH…SUPER HARD QUESTION! Seriously! I guess I would have to say Jo because of all of my dreams about meeting her. And I would ask her 1) What is she writing next???, 2) Are you happy?, and 3) Are Harry and Ginny and everyone happy and will we ever hear from them again? See how I snuck multiple questions in that last one?
And that concludes the book survey! Soon Julia and I will begin our REGULAR PROGRAMMING, which will include reviewing books and dueling characters and things like that!
Keep reading and being awesome!
Leah
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