I saw this A-Z over at Bookforagers blog and liked the look of it so much I decided to give it a try.  I understand that this originated with The Perpetual Page Turner.

AUTHOR YOU’VE READ THE MOST BOOKS BY:

This is a difficult one – because I can be persistent with series that are long – so for example, Charlaine Harris True Blood (13 books?), Rachel Caine Morganville Vampires (15), Seanan McGuire’s Toby Daye – can’t remember where I’ve got up to with this one maybe about 8 or 9. I’ve read quite a bit of Neil Gaiman (15) and Sarah Pinborough (11 or 12) but I think at the moment Mark Lawrence is probably my most read author at (I think) 16 books.

BEST SEQUEL EVER:

This is a tough question!  Storm of Locusts by Rebecca Roanhorse immediately springs to mind because I loved Trail of Lightning so much that I didn’t think it was possible to top it – but then along came No.2 😀  Also,Council by Snorri Kristjansson was a great sequel as was A Time Of Blood by John Gwynne.

CURRENTLY READING:

I am currently reading Where Gods Fear to Go by Angus Watson (which is No.3 in the West of West series) and I’m also listening to King of Assassins by RJ Barker (which is also No.3 in the Wounded Kingdom series.

DRINK OF CHOICE WHILE READING:

Well this depends on the time of day.  If it’s the morning, more than likely coffee.  If it’s the afternoon a cup of tea.  In the evening it’s not unheard of for me to have a glass of wine or a cup of chocolate.

E-READER OR PHYSICAL BOOK?

E-Reader – Kindle.  I know. Who’d have thought that would be my answer just as short a time as say five years ago.  I love books. There’s something so different about reading a physical book that is lacking from other forms of reading and I also can’t deny the pleasure in a well stocked book shelf or two – but, I enjoy reading on my kindle so very much that there’s really no turning back at this point.  Yes, I don’t get to feel the pages or smell the paper and ink of a new book, but, my kindle is automatically backlit which is great when you’re out and about and it’s getting dark. I can highlight paragraphs, names or chapter headings – or pretty much anything else – in about 10 seconds flat, I can click on a word and be provided with an immediate definition, my place is automatically saved, I will never run out of books when I’m not at home, I can carry a whole library’s worth of books on holiday and still actually have clothes in my suitcase and I’m not likely to be found smothered by a huge book that has literally fallen on top of me when I’ve nodded off due to reading into the early hours. Basically, I love books, they’re my first love and I’ll never fall out of love with them, but practicality wins the day for me.  E-book every time.

FICTIONAL CHARACTER YOU PROBABLY WOULD HAVE DATED IN SCHOOL:

Jean Tannen.  He is definitely all mine – I will fight you.  The end.  The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch.

GLAD YOU GAVE THIS BOOK A CHANCE:

The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell.  I love this book, and I’ve read all this author’s other books since and loved them as well.  Beautiful writing, gripping gothic stories and just compelling reads.

HIDDEN GEM:

The Girl with Ghost Eyes (The Daoshi Chronicles #1) by M.H. Boroson.  I loved this book more than I ever anticipated and I want everyone to read it.

IMPORTANT MOMENT IN YOUR READING LIFE:

Starting blogging.  When I first started blogging it was really just to keep a diary of my reading more than anything else but as a result of that I’ve made lots of blogger friends and their recommendations have led me to so many new and exciting worlds.  Definitely a defining moment in terms of taking my reading tastes into new and unexpected directions.

JUST FINISHED:

Deeplight by Frances Hardinge. I will be reviewing this soon but the downlow is this is a great read.  Brilliant world building, well imagined myths surrounding dead Gods, excellently written and with great characters.

KINDS OF BOOKS YOU WON’T READ:

I don’t know whether I’d say ‘won’t’ so much as ‘don’t usually’.  Romance immediately springs to mind. I don’t mind a story that has romance included, I just don’t want to read purely about a romance.  I don’t tend to read military style or hard sci fi reads and these days I never read non-fiction – but who knows what the future holds?

LONGEST BOOK YOU’VE READ:

I’ve read a few chunky books over the years but I think Lord of the Rings by JRRTolkien was possibly the longest.

MAJOR BOOK HANGOVER:

I’ve changed my mind about twenty times already with this question so the very next book that pops into my head is IT: A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by CA Fletcher.

NUMBER OF BOOKCASES YOU OWN:

One. Let’s just say I’ve been ruthless with my books and not discuss it ever again.

ONE BOOK YOU’VE REREAD LOTS:

Probably Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier – I’ve also read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice a few times and also Dicken’s A Christmas Carol.  I don’t really do rereads any longer to be honest.  Something about too many books not enough time…

PREFERRED PLACE TO READ:

I really don’t have a favourite place. Of course I like to read in bed before I go to sleep, and on the sofa in the evening but overall I don’t think the location is something I consider, I can be sat in a grimey bus shelter on a rainy day so long as the book is good enough to suck me down that wormhole.

QUOTE THAT INSPIRES YOU/GIVES YOU ALL THE FEELS FROM A BOOK YOU’VE READ:

I would say the book I probably quote the most is Lord of the Rings – but I’m not going there at the moment – you’re welcome.

READING REGRET:

All the books I’ve neglected and left unread.

SERIES YOU STARTED AND NEED TO FINISH (ALL BOOKS ARE OUT):

I actually made a post about this some time ago – I must have had about 60 series on the go and was feeling quite ashamed.  I’m currently trying to catch up with a few series but the series that I would love to pick up and complete is Juliet Marillier’s Blackthorn and Grim.  I loved the first book and I own the second and third and yet I still haven’t picked them up.

THREE ALL-TIME FAVOURITE BOOKS:

I just don’t think I can narrow it down.  Maybe three favourite authors.  Mark Lawrence, Joanne Harris and Sarah Pinborough. ( *Walks away muttering under breath* Neil Gaiman, Brandon Sanderson, Laura Purcell, Alice Hoffman..)

UNAPOLOGETIC FANGIRL FOR:

Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.

VERY EXCITED FOR THIS RELEASE:

Westside Saints by WM Akers. Another tiny mystery.  My review for Westside is here – I loved this book, I hadn’t realised any more were planned so it makes me very happy that a new book is expected next year.

WORST BOOKISH HABIT:

No restraint whatsoever. I want all the books.  I can’t help it – even as I buy yet more books that I know I can’t possibly find the time to read I’m still relentlessly looking for other books to add to my (electronic) shelves.  I suppose there are worse habits out there but, seriously, I think I need help.

X MARKS THE SPOT – START AT THE TOP LEFT OF YOUR SHELF AND PICK THE 27TH BOOK:

The House on the Strand by Daphne DuMaurier

YOUR LATEST BOOK PURCHASE:

Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff.

ZZZ-SNATCHER BOOK (LAST BOOK THAT KEPT YOU UP WAY LATE):

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E Harrow.