Book Preferences

This little questionnaire was fun, but never-ending. Please feel free to do them yourself! Thanks to Melanie from Melanie's Musings for posting this!

Hardback, trade paperback or mass market paperback?
Although I own mostly paperbacks, I like hardbacks more. I hate when paperback covers start to curl outwards; it's not so nice to look at.

Barnes & Noble or Borders?
Well, Barnes and Noble is no doubt bigger, but Borders (or at least the one nearby) is very quaint and feels homey. However, I love the chairs at Books-A-Million. Sooo comfy!

Bookmark or dog-ear?
Although I hate to admit it, I dog-ear occasionally. Only with well-worn copies though, I promise! With new books I usually end up using my library receipt as a bookmark.

Amazon or brick-and-mortar?
More than likely, I get my books from the library. Otherwise, it's a combination of both. I generally like going to bookstores though- it's much more fun to browse!

Alphabetize by author, or alphabetize by title, or random?
Everything on my bookshelf is by author. However, any books that are not on the shelf are in random nooks and crannies around my room.

Keep, throw away, or sell?
I mostly keep my books. However, my church has an annual book sale, and I donate books that I don't want to read anymore.

Keep dust jacket or toss it?
Keep!

Read with dust jacket or remove it?
Remove it; I hate when dust jackets slide around on the book when you're trying to read.

Short story or novel?
Usually novels, but when I find a beautiful gem of a short story, it makes me wonder...

Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket?
For me, it's no contest. Harry Potter.

Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks?
I'd rather stop at a chapter break, but if I'm not within 5 or 6 pages of it, I just set the book down where I am.

“It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time”?
Once upon a time, of course!

Buy or borrow?
Almost every book I read is from the library; it's a rare occasion that I buy books.

Buying choice: book reviews, recommendations, or browse?
All three, I think. I've come to appreciate book reviews more since I began blogging. I usually pick up a title if a friend recommends it, and I love to browse the store or library.

Tidy ending or cliffhanger?
I've come to dislike cliffhanger endings, but I am also dissatisfied if a book ends too neatly. So, I like a pretty bow, but with a few threads loose.


Morning reading, afternoon reading, or nighttime reading?
During the week, I read at night, but on the weekends I love reading in the afternoon.

Stand-alone or series?
I generally enjoy stand-alones more, but a series can be wonderful too.


Favorite series?
The Books of Bayern, by Shannon Hale. She's an amazing author.

Favorite children’s book?
Forest Child, by Marni McGee; the story is so sweet and the pictures were gorgeous.

Favorite YA book?
That is a cruel question, and I have no answer.

Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?
Aria of the Sea, by Dia Calhoun is a such a good read, but I haven't heard much buzz about it.

Favorite books read last year?
The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan.

Favorite books of all time?
I think it's a little early to proclaim that, considering I'm only sixteen. I'm still trying to get through the classics. Ask me in ten years and see what I tell you. ;)

What are you reading right now?
Enna Burning, by Shannon Hale. Forest Born is coming soon!

What are you reading next?
Probably River Secrets, by Shannon Hale, and then Forest Born. Knocking out the entire series in a month!

Favorite book to recommend to an 11-year-old?
Ummmm...I'm trying to think back to when I was eleven. I think I was obsessed with Gail Carson Levine at the time. You know, Ella Enchanted and The Two Princesses of Bamarre. But, if they don't like fairy tales, then they're out of luck.

Favorite book to re-read?
The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale, and The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen. I could read those over a hundred times and never get bored.


Do you ever smell books?
Just old books. I never really thought to smell a new book before.


Do you ever read primary source documents like letters or diaries?
Not usually.

<3 Cate