The Sunday Salon: A-Z

Nicked from Jodie at Bookgazing (whose blog and collaborative blog, Lady Business, you should be reading) – I’ve seen this around and thought it would be fun.

Author you’ve read the most books from:

This is tricky because I’m not entirely sure. I read a LOT of series and I have a number of romance authors that I gorged on in high school. Julia Quinn and Stephanie Laurens loom pretty largely in my LibraryThing even though I’ve not read a book from the latter in years. Stephen King is another one, although again I haven’t read his latest books.

Best Sequel Ever: 

Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews – possibly not ever but best I can think of. I really fell in love with the Kate Daniels series at the third book, but in the second book I started to feel like I was getting there.

Currently Reading: 

Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling. I’m nearly finished with it. Next up is Mrs Lincoln’s Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini.

Drink of Choice While Reading: 

I mostly just drink water, sometimes tea in the morning.

E-reader or Physical Book? 

I’m happy reading both. I prefer the look, feel, and smell of physical books, but my Kindle is perfect for books I don’t think I want to keep forever in this space-limited house. Plus, commuting. I can’t carry hardcovers on the train, but the Kindle lets me read huge chunksters without worry.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School: 

Reading more YA would help with this question. I am not sure. Boring answer! Maybe Harry Potter. I have always liked geeky boys.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance: 

Young Miles by Lois McMaster Bujold. Hello, science fiction, I actually like you! Well, more specifically, space opera – but this series changed my view of what I did and didn’t like irrevocably.

Hidden Gem Book:

I always think of Guy Gavriel Kay when I think about hidden gems. Now that I’m into book blogging I know I’m not the only one that loves his books, but I still feel like they don’t get enough recognition. I’ve got River of Stars calling my name at this very moment and I can’t wait to read it.

Important Moment in your Reading Life: 

The year I discovered LibraryThing, 2006. I had no idea that so many people felt the way I did about books. I’d certainly never met anyone in real life who did and the community there changed everything. It also led to many things, including this blog. Starting the blog was a pretty big deal, too.

Just Finished: 

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa. The only series I’ve ever read where the heroine shares my name (Meghan) although not my taste in guys, that’s for sure.

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

I’m with Jodie, no self-help or diet books. I also don’t tend to like books set in the current, modern US or UK. I’ll read them if they’re valuable and well-reviewed, but they don’t draw me in naturally.

Longest Book You’ve Read: 

I have read War and Peace. I don’t remember any of it (this was 8 years ago) and I’m pretty sure I read a poor translation. But I read it.

Major book hangover because of: 

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. That book left its stamp on me fiercely, despite its quiet nature.

Number of Bookcases You Own: 

In the UK, two big ones, two small ones. In the US, two big ones and a small section of the wall next to one of them …

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times: 

I read Prince Charming by Gaelen Foley 8 times in high school. I’m afraid to read it now since I’ve been so disappointed with what Gaelen Foley has written in the last couple years.

Preferred Place To Read: 

On the couch, downstairs, with the sun coming in the windows.

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read: 

I’m going to go with one of the latest quotes on my Kindle from The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There by Catherynne M. Valente:

“September had never been betrayed before. She did not even know what to call the feeling in her chest, so bitter and sour. Poor child. There is always a first time, and it is never the last time.”

Reading Regret: 

Skipping longer books I’ll probably love in favor of shorter books that I can read faster. Not re-reading my favorite books often enough.

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series): 

The Wheel of Time. I can’t believe the series has been finished for months and I still haven’t persuaded myself to read the rest.

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books: 

Two favorites, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. And a third favorite, mentioned earlier, The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Unapologetic Fangirl For: 

The Miles Vorkosigan series. I’ve pointed so many people in the direction of those books, in real life as well as online – I hope at least a few have started reading them.

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others: 

New Sarah Waters just announced!

Worst Bookish Habit: 

I share this habit with Jodie – I buy books and am thrilled to have them and then wait years to read them.

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book: 

The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh. Not yet read. Meant to read a long time ago. See above.

Your latest book purchase: 

Went to the bookstore yesterday to support the Books Are My Bag promotion and bought these lovelies:

• Spain: A History, Raymond Carr
• Germania, Simon Winder
• The Rough Guide to Andalucia

I also bought Higgs Force by Nicolas Mee for my husband.

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late): 

I may be the only book lover that just can’t do this. I fall asleep even when I’m totally in love with a book unless I’ve had a lot of sleep recently. Usually it happens when I’m reading a romance novel as I can get through them in a couple of hours each.