Tagging Myself In: 20 Bookish Questions

Since I’ve been spending a lot of time trying to teach myself Spanish (I blame Gaston Dorren), I’ve had less time to read and think of interesting things to post on Wednesdays. So, I’m stealing using Nose Stuck in a Book’s 20 Question Book Tag as the inspiration for this post.

A recent view of Mount TBR, including the last book I DNFed.

1. How many books are too many books in a series?
   This depends entirely on the story and the writing. As long as the author is still finding new (plausible) territory and the story feels like it’s not wearing out or straining, then there’s still life in the series. As soon as the story feels tired or repetitive, it’s time for the author to move on.
   
2. How do you feel about cliffhangers?
   Loathe them so much I wrote a post about it.
   
3. Hardcopy or paperback?
   I don’t really have a preference, unless it’s a really big hardcover. If the book is heavy, I prefer ebook.
   
4. Favorite Book?
   The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver; Lamb, by Christopher Moore; Good Omens, by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett; A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, by Anthony Marra
   
5. Least Favorite Book?
   It’s a tie between The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Catcher in the Rye,  by J.D. Salinger. I’d throw in Ulysses and Finnegans Wake, by James Joyce, but I never finished them.
   
6. Love triangles, yes or no?
   Only if they all end up together. Which I don’t think ever happens. Love triangles just add unearned angst.
   
7. The most recent book you just couldn’t finish?
   Behind the Scenes at the Museum, by Kate Atkinson – It just wasn’t interesting enough to hook me.
   
8. A book you’re currently reading?
   European Travel for the Monstrous Gentlewoman, by Theodora Goss – Metafictional fun!
   
9. Last book you recommended to someone?
   The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth, by Thomas Morris
   
10. The oldest book you’ve read? (Publication date)
    The Epic of Gilgamesh c. 2100 BCE
    
11. The newest book you’ve read? (Publication date)
    The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth – It comes out soon.
    
12. Favorite author?
    Barbara Kingsolver, Neil Gaiman, Charles Dickens, Anthony Marra, Terry Pratchett, Margaret Atwood, N.K. Jemisin…so many others.
    
13. Buying books or borrowing books?
    Both! I’m insatiable.
    
14. A book you dislike that everyone else seems to love?
    The Catcher in the Rye – I just don’t see the appeal. Holden Caulfield is a pretentious little brat.
    
15. Bookmarks or dog-ears?
    Dogears, but only in my own books. When I borrow books from other people or the library, I use a card from my Yellowstone National Park deck.
    
16. A book you can always re-read?
    Good Omens – I’ve read it so many times and it still makes me laugh.
    
17. Can you read while hearing music?
    Only scholarly reading, weirdly enough. When I’m reading for fun, I tend to stop noticing the music so I just don’t turn it on.
    
18. One POV or multiple POVs?
    I’m good with either as long as they’re well written. I get annoyed at multiple POV books in which the characters all sound the same and/or the transitions are abrupt and make it hard to tell who is speaking.
    
19. Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?
    If it’s short, interesting, and I don’t have the go to work, I can read a book in one sitting. Otherwise, it takes a day or two.
    
20. Who do you tag?
    If you like these questions, feel free to tag yourself in, too!