As you can see from the title of this post I’m not at home. Today’s question on BTT is:
I’™ve seen this series of questions floating around the ‘˜net the last few days, and thought it looked like a good one for us!
What was the last book you bought?
Actually I bought two. One is The Secret Scriptures by Sebastian Barry and the other is completely different – The Pub Landlord’s Book of Commonsense by Al Murray. I really shouldn’t laugh at Al’s jokes as he is quite rude, but I can’t help it – he is very funny.
Name a book you have read MORE than once
Pride and Prejudice but not for a long time
Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
I don’t think so, no!
How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews
Ha Ha. All of that really. I also like to read the first paragraph and have a look at the middle as well.
Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
I like them both although I read more fiction than non-fiction.
What’™s more important in a novel – beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
He He again. I like a gripping plot but it has to be in beautiful writing.
Most loved/memorable character (character/book)
Too hard to decide this morning. It could be Judas in the Bible as I’ve always felt sorry for him!
Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
Only two ‘cos I’m in a Bed and Breakfast. They are Robert Louis Stevenson’s Tales of Terror and Gladys Tabor’s Stillmeadow and Sugarbridge. I’ve read some of both of them – Stillmeadow last night til I fell asleep and Tales of Terror this morning – too scary for last night!
What was the last book you’™ve read, and when was it?
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher by Kate Summerscale, which I finished yesterday.
Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
Yes!
Don’™t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’™t have to go searching for it) in the comments’”or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!
I like that! I too can read horror stories at night!
http://readingandmorereading.blogspot.com/2008/10/what-was-last-book-you-bought-equal.html
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I like both fiction and non-fiction too! I don’t know whay I end up readimg so much fiction though.
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You feel sorry for Judas? I’ve never heard that before.
Enjoy your B&B.
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*snicker* about your comment about Judas. Have you read “The Secret Scriptures” yet? Curious on your thought of it.
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I always feel sorry for people in the Bible I’m not supposed to feel sorry for, like Martha slaving away in the kitchen.
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I have to agree that a gripping plot is best when beautifully written! 🙂
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I’ve never heard of anyone looking in the middle of the book to determine if they want to read it. Interesting!
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I wish I was somewhere at a Bed & Breakfast! 🙂 I like your answers.
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Mark me down as another who feels sorry for Judas.
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Writing and plot work together for me, too — it is hard to enjoy a book with one or the other lacking.
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I know you paid for it, but I thought I bought The Pub Landlord’s Book of Commonsense by Al Murray. Does that make sense?
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I definitely like good writing, but an exciting plot is nice as well. And I read far more fiction than non, though I have been trying to pick up more NF books.
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I think I’m due for another read of Pride and Prejudice sometime soon-ish. I just read your final thoughts on The Gravedigger’s Daughter, and The Suspicions of Mr Whicher. They really do both sound fabulous so they’ve now both moved up the wishlist!
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Robert Louis Stevenson Tales of Terror …hmm? I did not know he wrote scary stories. Sounds interesting.
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Thanks for all your comments. I’m glad I’m not the only one to think Judas had a raw deal and I feel sorry for Martha too, slaving away without any help from Mary.
As for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Tales of Terror I’ll be writing about them soon – there’s The Body Snatcher and Olalla. Of course he wrote that wonderful story The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde as well.
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I usually read the first paragraph of a book I’m looking at too. I did BTT early and had it automatically post so I wasn’t able to add my url to the list or visit others until now. So just wanted to let you know I’ve read your BTT and that mine’s here if you want to read it.
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Hi. Great blog! My first time here 🙂 I consider myself a total book snob because I would never read or purchase a book with a cheezy cover! I also read a random passag in the middle…and then the last few lines of the book (there’s no way I ever remember this when I finally settle in to read the book, so it doesn’t ruin anything)…and I’m not sure why I do that, I just always have! My responses are here http://itdoesntmakeanysense.typepad.com/joannie/2008/10/fun-stuff.html
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