Confessions of a Bibliophile

I don't often do this, but decided to tag along about my reading habits with Sian from High in the Sky. She tagged on to fellow reader Helen of the blog I Will Bloom. Here are my thoughts on the subject:

Do you have a certain place at home to read?

I read all over the house. First thing in the morning, I sit in my chair and catch up on blogs. I should be doing that on the treadmill, but I've gotten out of the habit. I pick up my current book every afternoon and sit in Butch's recliner for that. Later in the day, I"ll sit outside on the front porch swing. I ALWAYS read before and IN bed. I cannot go to sleep with winding down with my book. I probably read about an hour and a half a day. Sunday is my favorite reading day where I'll read up to 4 hours. You will find me lying on the couch for long reads like that.

A bookmark or a random piece of paper?

Now that I use my Kindle exclusively, I no longer use a bookmark. When I did, it was a nice bookmark. Some of my favorites were made by the grands. I moved them from book to book. Cookbooks are another story. I have several bookmarks in each one. At least it's a way to continue to use them. I never turn down page corners unless it's a magazine. I could not defile a book like that!

Can you stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter or number of pages?

I prefer to stop reading at a new chapter. Since that isn't always possible, I can stop anywhere---for sure at the end of a paragraph. It doesn't really matter where I stop as I always have to go back a page to refresh my memory as to where I am anyway. It doesn't happen very often, but if I'm under the gun to get a book read for book club, I'll count the days I have left and then read the number of pages daily to meet the goal. I cannot imagine belonging to a book club and NOT reading the books. Why bother?

Do you eat or drink while reading?

I have a drink by my side all day long, so I do drink while I read. Drink---not to be confused with an alcoholic beverage! I have tea in the morning and water the rest of the day---with an occasional glass of wine thrown in. I never eat while reading on my computer, but will have a snack during my afternoon "read." Lately, it's been a banana popsicle.

Do you watch TV or listen to music while reading?

TV---never---but it's in the background sometimes while reading blogs. Music---most of the time. I like to listen to classical music since it's less distracting.

One book at a time or several at once?

I never read more than one book at a time on my Kindle. But I used to read print books more than one at a time---occasionally. The genres had to be completely different---like fiction vs non-fiction. I could never read two books of fiction at the same time as I would never be able to keep them straight.

Reading at home or everywhere?

I read everywhere. That's why I love having the Kindle app on my phone. That way I am never without my books. Plus, I love how the phone app syncs with my Kindle. I never have to figure out where I am.

Reading aloud or silently in your head?

I read silently in my head. If I ever came across anyone reading aloud to themselves, I'd think they were a little "off!"

Do you ever read ahead or skip pages?

Absolutely NOT! In fact, I am so obsessive about it, I read everything in the book including the critics comments, forwards, end notes, author's bio, author's notes, discussion questions---I read it all. Okay, maybe not the bibliography! 

Do you ever write in books?

I almost said "never" but then remembered that when I read print books, sometimes I'd make brief notes of the characters with a brief description or relationship---in pencil---at the beginning---especially when it comes to family sagas and you need to keep all the different generations clear in your mind.

I'm adding a couple questions myself.

What genre do you prefer?

Historical fiction is my favorite. I want to learn something when I read. Books based on true events or facts are so interesting to me. I read many genres---biographies, mysteries, self-improvement, classics and some science fiction. That's why I like my book club. It exposes me to books I wouldn't ordinarily pick up on my own. 

Do you have any book related regrets?

I have a huge book regret! Now that I am completely, totally hooked on my Kindle, I have a beautiful library full of print books that I don't use. 

Sometimes I'll sit in there with my Kindle in front of the fireplace to read. But the actual books themselves are gathering dust. I used to love to browse the book stores and would frequently come home with a hundred dollars worth of books. Now, if I get book ideas, I just make a list until I can get to my Kindle. Connie taught me a little trick a couple years ago that has saved me so much money. Rather than buy the books that I want to read, I just add them to a "sample" list. That way, when I am ready to start a new book, I can go there and pick one. Currently, I have over 150 books on my "sample" list.