Book Babble

Taking this up from Chinkurli:

1. Favorite childhood book? And I'm stuck already. Do I choose from Enid Blyton, Anne of Green Gables or Little Women? Decisions decisions ...
2. What are you reading right now? Have Spacesuit Will Travel by Robert A. Henlein. Also, To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
3. Bad book habit? Being determined to finish a book even if it's absolutely terrible. Although I suppose not being willing to lend books could also count as bad book habit.
4. Do you have an e-reader? Nope. Shall probably wait and watch to see how the technology develops before I buy one.
5. Do you prefer to read one book at a time or several at once? Usually one book at a time.
6. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog? Nup. My reading habit has gotten a little relaxed over the years though.
7. Least favorite book you read this year (so far)? William Walker's First Year of Marriage. 
8. Favorite book you’ve read this year? Tough one. I think I shall pick Tom Holt, but it's a toss between Blonde Bombshell and Snow White and the Seven Samurai. 
9. How often do you read out of your comfort zone? Have I a comfort zone?
10. What is your reading comfort zone? Dunno!
11. Can you read on the bus? Sure ... helps that the bus drivers here are rather steady drivers so reading isn't the bumpy ride it could be.
12. Favorite place to read? I don't know if I have one ... but I'd love to have a reading chair ... a comfortably cushioned rocking chair or one of these. 
13. What is your policy on book lending? Hee hee, I don't lend. I did give away a book or two this year though, and they were Tom Holt's. 
14. Do you ever dog-ear books? Certainly not! My books are in pristine condition, unless I've bought dog-eared copies.
15. Do you ever write in the margins of your books? Heck, no!.
16. Not even with text books? What, like a decade ago? I might have done so in school but I stopped that a very long time ago.
17. What is your favorite language to read in? Angrezi? I read Kannada but really slowly ... would be nice to read in another language, a few more in fact. I wish I could read all the books in the world that were ever written.
18. What makes you love a book? I don't know, I just do.
19. What will inspire you to recommend a book? Someone's reading habits perhaps and preferences.  
20. Favorite genre? Alternate-reality, sci-fi, Regency era related, Young Adult fiction . I cannot pick a favourite.
21. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?) .
22. Favorite biography? Haven't really read one ... although I will pick Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman as my favourite autobiography.
23. Have you ever read a self-help book? Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teenagers. Should probably read it again. Also The Ultimate Gift.
24. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)? I don't think I did ...
25. Favorite reading snack? :D Biscuits, farsaan, toast, chips ... any snacky stuff
26. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience. The Da Vinci Code.
27. How often do you agree with critics about a book? I don't keep with with reviews really ... or rely on them. Very occasionally though, Amazon's readers' reviews are really helpful.
28. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews? Well, if it sucks, it sucks. 
29. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose? Japanese. And Urdu perhaps.
30. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read? The Tale of Genji and Satanic Verses.
31. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin? Atlas Shrugged.
32. Favorite Poet? I don't read much poetry but I loved Kiplings' If and Shakespeare's Seven Ages.
33. Favorite fictional character? Stuck again. Jack and Aliena from The Pillars of the Earth; Scout, Jem, Atticus, Boo, Miss Maudie Atkinson from To Kill a Mockingbird; Anne, Mathew, Mrs. Lynde and Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables; Leslie and Ms Edmunds from Bridge to Terabithia; Judy from Daddy-Long-Legs; Thursday's father from the Thursday Next series; Freddie and Kitty from Cotillion; Phoebe Marlow from Sylvester; Alexia from Soulless; Poseidon from the Percy Jackson series ... this won't finish. 
34. Favorite fictional villain? Kevin from We Need to Talk about Kevin.
35. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation? Whatever I'm reading then. 
36. The longest I’ve gone without reading – A month? 
37. Name a book that you could/would not finish- Tale of Genji and Satanic Verses.
38. What distracts you easily when you’re reading? Nothing. Except the book itself not enagaging me at some point.
39. Favorite film adaptation of a novel? Bridge to Terabithia. Stardust.
40. Most disappointing film adaptation? Percy Jackson! Maybe Baby based on Inconceivable. Anne of Green Gables. 
41. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time? Out here I devote a certain amount every month for buying books ... back home, I might've spent close to a 1000 one time, years ago though.
42. How often do you skim a book before reading it? Usually just the once, before I buy it.
43. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through? If I'm not in the mood for whatever genre it is.
44. Do you like to keep your books organized? On a shelf. I really would love that chair!
45. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them? I keep them all. Although I think I really should get rid of William Walker's First Year of Marriage.
46. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding? The Tale of Genji
47. Name a book that made you angry- Ooooh!!! Ashok Banker's King of Ayodhya. It made me want to scream 'ayogya!' at all the characters!
48. A book you didn’t expect to like but did? And Another Thing by Eoin Colfer. Also, surprise surprise, Percy Jackson.
49. A book that you expected to like but didn’t? King of Ayodhya.
50. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading? Reading itself is guilt-free pleasure!