Book truths & dares

Tigerlily · Book truths & dares

Post your answers to the following book/reading habit questions and see how we all compare to one another.

1. I will dare to try the kind of book I think I won't like. The first thing that comes to mind is a Terry Pratchett book. I've always thought I won't like them, so maybe that will be my dare.

2. I will dare to ask a member of staff in a bookshop or library for a suggestion and take it. Ok, will get back to you on this one. Has anyone done this?

3. Truth - I confess that a book I enjoyed as a wish fulfilment fantasy is...Pride or Prejudice and Jane Eyre because the heroines get their man!! I'm such a big romantic.

4. I will dare to swap a book with someone who reads different stuff from me. That would have to be someone into fantasy fiction I guess, or chick lit. Anyone fancy swapping or recommending a title to me?

5. I confess that I read...Flowers in the Attic for the dirty bits as a teenager.

6. I confess my comfort reading is...gosh I don't know. I read spiritual books when I want to be comforted. Fiction wise, a C19y classic.

7. I confess that I've never tried...a book by Jodi Picoult

8. I confess that I struggled on with...Cloud Atlas and Midnight's Children and wish I hadn't.

9. I confess I feel snooty about...chick lit and misery books.

10. I confess that I feel guilty about...reading when I should be doing the chores or doing fun things with my daughter.

11. I will dare to read a book by an author who intimidates me...Salman Rushdie but I've read enough of his work!! How about Ulysses by James Joyce?

12. I will dare to read a book that the critics slammed....ooh can't think of one. Will have a think and come back re that one. Got me thinking now.

13. I confess a book I'm embarrassed to admit I've read is...don't think I am embarrassed about any books I've read. A friend once lent me a Maeve Binchy or somesuch book to read on the bus journey home from work and I would have been mildly embarrassed being seen reading it. I knew I would never read it but didn't have the heart to tell her it wasn't my cup of tea

14. I confess that a book I once pretended to have read when I hadn't is...probably the above book when I returned it to my friend

15. I confess a book that really got on my nerves is...The Dice Man and The Shadow of the Wind.

16. I will dare to read an erotic book with someone else...now here's something I've never done!

Tigerlily

Perhaps we could post a monthly dare?

Tigerlily

Can anyone think of any books that have been slammed by the critics? I honestly can't think of any and it's intriguing me now. There's something about a book lots of people dislike that makes me want to read it!

Karen

I've enjoyed reading your confessions Glynis, I think I am scarily with you on many of them! I will have a ponder overnight and try to find time (and be brave enough) to confess my responses tomorrow!

Karen

1. I will dare to try the kind of book I think I won't like. Biographies, I just don’t really want to know. Not sure I am up to keeping this dare

2. I will dare to ask a member of staff in a bookshop or library for a suggestion and take it. Yes have quizzed the assistant in the children’s section once or twice had a hit and a miss so no better than me making my own judgement – that was for my children though, not done it for myself. I have been asked for recommendations by a couple of Mum’s when I ran the school library a few years ago.

3. Truth - I confess that a book I enjoyed as a wish fulfilment fantasy is... I’m stuck here, not a big romantic at all so the Jane Austin thing does not work for me and can’t think of anything that does.

4. I will dare to swap a book with someone who reads different stuff from me. I can recommend/loan some teen/young adult fantasy fiction to you Glynis – what would you recommend to me, your choices always seem very different to mine.

5. I confess that I read...Flowers in the Attic for the dirty bits as a teenager. Oh yes, and I used to sneak peeks at my Gran’s bodice rippers too!

6. I confess my comfort reading is... a good crime thriller, nothing like my real life and the bad guy gets what he deserves, very satisfying!

7. I confess that I've never tried...a book by Jane Austin

8. I confess that I struggled on with...Cloud Atlas and wish I hadn't. I also struggled with Midnight’s Children but not to the end!

9. I confess I feel snooty about…Mills and Boon and similar

10. I confess that I feel guilty about...still reading after midnight while my husband tries to sleep with the light on. (stopped feeling guilty about the chores years ago!)

11. I will dare to read a book by an author who intimidates me...George Orwell, my son is reading Animal Farm so it is about time I bit the bullet. Don’t know why I avoid him and similar classic authors, a school thing maybe.

12. I will dare to read a book that the critics slammed...I can’t think of one either, book critics seem to review well or I assume not at all. I’m always wary when the jacket reviews refer to the author’s previous work and not the one I’m thinking of buying.

13. I confess a book I'm embarrassed to admit I've read is... Those bodice rippers belonging to my Gran!

14. I confess that a book I once pretended to have read when I hadn't is...not done that, ever.

15. I confess a book that really got on my nerves is...Bright Shiny Morning, I get cranky just thinking about it!

16. I will dare to read an erotic book with someone else... I've never done this either and I can’t decide if I want to or not!

Tigerlily

I really like teen/kids fantasy fiction, it's the adult fantasy that puts me off. I don't know why.

I really like George Orwell too. I like him because he writes simply - I read somewhere he didn't believe in using complicated words and sentences? Something along those lines anyway. But I understand you being put off by associating it with school!

Had another think re my comfort reading. In the past I read Stephen King, Martina Cole and the Anne Rice vampire novels for comfort reading. Just knew they wouldn't disappoint and they didn't; couldn't put them down. I also read Colin Bateman's novels when I wanted a fast-paced, funny crime novel.

Karen

I know what you mean, not sure how the fantasy genre moves on to be categorised as adult rather than teen. I tend to be guided by what my son likes. He likes Trudy Canavan - The Magicians Guild Trilogy was very good I thought and more adult in theme than the standard teen read. I also thought Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen by Garth Nix were superb and aimed at older teens at least. I have put The Painted Man by Peter V Brett on my son's wish list, spotted it in Borders a couple of weeks ago, so I might be able to compare better when we have read that.

Definitely need to give the George Orwell a whirl and since Alexander has the book I've no excuse - I have no clue how he writes, so there is no foundation for me avoiding his work.

I was totally with you with respect to Terry Pratchett, everyone raves about his books but we have never fancied any of them. My sister-in-law bought The Bromeliad Triolgy in one big volume about 5 years ago but the boys thought it was boring and did not get very far in. I read the whole volume, it was okay, but not sure what the big fuss is about and have not read anything else by him since. I shall wait with anticipation and see what you think if you give him a whirl.

Tigerlily

Do you know I think I might start a monthly book dare thread and I'll start with a Terry Pratchett book from the library.

I know what you mean about biographies/autobiographies - they just don't grab me at all, unless it's someone interesting from the past. I'm talking books about Jordan, footballers, Cheryl Cole, Jade Goody...nahh. I never know if what's written is the truth. Having said that, I've just had a look at biographies on Amazon and there're a few I would be interested in (Winston Churchill, Enid Blyton...).

Karen

Okay, I might just be tempted by Enid Blyton. Something which did occur to me is that I am about to read To War With Whittakar, not quite a biography but it is extracts from a diary kept by The Countess Ranfurly. I'm quite looking forward to reading this - might be a stepping stone to Enid Blyton .....

eightlegs

I'm a big fan of biographies but not the current celebrity kind. And probably more biographies than autobiographies. I have read and loved biographies of the Brontes, Daphne du Maurier, Vera Britten and C S Lewis amongst others and many biographies turned into stories, such as Monica Dickens series about being a district nurse (many years ago) and similar.

Did read and enjoy the Richard Hammond one about his career and "the" accident but not tempted by the sequel - wasn't sure there was much else to be said!

Also not a fan of fantasy fiction, never even managed to finish The Hobbit.

Will have a think about the rest of the truth or dares.

blueflower

Only Cowgirls get the blues! Not slammed by professional critics but if I remember right there was a big discussion on read it swap and people and the book did the rounds among the brave members who offered to read it. Didn't get around to it myself.

I will have to think about answering the questions - might be too revealing...

jobar

1. I will dare to try the kind of book I think I won't like. Fantasy isn't my thing....can someone suggest something to try??

2. I will dare to ask a member of staff in a bookshop or library for a suggestion and take it....this is a scary thought....will give it a try next time I go the library !!

3. Truth - I confess that a book I enjoyed as a wish fulfilment fantasy is..Cross Stitch by Diana Gabaldon...who doesnt want to cross over time and meet the man of your dreams !!

4. I will dare to swap a book with someone who reads different stuff from me. I've just done this on RISI by reading Kisscut by Karin Slaughter for my 2009 book Challenge

5. I confess that I read...Lady Chatterley's Lover when I was about 12, this was quite risque in the early 70's

6. I confess my comfort reading is...Romantic novels a la Nora Roberts

7. I confess that I've never tried...a book by Agatha Christie

8. I confess that I struggled on with...Time Travellers Wife...hated it

9. I confess I feel snooty about...celeb biographies.

10. I confess that I feel guilty about...having so many unread books on my bookshelves

11. I will dare to read a book by an author who intimidates me...I'm not intimidated ..just not interested in Salman Rusdie

12. I will dare to read a book that the critics slammed..... ????

13. I confess a book I'm embarrassed to admit I've read is..some Mills and Boon Romances

14. I confess that a book I once pretended to have read when I hadn't is...
[color=red]Captain Correlli's Mandolin

Lauzc

Karen

sparkymarky

1. I will dare to try the kind of book I think I won't like. DID THIS ON RISI-READ ALL THE SHOPAHOLIC BOOKS AND LOVED THEM AND EVEN READ SOPHIE KINSELLA'S OTHER NOVELS AND LOVED THEM TOO!.

2. I will dare to ask a member of staff in a bookshop or library for a suggestion and take it. NEXT TIME I GO TO BUY A NEW BOOK I THINK I WILL TRY THIS -OUR BORDERS HAS A WHOLE SHELF OF STAFF RECCOMENDATIONS THOUGH SO MAY JUST PICK A RANDOM CHOICE FROM THERE AS AM BIT SHY AND DON'T LIKE ASKING PPL IN SHOPS STUFF- YES, I DID JUST SAY I AM A BIT SHY!!!!

3. Truth - I confess that a book I enjoyed as a wish fulfilment fantasy is...TREASURE ISLAND AS I ALWAYS WANTED TO GO SAILING ON A QUEST FOR BURIED TREASURE AND LOVED ALL THE HANGING OUT WITH PIRATES!.

4. I will dare to swap a book with someone who reads different stuff from me. gUESS i HAVE ALREADY DONE THIS AS I SWAPPED FOR SOME OF MY SOPHIE KINSELLA BOOKS.

5. I confess that I read...A COUPLE OF BOOKS BY CATHERINE ALLIOTT BECAUSE AS A TEENAGER I FANCIED THE MODEL ON THE COVER.

6. I confess my comfort reading is...ALL THE ROBIN HOBB FITZ CHIVALRY BOOKS AS I JUST SO LOVE THE CHARACTER OF FITZ AND THE TRAGEDY THAT SURROUNDS HIS LIFE.

7. I confess that I've never tried...A MILLS AND BOON NOVEL

8. I confess that I struggled on with...GONE WITH THE WIND BUT AM DETERMINED TO FINISH IT WHEN I GET MORE TIME-OK THATS JUST AN EXCUSE BUT I WILL FINISH IT!.

9. I confess I feel snooty about...THE FACT THAT I HAVE READ SOOO MANY BOOKS AS OPPOSED TO OTHERS IN MY SOCIAL CIRCLE AS I FEEL IT MAKES ME MORE EDUCATED AND SLIGHTLY MORE INTELLIGENT THAN OTHERS WHO READ LESS THOUGH THIS IS NOT NESSECARILY TRUE!.

10. I confess that I feel guilty about...SPENDING MONEY ON SECOND-HAND BOOKS FROM CHARITY SHOPS WHEN I HAVE SO MANY BOOKS IN MY TBR PILE BUT HEY- THE MONEY IS DOING SOME GOOD RIGHT?.

11. I will dare to read a book by an author who intimidates me...ALREADY DONE- READ, AND ENJOYED FOR THE MOST PART, HOMER'S ILLIAD AND ODESSEY A FEW YEARS BACK THOUGH WAS HARD GOING

12. I will dare to read a book that the critics slammed....ANY SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE P.M ME AS CAN'T THINK OF ANY OFF TOP OF MY HEAD.

13. I confess a book I'm embarrassed to admit I've read is...MADONNA'S SEX BOOK THOUGH WASN'T AS OFFENSIVE OR AS FILTHY AS HAD BEEN MADE OUT IN PRESS AND ACTUALLY IT QUITE BORED ME- WOULDN'T HAVE READ IT IN PUBLIC THOUGH SO DOES THAT COUNT?

14. I confess that a book I once pretended to have read when I hadn't is...A JEFFREY ARCHER BOOK THAT VICKY'S AUNT GOT ME AS AN XMAS PRESENT-DID INTEND TO GIVE IT A GO BUT ENDED UP THINKING FRACK IT AND DROPPED IT OFF AT A CHARITY SHOP IN MY NEXT PURGE. TOLD AUNT-IN-LAW THAT IT HAD BEEN A DIFFRENT READ BUT THAT I HAD ENJOYED IT!

15. I confess a book that really got on my nerves is...THE DARKEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR BY DEAN KOONTZ- AM BIG FAN AND READ THIS RECENTLY BUT IT REALLY STARTED TO ANNOY ME HOW RANDOM IT ALL SEEMED AND HOW ONCE AGAIN THE WHOLE PLOT HINGED AROUND A GOLDEN RETRIEVER (DONE THAT) AND A DOWNS SYNDROME KID (DONE THAT AS WELL) AND THAT THE STORY WAS SOOOO WEAK. THE WORST BY HIM I HAVE EVER READ-THE GUY NEEDS TO DEVELOP SOME NEW IDEAS RATHER THAN JUST CHURNING OUT BOOK AFTER BOOK AFTER BOOK CAUSE HE SURE CAN'T NEED THE MONEY. qUALITY OVER QUANTITY DEAN PLEASE!

16. I will dare to read an erotic book with someone else..."now here's something I've never done!" ME NEITHER- THINK I WOULD BE TOO EMBARRASSED LIKE WATCHING SEX SCENES ON TV IN SAME ROOM AS YOUR PARENTS WHEN YOU WERE A KID-REMEBER HOW THAT FELT?
_________________

Karen

blueflower

sparkymarky

i originally bought mine second-hand as new and sold it last year for a very small profit! m,aybe i should've kept hold of it but to be honest couldn't see what all the fuss was about!

blueflower

It's a bit weird and to be honest I haven't really 'read' it just flipped through it. Not sure what she was thinking of when she did it. Is it art or a cheap gimmick? (well, not cheap in the money sense if I remember right)

lisa2062

1. I will dare to try the kind of book I think I won't like. I dare myself to try a chick-Lit book as they've never appealed to me.

2. I will dare to ask a member of staff in a bookshop or library for a suggestion and take it. I'll give it a go, but the assistants in my local library are hardly friendly.

3. Truth - I confess that a book I enjoyed as a wish fulfilment fantasy is...
Will have a think about this one.

4. I will dare to swap a book with someone who reads different stuff from me. I'd have to swap with someone who reads chick-lit as I read just about every other genre.

5. I confess that I read... Lady Chatterly's Lover when I was in my teens, and didn't find it that erotic

.

6. I confess my comfort reading is... books I read as a child such as 'The Lion, the witch, and the wardrobe.

7. I confess that I've never tried... a book by Jodi Picoult either.

8. I confess that I struggled on with... nothing as if I can't get into a book in the first few pages I give up on it.

9. I confess I feel snooty about...chick lit

10. I confess that I feel guilty about...reading when I could be doing something far more constructive.

11. I will dare to read a book by an author who intimidates me... will get back to you on this one.

12. I will dare to read a book that the critics slammed.... none springs to mind, but will let you know my choice when I find one.

13. I confess a book I'm embarrassed to admit I've read is... Some of Tami Hoag's books as they can be quite steamy in places.

14. I confess that a book I once pretended to have read when I hadn't is... I've never done this.

15. I confess a book that really got on my nerves is... can't think of one at present.

16. I will dare to read an erotic book with someone else... not sure I could do this, but who know's.