Yes, a reading meme via Dorothy and Stefanie.
Do you remember learning to read? How old were you? I don't. I must have learned in kindergarten, but I don't remember the process. I do remember in what I think was first grade receiving a star for every book read. We had skinny sheets of paper that the teacher would write titles of the books on and then would add a foil star. The sheets were also kept on those little metal rings. I wish I had my lists now, I'd love to see what I read.
What do you find most challenging to read? Poetry. I just have a massive mental block when it comes to reading poetry. Since I have finally come to appreciate short stories, maybe poems will be next. The Mysteries of Udolpho had lots and lots of poetry in it. At the beginning of each chapter and then within the text. Emily wrote a lot of poetry. I did read them, but I think it was more just reading the words as after a line or two my eyes would glaze over and my mind would wander. Maybe next year I'll make a more concerted attempt to read some poetry.
What are your library habits? Bad habits, as you'll know if you stop by here regularly. I am trying to be better. Since I am trying not to buy new books, it is only natural that I would turn next to the library to feed my new book habit. The thing is--it got so out of control, I had to make some changes. And keep in mind that I work in an academic library and also use the public library! I would normally just request any new book that looked at all interesting online. Inevitably five or six books would come in at once, and I would end up with a stack of 20 library books at home. So many were going back unread, I was feeling horribly guilty. So I now have about four books at home and one that I am still in line for. At the public library I can keep on online list of books that I want to read without actually requesting them, so I am using that feature far more often. I think I have about 23 titles on it! So when the Winter Reading Program comes around again in January, I will easily be able to select my five books to read.
Have your library habits changed since you were younger? Yes. Technology has made it far easier to get books--the ones I want, anyway. Before I would just go in and browse and if it was on the shelf I lucked out. Now I usually have a particular list of books I am looking for. The selection of new books and DVDs is terrible if you just go in to browse as everyone is in line for the popular stuff! Of course if you want to read older books, there is lots to choose from.
How has blogging changed your reading life? Yes. I read much more now than before. I read different sorts of books now. I read lots more classics and British Lit that I can order online that I didn't have access to before the web, and before I found bloggers talking about it (I'm thinking of Persephone Books' titles, but other British authors as well). I think I am a far more conscientious reader now than before as well. And my stacks are much larger (see yesterday's post)! In the past I would have maybe four books started at once, but never more than that. See, I can blame it on blogging.
How often do you read a book and not review it on your blog? What are your reasons for not blogging about a book? I generally mention the books I am reading here. Sometimes I think I talk about them too much. Occasionally I will be too lazy to actually write an entire post about a book. If I don't get on well with a book I might mention that, but I won't ever write a bad review of it.
What percentage of your books do you get from new book stores, second hand books stores, the library, online exchange sites, online retailers, other? In the past it was easily 100% of my books came from new bookstores or online bookstores (also new). Now it is probably 75% or more from library sales, Bookmooching and used bookstores. I will still buy an occasional new book, but I have curtailed that habit quite a bit. Of course I am hoping for a few gift cards to bookstores with the upcoming holidays.
What are your pet peeves about the way people treat books? I don't really have any. If it isn't my book I don't care. Though I will say that I find library books that have highlighting in them distracting. And I don't know how people can forget to peel off those discount stickers from their books.
Do you ever read for pleasure are work? I usually read for a while before work as I arrive a little early due to the bus schedule. I have also been reading on my break and at lunch. Sometimes I will do needlework instead, but as I am trying hard to finish books before the end of the year, I usually read.
When you give people books as gifts, how do you decide what to give them? I only buy books that have been listed on wishlists or that have been requested specifically. In the past I have given books and discovered the recipient didn't like them, so I have learned my lesson. It would always be a book that I loved, so of course this made me feel awful. I know it was never anything personal--everyone has different tastes--but of course you want everyone to love the books you love, too. On the flip side I rarely get actual books myself as a gift from others. I guess they figure I already have too many. Don't they know you can never have too many books?