(image by Ryan Heshka, a previous Friday Favorite)
I came across this book meme on Quixotic’s new site which began its life here back in 2005. It went along so well with this month’s theme and looked so fun that I just had to participate.
Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror?
Though I generally read more Fantasy, Science Fiction is my first love, Fantasy my mistress, and Horror that occasional hot date that one cannot resist.
Hardback or Trade Paperback or Mass Market Paperback?
Based on the conversation the other day it should be known that I much prefer hardbacks. Trades are my second favorite and mass market only if there is no other option. The only exception to this is those old paperbacks that enslaved me as a child. I prefer the paperback versions with the exact same covers as those that I remember so fondly.
Heinlein or Asimov?
I am reading my first Asimov now and really enjoying it. It is allegedly Asimov’s least favorite of his novels. That either says something about the quality of his writing or my taste if I am liking it so much this far. I have read 3 Heinlein books that I enjoyed, including one, Time Enough For Love, that is one of my favorite science fiction books of all time. Despite the occasional juvenile sexual descriptions and oedipal ending there are several deep, abiding love stories in the remembrances of Lazurus Long that really struck a cord with me and help me to overlook its shortcomings.
Amazon or Brick and Mortar?
I use Amazon frequently. Even if I never bought from them again the wishlist is an amazing tool for remembering and keeping track of books one wants to read/own at some point in time. I am frequently frustrated with their shipping methods and the resulting damage to almost every other book I order. I hit the Brick and Mortar stores regularly as well. I’m not choosey, I’ll shop wherever there are books.
Barnes & Noble or Borders?
Barnes and Noble is closer so I am there more often but I like both equally. I have membership cards for both and generally take advantage of the coupons.
Hitchhiker or Discworld?
Here’s where my sci fi street cred begins to fail me. I have read neither. Though it may be blasphemy, I really enjoyed the Hitchhiker movie. I also enjoyed Pratchett’s work on Good Omens so I imagine I would find the Discworld books highly satisfying. Someday.
Bookmark or Dogear?
People who dogear books should be drawn and quartered! Just kidding…sort of. I am a person who reads their books very carefully so as not to break the spine, there is no way you would ever catch me dogearing a book. I generally use some thin piece of something with artwork on it to bookmark a book, but nothing too thick.
Magazine: Asimov’s Science Fiction or Fantasy & Science Fiction?
I have, on occasion, purchased and enjoyed both magazines but it has been a loooong time. I should start reading them occasionally as I may discover other authors that I really enjoy.
Alphabetize by author Alphabetize by title or random?
I don’t really alphabetize or put books in order by genre. Right now it is all about color. On my new bookshelf I have books arranged in such a way that colors are grouped together and I even have books that have accent colors that match the colors of the next book so that there is some form of color transition. Psycho, isn’t it?
Keep, Throw Away or Sell?
I am a collector. Not in the ‘I’ll make money on this someday’ vein but in the ‘I must possess it’ vein. I occasionally sell books if they didn’t do anything for me or if it is used and I find a better copy.
Year’s Best Science Fiction series (edited by Gardner Dozois) or Years Best SF series (edited by David G. Hartwell)?
I have never read a Year’s Best anthology. I really should as I like short stories immensely. And again it is a chance to discover new authors.
Keep dustjacket or toss it?
This is even worse than the dogear question!!! Why would anyone toss a dust jacket!?!?!
Read with dustjacket or remove it?
If I borrow books I always take the dust jacket off. I generally do with my own books as well but not always. If I am sitting at home I sometimes like to have the dustjacket on so that I can look at the artwork occasionally.
Short story or novel?
I enjoy both. A good story is as much of a work of art as a novel and I read a fair amount of both every year.
Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket?
I haven’t read any Harry Potter so I cannot judge them. I think the Lemony Snicket books are very clever and alot of fun. I think the look of the books is fantastic, really enjoy the cover and interior illustrations, and I have frequently pimped the audio versions read by Tim Curry-fantastic!
Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks?
Since I read on ‘the throne’, while waiting in line at the bank, etc. my stopping places are generally predicated on circumstances somewhat beyond my control. However if I am sitting down at the house to read I generally try to make it to the end of a chapter or to a place within the chapter where there is a double space indicating a break in action and a move to somewhere else.
“It was a dark and stormy night†or “Once upon a time�
It was a dark and stormy night…but only because that is how Snoopy always started his ill-fated novels in the Peanuts series.
Buy or Borrow?
I am a consumer at heart though I will borrow as well.
Buying choice: Book Reviews, Recommendation or Browse?
All of the above. Cover art is always the first thing that attracts me to a book when browsing and is often the determining factor of whether or not I buy a book unless it is from an author that I particularly enjoy. Book blogs have been a treasure trove of quality recommendations as well.
Lewis or Tolkien?
I think Lewis’ stories are magical and I really enjoy them but I am a Tolkien geek. What he did (at least in my mind) is almost beyond words. I say ‘almost’ because many of you have heard me go on and on…and on…about Tolkien.
Hard SF or Space Opera?
I much prefer Space Opera…maybe because I am a product of the Star Wars generation. I have read a few Hard SF books that have been very good but my heart lies with the SO. One need only know a bit about the Stainless Steel Rat series to know that my science fiction does not have to be high brow.
Collection (short stories by the same author) or Anthology (short stories by different authors)?
I mostly own collections by the same author but I don’t believe it has ever been a conscious choice to snub anthologies. More of my anthology books are gothic/horror stories as opposed to science fiction.
Hugo or Nebula?
If I read a winner of either award it is simply because I have stumbled upon it. I don’t go out of my way to read award-winning books in any genre. If I like a book and it has won an award then I am thrilled for the author, of course. I would have to say that I love the Hugo Award simply because of the form the award takes. Here is the 2005 design:
Isn’t it fantastic?!?!
Golden Age SF or New Wave SF?
Not sure how to answer this. I like science fiction that hearkens back to a nostalgic time prior to my existence (stuff like Edgar Rice Burroughs’ John Carter of Mars series) and I like newer science fiction. If the story is more of an adventure, or space opera, type of story then I generally like it regardless of the era.
Tidy ending or Cliffhanger?
I like a tidy ending even for books that have sequels.
Morning reading, Afternoon reading or Nighttime reading?
Any chance I can get!
Standalone or Series?
I much prefer standalone books. If a series is brief and already finished then I am not as reluctant to start it. There are too many fantasy series out now that have been going on for decades and still are not complete. I am just not that dedicated.
Urban fantasy or high fantasy?
I really like both. Urban fantasy, like Neil Gaiman’s book Neverwhere, are probably my favorite but only by the slimmest of margins. Of course Lord of the Rings, which would be considered high fantasy, is arguably my favorite fantasy series of all time.
New or used?
I buy both but I prefer new (with the exception of older ‘classics’ that I collect). If it is used and looks new then that is alright by me.
Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?
The Secret of Spring by Piers Anthony and Jo Anne Taeusch. It is a romantic, innocently sexy, comedy adventure science fiction novel that I just stumbled upon in the bookstore one day and brought home. It is a fun little book.
Top X favorite genre books read last year? (Where X is 5 or less)
In no particular order:
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
The Bloody Crown of Conan by Robert E. Howard
Old Man’s War by John Scalzi
The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi
The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
Top X favorite genre books of all time? (Where X is 5 or less)
In no particular order:
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
The Adventures of the Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
X favorite genre series? (Where X is 5 or less)
In no particular order:
The Han Solo Trilogy by Brian Daley
The Castle series by John DeChancie
The Stainless Steel Rat series by Harry Harrison (with the exception of The Stainless Steel Rat Joins the Circus which is a travesty)
The John Carter of Mars series by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Star Trek original series novels
Top X favorite genre short stories? (Where X is 5 or less)
In no particular order:
Chivalry by Neil Gaiman
Any of the AAA Ace Interplanetary Decontamination Services short stories by Robert Sheckley
Thirteen Phantasms by James P. Blaylock
Queen of the Black Coast by Robert E. Howard
The Price by Neil Gaiman
and to conclude I add my own question to the meme:
Current Top X favorite genre book cover artists? (Where X is 5 or less)
In no particular order:
Kinuko Y. Craft
John Foster
Stephan Martiniere
John Harris
John Jude Palencar
Holy Cow that’s a long list! 🙂 Great topics though. I feel ashamed to say I haven’t read any Heinlen or Asimov and intend to change that this year. I’ll read anywhere, anytime which means I can stop at any point in a book and I like nothing more than a good cliffhanger. Give me a jawdropper. I love that feeling. I enjoy series more than standalone I suppose but I read a lot of both. Fantasy, then Sci-Fi, then horror. I prefer collections over anthologies. Bookmarks -no dog earing that’s just book cruelity. Great top 5 lists Carl. I echo many of your choices.
You think you can just drop a revelation like that without having to endure the consequences?!?!?!
No Pratchett or Hitchhiker’s?!?!?!?!?!
I say we all boycott SSD until Carl comes to his senses…….
Haven’t read any Heinlein, Carl, so I know the feeling. But seriously, you’d love the Hitchhiker’s series. Go forth and purchase, my boy.
Great answers Carl – enjoyed reading 🙂
No Discworld or Hitchhiker’s though? Shame!
I knew I would take a beating! Hey, I only read the LOTR books for the first time last year! (ducks and covers head). I actually have the Hitchhiker series. I think it was Jeff that found a cheap used copy for me back when the movie came out! I’m sure I will get to it someday. It may be the wrong thing to say but I am actually more motivated to read it so that I can then read Don’t Panic by Neil Gaiman.
Great meme.. and fun answers.
I’ll have to get around to doing this one too.
And I stayed up late finishing Greywalker last night! Thanks for the recommendation.. I loved it!
I’ll post my review tomorrow…
I’m so glad Angela! Look forward to reading your review!!!
I too gasped when I saw you had read neither Adams nor Pratchett. What have you been waiting for? I like Pratchett immensely, but I think Adams was close to genius.
This is a great meme, Carl!
I can’t believe you haven’t read Harry Potter, though. I’m shocked. (Not as shocked as you are that I haven’t read Dracula….however, I am more shocked that you haven’t read Hitchhiker!!)
Wow. Anyway, I might tweak this meme’s SFF/Fantasy focus a bit and use it on my site.
Have a great day…and, really, read a Potter. Or six of’em.
I’ll be ducking right along with you as I just read the LOTR trilogy last year myself. And was somewhat underwhelmed — but I have no doubt it improves on, and calls for, multiple readings.
And bravo to you for doing the color thing in your library. I am so tempted…
Great meme. 🙂 I may steal it tomorrow!
I will also have to duck and cover, don’t worry – I haven’t read anything by Asimov or Heinlein (though I HAVE read both Pratchett and Adams.)
Hey, I stole the meme, so steal away!!!
I love how each book of the LOTR trilogy seems to get better and more focused as they go along…at least that is my experience. It was only Tolkien’s second real novel and I think he grew so much as a writer as he wrote. Reading the Silmarillion before reading the trilogy adds a tremendous amount of depth and backstory to the trilogy that no doubt enhanced my love of it.
Susan, here is an example of the way I started with the color arranging. It may not be quite as obvious as to how the colors transition and I have done some rearranging since then, with the addition of a few different books. When you are standing back from the bookshelf and looking at it the flow of color is more obvious.
Am I the only one who thinks the Hugo statue is cool? According to this wiki site, the rocket stays the same but the base is changed every year. I find the whole thing very retro-cool and creative.
Don’t worry I won’t boycott you for passing on Pratchett or Hitchiker–I’m right with you there. 🙂
That Hugo statue is the ult. I’m tempted to write some sci fi just to see if I could maybe get one.
In searching for some other examples I saw that they sometimes do some sort of call for entries for the design of the base. Not sure if just anyone can do it but it would be fun to submit a design.
I found it! Here is a link to pics of other Hugo awards. You can click on the various decades to see other examples. The deadline for this years’ is too late (it was Jan 15th). May have to consider this for the future!
How can anybody not shelve their books alphabetically by author?!? That’s just so far outside my framework…
I think I might borrow this meme! And Carl…really…do I need to send you the first Harry Potter book?
Fun meme! I would borrow it but I’d have to take out all the sci/fi questions as I don’t really read much of that genre. Now if it was mysteries, then we’re talking 🙂
I think with just a bit of work you could tweak this meme to fit any genre.
Books for me are always initially about the cover art so it makes more sense for me that I would shelve them based on the way they look rather than alphabet, genre, etc. I just dare to be me! 😉
Hey Carl,
Had to take this one for my blog too, though I admit I did a modified version. I didn’t have the stamina to do the whole thing right now :p
I too have not gotten around to the hitchhiker or discworld series. There’s just always something else I want to read first. But come on, Harry Potter! Everyone’s read that…just kidding with you of course, but they are some pretty good books.
Yup. I like the Hugo statue too. Thanks for the link on the past statues. I like how they also incorporate the rocket ship each year but change the base to give each it’s own character. really nice.
Great blog. I’m afraid I’ve only read one Heinlein and one Asimov and always intended to read more. Loved LOTR, reading them for the second time, after each of the movies came out. And I’m hooked on Harry Potter, already have the next one reserved. I’m with you on why I buy so many books; I just have to possess them.
Some great conversations starters, that’s for sure… I often print out my amazon.com list and take it to a brick-and-mortar store, just to make sure I get what I’m looking for!!
That’s a good idea Shannin…I’ve thought of that before…but only when I’m at the store. Doh!
I’m surprised that you haven’t read any discworld (Pratchett) books. I’ve only read 2, but thought they were delightfully imaginative with good solid storylines. I look forward to your first review of one. May I suggest ‘Mort’?
Suggest away! 😉
I’ve registered and tried posting on your site Turducken. At any rate here is what I was trying to say in response to your answers on your site:
I noticed the lack of acid-free paper on a few trades I haven’t owned long and it was really disappointing. Don’t quite understand that. I’d rather pay the extra for a trade simply because I think they hold up to less spine breakage when reading but I hate the fact that so many of them will yellow with age.
“I don’t read naked, and the book owes me the same courtesy.” An absolutely priceless quote. Should be on merchandise.
I enjoyed reading your answers. This meme has been particularly enjoyable for those who have stuck to answering in the genres listed.