Okay, so I've been out of the virtual world and in my own fantasy drama as I edit my 100k epic kinky fantasy Horns of Myleness.
Then, of course, my webmaster Kristin sends me this Book Meme quiz that everyone sent her. She decides it would be awesome if every author in South Jersey would answer the interview and send it back to her for her South Jersey Books Examiner column. Spreading the word about reading, love of literature, you know all that!
So, someone had to go first, and it might as well be me. Otherwise, I'll never hear the end of it and never finish my naughty unicorn book.
So, without further adieu, here is my Book Meme answers, as posted also at the South Jersey Books Examiner and Amen!
http://www.examiner.com/x-63331-South-Je
Our first victim-er guest at South Jersey Books Examiner is Leigh Wood, author of the erotic science fiction novel On the Way to New Isosceles, available now in ebook formats, kindle and paperback from Eternal Press. Her next novel, a fantasy erotica tentatively titled Horns of Myleness, is due in 2012.
Book Meme Interview: Leigh Wood
A favorite childhood book?
Well there were a lot that is for sure! The first one that comes to mind, however, is Arabian Nights. I remember getting tired of my little children’s edition so I went to the library and checked out the big old classic 1,001 Nights. My initial reaction at seeing all the kinky stuff? This isn’t a kid’s book at all!
What are you reading right now?
What’s A Christian to do with Harry Potter? I’ve been going back to it off and on for awhile now. I try to alternate a fiction and non fiction read, but my reading schedule suffers when my writing schedule is crazy. I like a lot of what I call ‘Christian fantasy non fiction’ books. Some are great and have a nice vibe about what’s good and wholesome about the fantasy genre. Others are just too darn negative and oppressing.
Bad book habit?
Some would say having too many dang books is a bad habit. Instead of nice even rows, I have my shelves organized and alphabetized, but they have to be stacked and doubled, even triple rowed in some cases. My bad book habit is that I just don’t have enough shelves.
Do you have an e-reader?
Not yet. I’m waiting for prices to be super super affordable, or for a format or streamlining to come about. I don’t want to buy the wrong reader and end up with the poor betamax and HD DVD folks! But also, I like reading ebooks on a computer-call me crazy!- and I like reading the books that I have as books. I’m not ready for the traditional ways to go away at all. I hope they don’t. You can give a kid a silly pamphlet book and who cares if he tears it up or scribbles all over it in crayon- but a blackberry or nook? How can introduce ourselves to a love of books and reading with bytes and digital ink? I don’t think enough people treasure real books and yet we are replacing them for something I’m not always sure is better. But I love reading naughty ebooks at the same time, sue me.
Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
I tried to read one book at a time, or maybe one novel and one non fiction or religious book, but usually one always gets left straggling behind- as I said especially if an editing binge comes calling!
Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
I don’t think so, not my book reading habits. I do however think I’m becoming more anal when I read other peoples blogs, especially the ones with all the grammar problems, text speech typing, and no punctuations whatsoever. I wish there was a way where you could select a track changes red pencil option and let someone see how many mistakes are in their blog. Sure, I make mistakes, certainly, but omg ppl lrn how 2 %^&#$ spell!
How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
Most of the time actually. I wouldn’t say I necessarily have a reading zone. Unless I’m going through a long series, I’ll read just about anything that peaks my interests. My shelves have everything from bibles to porn and all that’s inbetween.
What is your reading comfort zone?
It’s probably easier to say what I don’t read, which is most straight romancey romance, modern thrillers and mysteries, young adult, or Jane Austen. I don’t like things sappy, I much prefer the smexy even if it isn’t straight up erotica. I don’t like the same old same old repetive mysteries that are around today, rather the spooky gothic classic mysteries. I’m not a young adult so I can’t really understand the appeal of older folks reading those books, and good got Austen just gets on my nerves. Ouch, I think my comfort zone is pretty broad, but damn harsh!
Can you read on the bus?
Yes. I might use my finger to follow along, which I don’t do normally, but if you’re into a book or it’s a boring ride, you do what you have to do. And if I may, for those who would say no to this question, then why are you ^&*($ texting while driving? End rant.
Favorite place to read?
Sweet Jesus anywhere! It makes me patient. If I have to wait in an office somewhere, I can always read. However, there’s also something magical about reading in the bathtub. Another thing you have to figure with an ereader and a baggie!
What is your policy on book lending?
People lend their books to other people, really? Good heavens, I am a hog, hog, hog, and guard my collection with my life. If someone is visiting, and I pull a book off a shelve for him to inspect, I stare incessantly until I can snatch the book back and put it in its proper place where it belongs.
Do you ever dog-ear books?
Not intentionally, no, it damages the book! But when you read a book over and over and lovely bend and flex its pages over time, imperfections can happen. Lord, I’ve taped books back together.
Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
Not unless it is a non fiction book or a writing book that I might be taking notes on, but that is rare. Usually I’ll highlight instead.
What is your favorite language to read in?
English! My French is just as not as good as it used to be, but I must confess, I enjoy it when I find a French website for some reason and am still able to read it and find my way around! I don’t write in other languages, even when my skills were top notch. I’m just too much of a perfectionist in English and can’t make my foreign writing as stellar as I want it to be.
What makes you love a book?
What’s not to love? The characters, the atmosphere, the story, the drama, the heartache, the pain, the conflict. It’s not flashy visuals for the eyes, it’s intellect for the soul.
What will inspire you to recommend a book?
If I laughed, cried, felt the earth move, or was otherwise forever changed as a human being from reading one sentence. When is there a time to not recommend a book?
Favorite genre?
Fantasy or science fiction and historicals. It wavers in phases of which like more. But any genre really, and usually with some sort of kinky to it. I like things mature and intelligent regardless.
Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
Usually I read something if I have a mind to- if only my parents could have stopped me from getting a hold of a book or two! I don’t see the appeal of Austen or Twilight at all though.
Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
The Bible.
Favorite reading snack?
Anything and everything! Whatever baking bits I have left like cookies, or quick stuff like popcorn, and the usual chocolates. But not coffee! I hate coffee.
Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
Twilight. Snark.
How often do you agree with critics about a book?
Well, when critics review my books favorably, then its all the time!
If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose?
Latin. I learned enough of it in school back in the day-do they still even teach it? I like knowing enough of it to see the roots in words and see the relationships to other foreign words, but I can imagine a day when all the digital stuff is gone and we have to revert back to the basics. Best be prepared!
Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
Mists of Avalon. It was the only Arthurian book I hadn’t read for years. I kept avoiding and avoiding it, and when I finally read it, I didn’t like it very much at all.
Favorite Poet?
Probably Lord Byron. I’m not one for Shakespeare’s sonnets, but love his plays, whether he wrote them or not ;0)
Favorite fictional villain?
The Ring. Whatever problems you’ve got going on, its evil relates!
The longest I’ve gone without reading.
A book, maybe a few weeks. Once I left a book in my desk at school for a whole weekend and was mortified and stir crazy until I could return on Monday and find it safely where I left it! I do however, read something daily, newspaper, magazine, book, articles. I think that type of reading is being phased out for the snappy 140 character limits online. Tragic.
Name a book that you could/would not finish.
I can’t ever get through The Three Musketeers. It’s probably a bad translation, but it just stinks from the start and I never finish. That and Ivanhoe. Hate it!
What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
Interruptions! Expressly being repeated bothered by the family, chores, cats. Music, television, noise, hours could pass and I wouldn’t even notice. I have to set alarms around the house so I remember when to break my reading or writing.
Favorite film adaptation of a novel?
Lord or the Rings is the easy one. Or Lady Chatterley ;0)
The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
Don’t ask that! I remember getting several bags full of paperbacks for 10 cents each at a Thrift Store sale. My first reaction was to call my sister and tell her what a deal. She responded with, ’Mom’s going to kill you.’ I must have been the only kid growing up who got an allowance when I was going out and was told, ‘Please don’t buy anymore books. We can’t even get into your room. There are simply no more places to put bookshelves.’ My husband was just upset last night that he has a half of a bookshelf for his interests.
Do you like to keep your books organized?
Hell yes, but strangely, its in an arrangement that no one else can understand. Genre by shelf, then stacked according to title, size, and color.
Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
To quote Lilly Tomlin in ‘Big Business’: Is a frog’s ass water tight?
Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?
Twilight
Name a book that made you angry.
Twilight
Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
Penthouse Letters. That stuff isn’t even real!
