The Book Blogging Test

It may surprise you to know that I not only have a blog about books but I follow a number of blogs about books. No, really, I do. So every now and then one of my fellow book bloggers publishes a post that’s a little interactive. This one comes from Angel Reads and if you like the majority of the books I blog about, you will love her website. Plus, she does giveaways every now and again, so there’s a bonus.

Anyway, I finished Bloodlines last night and realised that I have prematurely started re-reading that particular series. I still have 23 days until Silver Shadows comes out. So instead of finishing The Fiery Heart too early, I decided to start on some of the books I haven’t read before. Which means more writing. Yay!

Before I came to this realisation, however, I had this post saved to my drafts so that I could have something to post about while I was in the midst of re-reading. But I love these interactive posts in the book blogging community too much to let the “test” rest so I’m going to do it now. Enjoy, guys!

What are your top three book pet hates?

1. Any kind of typo or grammatical error that I come across while reading. Not only does it shatter the illusion of the world being created by your imagination, but it shows a lack of care on the behalf of the editor. Editors are the unseen gatekeepers between an author’s manuscript and the book you hold in your hands. Mistakes only make it into books when the editor misses them. Editor or proofreader, I should say. So when the gatekeepers aren’t paying attention, the story suffers. I don’t know if you guys have read The Obernewtyn Chronicles, but those books were, apparently, edited by Isobelle Carmody’s grandmother. And, unfortunately, it shows. Great story, but the constant typos made it hard to completely immerse yourself in the plot.
2. Actually, let’s run in this vein for a bit: sloppy editing gets me too. Have you ever noticed that the first book in a series is, usually, the best? Everything is more finely tuned than the later books. The reason for this, I think, is that the editor starts out as  the big, powerful gateway to getting published. Most of what the editor says is taken as gospel and changes are made to polish the manuscript so that it can shine as brightly as it possibly can. But once the author has a few bestsellers under their belts, the editor shies away. I think they become terrified that if they, the editor, suggest too many changes to a hugely successful author that the author will go to a different editor or publishing house. So they let the author get away with things that they really shouldn’t. I’m generalising here, because there are some brilliant writers who never get sloppy (Richelle Mead and Neil Gaiman are definitely among them). But then there are authors like Lauren Fucking Oliver. This actually happened in her train wreck of a novel, Requiem:
   Where the hell was the editor? No, screw that, this just shows how poorly Oliver thought of her story and of her readers by this point in the Delirium trilogy. She wrote that horrific sentence. Obviously, that “book” was a slap-together job because she was behind on her deadline.
3. When the cover art for a series changes part way through said series. How hard is it to wait until the whole series has been released in the original cover art before “updating”?

Describe your perfect reading spot.

Snuggled under a blanket with a mug of tea in one hand and some Tim Tams next to me on some kind of setting appropriate surface (coffee table, bedside table, arm of a chair). Winter is perfect book reading weather.
But then, I guess, in summer you can don some sunnies and read by the beach with the sound of the waves lulling you into relaxation overload.

Tell us three book confessions.

1. I cover all of my books in clear contact before reading them. This has been a habit ever since the cover of my copy of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets started to peel apart. The plastic bit peeled away from the cardboard and I could not believe it. I spent the next few days covering every single book I owned in contact so that it would never happen again.
2. I read bits and pieces of the Fifty Shades trilogy online to see what the fuss was about.  I had to close my laptop in disgust after reading the tampon scene. I felt physically ill.
3. I find it very difficult to read fiction based in reality. Unless it is an unbelievable reality, like Meg Cabot’s Princess Diaries or Avalon High. Give me fantasy, dystopia, or sci-fi any day.

When was the last time you cried during a book?

I teared up a little during The Fault In Our Stars, but no tears actually left my tear ducts. I know I cried during Clockwork Princess and The Book Thief, but I can’t remember which I read most recently. Pretty sure it was the former, though.

How many books are on your bedside table?

There isn’t actually any room on my bedside table for books. I have too much junk on there. I should really think about clearing them off. But, what I do have is maybe the most perfect present anyone has ever given me. Big call, and I probably pissed off a few people in saying it, but it is so true. You should’ve heard my voice when I unwrapped it. Are you ready for this?

What is your favourite snack whilst your reading?

Tim Tams! Chocolate and reading is the closest any of us can get to heaven while still living on Earth, I swear.

Name three books you would recommend to everyone.

1. The entire Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare. Hands down, best series I’ve ever read.
2. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman.
3. The Every series by Ellie Marney. Aussie YA + Sherlock = perfection.

Show us a picture of your favourite bookshelf on your bookcase.

At present, I don’t own a bookshelf. I left it behind when I moved to Canberra. So all of my lovely books are still in their boxes. Whenever I want to read something, I have to go on a bit of an archaeological dig just to find the specific book I want. Maybe that’s why I buy so many books: so I don’t have to go digging all the time. Instead, I’ll just show you the makeshift “shelf” currently housing my TBR pile, next to my bed:

Write how much books mean to you in just three words.

Escape. Therapy. Contentment.

What is your biggest reading secret?

That even if I want to spend all day reading on my days off, I can’t. Reading is such a silent activity that when I’m home alone, sometimes I get freaked out if I’m quiet for too long; I start hearing noises from outside and I get a little paranoid.

I am Tagging…

1. thebookboozer
2. Blogs-Of-A-Bookaholic

But if you guys want to get in on the action, just copy, paste, and go for gold!

Postscript: I wasn’t trying to plug myself, guys, I promise. All of the links to previous blog entries were just so that you could get a little more detail on some of the books I mentioned. Plugging myself would be next-to-useless, seeing as you’re already here!

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