Reading Habits Tag

It’s tag time!

I’ve seen this tag knocking about for a while and thought it seemed like fun. I’m always intrigued to learn more about other people’s reading habits, favourite authors, beloved books and so on, so by all means take the mantle and answer the questions yourself; I’d love to see your responses.

Question #1: Do you have a certain place at home for reading?

I do most of my reading at night, so I’m usually just perched on my bed.

Question #2: Bookmark or a random piece of paper?

Bookmark. My favourite one has a picture of a cat on it. Obviously.

Question #3: Can you stop reading anytime you want or do you have to stop at a certain page, chapter, part, ect.?

It wouldn’t bother me what page or part of the book I was on but I could never stop reading half-way through a chapter. The thought alone makes me squirm.

Question #4: Do you eat or drink while reading?

Not usually, since it tends to be late night (or early morning more specifically – yay for insomnia) when I’m reading. If and when I manage to do some reading during the day, I’d love a nice mug of tea by my side though.

Question #5: Can you read while listening to music/watching TV?

I prefer to read in complete silence. The joy of books for me is losing yourself in another world and music/TV would be too distracting.

Question #6: One book at a time, or several at once?

I wish I could read several books at once, since there is an endless list I want to get through, but I find myself so engrossed in a story that I tend to stick to just one. At the most I can attempt two, but even that is a rarity. I’d rather focus all my attention on one set of characters and then move on to another.

Question #7: Reading at home or everywhere?

Most of my reading is done at home – since I prefer peace and quiet – but I do often read on the train if I’m making a longer journey.

Question #8: Reading out loud or silently in your head?

I read books in my head but I have been won round to the benefits of reading your own work back to yourself aloud, particularly dialogue; it really helps to get the flow right.

Question #9: Do you read ahead or skip pages?

I never skip ahead on purpose. I do occasionally feel my eyes glancing to the end of a paragraph during a particularly exciting moment or the climax of a great novel, but I soon snap them back before I spoil anything.

Question #10: Breaking the spine or keeping it new?

There is something hugely endearing about old, battle-worn books that show years of love and use. My compulsions push me to keep my own as pristine as I can however. I’ll just admire other people’s tatty books from afar.

Question #11: Do you write in books?

Never. As I said, I try to preserve my books as best I can and tend to feel that a book is for the author’s writing, not mine.