Getting To Know You, Getting To Know All About You...

[Ruthiella]

Well, the obvious question is "what are some of your favorite books".

Also reading habits. Audio, e-book or paper version...any preference? Do they abide by a 50 page rule or do they read to the bitter end?

Lastly, this is a question that you use on your "Other People's Bookshelves" blog posts and Simon at StuckinaBook on his "My Life in Books" blog series, "What was the first 'grown up' book you read?"

I have two guesses for who your co-host will be. One is a current blogger and one is a former blogger...Can't wait to hear if I am right.

[Tracy]

Alas, Gavin will be missed as will the banter between you two! I have a question for your new partner in pulp as well as yourself, "When a book is made into a movie or television series do you prefer to have already read it before viewing or do you do it the other way around?"
I know for myself that I do a bit of both, I've certainly seen a lot more of Dickens' work than I've read, but I read every Harry Potter before seeing the movies.

[Nadyne]

Some more questions: do you have a favorite genre, a favorite author, a favorite series? Do you mostly buy your own books or do you go to the library? When you buy books, do you keep them all? And finally: how do you decide which book to read next?
Oh no, I have another question: do you read more than one book at a time (I always read only one book at a time, because if I try to read more than one, I know one will stay unfinished).
I seem to be a very nosey person. :-)

[Ruth]

Hello. I'm a new listener to The Reader. I love all the banter about books! My questions would be 'Do you ever re-read books from your childhood?' and 'Do you ever read books that you feel so personally attached to that you just don't want to discuss them with anyone else?'.

[Elizabeth☮]

I would like to know his/her favorite Beatles song (I'm assuming there is one) and whether they own a dog or cat.

[Ruthiella]

Elizabeth wrote: "I would like to know favorite Beatles song (I'm assuming there is one) and whether they own a dog or cat."

Favorite Beatles' song? Too funny. What is yours Elizabeth? I'm not much of a fan, but if I had to choose, I would pick Golden Slumbers.

[Elizabeth☮]

Across the Universe. My oldest daughter's middle name is Deva Rose. Deva is taken from the chorus in the song. Each time we hear it, she reminds us it is her song.

[Marie]

I'd like to know if the new (temporary!) co-host listens to audiobooks and/or reads ebooks, in addition to reading physical books.

I'm excited to find out who the new person is, and to hear the two of you bantering, but I know I'll miss Gav very much in the coming months! I hope he has a good break from it, and comes back relaxed and refreshed, and in a good place with his books and reading, and anything else that might be causing any stress of late.

Good luck, Simon, with this next episode! :-)

[Jenni]

Does he/she have guilty pleasure reads? Who is his/hers favorite literary sidekick?

[Louise]

Elizabeth - did you hear the version of Across the Universe that Rufus Wainwright did? It's awesome :-)

Questions for the new co-host:
Do you have any "pet peeves" that will put you off a book? (like Simon's boats!:-)

Your top 5 authors?

Do you read translated literature?

Look forward to the next episode :-)

[Elizabeth☮]

My guesses for your new co-host are: Polly (best friend and newlywed) or AJ (past guest host).

Louise,

I have heard Wainwright's version and Fiona Apple did a version for the movie Pleasantville. But the Beatles' version is the best (of course).

[Jenni]

Simon wrote: "Hey all just to let you know that myself and the new host are recording TOMORROW (Thursday)! So keep the questions coming until then ;)"

Simon, you're such a tease! I just finished listening to the latest episode of YWTB! and I was listening extra carefully at the end just in case you would let slip the name of the new co-host, but NO! I guess I just have to wait...

Speaking of YWTB!, it was a great episode! I've read two books by Ammaniti (I'm Not Scared and The Crossroads) but although Let the Games Begin was translated into Finnish two years ago I still haven't read it. I think one reason is that the Finnish cover was quite boring, unlike the British version. (Yes, I really am that shallow...) The podcast made me interested in the book all over again.

[Aurora]

Although no-one can "replace" Gavin, please let the new co-host be Kim??