Interview The Person Below You

[Papaphilly]

Tammy wrote: "Questions:
1. Do you reread?
2. Do you read a series straight through or space it out?
3. Do you have a favorite genre, if so what? ..."

1) Generally not. I have reread a few over the last forty years.

2) I tend to read them straight through.

3) I read mostly non-fiction. I do read the Science Fiction genre if I read novels.

Questions:

1) Do you read suggested books?

2) Do you read popular books?

3) Do you have personal Library?

[[deleted user]]

1. When I was a toddler, and my Mom read me Little Golden Books.
2. I love thrillers and cozy mysteries. I dislike memoirs - hermits live more interesting lives than 99.99% of memoir authors.
3. Both - I keep a list of books to read but choose specific books based on how I feel at the time.

Questions:
1. What book has been on your TBR list the longest?
2. Why haven't you read that book yet?
3. What's the first book you remember reading?

[Laureen]

1. What book has been on your TBR list the longest? Anna Karenina
2. Why haven't you read that book yet? It just seems like such a commitment. I have not been able to get myself to sit down and do it.
3. What's the first book you remember reading? Nancy Plays Nurse

Questions:
1. Do you think it is better to be a fast reader or an accurate one?
2. On average, how many books do you read/month?
3. What is the genre of book you are most likely to choose?

[幽灵]

1. If you could spend a day with any character from a book, who would it be and why?
Peta from Shannon Mayer's Elemental Series, though she's dead. I really like her as Lark's familiar and her loyalty towards Lark often bring tears to my eyes.

2. Which book, do you think, is very underrated?
Mockingjay of Suzanne Collins. A lot of people say that the book is confusing and skips many details but I like the epilogue of the book especially.
Here's a quote I really liked: I'll tell them how I survive it. I'll tell them that on bad mornings, it feels impossible to take pleasure in anything because I'm afraid it could be taken away. That's when I make a list in my head of every act of goodness I've seen someone do. It's like a game. Repetitive. Even a little tedious after more than twenty years.
But there are much worse games to play.
I liked how the ending linked back to the Hunger Games and this makes the book really unforgettable.

3. Which is the last book that made you cry?
Actually, I usually cry when I read, often at the touching parts and the sad parts. I can't really tell the last book that made me cry but the book that had me crying throughout the story was the novella 'Peta'. It's written in Peta's point of view and portrays her feelings accurately. I loved the part where Peta's thoughts about Lark slowly changes from derision to love. You should check it out.

Questions:
1. Do you cry when you read? How emotional are you when it comes to books?

2. Which book about magic (besides Harry Potter) do you like the most?

3. Do you enjoy writing stories?

[Greta Loves Books]

Answers
1. Yes! For some reason I cry more when i read out loud than when I read in my head, but I am very emotional.

2. I love A Wrinkle in Time soo much.

3. I love writing stories, but I'm usually not dedicated to them at all so I stop halfway.

Questions
1. Do you enjoy long books?

2. Which is the best classic you have ever read?

3. Do you judge books by the covers?

[Ananya]

1) Yes I love reading long books as it means extra time spending with it.

2)The little women. I feel a connection with it.

3)Guilty but yes I do judge books by their covers and their titles. I tend to buy books with pretty covers as compared to simpler ones.

My questions
1)A very popular book that you cannot stand?

2)Did you ever have a long hiatus where you read almost no books at all?

3)Any one fictional place you want to visit?

[Papaphilly]

Ananya wrote: "1)A very popular book that you cannot stand?

2)Did you ever have a long hiatus where you read almost no books at all?

3)Any one fictional place you want to visit? ..."

1) The Catcher in the Rye. I understand it is very well written, but I could just not stand it. I have zero idea why it speaks to people like it does.

2) I am going through one now. I have read exactly one book since March. I have no time and am exhausted from being a first responder in the NYC area with the Pandemic.

3) As strange as this seems (even to me) Ankh-Morpork from the Disc world of Terry Pratchett.

My Questions:

1) Do you have a large "To Be Read" list?

2) Do you have a go to book that you always recommend?

3) Do the changing seasons change your reading habits?

[Laureen]

1) Do you have a large "To Be Read" list? Yes, and now that I am on Goodreads, it is growing every day!

2) Do you have a go to book that you always recommend? I usually will ask the person what type book they like and then make recommendations, but I do often recommend Frederik Bachman books.

3) Do the changing seasons change your reading habits? Not really - it is based more on how busy I am with my kids, more than the season. Since they have had less activities during the pandemic, I am reading much more!

My Questions:
1. What classic do you want to read again?
2. What classic did you hate and never want to read again?
3. Where is your favorite place to curl up with a book and read?

[Federica]

1) I think I'd like to read again "little women" or "don chisciotte", cause I remember loving them but it was so long ago. Oh and " lord of the rings" for the same reason, if it counts as a classic

2) I don't really have classics I hated and that I wouldn't read ever again. For instance I didn't really like "lord of the flies", but who knows, maybe I'll read it again to change my mind. Or "Anna Karenina". It was ok, I can't say I didn't like it, but I didn't love it either, so I don't think I'll read it again (I'd choose "war and peace" if I had to read something written by Tolstoj)

3) I love reading on a hammock in the countryside, or on the beach.

Questions:
1) Do you have a favourite author? (and who is it?)
2) Is there a book you reread more than twice? (which one?)
3) Who's a character you've been in love with?

[Sha]

Answers

1. Hngh. I'm very bad at picking favourites and also they keep changing so nothing makes sense. But I do have a bunch of auto buy authors, like T. Kingfisher, Brandon Sanderson, Sarah Rees Brennan, Tamora Pierce, K.J. Charles and Lois McMaster Bujold. There are more, actually. But I should probably stop.

2. Oh yes there are so many books I keep coming back to. All the Penric novellas, for example. Starting with Penric's Demon.

3. I'd like to clarify that this is not romantic love because that is not how my brain works, but I do routinely vibrate because of how much I'm in awe of X character. The last one I had strong positive feelings about was Shen Miao from The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage.

Questions:
1. What are some of your favorite story themes or tropes? (a trope is a narrative theme or device reoccurring in stories like revenge plots, incognito characters, quest stories, enemies to lovers romance; basically anything that makes you go oh hey I think someone else used a similar idea)
2. What are some of your least favorite themes or tropes- things you actively try to avoid in stories.
3. Do you prefer your SFF/Mystery/Thriller with romance or without it?

Uhm I feel like I've stalled the thread with the question so I'm just going to change them.
New Questions:
1. Romance subplots in genre fiction- do you like them or would you rather not have them?
2. Do you have a favorite war story? If so, what is it.
3. What was the last tv show you found that you really liked?

[Musharrat]

Answers:
1. I would love them a lot.
2. Not really but I will gonna read them soon for sure.
3. A place to call home.

Questions:
1. What's the book which is highly inspiring to you?
2. What's your favourite book from the 18/19 th century?
3. Who is your favourite fictional character?

[McKenna]

Answers:
1. A book that was highly inspiring to me was Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory. I loved all of the themes and stories that could be totally relatable at times.

2. I wish I could answer this but I haven’t read enough books from that time period to say my favorite. One that I am dying to read is Pride and Prejudice. I’m not sure why I haven’t gotten ahold of a copy yet.

3. My favorite fictional character is Evelyn Hugo! (From The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo) She is so charismatic, funny, beautiful and interesting. Every character in the book is drawn to her because she is stunning and the way she was portrayed made me love her too! She was such a cool character that I could relate to and never got tired of because she had a mystery element to her.

Questions:

1. Who is your ideal book boy/girlfriend? And why?

2. What is one book that has cheered up your spirits when you’re feeling down?

3. What’s your favorite quote from a book?

[R]

Answers:
1. I personally have never had a fictional crush, but I would definitely like to spend my time with Hermione Granger.
2. Hmm....I can't name one specific book, but anything written by Rick Riordan is always a mood lifter for me. The first book that comes to mind is Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor, which I've recently read at a time when I was struggling, and it had made those weeks a little bearable.
3. "I always marvel at the humans' ability to keep going. They always manage to stagger on even with tears streaming down their faces."
-The Book Thief, Markus Zusak

Questions:
1. What is your favourite book series?
2. Which book do you wish didn't have a sequel?
3. How do you feel about cliffhangers?

[The Ravishing]

1. I am not a fan of series, but I have read the Harry Potter Series, The Hunger Games Series, and The Handmaid's Tale Sequel. of the three, I would say Harry Potter.
2. The Gilded Ones because I want to read The Gilded Ones but it is a part of a trilogy where the next two books have not been written/released yet :( therefore I won't read it.
3. I don't prefer them because it usually means there's another book that needs to be read to finish the story.

Questions:
1. What makes you choose your next read, and why?
2. Where you prefer to get your books, the bookstore (Barnes and Nobles), E-book store (Amazon), Audible/Chirp, the local Library, or other?
3. What is your favorite genre to read and what do you like about it?

[R]

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I love everything about the book, starting from the exceptional writing style to the lovable characters. it's also the first book that made me feel sooo many emotions.
2. I read in two languages. Bangla and English, but I prefer English.
3. none? I haven't read a villain whom I like yet.

questions:
1. if you were to give a present to a book lover, what would you get them? (if it's a book, which book and why?)
2. what are five must read books you would recommend to a non-reader that could make them a lifelong reader?
3. who is your favourite author and why?

[Tassnim]

1. i think i would give him " the fault in our stars" because I know he would love it
2. it depends on their interest but I would recommend " harry potter " " lolita " " 13 reasons why " " call me by your name " " divergent "
3. absolutely J.K rowling .. because she is harry potter's creator

questions :
1. when your favorite time to read ?
2. what's your favorite type of books
3. would you prefer to eat or drink something while reading ? if yes give me examples

[Papaphilly]

Tassnim wrote: "

1. when your favorite time to read ?
2. what's your favorite type of books
3. would you prefer to eat or drink something while reading ? if yes give me examples ..."

1) I actually do not have a favorite time to read. I read all the time.

2) I tend to read non-fiction the most nowadays. Mostly History, Politics, and Cultural Issues. I also mostly read Science Fiction when I read novels.

3) No, even if I have a drink or snack, they tend to be forgotten when I read.



1) Have you ever read a book that you thought was truly bad when it was recommended as a truly good book by a friend? How did you handle it.

2) Ever read a book you hid from your parents? What was it and why?

3) Your opinion on the idea of banned books, especially in public school?

[Michelle]

1) Yes, though I can't remember the name of it because it was so bad I blocked it it. I told my friend the truth and we had a fun debate concerning the merits of the book. Then agreed to disagree. No hard feelings

2) No, my parents, though very strict in some areas, were very open when it came to books, music, and education. They believed open minds bred intelligent children.

3) I believe banned books show only ignorance. As Oscar Wilde wrote, "The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame."


1) Have you ever loved a book that everyone else hated?

2) What book assigned by a teacher in school was your favorite?

3) Do you own a book that you have haven't read, and probably never will?

[Luisa]

1) Yes, I had. One of my favourite writters is José Saramago. He is usually loved or hatted.

2) I really enjoyed reading "The Maias: Episodes of Romantic Life", from the author Eça de Queirós.

3) Yes, I do...I would love to be capable to enjoy the books that I have from Camilo Castelo Branco, but I just cant...

1) What non-american/european writter would you recommend to someone who is looking to diversify their reading?

2) Do you eat while you read, and if so, whats your favourite reading food?

3) Whats your favourite genre?

[Crystal]

1) The closest thing I could recommend would be Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande but he is an American (son of Indian immigrants). The book discusses how cultures deal with death and does bring up perspectives outside of "the West." This group recently read some Khaled Hosseini. He is also an American, though born in Kabul. I can't say I'd recommend him, but plenty of people would. I have The Art of War on my TBR list. I know it's not a strong answer, but I'm trying to be honest.
2) I rarely eat while I read unless it's how I pass time while eating instead of watching TV. I definitely don't eat because I'm reading.
3) I love non-fiction (science, politics, history). In fiction, my favorite is historical fiction.

1.) Have you ever read a book because of another book (like a specific title/author referenced or further reading on topic introduced)?

2.) What film or TV series based on a book did the best job of following the book? Did you like the book better?

3.) What film or TV series based on a book did not follow the book very well? Did you like it anyway?

[Tassnim]

1) that's a weird question tbh .. but i think yes it happened
2) no movie can follow the book .. always there is some details which the movie ignore it .. but the best are divergent and the hunger games
3) lolita and harry potter


1) what's the worst book you have ever read ?
2) do you write ? if yes since when ? and who and what inspired you to write ? if you don't write would you like to ?
3) which books made you cry ?

[Papaphilly]

Tassnim wrote: "
1) what's the worst book you have ever read ?
2) do you write ? if yes since when ? and who and what inspired you to write ? if you don't write would you like to ?
3) which books made you cry ?

1) A Guide for the Perplexed It was only 130 or so pages and just about killed me.

2) No I do not write other than for work. I have tried at fiction and I do not have that particular talent.

3) Hyperion. It was not the story, but the time in my life when I read the story. I was a newly minted father and all thumbs. Everything I did was just wrong.

One of the characters was a man trying to help his daughter and failing. It was not the failing, but the realization he was failing and so desperate to help her that there was a Hail Mary trip. That hammered me so hard that it left me sobbing because I truly understood the frustration and desperation at that moment. There is nothing worse to a parent than not being able to help a child that desperately needs it.

1) Did you ever reread a book you loved and realized it was not very good and wondered why you loved it in the first place?

2) Ever read for a friend and realized the work was just awful? How did you handle that one?

3) Do you have a book in your possession that has been on the shelf much too long and yet still have not gotten to it?

[Jessica]

1) I read "The Flying Dutchman" by Brian Jacques way back when I was 12, I read it again at 15 and thought the writing was pretty bad.

2) Never happened to me.

3) Too many to list...first thing that comes to mind is books 4-7 of the Narnia series. I really want to finish them, the books are just way too good.



1) What book could you read over and over again and never get sick of it?

2) Would you rather live in a book's universe or bring your favorite character to life?

3) What is your favorite genre? Why?

[JoJo_theDodo]

Jessica wrote: "1) I read "The Flying Dutchman" by Brian Jacques way back when I was 12, I read it again at 15 and thought the writing was pretty bad.

2) Never happened to me.

3) Too many to list...first thing t..."

1) I could read The Giving Tree over and over again and I have to each of my children.

2) I would rather have the chance to live in a books universe. It would be nice to be able to experience different places and different times.

3) My favorite genre currently seems to be Historical Fiction and that is probably because I've always found historic experiences interesting.

1) What is your favorite place/space to read?

2) What was your top 3 favorite books that you read in 2020?

3) Do you have a local independent book store that you like to visit?

[ccap]

1) Anne of Green Gables. Brings up such feelings of nostalgia.

2) The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
Know My Name by Chanel Miller

3) Yes. Two. McNally Robinson for new books. Globosapiens for used.

1) What 2020 read do you want to reread?

2) Are you enjoying the book you're reading right now?

3) What movie was actually BETTER than the book?

[elmiathebookaddict]

1) Book of Lies by Teri Terry

2) Yes and no lol. I'm currently reading multiple different books, some of which I like and others that I like less. Some of these are compulsory for my classes so I need to read them anyway.

3) Prince Caspian (the only Narnia movie that I actually enjoyed more than the original book by C.S Lewis)

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

1) When was your longest reading slump (or the longest you've gone without reading) and what did you do with that time instead?

2) What are your thoughts on ebooks VS. physical books? Do you think e-readers like Kindle etc. are going to replace hardcopy books eventually?

3) How old were you when you read your first full-length novel (doesn't matter if it was children's or YA)?

[C.E.]

Q: When was your longest reading slump (or the longest you've gone without reading) and what did you do with that time instead?

1) Anytime I go back to college, I end up not reading at all (because I have to read other things instead.)

Q: What are your thoughts on ebooks VS. physical books? Do you think e-readers like Kindle etc. are going to replace hardcopy books eventually?

2) I like how easily you can acquire books in an ereader, and also how many books you can carry -- the ability to carry hundreds of books with you on a trip is very nice. However, I will never not love physical books. I know it's not as good for the environment, but there's just something about paper. I don't know. I don't actually think paper books will disappear completely. Maybe there will just be less or just hardbacks? Who knows?

Q: How old were you when you read your first full-length novel (doesn't matter if it was children's or YA)?

3) I was nine, and I read Charlotte's Web. Yes, I know I'm a late bloomer, but I had to learn english and forget another language.

____________Questions for you!_____

1) What is a book that you hated as a child and loved as an adult?

2) What is the best self-published book you've ever read? (The Martian or other later published materials count btw)

3) Who is your go-to author (who never lets you down)?

[Papaphilly]

C.E. wrote: "1) What is a book that you hated as a child and loved as an adult?

2) What is the best self-published book you've ever read? (The Martian or other later published materials count btw)

3) Who is your go-to author (who never lets you down)? ..."

1) The closest I can get to is The Catcher in the Rye. I was 18 when I read it and hated it. I reread it in my fifties and while I do not love it, I can certainly see why it is a masterpiece.

2) I have two: Spring-Clean by Proxy by Robert Bayley and The Last Teacher by Chris Dietzel. These are truly excellent reads and they are truly independent authors.

3) Stephen King I have been reading him since 1976 and it is always a wonderful tour of his mind.

Questions:

1) Due to the Pandemic, has your reading changed? More, less, different style of books?

2) Do you consider books on tape "reading"?

3) What is the one book that you just have not gotten too yet?

[Sandy]

1. Yes. During this last one and a half year, I've picked up books from various genres other than horror and mystery. Also, one major change is that I started reading ebooks because deliveries got stricter and prices of books skyrocketed during this pandemic.

2. Yes, I do. But I prefer physical copies (and recently ebooks/kindle)

3. If you meant - physically unable to get the book... Then it's Tokyo Ghoul manga box set. I've been wanting to purchase it for the past 3 years but couldn't. If you meant - have not gotten to reading yet, it's A song of ice and fire series. I'm still procrastinating.

Questions -

1) Have you met any author in real life and gotten a signed copy of their book? If yes, who is it? If no, which author would you like to meet?

2) Any two (or three) genres which you absolutely hate?

3) What is your opinion on diversity representation in books? Is it absolutely compulsory for every book to be inclusive?

[Jan]

1. Yes Paul Wieland signed "Then Perreault Said to Rico..." - a gift for a Sabres fan

2. Hate is a strong word but I'm not a fan of romance or graphic novels

3. No it is not necessary for books to be inclusive.


1. Do you ever have more than one book in progress? Why or why not?

2. What do you like to do almost as much, or more than reading books?

3. Approximately how many books do you have in your home?

[Papaphilly]

Jan wrote: "1. Do you ever have more than one book in progress? Why or why not?

2. What do you like to do almost as much, or more than reading books?

3. Approximately how many books do you have in your home? ..."

1) The actual answer is yes. However, the general rule is no. I tend to read one book at a time so i can concentrate on them individually. Right now I am reading two books, one at home and one at work. This COVID has knocked me for a loop and everything is out of whack.

2) Deep thoughtful intellectual discussions.

3) I only count actual books and not magazines, nor periodicals and certainly not ebooks. I have between 2500 -3000 books. I am the slow process of ridding myself of trade and replacing them with hardback first additions. I am saving these for my great-grand children. I am planting the proverbial trees I will never sit under.

A) Do you care if other people know what you read?

B) Is there any particular book that was the bane of your existence in junior or high school?

C) Do you think it is important to preserve books in print form for the future.

[MauQ]

A) Do you care if other people know what you read?

Not really, but at the same time, it's great to have an in depth discussion about books and I wish talking about people's recent reads would be as common as talking about their recently watched TV series. I wish it was a common thing to talk about when meeting people, maybe even when small talking with strangers or acquaintances. Maybe I will try it out, see how far it goes. Who knows, maybe sometimes we don't even know what great conversation might be waiting around the corner, if we asked the right questions. I wish more people actually cared about what I read is the answer I guess 🙈

B) Is there any particular book that was the bane of your existence in junior or high school?

Oh yes, this question reminded me about how much I hated needing to read a classic adventure book whilst at primary school, which was filled with long environmental descriptions which I zooned out on. It was In Desert and Wilderness by Henryk Sienkiewicz, kind of a Polish Shakespeare. A very serious read for a kid.

C) Do you think it is important to preserve books in print form for the future.

Yes. They will become rare and valuable if one day we stop using paper, and they will be a link with the past, just like other artefacts are today. Or maybe, they won't go out of fashion, but an alternative to paper will be created.
Digital storage of media is convenient but it could get destroyed or damaged too, it's good to keep multiple formats for safekeeping and from the perspective of history too.

My questions:
1. Why do you think some threads are regularly posted in and then, suddenly, all activity ceases for a period of time, a few months, a year even. It's weird to think that everybody would get bored or busy at the same time. Do you have thoughts on what might be behind this occurrence?
2. Which story from a video game or/and a movie/tv series (if you don't play games or can't think of a favourite story from one) you wish was novelised?
3. Do you have any pirate themed favourite books or books involving sea travel and adventure?

[Dorothy]

We have a tradition of going out for breakfast at a local cafe. One day I noticed a fellow customer, an elderly man who always had a book with him. One day I plucked up courage and asked him what he was reading. This has led to a weekly book discussion with him and he reads some pretty interesting books!