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LL: September 2020: How Do you read a book tag.
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a. It is a book for a book group and I either like the author/have wanted to read this author/book for awhile.
b. I am reading my way through an author's works who I like.
c. I need a change of tempo and pick a book that is an easy read or a favorite read.
2. No, never. I don't take a book at a reviewer's value either.
3. I do do some research on the author and a little about their writing style if it is an author new to me. I do like to research historical settings and publishing dates to get a handle on influences on the author. I don't interpret the book exactly as any reviewer
says a book should be interpreted but feel free to get from it what I
feel is right.
4. Yes, I think I do. If I leading a discussion I do tend to analyze and take notes more than just if I am reading it for myself.
This is a shorter tag than last month to ease us into back to school.
Mod
I tag Heather and Katrina.
My last name starts with H, so I will do this, too.
Thanks for the tag! 1. I go into books cold much of the time, but if I see a title that is continuously popping up or circulating I will read it. I find the most success with the recommendation of friends.
2. I am a sucker for a good book cover and a good title. The prettier the cover the better the book must be, right!?! 🙈
3. The more a book intrigues me, the more I will look into the author and historical context and everything else I can. I don’t like when authors use profuse symbolism because everyone’s scope of knowledge is so different today. No longer can it be assumed that we’ve all read the same books and authors. We haven’t all had a background in Greek mythology for example. I think too much symbolic reference can make a book feel heavy.
4. I read a book more closely if I am reviewing. I am more critical too, because my thought process gets engaged. It’s sort of like the difference between being the driver of the car versus a passenger enjoying the scenery.
1. How do you go into reading a book?For bookgroup books I usually go in blind.
If I'm browsing for potential reading material I usually read the blurbs and occasionally also Goodreads reviews.
I sometimes do research while reading or after reading if something in the book triggered my interest, but not before starting.
2. Do you take a book at its face value?
Absolutely not. I never really look at the cover and only notice them if they are especially garish. There are so many editions with individual covers out there that it does not seem important to me. Since I mostly read ebooks and audiobooks nowadays, I usually don't notice the cover anyways, because the book is always open.
3. Do you read a book as the author intended?
It the story interests me, yes. I very rarely research the author, because I want to find my own opinion about the story, not what the author intended or what possible biographical parallels are. Sometimes, however, one simply cannot get around what the author intended.
Yes, I look for symbolism if the book interests me.
For the A Song of Ice and Fire series I think I overdo it a bit. For years now I have been listening to podcasts and have been reading essays. It's just so absolutely fascinating. I think a good book can be re-read many times and with every re-read one unearths unknown details and symbols. With bad books re-reading and digging usually results in frustration, because more and more plot-holes and illogical in-world discrepancies are unearthed.
I sometimes also research the time-period, but only for the historical background of the plot itself, never how the time-period influenced the writing style.
4. As a book lover\ reader\ reviewer\ do you read a book differently knowing you are going to review it?
Yes! Especially with ARCs I usually make a PRO/CON list about things that I liked or disliked. Things like style, structure, logic, coherence of the world, how the story makes me feel, if I can identity with characters, etc.
Heather wrote: "It’s sort of like the difference between being the driver of the car versus a passenger enjoying the scenery."I think you described this absolutely brilliantly!
Regarding question #3:Are you familiar with the hotly debated concept of "death of the author"?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dea...
I stumbled upon it watching a couple of video essays on YouTube about it coming from the Harry Potter angle.
(Nowadays J.K. Rowling lets things drop in interviews like "Of course, in my head Dumbledore was always gay and was in love with Grindelwald!", things that are never explicitly stated in the text itself and could be open for debate. Some argue in line of "death of the author" and believe that the reader has the right to his or her own opinion. Others argue that everything the author says, even if it's not part of the work itself, is to be considered canon and the only true story.)
What do you think?
It's a similar discussion with regards to Tolkien. Reviewers wanted to see a WWII analogy, but he himself refuses this interpretation in a foreword of a later edition.
I'll tell you how i choose books to read. First of all I see the title and cover and think oho, perhaps I will like this. Then I see if it was published 50 years ago or more as I am reading classics. If it is then I buy it. More points if it's a Penguin paperback in good condition. The better the condition the more likely I am to buy it. Sometimes I buy Penguin classics just because it's silver or black or green or white.
As for canon, who cares? that's my attitude and i can read a book any way i want to and I can interpret it any way I want to.
PS I NEVER EVER EVER read reviews before I read a book. NEVER!
Jazzy wrote: More points if it's a Penguin paperback...Agreed! I can spot a Penguin classic a mile away! : ))))
and we make a bee-line towards them! hahaha
Jazzy, I’m laughing reading about your book buying algorithm. 😂
1. How do you go into reading a book?examples: do you do research, just read the back cover, watch some reviews, or just go in blind.
I almost always research a book before choosing to read it. I read the back cover, I read reviews (but unless all the reviews are negative, I don't let a negative review sway me... I still make my own decision). Mostly I am checking that the book is up to my standards. If it is an author I trust and I have read many of their books before, I probably just go in blind.
2. Do you take a book at its face value?
example: do you look at the cover and expect what is on the cover or something else?
Sometimes a beautiful cover art will draw me in to wanting to read it, but not always. And if a cover is not appealing to me, I know that the story could still be one I would enjoy. So I go more with the reviews and content, than the cover. But I do love a pretty cover.
3. Do you read a book as the author intended?
Do you like to analyze fiction and look for symbolism, do you do author research, do you look at what time period the book was written in?
I sometimes do some minimal research, but I just read and form my own opinions whether the author intended it or not.
4. As a book lover\ reader\ reviewer\ do you read a book differently knowing you are going to review it?
I will spend more time pondering on the book to form some opinions before I review. So it does make me read it a little differently.
Heather wrote: "Jazzy, I’m laughing reading about your book buying algorithm. 😂"Hahaaa many thanks. I will have to add i hardly ever buy new books. I go to charity shops and second hand bookshops, so the next step in will I buy it is opening the cover to see the price pencilled in the front (or on a sticker on the back). If it says £1.99 - 2.99 I'm ever so much more likely to get it than if it says say, £4.99 and then I'll say oh no I'll look for something else :D
But I am reading my way through all the Nobel Laureates and have spent as much as £20 to get a book i couldn't find anywhere else after extensive searching. In the case of the particular book in question, I would say it was worth it to have been able to read this very hard to find translation in English.
I write the names of the Nobel Laureates on a slip of paper and then go to the second-hand shops in search of any I don't have already.
I’m curious about the name of the translation that is difficult to find?
Heather wrote: "I’m curious about the name of the translation that is difficult to find?"Nu var det 1914 by Eyvind Johnson
I found a copy that had not been sold or read previously, minus the dust jacket and a first edition left in a box being sold off on ebay. It smelled a bit musty but otherwise practically new.
This month's tag is all about how you read a book:1. How do you go into reading a book?
examples: do you do research, just read the back cover, watch some reviews, or just go in blind.
Most of the time, I've read or heard about a book, I avoid the back cover like the plague (possible spoilers).
2. Do you take a book at its face value?
example: do you look at the cover and expect what is on the cover or something else?
Some covers are utterly gorgeous, but I don't stop there, I wait to hear/read about what other people thought.
3. Do you read a book as the author intended?
Do you like to analyze fiction and look for symbolism, do you do author research, do you look at what time period the book was written in?
It depends on the book, of the time I have. When I'm really interested, deep into a book, I often research about what people in that time period went through, after I read the book or while I'm reading it.
4. As a book lover\ reader\ reviewer\ do you read a book differently knowing you are going to review it ?
When I get a book from Netgalley, I always finish it. When I don't love a book otherwise, I generally DNF it, but never a Netgalley book. I've been given it for a thorough review, so I make an effort.
This month's tag is all about how you read a book:
🗣🎙Interview with Lovely Ladies
member Ruth
1. How do you go into reading a book?
examples: do you do research, just
read the. back cover, watch some
reviews, or just go in blind.
R: It really depends on the book. If
I'm drawn to a book, I will jump in;
others times look at the covers or
comb through reviews.
2. Do you take a book at its face value?
example: do you look at the cover
and expect what is on the cover or
something else?
R: Haha! Several times have I
expect what is on the cover, but
that is not always the case.
3. Do you read a book as the author
intended?
Do you like to analyze fiction and
look for symbolism, do you do author
research, do you look at what time
period the book was written in?
R:
Sometimes I look for symbolism, if a
book is flat or lacks depth, it's pointless
exercise.
On the whole, analyzing is key what to I
am reading, often re-reading what has
value, walking away then come back to
read it again. I tend to focus on what
the author has to say and observe how
it effects me.
When curiosity springs up, I will
research an author(s) background,
especially if there is a noticeable
change in their work( I.e. Shirley by
Charlotte Brontë)
I do look at time periods, learning
the background history of that
time enhances the reading
experience.
4. As a book lover\ reader\ reviewer\
do you read a book differently knowing
you are going to review it?
R: No, not necessarily. I generally make
notes, extracting quotes and passages
as I read, then form my review based
on that.
🗣🎙Our next Lovely Ladies
member is Allyson.
Ruth wrote: "This month's tag is all about how you read a book:
🗣🎙Interview with Lovely Ladies
member Ruth
1. How do you go into reading a book?
examples: do you do research, just
read the. back cover, watc..."
Thanks for the tag, Ruth! 😄
1. How.do you go into reading a book? The majority of the time I just pick it up if the cover looks good and read the back, if it still looks interesting then I'll give it a try. However, if it possibly looks questionable then I'll look it up on Goodreads and read some reviews. (I usually look for the ones with the least amount of stars because I want to know why they didn't like it 😂)
2. Do you take a book at its face value? Sometimes, sometimes not. 😂 Nor usually.
3. Do you read a book as the author intended? No, not unless it's for school and I have to. 😂 I read for the adventure, to be entertained by a great story. Now, sometimes I do like to pay attention to the way the author writes, being a writer myself I like to glean as much as I can from experienced authors.
4. As a book lover\ reader\ reviewer\ do you read a book differently knowing you are going to review it? No. I might be conscience along the way that I'm going to review this so what am I going to say? Other than that, no. I really don't review much, usually only if I have something to say about the book.
That was really fun! 😄 Do I need to tag someone else now?
I think we´ve all been tagged, so I add my answers before September is over. :)1) I read the blurb (not always a good idea because of possible spoilers!), and if I´m not sure, I look at reviews - agree about those with the least number of stars Allyson! :)
2) Yes, I mostly take it for its face value.
3) I only look up period and other things when I have to lead a discussion lol. Take some with a personal interpretation.
4) I rarely review too, only if I have to because I have a book from Netgalley or such. I also finish it anyway. When I read something from an author I know personally (more or less!), I tend to give more stars than otherwise.
Thank you Allyson and Michaela.I also look at the rating if I'm
uncertain about a book.
We appreciate your honesty in question
number three, Allyson.😄
Ruth wrote: "Thank you Allyson and Michaela.I also look at the rating if I'm
uncertain about a book.
We appreciate you honesty in question
number three, Allyson.😄"
Haha. Thanks! 😄
Lol Allyson, I missed that! What do you write?
I'd almost forgot about the Tag, thanks Ruth for the reminder! 1. How do you go into reading a book?
examples: do you do research, just read the back cover, watch some reviews, or just go in blind.
I don't generally research. I like research but not as far as books. I have a hard enough time putting my own expectations aside so I like to go in rather blind. I read the synopsis of the book or skim a review from someone I trust, but that's about it. I don't like to know the nitty gritty of the book, just if I will like the subject matter.
2. Do you take a book at its face value?
example: do you look at the cover and expect what is on the cover or something else?
I usually do judge a book by its cover. If its a cover that looks pre 1950's, or has characters dressed in attire circa 20s-50s, then I will generally read a bit of the synopsis to assure its up my ally. It doesn't assure it will be good, but it narrows down the field for me.
3. Do you read a book as the author intended?
Do you like to analyze fiction and look for symbolism, do you do author research, do you look at what time period the book was written in?
I'm not good at going further into a book and gleaning all the symbolism, etc. I just don't see it. I'm truly hoping a book is not wrapped in symbols as I read more for pleasure and don't want to have to dissect it that much.
I do some research if its something new to me, i.e., the Mass Observation project recently, but not a lot. I do like Goodreads and reading together, because a lot of times my fellow readers will do this and I don't have to. ; ) hahhahhah
4. As a book lover\ reader\ reviewer\ do you read a book differently knowing you are going to review it?
No. I do try to leave a review, but I'm not that great at them. Some people can give such lovely paragraphs, and I'm usually stuck at a few lines. I'm quite simple with my book reading and usually just read them for what I can selfishly take from it anyway.
Thank you, Ruth, for the tag/reminder for this post :)1. How do you go into reading a book?
Not too scientifically. I tend to pick it up and get right to it. I don't read introductions or essays on it until I'm done or almost done because I don't want my initial impressions influenced too much.
2. Do you take a book at its face value?
I am drawn into a pretty cover so fully acknowledge my shallowness in that.
3. Do you read a book as the author intended?
Probably not. LOL. Sometimes I'm left wondering what the author intended for the book.
4. As a book lover\ reader\ reviewer\ do you read a book differently knowing you are going to review it?
Sometimes yes. If I find myself having strong emotions stirred in a book. I tend to use various bookmarks or post-its to mark the spot where a quote spoke to me or I had a thought on. When I review I tend to write it for myself as a memory of what I read and what I wanted to remember about it. Because I have a terrible memory sometimes on what books I've read over the years and how I felt about them. I especially like on rereads to see if I feel differently than past Jess felt about the book.
Michaela wrote: "Lol Allyson, I missed that! What do you write?"Mostly short stories, some poetry, and I'm actually currently working on a book. 😬 It's not my favorite thing I've ever written but I'm determined to finish it! I have a tendency to not finish stories. 😂 But then I read The Watson's and was taught a huge lesson! 😂 So I'm now trying to get better at that!! 😄
1. How do you go into reading a book?
examples: do you do research, just read the back cover, watch some reviews, or just go in blind.
2. Do you take a book at its face value?
example: do you look at the cover and expect what is on the cover or something else?
3. Do you read a book as the author intended?
Do you like to analyze fiction and look for symbolism, do you do author research, do you look at what time period the book was written in?
4. As a book lover\ reader\ reviewer\ do you read a book differently knowing you are going to review it?
****************************************************************
This is a shorter tag than last month to ease us into back to school.
I am also changing the tag rules to include more people as I am not around much at the moment and can't look in as much:
I tag everyone whose name begins with A-L for September 1-15
I tag everyone whose name begins M-Z September 16-30.
Last or first name, it doesn't matter which.
You can still tag individuals but please let them know by a message that you have done so.
Discussion around these questions is very welcome :) Chat away ladies.