Description This feature has been created by the Youtube channel MathomBooks. It is an acronym, with the letters down the side spelling 'Inside Out', and with each letter beginning a question relating to our personal reading habits. I loves an acronym.
I Inside flap/Back of the book summaries: Too much info? Or not enough (Discuss)
This is a strange question because it really depends on the book. Some books overdo the blurb or make it completely misleading. That annoys me. But usually they sell the book and make you want to find out more.
N New book: What form do you want it in? Be honest: Audiobook, E-Book, Paperback, or Hardcover?
In my head, I know that E-Books are more practical and that I read much quicker when books are on the Kindle. BUT, I want paper books. I want to possess them and touch them and I want them to be old and beautiful. I don't mind second-hand books, especially if they are gorgeous like the ones in the picture above. Mmm old book smell.
S Scribble while you read? Do you like to write in your books, taking notes, making comments, or do you keep your books clean clean clean? (Tell us why)
I did write in my books whilst I was at University because I was lazy and it was much easier to underline in the books and write notes in the margin for when I would use my books to revise. I would never do it now though- I like to take care of my books and keep them beautiful. The picture above depicts a pet peeve of mine; when you get a beautiful second-hand book and it has an ugly, scrawled inscription in biro telling you who the book used to belong to. Author signed is fine. Reader signed is not. I In your best voice, read for us your favorite 1st sentence from a book.
Obviously you can't hear my voice so I will write out my favorite first line in the medium of words. I love the first line of 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z Danielewski which is a white page with a single sentence written in typewriter lettering in the centre:
This is not for you
Not really the first sentence, but I also love the dedications at the start of the 'Series of Unfortunate Events' books by Lemony Snicket. They are always addressed to Beatrice, his fictional dead lover. I especially love the one at the start of 'The Carnivorous Carnival' which goes, ' "For Beatrice- Our love broke my heart, and stopped yours.'
DDoes it matter to you whether the author is male of female when you're deciding on a book? What if you're unsure of the author's gender?
I don't even consider author gender when choosing a book. I look at the cover and the blurb and my decision is based on that. Gender stereotyping pisses me off so I would never judge a book based on something so arbitrary. However, it is a sad fact that other people do and bookshops/online book stores often organize the books based on gender which I think is completely wrong- often all books written by female writers are shoved under the general heading 'Women's Writing'. Here is a brilliant article on that very topic from the New York Times.
E Ever read ahead? Or have you ever read the last page way before you got there? (Do confess thy sins, foul demon!) :)
Nope. I HATE spoilers. They are the bane of my life. I would rather lock myself in a room when a new book comes out that I really have to read and not talk to anybody, than risk the ending being spoiled. Which is exactly what I did with every Harry Potter book after 'The Prisoner of Azkaban'.
O Organized bookshelves, or Outrageous bookshelves?
My bookshelves look a bit like the picture above. They are pretty disorganised because I have way too many books to fit on my one little bookshelf. When I move somewhere with more room I will have beautiful, color coded organised shelves crammed with gorgeous books. Ahhh the dream.
UUnder oath: have you ever bought a book based on the cover (alone)?
Yep I do it all the time. I am not ashamed of it- I love beautiful books. My recent purchase of 'Heidi' from ebay:
Goaty cuteness. TTake it outside to read, or stay in?
I live in England. Reading outside isn't usually an option. Windy and drizzly is usually the default weather of choice:
However, when I am on holiday or we have a rare warm, sunny day, I do like to take a book outside. Nothing better than reading by the pool or on the beach whilst on a relaxing holiday somewhere beautiful:
However, I think I still like reading indoors best of all. I like snuggling under the covers in bed or wrapped in a blanket in a comfy armchair and getting lost in a book. It's probably my favorite thing to do...ever.
I would love to hear if you agree/disagree with any of my answers!
