So another day, another book tag. I love these little Q+A style questions about all things bookish because it lets me share a little more of me as a reader. As always if you fancy filling in your own tag me or tweet me @littlebookblog1
I: Inside flap/back of the book summaries: Too much info? Or not enough (discuss)
It really has to depend on the book. If a summary is too short it makes it difficult to decide whether the book is for you, and captivate you as a reader. Saying that time and time again I read blurbs that are too long and almost give everything away before you’ve really started the book and that is also not great. I think the latter is better, too little rather than too much but with any luck it’ll be just the right length with enough to pull you in but keep the ending a secret.
N: New book: What form do you want it in? Be honest: audio book, e-book, paperback, or hardcover?
Paperbacks win, hands down. I think hardback are really lovely to own, especially when it’s your favourite book. They are also inevitably more hard-wearing and robust than paperbacks but the ache in my hands trying to hold them especially when reading in bed is a nightmare. I do have a Kindle but I seem to just enjoy having the physical book to read so much more.
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)
Clean. It just has to be. I don’t really mind bent spines or pages folded at the corners, but notes or highlighting is a no for me. I have heard of bloggers who do it so they can flick through and highlight bits so they can then add them into reviews but I prefer to mark them with post-it-notes.
I: In your best voice, read for us your favourite first sentence from a book.
One that stays with me are the first lines of The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. It’s not exactly a first line it’s a couple, yes I cheated but there you go. *Takes a breath*
Here is a small fact: You are going to die. I am in all truthfulness attempting to be cheerful about this whole topic, though most people find themselves hindered in believing me, no matter my protestations. Please trust me. I most definitely can be cheerful. I can be amiable. Agreeable. Affable. And that’s only the A’s. Just don’t ask me to be nice. Nice has nothing to do with me.
D: Does it matter to you whether the author is male or female when you’re deciding on a book? What if you’re unsure of the author’s gender?
Honestly, I’m normally unaware until I come to write the review and have to spell the authors name for the title of the blog post. However, no, it doesn’t matter, I have favourite authors both male and female and that will always be!
E: Ever read ahead? Or have you ever read the last page way before you got there?
Sometimes if I’m rushing through a book to see what will happen at the end of the chapter and it’s ruining it a little I will take a peak at the end of the chapter to see what will happen and slow down the pace to enjoy it more. I don’t however ever peak to the end of the book or into further chapters.
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O: Organized bookshelves, or outrageous bookshelves?
My bookshelves started organised and well stacked but as the number of books has grown and grown the shelves have become less and less ordered. This is also the same in Newcastle as they’re all lodged in my little vintage suitcase and that is definitely not ordered at all. They’re popped in all over the place and with no sense of placement just a little haphazard.
U: Under oath: have you ever bought a book based on the cover (alone)?
Yes, but I think we’re all a little guilty of that. It’s difficult not to, when you see a book to immediately take in whether it appeals or not. Saying that I wouldn’t buy a book just on the cover, I’ll always have a little peak at the blurb but say if I’m in Waterstones and just browsing I will stray towards books with pretty covers I have to say.
T: Take it outside to read, or stay in?
I think it would have to be stay in I think. I like to read snuggled up in bed with my pillows and blankets swathed around me. However if it’s super sunny I’ll pop on my shorts and polka-dot sunnies and go out into the sunshine, as along as it’s not too breezy.
So there’s a little book tag from me! If you choose to do your own please comment so I can read your wonderful answers.
mylittlebookblog 
What a lovely blog post, couldn’t resist adding my thoughts:
I: Too little. A couple of well-chosen sentences are enough to pull me in and I hate blurbs that give away too much.
N: Paperback unless I’m going on holiday and need the suitcase space – I love my Kindle!
S: Clean, clean, clean. Books are sacred and should never be defaced. Thirty years ago, I lent my copy of Brideshead Revisited to a friend and she returned it with the spine badly creased. I still haven’t forgiven her!
I: It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen – George Orwell, 1984.
D: Not important. I have a mix of male and female among my favourites.
E: If I really hate the way a book is written but am curious to see what happens, I will skim.
O: I aim for organised but that pile of books to read on the bottom shelf is chaotic.
U: A striking cover always makes me look at the blurb, but ultimately it’s the blurb that makes me buy.
T: Outside. there’s nothing better in life than sitting in the sun with a good book.
We agreed on ALMOST everything! Love the use of 1984 for the first line hadn’t thought of that one but it really is a wonderful first sentence. Brilliant that you haven’t forgiven your friend yet for the damage of your book, that is really not good though! I am currently reading a book from a friend and I’ve had to invest in a new book mark in hope of stopping myself folding over the corners! 🙂 thank you for the wonderful answers, very lovely to read 🙂 xx
This looks like so much fun! I really like the first line you chose from The Book Thief… maybe I should stop putting it off. (History scares me!) 😉
Oh it’s such a wonderful book 🙂 I can’t recommend it enough and it’s a get place to start with historical fiction :))) xx
Yeah I’m thinking I should read it. Especially since I generally don’t like history. I think this book could be a potential break through for me!
When I read I like to take photos of the pages with my favorite quotes with my phone, especially if I’m reading a borrowed or library book. Then I can underline on the picture, and save them forever.
P.S. we could be book buddies! I would answer the same to so many of these questions.
Oh I see 🙂 that’s a wonderful idea! Yayyyyy book buddies :))) xx
Really interesting post! I’ve been meaning to read The Book Thief for months now, would you recommend it?
YESSSSSSSSSS, it’s one of the only books I get close to saying it would be top ten.. And I don’t say that about many books but this one is stunning
haha wow! i will definitely have to read it then
🙂 I like these little Q&As. 🙂
They’re lovely aren’t they 🙂
Yes. The best part is that the more I learn about you, the more I like you. 🙂
oh wow thank you 🙂 x
haha looks fun!
Thank you 🙂 it was a little! X
Great blog – from one of your new fans!
Thank you! 🙂 xx