A reading survey, which I haven't done in ages

Courtesy of Ndari's blog post about 55 reading questions, I'm inspired to fill out one at random.

Here goes my book escapades!

1. Favorite childhood book?

I have always loved fairy tales. There was this one book with lush handmade illustrations, with dark fairy tales such as the Ice Queen and Edelweiss. I lost it when a friend borrowed and never returned the book. Till now I still think of that book fondly.

Other books that deserve an honorable mention: Roald Dahl's Matilda, Enid Blyton's The Naughtiest Girl series, a Little Princess by Frances H. Burnett.

2. What are you reading right now? 

Nothing at the moment. I just finished reading Ibuk by Iwan Setyawan, which was inspiring, and Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink before that.

3. What books do you have on request at the library?

This question makes me wish I was in Brisbane, requesting Sweet Valley Sr High books for only 50 cents a book. The answer is none. I have not visited a library in years.

4. Bad book habit? 

Buying them and putting the books in a pile but never getting round to reading them. I'm book-obsessive so I never lend them to anyone I don't trust. Leaving the books I can't finish. Prone to love at first sights with some books that turn out to be bad, or just the opposite - a delight.

5. What do you currently have checked out at the library? 

What about the last book I remembered checking out at the library? The Fearless series, Sweet Valley Jr High, and Sarah Dessen's Dreamland.

6. Do you have an e-reader? 

No, although I've been eyeing Kindle for some time. I'm still pro real books at the moment, though.

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?

One at a time, always. I don't like getting confused with many characters at once.

8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog? 

Not really. But it changes as soon as I registered to Goodreads. We have an annual reading target.

9. Least favourite book you read this year (so far)? 

I can't get through Lord of the Rings though I'm sure it's a lovely book - it's just so difficult to get into. Fifty Shades of Grey - erotica is never my thing and it's so dense I can't make myself finish.

10. Favorite book you’ve read this year? 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink, Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver.

11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone? 

Whenever a particular book manages to catch my eye and interest. I'm an eclectic reader at heart though I seem to border on certain types of genres only.

12. What is your reading comfort zone? 

Young adult, children's books, general fiction and fantasy/science fiction, sometimes.

13. Can you read on the bus?

I always do. I mean, did.

14. Favorite place to read? 

Bed. Lounge chair.

15. What is your policy on book lending? 

Always return in perfect pristine condition, no dog-ears, no stains, no marks, no handwriting on the pages. Never smear. Or better, I'd rather not lend out anything at all.

16. Do you ever dog-ear books?

OMG NEVER.

17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books? 

Only for books that are meant to be personal gifts.

18. Not even with text books? 

I do, all the time.

19. What is your favourite language to read in? 

English.

20. What makes you love a book? 

Reading is traveling through another dimension.

21. What will inspire you to recommend a book? 

When I find that I'm aching to read it and think about it for days even after I've finished the book.

22. Favorite genre? 

Young adult.

23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did)?

Chicklit. I used to read them but nowadays I find a lot formulaic so I pass.

24. Favourite biography? 

Walt Disney's. I also read a book on multiple personality disorder by Dr. Bauer and find it really interesting.

25. Have you ever read a self-help book? 

Yup, but they only inspire. I find that we need to let them help us, not construct or change us.

26. Favourite cookbook?

Anything simple but original. I usually love the gorgeous covers. So far I only have a few thin volumes on several food types and Eat Tweet. I don't read cookbooks often, I search for recipes online.

27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?

Ibuk by Iwan Setyawan.

28. Favorite reading snack?

Chocolate-flavored milk and biscuits.

29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience. 

Again, Fifty Shades of Grey.

30. How often do you agree with critics about a book? 

Not often. I prefer to form my own opinions after I read them, but before I buy books, I usually check out reviews and stars just to see how well it's doing or whether other people think they're any good. Goodreads reviews usually make a lot of sense :D and help me in my buying decisions.

31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews? 

As long as it's objective (though this is hard to say). I feel bad sometimes, but can't help the way I feel.

32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose?

My Dad is persuading me to read Chinese martial art novels and poems. French. I wish I could read E=MC 2, which is the basis for a Little Romance.

33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read? 

34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin? 

Umm.. Jane Eyre. Wuthering Heights. War and Peace. Lolita. Most literature. Don't get me wrong - love them, but sometimes find them hard to get through.

35. Favorite Poet? 

Pablo Neruda. I don't read many poems, but I do like some I'm reading.

36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?

One to three books.

37. How often have you returned books to the library unread?

Sometimes, when I cannot get through the book and find it interesting :)

38. Favorite fictional character?

Macy and Wes from The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen. Alex from Lauren Oliver's Delirium trilogy. Noah Shaw from Mara Dyer trilogy.

39. Favourite fictional villain? 

Um. Can't think of one at the moment. Alice Milthorpe from Prophecy of the Sisters?

40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?

YA books and fun chicklits, and a journal.

41. The longest I’ve gone without reading. 

A month or two, when I'm writing a novel/book draft.

42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.

Fifty Shades of Grey. Lord of the Rings. Jane Eyre.

43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?

Movies. Writing projects. Work. Twitter.

44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?

Harry Potter series. I think they're really fascinating and stay true to both story and characters.

45. Most disappointing film adaptation? 

Twilight and the Hunger Games. Personally I feel they're bland and my reading experiences differ greatly.

46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time? 

700ish. Can't really remember.

47. How often do you skim a book before reading it? 

Always, when I receive the package or just bought it home, or before reading it. I skim the first few pages, the ending, then the middle parts.

48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?

Work. Sleep. Work. Writing. Movies. Distractions. Life.

49. Do you like to keep your books organized? 

I used to. But I moved and some books were relocated, and now they were scattered here and there.

50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them? 

I sell the ones I don't like and keep the ones I love.

51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?

Heavy literature and horror books.

52. Name a book that made you angry. 

Fifty Shades of Grey. Ugh.

53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?

The Fault in Our Stars, my very first John Green book. Divergent and Insurgent. They're brilliant.

54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?

How We Met and other stories by David Levithan. I thought it'd be like the Lover's Dictionary, but it's not.

The Incorrigible Children series. Alice in Wonderland. Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.

55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?

Shopaholic series and Alexandra Potter books. Sweet Valley.