Random Internet Book Meme Thing...... (Part 1) 

1. What's the first book you ever remember reading? 

I have the vaguest memories of reading books early on in Infant school – something to do with farm animals and something to do with a train, but I have zero idea of what the books where. The very earliest book I remember, and remember very fondly, is Emil and the Detectives by Erich Kästner. How I discovered, devoured, and loved a translated German novel from 1929 I have absolutely no idea. Was it from the library, from a friend of the family or what? Strange but hugely influential. I, obviously, desperately wanted to be Emil! 

2. Did someone read to you when you were a child? 

Probably. I could read well by the time I started school at 4-5 years of age. I can’t remember which of my parents read with me. I’m guessing it was probably my dad. I don’t think my mother would’ve had the patience! 

3. Who's your all-time favorite book character? 

If I had to pick one, I’d say Richard Sharpe. 

4. Who's your favorite author of all time? Your favorite book by them? 

I don’t think that’s a question that can be reasonably answered to be honest. 

5. Has a book ever changed your life? 

I was once handed a copy of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by my Law tutor at College with the confident assertion that it would ‘change my life’. It didn’t but I appreciated the sentiment. I guess that all books change you in some way, sometimes small, sometimes bigger. I can’t think of any in particular that radically changed me though. That kind of thing is more of a process than an event. 

6. What genres do you love? 

Sci-Fi, Historical, Crime, Adventure and a mix of those... 

7. Are there any genres you dislike? 

Dislike is probably the wrong word – but Romance. 

8. What author (who is still living) would you dearly love to meet? 

I’m really not that kind of fan. Much the same with music. I like the sound but have no great interest in meeting the band. 

9. Have you ever met a (famous or semi-famous) author face to face? Where? 

I’ve actually met Bernard Cornwell at a book signing on my 40th birthday. He came across as a very decent guy and wrote his birthday wishes in my copy of Sharpe’s Trafalger.   

10. Do you prefer paperbacks or ebooks? Why? 

Paperbacks. I like the physicality of them. I like heft. 

11. Have you ever read a self-published book? 

No. 

12. What book or series do you hope will be turned into a movie or TV show one day? 

There are SO many good ideas out there. Something interesting and original would be good – it'd be a nice change from super-heroes anyway! 

13. Do you think there are any movie adaptations out there that were actually better than the original? 

The Satan Bug by Alistair MacLean 

14. Has a book you like ever been turned into a movie or TV series that you hated? 

I’ve only seen the trailers for the reworking of Persuasion and I already hate it..... 

15. What's more important to you: prose or story? 

I think bad prose or a bad story would both ruin a read. Can you have a good story that’s still good in bad prose? Would good prose save a bad story?  

16. What attracts you to a book? The cover? Blurb? Recommendation from others? 

Initially, shallow as it is, the cover art. After that the blurb and the author. Rarely recommendations from others. 

17. Have you read any of the old classics? What did you think of them? 

Generally they’re very good for the reasons they’re classics. 

18. Has a book ever scared you or given you nightmares? 

The only book ever to disturb me like that was The Shinning by Stephen King. One reason why I don’t read Horror much! 

19. Are there any books that are really popular but you dislike? 

Probably the Harry Potter series. I don’t actively dislike them so much as can’t understand what people see in them after reading the first 2-3. 

20. Are there any books that are considered terrible but are your secret pleasure? 

I don’t subscribe to the ‘so bad its good’ idea, so no. 

21. What's your favorite book cover? 

No idea. 

22. Do you prefer old books or new ones? 

New as in recently published or new as in not second hand? Generally, I prefer reading books published in the last 20 or so years (mostly) but I’ll read anything from any age if I think I’ll like it. I’ll pick up an old copy of something if its either in good condition or is hard/impossible to get new.  

23. What was your favorite book when you were a child? 

Oddly I didn’t read much as a child. I only really hit my stride in my early teens. 

24. How many books do you read a month? 

Around 8-10. 

25. Would you like more time to read books? 

I’m retired so I have more than enough reading time – as long as I can drag myself away from computer games!