The 'Book' Tag

(My books: Click on the image to view in larger size)

Self tagged from Arpz's blog ;)

1. Favorite childhood book?

Somehow, my mom got around to getting us a lot of Russian books, translated in Hindi. My favorite used to be one called 'Roosi Itihaas ki Kahaaniyaan' (Tales from the Russian History).

2. What are you reading right now?

i. The Unbearable Lightness of Being

ii. Last Man Standing

iii. The Sound of Water

3. Bad book habit?

i. Leaving books unfinished, if I don't like them

ii. Not reading non-fiction

4. Do you have an e-reader?

No.

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

If I like the book, I read one at a time. If I find them not-so-good-not-so-bad, I keep jumping from one to the other.

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

No.

7. Least favorite book you read this year (so far)?

Some Nora Robert novel.

8. Favorite book you’ve read this year?

A few Agatha Cristie's ;) I love them all!

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

I keep trying to. Though I avoid self-help books at all cost.

10. What is your reading comfort zone?

Fiction, good humor, poetry...

11. Can you read on the bus?

No.

12. Favorite place to read?

On my bed.

13. What is your policy on book lending?

I lend only to people I know love books as much as I do, and will return my books.

14. Do you ever dog-ear books?

No.

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

No.

16. Not even with text books?

Sometimes. I also use a highlighter. Makes it easy to recall things.

17. What is your favorite language to read in?

English, Hindi, simple Urdu in English/Devnagri script

18. What makes you love a book?

i. Story

ii. Language

iii. Characters

19. What will inspire you to recommend a book?

It has to be really good!

20. Favorite genre?

Fiction

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

Classics. There must be a reason why they're called classics!

22. Favorite biography?

I've only read 'My Experiments with Truth', since it was a course book.

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

No.

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

Inspirational? Gulzar's poetry often inspires me to write :P

25. Favorite reading snack?

Chocolates.

26. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience?

The Alchemist and Animal Farm.

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

I don't read critic reviews of books.

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

If I don't like a book, I say so.

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

i. Urdu for reading Ghalib and many others

ii. Spanish for reading Pablo Neruda

30. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?

I don't know how books intimidate! They can be boring, at max.

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

I haven't begun many classics since I don't know if I'll ever be able to finish them.

32. Favorite Poet?

Gulzar. Ghalib. Neruda.

33. Favorite fictional character?

Howard Roark.

34. Favorite fictional villain?

The Joker from Batman and Iago from Othello.

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

Agatha Cristie or such.

36. The longest I’ve gone without reading.

A month or two, at max.

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

The latest is a Nora Roberts novel (the same from Q. 7)

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

Nothing much. Unless the book's boring.

39. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?

There are many good movies based on books - Fight Club, Shawshank Redemption and many more. But I haven't read these, so I'll say Silence of the Lambs.

40. Most disappointing film adaptation?

The Da Vinci Code.

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

Running into a few thousands, probably?

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

Never. I read the back cover to determine if I want to read the book.

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

Predictability.

44. Do you like to keep your books organized?

Yes.

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

I keep my books :)

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

Many classics.

47. Name a book that made you angry.

Ellsworth Toohey in The Fountainhead got me angry. I love the book, though!

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

I don't read a book if I don't expect to like it.

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

Animal Farm.

50. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?

Suspense thrillers and Calvin and Hobbes.

What do you REALLY love doing?

Last night, after a really long time, I spent some time listening to music. It was a beautiful night, with the winter setting in. Each whiff of air (with just a hint of cold) carried with it the light scent of tulsi and mustard oil (used to light the evening lamp). A perfect after-Deewali night of North India!

As I strolled on the terrace, the music created such a magical feel, that I wondered what indeed has come between me and my love of music? Looking back, I realized that I spend almost 2 hours every day watching TV (9-11 pm). This is a relatively new habit. Having only DD-1 at home when growing up, and thereafter being in a no-TV university for 8 years ensured that I never fell into this habit.

So, with almost 12 hours (8 am - 8 pm) spent in and commuting for my job - followed by these 2 hours - I am left with only 10 hours a day. And I sleep for 8 hours out of these 10. Where is the time for things that used to be me? Where is the time for music, dance, books, movies, sketching - all these things that as a student I used to call my passion?

The point I am trying to make to myself is,

(i) I should probably shift to a place relatively near to the office (commuting for job accounts for 3-4 hours a day - WAY too many!) - but I love our current apartment just too much for that :(

(ii) I should cut back on watching TV. (Wish they showed really bad shows on Star World too, just like on almost all other channels)

@Everyone: Do you find time for yourself? If yes, how? If no, it is time you started thinking about it too.

PS: I was listening to songs by Gulzar.

An Idea can change my blog's life?

Any idea on how to revive my blog? I want to write, but I can't get myself to do it. And when I do write something, it's not good enough to be posted online :-|