A Book Lover’s Tag

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In a few days I leave for a nice long vacation to sunny beaches and dockside restaurants with good seafood and drinks sporting tiny umbrellas. I’m taking a few books with me that I’ve had on my read list for a while. Top of the list is The Life She Was Given followed by Everything We Lost. If I make it through those, I’ve got plenty of others in the wings. Plane flights and beaches are great for disappearing into good fiction.

Which brings me to today’s post. D. Wallace Peach ( a lovely blogger who you should follow 🙂 ) tagged all her followers with the Book Lover’s Tag, and I was so intrigued, I had to play along. Who doesn’t like discussing books and reading habits? You’re already interested, right? 😊

Consider yourself tagged should you like to play. Just answer the questions on your own blog, but while you’re here I’d love to know your all-time favorite book. Yeah, I know it’s a tough question, but Diana posed the same one and I made myself chose a single title.

Before we get to your answer, take a look at my reading habits:

Soft cuddly tabby cat lying in its owner's lap enjoying and purring while the owner is reading a bookDo you have a specific place for reading?
Not specific but I do have a favorite. I’m happy to read anywhere, but my regular way of unwinding each night is to read in bed before I fall asleep. It’s the perfect way to end each day. Bonus points if my cat, Raven, decides to snuggle.

book mark for author Mae Clair with spooky house at top, eerie inside setting at bottom Bookmark or random piece of paper?
Normally a bookmark. I had my own created for swag, so I normally grab one of those when I’ve got a paperback or hardback. I’ve always been someone who likes colorful bookmarks, so even before having my own, I always had something artsy, usually bought from a bookstore. I still have a collection. Of course, these days, a lot of my reading is done on my Kindle. When I e-read I don’t use the bookmark feature.

Do you eat or drink whilst reading?
Most of my reading is done before I go to bed, so no. If I’m reading at other times (camped out on my deck or on the living room sofa), I always have something to drink and occasionally something to munch.

Music or TV whilst reading.
Occasionally, I’ll play soft instrumental background music when I read, but other than that, any sound is a distraction that must be squashed immediately!

One book at a time or several?
Only one. It’s the way I write, too—one story at a time.

Do you prefer to read at home or elsewhere?
Most of my reading is done at home but books are so easily transported, I have no objection to reading elsewhere. I never go on an appointment (doctor, dentist, hair stylist) without taking a book along.

Read out loud or silently?
Usually silently, but sometimes when I’m caught up in a story I “whisper read” without even realizing it. I’ll also do that thing where your tongue forms the words against the roof of your mouth but your lips stay closed, Weird, I know.

Do you read ahead or skip pages?
I read page by page unless a section really drags. When that happens, I’ll skim the pages that follow until the story picks up again. Not really reading ahead, just skimming. With a great book, however, I am riveted word by word right up until the close.

Break the spine or keep it like new.
If it’s a nice fat paperback, I have no qualms about folding the cover back which usually results in a creased spine and pages that waffle upright into a fan. If it’s a hardback, I’m far more careful. I’ll remove the dust jacket to preserve it, and take care not to break the spine.

Do you write in books?
Only if the book is non-fiction. I normally read those for research (or because the subject fascinates me) and then I write all over the pages, highlight passages, draw arrows and gleefully post sticky tabs for easy reference. If it’s a work of fiction, the pages stay pristine. 😊

What books are you reading now?
I’m just finishing up Keeper of His Soul by Lauralynn Elliott, a paranormal tale with a conflicted vampire—the best kind. After that I’ll be reading the books I mentioned above, The Life She Was Given and Everything We Lost. They’re going on vacation with me.

What is your childhood favorite book?
book cover of Planet of Death by Robert SilverbergThere were two books that made a huge impression on me as a child. Planet of Death by Robert Silverberg which I read in fourth grade. The vivid cover sucked me in, and decades later, I still remember it as an adult. The book was my first experience with science-fiction and I was enthralled.

The other book is The Wicked Pigeon Ladies in the Garden by Mary Chase, also read when I was in elementary school. It opened my eyes to magic, spooky houses, Victorian ladies, and a bit of time travel. Once again, I was enraptured. Those two books, coupled with my own imagination, and encouragement from my parents, really opened the door to writing.

Book cover for THE TERROR by Dan Simmons which shows an old clipper ship without sails surrounded by ice and glaciersWhat is your all-time favorite book?
This is such a hard question and my favorite has changed over time. I have a number of favorites, but if I have to chose a single title, it’s The Terror by Dan Simmons. I’ve never read anything like it—a blend of historical fact, folklore, mystery, horror, even a bit of romance. Simmons penned a fictional account of Sir John Franklin’s doomed expedition to find the Northwest Passage and did it in manner that is haunting, lyrical, gruesome and brutal. It’s a mammoth tome topping 900 pages, but well worth the journey.

That’s it! You’re all tagged. 🙂
Remember to share your favorite book in the comments with your reason why.

62 thoughts on “A Book Lover’s Tag”

  1. My favorite book as a kid: A Wrinkle in Time
    All time favorite book(s): The Hobbit/The Stand

    As a kid being taken to another world stayed with me.

    The Stand has it all for me: End of the world theme, good/evil and a touch of humor.

    The Hobbit took me to another world again guided by a Hobbit on a quest.

    Fun question to answer! Have a wonderful trip!

    Liked by 2 people

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    • I enjoyed A Wrinkle in Time too, though I don’t think I read that one until my mid teens. The Hobbit was fun, but I read LOTR trilogy first, so it was a change in tone after 3 “heavy” books. I never did make it through The Stand, but I loved the mini-series. Does that count, LOL?

      Thanks for the well wishes on the trip. I can’t wait!

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  4. I’m so glad you took up the challenge, Mae. It is fun to talk books and I love hearing about the favorites. A nice post before vacation too. Have fun on the beach, by the way. I mentioned a favorite non-fiction on my tag, so I’m going to squeeze a fantasy fiction favorite out here – um… this is really hard… how about the Troy Series by David Gemmell. 🙂

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    • I shall have to look up the series. There was a time when I read nothing but epic fantasy, and his name sounds awfully familiar.

      The post was so much fun to do, so thanks for putting the tag out there. While I’m on vacation, I’ll be set for beach reads 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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    • So so so hard to pick a favorite. If you ask me the same question again tomorrow, I might have a different answer, although I do have 1-2 dozen that I count among all time favorites, and those rarely change!

      Thanks for the well wishes on the vacay, Teri. I need this trip, LOL!

      Liked by 1 person

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    • LOL. That seems to be the general consensus, Sherry.

      As much as you read, I think you’d have a lot of fun with this post if you can fit it in. And by all means check out The Terror. It has a beastie 🙂

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  8. Sun and sand? Sounds heavenly, Mae, enjoy!
    Don’t laugh, but my favorite kid’s book was Sleeping Beauty. It was one of the Golden Books series and I still have my copy!
    My favorite adult story is Letters To Kelly by Suzanne Brockmann. That story hit all the right notes for me 🙂

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  11. First of all, thank you for mentioning my book and for the lovely review you wrote for it.

    There are four books that I’ve read BUNCHES of times. I don’t know why I’ve picked those four to read so many times, but that was also back when there were no ebooks, and it was too expensive to buy books I couldn’t find in the library. Anyway, I’ll list those four books, then pick my favorite out of those. Note that all four are in completely different genres!

    IT by Stephen King
    A Gift of Violets by Janette Radcliffe
    The Touch by F Paul Wilson
    The Doomsday Conspiracy by Sidney Sheldon

    Of these four books, I’ll have to pick IT.

    Have a great vacation!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Keeper of His Soul was wonderful, Lauralynn. You made me really care about Jude and Jan.

      I have those books that I go back to and read over and over again too. I’ve read IT and I’ve heard excellent things about The Doomsday Conspiracy but I’m going to have to look up the others. The titles are intriguing.

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  12. Wow! Hard questions. I think my favorite childhood books were Laura Ingall Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods series. They all blend for me, so I can’t separate one from the other anymore. I’m a huge fan of Elizabeth George’s mysteries, and her first one–A GREAT DELIVERANCE–just amazed me. I circled so many passages I admired, the book’s a mess. Hope you have a great vacation! Enjoy.

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    • LOL! I may have to start circling passages in my paperbacks. I’ve read a number of Elizabeth George’s mysteries. My first one was Careless in Red and I think it’s still my favorite. If you like EG, I think you would also love Tana French. I always save her books for when I want to disappear into a singular novel for a stretch of time. I could circle numerous passages in her novels. She has such a gift with words!

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  13. Terrific post, Mae. I do my reading just before sleep so no snacks. I’m not sure I can identify a favorite but one that gave me tons of pleasure was Jailbird by Kurt Vonnegut. The reason I liked it so much is he used Watergate as a backdrop to the creation of Ramjack corporation. (Ramjack owns everything). Kurt took the headlines of the day and created a very fun story.

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  14. My problem is naming one book among so many, even though I rarely read. So my acid test is durability; books that have stayed with me down the years and stare out from my bookshelves whenever I pass. Now we’re down to five, and a curious choice: Mark Helprin’s ‘Winter’s Tale’. Why? Difficult to say: maybe the lyricism in the writing, maybe that curious blend of fantasy and reality. For me, a beautiful vision and a beautiful book.

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    • Durability is my test for a good book as well, Frederick. Those that stay with me years after I’ve read them, others that I go back to like an old friend, and read again. I thought the title “Winter’s Tale” was familiar, so I checked it out on Amazon. This may have to go on my read list—and I do read a lot, LOL.

      Liked by 1 person

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  16. So interesting and fun when people do tags and provide lots of information about themselves. You and I are opposites when it comes to reading and writing, Mae. I read up to six books at a time and write like that too. I said to my work colleagues today, which book of the four I am busy with should I concentrate on during my December holiday.

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  17. First before I forget, have a great vacation, Mae. I loved reading your post. A peek into the life of a writer and reader is always fascinating. I hope to do the tag, too–how fun! I don’t know– picking just one book? I’m not sure I’m up to that feat. There are so many in different categories and for varying purposes. Right now *scrunches brow* I’ll go with an old exquisite favorite, Narcissus and Goldmund by Hermann Hesse.

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    • Thanks for the vacation wishes, Flossie. One more day at the office and beaches beckon on the horizon 🙂

      I’m glad you enjoyed the post and would love to see a post with your reading habits and likes. It was really hard choosing just one book as a favorite when there were so many beckoning with so many different things I loved about them.

      I looked Narcissus and Goldmund up on Amazon and it has me intrigued. High praise from the reviews. Oh, to have more reading hours in the day!

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  18. Have a sensational time away, Mae! 🙂 Enjoyed learning more about our talented friend D. Wallace Peach. One of my favorite books is The Far Pavillions by M.M. Kaye. I read it in paperback years ago and just checked Amazon to find that it’s available in kindle. Highly recommend to readers like me who love historical fiction. In fact, I just may download a copy to my kindle. Also looking forward to reading more from you and Diana. 🙂 Happy vacation reading! xo

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  19. Pingback: A Book Lover’s Tag | Joan Hall

  20. Enjoy your vacation, Mae. “Sunny beaches and dockside restaurants” sound idyllic. Like you, I read one book at a time and write similarly, but I can’t pick one book as a favorite. Each genre has its own stars. When I was a child, though, I learned of mystery and heroism through the Nancy Drew series, and to this day I think of them fondly.

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    • Oh, I remember Nancy Drew. I read the Hardy Boys too.
      As you said each genre has its own stars. I think much the same way. Picking a single book is definitely hard to do.
      And thanks for the vacation wishes. I’m looking forward to a long stretch of fun and relaxation 🙂

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  21. Picking a single book? I. Can’t. The other ones would feel slighted if I picked just one 😀 After reading Diana’s post, and this one, and I’ll have to pop over to Robbie’s post, I think I’m going to have to pick up the challenge for next week’s post. Enjoy your vacation! Drink one for me 😀

    Liked by 1 person

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    • So glad you’re taking up the challenge, Julie. If I miss it next week due to vacay I’ll try to catch up when I come back. I’m curious to see what you’re going to do with the favorites questions 🙂

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  23. Tagged! Oh dear. I’m going to have to find time to do something about it… But, What a challenge! 😉 You won my heart with the kitty cat pic… How do I compete with that?

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  24. Pingback: Writing Links 10/23/17 – Where Genres Collide

  28. Mae, I do enjoy reading these book tags and yours has the most unusual favourite books…I’ve never heard of those from your childhood nor your all time favourite. The Terror (terrific title!!) sounds amazing and one for my wish list – wow! Your bookmarks from your swag bag are so great…haunting Autumnal feel to them. The empty picture frame stands out and that alone raises lots of questions. A lovely post and always fun to chat about books! 😀📚

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Hi, Annika. So great to have you drop by and check out my book tag post. Those two titles from my childhood made such a huge impact on me and even what I write today. And the The Terror is just an amazing book (it was actually the name o the main ship in the book). I highly recommend it for a blend of history, myth and the bizarre. 🙂

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