Booking Through Thursday

This weeks question (sponsored by Book Through Thursday): I’ve asked before how you feel about lending your books. I’ve asked how you feel about libraries. But—how do you feel about borrowing books from friends? Is this something you like to do? Does it make you feel uncomfortable or rushed while reading? Does it affect how you feel about the book you’re reading, pressured into liking it?

The only people I borrow books from is my family and I don’t really feel pressured to like them or read them quickly. My sister lives in Canada and visits about once a year. I still have two books from her that I borrowed two visits ago that I haven’t read yet – and she has two of mine that she hasn’t read yet. Obviously these are not books that we loved and treasured, otherwise it would be a very different story.

When it comes to non-family members I can’t even remember the last time I borrowed a book from someone.  Maybe because I would feel pressured to read it quickly. But I don’t think I would feel the need to like it. I’m pretty honest about whether or not I enjoyed a book.

Booking Through Thursday: Tragedy or Comedy?

Question (Hosted by Booking Through Thursday): All other things being equal (good writing, enthralling story, etc), which would you rather read—something serious, angsty, and tragic? Or something light, fluffy, and fun? Or a blend of both? (Since, really, isn’t that how real life works?)

I think it really depends on my mood and what I’ve recently been reading. For instance, when I tried reading the Confessions of a Shopaholic series, there was only so many in a row I could handle before I needed something of substance. Conversely, after reading something heavy, like Dark Places by Gillian Flynn, I need something light to lift my spirits back up.

Obviously a mix of both is always good. But realistically that doesn’t really happen. Something truly angsty and tragic is never going to be “fluffy.” The most you can usually hope for is a little dark humor. And anything light and fun is never going to go to far into the tragic.

Overall, I think I usually prefer the light and fun that contains a little drama, but generally ends happy – like Attachments by Rainbow Rowell.  That’s not to say I don’t enjoy reading the tragic, as well. Some really wonderfully written books that have characters that stuck with me long after reading have been really horribly depressing books  Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, Defending Jacob by William Landay, for example.

What do you prefer?

   

Booking Through Thursday: It’s Personal

This is my first “meme” for the blog. Hosted by www.btt2.wordpress.com.

Question: Do you have a preference between “person” in the books you read? Do you prefer third-person to first-person? Or don’t you care?

And … why??

While 3rd person POV doesn’t bother me in a story, I really prefer 1st person POV. I especially love multiple 1st person POVs.

I feel like 1st person makes it easier to establish a connection between the reader and the character. Where 3rd person can tell you how any given character thinks or feels, 1st person allows you to experience it right along with them. If done well, I enjoy the “stream of consciousness” type of style that you just can’t get in a 3rd person view.

I understand that 1st person can limit the story, only being able to experience what the character experiences. That’s why I love multiple 1st person views. You get to establish that connection with more than one character and it helps move the story along.

One thing I can’t stand, though, is 1st person for the main character, interspersed with 3rd person to show other characters. I don’t know why, but that feels like cheating to me.