Bio: I started reading at a young age and have never stopped, much to
the dismay of family and friends who complained they never saw my face
except over the top of a book. My lovely husband is an absolute saint
that copes with my book addiction and thankfully is a reader himself.
I started BookThing to try and get others interested in reading and to
be able to talk about how much I loved books, and I now have several
people who come to me for recommendations which is great. I'm 38 and
have a couple of crazy cats which is like living with a pair of cranky
five year olds at times.
Here's the link to Grete's FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/BookThing
and her website.
http://www.bookthing.co.uk
1. What genre do you prefer to read?
I started out reading mainly fantasy as a teenager, which was a long
time ago, but even then I read a bit of sci-fi and other stuff. Over
time, I've read what has become known as urban fantasy, paranormal
romance, crime, and chick-lit (horrible phrase, but you know
immediately what I mean)! So I don't really have a specific favourite
genre, I love good stories. If someone was twisting my arm for an
answer, I would say fantasy since it was my first love.
2. Is there a favourite book you’ve read more than a few times because
you found the story so engrossing?
There are several books and authors I go back to again and again
because I love them so much. Anne Bishop's Black Jewels books would
probably be my favourite out of everything I've read.3. Do you read paperbacks or ebooks more?
Definitely paperbacks. I have around 1500 of them and love the smell and
feel of them in my hands, the noise of the page turning. I find reading a
book is a very tactile experience before you even get to the story.
4. If you have an ereader has your reading increased or changed in any
way?
I have a Kindle, although haven't owned it for very long. It has
romance / erotica covers are frankly embarrassing if you read them in
public, and so the Kindle has made it easier to read those kinds of
books no matter where I am. Also, I've been reading more novellas and
short stories on the Kindle, which is something quite new for me.
5. Have you ever thought of penning a book yourself?
I think this is every bookaholic’s dream ;) I've been writing on and
a novella, but it really needs to be gone over again for several more
drafts as it's lacking in some areas. I do find it hard to go back
over a story once it's done because the drive to get the story out of
my head and onto the page fades. I have other ideas brewing and I'm
sure I'll get some of those down onto paper soon.
6. What makes a book an absolute must read in your eyes? Is it
characterisation or plot that’s more important?
if the characters are real, engaging and worth empathising with, but
no amount of plot trickery can solve a problem with bad characters. I
love picking up a new book by an author who uses the same characters,
because it's like coming back to friends who's lives you have shared.
Engaging plots certainly enhance the experience, but if I don't like
the characters then I'm never going to get through to the story.
7. In the ebook world what do you consider is the best way to grab a
readers attention?
Lure them in with a cheap / free taster; either a good portion of the
you have the reader hooked they'll want more and the e-book marketing
model makes it much easier than it would be with print copies. It's
not unlike the gaming equivalent of downloadable content used to
expand existing games. Get the person engaged in the world or the
story, and then allow them to easily, quickly buy more stuff to
gratify that desire!
8. Name 6 authors you’d invite to dinner.
I'd have to invite them out to dinner because I am a hopeless cook! My six would
be Anne McCaffrey, Keri Arthur, Anne Bishop, Kevin J. Anderson, J. R. Ward
and Sherrilyn Kenyon. I think that would be a diverse and interesting group.
and Sherrilyn Kenyon. I think that would be a diverse and interesting group.
9. If you were stranded on a desert island what three items would you
take with you?
My husband, my Kindle (hopefully with my library on it) and a satellite
phone so I could call someone to come and get me ;)
take with you?
My husband, my Kindle (hopefully with my library on it) and a satellite
phone so I could call someone to come and get me ;)
1.What genre do you prefer to read?
I will read practically anything. The
few exceptions are Dickens & Stephen King (& similar horror
novels) and Catherine Cookson – I read too many of them in a short space
of time in my early twenties & got bored with her style of writing.
2.Is there a favourite book you’ve read more than a few times because you found the story so engrossing?
I
have re-read Lord of the Rings many times, & I also enjoy
re-reading Terry Pratchett…….OK I admit there are quite a few books that
I go back to and re-read – they are my comfort reading, “old friends”
3.Do you read paperbacks or ebooks more?
At the moment probably e-books, although I haven’t given up on paperbacks – they have their place. If there is a book that I want that is a better buy in paperback then that would be the one I would buy.
4.If you have an ereader has your reading increased or changed in any way?
I have only had an e-reader for a few months, but have been reading a lot more since I bought it. I used to read a lot – a couple of trips to the library each week to feed my habit J but over recent years for various reasons I had been reading less.
5.Have you ever thought of penning a book yourself?
I know that it is said that everyone has a book in them – but I have never felt that I have myself. I am happy to be a reader.
6.What makes a book an absolute must read in your eyes? Is it characterisation or plot that’s more important?
I
like to feel a connection to the characters, to feel interested in
them, to be happy, sad or shocked when things happen to them, but the
plot needs to be believable – I get annoyed if something ridiculous
happens (Unless of course I am reading Terry Pratchett or something similar.)
7.In the ebook world what do you consider is the best way to grab a readers attention?
I presume you mean to buy the books? Many of the books I have bought have been either recommendations or books by an author that I have already found. I try not to impulse one-click J except for freebies. So the way to grab me would be to have an interesting synopsis, the
cover shouldn’t be “tacky”, the price about right (I will pay more for
a book
by an author that I have enjoyed reading previously) & I usually
read over the reviews and recommendations if I haven’t already been
grabbed.
8.Name 6 authors you’d invite to dinner.
You (creeping here), Terry Pratchett, {can I leave this one & think a little more? }
9.If you were stranded on a desert island what three items would you take with you?
Probably a bit of a cheat but apart from the kindle loaded with plenty of books (& hope that there was some way to keep it charged) I would take my craft bag so that I had plenty to keep me occupied. Assuming that there was food, water & shelter my third thing would be plenty of sunscreen with insect repellent.
In my mind I’m 26 – but my body tells me I’m older J
I thought it would be interesting to start interviewing readers for a change instead of other authors. So here's the victims, oops I mean volunteer!
1.What genre do you prefer to read?
My favorites are Christian fiction and
suspense.
2.Is there a favourite book you’ve read more than a few times because you found the story so engrossing?
Francine Rivers’ series on the women in Jesus
genealogy.
3.Do you read paperbacks or ebooks more?
Mostly paperbacks right now.
4.If you have an ereader has your reading increased or changed in any way?
I don’t have one yet but do have the Kindle PC
app. I read a lot anyway, about 90 – 100 books a year.
5.Have you ever thought of penning a book yourself?
I’m not only a voracious reader but also a
published author.
6.What makes a book an absolute must read in your eyes? Is it characterisation or plot that’s more important?
For me it’s a combination of both with an
emphasis on characterization.
7.In the ebook world what do you consider is the best way to grab a readers attention?
The cover and a short dynamic synopsis.
8.Name 6 authors you’d invite to dinner.
Terri Blackstock, Francine Rivers, Karen
Kingsbury, Max Lucado, Lee Stoble, and Jerry Jenkins.
9.If you were stranded on a desert island what three items would you take with you?
A compass, Bible, and water purification
tablets. What can I say? I’m a lifetime Girl Scout.
Bio: Author
Dianne G. Sagan lives in Texas with her writer/editor
husband, Greg. When not writing or teaching writing seminars, Dianne consults
with her husband or spends time with family. You can learn more about Mrs.
Sagan, her books, classes, and coming events from her blog http://diannesagan.wordpress.com or
her website http://dgsagan.tripod.com
1. What genre do you prefer to read?
I am a huge women's fiction fan. As a woman, even if the subject isn't relatable, the emotions usually are. A good emotional reads beats everything.
2. Is there a favourite book you’ve read more than a few times because you found the story so engrossing?
I have a few, primarily The Twilight Saga books, which I have devoured several times. But, I read them as an adult, so what I take away from the story is different than what a 13 year old girl would. Also, anything by Wally Lamb--I could easily read those stories a thousand times and never get bored.
3. Do you read paperbacks or ebooks more?
I'm 100% eReader now. I still love the way a paperback makes me feel--beautiful covers, the weight of a book in hand...but eBooks are such a luxurious simplicity.
4. If you have an ereader has your reading increased or changed in any way?
My Kindle has revolutionized my reading. Having the ability to finish one book and grab another without the run to the store? Amazing. I've also been able to hone in on Indie writers who I would have missed had I not gone digital. In the end, I just plain old read more.
5. Have you ever thought of penning a book yourself?
In short, yes. If you love to read stories, telling them feels very natural.
6. What makes a book an absolute must read in your eyes? Is it characterisation or plot that’s more important?
Oh, gosh...this one is really subjective. First of all, there is the author tie in. If I'm a fan of an author's work--like, Jodi Picoult, I'll grab her newest book regardless just read her words because they are wonderful. But if I'm looking for a new author, it has to be the plot that sells me. I need to feel like the book is going to tell me a story that I just have to hear.
7. In the ebook world what do you consider is the best way to grab a readers attention?
The cover, followed quickly by an engaging blurb. But in all honesty, a good cover is a huge deal for me--it's the first motivating factor to click on a thumbnail and learn more. I don't worry about reviews as much, since reading is a very personal thing, everyone takes in information differently and attaches their personal baggage to their opinion. But cover art? It's sort of a non-negoitable for me...its how, as a reader, you get my foot in the door.
8. Name 6 authors you’d invite to dinner.
Stephenie Meyer, Wally Lamb, Jodi Piccoult, Kathrine Stockett, Chelsea Handler, Kristin Hannah
9. If you were stranded on a desert island what three items would you take with you?
My Kindle, a journal and a lighter
BIO:
My name is Ashley, I live in Chicago with my husband Mark and our three fur-babies; Chupacbra, Diesel and Isty-Bella . I believe my Kindle is magical...but, then again, I've always loved to read.
