Book Tag

I was tagged by Barbara from March House Books .  Thanks so much for thinking of me Barbara.

Barbara's questions and my answers:

1.  Do you use a bookmark or will any old bit of paper do?

Easy one to start with!  I've had this bookmark for twenty years or more.  It was given to me by a work colleague/friend when I was still living and working in Cape Town.  Her family spent part of the year in England and part of the year in South Africa (they had serious money!)  She brought this back for me on one occasion as she knew how much I enjoy reading.

The quality of this bookmark is remarkable as I use it almost every day.  Since it was given to me it has travelled the world and remains permanently ensconced in whatever book I happen to be reading next to my bed.

2.  What new books are you most excited to read this year?

Nothing in particular that I can think of.  Belonging to a library is a top priority in my life.  I visit my local library in the little village of Dalkey every three weeks (the loan period in Ireland.)  The first thing I do is look at the display of new books.  Usually I find something enticing - introducing me to new authors/subjects - before I head off to the shelves of old favourites.

Dalkey Library

3.  Favourite season?

Summer!  I think I might have given a different answer before I lived in Ireland.  Now I treasure every moment of it before we descend into darkness again.

With my son 2009 Transkei Wild Coast South Africa

4.  If money were not an issue, what present would you give yourself?

I would love to be able to collect all my most favourite illustrations by the artists I've featured in my blog.  Ron Embleton would feature first in my wish list but there are many others whose work I covert as well - Gerry Embleton, Jose Ortiz, Nadir Quinto, Gerrit Vandersyde and Mervyn Suart to name a few. 

Ron Embleton Original Illustration from the Secret of the Trolls

   

5.  Do you buy second-hand books, new books or both?

I've had a bit of a space constraint recently so have not been able to buy anything for a while. (My husband always says I should be getting rid of what I have, not adding more!)  If I do buy anything now it tends to be for reasons of nostalgia so by definition the books are second hand. 

6.  Early bird or night owl?

Both and neither. I have to get up at 5am during the week to be at work on time.  If it was up to me I would probably choose a later time, but once I am up I quite enjoy it.  I love the commute in an almost empty train (the route hugs Dublin Bay so it is very scenic) and I treasure my daily stroll through the beautiful grounds of Trinity College on the way to work.  Early in the morning I have the place almost completely to myself.

Trinity College Dublin

Because I have an 11 hour working day (incl my commute) I tend to run out of steam as the week progresses and need the weekend to recover.  But if I am engrossed in doing something or reading something I particularly enjoy I can quite easily stay up until the early hours of the morning! 

7.  Do you like to read a specific genre? If so, what genre is it?

I always feel as though I should give an intellectual or socially/politically relevant answer but I'm afraid I read purely for escapism and enjoyment.  I enjoy finding an author who has written a series of books (usually mystery/whodunit) where the lives of the characters weave an ongoing saga through each individual story.  I always quote Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael as my favourite, but I've also thoroughly enjoyed the Marcus Didius Falco series by Lindsey Davis (I've just finished reading one of hers recently).  I tend to lean towards ancient history, but of the more contemporary settings  I would pick Donna Leon's Commissario Guido Brunetti mysteries set in Venice.  I thought her choice of title 'Through a Glass Darkly' was brilliant - it caught my attention and was the first of her books I read.

8.  Who is your favourite literary character of all time?

Brother Cadfael - as mentioned above.  I loved everything about these books and was so sad to hear Edith Pargeter (Ellis Peters) had died in 1995 so no new stories would be forthcoming.

9.  Physical books, E-books or audio books?
It has to be a physical book.  Possibly because I've worked in IT as a systems analyst/programmer for almost 30 years.  I associate anything electronic / technical with work.  Sometimes I'm sorry blogging is so addictive because I would like to be able to switch off altogether when I am at home! 

10.  If your life was made into a movie, who would you like to play you?

The lazy answer is Meryl Streep - I think she could impersonate anyone.  Charlize Theron would probably have the best shot at getting my accent right, but I don't think she is anything like me - far too glamorous and edgy.

I think if I could choose I would pick Gillian Anderson.  I knew of her for years in the X Files and then I saw her in the BBC TV adaptation of Bleak House.  She was a revelation and it made me look at her in a whole new light.

  

11.  Cat person or dog person?

Cat person.  I like their enigmatic air, neatness and cleanliness.  (This is despite the fact that I am allergic to their fur which makes my eyes stream and swell up.)

The Tag rules:

1. You must post the rules!

2. Answer the questions and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you’ve tagged.

3. Tag eleven people and link to them.
4. Let them know you’ve tagged them.


My questions to you:
Is your reading preference short stories, weighty tomes, or something in between?
Which fictional character would you like to meet in person?
You are a celebrity in a game show - what charity/good cause would you donate your winnings to?
What story or book has influenced your life the most?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
What was your dream job/ambition when you were a child?
Which famous artist (past or present) would you choose to paint your portrait?
Desert Island or Bright City Lights?
You are given a plot of land - do you plant flowers or vegetables?
What song or piece of music means the most to you?
What Disney character are you?

My list of sites to link to and tag - I've chosen a combination of blogs I know well and enjoy and some I've only just become aware of.  (In the case of the new ones I think its a great way of getting to know the person behind the blog better):

Lucy Violet Vintage
My Friends Call Me Nelly
Garden of Daisies
15 Coast Road
Alicia Art shop
Nana's Memories
Bookcase to Heaven
The Sporty Mummy
From the Shadows
Books are My Life
Melinda McGuire Writes

I would also have liked to include Believe in Yourself and Always Crave Cute but Barbara who tagged me has tagged them as well!  If you feel you have the stamina to answer a second set of questions I'd love to read your responses to my list as well!!!