Portobello Book Blog

I saw this challenge on Pretty Purple Polka Dots blog and just had to do it too!

Author You’ve Read the Most Books From

I think it would probably be Terry Pratchett as I have read loads of his Discworld novels. Or maybe Nigel Tranter. I used to really enjoy his Scottish historical novels.

Best Sequel Ever

I’m not sure about best sequel ever but recently I thought that After You by Jojo Moyes was an excellent sequel to Me Before You

Currently Reading

My Husband’s Wives by Faith Hogan

Drink of Choice While Reading

Usually tea but maybe a glass of red if it’s evening.

E-Reader or Physical Book

Both but probably more on my Kindle these days. 

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated in High School

I was trying to think back to what I might have read as a teenager and I think I will choose Kevin from Joan Lingard’s The Twelfth Day of July.  I remembering thinking the love story between Kevin and Sadie was very romantic, love despite the barriers between them.

Glad You Gave this Book a Chance

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. I didn’t fancy it but it was a book club choice so I gave it a go – and loved it!

Hidden Gem Book

I Don’t Want To Talk About It by Jane Lovering – such a beautiful, emotional story.

Important Moment in Your Reading Life

Reading my own copies of Famous Five books to my own girls. I loved Enid Blyton growing up and so did they.

Just Finished

Summer at the Cornish Cafe by Phillipa Ashley

Kind of Books You Won’t Read

I’m not really into sci-fi or fantasy

Longest Book You’ve Read

I think it might be Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell which is just short of 1000 pages.

Major Book Hangover

It took a while to get over the end of Me Before You. And I was sad to see the end of the Harry Potter series.

Number of Bookcases You Own

Four at the moment. Had a big clear out last year and downsized the book collection

One Book You’ve Read Multiple Times

Sense & Sensibility

Preferred Place to Read

In my living room which has a lovely view of the garden and the sea.

Quote that Inspires You/Gives You all the Feels from a Book You’ve Read

Rather a long quotation but I love this from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin:

“Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion, it is not the desire to mate every second minute of the day, it is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing every cranny of your body. No, don’t blush, I am telling you some truths. That is just being “in love”, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.”

Reading Regret

Spending too long on books I haven’t enjoyed eg The Goldfinch.

Series You Started and Need to Finish

Wolf Hall trilogy but only because I am waiting for Hilary Mantel to actually finish the third book!

Three of Your All-Time Favourite Books

Unapologetic Fangirl For

The Time Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Seems to be one of these books that you either love or hate.

Very Excited for this Release more than All Others

This is very difficult to answer because one of the privileges of being a blogger is that you quite often get the chance to read advance copies of books. So a few weeks back I would have said that Maggie O’Farrell’s latest was my most eagerly awaited but I’ve read it now even though it’s not out for another week or so! Looking at what I have lined up for the next few weeks, I am most looking forward to reading Devotion by Louisa Young as I really loved her first two about the same characters.

Worst Bookish Habit

Completely losing track of time when reading and running at the last minute to pick up my kids or head off to an exercise class!

X Marks the Spot: Start on the Top Left of Your Shelf and Pick the 27th Book

Chocolat by Joanne Harris

Your Latest Purchase

Eeny Meeny by M J Arlidge for a friend’s birthday present

Zzzzz-Snatcher Book (Last Book that Kept You up Way too late

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh (review here)

So there you are, my A-Z of books. Would love to see any other blogger’s A-Z. Please tag me if you decide to do it so I can have a look at your choices.