What book are you reading now? I’ve been working my way through a book called the Temple of Hekate which is about Hellenic Reconstructionism. It’s very well written but the writer is very definitely a scholar who probably doesn’t get out much.I dipped into House of Shattered Wings but I’m not sure I’ll finish it, it’s a bit too tragic for my taste. I’m also skimming some trashy romances but won’t go into those so as not to incriminate myself.


What is your favourite book? There is really no such thing. There are books I love but no one favourite. I love Ann McCaffrey’s Pern series the early ones especially The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay invariably makes me cry, and The Belgariad by David Eddings is still an old favourite. The Regency Romances by Georgette Heyer were a staple of my teenage years and I think helped engender a love of history.


What languages do you read? English and German, but I haven’t read a German book in years.

What books have changed the way you look at the world: I don't know but I guess the whole fantasy genre primed me for being open to an alternative spirituality.

About how many books do you own? ? According to LibraryThing 1055 but I have more in boxes in America though they might have mouldered to nothing by now.



How many books per month do you usually borrow from the library? When I lived in America I used the library constantly as they had new releases and a great Fantasy/Sci-Fi selection of paperbacks. Here in Ireland rural libraries tend to be extremely limited and I pretty much haven’t set foot in one in years. I think the advent of Kindle also means that I’m much more likely to buy fiction rather than borrow it even if I could get my hands on it at the Library.

How much would you say you've paid in library fines in your life? I don’t think I’ve ever paid a library fine if I did it was very little.

Do you read in bed? All the damn time.

Do you ever read while walking? No, but that’s more a comment on how little I walk.

Do you listen to audiobooks? Yes, especially on public transport.

What book was the most difficult to read? I remember when I read the Silmarillion the first time many years ago, I put it down for months but it was fascinating enough that I persevered.

Do you read every word of a book, or skip parts that don't hold your interest? That depends on the book, I do tend to speed read which does mean I skip words, I don’t skip parts where my interest is low. If my interest reaches negative numbers I just put the book aside.

Do you buy new or used books, paperbacks or hardbacks, leather or collector's items? I buy non-fiction in hardback when I can get it. Fiction I tend to get electronically if I know that I will re-read it I then purchase it as a paperback as well. I have some books in paperback, kindle and audiobook format.

Do you lend your books? Yes

What were your favorite books when you were a child? I loved Grimm’s Fairytales when I was little, after that I moved fairly quickly into adult fare via Noddy, and Nancy Drew as I was learning English.

What children's books do you most enjoy as an adult? I still adore Harry Potter by Rowling and Duane’s Wizard series, Riordan’s Percy Jackson novels are also good.

Have you ever read a book more than once? Yes, well-loved series, though with the advent of fan fiction there’s so much new content to peruse I don’t do it as much as I used to.