Sarah's A to Z Bookish Survey

photo courtesy of radish reviews

It's been awhile since I wrote any posts that were fun and light, so after reading Jamie's very awesome A to Z Bookish Survey over at The Perpetual Page-Turner, I decided to do the same!

Like Jamie, I am also coming out of a blogging slump, but for completely different reasons. The last few years have been unusually busy. Not only have I been moving up and down the west coast, but until recently, I was balancing a number of clients and projects because I just wasn't completely sure about the direction I've wanted to take from a work standpoint. 

But finally, FINALLY I've been able to put down roots for a little bit and get into a comfortable rhythm with clients I love working for and on projects that I genuinely love, which have also help me grown as a writer.

So here it is: Dreamworld's A to Z Bookish Survey.

Author you've read the most books from:

During my child and teen years, I easily would have said Christopher Pike or R.L. Stine. As an adult, I'd probably have to say M.C. Beaton, because she's so prolific and I can't get enough of her Agatha Raisin and Hamish MacBeth series!

Bookmark of choice:

I actually own a small step-stool that opens up to reveal a hidden compartment of nothing but bookmarks that people have given me over the years. Usually I try to match the color of the bookmark to the cover of the book I'm reading. Yep.

Currently reading:

Tell-All by Chuck Palahniuk. I've been a crazed fan of Palahniuk's since I read Invisible Monsters in 2001.

Drink of choice while reading:

It used to be wine, but then I would get distracted and forget what I was reading. Then it was coffee, but I've recently quit coffee. So now it's green tea with a twist of lemon and grapefruit.

E-reader or physical book?

Since I work on a computer all day, I'm definitely 100% into physical books. I know most e-readers have that amazing ink technology that won't hurt your eyes, but I still can't bring myself to do it.

Fictional character you probably would have dated in high school:

I was really into Anne Rice when I was in high school, and as a result, was a bit oversexed when it came to fantasies about who I wanted to date. I always had a crush on Michael's character from The Witching Hour, so that's who I REALLY wanted to date. Even though he was in his 40s.

Grossest thing you've ever found in a book:

Aside from BOOGERS, it would have to be orange Cheeto residue and chocolate smudges. How do chocolate smudges get into books, anyway? Do people eat candy bars like savages with their bare hands these days and not by holding the wrappers?

Hidden gem author:

It's a cross between Chelsea Quinn Yarbro and Connie Willis. Nobody ever knows who I'm talking about when I mention these amazing and talented authors.

Important moment in your reading life:

When I discovered BookCrossing in 2005 after desperately searching for a book club in the city I was living in at the time. I became OBSESSED with reading again after becoming involved with BookCrossing. Unfortunately, they made a series of terrible changes to their website in 2010 and I completely lost interest in BookCrossing. R.I.P...

Just finished reading:

The Mephisto Waltz by Fred Mustard Stewart.

Kinds of books you won't read:

I absolutely loathe celebrity biographies, even though I've been guilty of reading a few.

Longest book you've ever read:

It's either The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett or The Witching Hour by Anne Rice. But I soon hope to add Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts to this list.

Major book hangover because of: 

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. It took me awhile to recover from the intensity of these books.

Number of bookcases you own:

I currently only have 1 bookcase, but I plan on buying more. I used to have 3, but I never take furniture with me when I move.

One book you have read multiple times:

For many years, I used to read L.J. Smith's Vampire Diaries and Secret Circle series (the originals of course! Not the newer ghostwritten garbage) annually during the month of October.

Preferred reading weather:

I am most definitely a fall and winter type of girl, so when it's rainy, cold (or snowy) out, I love reading on the couch curled up in a blanket with a hot cup to tea next to me.

Quote that inspires you from a book you've read:

Pretty much all of the quotes in Dreams in the Womb by Brandon Gene Petit. Petit is amazing, and very talented. Here's my review of Dreams in the Womb.

Reading regret:

Several years ago, I reviewed books for a particular vanity publishing company. I felt bad for all the people who got suckered into paying that company to publish their books, because honestly, their books were terrible, and I regret wasting the time I spent on that project.

Series you started and want to finish:

I have two books left in the Glasswrights' Apprentice fantasy series by Mindy L. Klasky. I really love this series, but had to take several months off so I could locate and buy the next book in the series!

Three of your all-time favorite books:

The Witching Hour by Anne Rice, Phantom by Susan Kay, and Dracula by Bram Stoker. See a theme, here? I love spooky books that invoke elements of magic and mystique.

Unapologetic fangirl for:

Graham Masterton. Not only is he my favorite horror novelist of all-time, but he also writes SEX MANUALS! His wife, girlfriend, woman of the hour, or whoever he shacks up with is a very lucky lady.

Very excited for this upcoming release:

I really want to read Sweet Nothings by Janis Thomas. I loved Thomas' sense of humor in Something New, and regret accidentally passing on Sweet Nothings when it was available for review.

Worst bookish habit:

I don't give people the benefit of the doubt when they want to talk to me about books, and I assume that they're going to want to talk about mainstream fiction. I'm a total book snob.

X marks the spot - Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 7th book:

The Scary Stories Treasury by Alvin Schwartz. Best children's horror novels EVER!

Your latest book purchase:

P.S. Your Cat is Dead! by James Kirkwood

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up too late):

Echo Burning by Lee Child

Do you have an A to Z bookish survey? If so, I'd love to read it! Link back to your site in the comments section below this post if you also filled out a bookish survey.