{Confessions of bookaholic} Newsletter #3 - Page 3

Originally posted by: LoveToLaugh

Since we are all just a bunch of book-hungry folks, it might be worthwhile to get to know our fellow bookaholics while we are gathered here.

In this edition of the newsletter,

Starkheart.

made the headlines!

She is one of the most active members of this forum and a book addict. She is also a fan of Paulo Coelho's works!

**

To start off, tell us about your favourite book and your favourite author.

As of now, my favourite author is Agatha Christie. I've read more than a dozen books written by her recently and she delivers, every single time. My favourite book is Where She Went by Gayle Forman because it's the first book that made me cry and laugh.

Have you ever read a book that made you see things in a different light, or perhaps changed the way you generally think about things? Tell us about it if you have.

The Zahir by Paulo Coelho was sort of life changing for me. I happened to be reading that book when I was making a very hard choice. I almost felt like all the things that were happening in my life and this book, they were telling me to go for what I wanted and not what the system or the society wanted me to want. And since then, I've been living and not existing.

If you could, so to speak, walk a mile in the shoes of a fictional character, who would it be and why?

I'd really like to experience life through Pollyanna's eyes because no matter what life throws at her she's always happy and always grateful. Her father died, he almost lost the ability to walk, and yet she found things to be grateful for and turned all the negative circumstances around.

Do you, in general, enjoy movies based on books? Is there a particular book that has not been made into a movie, but you think absolutely deserves that honour?

It depends on the movie. I've enjoyed Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings and a few thrillers based on books. I'd rather not have my favourite book made into a movie because most movies end up sabotaging the essence of the book. Of course, there are exceptions like Harry Potter, but movies just don't work for me. I trust my imagination more than I trust Hollywood.

Share a favourite quote from ANY book you have ever read.

This is one of my favourite quotes from The Zahir:

"But what if I could choose an epitaph? I would ask to have these words engraved:

He died while he was still alive.'

That might sound like a contradiction in terms, but I knew many people who had ceased to live, even though they continued to work and eat and engage in their usual social activities. They did everything automatically, oblivious to the magic moment that each day brings with it, never stopping to think about the miracle of life, never understanding that the next minute could be their last on the face of this planet."

Tell us about a book that you wouldn't recommend to an enemy? That is, a book you absolutely hated.

Half Girlfriend or any other Chetan Bhagat book. I would not want my worst enemy to go through that.

What is the first book you remember reading as a child?

Fairy tales! (Laughs)
I was a kid who preferred reading over having someone to read to me and Beauty and the Beast was my all-time favourite as a kid. Other than that, I loved this book called Soonie and the Dragon.

Do you judge a book by its cover? Do the reviews, short summary, or the cover design influence your decision when you buy books?

I don't judge a book by its cover. The blurb and the title do have a say, but I don't trust reviews. I might love a book someone else hates and vice versa.

Do you have a favourite book that is written in any language other than English? Or perhaps it is an English translation that you really enjoyed? Tell us about it.

Paulo Coelho's books - The Zahir, The Alchemist and By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept. He writes in Portuguese and I've read the English translations of his books. Though I might not agree with everything he writes, I find his books thought provoking.

Is there a website that you frequent when it comes to books? (whether it is to buy books, or to read reviews or to interact with other book lovers)

Goodreads, because it's a one pit stop for blurbs & reviews and Google. Because I don't buy books, every time I want to read a book, a free copy magically makes itself known through Google. (Laughs)

We finish with a rapid fire:

Paper books or digital books?
Digital books

Paperback or Hardcover?
Paperback

Local bookshops or online stores?
Local bookshops

Bookmarks or no bookmarks?
No bookmarks

One book at a time or too many at the same time?
Depends on the book(s)

Originally posted by: -FlameOfHope-

Haw, Desto! 😲 We have SO much in common! Where She Went (Adam & Mia ☺️) - A big check. Paulo Coelho and Alchemist - Check, again. Half Girlfriend 🤢 - check again!

Originally posted by: -FlameOfHope-

Oh, how do you know my name? 😲 I think I am meeting you the first time. 🤔

Yeps, had WSW in my shelf from Oct and just read it a few days back. And boy, I loved Adam especially. Mia seemed better than in the first book. Oh, my shipper heart. ☺️

Originally posted by: Starkheart.

FYI, we are already friends and even I don't know how on earth.

And the name part, let's just say I'm psychic. 😆

Gayle Forman has a way with words, WSW is the best of YA fiction and it's the only instance where the sequel beats the original. Forman did a fantastic job with book 2, while books like MBY had a screwed up sequel.

Adam and Mia, don't get me started, I can't control my rants. 😆

Originally posted by: -FlameOfHope-

Oh... 😕 😆

Psychic! 😆 By the way, who's that in your DP?

Yes, perfectly explained. I liked IFS when I first read it. And I wasn't sure if WSW would match up to that level in my eyes and so, I hadn't read it from last October (plus, the first chapter was not-my-type and I lost interest). But I finally picked up the book as few days as I felt that I might've misjudged the book, and I loved it! It just rose to be my favourite. ❤️ And those lines from Collateral Damage for every alternate chapter, aren't they wonderful! 👏

Hehe, I won't get you started. 😆

Which book are you reading currently?

Originally posted by: Starkheart.

It's Sanam Saeed in my DP, Zindagi Gulzar Hai actress, you need to watch that Pak Drama if you haven't it's so much better than the crap they air on Indian TV.

I read WSW right after I read IFS, and it was definitely worth it, and the way Gayle Forman used the build-up. I almost thought Mia would leave him and he'll jump off the bridge and die, because that is what YA fiction is coming to these days.

Right now I'm reading Invisible Man as it's my English long reading text and I have exams next week so...wbu?

Originally posted by: -FlameOfHope-

Oh, I have heard about that show. But I guess I won't be able to watch it. I have taken a voluntary permanent retirement from TV. So, no Indian, HW, Pak or anything. :|

Hehe, yeah. Even I thought the same. 😆 But he just screamed and went away.

ATB! ⭐️ I finished Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer. And I am planning to start A Walk To Remember by Nicholas Sparks. But, I don't know. Tests are approaching. So, IDK if I can start it.