Why not start at a Reading
questionnaire to prepare my writing assignment?
by Carlos Ortega
1.
Favorite childhood book?
It was a book about short Greek myths, I don’t know the exact name right
now but it was certainly very interesting.
2. What are you reading right now?
I am reading a book about spies during the Spanish Civil War called “Falcó” by Arturo Pérez Reverte. It is a
fantastic book for the ones who like that type of books ,fictions based on
historical events.
3. What
books do you have on request at the library?
The last book I have requested was “The Godfather” by Mario Puzo, a Crime
fiction.
4. Do
you prefer to read one book at a time or several at once?
I prefer to read one book at the time, because I prefer to enjoy one hundred
percent a book instead of starting a new one.
5.
Favorite place to read?
My favorite place to read is my bed, because it is comfortable and you
can read quietly. In summer on a
bench.
6. What
is your policy on book lending?
I don’t usually lend books, but when I do it my policy is just one simple
rule: the book must be returned in the same conditions that I lent it.
7. Do
you ever write in the margins of your books?
No, I rarely do that, but when I do it is for remarking a good phrase of
the book
8. What makes you love a book?
The time period where the story is set and the characters
9. What
will inspire you to recommend a book?
The personal likes of the person that I want to recommend the book
10.
Favorite genre?
I really like historical fictions and crime fiction.
11. Most
inspirational book you’ve read this year?
I didn’t read any inspirational books because I prefer novels to
self-help books.
12. How
often do you agree with critics about a book?
I only read critics when I finish a book that I liked
13. How
do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I feel fine, because I think that giving bad reviews helps the writer to
improve his style and make him understand his mistakes.
14. If
you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose?
I would chose English or German, but more likely English because I
personally have a better English level than a German one.
15. Most
intimidating book you’ve ever read?
They are certainly Edgar Alan Poe’s stories because they are creepy and
murky. It’s better not to read them before going to bed!
16.
Favorite fictional character?
Capitan Alatriste, the main character of the trilogy with his name by
Arturo Pérez-Reverte. An obscure but epic character.
17. The
longest I’ve gone without reading.
One or two months, because at high school we have to read several books,
at least 2 each quarter.
18. What
distracts you easily when you’re reading?
People chatting around and my mobile phone sound
19. Most
disappointing film adaptation?
Unfortunately the adaption of “Capitan
Alatriste”, a book that I really like but the film was disappointing because
the main character, who was Viggo Mortensen, looked great but his Spanish
accent was terrible, personally I think that the director should have dubbed
his voice.
20. the
most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
Maybe 50 € but I don’t usually buy books at bookstores, I usually buy
them on Amazon because they are less expensive there.
21. Do
you like to keep your books organized?
Yes, I organize them according to their time period, the books that for instance
if their plot takes action in Ancient
Times the will be the first and the books based on the present are the last
ones.
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22. Do
you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
I prefer
to keep them, in order to reread them later.
The Twelve Labours of Carlos
My growing experience as a grown-up reader
My favorite childhood book was a book about short Greek myths, I don’t
know the exact name right now because I gave away it to my little cousin, but
it was certainly very interesting and made me feel interested in history and
mythology. The majority of the stories were an adaptation of the classical Greek
epics, such as “Jason and the Argonauts”, “The
Twelve Labours of Heracles” and the one I liked the most: “The Odyssey”. The book also contains the Greek god’s stories and ancient myths that tried
to explain how the world works.
Nowadays I am reading a book about spies during the Spanish Civil War called “Falcó” by Arturo Pérez Reverte. It is a
fantastic book for the ones who like that type of books, I am referring to fictions based on historical events.
Nevertheless I have just read “Crónica de
una muerte anunciada” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a non-linear story told by
an anonymous narrator who explains the facts that lead to the assassination of the main
character, Santiago Nasar.
Regarding myself as a reader,
I prefer to read one book at the time, because I prefer to enjoy one hundred
percent a book instead of starting a new one and mixing the plots. I rarely write
in the margins of a book, but when I do it is for remarking good phrases from the
book. I organize the books according to their time period, the books that for
instance if their plot takes
action in Ancient Times will be the ones that go first and the books based on
the present are the last ones. If I could read in a foreign language I would chose English or German, but more likely English because I
personally have a better English level than German one. It really annoys me
when I am reading and people are chatting around and when my mobile phone
sounds. The longest that I’ve gone without reading is one or two
months , because at high school we
have to read several books , at least 2 per quarter, so I consider that I read regularly . I usually buy books on Amazon because they
are less expensive than the ones from bookstores
I really like historical fictions and crime fictions, for instance my
favorite character Capitan Alatriste, the main character of the trilogy with
his name written by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. An epic but obscure character. Unfortunately , the adaption of “Capitan
Alatriste” was disappointing from my point of view because the main character , who was
played by Viggo Mortensen, looked
great but his Spanish accent was terrible , personally I think that the
director should have dubbed his voice. I don’t like creepy stories because I
think that too obscure and murky, for instance the most intimidating books I
‘ve ever read are
the ones
by Edgar Alan Poe, It’s better not to read them before going to bed ! The last book I have requested at the library
was “The Godfather” by Mario Puzo, a Crime fiction, I have watched the film and
it became my favorite film since then, so I will be very interested in reading
the original book and comparing both.
My favorite place to read is
my bed, because it is comfortable and you can read quietly. But in summer I would rather sit on a
bench , under a sun umbrella at my
garden than staying at home, but in both cases I love reading while I am
listening to music. Moving to sources of inspiration, I only read critics when I finish a book that I liked, and I found that
giving constructive reviews is not negative, it helps the writers to improve
their style and make them understand his mistakes.
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Finally, I want to say that I prefer to keep the books that I read,
because I am one of those people that likes rereading the books, but in case I
liked a lot a book I recommend it to my friends, not to all but I guide myself
according to the personal likes of the person that I want to recommend the book
and I only have one reading policy, just one simple rule: the book must be
returned in the same conditions that I lent it.
