Books, books, books

Joel tagged me to list seven weird/random facts about my reading habits. Years ago – we’re talking junior high here, maybe high school – this would have been easy for me because I actually had time to read for pleasure. So, we’ll see where this takes me…

1. The first sentence I ever read in a book is the last sentence of the book. Not the last paragraph or page… the last sentence and only the last sentence. I don’t know why.
2. I used to love the Baby-Sitters Club books. If I didn’t own them all, I was pretty close… but only a few of the mysteries and super specials, and none of that little sister nonsense. I had 110+ of the books, so I think I was only missing something like 20 or so. I never could pick a favorite, but Claudia always really interested me.
3. I ALWAYS cheated when I read the Choose Your Own Adventure Goosebump books. Always.
4. I love the smell of old books. Back when I actually used to go to the library (I’m pretty sure Mom never believed me when I said that’s where I was going), I would open books and bury my nose in the pages. A little weird now that I think about it, but I love the smell. I should visit the library here…
5. I’ve never experienced a book-turned-into-a-movie in which I didn’t think the book was much better. And I always look for incongruities in the movies… but I’m horrible at catching them.
6. I take really good care of all the books I own (which, by the way, isn’t enough – suggest books for me to buy or better yet, buy them for me). I never dog-ear the pages or set drinks or food on them. Maybe it’s something 1984 did to me, but there’s something about books I feel I have to protect.
7. I wish I read as much now as I did back in the day. Scratch that, I’m going to start.