Blame... er... Thanks to Holly

Holly over on Book Binge started this voluntary meme a couple of weeks ago. Since then, I've been meaning to post this but never got around to it. My bad.

Now I must finish cleaning and organizing my office ::shudders:: and it may be DAYS before I finish. Of course with my luck lately, I'll probably end up back in the hospital from all the dust induced sneezing fits. Where're those Sons of Destiny cleaning spells when you need them?!

Contemporary, Historical, or Paranormal?

Paranormal, paranormal, paranormal-- probably 80% of what I read, and I'm including fantasy in that group. Followed by historical. Contemps, not so much. And the contemps I do read tend to be m/m.

Hardback or Trade Paperback or Mass Market Paperback?

My credit cards prefer mmp, but really, it doesn't matter all that much. If I want the book bad enough, I'll buy it. Although there are some series I only buy as audio books. And a couple of series that I buy as hardback, paperback, audio book AND ebook! Obsessed? Who me?

Heyer or Austen?

This may get me kicked out of Romancelandia, but I've never read either one.

Amazon or Brick and Mortar?

Amazon for research, but I honestly prefer the immediate gratification of brick and mortar.

Barnes & Noble or Borders?

Waldens when I have time to hoof the mall. It has more of a hometown type of feel. Otherwise Borders just because we don't have any other bookstores around here.

Woodiwiss or Lindsay?

I read both long ago. And while I no longer read either one, I guess I have to answer Lindsay just because I used to read more of hers.

First romance novel you ever remember reading?

I don't remember the first true romance novel. But I can point to Little Women as the likely source for my love of historical romance.

Alphabetize by author Alphabetize by title or random?

Since I'm trying to get organized, depending on where they are shelved, stacked, etc., they are a mix of random, alphabetized by author, and/or grouped by author.

My goal is to get them set up by author, then by published date, or in the case of an author with multiple series, published date within each series.

I'm also toying with the idea of organizing by genre (my definitions of them anyway), then author. That way I can select a re-read based on what I'm in the mood for.

Keep, Throw Away or Sell?

As far as I know, I have every single book I've ever bought as an adult, and quite a few of the ones I had as a kid, too. I'm going to TRY to weed a few out as I get organized. Keyword there is TRY, cuz I know damn well I'll start reading each one again just to make sure I want to give it away. But TOSS it? ACK!

Read with dustjacket or remove it?

I prefer to leave them on. They usually get a bit tattered, but then again, I'm one of those people that dog-ears pages *collective gasp all over Romancelandia*, so pristine isn't one of my priorities.

Sookie Stackhouse or Anita Blake?

Anita Blake

Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks?

Since many authors write little mini-cliffhangers at the end of chapters, I seldom am able to stop there. So I usually stop mid-chapter.

“It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time”?

"Once upon a time..." Odd that a paranormal reader would say that? Not really when you consider I also love the dark fantasies so much.

Crusie or SEP?

Never read SEP, read a few Cruisies which helped me come to the conclusion that contemps just aren't my flavor.

Buy or Borrow?

Buy-- I'm a hoarder.

Buying choice: Book Reviews, Recommendation or Browse?

All three, I tend to research books.

Tidy ending or Cliffhanger?

Tidy ending. I LOVE epilogues. Even with series, I prefer that there is a mini HEA or summary-- some kind of "winding down" at the end. Having said that though, a cliffhanger is not a deal breaker by any means.

Morning reading, Afternoon reading or Nighttime reading?

Anytime, anywhere. I pick up a book and I'm gone.

Series or standalone?

Both. Although I have to admit that, after reading a good standalone, I often hope that the author turns it into a series, or at least a trilogy.

Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?

My answer used to be A Gentleman's Wager by Madelynne Ellis (Black Lace). But, with its recent re-release and with Black Lace being more readily available over here, I think readers on this side of the pond are now discovering just how remarkable AGW is.

So I'll have to go with Across the Sea by Irene Maillol. Her first and only book, not perfect, but in this epic erotic fantasy saga she managed to instinctually use techniques, such as POV shifts, that even more experienced authors have muddied up.

Since this is a voluntary meme, I'm not tagging anyone. But feel free to answer here or, if you answer on your own blog, let me know in the comments.