ParisB tagged me on this interesting meme over a week ago (see, told you I’m a terrible procrastinator!). Somehow, the word worm sends a chill down my spine, but I am indeed one when it comes to books. Here goes.

Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?
Coming from a house of worms (so to speak, heh!), reading has played a big part in my life since, well, as long as I can remember. Books are the one thing in our house that is more populated than anything else. One of my fondest memories of childhood is my parents reading me one fairytale story after another. My father’s animated gestures that accompanied his story-telling are still vividly etched in my mind. Great times!

What are some books you read as a child?
Coming from a Chinese educated background, the books that I read in my early age are mostly in Chinese, with a few Enid Blyton’s books in between. Most of the books I read are about popular Chinese folktales. I also read a lot of China’s history and Chinese literature. Among the mountains of books are stories from the book One Thousand and One Nights as well. I guess that’s where I developed my vivid imaginations.

What is your favourite genre?
My favourite genres span across thriller, horror, Chinese literature, comedy and true crime(!!) just to name a few. From the likes of Stephen King to Sophie Kinsella. I love them all. No fantasy books though, I’m one of the rare people who doesn’t enjoy the Harry Potter series at all.

Do you have a favourite novel?
Without a doubt, The “Torrents” Trilogy《激流三部曲》from the great Chinese writer Ba Jin 巴金. the trilogy consists of ‘The Family《家》’, ‘Spring 春》’, and ‘Autumn《秋》’. I first read them back in high school as a requirement for my Chinese subject. The first volume ‘The Family’ is simply one of the best realism literature of all times. The series greatly depicted the struggles of the modern youth against the age old dominance of the incredibly feudal Confucian family system back in the 1930s. Ba Jin took over ten years to complete the three volumes. It is the early years of his life that fueled his denouncement against the ugly persecution and feudalism happening in that era. The trilogy totally blew my mind away and formed the fundamental core of my love for Chinese literature. For me, it will always be the great literature to read time and again. It is also one of the very few books that reaches deep into my heart and vibrates my world.

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Where do you usually read?
Anywhere really. On the bus, plane, couch or in bed.

When do you usually read?
When I’m free of course, normally in the dead silence of night time or a relaxing afternoon.

Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
Sometimes, when I want a change of pace or emotion, I will stop and pick up a book of different genre. It rarely happens though, I like to finish a book in one go if possible.

Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
Not particularly. Only when I read nonfiction, I sometimes do some research online as well, to get a little more insight into the stories.

Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
I am a little germophobic, so not really into borrowing books from the library. When I love a book, I just have to own it.

Do you keep most of the books you buy? If not, what do you do with them?
If it turns out not to my liking then yes, I sell them online.

If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? Were they some of the same ones you read as a child?
No kids yet, but I will most definitely instill in them my love for Chinese folktales and literature. Especially those I read as a child.

click photo to enlarge.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading some of the books that I bought from my Taiwan trip back in February. I bought one whole box of them! LOL. Amongst them are series of books from 鄭華娟, the Taiwanese author cum singer/composer. She writes about her life in Germany with humour. Also re-reading Stephen King’s Carrie. This early creation of his is still my favourite.

Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?
Not really, which book I read really depends on my mood at the time. I keep a TBB (to be bought) list though. Heh.

What’s next?
Finish reading the books I bought from the Taiwan trip, over 20 of them.

What books would you like to reread?
If I have the time, some of the Stephen King’s classic, like The Shining. If you found the movie adaption creepy, wait till you read the book!

Who are your favourite authors?
So many of them! Ba Jin 巴金, Lu Xun 魯迅, Zhu Ziqing 朱自清, 鄭華娟, Stephen King, Sophie Kinsella, just to name a few.

In conclusion (eh, am I writing a thesis?!), books are a huge and crucial part of my life. Can’t live without them! So, what do you think? Wormy or not?

Now, I’m interested to know about your reading habit,
sasha, che-cheh, zewt, gina and jeremy. Have fun!

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