Reading Meme

• Reading something frivolous? Or something serious?
  It depends on the book, really. If I think a book sounds interesting, regardless of seeming frivolous or serious, I will read it.
• Paperbacks? Or hardcovers?
  Paperbacks, hands down. I have a hard time carrying around hardcovers, especially since I have to carry textbooks frequently. I also prefer the feel of paperbacks. They feel more comfortable in my hands since the pages and cover feel soft and flexible.
• Fiction? Or Nonfiction?
  For fun I tend to read both equally. For nonfiction, I prefer to read scientific studies of things because I mostly read it for research purposes (or furthering my knowledge). I probably read more nonfiction than fiction, mostly because my studies in school require reading tons of textbooks or articles.
• Poetry? Or Prose?
  Prose, although I like poetry too. Usually I prefer reading poetry about science fictional themes (especially post-apocalyptic). I do not read very much poetry however. I should remedy this.
• Biographies? Or Autobiographies?
  Neither really. I will only read them for a class.
• History? Or Historical Fiction?
  History, unless you have some comedic historical fiction. I like alternate history fiction, like steampunk or something similar. When reading history, I tend to prefer books/articles about past technology or social norms.
• Series? Or Stand-alones?
  Stand-alones mostly. I usually like to breeze through several different books in the span of a few weeks, so by the time I get the next book in a series I often forget what happened previously. I prefer each book to have an ending (with ambiguity allowed) that at least gives you a sense that a chapter closed on something. I do not need all loose ends to tie up at the end, just enough that the reader feels satisfied by the end.
• Classics? Or best-sellers?
  So long as the story sounds interesting, I will read it. I have no preference other than that, really.
• Lurid, fruity prose? Or straight-forward, basic prose?
  Straight-forward basic prose like Hemingway’s, but I do not require that everything I read fall into this category. If I did, I would have a very limited reading list. However, I tend to dislike books that use too many unnecessary words — words that sound too pretentious and seem like obvious attempts to impress critics.
• Plots? Or Stream-of-Consciousness?
  Anything interesting, I will read, but I mostly like well thought out plots.
• Long books? Or Short?
  Does not matter.
• Illustrated? Or Non-illustrated?
  Non-illustrated. I would rather paint pictures of a story in my mind than have them handed to me.
• Borrowed? Or Owned?
  Owned. I owe many libraries too much money for all the books I never gave back.
• New? Or Used?
  Doesn’t matter usually, except some used books feel weird. Slightly slimy like the bars in a bus from too many hands (with germs) touching it (and doing who knows what else). I do not like books that after opening them you feel as though you need to wash your hands.