Meme Saturday

Nyssaneala tagged me for this particular gem. I remember hearing an author talk about how her characters crowd around her wherever she goes, demanding to be heard and written about; the stories always pushing her around and wanting out. I know exactly what she means. The difference though is that she in much more gifted at channeling her energies into her writing. I am more likely to flail around without much direction, all those ideas swimming in my head but without the focus to give them a proper home on paper. While I do believe that everyone has a book inside them, I do not believe that just anyone can write a good book.

10 Signs a Book Has Been Written by Me
1. The novel would be an epic fantasy. No, maybe a mystery. Nah. Better to just stick to straight fiction for now.

2. My lead character would be a sad sort of person. She has had a difficult life, but one that has made her stronger. She can hold her own in any given situation.

3. Set in a city. One I have been to. Maybe even one I have lived in. Probably on the West Coast.

4. There will be a kitchen with a window above the sink.

5. The reader will be moved to tears.

6. My lead character would have to use the restroom at least once. It's only natural.

7. The reader will chuckle.

8. My main character will stop in a bookstore and browse the shelves, looking for the perfect book. Someone will have to help her reach a book on the highest shelf.

9. There will be a sleepless night.

10. The novel will be published under a pseudonym.

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I was tagged by both CJ and Melody for Gautami's Nonfiction Meme. Although I tend to gravitate more towards fiction, I do enjoy reading nonfiction as well. My tastes in both fiction and nonfiction are very similar.

1) What issues/topics interest you most?

I am most drawn to human interest stories, the types of stories that let the reader into the life of a particular person and experience life walking alongside them, sharing in their experiences whether it be a story about his or her childhood, an addiction, war, a spiritual journey, or a look into a particular part of his or her life. Such stories can be inspirational, informative, and life-changing. Some are sad and horrifying, while others are uplifting. I tend to shy away from books about celebrities. I prefer to read about everyday people more often than not. Those are the types of people I can more easily relate to.

I also have an interest in exploring other cultures as well as taking a walk into history, including religious history, which sometimes means stepping outside of my comfort zone. Then, of course, there are books that deal with forensic science, sociology and psychology that often capture my interest, although not so much self-help or how-to books.

2) Would you like to review books concerning these?

Oh, absolutely! And I have. I review all of the books I read on my blog and have received a nonfiction book here and there to review as part of an early review program. The most recent being The Translator by Daoud Hari, which I reviewed earlier this week for LibraryThing's Early Review Program.

3) Would you like to be paid or do it as an interest or hobby? Why?

I certainly wouldn't mind being paid, but truth be told, I doubt anyone would pay me for my thoughts on his or her book, fiction or nonfiction. Reviewing books is more of a hobby for me and a natural part of my reading process. My reviews are not really reviews when it comes right down to it. I am just throwing my thoughts together in hopes that I can coherently express how I feel about what I am reading.

There would certainly be more pressure if I wrote reviews for money, and I worry that my freedom to choose what I read might be constricted. I do not want my reading to feel too much like work. I do sometimes receive free books to review, which is always a great treat. And in a way, this is a form of payment. Regardless, I prefer to read and review books that I want to read and that I think I will enjoy. I hate to have to offer up a review on a book I did not like--it's a waste of my time and probably the author's.

4) Would you recommend those to your friends?

If I read a book that is worthwhile, I will certainly recommend it. Some books I know are better suited for one type of individual than another. Not everyone shares the same interests and tastes, after all.

5) If you have already done something like this, link it to your post.

All of my nonfiction reviews can be found under my nonfiction tag.