From Friday Group Therapy, a topic near and dear to my heart.

1. What was the first book that you remember reading?

A book my mom used to read to use about polar bears. (Yeah, about bears. Sue me, I guess I imprinted on that book.) One night, she pulled it out and I announced that I wanted to read it for her instead. Then I did. Viola.

2. Tell us about the best book that you ever read.

The Lord of the Rings had a huge impact on me as a kid and through high school. Huge. I read the whole thing at least 15 times. I could write entire essays in dwarvish runes.

I don’t know if it’s the best book(s) that I’ve ever read, but when I consider the question, that trilogy (to my mind, the book series that the word trilogy was designed for) bitch-slaps every other title out of the way and steps to the fore.

3. Tell us about the worst book that you ever read.

I’m going to be unfair and say Donaldson’s Thomas Covenant series. I say unfair, because Donaldson is certainly a decent writer and capable in his craft. As an exercise in putting words down on paper in a skilled way, they are certainly not the worst things to ever see print.

But I hated the story. Hated. So there you go, that’s my answer.

4. What genre of books do you find yourself most drawn to?

Sci-fi and fantasy. (Try to muffle your gasps of shock.)

5. What genre of books do you avoid?

Romance novels. Westerns. Any… I’m going to say ‘commercial’ genre that generally encourages formulaic, cookie-cutter results.

6. Do you have a favorite author? What draws you to this person’s work?

I really like Neil Gaiman. I know people who say Sandman is still his best work, and he may indeed do his absolute best when illustrated (and Sandman is certainly amazing and entirely worth the 200+ bucks you have to shell out to get all the books), but I really, honestly, like everything he’s written since then. Stardust was a delight, I enjoyed American Gods, and I flat out love Neverwhere. He’s something of a vagabond that maybe hasn’t found a comfortable home yet, but he makes the places he visits for a time very interesting.

7. Have you ever written anything? If so, tell us about your writing. If not, have you ever wanted to?

Hmm. I think it’d be silly to answer that, considering everyone who’s reading this and how obvious the result would be.