Reading is a passion that both my husband and I share. This is part from the serious sci-fi/fantasy addiction and other things that we both like. But there is just something about getting into a really good book.
We do differ however on our choices. Whereas he will pretty much read anything and likes authors such as Stephen King and Robert Jordan; I am quite selective in my reading choices.
I must admit that I prefer books written by female authors. Perhaps I can relate more to the writing style of a woman more than that of a man... I don't know. It is just my preference as some of my favorite books were written by women. I am not opposed to reading a book because it has been written by a guy though.
For me, a book has to be gripping so that it can keep me interested until the end. I can remember reading the first of the Lord of the Rings books... I gave up after so much time spent going through fields. I couldn't finish the books but I loved the films.In popular opinion, most films are not as good as the book. That doesn't mean that the film is bad, just that it doesn't match up to the book. Harry Potter is a great example. I love the films, but if you read the books before you see the films then you can't help but feeling a little disappointed about the things the film misses out. (The Quidditch world cup is a classic example!)
One of my all-time favorite books is something that I read at school (Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor). This book is so emotional and deep. It is set in Mississippi during the depression and is about a girl growing up and learning about racism and the world around her.
More of my favorites include the works of Jane Austin (especially Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility), Stephenie Meyer and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
I like period dramas as well a decent selection of fantasy novels.
I had to do a variety of reading whilst I was studying English literature. One of the things I enjoyed immensely was the poetry from the likes of John Keats and Robert Browning.I had never before read poetry like this and by doing the research about it that accompanied my study, I learnt to appreciate it even more. I fully intend to read poetry with my children when they are older, as I think of it as 'art using words'.
We have read to our children since they were babies, when they couldn't even understand what we were
saying. Studies have stated many times that reading to children from a young age is good for them. Whereas we just did it because we enjoy reading and wanted to share that passion with our children. Now they have a lot of books of their own (they definitely take after us!) and my oldest daughter can read to herself.
Recently, I haven't been reading much more than magazines and websites but I think it's about time that I put away the electronic devices and sat down with a good book.