What’s Your Favorite Book?

I’m asking, readers, because a few days ago I had a surprising revelation: what does a person’s favorite book, or favorite genre, say about them?  Does it even say anything at all, or is this just a stupid question?  I’m not one to read very deeply into things normally, but the possibilities of this intrigue me.

For example, my favorite genre (or, rather, subgenre) right now is of the post-apocalyptic/dystopian strain.  Don’t even ask me about my favorite book, because I honestly could not tell you.  Anyway, does my current affinity for this genre mean that I’m generally depressed about the direction humanity as a whole is taking?  Or is it that I’m hopeful that no matter how bad things are, there will be someone to stand up for the little guys?  Or maybe this means something entirely different- perhaps it indicates that I’m a bit of a crowd follower, what with the popularity of this subgenre these days.  As with most types of personal interpretation, it can mean just about anything.  Which is why I have to be a bit careful when broaching this subject, especially since I’m not sure any of those possible answers quite fit me.

I do think that a favorite novel can say a lot about a person, though.  After all, the individual who adores Gone With the Wind is going to be a tad different than he who will swear by Ender’s Game.  Someone who likes the action genre may be a bit more outgoing than someone who is more into tech novels.

There are some Web sources that explore this topic in various ways, but I want your opinions, readers.  Which is why, for the first time ever on Novel Journeys, I’m putting a poll in the post, just asking whether you think there’s anything to this personality stuff.  You can always leave a comment if you would like to elaborate on the topic, but in general I think this will be a good way of determining what stock my subscribers (or casual passersby) put in this question of mine.

In other news, I’ve been thinking lately about starting a Goodreads account.  It seems like a good way to get recommendations for new books to read, as well as a way to easily keep track of what I’ve read and what I still want to read, if and when the To-Be-Read pile is eliminated at last.  I’ve been there more than once to see the pages for certain books I’ve received over the holidays, and from what I’ve seen I like the layout of the site.

And so here is my second (and third) question to those of you who use Goodreads or a similar site (like Shelfari): how useful is it in reviewing and finding books?  Are there any good books you found through those sites that you wouldn’t have come across otherwise?

And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an English paper on Walt Whitman to finish (the research for which is the reason I had that quote from the preface to Leaves of Grass on my About page for a few days).

Happy reading.

UPDATE: Here’s the link to a site where the author outlines all of the major genres and what they might say about their readers.  Enjoy!

All Hail Queen Rowling (In Which I Also Talk About Other Things)

or, Hogwarts Finally Sent Me My Letter

So, along with this week came some very exciting news.  And I mean VERY exciting.  Like, monumental.  Like, the greatest thing that’s happened to me since A LONG TIME.

This is what happened:

Self-explanatory.

Yes, ladies and gents, I’m in Pottermore.  I got in back in early August, but, of course, I didn’t actually get onto the site until this week, and I’ve been DYING to tell you this but I thought it would be a nice surprise.

So, there you have it.  I’m finally in, and it’s AMAZING, and I can’t wait to see if any of you are in or are going to join.  I’m not going to post any pictures or whatnot (though there are quite a few floating around if you know where to look), because I feel like that would be spoiling it for anyone who’s SUPER EXCITED about it.

My Potter-loving friend and I got in together, and the past weeks have been horrendous for us, waiting for our letters.  Seriously.  You should see my Facebook wall.  Nothing but Potter, Potter everywhere for the past month.

Not that I didn’t enjoy it.  It was loads of fun.

Anyway…more about the site.  I got sorted into Ravenclaw, which is a HUGE relief.  I’ve known where I would be for years now, and I was afraid that Pottermore would send me into a SPIRALING IDENTITY CRISIS OF DOOM.

Luckily, that didn’t happen.

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw / If you've a ready mind / Where those of wit and learning / Will always find their kind.

If you have an account (or are getting one in October) and want to add me, my username is MagicSparks131.

Now that that’s out of the way:

I realized after sending out my last post that I neglected to post any Wrock/Rockingjay/Trock for you to listen to, though I talked about it.  Therefore, I’m giving you a couple of videos.  Please note that I really haven’t gotten into this area of music much, so my choices were limited to what I’ve heard on the Fireside Chat and whatever I could find on YouTube.  Feel free to comment with links to your favorite songs if you like.

This one is from the POV of Draco Malfoy, which is kind of interesting and SUPER funny:

And now for Rockingjay:

This is just a small selection, however.  If you’re interested, you should totally check some other bands and artists for yourself.  And there’s always Trock for you Whovians!

*Rejoices in the midst of unbridled geeky delight*

Happy reading!