Booking Through Thursday - Book Meme Via Saturday

What was the last book you bought?
A Single Shard

Name a book you have read MORE than once
I tend not to re-read books. There are just many more out there that need to be read it seems like a waste to keep reading the same ones. I always say that I don't re-read books and then in the middle of the night I remember that one book that I HAVE re-read, but of course I currently have no idea what it is.

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
Not that I can recall. Not that it hasn't happened, or maybe it has just happened SO MANY TIMES! There are always times when you your life through the lens of the book you are reading.

How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews?
The cover and recognition of the author's name combined with the price is the biggest factor when I am book buying. Sometimes the title just grabs my attention too. I buy 90% of all my books from the used market. I am always scanning for authors I recently heard about or topics that are currently interesting me. And I generally don't pay over $3 for a book unless it is something really special.

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
I definitely prefer fiction, but I do enjoy essays and creative non-fiction as well. Informational non-fiction is great too, I love to learn, but it doesn't have the same quality of relaxation that fiction provides me.

What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
I prefer writing over plot and I think I always will. Of course plot is important, but a story can go nowhere and have amazing writing and still get me.

Most loved/memorable character (character/book)
This seems particularly difficult to me. The only thing I can come up with is Bridget Jones. She is coming to mind right now so that makes her memorable.

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
My bed is built into the wall. Half of it is surrounded by "nightstand" or a small shelf. I have about 60 books on there right now. Some of them I do actually intend to read. Saint Maybe is currently sitting under my reading lamp. Just under that a short story collection called You've Got To Read This!

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?
The last book I finished was The Green Book.
The last book I picked up and read was A Girl Named Disaster.

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
Yes! Lots of them. I keep on thinking I am going to finish them.
Lord of the Rings will likely never be finished.
American Psycho and Wonder Boys I hope to finish some time fairly soon.

I seem to struggle with books that have since been made into movies. If I have seen the movie first, I resent how the book is different.