By the Book TAG

1. What book is on your nightstand now?

I always have a couple of more than one book on my nightstand for I usually read more than one book at the same time. I am reading Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer currently so you would find this one at the top of the stack. Then there is Breakfast at Darcy's by Ali McNamara which I need to write a review for. At the bottom of the pile is Unbecoming by Jenny Downham which I haven't finished yet. And then I also keep a book of poetry by Emily Dickinson beside my bed because I like to read her poems before go to sleep sometimes...

2. What was the last truly great book you read?

That would be I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. Splendidly written, touching and compeling story about one crumbling but beautiful castle and the family that live in there...

3. If you could meet any writer – dead or alive – who would it be? And what would you want to know?

I was just watching a movie Miss Potter yesterday, and it was so beautiful and heartbreaking and fascinating. I think that Beatrix Potter had been wonderful person, and I admire her work utterly. It would be thrilling to have a chance to spend even a little moment in her presence and listen to her. I wouldn't want to know anything in particular, though. I guess I would just like to see what she saw and do what she did for a little while. That would be amazing experience, I think...

4. Do you have a favourie childhood literary character or hero?

Now I don't really have a character that I used to like when I was a little since I've become a reader later then. But I discovered Anne of Green Gables recently and since then I absolutely grew fond of her. So she is now definitely my most favourite character of children's literature...

5. What books are on your coffee table?

On my coffe table, I usually keep books that I am going to read next as well as magazines I've bought recently. Then some photographic publications along with cook books for drawing inspiration. For now, there is a gorgeous book called Places to Go People to See by Kate Spade and the last issue of UK Harper's Bazaar with Emilia Clarke on the cover (still need to go to see Me Before You).

6. What are your most cherished books, and where do you keep them?

My most cherished books are the ones published by Penguin Clothbound Classics which I keep neat and together in one of the cube of my bookshelf. It's just so pleasant to look at them. I love their delicate design and colorful covers. They are surely the most precious and beautiful books I have in my collection...

7. What's the best love story you've ever read?

Well now, I love love stories and I could name plenty of really great ones I've thoroughly enjoyed. But just one occurred to me when I read this question, and that is One Day by David Nichols. I've read this book more than three years ago but I still remember it very clearly. And whenever I think about the story (which is quite often), I have the same feelings I've experienced while reading it. I don't know. This story about Dexter and Emma (see, I can even remember the names of the main protagonists which I usually forget the next week after reading some book) really strucks the deepest place within my heart. One Day is definitely the most romantic book I've ever read, and still it's not cheesy but unique and so real. I would recommend this book to everyone for it's about life and everything that goes with it. Now I am thinking about that, I really need to re-read this book soon...

8. Which do you prefer, traveling or reading travel books?

I love to travel and I like adventures but just in reasonable quantities. There are places I fell in love with and places which I want to visit again, and there are places I'd love to visit for the first time, also. But there are even some places I lack a required courage to go and visit them. So I would definitely say that I prefer to travel through books. It's so much easier. I mean, you don't have to worry about money and food and accommodation or even about weather. And what is the most important thing, you don't have to find the perfect company to travel with which is not an easy task to do. The older I am getting the more I am content to stay at home for real comfort and do nothing than read...

9. What book changed your life?

I think that every single book I've ever read has had some effect on me. It's just like people you meet during your life. Some of them will stay and some of them would leave but all of them teach you something. It could be but small thing and yet it can help you in the future a lot. I might not have one book in particular that changed my life completely but all of the books I've read contributed to my development. I can't even imagine where I would be now if I wouldn't have them...

10. What do you plan to read next?

Well, I don't know really. Because I am one of those people who always change their minds. So I will probably see what I will be in a mood for. But I would like to read Middlemarch by George Eliot soon. So let's hope that I'll finaly manage to start that one...

PS: I used questions from the title By the Book: Writers on Literature and Literary Life from The New York Times Book Reviews.