Booking Thru Thursday--a few days late

I've been missing in action. Because of a number of things; none that are that important to any one but me....but I did ask one of my book clubs to answer last week's "Booking Through Thursday" question/meme.
I thought I would share it here and then hopefully get back into the swing of things very soon:

the question....
What was the last book you bought?
Name a book you have read MORE than once

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews
Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
Most loved/memorable character (character/book)

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?
Have you ever given up on a book half way in?

the answers.
from Lisa Campbell:

What was the last book you bought?
Tangerine.... Surprise :)
Name a book you have read MORE than once
Glass Castle, but I just don't enjoy reading anything twice. Same thing with travel, my view is that there are so many new and wonderful books, places to visit and so little time.
Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
I used to be a collector of self-help/women's awareness books when I was going through my counseling grad school program and in my 20's... and ugh as I sit and type I can't recall the author and title of one that I recall to be memorable - but it was one of the last one that I'd picked up and read.The gist of it was to savor the moment, live in the now. Often I think as women, we're planning ahead, living two steps ahead of where we are precisely now. If you forget to live in the present, you miss the full experience of this moment, seeking the next before you've fully given time to the present. So, maybe I should go back and drum it out and re-read that one instead!
How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews
Yes, yes, and yes. Cover design, book summaries and reviews are all great for me. I like the look of the cover and title and that becomes a first draw, more often when I am physically in a bookstore. On the Internet it becomes more of a glance and then the review and excerpts that draw me in. But of course, the most important selection now, is what is up next for book club and friend reviews. And that is probably best. A deadline and scheduled opportunity to do something enjoyable.
Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
(answer here) Fiction, let's get lost in someone else's world for distraction and entertainment.
What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
Gripping plot to keeping me through to the end. Beautiful writing I can appreciate, but a plot holds me there.
Most loved/memorable character (character/book)
Um.... so now I'm Sarah Palin and I can't recall anything I've read. Argh. the pressure.

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
See I'm a literary lazyheart, reading only bookclub titles right now- Those who save us, glass castles....
What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?
Charles Martin, When Crickets Cry, last month
Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
Yes, unfortunately. When I read a book, if I'm drawn to it the world almost has to stop as I tear through pages trying to read to the end. Dishes wait, dinner becomes extremely unhealthy, stay up to late. Most often I can't abandon one, but if it doesn't draw me in I'm out.

from Gina Jones:
Iʼve seen this series of questions floating around the ʽnet the last few days, and thought it looked like a good one for us!
What was the last book you bought?
Angel's Everywhere by Debbie Macomber
Name a book you have read MORE than once
The Stand by Stephen King

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
Left Behind series
How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews
Cover design and summary
Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
Fiction
Whatʼs more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
Gripping plot
Most loved/memorable character (character/book)
Odd Thomas

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
Birds and Blooms and Wild Bird
What was the last book youʼve read, and when was it?
Angels Everywhere - currently reading
Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
East of Eden

from Jolina Adams:
What was the last book you bought?
The Guernsey Literature and Potato Pie Society, Ask Again Later, Friday, Girls Poker Night, The Art of Racing in the Rain. I never order just one book.
Name a book you have read MORE than once
Never read books more than once.

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
No
How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews
Reviews and book club picks.
Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
fiction
What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
Can't I have both?
Most loved/memorable character (character/book)
I tend to love my characters as I read the book.

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
Girls Poker Night, The Lace Reader, 1000 Dresses
What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?
Ask Again Later
Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
Yes

from Mitzi Storm:
Iʼve seen this series of questions floating around the ʽnet the last few days, and thought it looked like a good one for us!
What was the last book you bought?
Tuesdays With Morrie (for my office), Why Don't You Listen?, and Mindset, The New Psychology of Success
Name a book you have read MORE than once
All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Wise and Wonderful, all by James Herriot

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza / She was one of the few that lived through the Holocaust and lost most of her family members. She was able to forgive her persecutors anyway. A book about forgiving and moving on. Also, Tuesdays With Morrie, Mitch Albom
How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews
The cover lures me in, and then I look at the summary on the flap. Sometimes I go by a friend's recommendation.
Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
Usually fiction, but it depends on what type of non-fiction.
Whatʼs more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
I like it when the plot is good and makes me keep turning the pages.
Most loved/memorable character (character/book)
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, and the Raggedy Ann & Andy books my mother used to read to us.

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
Chicken soup for the parents soul, 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace, Flags of Our Fathers, Reader's Digest
What was the last book youʼve read, and when was it?
Finished last week, The Are of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein. It was soooo dang cute! And frustrating, but a good ending.
Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
You bet, my motto is "so many books, so little time" so if I don't like it, why bother?

from Sadie Stone:
What was the last book you bought?The Trinity by Karl rahner (not very exciting just some theology stuff) Name a book you have read MORE than onceAll of John Grisham's books Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?Yes, Malcolm X was the first book I read that related to the broader issues of race in our country. It opened my eyes to how bad things were and how much work still needs to be done. I've spent a great deal of my time and energy reading other individuals active during this time period. How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviewsRecommendations and reviews Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?I like both. I love non-fiction books with inspiring or amazing people but a little fiction is good to. What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?gripping plotMost loved/memorable character (character/book)to many to choose from Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?Middlesex (I read it a long time ago but it's still there)What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?Pauli Murray the autobiography if a Black activist, feminist, lawyer, priest and poet. I finished it yesterday Have you ever given up on a book half way in?Yes I gave up on 100 years of Solitude maybe I'll try again someday.

from Traci Marques:
Iʼve seen this series of questions floating around the ʽnet the last few days, and thought it looked like a good one for us!
What was the last book you bought?
??? Right now I don't remember, it was a couple of weeks ago.
Name a book you have read MORE than once


Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
Not that I can think of, tho I do learn a lot from reading.
How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews
summary and friends
Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
Fiction
Whatʼs more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
Plot
Most loved/memorable character (character/book)
?

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
Jodi Picoult books
What was the last book youʼve read, and when was it?
The Host by Stephanie Meyer - this weekend
Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
Yes