Booking Through Thursday ~ Meme

This is my first time participating in Booking Through Thursday! Here we go!

What was the last book you bought?
The Shack by William P. Young

Name a book you have read MORE than once
I don't usually read a book more than once...too many new ones I want to read!

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
Well, the Bible of course. Other than that, I couldn't say there has been any one particular book that has greatly changed me, but many books I've read have got me thinking and probably subtly changed how I view things.

How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews
All of the above! (But not "professional" reviews...they usually irritate me.)

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
Right now - fiction, but I like non-fiction too.

What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
Hmmm...well even if the writing is beautiful, if the story is completely boring I just can't get into it. So I'd say gripping plot. Can I have both? :o)

Most loved/memorable character (character/book)
One of my all time faves is Little Women.

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
I'm a read-one-book-at-a-time kind of girl. And I don't keep them on the night stand...I have a book shelf near my bed and they stay there til I'm ready for them. :o) I just started Forsaken by James David Jordan, but I have The Shack and Spanish Bow ready and waiting. I do also have some little devotionals I read daily occasionally (right now they are Beth Moore devos).

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?
I just read one I don't recommend so I'll say the one before that was Home Another Way.

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
Yes, but not very often.

Be sure to check out other responses at Booking Through Thursday!