Fractured Reading Material Trivia Quiz

Answer: Magazine

Magazines used to be made of glossy paper with lots of photos and interesting articles, and you could browse through them at the magazine rack in various stores, or have them delivered by post to your home. Nowadays a lot of people read some version of a magazine online. Some of my favourites include "Life", "Readers' Digest" and "Road & Track".

Answer: Newspaper

Daily newspapers still exist, though many of them are available in digital form too. I still have two delivered each day, one from a nearby large city and a local edition. I like to be able to do the Sudoku puzzle with pen and paper, and read "Garfield" and other comics in the paper version.

Answer: Electronic reader

Also called an e-reader or ebook reader, electronic readers come in various disguises such as Kindle, Kobo and Nook. Whatever the name, they can be quite handy, even for those who still prefer the heft of a "real" book to the slimline electronic books. For me, the main attraction is the sheer number of books I can put in my purse or pocket in one handy volume.

Answer: Mystery

Mystery novels have been popular for a very long time, and continue to be written and consumed by readers. You can't go far wrong with an Agatha Christie, Sue Grafton or Louise Penny mystery on the go, to name but a few.

Answer: Romance novel

While they are not my own favourite choice of reading material, romance novels by such as Danielle Steel, or many others, are quite popular, especially among female readers. Publishers such as Harlequin Books and Mills & Boon have relied on the genre.

Answer: Textbook

Textbooks can be quite dry, depending on the subject, but they are essential for students at all levels. I recall one particular Geography textbook, from high school, not for its content, but because the slightly shiny pages had a soapy smell.

Answer: Blog

Blogs, or weblogs, are a relatively new invention being more or less public diaries/journals published on the internet. Some are quite intellectual and interesting while others are essentially rambling train of thought essays. I believe some bloggers even make a living from their efforts.

Answer: Manual

Manuals are usually instructional, and are meant to be consulted when wishing to learn a new skill, or operate a machine, install a computer or change the oil in your car. They are not recommended for light reading unless you are desperate for reading material.

Answer: Cookbook

Some people collect cookbooks in the same way that I collect history books. There are lots of cookbooks from which to choose, and some are even rather entertaining, with colourful depictions of the dishes described. Some people even use them for the recipes inside, and actually cook the meals!

Answer: Science fiction

I keep waiting for science fact to catch up with science fiction, and of course in some respects it has. What I'm really waiting for is the time machine, or even more practical, the transporter, so that I can finally visit Australia without having to be cooped up in an airplane for more than a day!