15 Day Book Blogger Challenge (12, 13, 14)

Don't know what the 15 Day Book Blogger Challenge is? Check it out at Good Books and Good Wine, and hop in on the fun if you want also. Click on the 'fifteen day' tag at the bottom of the post, or go to my Events tab to follow along with all of the posts for this challenge. :)  Also, I realize I slacked a bit recently answering these. I feel bad about that. But I still wanted to complete the challenge anyway. =P

 

How Do You Choose What Book To Read Next?

I don’t have any real process. I normally just go by mood, the anticipated reads, etc. ARCs are usually more of the priority, but since I normally request them because I’m anticipating those books, it’s not too hard to decide. Sometimes I get in genre moods too and only want to read just one or two particular genres for a certain amount of time.

　

Describe One Underappreciated Book EVERYONE should read.

Hmm. This is a tough one because many of the books I read are probably considered “popular” and not quite underappreciated. I would probably say Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen though since it doesn’t seem as well-known and I’m always telling people they should read it. Why? Because it’s awesomely-awesome. Anything that can get me loving the Robin Hood legend, having such a unique writing style, and make me beg for moooree at the end is certainly a book everyone should read. I get that not all are into historical fiction, but I do think this fits for anyone because it’s such a classical tale.

　

Tell us your “deal breakers.”

Oh boy. Deal breakers in books! I will almost always put down a book and DNF if they have one or more of the following:

Insta-love -- Sometimes I let this slide depending on how well the romance and rest of story is written. So I’m not extremely picky with this one, but it does become an annoyance often.

Abuse (physical or mental)-- Not to be mistaken as abuse as being a point of the story that is a message. I mean I don’t want romantic ideals of it.

Absent parents in YA books -- Really. One of my biggest hates in YA. Even one or two mentions/interactions of the parents would satisfy me a little bit at least. These are usually teen characters 15-17. They have parents or guardians like normal people, too.

Character or Characters that exhibit beliefs to make me uncomfortable-- ex. Homophobia, racism, preachy Christian…

Romantic ideals of pedophilia or incest. (Ew.)

Detailed/graphic scenes of pre-teen/teen sexual abuse -- Due to personal life experiences, I just really struggle getting through reads where characters go through these situations.

Other than those, I don’t really have any other instant deal breakers. I have other things, annoyances, that will bother me and possibly make me DNF, but I usually try to finish most of my reads. :)

 

 

Only one post to go before the challenge is complete! And it's the big one-- My Blogging Mentors! I will be posting this one in the next week or so and look forward to it. ^_^

 

 

The Answers!

You may remember recently I made a post giving you all a chance to ask me questions. I gave it some time and then I was going to answer them. I'd meant to make this post a couple of days ago actually, but with all of the Goodreads drama this last week I really didn't feel like doing much of any blogging for a few days until I settled my nerves. I may or may not make a post on that whole debacle myself with my own thoughts, but not sure yet. If I do, then I do. If not, oh well. Either way, thanks for understanding and being patient for this post. :) Here are the answers to the questions asked from the post HERE (click for more information and links to the blogs that provided the inspiration for the idea!)


Red asked:

Have you ever had the pleasure of enjoying an audio-book? Would you try it or do you consider it "cheating" since you're technically not reading?


I actually have never tried an audio-book before. I have this pet peeve where I really can’t stand when people read out loud to me. Huge annoyance. Weird, I know. Anyways, this has caused a general fear of giving audio-books a chance when I’ve heard nothing but great things about them--especially for someone who is always on the go during the school year like myself. I do want to give them a try sometime. I just think I’ll have to start off with an audio of something I’d already read before so that it will likely be an easier (and less frightening, maybe) transition. No I don’t think it’s cheating at all! Whatever works to get a person interested in books is a bonus I say. Some people are understandably too busy to just sit down with a book, but can pop in a set of headphones or put in a disc while in the car and go, and I think that’s great!


Think of your top five books (a series counts as one). One of them has to be wiped from existence, including all memory of it in all its forms (movies, tv etc). Which one do you choose?


Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (P.S. This better be one of those ‘wiped from existence so that you could re-experience it for the first time’ questions) O_o


You come in contact with an alien on a scavenger hunt around the cosmos (shut up, its my question. Just go along with it). On Earth s/he must find two pieces of literature. One near perfect in its storytelling, the other its polar opposite in quality. Both must be works of fiction and both must be published pieces. This alien is incredibly charming so you decide to help, besides, this would make an awesome blog entry later! What books do you give s/he & why?


Oookay. Interesting question. I’m going to assume by it that you mean one book I would highly recommend to this alien (because it’s so near perfect in my opinion), and the other is one I dislike/hate so much that I would tell the alien it’s not recommended but to read if they’re interested?

With that, the books I would give are Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, being the highly recommended/near perfect story-telling work, and The Dark Heroine by Abigail Gibbs, being its polar opposite (and maybe a bottle of headache medicine to go with that one).


Marry, Boff, Kill - Count Chocula, Boo-Berry, FrankenBerry... because reasons.


Ha! Okay. Marry Count Chocula (it’s the Count…He’s the keeper), Boff Boo-Berry, and Kill FrankenBerry (I’m allergic to real strawberries, and most artificial strawberry products like that taste funky to me… unless it’s strawberry-flavored Tootsie Pops or something.).

　

　

　
Lyn from Great Imaginations asked:

Will you marry me?

Of course! You may have to share with a cat, a dog, some kids, husband…. But we will make it work. ;)


Since you are a woman of both worlds (a reader and an author), do you find book blogging harder or easier, or does it make a difference?


First and foremost, I’m a reader before author. I knew when I started the blog that I was going to publish, whether it was self-publishing or something a little more traditional--I just didn’t know at the beginning how serious I was going to be with the blogging and reviewing, or if I was going to even continue once I published. It was about halfway through my first year when I made that decision and knew I couldn’t stop reviewing once I released anything because why would I give up one passion to continue with my other when I could just do both?

After I published, I did find blogging a little harder at first. I was afraid of saying the wrong thing in my reviews and then getting attacked or “black-listed” or something, so I did take it really easy for a little while with them. Then one day, I don’t know why or what it was, I just woke up and decided I wasn’t going to do that anymore. I’d decided I’d always been a reader. I’d always happily wrote out my honest, complete thoughts without worry, and I shouldn’t let anything stop me. If someone wanted to point out flaws (even the same flaws I’d pointed out in others’), they were more than welcome. If someone wanted to put me on DNR lists because I critically reviewed, posted GIFs, etc., they were more than welcome. I no longer let any worrisome thoughts get to me--and the whole thing became a lot easier.

The only thing that makes it slightly on the hard side being an author in the book blogging community is that I don’t want anyone assuming I’m out to spam them with my work if I follow/talk with them. That’s the last thing I want actually. I rarely ever tweet, FB (except on my FB author page on occasion), talk about my books, but I get that sinking feeling when meeting new people sometimes because the info can be found in my profiles, I know.

So now--being an author and blogger--I would say I find book blogging about the same, if not easier, compared to when I started out.


What do you aspire to be in 5 years?


Good question! I aspire to hopefully have my very own agent that I can tweet little inside jokes with maybe… on the road to getting traditionally published… or to be a real-life superhero. Pipe dreams. Hope to NOT be the world’s youngest grandmother (my oldest is about to be 17 now, so in 5 years that is highly possible and that scares the shit out of me).


What is one of your most favorite memories?


Staying with my older brother half the summer during my high school years, playing on his PlayStation the majority of the days while I beat games like Tony Hawk and Spyro--and also going to my first concert with him when I was fifteen (Motley Crue).

 
　
Kara from Great Imaginations asked:

Tell us about your tattoos!


Okay! I have four tats so far. All of them have a bit of a theme to them I guess you could say since I have a thing for stars and night things. I have a half-sleeve of an elf girl in black and gray with stars around her and an Om symbol (Most know the Om stands for universal spirituality and meditation).

I have a heart shooting stars out of the top of it on my chest. It’s very girly with swirls and lots of bright color. Haha. Hurt like hell, too. This was a just-for-fun tat, I think. I don’t really remember any real meaning behind it other than sticking with that night theme and the colors that I loved.

I have a large lily on my left arm that has a night scene (moon, stars) within the flower petals. Also color. Lots of purple, black, some pink, and light greens and blues. This one was for my father because my favorite flowers are lilies, and when I was a little (and things were still somewhat normal around the age of 6 or so), him and I used to sit outside under the stars all the time--or we’d go camping, or chase fireflies. I’m a major night person, and I think it’s because of him.

And last, I have 3 large purple stars and a blue crescent moon with black swirlies on my left forearm. This one I got done to represent my 3 step-kids and husband, without actually getting any names done because I’m very strongly against getting names tattooed. But I know personally what it means to me.

Also--I drew them all myself. I would LOVE to get another tattoo real soon. I’ve got the itch. I have been wanting to get a Shakespeare quote with a feather quill pen for the longest.


What's your favorite holiday and why?


That’s actually hard to answer! =P

Halloween. I’ve always loved it. Something about the time of year. Costumes. Decorations. Some candy. Music. Scary movies. Plus, in Texas, it finally starts getting cold. Haha!

I also love Thanksgiving. Because… pie.




Thank you all for your questions! I might do another one of these someday. :)

Q&A With The Bookaholic: Give Me Your Questions!

This is a fun little activity that I'd seen a few bloggers do in the last month or so (Kara and Lyn at Great Imaginations, the lovely ladies at Finding Bliss in Books, Christina at Reader of Fictions), and I thought I'd give it a whirl myself. It's pretty simple. Submit questions in the comments, I'll make note of them, and sometime around the end of next week (likely on Sunday) I'll answer all the questions in a new post for you all!

I really enjoyed reading the questions and answers at other blogs, thinking that it was a great way for readers to get to know the people behind the blogs. So feel free to jump in and ask as many questions as you like, and whatever you like!


See you soon!

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge (10, 11)

 

Don't know what the 15 Day Book Blogger Challenge is? Check it out at Good Books and Good Wine, and hop in on the fun if you want also. Click on the 'fifteen day' tag at the bottom of the post, or go to my Events tab to follow along with all of the posts for this challenge. :)

For this post, I’m going to step just a tad out of order here with the questions and skip to what’s actually days 11 & 12. Instead, I’m just rearranging a bit, making them for days 10 & 11, and moving the other questions to the next post. This way the posts have a more fitting theme with each question/answer. Haha.

Also, I realize I slacked a bit the last couple of weeks answering these. I feel bad about that. But I still wanted to complete the challenge anyway. =P

　

Day Ten:

Show off 5 of your best blog posts!

Well this is tough, to be honest, because I don’t know if I can personally pick out my best posts. I think that’s always up to my readers. Isn’t it? I guess I could go by my stats and link you the five posts that get the most attention through views/comments? Or the posts that I had the most fun writing? *shrug*

Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby… No Diggity (Discussion) -- This discussion post was put up earlier this year, mostly out of agitation after reading a few books that seemed to have the same recurring theme when it came to characters and sex. It ended up becoming one of my more popular posts on the blog as far as views went, and continues to be one of my highest-viewed posts. Also, I guess the Loki gifs are a bonus.

Books and Crafts: Is It Destruction or Love (Discussion) -- Okay, so this post hardly got any attention at all outside of anything except views. No comments. Nothing. But that’s completely okay. The reason I’m putting it on the list is because I really put a lot of time building this post and enjoyed writing it. It’s probably one of my favorite discussion posts out of the ones written in the last year on the blog (which I need to write more discussion posts anyway).

Interview with R.J. Anderson -- Not only is this special because it’s R.J. Anderson, author of the awesome Ultraviolet/Quicksilver set that I adore sooo much, but this was also my very first author interview on the blog way back in the summer of 2011 (and Ultraviolet had also been my first NetGalley title after I joined that site back in June of 2011 haha). So maybe not one of my BEST posts, but one of my dearest.

Some of my favorite reviews posted: Monsters by Ilsa J. Bick (I just loved gushing about this whole trilogy, tbh. Ha.), Daughter of Smoke & Bone/Days of Blood & Starlight, Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen, The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, and Crown of Midnight.

I think that's about it for now. Would you agree or do you want to add some to this list that you think are also my best posts? Any posts you'd like to see more of on the blog in the future?


　

　

　

Day Eleven:

How Do You Fight Blogger Fatigue?

Blogger fatigue is so pesky. I do get in my moods where I just don't feel like doing much of anything with the blog. I may not feel like making posts, returning comments, updating pages, or whatever. And in order to fight that feeling, sometimes I just have to take a step back and actually take a break. What? How does that make sense? Well, I can't force myself to go doing things either. So if I'm in a mood, maybe a break or doing something else for a bit is just what I need to feel better. Because the biggest thing to remember is that blogging should never feel like a chore. When/If it does start feeling that way, it's time to take a break and ease the stress. Everything will still be there upon returning. =)

And for me, a break usually doesn't even last long before I'll get to feeling up to doing things again. Like with any kind of fatigue, sometimes I just need a moment to clear my head and to get the motivation back. Sometimes sitting back and doing some reading (especially some "me" books to read--not books that are specifically labeled as review reads that may make me feel worse or required to pick up) will have me back in no time.

I'd like to hear some of your tips, too. How do you fight blogger fatigue? Do you also take breaks from blogging/social media if you feel the need to get away so you can relieve the stress?



Next post coming soon!


 

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge (7,8, and 9)

Don't know what the 15 Day Book Blogger Challenge is? Check it out at Good Books and Good Wine, and hop in on the fun if you want also. Click on the 'fifteen day' tag at the bottom of the post, or go to my Events tab to follow along with all of the posts for this challenge. :)

Day Seven:

Talk About Your Blogging Quirks

　


I don’t think I really have any. Mostly I just can’t stand CAPTCHA. When it comes to my own quirks--I’m probably particular about how I like images to line up according to the posts, always using a certain font/size. And no matter if the colors/header/widgets, etc. ever change, you can pretty much bet the layout will stay the same. That’s basically because I’m a fan of the layout. I have the space I need. I feel like my stuff doesn’t look too cluttered when I look at it. I love the bottom bar addition, even though I know I’ve read at various tips/tricks things that those don’t get a lot of attention, it just all feels more organized for me personally. That’s about it as far as ‘quirks’ go.

I don’t really have any quirks when it comes to posting. I’m not someone who HAS to post every single day (and it’s obvious I don’t, haha) but I do try to share at least one or two reviews a week if I can’t get anything else done. This last week I haven’t had much in the way of any reviews because I’m finally all caught up in reading and don’t have a review to share just yet. =O So I’m reading my current reads as fast as I can so I can share something soon. =D

 

Day Eight:

Quick! Write 15 Bullet Points of Things That Appeal to You on Blogs!

I don’t have 15. I’ll write 5. Lol.

+Look -- I don’t really care if it’s extremely fancy, professionally done, or whatever. In fact, sometimes it can be too overdone. So a blog’s look can be the first thing that will appeal to me when I visit before I even start reading. Oh! And P.S.? Don’t put anything that automatically plays music/repeating sound. No captcha, either. Annoying.

+Sidebar Widgets -- Love seeing what’s on sidebars, like your Currently Reading or Favorite Blogs. It helps me figure out what we may have in common also.

+Easy Navigation -- Hey, I’ve just read some of your posts, commented, and now I want to go back and check out some of your older stuff. A nav bar that points out direct links to reviews, discussion posts, and other features to make for easier blog surfing while I’m at your page is so awesome.  ^_^ (Or at least tags and an archive or search bar that makes things simple)

+YOU -- I really like to see the blogger’s personality and immediately what it is they enjoy most through their posts when I hop over onto their blog.

 

Day Nine:

Why Do You Blog About Books?

I don’t really know many people around me personally. Not many that are into books that much anyway. And I wanted to talk books damn it. Favorite books. Books I hated. Characters. I had tried a small blog before on a writing critique site several years ago where I talked books when I could, but I didn’t know what it was I was doing (I hadn’t heard of blogging at all at that time). Then had comp probs and scheduling issues, but got a laptop finally (YAY!). It wasn’t long after, I left the other site and joined GR. Then a couple years ago, after I started participating in GR a bit more, I found my way to the blogging community and it was immediately HOME. Felt good to talk about books amongst so many others--and I’ve made wonderful friends along the way. :D


Tune in soon for the next post!

A-Z Bookish Survey

(Warning: Some of these answers may be lengthy. I do get chatty when it comes to books and I can’t help that. Plus, I love these survey things and this is a totally adorable idea, right?! All credit goes to Jamie at Perpetual Page Turner for creating this awesome survey. Check it out, leave your comments, participate also! I’d love to see your answers so leave a link if you--or you’ve already done so--do it!)



Author you’ve read the most books from:

This is a toss up between William Shakespeare and Richelle Mead probably. A huge gap, huh? Haha.

I’ve read a good majority of Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets. When I was in school, I got picked on a lot for being a “Shakespeare Geek” and especially around the time when it came to the class reading and I’d already read that particular play probably a year or two before everyone else as they were just getting introduced to it. I have officially read 12 plays so far in my lifetime. My favorite is still Romeo & Juliet.

I didn’t pick up Mead’s work until my early twenties and completely fell in love with the Vampire Academy series. Became a huge fan girl (guess I still am), and had to wait around on each book to release. It was torturous. But it was easy to decide I’d always read a book if her name was on the cover. With that, there’s all six books of the VA series, 3 books of the Bloodlines spin-off so far (soon to be 4 coming in November!), two books of her Dark Swan series (I really need to finish this one because I love it), Gameboard of the Gods, and the first book in the Georgina Kincaid series (Succubus Blues). Whew.

If there was an author I’ve read just as much of as these two, it would be another series author like Charlaine Harris (9 books in the Sookie Stackhouse series), JK Rowling (HP), and JR Ward (8 books in Black Dagger Brotherhood series).


Best sequel ever:

How can I name just one? Seriously? Sequels are hard though, for real. I think they’re a make it or break it with me when it comes to whether I’ll continue that series right away when I can or not. In recent years, I’d probably say a true good sequel would be Shadows, the sequel of Ashes, by Ilsa J. Bick. If you liked Ashes, this one takes you on a mind-bending ride. Hell, even if you thought Ashes wasn’t quite up to your expectations, Shadows may change your mind. Completely different type of style. New characters. Gritty. Insane. Haha.

Also, it may just be me, but Catching Fire. Finnick. Am I right or am I right? =D


Currently reading:

I’m currently reading Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning. Though not really reading. I’ve been in a bit of a slump so I haven’t had the urge to pick up the book lately really so I’m still in chapter one. :/


Drink of choice while reading:

Usually tea or Sobe Life Water. Sometimes a Monster Absolute Zero.


E-reader or physical book:

Physical book definitely. I have a Kindle Fire, but don’t use it for reading. I can barely understand how to (as far as downloading the approved galleys directly to it) and I’m ashamed of that. Haha. So all of the e-books I read for review are read on the computer. No biggie really.


Fictional character you probably would have actually dated (in high school):

Hmm… This is where the problem may start. I read more paranormal I think, soooo… a fictional character I might choose would probably not even exist in the real world even then? Bahahaha! Hilarious. I think the character I would’ve actually dated would’ve been a bit like a Seth type (Wicked Lovely). The rocker guy with piercings, a few years older, maybe already graduated or dropped out and has GED, my best friend, a hard-ass on the outside but complete care-bear.


Glad you gave this book a chance:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I’d been hearing about it for years, but only just gave it a shot late last year to find that it ended up on my favorites list. I never thought I would like it so much. TBH, it’d never really appealed to me before. So yep, glad I read it after all! =P

　

Hidden gem book:

Ultraviolet (and its companion, Quicksilver) by R.J. Anderson. Seriously, if you haven’t read this set yet, you’re missing out.


Important moment in your reading life:

Uh, yeah, this is something I don’t get into much. But it is important both in my reading and writing life and I guess I could share. When I was 10-12 years old, I was molested everyday by my mother’s boyfriend at the time. I became suicidal. I starved myself. I was depressed. Everything I loved before, I just stopped having the motivation to do or care about. Which of course included reading--I hadn’t given much thought to writing yet at the time even though I had written short stories and poetry before--and I think losing reading made my dark mood worse in the long run. It's not fair or right for any kid to have to have those feelings at an age like that, but I dealt with it, and I still struggle with some of those thoughts. The important moment came when one day, shortly before I turned 12, I was digging around in some boxes, mostly trying to keep occupied and hidden away from that nasty jerk for a couple extra hours, I found a couple books. Some Anne Rice, some Stephen King. Not many. But nothing I’d read or heard of before. I started reading the Stephen King book right there and found myself immersed in my first adult book and wanted more (it was The Shining, btw). Soon after I even found myself writing stories of my own again and journaling in a notebook that I'd picked up off the ground at school. I found my mood changing. I kept thinking I couldn’t let myself just give up or else I’d never be able to read all the books I want to, or write the stories that had started bubbling in my head again. It took another few months to finally get my mother to believe me (this is a whole other story in itself that I'd rather not discuss or bore you with), but I didn’t give up and kept fighting it. So yep. Finding and opening that one Stephen King book I guess would be the important moment in my reading (and writing) life.


Just finished:

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black


Kind of books you won’t read:

I’m not too terribly picky, but I generally won’t read strictly Christian Fiction (or Christian Non-fiction) because I’m Atheist and I can’t read a book in that category without it feeling uncomfortable to me in most cases. Needless to say, I do respect readers’ and the authors’ beliefs, but I’m not of that audience so I wouldn’t be a suitable fit. I have read Christian Fiction in the past that I personally requested and didn’t realize I had, but it turned out to be a nice read without any problem. So I can enjoy books in the category at times--I just prefer to try and avoid them so as to be fair.

I also usually can’t stand most erotica reads (though I have enjoyed some depending on story/author)--especially this sudden “demand” of BDSM. Obviously you will not see me reading Fifty Shades. What else does this mean? I effing hate published fan-fiction, too, now that I mentioned that.


Longest book:

Earlier this summer: Monsters by Ilsa J. Bick (821 pages)


Major book hangover because of this book:

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black. I just finished this one recently and I think this is why I have been in a reading slump. Haha.


Number of bookcases you own:

Two. But only one for me. The other is the kids’ shelf for their folders, notebooks, games, a shelf used for the books they own, etc.. They are built-in-the-wall bookcases four shelves each. On mine, I use three (the very top shelf I not only couldn’t reach anyway, but it’s being used for fam photos and that sort of thing). At least they hold close to a hundred of my books at a time, not including all the books I stack on top of each other inside the shelves in all kinds of chaos. Haha. Other places I keep more books: A pile on the side table right in front of the bookcase, a box under the side table, small pile on my dresser and nightstand, and then there’s also about 6-7 large full boxes closed and put up in our small storage building outside.


One you’ve read multiple times:

I am a major re-reader. I love re-reading favorites. Unfortunately I haven’t had the chance to do this much in the last year and a half or so. But ones I have on multiple occasions would be Wuthering Heights, the first four Harry Potter books (Can you believe I’ve only read HP 5, 6, & 7 once? I’m ashamed of this. I just haven’t had the chance to re-read those. The first four I got to long before the releases of the others.), Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, the first three Vampire Academy books, and Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson.


Preferred place to read:

On my couch--the best corner against the armrest.


Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels (from a book you’ve read):

“Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love.” --Hamlet, William Shakespeare

　

Reading regret:

Several.
Most recent would be Uses For Boys. Gah. I don’t even want to get started on that.


Series started, but need to be finished (all books are released):

There are a few because I have this strange attraction to series’ books. It’s a love/hate thing. Ha. I need to finish the Chemical Garden trilogy (Wither) after reading the first two, and still have not bought the last book. If I’m not mistaken, all of the books in the Blue Bloods series by Melissa de la Cruz are released. I’d like to finish it. It’d been a favorite at one time a few years ago--despite my hatred of most of the characters--because I did like the plot. I think I read 4 or 5 books? I’m pretty sure I’d have to re-read them all to refresh my memory before I continued with the series (which would be interesting to see where I would stand in opinion now a few years later as well). And I also need to finish the Dark Swan series by Richelle Mead. It’s a fabulous adult/urban fantasy series and I’m interested to find out what happens with the characters. Unfortunately I haven’t continued because I’ve heard some spoilers and it makes me reluctant to bother. I probably still will in near future anyway though. And then there’s the Sookie Stackhouse series. I’ve managed to stay away from all the final book spoilers. Yes! So don’t you dare. Haha. I’m on book ten, but I have been slow because the last bit of this series just hasn’t been that great for me, tbh. I read the first six books last year in a week. But by this point, I just haven’t been in a rush to pick them up like I had once been. Guilty Pleasure: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. Loved it. Jumped right into book two. Then I hated the second installment. So I guess you can say I started that series and haven’t finished. But I don’t really have any intention of ever doing so like I do with the others I mentioned before.


Three of your all-time favorite books:

Harry Potter. Hunger Games. The Fault in Our Stars. (That was hard. My all-time faves list consists of at least ten. Ha.)


Unapologetic fan girl for:

Anything that has to do with Vampire Academy, Hunger Games, or Harry Potter. Well okay, I’m also a fan girl for Wicked Lovely, Daughter of Smoke & Bone, and Shakespeare. And I’m a comic book nerd (X-Men!)… Does that count? But mostly the first three.


Very excited for this release more than all others at the moment:

Movie or book? For movie it’d be a toss up between Catching Fire and Vampire Academy. Can’t wait to see both. Excited! For book: Well that’s tough. My “highly anticipating” list is always changing because I either get access to a galley and read early, or another just as awesome-looking book comes along and it gets bumped up there. Ha. At the moment, my highly anticipated read would be These Broken Stars.


Worst bookish habit:

I can’t say if I have any real bad bookish habits? Probably the worst is when I start reading, I may get sidetracked easy if my attention isn’t grabbed right away (and I do read more than one book sometimes), so this has caused me to either DNF more books than I like, or take longer to read one. I used to never DNF a book, always forcing my way to finish no matter how long it took me, but the last 2+ years of blogging have changed some of those habits. Also maybe reading multiple books at once isn’t a good habit either. I usually do it as a time maneuver, but may go back to reading one book at a time and see how that helps also.


X marks the spot: Start at the top left side of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

My signed copy of The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa =D


Your latest book purchase:

An X-Men novel. I haven’t done much shopping the past few days. Going to buy a few books this weekend though!


ZZZ-snatcher book: The last book that kept you up WAY late:

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. I stayed up until almost four in the morning to finish that book and it was worth every hour of sleep lost.

　



Wow, okay. That was long. Bahaha. Thanks for putting up with me and my answers!


 


 

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge (5 & 6)

Don't know what the 15 Day Book Blogger Challenge is? Check it out at Good Books and Good Wine, and hop in on the fun if you want also. Click on the 'fifteen day' tag at the bottom of the post, or go to my Events tab to follow along with all of the posts for this challenge. :)

Day Five:

Recommend a Tear Jerker

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It’s a book I think everyone should try to read at least once… and I have a feeling this one is going to eventually be a classic. I already know I’m going to have to carry in a box of tissues when I go see the movie. Oy. So emotional.

Day Six:

Describe How You Shop For Books

I don’t really have a specific way that I shop. If I’m going in without anything set in mind, I still go to my usual section of choice first--the area that has the books I read a majority of which is the YA/Teen section--and check out the shelves to see what just catches my interest. Sometimes while I’m browsing, I recall that there’s some new releases I’ve been wanting or something on my wish list, and I’ll go ahead and search those out. Sometimes I’m just random. Haha. I really like browsing for as long as I can. Just going through a variety of shelves in my favorite categories and genres until I pick up whatever I want. There are days I go in with of list of “okay, this is what I’m definitely getting,” and I’ll walk out with those exact books. But usually, I just like shopping books the random way and being fun about it. Especially since I don’t get to the book store as often as I’d like. My good book store (Books A Million) is almost an hour away. When I don’t get to go there, I’m buying whatever I can if there’s anything good on occasion when I go grocery shopping--sneak buying, actually--or I order online.


What would be the biggest tear jerker for you? Is there a specific way you shop for books?

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge (Day 4)

Don't know what the 15 Day Book Blogger Challenge is? Check it out at Good Books and Good Wine, and hop in on the fun if you want also. Click on the 'fifteen day' tag at the bottom of the post, or go to my Events tab to follow along with all of the posts for this challenge. :)

Day Four:
What's The Last Book You Flung Across The Room?

I’ve never physically flung any book across the room, to be honest. Certainly thought about it… And I’ve tossed down books out of anger, frustration, disbelief at a twist or ending, etc. But never have truly flung or thrown. Hmm… Also probably half are read on my laptop, and that probably wouldn’t end well if I tried tossing that. Lol!
 


I’ll say the last book that gave me the reaction where I may have actually even considered destroying a book, and that’s rare. Not often for me to get so angry and disgusted at characters that I wanted to outright destroy one.

　

Dinner With a Vampire (The Dark Heroine), the book that probably made me angriest anyway. I did almost throw this one across the room on several occasions just from the overuse of the word “girly.” Ugh. And in case you’re curious, no, I never destroyed it. As much as I hated it by the end, I don’t think I could bring myself to do anything like rip it up or burn any of it.


　

Good news is that was a book I’d read back in April/May? So at least I haven’t had TOO many major problems as far as wanting to slam, throw, or destroy any books. It doesn't happen often. I’ve had my frustrating moments, but nothing that stands out too much at least. Ha. :P


What about you? What's the most recent book you've flung across the room (or thought about flinging)?


(P.S. I haven’t exactly been doing this ‘15 Day Book Blogger Challenge’ every single day, and it’s taking me awhile to complete it. It’s been a lot of fun though! But I do have some other things planned for the blog soon. So I think I’m going to just mix it up by combining questions from posts for a couple days in a row and put them together. Instead of trying to post one question every day, I'll post two or more in one post every few days--until I’m done. ^^ Thanks everyone for being patient and continuing to visit. I hope you’ve been enjoying!)

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge (Day 3)

Don't know what the 15 Day Book Blogger Challenge is? Check it out at Good Books and Good Wine, and hop in on the fun if you want also. Click on the 'fifteen day' tag at the bottom of the post, or go to my Events tab to follow along with all of the posts for this challenge. :)

Day Three:

Who Are Your Blogging BFFs?

 

It’s extremely easy to name two of them because I got these two ladies into blogging after going on and on about how much I loved doing it and how much I loved the community, etc. Plus, they really are two of my besties, despite not having ever met them in real life. We’d originally met in an online/texting group book club about five years ago and even when it cancelled, continued our friendship through phone calls, gifts, and (probably thousands by now) messages. Ha.

Anyways, these two great ladies are Kelly at PaperFantasies and Taylor at Thoughts of an Endless Dreamer.

There are others I would also definitely name as Blogging BFFs, too. Some personal connections I’ve made through the last two and half years. People I talk to all the time on Twitter, or lurk their blogs. But maybe I’m just a bit worried that by the end of this post (if they read it), they’ll be all “Psh, no. I could call you something else. Like.. Annoying.” Lol!

I’m looking at you:

Kara and Lyn at Great Imaginations --Kara was one of the first bloggers I met and befriended. We started out around the same time so we had that in common. And we also have a Big Brother love in common. Ha! And I just love her. I didn’t meet Lyn until last year, but she is my Nerd Twin, completely awesome, and I don’t know what I’d do without her now. :P

Bekka at Pretty Deadly Reviews -- Just connected with Bekka earlier this year actually. But I’d been one of her blog lurkers for several months and always adored reading her reviews on GR, etc. I still visit her blog all the time (even if I don’t always comment), but talk with her often on Twitter and she’s one of my fave people. ^_^

Christina at A Reader of Fictions --I think the first time I met Christina, she visited my blog and left a comment that made me laugh. If I remember correctly. It’s been awhile. All I know it was a comment enough to make me go visit her back, and I loved her blog and reviews. Then before I knew it, we were following each other on Twitter and GR and chatting it up lots of times. So fun to talk to and I’m hoping to meet her and Kara at BEA next year. :P

Shanella at Books are Wonderful --One of the first bloggers I met when I started out also. ^_^ She made me feel pretty welcome to the community when I hardly knew much of anyone in 2011. We don’t always share the same common interests when it comes to books, but have had some interesting convos. And we share a Harry Potter love! We also did fun features for our blogs last year with Throne of Glass.

(Also, Sharon at Obsession With Books was another blogger I owe huge thanks to making me feel welcome in the beginning since I mentioned it above)

Lea At LC’s Adventures in Library Land --Lea doesn’t seem to blog too much anymore so I don’t know if I’m cheating by adding her to this list or not. She HAD been one of my Blogging BFFs, I guess I should say it like that? I don’t know. She even rarely gets on Twitter. But I do still see her on FB at least and chat with her when available! I miss that girl. She also helped me out by designing the previous header/color scheme and layout of the blog. If you’re a regular reader, then you’ve noticed the new look. That wasn’t Lea this time around. Though I did keep Lea’s original layout settings and only changed the color scheme. Anyways, Lea and I started blogging around the same time in 2011 also, and I don’t remember who visited who first. Ha. We share a lot in common, and she is awesome. ^-^ She ever gets back to blogging, don't miss out!

　

Closing, I’m just going to say that there are several others I talk to and adore and love. Quick shout-outs:


Blythe (Finding Bliss in Books)

Ashleigh (Birth of a New Witch)

Racquel (The Book Barbies)

Wendy Darling (The Midnight Garden)

Laura (Little Read Riding Hood)



Have any Blogging BFFs? I'd love to hear about them in the comments below! Or if you're also participating in this challenge, show me your links! :)



 

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge (Day 2)

 

 

Don't know what the 15 Day Book Blogger Challenge is? Check it out at Good Books and Good Wine, and hop in on the fun if you want also. Click on the 'fifteen day' tag at the bottom of the post, or go to my Events tab to follow along with all of the posts for this challenge. :)

Day Two:

What's Your Bedtime Reading Ritual?

You mean I’m not the only one that has a reading ritual? This makes me feel a little better actually. There’s a process I have to go through before I get to my bedtime/night-time reading, though. I have to make sure I’m comfortable (of course). This means pajamas, barefoot, blankets…whatever sets the mood according to the season or where I’m at in the house. Usually I read on the couch in the living room because it’s the most comfortable place to be with the most light. I even have a “special corner” of the couch, closest to my bookshelf and table lamp by the armrest that I find myself cozying up in often. I’m not one to sit up and read in bed, to be honest, because I have insomnia issues and everyone goes to bed hours before I do. Even the hubs. The little bedside lamp in there just isn’t enough for me to read a book, I don’t have any currently on my Kindle Fire, and dragging my laptop and power cords would be a hassle when we keep it set up in the living room already as it is.

Okay, so back to what I was saying. I get sidetracked sometimes. Apologies. I grab the books I’m currently reading. Sometimes they’re e-galleys in the Adobe Digital Editions on the laptop, physical copies, or both. My process in the reading of multiple books is to try and read somewhere between 20-30 pages out of each book. Sometimes more, sometimes less. And sometimes I might get so into one particular read at one point that I find myself reading many pages before I set it down and only read a few short pages of another before I finally make my way to bed. I get most of my reading done at night, too. It’s the best time. The kids are in bed. The TV is off so there’s no noise to distract me. I’m by myself in the living room. And another bonus: Hardly any activity online so another distraction down. My time to relax and wind down for the day. Though it may take me awhile to even consider the possibility of sleep, I have the books to keep me company.

Another thing that might happen during my night-time reading is snacking. I like to have a little snack while I’m reading. I know many who would be all “You eat while you’re holding a book in your hand?! That’s a disgrace!” But really? I’ve never had a problem. Ha. And I use napkins to wipe my hands.

When it comes to thoughts on books as I read, I have a word doc on the computer where I take short notes. There are some nights where I might pull up this doc and put in some notes before going to bed. I don’t take notes on every book I read, but it usually consists of ones I really love (later to be high 4 star or 5 star rated) or ones I really dislike (including some DNF reads). It includes snippets of thoughts on why I loved/hated, characters, some quotes. That sort of thing and this process does help in review process later, though I’ve still been stumped a few times because like I said, I don’t take notes on everything. I should probably start taking more. o_o

There you have it. That’s pretty much all there is to it when it comes to my bedtime/nightly reading ritual. It’s not really all that special. What’s yours?

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge (Day 1)

Okay, so I'm totally late starting this challenge but I only just recently heard of this and I still wanted to try it out anyway. :P I knew that even though most of everyone participating was going to be finished soon, the linky was going to be up for a few months and the host said people could jump in and start at any time. It sounded like fun and a good way to keep me occupied on the blog for a while! :)

Don't know what the 15 Day Book Blogger Challenge is? Check it out at Good Books and Good Wine, and hop in on the fun if you want also.

Day One:

Fifteen Book-Related Confessions

It’s time to fess up. (Not in any particular order, either.)


1. I get easily distracted and sometimes no matter how well I might like a book, there’s been moments when I’ll skim the last 50 or so pages--speed reading--just to get a basic idea of what the ending was, read the final page or two, and be done so that I can move on to my next one. But usually this just happens when a book has lost a majority of my attention by that point. I’ve never had any of my high-rated books make me do this.

2. I probably have about eight boxes of books in my husband’s storage building, plus three in the house to be placed in there (all boxed books are mostly read). My shelves are still full of books even though I just cleaned them up and reorganized and include close to 35 books there that I haven’t read yet--half of which have probably been on shelves for a couple of years waiting to be picked up. Haha. I still go out and buy more anyway. There’s no stopping me. It’s a must. Let’s hope I never have to move…

3. I still read all my e-galleys on my laptop through Adobe Digital Editions despite that I have a Kindle Fire (and have had it since Christmas). Tbh, I still haven’t entirely figured out the whole Kindle Fire thing on how to download/transfer books from NG, etc. to it even after owning it for 7 months. I’m not going to bother. Lol. It’s just easier to keep reading the e-galleys on the comp, my habit, so no big deal.

4. If you tell me you “don’t read” or “hate reading,” I will judge you. Then I might make it my mission to find you something to read that you might like based on interests (tv, movies, etc.). I have been known to turn non-readers into readers before!

5. I’m still trying to grasp the whole idea of New Adult. Why does it necessarily have to have sexual themes in every single NA book to be classified in this category? Why can’t a NA be a NA with just simply mature themes, but not mature sexual content? See, I don’t get it. Confusing, much?

6. In love triangles, I always seem to like the male interest that the author writes as more of the “used toy.” Examples: In Hunger Games, I’ve always been a Gale fan.
Even years ago when I started Vampire Academy series, my fave was Adrian straight from book two (Frostbite) and on. And now we have Bloodlines for his story! Whooot!
In Wither, I liked Linden better even though it was apparent that Gabe was supposed to be the interest.
True Blood-- Eric.
Well, you get the idea. Ha.

7. No one is allowed to touch books on my shelf. No, seriously. It’s a house rule. You can’t just come in here and snatch one of my effing books off the shelf. I am seriously nit-picky about that. I’d happily let you look at any book from the bookshelf, but ASK, and I’ll get it for you and when you’re done, I’ll put it back. Why? They’re in an order. I have issues, people. 0_0

8. I will read up to 4 or 5 books at one time. While this helps me keep ahead of my reading goal, it also keeps me pretty busy with a backlog of reviews to write through week as I finish. But I’ve developed this habit and now I feel like I just can’t read one book/write a review at a time.

9. I can’t stand when someone reads out loud to me. I mean, I REALLY hate it with a passion. One of the most annoying things ever in my opinion. I can read! If it’s there for me to read just fine on my own, don’t read it to me. This peeve also worries me when it comes to audio books. Since I’ve never tried them, and would like to sometime, I have to wonder if I would hate them?

10. I’ve only attempted to read Jane Austen once years ago but have never fully read through a whole Austen novel. Wasn’t too interested, but I have read summaries of a few works and it sounds good. I just can’t get the motivation. (Austen fans on the page will probably jump me now, I’m sure.)

11. I actually first read the HP series out of order by starting with Goblet of Fire when my mom brought it home to me when I was 15. Someone had given it to her at work to give to me knowing how much I liked to read and we didn’t know it was the fourth book in a series at the time. Ha. I read it within a day. Immediately after, I went and bought the first three and devoured them within the week, and had to wait a year for the release of #5. Favorite HP characters: Professor Snape, Draco, and the twins.

12. I had never marked a book as DNF before until I started blogging two and a half years ago. Before then, I’d always forced myself to finish books, no matter how awful it was going. When I started blogging and getting into the swing of things with reviewing more, I quickly learned that I just couldn’t always do that. I still try to finish books, but if I really can’t, I don’t force myself. There’s just too many books I want to read and not enough time!

13. I love re-reading favorite books and have been known to re-read some over and over. Especially when I’m in a reading slump and just need to get out of a funk. It’s something I know I already enjoy and can curl up with. How many times have I re-read Wuthering Heights? Uh, maybe six times. Stardust? 3. Jane Eyre? Twice. And several of Shakespeare’s plays numerous times. Ha!

14. I actually prefer paperbacks to hardbacks. But I think hardbacks look much nicer on shelves. Paperbacks are just easier to hold and more portable for traveling around. But if I buy a first to a series and it’s in hardback, then any future installments I buy will have to match (or try to). Another organization type thing for me. Ha. Same goes if it’s paperback.

15. I am a total cover whore. I admit it. Forget that old saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” because that’s how a good portion of those babies on my shelf end up there.

 

Well, those are my confessions! Do you have any to share? Or have any in common? Sound off in the comments or leave your links! :)