A Day in the Life (28) - In which Elizabeth has blogging questions and a note to her TBTB Secret Santa!

First and foremost: To whoever my lovely TBTB Secret Santa is, the reason I don't know who you are and why you haven't seen a post where I show off all my awesome swag....is that I don't have the package haha.  It arrived the day after I left for the west coast, and my friend is currently holding the package hostage and refuses to open it for me and send pics/tell me what's in it.  *Scowls*  I'll be back home in January, so expect a super thankful, joyous post sometime in the second week of January (assuming I'm able to supply whatever ransom my friend is going to be holding it for lol!)

And for all you blogger users, I have some questions you may (or may not) be able to answer:

1. If I change my url name, am I going to lose all my bloglovin/e-mail/GFC followers? Or do any/all of those transfer over?  I'm assuming the answer is yes, but I'm not sure the protocol for such things.
2.  After my lovely, wonderful brother went down the coding rabbit hole with me for a couple hours (aka he did all the work), we ended up having an AWFUL looking drop down menu. I'd really, really want a dropdown menu...but there so far doesn't appear to be a way to keep my current formatting...but with a drop down menu.  Any ideas?
3. Is the GFC widget only for blogger?  Because of above questions, I am considering just moving to a whole new platform altogether.  Especially if I'm going to make a big change with my url - I need to either commit to staying here, or moving since that would be the time to do a big move like that. I know I DON'T want Wordpress though (I know, I know I'm weird. But I tried figuring out how to format things there for free, and it didn't go well haha)
4. That being said, my GFC followers might just be pretty ornaments - I'm not sure if any of you actually come to the blog through the GFC feed. So that might be a moot point, really.  (And if you do, let me know so I know that it isn't one!)


It's been an absolute madhouse of Christmas frenzy for the past week (as per usual with my family) so I'm honestly so exhausted by it all that I can't bring myself to write anymore.  Also why there haven't been any content posts lately - I always overestimate my ability to manage time when I'm out here with the family haha!  But I WOULD like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas (or happy whatever holiday you celebrate)!   I'm out until the New Year (probably), but I'll be back and hopefully rested up with loads of sunshine and pictures from our annual trip to Mexico!  In the meantime, happy holidays and see you in the new year!



Bookish News
Discussion

Books: Art or Commodities - Another thought provoking post by Nafiza
P.S. I Love Fanfiction - I'm determined to post everything about fanfic I read, because if I do, the rest of you will start to at least understand...right? RIGHT?  Meg gets it for sure, so go read this. Shoo.
Fatness and Diversity in YA - Personally, I would love some diversity on this front because I'd love more perspective on how it's ok to talk about!  As someone who is skinny, I'm constantly afraid of making a misstep on this one because well...I haven't ever had someone show me the ropes, sadly.
When Your Favorite Writer Lets You Down  - On Kurt Vonnegut and rape culture.
A Message From John Sargent - A look at expectations for e-books (financially) over the next few years in light of the Apple court case

Roundup: Books That Pass the Bechdel Test - I have been extraordinarily...lax when it has come to updating my Bechdel Test part of the blog. (Aka I haven't...at all...)  At least I know where to start with these books!
What about a Graphic Novel?: The Bum Rap of the Graphic Novel - A look at the stigmas that stop people from reading graphic novels today.
Ship Shape: Banter, Bicker, Bang- Aka, my favourite type of ship


Specific Books and Authors

YA Characters and Their Fave Reality TV Shows - Bahaha these are perfect!
Hello, I Love You Cover Reveal Celebration and Interview - I am SO EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK!! I rarely pay attention to debuts or books that are coming up unless they're the next in a series/by an author I really, really love. I just don't, for whatever reason.  But this book? This book speaks to me.  As a white girl dating a Korean, as a lover of K-dramas AND K-pop, and most especially because Katie's favourite band is also CNBlue and she pictured Jung Yong-hwa (swoon! Go watch Heartstrings and You're Beautiful NOWWW) as her male lead here. For whatever reason, I'm stoked for this book...when it finally comes out!
Re-reading Narnia: 'The Horse and His Boy'- Katherine always has some of the most in depth, well thought out reviews. I don't generally read reviews, but I never miss hers when she does them!
The Harry Potter Reread: The Goblet of Fire, Chapters 7 and 8 - This talks about the Veela, and really nails down my issues with them.  Male Veela ftw!

Felicia Day Announces the Perfect Memoir, You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) - Guys, I freaking adore Felicia Day. I don't read nonfiction often, but this will definitely be on my TBR pile when it comes out!

 The Pop Quiz at the End of the Universe: Marissa Meyer - I love these pop quizzes, you always find out some entertaining things about the authors!


Blogging

How blogging changed my life - Mel talks about all the great things blogging has helped her with
28 Literary Accessories All Book Lovers Must Have - I want ALL. THE. THINGS.


Nonbookish News

Young Princess Bride Fan Devises Excellent Dread Pirate Roberts Headcanon - Why didn't I think of this?!? It's brilliant!
Bill Gates Gives Redditor Her Christmas Wish - Bill Gates does reddit secret santa?! This is awesome! 
Getting Into Into the Woods - Ahhhh I'm so excited!! I'm going to see this with my godmother I believe right after Christmas!
"Something Terrible Has Happened Here": The Crazy Story Of How "Clue" Went From Forgotten Flop To Cult Triumph - I finally watched all of this about a month ago! I'd never seen the whole film before.
Australians Just Showed the World Exactly How to Respond to Terrorism With #IllRideWithYou - Mic - This definitely helped me regain faith in humanity. I only wish we saw more of this over here in the States.


And that's it for the year! (Probably)  Until next year, I bid you adieu!

Top Fifteen Books I Read In 2014

Hosted by: The Broke and Bookish

This year was definitely the year of new authors for me. If you stopped by last week, you'll definitely notice a lot of the same books that I posted then. But that's ok because they deserve a double dosing of recognition :) ...but because I'm lazy, if you stopped by last week and think some of my thoughts sound oddly familiar...they are...

Going Bovine - Libba Bray

God, this book was nothing like I expected, and so much better.  I can't even begin to describe what it's like. It's definitely not for everyone, but if you're ok with things going pretty surreal you should give this a try. And that's all I'm going to say about this because you just really need to experience it for yourself.

Coldest Girl in Coldtown - Holly Black

I'm definitely a black sheep on this one. Most of the reviews for this were pretty lackluster (I don't think I know ANYONE who loved it!), so I was not expecting to totally love this the way I did. That audiobook was pure magic and man...the descriptions are super steamy sometimes (without being explicit) which an art all in and of itself!

The Forest of Hands and Teeth - Carrie Ryan

I don't know what it was about zombies this year, but it was pretty much my zombie awakening, and I'm so glad that this series got to be a part of that.

The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern

God this book is just such a work of art! (Speaking of, look at that cover! I want to put it on my wall.)  I've mentioned before that I'm a total sucker for beautiful prose, and this just really nailed it for me.

Etiquette & Espionage - Gail Carriger

This was my very first audiobook, (that I completed) and I couldn't recommend a better audiobook for newbies!  The narrator is perfect and the story is just SO freaking fun, and totally absorbing.  I haven't got my hands on the third book, but hopefully I won't have to wait years for that to happen! (Also she has an awesome retro fashion blog and is involved in steampunk. And apparently loves Tamora Pierce and Robin McKinley, aka my two favourite authors/heroes/rulers of my life.  What's not to love here?)

Heir of Fire/Assassin's Blade - Sarah J. Maas

Umm, is an explanation even needed for this?! Celaena Sardothien. Queen Sarah J. Maas. Expect to see her books on every list I ever make for TTT for the next four years. (But let's be real, probably for all of time)

Anatomy of a Boyfriend - Daria Snadowsky

This is probably the book I'd consider Important Book of the year. I wish, wish, WISH that someone had put this book in my hands as a teen/before I had sex.  If you know anyone - boy or girl (although I don't have much faith in boys reading this, but they should) who is at the age where they're curious/thinking about sex, this book is amazing.  It is so open - Dom (the MC) has some supremely awkward sex moments (and trust me, all of us who have gotten to that point have had it!), and the relationship isn't a magic fix it all.  It's basically the book that would have reassured me that everything I was going through was ok and normal, and definitely would have answered some questions I didn't have someone to ask.  (And I have a REALLY open relationship with my parents - but there are lines. I was lucky I could ask them anything I was comfortable asking, but I know a lot of people don't have that. GIVE THEM THIS BOOK. Added bonus? It talks about safe sex in this book in a way that isn't preachy, but still gives a lot of thought.)

Froi of the Exiles - Melina Marchetta

I know Froi is the second book in the trilogy, but I just need to reiterate for the millionth time that this book is like...the book of my soul.  Finnickin of the Rock is amazing, and I loved it...but this book? This is the book that made the trilogy for me and made it stand out from the billions of fantasy novels I read any given year.  Also it's probably the shippiest ship ever for me this year. (Well ok other than Heir of Fire. Because Chaolena forever. Although Rowan almost rocked that boat for me...but I just want him in Celaena's life in anyway, not necessarily as the love interest. Wait, what was I talking about?)

The Drowned Cities - Paolo Bacigalupa

Man, I wish Paolo Bacigalupi had more buzz in the YA book community. I know a few people irl who know his adult books, but I don't hear about his YA books very often.  And let me tell you - if you like dystopias, this is like...the dystopiest dystopia you'll come by.  And the kicker? It also feels like the most realistic of all the dystopias I've ever read, because the core of what's happening in these books? It's happening now.  Look to your third world countries.  Look at the child soldiers and children living in extreme poverty.  Yeah.  So no, you aren't going to be finding much in the way of swoons in these books, but man you are going to find a lot to think over.

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender - Leslye Walton

So remember how I was a sucker for prose? This book might have taken the cake on that. Magic realism always seems to have the most gorgeous prose! Also that cover might be one of my favourite covers ever. I still can't really articulate the atmosphere and emotions that this book evokes...but it's just all so gorgeous.

The Lies of Locke Lamora - Scott Lynch

So here's another author you should expect to see on all my best of the year TTT's for pretty much the rest of EVER.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy - Laini Taylor

Recurring theme of this list? If you write pretty words I heart you.

Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell

So most of you have probably read Rainbow Rowell at this point, so I don't even need to explain why I love her books.  I actually haven't read any of the other for some reason (it doesn't matter how much I love a contemporary work/author, they just don't call to me the way fantasy does, so I usually have to actively remind myself to grab a copy), but all her books are definitely on my TBR pile!

Newsflesh Trilogy - Mira Grant

Ahh, the series that started it all.  I can't thank Meg enough for introducing me this series. It's really a toss up whether Melina Marchetta's trilogy or this one is my favourite of the year. I legit can't decide because they are so amazing, and even if you think zombies aren't your thing? You should totally check this out anyway. It might change your mind.

Dragonsong/Dragonsinger - Anne McCaffrey

It's no secret that I love Anne McCaffrey's books, particularly her Pern ones. (I think I might have got rid of the space ship ones by accident when I moved *sobs*)  For me, the first two books in her Harper Hall trilogy are golden, and are right up with there with her first Pern book


Honorable Mentions: (I had to cut the list off somewhere, right?) The Kiss of Deception, The Truth About Alice I wouldn't call these flawless books, but they are probably the most innovative books I read this year as far as formatting the narrative is involved, and I thought both of them did that very, very well.

A Day in the Life (27)

Sooo....new plan. Let's just not talk about my last two weeks. Clearly I have learned from my first world problem complaining: don't do it because then the gods think you need something to real to complain about. 

I'll show you how my recent weeks went. Interpret as you will (But I refuse to confirm or deny. You will never, never know mwahahahahah)

(Just kidding. I just think this is awesome and I can't stop watching it. I want one! It is Christmas soon you know...)

Good news: For those of you who saw I was stranded in the middle of the city: I have a working car again.  Also I survived being broken down in a-let's-never-stop-there-again part of Baltimore.  And we're just not going to talk about it.  I am just going to pretend that those two weeks happened in an alternate reality.

Moving on!

Bookish News

Discussions

Socioeconomic Class in Contemporary YA Lit: Where Are The Poor Teens? - Man, Stacked posts are always the most thought provoking awesome things.

The YA Divide - This is totally a thing! There's definitely a younger/older audience thing that goes on here that is often impossible to tell before you start reading the book.

Classic Lit And Teen Flicks: Why It Works - I always just assumed it was because I loved retellings, but 10 Things I Hate About You and Clueless have always been favourites of mine. WANT. MOAR. NOW.

I Sacrifice, Therefore I Am Good: Young Adult Fiction Heroines and Self-Destruction - Wow. There is definitely a lot to chew in this article.  I don't agree with some of what is implied (censoring "bad things" like self harm or that glorifying it makes people do it), but there is definitely a lot of content here that resonates with me.
Love Triangles: [Insert That Overused Line From A Robert Frost Poem] - Probably one of the best posts I've seen on love triangles. It's not a "I don't like love triangles" rant.  It's a "these are what I don't like about certain love triangles, and here are some examples of ones that are done well" and it's a good read!
The Genre That Is Called Gaslamp Fantasy - So I totally didn't know that this had a name, but I actually really, really love this genre. And it has a pretty freaking awesome name too!
Sci-Fi Month 2014: Blogger Panel #4 - Favourite Alien - YES!! "I'm just a sweet transvestite
From Transexual, Transylvania" ...I really wanted to sneak this into my gym playlist but thought it might not fly in my super bro-y gym I work at. I did at least put in Time Warp. And Rent. I WILL make you bros listen to K-Pop, Latino music, and musicals. YOU CAN'T STOP ME!!
Someone should write a book where the MC falls in love with the reader - I'd seen this idea before, but it's fleshed out here. And it's beautiful.

Specific Books and Authors

Rainbow Rowell’s Next Book Carry On is a Fangirl Spinoff Starring Simon Snow - Ummm enough said! Yes!!

What to Read Next if You Never Stopped Loving Robin McKinley’s The Hero and the Crown - Yes! To all these books! God I love Robin McKinley's books.
Peter Pan’s “Greatest Pretend” is Heroism - You know, I think this says a lot on why I don't actually like Peter Pan. 
Mira Grant Talks Tapeworms in a Lively Reddit AMA! - My newest favourite author!

Blogging

You Know You're a Book Blogger When... - Umm...yeah pretty much all these things. Particularly #3 haha!
Kat Kennedy gives a clear, helpful guide on how to name your blog. - Kat being hilarious as per usual haha

OH MY GOD SEND ME HERE PLEASE NOW K THX

Non-bookish News

Homelessness - Although the streetwise guy on my corner wasn't homeless, it was definitely a struggle and I know he was homeless at one point.  And he's definitely one of the coolest dudes I knew in Chicago.
On Being a Black Male, Six Feet Four Inches Tall, in America in 2014 - This just sucks all around.  As a woman...I can't say that I wouldn't have acted that way. Which is both parts I think understandable (If not ok? I am uncertain on my feelings here), and sad for everyone involved because it just keeps self perpetuating itself.
Full Grown Black Rage - "Because it’s not that you should fear me, it’s that you deserve to."
Questlove: Trayvon Martin and I Ain’t Shit - More on the same issues.
Composer Stereotypes As Described By Cats -  Oh my god I died laughing when I saw this haha
Princess Bubblegum’s Rule by Science - On the dark side of Princess Bubblegum.
The Pomplamoose Problem: Artists Can't Survive as Saints and Martyrs - Definitely something that's important to me, but can be applied to writers and artists in general as well.

Evil Couture, Inc. — The Best Fashionable Villains! - Villains seriously have the best wardrobe. And seriously, no evil wardrobe list is complete without Regina. I seriously need like all of her evil queen clothes. NEED.

So..I think I've finally jumped on the Taylor Swift train. I've been more or less indifferent to her for like the last...god how old was she when she started making music?!  Anyway, I heard Blank Space come on at the gym maybe a month ago now (the one where I don't control the music *scowls*) and I was like man, this song is great! (Not a normal reaction to songs I hear on the radio. Also why working at that gym is like 6 hours of torture.)  And then I found out it was a Taylor Swift song and I was like...whaaaa?  I hadn't thought about her new album really though until this week and now I've been watching the youtube videos on like...repeat. (I blame Kirsty. You've turned me into a convert!) 

I don't understand how people can hate someone who is clearly having so much fun simultaneously being awesome (and showcasing some really fantastic performers) while really, truly making fun of herself.  Also she writes her own music. That automatically demands my respect.

Yet Another Ode to Tamora Pierce: Keladry of Mindelan

Art by: minuiko

Warning: Spoilers for The Song of the Lioness, The Immortals, Protector of the Small, and Daughter of the Lioness.

There's something I really love about Keladry of Mindelan.  I feel like whereas Aly might be the most actively disliked heroine, Keladry is the most overlooked.  (What is with me and loving the least loved?)  People just don't seem to connect to Kel in the same way they do with Alanna and Daine.  Kel's certainly less flashy than the other Tortall heroines.  The other heroines all seem to be born to what they do.  Daine is a wild mage because she's basically a demigod, Aly is also a product of her heritage (although I think she is the most tenuous in my argument that the non-Kel heroines are born to what they do), and I'd argue that Alanna's involvement with the Goddess is so deeply ingrained that her path has almost entirely been shaped by the Goddess.  (Not that I'm saying that they don't work their butts off to get where they are. It's more of a destiny sort of thing that guides them so that there really isn't anything else they could have been.) Kel on the other hand, is very, very normal.  And that's kind of the point.  She's the only non-magical heroine we have (disclaimer: I haven't actually read the Bekka Cooper books yet, so all of these claims are excluding her since I can't say anything on that matter), so she doesn't have the raw power or specialties that the other three do.  Yes, she does eventually become a God's project, sort of, but it happens only in the last book.  Whereas it feels like Alanna was always chosen by her goddess, and Daine and Aly were born into their involvement with gods, it feels more like Kel's god chose her because of who she has come to be, not because she particularly was who he was waiting for. She was simply the best tool for the job at the time.

Art by: Renigada 

I know some people might have felt less involved with Kel's story because there's no big one true love situation.  There's definitely some romance, but there's no one in particular that she ends up with definitely. I actually think this might be one of the reasons I love this quartet so much.  It felt a lot more like what I was like growing up: I was definitely interested in a more than a few boys, but I was never interested in taking it very far.  Basically, like Alanna there are a lot of love interests - but unlike Alanna, there's not lots of sexy time.  And I think it's important that both of these things are put into stories. Both that it is ok to have sexy times if you want them, as long as it is your decision, and that if you aren't ready, then you don't need to do that either.  Both of these situations are good, no one option is better than the other.  And I think it's great that you see heroines who really only have significant interest in one guy (Daine, Ali) or that there's serious interest in lots of guys, but the heroine gets her one guy (Alanna), or that there's interest in lots of guys, but the heroine isn't ready to settle down to have her one guy yet, so she doesn't end up with anyone (Kel). And she's happy like that.

Art by: tameraali

Kel also doesn't have Alanna's temper, Daine's emotionally charged background, or Ali's quick wit, so I suppose even her personality and background doesn't stand out quite the same way theirs does.  And again, I don't think this is a bad thing.  A lot of things about Daine's character are really, really good - she's patient and mild-tempered (at least outwardly - she definitely fights to portray the calm people think she has) - but they are seen as sort of boring traits.  The same with her background - she's from a diplomats family, and her family seems to deeply love her. She didn't hide who she was half her life (Alanna), have her family murdered (Daine), and Ali kind of makes up from having such a privileged background by being so snarky and witty (my opinion haha).  Kel's personality just seems so much quieter than the others, and is more of a team player (even as she ends up being a leader) and I think who she is as a core is just so unappreciated a lot of the time.  In fact, while browsing for awesome Kel fanart, I came across minuiko who is a hard core Kel fangirl, and man you should read what she wrote on why she loves Kel so much.  I mean she just really nails down everything I'm trying to say here.  And on that note, I'm going to leave you with one of my favourite paintings of hers (I think it's because Kel is such a giant and Daine's hair is like....flawless).

Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2014

Hosted by The Broke and Bookish

Well this was an enlightening post.  Apparently I'm incapable of reviewing books I loved the most - of the books on this list, I've reviewed three, and one of them I only reviewed because I got it as an ARC and therefore was obligated too.  What's wrong with me?! Why is it so hard to write about books I love??

Carrie Ryan - A Forest of Hands and Teeth

    

I don't know what it was about zombies this year, but it was pretty much my zombie awakening, and I'm so glad that this series got to be a part of that.

Erin Morgenstern - The Night Circus

           

God this book is just such a work of art! (Speaking of, look at that cover! I want to put it on my wall.)  I've mentioned before that I'm a total sucker for beautiful prose, and this just really nailed it for me.

Kerstin Hamilton - Tyger, Tyger

          

So, first a disclaimer: I haven't read the next two books yet, so no spoilers if you have read this!  I got this as an audiobook, and was expecting a fun romp with faeries...which it is, but it definitely takes an unexpected turn for the dark and gritty, which it completely commits too.  Which of course took me by surprise, which is great and all...unless you're trying to drive.  I did not expect this to hit me as hard as it did, so I can't wait til I get my hands on the other books!  (Also the narrator's accent was to die for)

Gail Carriger - Etiquette & Espionage



This was my very first audiobook, (that I completed) and I couldn't recommend a better audiobook for newbies!  The narrator is perfect and the story is just SO freaking fun, and totally absorbing.  I haven't got my hands on the third book, but hopefully I won't have to wait years for that to happen! (Also she has an awesome retro fashion blog and is involved in steampunk. And apparently loves Tamora Pierce and Robin McKinley, aka my two favourite authors/heroes/rulers of my life.  What's not to love here?)

Daria Snadowsky - Anatomy of a Boyfriend



This is probably the book I'd consider Important Book of the year. I wish, wish, WISH that someone had put this book in my hands as a teen/before I had sex.  If you know anyone - boy or girl (although I don't have much faith in boys reading this, but they should) who is at the age where they're curious/thinking about sex, this book is amazing.  It is so open - Dom (the MC) has some supremely awkward sex moments (and trust me, all of us who have gotten to that point have had it!), and the relationship isn't a magic fix it all.  It's basically the book that would have reassured me that everything I was going through was ok and normal, and definitely would have answered some questions I didn't have someone to ask.  (And I have a REALLY open relationship with my parents - but there are lines. I was lucky I could ask them anything I was comfortable asking, but I know a lot of people don't have that. GIVE THEM THIS BOOK. Added bonus? It talks about safe sex in this book in a way that isn't preachy, but still gives a lot of thought.)

Melina Marchetta - Froi of the Exiles

          

I know Froi is the second book in the trilogy, but I just need to reiterate for the millionth time that this book is like...the book of my soul.  Finnickin of the Rock is amazing, and I loved it...but this book? This is the book that made the trilogy for me and made it stand out from the billions of fantasy novels I read any given year.  Also it's probably the shippiest ship ever for me this year. (Well ok other than Heir of Fire. Because Chaolena forever. Although Rowan almost rocked that boat for me...but I just want him in Celaena's life in anyway, not necessarily as the love interest. Wait, what was I talking about?)

Leslye Walton - The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender

          

So remember how I was a sucker for prose? This book might have taken the cake on that. Magic realism always seems to have the most gorgeous prose! Also that cover might be one of my favourite covers ever. I still can't really articulate the atmosphere and emotions that this book evokes...but it's just all so gorgeous.

Laini Taylor - Daughter of Smoke and Bone

          

Recurring theme of this list? If you write pretty words I heart you.

Mira Grant - Feed

          

Ahh, the series that started it all.  I can't thank Meg enough for introducing me this series. It's really a toss up whether Melina Marchetta's trilogy or this one is my favourite of the year. I legit can't decide because they are so amazing, and even if you think zombies aren't your thing? You should totally check this out anyway. It might change your mind.

Rainbow Rowell - Fangirl



So most of you have probably read Rainbow Rowell at this point, so I don't even need to explain why I love her books.  I actually haven't read any of the other for some reason (it doesn't matter how much I love a contemporary work/author, they just don't call to me the way fantasy does, so I usually have to actively remind myself to grab a copy), but all her books are definitely on my TBR pile!

Sisterhood of the World

Can I just say that these tag thingies are the best?  One, because I am completely addicted to quizzes and surveys, so this makes me happy!  Two, because I have just not been feeling any bookish posts, so this is the perfect way to keep me writing something...anything.  So a big thanks to Kirsty at Studio Reads for tagging me!

1. What's the one book/series you'll always recommend to everyone?

Ok, well this is kind of hard.  I'll have to go with The Handmaid's Tale, because I think it is both very enjoyable and an incredibly important book.

2. The last book that you wanted to hug?

Going Bovine by Libba Bray. I just. I can't even talk about that book (and yet I have been continuously thinking about it for the past week).

3. One character you wish were real?

Hermione Granger. I don't even have a real reason why her above everyone else, she's just the first character who popped into my mind. (Also I love her beyond belief, so I guess that's a good enough reason)

4.  Favourite book boyfriend?

GAH. Actually, it's not that hard. Chaol. Obviously.

5. Have you ever highlighted a book? (You evil person, you.)

I actually haven't. I love doing it in my kindle..but real books? It just..feels painful to do it somehow.

6. Have you ever "forgotten" to give a book back to a friend?

Ok, so not counting the books I steal from my family, I'm usually pretty good about returning books.  Just not, you know...in any kind of timely fashion. (...like maybe a couple years...)

7.  Do you make music playlists for books?

That would be so awesome! I'm always a little bit in awe of people who do. You'd think being a musician and all I would, but it's just not something that my brain does.

8. The first book you ever read (that you can remember)?

I actually have the first book I ever owned..but it doesn't have any words so I don't know if it counts haha!  The first big chapter book I read when I was 7 - The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong

9. Ever sniffed a book? ;)

...doesn't everyone? Am I alone on that front?

10. The evil question: Been through the Twilight phase? (Be honest!)
I've been pretty open about my reaction to Twilight. I think it did a lot of really amazing things for readers, but personally it's never been for me. Paranormal romance is just not my jam. I thought the first book was a lot of fun, and the second was alright, but the third and fourth were the stuff of nightmares. Literally. I have had baby nightmares. Thanks, Twilight.

I'm opening this tag to anyone who wants to do it!  Feel free to leave me your answers in the comment section if you don't feel like doing a post, or leave a link to you post if you've already done this tag/if you use my questions to do your post!  I'd love to hear from you guys :).  I'm also going to go ahead and do a shout out to Shannon from Rex Robot Reviews and Stephanie from Don't Be Afraid of the Dork if they are interested in doing this!


My ten questions:
I'm totally going to steal some from Kirsty. Because I can.

1. Favourite book boyfriend?
2. Book you would consider most important/impactful to you as a person? (Not necessarily your favourite)
3. Character you think most resembles you? (As a person. Or physically if you wanted, I suppose)
4. Favourite OTP? (Throw in your favourite movie/tv/anime/anything OTP as well if you have one!)
5. A ship you have just never been able to understand?
6. First book you can remember reading?
7. What book is your black sheep? (Book that either you hate that everyone loves or vice versa)
8. Book you most want to be adapted into a movie/show? (Or favourite adaption)
9. Character whose closet you want to shop in?
10. Unsung book/character/ship/setting you wish more people knew/talked about?