09 August 2013

A Very Bookish Survey

Today the uber-creative Jamie hosted a bookish survey with the hope that we'd all feel inspired to get back to the blogging basics. And also, just to have a little bit of late summer fun, so naturally, I decided to participate. So come on and join in the fun by linking up your survey in the comments below and over at The Perpetual Page-Turner!
 
And don't forget to thank Jamie for thinking outside the box and inspiring amazing bookish conversation! You rock, girl!

Author you’ve read the most books from:

(Want an easy way to figure this out? Go to your Goodreads account, select “my books”and on the left hand side under your shelves you will see a link for “most read authors.”)

William Shakespeare (25)  takes the cake here, followed by Ann M. Martin (15) and Douglas Preston (13).

Best Sequel Ever:

It's a toss up between Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo (STURMHOND!!!) and Through The Ever Night by Veronica Rossi. Both of these series are keep on getting better and better!

Currently Reading:

Everything Is Perfect When You're A Liar by Kelly Oxford and listening to Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama on audiobook.

Drink of Choice While Reading:

I'm what my hubby calls, a "fake coffee drinker," as in, I like my lattes. If it's fall/winter, I'll settle down with a nice, hot pumpkin spice latte. If it's warmer, I prefer an iced caramel macchiato.

E-reader or Physical Book?

Don't get me wrong, I love my Nook but I'm an old-fashioned girl at heart. There's nothing quite like the feel and smell of an actual book in hand.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

As noted in this bookish boyfriend post, I'd have to say Benedick from Much Ado About Nothing. Apparently I had a thing for love/hate romances in high school, so he'd fit the bill perfectly! Plus, he's funny and I always have adored the funny guys.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. Initially, I wasn't planning on reading the book because I was intimidated by its length, and also, I watch the show. However, listening to it gave me SO MUCH MORE insight into the characters and cleared up some confusion I'd had otherwise, so I'm really glad I did.

Hidden Gem Book:

Rita Moreno: A Memoir by Rita Moreno. If you enjoyed West Side Story or are generally a fan of Hollywood insider books, I definitely recommend this one. It's intense and heartbreaking and hopeful and sensual all rolled into one.

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

It was probably the day I finished reading The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I've always been a total book nerd, but after college I sort of lost touch with reading as a hobby. It wasn't until I finished this series that I rekindled my passion for reading again.

Just Finished:

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo and A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (audio version).

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

I really do try to keep an open mind but if I had to pick,  I'm not generally a fan of Romance/Erotica novels. They just don't "do it" for me.

Sidenote: After reading an excerpt, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't vaguely intrigued by Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren. And I may or may not have purchased the e-book. Just sayin...


Longest Book You’ve Read:

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I hated every minute of it!


Major book hangover because of:

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins which, as a result, forced me to issue an apology to Divergent.


Number of Bookcases You Own:

I currently have three towering and overloaded bookshelves. One is in the bedroom and two are in the study (aka my reading nook). There are also various piles of books scattered throughout the house as "decor."


One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

I keep going back to Bram Stoker's Dracula and my awesomely bad fav, The Hunt For Atlantis by Andy McDermott. If I'm ever feeling disgruntled by a series of poor reads, I tend to reach for both of these books --- one is so eloquently written and the other is a guilty pleasure!

Preferred Place To Read:

I have three go-to's for reading: the tub (gasp!), my bed and, when the weather cooperates, outside at Starbuck's.

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

“If you stare at the center of the universe, there is coldness there. A blankness. Ultimately, the universe doesn't care about us. Time doesn't care about us. That's why we have to care about each other.”  ― David Levithan, Every Day

Seriously, this ENTIRE book is quote-worthy and reading it will CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

Reading Regret:

Wow. I've never really thought about regrets with regard to reading. I guess I'd have to say, I wish I hadn't lost my bond with reading in college. It was always an outlet and for whatever reason, it was one that I "outgrew" in college. I guess this happens to most of us, but there are SO many books and such little time. You live, you learn, I suppose.

Series You Started And Need To Finish (all books are out in series):

Ugh, just about everything is a series these days so it's hard to narrow down. I'd have to say one of the most notable ones is the Sookie Stackhouse series. Where the books started out so strong, I could only take so much of Sookie's primping and mindless man-handling before I was done with it.

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

The Princess Bride by William Goldman, Every Day by David Levithan and Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. TPB and WB are some of my favourite movies too!

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

R.L. Stine. Both Jamie and Alexa were witness to my uncontrollable kirking out over this childhood idol. If I'm being truthful, I haven't read any of his more adultly books because I'm afraid they won't live up to my experiences with his books that I read as a kid. I'm horrible, I know!

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

It's a tie between Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo and Into The Still Blue by Veronica Rossi. I have a serious case of OMGINEEDTOREADTHESENOOOOOOOOOW syndrome.

Worst Bookish Habit:

Hmm... reading in the tub? Yeah, probably that. I also read while eating. I bend pages and crack spines... I'm totally not careful with my books. They are well-loved!

Oh god, you all are totally gonna hate me now aren't you?!

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

Where's Waldo? by Martin Handford. Haha, oh wow, that's really funny!

Your latest book purchase:

Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama (on audio) and Death Takes A Holiday by Jennifer Harlow (I loved books 1 & 2).

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

Because of my job, I have a very hard time staying up late to read. I'd probably have to say it was The Hunger Games trilogy. Yeah. Definitely that one.

14 comments:

  1. Yes, my spine-cracking friend! There's something so perversely satisfying about it.

    You're making me want to go and hug my copy of Every Day again. SO many awesome quotes!

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    1. There really is. It's a sick perversion, for sure! And yeah, that whole book is profoundly quote-worthy, isn't it?

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  2. Anonymous8/09/2013

    I also find it hard to stay up reading -- I'm always so tired past midnight. I think the last time I stayed awake late in bed reading would have been last spring when I read The Hunger Games. I just couldn't stop! So good!
    Also, I absolutely love that quote you put from Every Day. It sounds like a great book :)

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    1. Same here! In fact, it's been a really long time since a book has made me want to do that...

      Every Day is AMAZING and it will totally change your life. Seriously, you should check it out. I promise you won't regret it!

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  3. I have not read Every Day yet! I really need to.

    I love that I am not the only one who has not finished the Sookie Stackhouse series yet. It's on my list!

    This was such a fun survey! Here's mine: http://www.thebibliophilescorner.com/2013/08/10/a-to-z-bookish-survey/

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    1. Yes, you do Ashley! Read it and I swear you'll love it. SO good. Yeah, I got really tired of those books very quickly. I'm kind of afraid to finish it at this point.

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  4. Nikki I'm quite impressed, Shakespeare is your most read Author! I really want to read both the books you've listed as Best Sequels Ever.

    I also read Dracula twice, and I'm a huge fan of RL Stine when I was a teen, I found his books soooo scary back then LOL really should re-read one.

    I've been a reader and book lover since I was a child and there was a time in my life where I lost my passion for reading too, so I think it happens to all of us. Your also not alone in the whole eating whilst reading, I actually wrote that as my worst reading habit too LOL

    My A-Z Survey

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Fun fact: I'm a HUUUUUUUUUGE Shakespeare fan and total theatre nerd too. It's pure poetry and I love how sarcastic and snide his work can often be. And yeah, if you've read Under the Never Sky and Shadow and Bone, you'll TOTALLY adore the sequels!

      I have a ton of his Goosebumps and Fear Street books lining my shelves. I probably should try to pick one up again but there's that fear of unmet childhood expectations holding me back... you know how it goes.

      Ha! We have so much in common! It's nice to know I'm not alone here. Thanks for stopping by, Angelica!

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  5. Fun survey! I was looking for something to blog about today, and this might just be it. I keep seeing that Kelly Oxford book around, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on it. It looks interesting because she's a blogger. I have A Game of Thrones on Mt. TBR. My SIL raves about the show.
    Do you know I only read the first two in the The Hunger Games books? I STILL haven't read the last book! I don't know how it ends!
    Perfect that Where's Waldo is your 27th book on the shelf!

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    1. Thanks, Naida! I thought it was a clever little survey, so you should definitely join in on the fun!

      So far, it's a good book but I prefer Oxford's blog, if I'm being honest. And yeah, read A Game of Thrones. My review will be posted tomorrow but I HIGHLY recommend the audio version. SO good and dead on with Season 1 of the show.

      Really?! How can you NOT know how it ends?! You have GOT to read the last book! While Catching Fire was my fav of the three, I was satisfied with the way Collins ended the series.

      Oh yeah. HUGE Where's Waldo fan over here.

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  6. Great list! I have got to carve out some time to read the Leigh Bardugo books. I have them both, but blogging commitments are getting in the way...Ugggh!!!!

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    1. Boo, haha. These are really quick reads and they are so amazing. I was feeling a little burnt out on YA books, but Bardugo managed to reaffirm my faith in them again. I'm interested to hear your thoughts so let me know when you get around to them!

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  7. Anonymous8/14/2013

    I loved Every Day! David Levithan is amazing, and this book was so different and so wonderful. I've pushed it on a few of my books friends already! I really should read Dracula again one of these days - it's been far too long. And I'd say don't bother finishing the Sookie Stackhouse series. It's mostly a lot of her showers and getting dressed. :) A friend of mine decided not to finish reading the series, just wanted to know who Sookie ends up with, made me tell her, and then she was done! Ha, I read Anna Karenina way back when -- but I actually liked it! You'd never get me to pick it up now, though. Great answers!

    Lisa

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    1. I've really enjoyed everything that Levithan has written (not that I've read much by him) and he's now on my auto-buy list. Every Day was definitely my favourite of his books so far! Absolutely life changing.

      I read the sequel to Dracula, Dracula: The Undead (by Stoker's great nephew or something) and man, it was AWFUL. But yeah, the original is a classic and always a fav of mine. I read Anna Karenina back in high school and had to write a book report on it for my AP Lit class, so I'm not sure I really appreciated it as much as I would today. I figure I'll watch the movie incarnation with Keira Knightly and see how that goes first.

      As for Sookie Stackhouse, I can sufficiently say I've had enough of her chores and tanning. I really just want to know who she ends up with and who made it to the end of the series (and who died). So yeah. I'd be okay with that.

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