The Ultimate Book Tag

I’m fairly new to these tag features in the book-o-sphere but I think they are fun and a great way to get to know book bloggers and what they love. I discovered The Ultimate Book Tag over on The Diary of a Bibliophile and decided to participate. My plan was to do this later this week but I changed my mind since I’m in a writing slump and currently find it hard to write a review of the three books I’ve recently completed. Hopefully doing this will help me rise from the slump. So here we go:

1. Do you get sick while reading in the car?

Nope, never have. Actually, I enjoy reading in vehicles and these days I do most of my reading while travelling. For some reason, I’m more susceptible to distractions when at home, especially social media, so for now my favorite reading places are on the train and in cars.

2. Which author’s writing style is completely unique to you and why?

I’ll have to say Robin McKinley. I love the way she writes and structures her books. She’s highly descriptive but doesn’t bore you with the details. And she begins her stories with the element that’s essential to it but you don’t notice that until about the middle or the end. I just love her books and the way she writes.

Books by McKinley that I’ve read: Spindle’s End, The Hero and the Crown, The Blue Sword

Notable mention: Gabriel García Márquez, I’ve read one book by him thus far – One Hundred Years of Solitude – but I love how it’s written. It, too, is highly descriptive but not boringly so. Both Márquez and McKinley’s descriptions makes their story feel real and believable due to the wealth of descriptions.

3. Harry Potter Series or the Twilight Saga? Give 3 points to defend your answer.

Harry Potter, of course! 3 points:

I attempted to read Twilight and couldn’t bear to continue after a few pages.

Hermione & Hogwarts

I grew up with these books, they’re like family.

4. Do you carry a book bag? If so, what is in it (besides books)?

Nope, no book bags. I usually just pile my books into whatever bag I carry. These days I limit myself to just one book to lighten the load, or a book coupled with a magazine. If I do have a book bag, it’s because I’m on my way to the book store.

5. Do you smell your books?

Of course I do! I love to smell my books, especially right after I purchase them. It’s part of the reason why I only buy new books. The other reason is the pristine covers.

6. Books with or without little illustrations?

I love art so I prefer books with illustrations. I think they are fun and I like to compare them with the images I form in my mind. Plus, it’s a great way to provide a short break from the text. I think illustrations should be included in more novels.

7. What book did you love while reading but discovered later it wasn’t quality writing?

The Song of Lioness series by Tamora Pierce. It’s an awesome story but the writing is not up to par. They are her first novels, though, and I highly recommend them because the story is great.

8. Do you have any funny stories involving books from your childhood? Please share!

Hmm…I can’t think of any other than the numerous times I’ve slipped off the sidewalk or crashed into poles, walls, and people due to reading while walking. I’ve gotten better at using my peripheral vision to navigate now so less crashes.

9. What is the thinnest book on your shelf?

Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them by Newt Seamander (J.K. Rowling) at about 42 pages.

10. What is the thickest book on your shelf?

The Norton Anthology of African American Literature at about 2,832 pages.

11. Do you write as well as read? Do you see yourself in the future as being an author?

I do write as well, and I would like to call myself an author, a published author, in a few years. I don’t share my creative work publicly because I’m shy about it and I do need to produce more. For now, I share some thoughtful pieces in my “random thoughts” section.

12. When did you get into reading?

It’s hard to tell, even my mother doesn’t know. Apparently I’ve been reading since forever. I’ve always had a book and I started reading at a very early age sooo…. I don’t know.

13. What is your favorite classic book?

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zola Neale Hurston, hands down! I love the language, the description, the structure, the imagery, Janie and even Tea Cake….yes, it’s my favorite.

14. In school was your best subject Language Arts/English?

It sure was! I easily excelled at those, as well as the Fine Arts, while in school. Later, in college, I majored in English and found it a bit difficult but I think that’s because I wasn’t committed to it.

Although it’s advised that a student shouldn’t break from their studies since it’s hard to get back into the groove of scholarly life, I think a break would have benefited me and helped me to gain much needed perspective on what I want to accomplish. I changed my major sooo many times, smh.

15. If you were given a book as a present that you had read before and hated, what would you do?

I don’t like to turn down well-intended gifts so I would accept it and would kindly let the person know that I didn’t like that particular book, thus making them aware that I might re-gift it to someone who would appreciate it more.

16. What is a lesser known series that you know of that is similar to Harry Potter or the Hunger Games?

I’d say the Lost Years of Merlin series by TA Barron. This series is great as it focuses on the formative years of Merlin. It’s an interesting take on how Merlin was as a boy and the lessons that helped him develop into a powerful mage. Some people have mentioned Barron’s series but not often which is why I mention it here.

17. What is a bad habit you always do (besides rambling) while blogging?

Not posting as often or maintaining a posting schedule, which I think hurts my blog but I’m really not a huge fan of schedules – they make me think of traps. I don’t even wear a watch! I’m currently working on tricking myself into forming some sort of schedule and thus post more often.

18. What is your favorite word?

I don’t have favorite words. Every now and then I’ll obsess over a word but that obsession lasts for a day and then passes. I do have words that I hate pronouncing like entrepreneur. Just thinking of that word makes my jaw hurt. I also loath the words loath and pithy; I find them too spitty to say. Whenever I read them, all I can think of is spit blowing off the tongue. It’s weird, I know.

19. Are you a nerd, dork, or dweeb? Or all of the above?

All of the above. I enjoy being odd.

by Brian Froud

20. Vampires or Fairies? Why?

Fairies because they seem nicer and they’re always up to something. I’m not a big vampire fan because I think of them as parasites.

21. Shapeshifters or Angels? Why?

Angels because I’m a Supernatural (TV show) fan and the shapeshifters in that show are nasty, Ew! And to me it makes sense that shapeshifting transformation would be as such. The angels in the movie aren’t really good but I do prefer them, and they have more power.

22. Spirits or Werewolves? Why?

Hmm….neither one. Spirits are scary (I’m a touch superstitious) and werewolves are feral.

23. Zombies or Vampires?

If I were to choose one to be – vampires. If I were to choose one to battle – zombies.

24. Love Triangle or Forbidden Love

I’m still a sucker for the forbidden love trope but I’m absolutely tired of love triangles.

25. Full on romance books or action-packed with a few love scenes mixed in?

I don’t mind either one as long as the story is great and the characters are strong.

 

I encourage everyone who reads this to participate and tag me. I’d like to read your answers as well!

 

***The top photo is of my favorite shelf of my book case. It’s filled with YA fantasy books and is two rows deep.***

More book tags; I enjoyed reading them all.

• The Ultimate Book Tag (sophthomas.wordpress.com)
• The Ultimate Book Tag (thedesertbibliophile.wordpress.com)
• The Ultimate Book Tag (swxftbooks.wordpress.com)
• The Ultimate Book Tag & Exciting News (reinreads.wordpress.com)
• The Ultimate Book Tag (drizzleandhurricanebooks.wordpress.com)