The Sunshine Blogger Award

I was nominated for The Sunshine Blogger Award by Judy at Keep The Wisdom earlier this month.

The Sunshine Blogger Award is an award given to those who are creative, positive and inspiring while spreading sunshine to the blogging community.

Thank you, Judy, for the nomination. Your book blog is

most definitely a ray of sunshine. I love reading your insightful book reviews and often find myself

adding new book titles to my ever growing reading wishlist.

1. How did you get started blogging? 

I'd wanted to start a blog for a while, but didn't want it to be a random hodge podge of topics... So after much thought, I decided to create a blog devoted to my love for reading books. 

I wanted my blog to be more than just book reviews, so have focused my posts on basically anything book related from bookish related quotes, book memes, author spotlights, library and book news, literary awards as well as the author events I attend, indie bookstores I visit, Little Free Libraries I discover and so much more.

2. What do you enjoy most about being a book blogger?

I enjoy connecting with other readers/bloggers the most. Additionally, I enjoy the creative outlet of writing reviews, sharing other bookish activities (like author signings, book festivals, Little Free Libraries, and independent bookstores I visit, etc.) with readers.

3. How long have you kept your blog going?

I started blogging on January 1, 2012. So the end of this year marks 8 years of blogging for me.

4. Would you say you have a philosophy behind your blog? If yes, please say what it is.

Can't say as I have a philosophy behind my book blog. 

5. What genres do you enjoy reading the most?

That's a tough question to answer as I like so many different genres.

Historical Fiction, Nonfiction, and Mysteries/Thrillers. 

6. Who are your top 3 favorite authors?

Gasp, I can only pick three favorite authors??? Geraldine Brooks, John Steinbeck, and Diana Gabaldon... Robin LaFevers gets honorable mention.

7. Do you also attend reading groups? If yes, how many?

I do not attend any reading groups.

8. If you could invite a few authors over for dinner who would they be-even if you had to resurrect some from the dead?

Margaret Atwood, Diana Gabaldon, Joan Didion (despite the fact I have yet to read any of her books!!), Maya Angelou, Geraldine Brooks, and Roxane Gay. 

9. How do you find the books you want to read?

I select books in various ways... Books written by authors who's writing I've enjoyed reading in the past. Books from favorite genres that have intriguing plots/storylines. Themed book reads... Like reading banned books during Banned Books Week, etc. Books featured in Buzzfeed articles or other online websites that sound like wonderful books to read. And, of course, books I discover through reading reviews written by book bloggers and also from Bookcrossers.

10. Do you think authors today are as good as those from earlier years? Better? Worse? Why?

Interesting question!! One that I've never really thought about before until now. 

I actually think authors are the same across each generation. You'll have great authors and bad authors... and some authors that fall somewhere in between. The truly great writers are those that can withstand the test of time. Each generation produces authors that fall into the greatness category. Popular/bestselling writers in each generation may not withstand the test of time though. 

I often wonder if popular writers of today like David Baldacci, John Grisham, James Patterson, Dan Brown, Danielle Steele and so on will even be a household name in 100 years. Probably not is my guess.

11. Name a few of the best books you have read this year.

I've read over 115 books so far this year and counting! Here are a few that I've given a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Click on the links below to read my review for each book.

1. Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson
2. Suggestible You: A Remarkable Journey Into the Brain's Ability to Deceive, Transform, and Heal by Erik Vance

3. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
4. The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony

5. I Hear You by Michael S. Sorensen

6. Whoever Fights Monsters: My Twenty Years Tracking Serial Killers for the FBI by Robert K. Ressler and Tom Shachtman

7. Trinity: A Graphic History of the First Atomic Bomb by Jonathan Fetter-Vorm
8. Get Well Soon: History's Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them by Jennifer Wright