What Matters About Reading? Book Tag Time!

I watch Criminolly, a book related YouTube channel, about reading and books. Olly, from  Criminolly, did the "What Matters About Reading?" book tag, which I enjoyed watching. 

I decided to do the "What Matters About Reading?" book tag here on my blog too. 

1. What do you want to get out of reading? What stays with you after?

I read for a wide variety of reasons. I read for entertainment, escapism, relaxation, learning new things, empathy, and diversity.

What stays with me is the enjoyment of reading a book and feeling relaxed and satisfied after I've read a book. I also find joy in learning new things, which is probably why I love reading nonfiction books so much.

2. What is reading with intention?

Reading with intention is reading books that fulfill your interests and needs. Plus, being present and savoring the written word with relish.

3. What interests you about somebody else’s relationship to a book? 

I like knowing what makes someone excited about reading books in general, what genres they like reading, and hearing what makes a book they've read great. 

Sometimes, I am even swayed to read a book by another avid reader based on the book's summary and what this reader thought about the book.

4. How do you talk about books with others? What do you usually want them to know about a book? 

Usually, I share my thoughts about books I've read here on my blog. I also share my thoughts about books on Bookcrossing with other readers in the forums section. This year, I am also participating in a monthly online book club offered though the public library, where we discuss a book club pick we've read during the month. Additionally, I discuss books with other avid readers in person when I can.

5. Do you review books (publicly or privately)? 

I review books publicly! Hence my blog! Occasionally, I will leave reviews on Goodreads or Amazon.

6. Do you use a rating system? Why? Why not?

Yes, I use a rating system when reviewing books. I give my reviews a numerical rating between one and five. 1 = terrible, 2 = okay, 3 = like, 4 = really like, 5 = love. If the book I read falls between two ratings, then I'll give it a rating of 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, or 4.5.

I like to rate books after reading them to gauge how I liked reading them at that moment in time. 

7. Do you ask yourself if you’ve liked a book? And how much does liking a book matter? 

Yes, I ask myself if I've liked a book I've read and this is important to me. I don't want to read poorly written books or things I'm not enjoying... Or if, I'm reading something to learn a topic/subject, then I should learn something from reading the book.... Otherwise, what's the point (in this case) if I learn nothing from the book. So, enjoying a book matters a lot.

8. What do you seek out from others who read publicly? Reviews, summaries, analysis, a curriculum? 

I like hearing other people's thoughts regarding what they think about the books they've read, whether they write reviews for blogs, etc., participate in book clubs, or just like discussing books in person with other people.

9. Who do you go to for those things?

The short answer is a variety of places...Sometimes I find books from blogger reviews or Bookcrossers, book club picks, the articles I read, the topics I'm interested in learning more about, genres I like reading, or books from authors who I have read books from in the past.

My Dream Bookstore - If I Owned a Bookstore Tag

Earlier today, I was watching a video on YouTube from one of my favorite BookTube channels, Criminolly, where Olly made a video about his dream bookstore based on the "If I Owned a Bookstore Tag" going around right now.

I decided to participate in the "If I Owned a Bookstore Tag". Below are my answers to ten different questions.

The Questions Are As Follows:

1) What are the hours of operation?

Monday: 12pm-5pm

Tuesday: 11am-8pm

Wednesday: 11am-8pm

Thursday: 11am-8pm

Friday:11am-8pm

Saturday: 10am-6pm

Sunday: 12pm-5pm 

2) Is there ambient music? What kind? 

Yes, there will be ambient music!! Instrumental music only though, like soft jazz, classical, or perhaps guitar or piano music.

3) Is there a coffee bar? Do you serve alcohol? 

Yes, there will be coffee and tea bar! Maybe a few other beverages like cider, lemonade, hot cocoa, etc. No, on alcohol though.

4) Are patrons encouraged to linger? Are there comfortable chairs? What kind of lighting? Are there tables? Are there areas for group gatherings? 

Yes, patrons will be encouraged to linger in my bookstore! I want to create a cozy, welcoming vibe where the community can come together to read. I'd offer comfortable chairs to sit in during one's visit and a table surrounded by chairs for monthly book club groups to sit and discuss there current book club selection. Bright lighting throughout the store will be available to make it easier for people to read during their visit.

5) Is there live entertainment (poetry readings, author’s reading from their current works, lectures in literature)? 

Yes, to live entertainment in the form of author's speaking events.

Plus, monthly book club groups/meet-ups where readers collect to discuss the books they've read for !!

6) Where is your bookstore located? In the busy heart of large city? In a neighborhood of a large city? In a suburban strip mall? In a small town? In a rural area? 

A medium sized bookstore set in a strip mall near where I live.

7) How does your bookstore look from the outside? Sleek and modern? Dark and brooding? 

I want a vintage vibe for my bookstore. Hardwood floors, area rugs, black and white photos of authors, books, exterior shots of indie bookstores hanging on walls, etc... Plus, potted plants, and a bookstore cat or two!

8) What’s your specialty? Used books? New? New and used? Only fiction? Only non-fiction? Fiction and non-fiction? Does your bookstore specialize in a particular genre? 

I think a used bookstore filled with gently used fiction and nonfiction books would be perfect. 

I'd also like to have a used book buying/trade-in program as well.

9) What’s the name of your bookstore? 

The Bookstore of Second Chances

10) Tag some friends.

I won't tag any other book bloggers for this book tag. Feel free to tag yourself if you'd like to  participate.

The In and Out Book Tag...

I discovered 'The In and Out Book Tag...' from blogger

Lark Writes...on books and life. This book tag was a fun distraction to add to my blog. Enjoy!

Reading the Last Page First: IN

(I don't so this as much as I use to when I was younger, but it is sometimes fun to read the last page of a book.)

Enemies to Lovers:  IN

(Sure if it works for the storyline and is well done.)

Dream Sequences:  IN

(Intriguing concept if done right.)

Love Triangles:  IN

(Love triangles can work very well in romance novels.) 

Cracked Spines:  OUT

(I'm NOT a fan of cracked spines!)

Back to My Small Town:  IN

(Why not?)

No Paragraph Breaks: OUT

(I like paragraph breaks.)

Multi-generational Sagas:  IN

(These are fun if well written.)

Monsters are Regular People: IN

(Again this concept is good in paranormal romance, fantasy, etc. novels.)

Re-reading: IN

(I do enjoy rereading books I liked reading the first time around.)

Artificial Intelligence: OUT

(Generally AI is not my go to sort of read.)

Drop Caps: IN

(Drop Caps are a nice touch.) 

Happy Endings: IN

(Why not?))

Plot Points that Only Converge at the End: IN

(Yes, please!! I don't like cliffhanger endings!!)

Detailed Fantasy Systems: OUT

(Generally, this is not my thing.)

Classic Fantasy Races: OUT

(Generally, this is not my thing.)

Unreliable Narrators: IN

(This can make for fun reading.)

Evil Protagonists: IN

(This is kind of a fun concept to have an evil protagonist!!)

The Chosen One: IN

(I'm not opposed to the idea of 'The Chosen One' in books.)

When the Protagonist Dies: IN

(Only if works for the storyline.)

Really Long Chapters: IN

(I prefer shorter chapters, but can handle longer chapters if the storyline is good)

French Flaps: IN

(These are a nice touch inside paperback books.)

Deckled Edges: IN

(Deckled edges look beautiful!)

Signed Copies by the Author: IN

(Yes, most definitely!!)

Dog-earing Pages: OUT

(I use bookmarks... preferably the magnetic kind.)

Chapter Titles Instead of Numbers: IN

(Numbered or titled chapters are fine either way for me.)

Happy Reading!

Book Tag: 5…4…3…2…1…

I learned about the Book Tag: 5…4…3…2…1… from Marianne @ Let's Read and she learned about it from someone else. I'm not sure where the Book Tag: 5…4…3…2…1… originated from though. Below are my answers to this book tag. Enjoy!

5. Books You Love

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers

4. Autobuy Authors

Robin LaFevers

Jerry Spinelli

Thomas Steinbeck

Diana Gabaldon

3. Favorites Genres

Historical fiction, mysteries/thrillers, and nonfiction.

2. Places You Read

At home in a comfortable spot or while traveling by car, train, or plane.

1. Book You Promise to Read Soon

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

I enjoyed answering the questions for this book tag. Although, I must admit that answering the 1st two questions were rough. I have too many favorite books and my favorite books always seem to change. I really don't autobuy any one author necessarily... It just so happens that I've purchased every book published by Thomas Steinbeck and Robin LaFevers (to the best of my knowledge that is) and I have purchased several books written by Jerry Spinelli and Diana Gabaldon, but not all of the books written by the these two authors.

Describe Yourself Book Tag

I found this book tag via Marianne's blog @ Let's read! The idea is to answer the questions with the titles of the books you've read in 2020... Well, not all the book titles I read during 2020 were appropriate enough to answer the following questions. So, I decided to choose books I've read over the years.

If you decide to participate in the 'Describe Yourself Book Tag', leave me a link in the comments section so that I can check out your post.

Here are my answers to the 'Describe Yourself Book Tag' as follows:

Describe yourself: Becoming by Michelle Obama

How do you feel: Asleep by Banana Yoshimoto

Describe where you currently live: Such A Quiet Place by Megan Miranda

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate) by Amy Thomas

Your favorite form of transportation: The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson

Your best friend is: Pack of Two by Caroline Knapp

You and your friends are: The Girls by Lori Lansens

What’s the weather like: Out Came The Sun by Mariel Hemingway

You fear: The Witches by Roald Dahl

What is the best advice you have to give: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Thought for the day: Only Time Will Tell by Jeffery Archer

Mid Year Book Freakout Tag 2021

1. What Is The Best Book You’ve Read So Far In 2021?

I've read 51 books to date... Narrowing my choices down to a single favorite is rough! I'm not sure I can pick a single favorite read for the year so far... 

My nonfiction choice would definitely be, The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation by Anna Malaika Tubbs. 

For fiction, my favorite choice at the moment would be Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore... However, I've read many excellent novels, so my opinion may change depending on my mood.

2. Which Book is the Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far in 2021?

I started reading the 'Rosalind Thorne' historical mysteries series by Darcie Wilde earlier this year and A Purely Private Matter by Darcie Wilde (the 2nd book in this series) was excellent! I actually enjoyed it more than the 1st novel in the series.

3. A 2021 Book Release You Haven't Read Yet, But Want Read Before The Year Is Up?

Arsenic and Adobo (A Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery) by Mia P. Manansala

4. Most Anticipated Book Release(s) For the Second Half of 2021?

Dead Wednesday by Jerry Spinelli (August 3, 2021)

These Precious Days: Essays by Ann Patchett (November 23, 2021)

5. Biggest Book Disappointments

Three stand outs for biggest book disappointments.

A) The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson

B) Brat: An 80s Story by Andrew McCarthy

C) The First Counsel by Brad Meltzer

6. Your Biggest Book Surprise

Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore.

I didn't expect to love this novel as much as I did. It is really good!

7. Favorite New Author. (Debut or New to You)

Gary D. Schmidt is my favorite new to me author of 2021! I read his novel Just Like That and loved it! Gary D. Schmidt is a college professor and writes young adult fiction.

8. Your Newest Fictional Crush?

Jeb from the Splintered trilogy by A. G. Howard... A good guy, with a little bit of edginess thrown in for depth. I'm currently listening to the 3rd installment of the Splintered trilogy now.

9. Your Newest Favorite Character?

Meryl Lee Kowalski from Just Like That by Gary D. Schmidt. Meryl Lee is in middle school. She goes through some difficult times and sees tremendous growth as an individual. She has a great head on her shoulders.

10. Did You Read a Book That Made You Cry?

None of the books I've read this year so far have made me cry.

11. Which 2021 Book Made You Happy?

The Little Book of Lost Words: Collywobbles, Snollygosters, and 86 Other Surprisingly Useful Terms Worth Resurrecting by Joe Gillard is an awesome read!! I love this hardback book with unique words worth resurrecting. The words themselves are funky and made me smile learning the meanings of them.

12. Most Beautiful Book You’ve Purchased So Far This Year (Or Received)?

Umm, I don't know! I do like the artwork on the book covers for the Splintered trilogy, but I'm not sure I'd say they are the most beautiful books acquired this year.

13. Which Books Do You Need to Read by the End of the Year?

No specific book titles other than Arsenic and Adobo (A Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery) by Mia P. Manansala and Ensared by A. G. Howard. I just want to reach the goal of reading at least another 24 more books for 2021.

14. Do You Have a Favorite Book Community Member?

No, I don't have a favorite book community member as I have so many book bloggers that I follow that put out great content.

Would You Rather Book Tag

I was tagged by Greg @ Book Haven for this tag! This was fun and without further ado- here are the questions. Oh, and consider YOURSELF tagged if you are so inclined.

1) Would you rather read or watch Netflix for an entire year?

Easy question!! I'd rather read books for an entire year.

2) Would you rather read all new releases or used/ backlist books for a year?

I would rather read used/ backlist books for a year as I am behind on my book reading.

3) Would you rather have pizza or Chinese food?

Tough choice as I love both food options. But right now, I'm in the mood for pizza, so I am going with pizza.

4) Would you rather use Bookstagram or Twitter- only one- for a whole year?

I'd rather use Twitter for an entire year.

5) Would you rather have your blog professionally designed or do you like to DIY?

I'd rather have my blog professionally designed. I just don't have the extra $$$ for things like this right now. 

6) Would you rather have a bookstore or be hired by your fave publisher?

I'd rather own my own bookstore.

7) Would you rather have dogs or cats?

I like both animals as pets, but I'd rather have dogs as a pet.

8) Would you rather go to the past or future?

I'd rather go to the future.

9) Would you rather be in a Victorian era mystery or a future setting book?

I'd rather be in a Victorian era mystery.

10) What is your best book of 2020 so far?

The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel or Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple.

Okay- so if you wanna play along here are MY questions for you!

1. Would you rather read fiction or nonfiction books?

2. Would you rather read an ebook or a physical book?

3. Would you rather spend an entire year reading books by only new to you authors or stick solely to reading new books written by your favorite authors?

4. Would you rather shop for books online or buy them at a brick and mortar store?

5. Would you rather attend an individual author signing event or attend a full scale book festival?

6. Would you rather read in complete silence or listen to background music, etc. while you read?

7. Do you prefer reading a standalone book or become engrossed with reading books that are part of a series?

8. Would you rather drink a cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa while reading?

9. Would you rather listen to a book related podcast or watch a book related vlog?

10. Would you rather explore/visit a utopian world or a dystopian world?

My Blog Name in Books Tag

I saw My Blog Name in Books Tag over at The Butterfly Reader's blog!! This book tag looked like so much fun that I wanted to do it too. 

The Rules

Spell out your blog’s name. Find a book from your TBR that begins with each letter. 

You cannot add to your TBR to complete this challenge – the books must already be on your Goodreads TBR... 

Scratch that!! I don't keep my Goodreads TBR current. So, I am going to select books from my already massive physical TBR here at home.

C - Courting Darkness by Robin LaFevers 

A - An Eagle Named Freedom by Jeff Guidry 

P - Poseidon's Steed by Helen Scales Ph.D. 

T - Tsarina by J. Nelle Patrick 

I - Indian Killer by Sherman Alexie 

V - Vaccine by Arthur Allen 

A - Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions by Mario Giordano 

T - Tolstoy and the Purple Chair by Nina Sankovitch

E - Eat Right For Your Type by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo 

D - Dapper Dan: Made In Harlem by Daniel R. Day 

R - Riven Rock by T. C. Boyle 

E - Enough Already by Mike Iamele 

A - A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka 

D - Down To A Soundless Sea by Thomas Steinbeck 

E - Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer 

R - Romeo and/or Juliet by Ryan North

Want to participate in this book tag? Consider yourself tagged!

Christmas Songs Book Tag

Celebrate the Christmas season with That Artsy Reader Girl and her bookish friends by 

participating in the Christmas Songs Book Tag!!

I first learned about the Christmas Songs Book Tag by visiting Jessica @ A GREAT Read's
book blog and reading her answers
to the Christmas Songs Book Tag.

I liked this book tag, so decided to
create my own Christmas Songs Book Tag
post! 

1. “All I Want for Christmas Is You”: Favorite bookish couple.

Claire & Jamie Fraser from the Outlander series
by Diana Gabaldon.

2. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”: Name a book where a character is away from home (school, vacation, etc.).

I can't think of a book that fits for this question.

3. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”: Name your favorite “little” book (children’s book, short story, novella, etc.).

I have quite a few titles that would fit this answer!!
For novellas, I read and loved:
Kentucky On The Rocks by Gwendolyn Grace
The Forty Fathom Bank by Les Galloway
For a children's book, I read and loved:
Spooky Things by Katelyn Sinclair
Plus many more!

4. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town“: What book(s) do you hope Santa brings you this year?

If I had to choose a single book, it would be
Becoming by Michelle Obama.

5. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”: Which book turned your nose red (made you cry)?

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.
If this novel doesn't make you cry, then I don't know
what will.

6. “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”: Your favorite book/kind of book to read during the holidays.

I don't have a favorite genre/kind of book 
 to read during the holidays.

7. “We Three Kings”: Your favorite trilogy.

The 'His Fair Assassin' trilogy by Robin LaFevers.

8. “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow”: A character you would love to be snowed in with.

Jamie Fraser from Outlander.

9. “Last Christmas”: A book that seriously let you down.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman.
Yes, I know most people loved this book. I wasn't one of them.

10. “White Christmas”: An upcoming release you’re dreaming about.

Courting Darkness by Robin Lafevers.

Release date: February 5, 2019.

If you would like to participate in the 
Christmas Songs Book Tag,
then consider yourself tagged!

Once you've created your own

Christmas Songs Book Tag post, be

sure and visit That Artsy Reader Girl's

blog and link up!

Ice Cream Book Tag

I discovered the Ice Cream Book Tag  through Alexa Loves Books Vlog (Or is it called a Book Tube Channel on YouTube??) 

Alexa is a blogger I have followed for quite a few years now as she provides really good content on both her blog and vlog! Alexa's YouTube Channel is a lot of fun and regularly features her husband, Macky, as well. 

The above link takes you to the Alexa Loves Books video on YouTube, where Alexa and Macky give their answers to the Ice Cream Book Tag.

I decided to participate in the Ice Cream Book Tag. Read my answers below.

QUESTIONS:

1. Vanilla - A book you wish had more flavor: 

The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel by Diana Gabaldon and Hoang Nguyen (Illustrator). I love the 'Outlander' series. So with that said, I was excited to obtain and read the graphic novel, The Exile, as it's told through the point of view of Jamie Fraser (verses Claire in the original series). 

Although, I enjoyed seeing Hoang Nguyen's illustrations (they are beautiful) for The Exile, I didn't think his illustrations looked like what I envisioned the male characters from the 'Outlander' series to look like... In fact, all the male characters look pretty much the same throughout The Exile and were difficult to tell apart throughout this graphic novel. The story/plot were pretty vanilla/watered down compared with an 800+ page novel. 

I felt like The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel by Diana Gabaldon and Hoang Nguyen had so much potential, but fell really short on delivering appeal.

2. Chocolate - A long book or an immersive world that you enjoyed indulging in: 

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon fits the bill for this category! At 850 pages, this historical novel deals with time travel and Scottish and English history. It is an amazing and captivating read!!

3. Strawberry - A romance that was super sweet: 

Hazel & Augustus Waters from The Fault In Our Stars by John Green --- These two teens in this novel have a very sweet romance.

4. Ice cream sundae - A book encompassing all the elements you love: 

Again so many novels fit the bill for this one that it is tough to narrow down my answer! I am going to choose a novel I read earlier this year titled, The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel. 

This book was an arc that I'd received through Goodreads Giveaways. I'd never read anything by Amy Engel before, so I didn't know what to expect when I began reading this novel. Let's just say that I was blown away by Amy Engel's writing and storytelling! 

Here are a few of the things I liked most about The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel:

1. Writing style and storytelling are two important key factors in me loving a novel and The Roanoke Girls contains great writing and storytelling. 

2. The characters in The Roanoke Girls are dark, damaged, and flawed (not something I go for or like necessarily). The characters are very well developed and have you wanting to learn more about them as the novel unfolds, which is key for me to liking characters... Characters, whether likable or not, must provoke some sort of strong (and believable enough) reaction to be interesting enough that you want to see what happens to them over the long haul.

3. I like the alternating chapters in this novel told by the various Roanoke Girls with the longest chapters be told through the point of view of the leading character, Lane Roanoke.

5. Milkshake - A book that blends genres:

The Horse Mistress by R. A. Steffan.... This novel blends historical fiction with elements of erotica, paranormal, and lgbt themes altogether in one novel.

6. Sprinkles - A book with a colorful cover:

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert... This nonfiction book is an awesome read and not just for creative types either. I love Big Magic and highly recommend it.

7. Ice cream cake - A book worthy of a celebration Ice cream cookie sandwich or three scoops on a cone - a book with multiple perspectives:

The Vegetarian by Han Kang is a novel about a woman named Yeong-hye, who essentially goes mad... But The Vegetatian isn't told through Yeong-hye's point of view... It's about Yeong-hye through the point of view of her husband, brother-in-law, and her sister. 

The Vegetarian is a really well written novel. I really enjoyed reading it.

8. Waffle cone - A book you felt compelled to read very quickly: 

So, many books fit this category for me because if it is a book I am really enjoying, then I look forward to finishing it asap!!

Kentucky On The Rocks by Gwendolyn Grace fits the bill on this one!! Gotta love hot, sexy romance reads every so often.

9. Pint - A book you set aside but plan on going back to later:


The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food by Jennifer 8 Lee. 

I love Chinese food and nonfiction books about food, so The Fortune Cookie Chronicles is right up my alley... But for some reason I put this book on hold last summer and have not gotten back to it yet. I do look forward to finishing this book at some point though.

10. Your preference - cup or cone? 

CUP most definitely!! I don't want to have to deal with ice cream dripping down the side of my cone and onto my fingers. Plus, if I need to be hands free for a second or two, I can't put the cone down.

11. Your preference - favorite flavor?

Oy, really??? I have to pick one single flavor I love the most?? Are you kidding me?? That's so difficult to do! I love so many different flavors of ice cream.... I love just about anything with chocolate, unless it contains marshmallows, as that's just YUCKY!! Can you tell I am not a Rocky Road fan? Coffee flavored ice cream is really good too. Plus, any ice cream that has crunchy bits in it like cookies or candies like toffee bits are yummy. I also enjoy unique flavors of ice cream like lavender, cardamom, eggnog, pistachio, bubblegum (not mixed together, of course), etc...

But if I had to pick just one flavor of ice cream to live with for the rest of my life, I'd go completely old school and pick Baskin Robbins Chocolate and Peanut Butter Ice Cream.

12. Your preference - toppings? 

It depends on my mood, whether I want a topping or not.

13. Your preference - favorite local ice creamery 

Smitten Ice Cream as this place has unique seasonal flavors you cannot find anywhere else.... Yum!

14. Best shared with friends - who do you tag?

Anyone reading this post who would like to participate in the Ice Cream Book Tag, please consider yourself tagged! Share a link to your Ice Cream Book Tag post in the comment section below as I'd like to read your answers for each section.

I hope you enjoyed reading my answers to the Ice Cream Book Tag! Until my next post, happy reading!

Dog Days of Summer: Dog Tag

I discovered the Dog Days of Summer: Dog Tag
from Greg's Book Haven book blog.

I wasn't specifically tagged for this particular
book tag, but I thought it would be fun to
play along and answer the questions below.

If you want to participate in this particular book
tag, then by all means do so. Just leave me a 
comment below with a link to your 
Dog Days of Summer: Dog Tag post, as
I'd enjoy reading your answers!


THE QUESTIONS

WHAT WAS THE NAME OF YOUR FIRST DOG?

Duchess, she was a Doberman Pinscher and our

family pet. My dad was partial to Doberman Pinschers

as he'd grown up with them. And guess what? His first

childhood dog's name was Duchess. So, having a

female, black and tan Doberman Pischer named

Duchess was what we had as a dog when I was a child.

I am not a huge fan of Doberman Pinschers.

They are too aloof personality wise for me.

DO YOU HAVE A DOG NOW?

No, I do not have a dog currently as we are unable to have

them where we currently reside. 

Otherwise, I'd have a dog in a heartbeat.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BREED OF DOG?

Chocolate Colored Pomeranian

Pomeranians are my favorite dog breed,

but I'd be happy with any small toy breed of dog.

I also love the Puli and the Komondor breeds...

But I think they'd be a grooming nightmare,
so wouldn't want to own one. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANINE THEMED BOOK?

I don't read a lot of what I would call 'canine themed' reads.

I'm currently reading a nonfiction book called 

'Pack of Two: The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs'

by Caroline Knapp, which I am enjoying a lot.

But it is too early to tell if this will become my

favorite canine book.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FICTIONAL DOG? 

Enzo from the Art of Racing in the Rain

by Garth Stein.

WHAT IS YOUR TOP MOVIE CHOICE WITH A FEATURED CANINE? 

Cats & Dogs from 2001

DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A DOG OR A CAT PERSON? WHY?

I like both cats and dogs equally as I think they

both have their virtues and perks as companion pets.

BONUS QUESTION

TELL US ABOUT A PERSONAL DOG RELATED MEMORY

Awww, I have so many fun and memorable dog memories
with our dog, Roxy, a Pomeranian, who passed away in 2014.
Roxy loved and was fascinated with cats!
Roxy loved touching noses with cats and would
become really excited about seeing cats in general.
We had Roxy as a puppy and never had cats in our home...
So to see her so excited by and fascinated with cats was
cool to see.

THE BOOK COURTSHIP TAG

-THE QUESTIONS-

Phase 1 - Initial Attraction: A book that you bought because of the cover?

Phase 1 Choice

I purchased Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender. I thought it had a wonderful book cover and I ended up enjoying the book as well.

Phase 2 - First Impressions: A book that you got because of the summary?

Phase 2 Choice

The Girl With All The Gifts by M. R. Carey had a book blurb that made me want to read this book asap! The book blurb I read says the following: 

"Melanie is a very special girl. Dr Caldwell calls her 'our little genius.'

Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh."

Now if that doesn't make you wonder what the heck is going on in this novel, then I don't know what will.

Phase 3 - Sweet Talk: A book with great writing?

I'm choosing a classic novel for this one. I love East of Eden by John Steinbeck!! I read this novel in 2008 and I need to reread it at some point in the near future. The prose Steinbeck uses is simple, yet powerful and very captivating. I found it very difficult to put this novel down.

Phase 4 - First Date: A first book of a series which made you want to pick up the rest of the series?

Phase 4 Choice

Grave Mercy by Robin Lafevers is the first novel in the young adult 'His Fair Assassin' trilogy. I'd read this novel for a book club a few years ago and at the time wasn't much of a young adult book fan. Thank goodness this book sounded like a good read and it definitely was a hit for me as I read the rest of the series.

Phase 5 - Late Night Phone Calls: A book that kept you up all night?

I have to pick one book, just one book??? There are a lot of books that kept me up late reading!! Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden is a book I found difficult to put down.

Phase 6 - Always on my mind: A book you could not stop thinking about?

The Art of Racing In the Rain by Garth Stein is a very memorable novel for me! I loved reading this book. It was excellent and even made me cry in parts.

Phase 6 Choice

Phase 7 - Getting Physical: A book which you love the way it feels?

Um, I don't have a specific book in mind for this question, but I pretty much like the feel of real books in my hands. There is something special about the feel of real books in my hand and being able to turn physical pages.

Phase 8 - Meeting the parents: A book which you would recommend to your family and friends?

Phase 8 Choice

There are so many awesome books to recommend to family and friends.... But I loved reading Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. It's a magical read and a good general book to share with others.

Phase 9 - Thinking about the future: A book or series you know you will reread many times in the future? 

Phase 9 Choice

Oh boy, tough choice!! I have so many books that I would like to reread many times in the future.... Perhaps The Power of the Habit by Charles Duhigg for nonfiction or East of Eden by John Steinbeck for fiction.

Phase 10 - Share the love: Who do you tag? 

Anyone who is reading this post is welcome to take part in The Book Courtship Tag, so consider yourself tagged!! If you do decide to do this book tag, please leave me a comment below and a link to your Book Courtship Tag post.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

My Life According to Book Titles

I learned about the My Life According to Book Titles from Miranda @ A Real Writer's Life!! I enjoyed reading Miranda's answers for this book tag... So, I decided to make my own post.

Describe yourself:
Committed: A Love Story
(I'm committed to living the best life possible. A life filled with love, peace, and gratitude.)

How do you feel today?
The Bad Beginning
(I didn't sleep so well last night. So, I am tired this morning.)


Describe where you live:
A Room With A View

(Our home has views of a golf course, plus valley below, and mountains off in the distance.)


If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
Galapagos

(My dream is to some day take a cruise to the Galapos Islands with my hubby)


Your favorite form of transportation:
The Woman On the Orient Express
(I'm not sure I have a favorite form of transportation, I like taking cruises and short rides on ferries. However, taking a long distance train ride where I'd have my own sleeper car sounds like fun.)

Your best friend is:
Fearless and Fabulous
(My mom is is my bff!!)


You and your friends are:
The Loyal Heart
(I love friends that are loyal through and through.)


What's the weather like?
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

(We've been having odd weather the past couple of months. Either hot, cold, sunny, cloudy, breezy, rainy or just downright odd!)

You fear:
Any dystopian type of novel!! But I'll pick The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.
(Being forced to have sex with someone because your only value is that you are a baby making machine seems downright scary!!)


What's the best advice you have to give?
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and It's All Small Stuff

(Don't let the little things get to you.)


Thought for the day:

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and It's All Small Stuff

(Don't let the little things get to you.)

How would you like to die?
Couldn't come up with a title for this one. I want to die peacefully and hopefully in my sleep!!


Your souls present condition:
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
(I stole this answer from Miranda's post as I have such Great Expectations for my life and the future.)


If you want to do this tag, I'd love to read your answers! Leave a link for me in the comments section below if do this book tag.

The Birthstone Book Tag

After watching Kassidy Voinche's The Birthstone Book Tag video on YouTube, I became inspired to participate in The Birthstone Book Tag myself and share my answers here with my blog readers... The Birthstone Book Tag is a pretty fun book tag! Happy reading!

Below are my answers:

1. January (GARNET): Associate with warding off negative forces and dark energies - Name a book with the darkest/evilest character you can think of.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck has a very evil female character in it named Cathy Ames (later known as Kate Trask)... She's the most evil female villain I know of and she's a really well done character created by John Steinbeck. 

By the way, East of Eden is one of my favorite all time novels!

2. February (AMETHYST): Purple is associated with royalty - Name a book with regal qualities... You can base this off of characters or choose the King of all books.

I am selecting Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender for this one, as it features the ghost of Marie Antoinette as a character in the novel. Click on the link to read my review of Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender.

3. March (AQUAMARINE): Washed out - Name a 'wishy washy' character, a character who is not strong or a follower.

UPDATE:  I realized that character Eleanor Merritt from Game Control by Lionel Shirver is a very 'wishy washy' character! So am updating my answer!

4. April (DIAMOND): A diamond in the rough - Name a book that you loved but is not well known.

The Forty Fathom Bank by Les Galloway is a phenomenal novella that I highly recommend. It's been a few years since I've read it and I am up for reading it again!! The story and characters are what make this book come alive for me. Les Galloway is a really good writer... Too bad I'd never heard of him as an author until I read The Forty Fathom Bank. 

Also, if you enjoyed reading Ernest Hemingway's novella, The Old Man and The Sea, then I think you'll like The Forty Fathom Bank by Les Galloway too. In fact, I actually liked The Forty Fathom Bank by Les Galloway a whole lot more than The Old Man and The Sea.

The following is a plot synopsis for The Forty Fathom Bank from Amazon:

Called "stunning and suspenseful" (Andrea Barrett, Outside), and "exquisitely detailed" (Alan Cheuse, NPR), The Forty Fathom Bank is a gripping novella of adventure and desperation in the tradition ofThe Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Finally back in print, this acclaimed cult classic tells the story of two men seeking riches on a late-season fishing trip off the coast of San Francisco. When a storm hits and the engine fails, they confront more than treacherous seas in their fight for survival. This new paperback edition also now includes the late author's other rarely seen stories of the sea, as well as an afterword by his friend and editor, Jerome Gold. As James Lee Burke says, "No one who reads this book will ever forget it."

5. May (EMERALD): Said to balance energy - Name two characters who balance each other well.

Jamie Fraser & Claire Randall Fraser from The Outlander Series... They make such a great couple in this series. How can I not love them?! They make an awesome couple/team!

6. June (PEARL): Associated with loyalty - Name a character who is loyal to the end.

Last year, I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. Almondine, Edgar Sawtelle's dog, is very loyal to Edgar until the very end.

7. July (RUBY): Blood red - Name a book that made your blood boil, one that made you angry.

The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubois III. I read this novel when it was an Oprah Book Club selection, but I intensely disliked this novel. I found the storyline, the characters, and the events that occurred in this novel to be so frustrating and annoying. The characters caused themselves a lot of trouble they could have simply avoided if they had taken a different course of action.

8. August (PERIDOT): Pale green (it pales in comparison to other gems) - Name a supporting character who you like better than the main character.

Once again, I am selecting characters from the novel The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. I didn't like the leading character, Edgar Sawtelle, very much. I ended up preferring the characterization of Almondine, Edgar Sawtelle's dog a lot more.

9. September (SAPPHIRE): Blue like the ocean which is calming - Name a book that had a calming affect on you.

Reading in general is calming to me! But a specific books that had a calming affect on me is difficult to name off the top of my head... Books can make you laugh, cry, bring one joy or knowledge and even frustration or anger... The first book to come to mind to me is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. I read this book years and years ago now. It's probably best if I reread it again as a refresher of the ideas presented within. But I remember like the concepts presented in the book itself.

10. October (OPAL): Iridescent - Name an iridescent book, this can be a book with a beautiful cover (Shiny? Lots of Color?) or you can base it off of a character (Quirky? Colorful?).

I've read Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert and loved this nonfiction book!! I highly recommend reading it if you haven't done so already. I selected this book for its colorful cover. Click on the link provided above to read my review of Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert.

11. November (TOPAZ): Associated with resilience - Name a books with a character who rises to the top in a time of adversity.

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Sold by Patricia McCormick in 2014. It's a short audiobook (under 4 hours) and one that was very powerful. It's the fictional account of Lakshmi, a 13 year old Nepal girl, who is sold into the child sex trade industry in India unknowingly by her family. Lakshmi and her family think she will be working as a maid to a rich family and the money she earns will be sent back home to her family.... This couldn't be further from the truth. What Lakshmi must endure is horrific! 

Long story short, Lakshmi rises above it all to find a way out of her circumstances. Sold by Patricia McCormick is a really well told story and well narrated as well.

12. December (BLUE ZIRCON): Associated with friendship - Name a book with a friendship you'd want to be apart of.

This was another of the more difficult ones for me to name as there isn't a specific friendship I read about in a book that made me say to myself "Oh, I'd like to have a friendship like that!"... I am randomly going to choose the friendship of Cee Cee Bloom and Bertie White from Beaches by Iris R. Dart. I did enjoy reading both the novel and seeing the movie back in the day.

I'm tagging the following book bloggers

to take part in

The Birthstone Book Tag

Liz at Freyja Eats Books

Miranda Atchley at A Real Writer's Life

Michelle at Pink Polka Dot Books

Jessica at A Great Read

Liz, Miranda, Michelle, & Jessica,
I look forward to reading your answers to
The Birthstone Book Tag!
Please let me know make a post to your blog.

Until my next post, happy reading!