How is everyone holding up? It’s funny how as soon as you know you shouldn’t do something, you suddenly want to do it. As an introvert, self isolation isn’t too far from how I live anyway, but now that I know I shouldn’t leave the house– well, the world outside my door suddenly seems so much more enticing (not to worry– I’m staying home).
I’m keeping busy with reading (The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett), writing/editing, playing games, packing (even though the move is on hold until…?), crocheting, and spending way too much time on Netflix and YouTube. What are you doing to entertain yourself?
It’s been a while since I’ve done a book tag, so I grabbed this one from A Geek Girl’s Guide. Feel free to answer the questions in the comments below, or leave a link to your own post…
Physical books for collecting, but an e-reader for reading. (I love physical books but my strained eyes like having the option of increasing the font size, and my anxiety likes not having to worry about accidentally bending covers, spilling on pages, or cracking spines.)
2. Paperback or Hardback?
Paperback for reading, hardback for collecting.
3. Online or In-Store Book Shopping?
Online. I love browsing in an actual bookstore, but they can also be overwhelming.
Not sure if I’m supposed to give specific titles or just a general type of book, but the last book that made me cry was Elizabeth the Queen by Alison Weir. The last one that made me laugh was The Colour of Magic.
Movie (they have better production values and shows start taking liberties with the story and characters once they’ve covered the source material– or even when they haven’t).
23. A Movie or TV Show You Preferred to its Book?
The Princess Bride (if I’d read the book first, I’d never have watched the movie).
24. Series or Standalones?
If it’s a great story that can’t be fully told in one book, then a series is great.
What do you think? What movie did you prefer to the book? Share in the comments…
1. Copy and paste the questions into a blog post.
2. Answer the questions.
3. Leave a link to your post in the comments section below!
Bonus! You don’t have to be an indie author to do this challenge. All writerly types are welcome!
1. Are you a country mouse or a city mouse?
City, all the way, especially in a city like Toronto, where we have tons of trees, green space, and wildlife– it’s the best of both worlds (my only complaint/regret is how few stars you can see at night because of all the light pollution).
Right now it’s the couch with my laptop, but anywhere comfortable and quiet will do.
3. What’s your favorite writing snack?
My writing is fuelled by iced coffees and matcha lattes.
Photo by Anna Tukhfatullina Food Photographer/Stylist on Pexels.com
4. Do you like music or silence?
Silence. I’m too easily distracted by anything else (and the rhythm of music throws off the rhythm of my writing).
5. What’s your favorite procrastination technique?
Probably Pinterest. But I can’t procrastinate too long before my anxiety starts ramping up and I have to write or edit to shut it up.
6. What does your desk look like?
At the moment it looks like a bunch of pieces, unfortunately. It seems to have been broken in the last move and I haven’t wanted to unwrap and look at it to find out for sure. Since we’re about to move again, it’s time I finally face it and figure out what to do next (anyone know a good carpenter?)
Fiction is arranged alphabetically by author and then book title (although I will keep series in order, rather than sorting by title). Non-fiction is arranged by topic/genre and then alphabetically by title. Boring, but it’s easy to find what you want.
8. What inspired you to go indie?
I decided to go indie when I realized that being well known is more important to traditional publishers than being a good writer.
9. How do you feel about book dedications?
I’ve read some good ones, and I enjoy dedicating my books, so I’m all for them.
10. What kind of monster would you most like to be?
It would be disappointing if I said anything other than vampire, wouldn’t it? Luckily that’s always been my monster of choice. Although vengeful spirit is not without its charm…
How about you? What kind of monster would you want to be? Share your answer to this or any of the other questions in the comments…
Cheers,
Aspasía S. Bissas
Don’t forget– the Smashwords ebook sale starts tomorrow!
As much as I love reading, I’m not going to lie– sometimes it can be frustrating. Whether it’s too many books and not enough time, or inconveniently getting the feels in public, read on to find out how I deal with the downside of bibliophilia…
You have 20,000 books on your TBR. How in the world do you decide what to read next?
Between my physical books and ebooks, my TBR is probably pretty close to that number! I have a haphazard system where I alternate between something random from the priority TBR pile on my nightstand and something off a list I’m trying to get through. Every so often I’ll also throw in a book that caught my attention and needs to be read immediately.
You’re halfway through a book and you’re just not loving it. Do you put it down or are you committed?
I used to always finish, no matter what, but I don’t have the patience for that anymore. There are too many good books out there to waste time on the ones you don’t enjoy.
The end of the year is coming and you’re behind on your reading challenge. Do you try to catch up? And if so, how?
I don’t do reading challenges– they seem like a great way to take the joy out of reading.
The covers of a series you love do not match. How do you cope?
If I really, really love the series I might try to find copies with matching covers to replace the odd ones; otherwise, I live with different covers (although it does annoy me).
You’re reading a book in public and you’re about to start crying. How do you deal?
It’s rare* for a book to make me cry, and even rarer for me to cry in public, so I doubt this would ever be an issue. If it happened, though, I’d probably stop reading and go look for a bathroom.
(*The last time was a few months ago when I was reading Elizabeth, the Queen, a biography of Elizabeth I. Needless to say, I was not expecting that. At least I was home.)
The sequel to a book you loved just came out but you’ve forgotten a lot of what happens. Are you going to reread it?
Definitely! I might even reread if I haven’t forgotten anything.
You do not want anyone borrow your books. How do you politely say no when someone asks?
I let people know that they’re welcome to come over and read here, but the books don’t leave the house. My SO, meanwhile, has a long list of rules on how to handle his books, which seems to discourage would-be borrowers. But there’s also something to be said about supporting authors by borrowing from a library instead of a friend (and you help support the library too).
You have picked up and put down 5 books in the last month. How do you get over this reading slump?
I’ve actually never had that problem. I guess I’d try to figure out what was causing my lack of interest in the books and then do my best to solve that. Or I might read something different, like comic books, for a while. I’d also try not to stress about it– the need to read always returns.
There are so many books coming out that you are dying to read. How many do you end up buying?
I’ll put them all on my wishlist and get them eventually, although I might get the one I’m most excited about right away.
After you purchase all of these books that you’ve been dying to read, how long do they sit on your shelves before you get to them?
I admit it, they can wait for a while before I get to them (sometimes years), but I do get to them. I’m starting to think I’m the only person left who still finds value in old books.
So, what do you think? How do you cope with reader problems? Share in the comments…
My posts for the last while have been all business, so today I thought I’d have some fun with the Ice Cream book tag (snagged from the lovely A.M. Molvik’s Ramblings). Read on to find out about some of my favourite books (or possibly end up with serious ice cream cravings)…
Peanut Butter
A very long book series that you want to read but probably won’t, and why.
Just some of the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett. Image found here.
The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. When there are so many books in a series that there are multiple charts to help readers navigate it, the chances of finishing are pretty slim. Still, I’m going to try…eventually.
Chocolate
A book series that you would read again and again and again.
I’ll have to say the Harry Potter series, since I’ve already re-read it multiple times.
Pistachio
A book with a green cover.
The greenest cover on my shelf (even if it isn’t pistachio green).
Strawberry
A book with the cutest romance.
This is a tough one, as I don’t tend to read “cute” romances. I did enjoy Andrea and Raphael’s story in Gunmetal Magic (they also show up occasionally in a few of the other Kate Daniels books). As hyena shifters, they show interest in potential mates by pranking them, which was amusing, if not exactly cute. I also really like both characters and Raphael is cute in his own way.
Lemon
A book with a sour ending.
There are so many books like this. I even wrote a post about a series that had an ending so bad, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. But Her Fearful Symmetry stands out because this book would be one of my all-time favourites if it weren’t for the disappointing ending.
Mint
A children’s book that you like.
Going with a classic that’s beautifully written. Arthur Rackam’s illustrations are my favourite, as well.
Vanilla
Your favorite classic.
It’s been a while since I’ve read Crime and Punishment (time for a re-read) but it’s remained my favourite after all these years. There’s something deeply human about it that I think is lacking in the world right now.
Whipped Cream
A very long book that you read very fast.
I love all of Alison Weir’s (nonfiction) books on the Tudors. If you’re interested in the period, Weir’s work is well researched and fascinating to read.
What do you think? What book “flavours” would you choose? Share in the comments (and let me know if you post this tag on your own blog).
I’m excited to announce that I’ve finished the first draft of a new story set in the Love Lies Bleeding universe and inspired by true events! Details and cover reveal to come–make sure to follow or subscribe so you won’t miss out…
In the meantime, it’s always fun to take part in a book tag, and this one found its way to me via A.M. Molvik’s Ramblings…
Author You’ve Read The Most From:
Isabel Allende. Love her work. Close second: Ilona Andrews, if only because the Kate Daniels series has so many books in it.
Water or tea, I guess, which are my drinks of choice most of the time anyway.
Photo by Thought Catalog on Pexels.com
E-Reader Or Physical Book?
Mainly physical books, but an e-reader is perfect for travel or commuting (or school–I wish I’d had one when I was lugging around textbooks every day).
Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende. It caught my eye in a secondhand shop and was the first book of hers I read. Now she’s one of my favourite authors.
Photo by Jens Johnsson on Pexels.com
Hidden Gem Book:
Find a book by an indie author. Does the book’s description sound interesting? If yes, then enjoy that hidden gem!
Important Moment in your Reading Life:
Aside from learning how to read, maybe it was the first time I read a difficult book and really got it.
Just Finished:
The latest (and it seems, last, alas) Kate Daniels book (Magic Triumphs) by Ilona Andrews.
If the story is interesting to me, I’ll read just about anything. That said, however, I have no interest in abusive relationships portrayed as “romance.” I’m also tired of dystopian fiction–I think we’re all getting enough of that in reality.
Longest Book You’ve Read:
Probably Ulysses (it felt like the longest, anyway).
Major Book Hangover Because Of:
The Good: Every time I finished a Harry Potter book, and ultimately when I finished the entire series.
The Bad: When I finished Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and was left wondering wtf I just read (Harry’s name might be on the cover, but this book does not deserve that title).
The Ugly: A series I finished not too long ago that was so bad I’m still reeling. I posted about it here.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Number of Bookcases You Own:
25 (which is one reason why I’m not a fan of open concept design–I need walls!)
One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:
I’ve re-read a number of books, but the one I probably re-read the most was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Every time a new book came out, I’d read the entire series again. Since Deathly Hallows (the last book) came out, I’ve re-read the entire series a few more times.
Preferred Place To Read:
Somewhere quiet and comfortable with good lighting.
Quote That Inspires You/Gives You All The Feels From A Book You’ve Read:
Not a single quote, but a passage from Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews:
“In basic terms, a fractal is a system that doesn’t become simpler when analyzed on smaller and smaller levels….It doesn’t end….It can’t be explained by mathematical analysis, so humanity, as it so often does, declared it to be a mathematical curiosity and swept it under the rug. Except the fractal occurs again and again….Left to its own devices, nature defaults to a fractal. A human settlement is a fractal. It is a complex system with randomly interacting components that is adaptive on every level. The pattern of the evolution of a single cell to complex organism is a fractal. The way man approaches his quest for knowledge is a fractal. Think of it: biology, the study of living things. A simple concept…”
A straight line appeared on the floor.
“As man accumulates knowledge, the volume of information becomes too much. He feels the need to subdivide it.”
The line split into three branches marked with labels: zoology, botany, anatomy, then split again. Botany grew horticulture, forestry, plant morphology, plant systematics. Zoology splintered into zoological morphology and systematics, then into comparative anatomy, animal physiology, behavioral ecology…It kept building and building, splitting, growing, branching….
“And that’s the crux of our problem…Man can’t handle the chaos.”
I went in expecting a good story. I came away with insight into life, the universe, and the limits of the human mind (along with a good story). Not bad.
That I didn’t keep a record of the books I read when I was younger. Not only have I forgotten the titles of books I read and loved (and will likely never be able to find again), but I’ll never have an accurate count of how much I’ve actually read.
Series You Started And Need To Finish (all books are out in series):
I can’t think of anything in fiction, but there’s a series of science books I started a while back that I would like to finish (not going to happen anytime soon, though).
Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:
Not necessarily my top three, but three from my list of favourites (and I’ll try to stick to ones I haven’t already mentioned): Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky, Chocolat by Joanne Harris, Pinocchio: Vampire Slayer (graphic novel trilogy) by Van Jensen.
Unapologetic Fangirl For:
Reading. It doesn’t matter what or how or when–just read. Your life will be better for it–I promise. (But do yourself a favour and branch out a little–if you always read a version of the same thing, it’ll get boring after a while).
Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:
I don’t usually pay too much attention to new releases because I don’t mind waiting to get a book (I happily read books that are 10+ years old), but there are a couple coming out that I’m excited about: The Book of Lost Saints by Daniel José Elder, The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, and Sacred Smoke by Amy Blackthorn.
Worst Bookish Habit:
Eating while I read, although I don’t do it much anymore. But I have stained a few books over the years (oops).
X Marks The Spot
Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:
Unfortunately it was the last book in that series I ended up hating (see “Major Book Hangover,” above). I was almost finished the book, so I decided it was worth losing sleep to find out how it all concluded. I spent most of the night reading (there was more left than I realized) and then I was so upset at the horrible decisions the author made that I couldn’t sleep at that point if I tried. I stayed awake all night, reading and then thinking about how much time I wasted on such an awful series. I would really like that sleep (and my time, money, and peace of mind) back.
What’s the last book you bought? Have you lost any sleep lately to stay up reading? What’s the 27th book on your shelf? Share your answers in the comments below, or leave the link if you post this tag on your own blog 🙂
Cheers,
Aspasía S. Bissas
PS: It’s your last chance to take advantage of Smashwords’ summer sale and get Love Lies Bleeding at half off. Don’t forget Blood Magic–always free!
Aspasía S. Bissas 