Follow Friday 2/21/13

 

 

Q: We always talk about books that WE want. Let's turn it on its head. What books have you given other people lately?

 This is the book I got Hubby for Valentine's Day! Hubby primarily reads graphic novels, but it's hard to give him those as presents because only he can keep track of all of the series he's following and which ones he'll need next. So I went with something I knew he didn't have and would probably get a kick out of. Steven Colbert is pretty amusing, and while I have no plans to read this myself, it's fun to have hubby tell me about it.

Follow Friday 2/7/13

Q: Happy Mardi Gras! If they were throwing the HOTTEST books off of a Mardi Gras float — what would you do to have them throw to you…?

 

I know I'm supposed to say something like "Flash my boobies!" But honestly, people, these are married boobies. Also they aren't so much boobies as rare miniature booby-like things. I am small, and I would earn no books. 

Follow Friday 8/9/12

 

Q: What would you do over if you were to start your blog again from scratch?

 I love my blog. I might have planned ahead more, with more organization and networking, but that's about it. 

Follow Friday 7/12/12

 

Q: What drove you to start book blogging in the first place?

 I read a lot, and I started to really feel like I was the only one. None of my friends really read much, and while they might occasionally politely listen to me describe the latest book I'd read, it became increasingly obvious to me that they don't care. Much. So I got into book blogging as an outlet for talking about this hobby that is such a huge part of my life. 

Follow Friday 7/5/12

Q: Jumping Genres: Ever pick up a book from a genre you usually don’t like and LOVE it? Tell us about it and why you picked it up in the first place.

 I don't know if this really counts, but I used to never, ever read young adult. Ever. I didn't read it when I was a teen. I picked up Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers series because at the time, I really loved her adult series. It's safe to say it worked out well, because these days I read YA pretty regularly.

Follow Friday 6/14/12

 

Q: Happy Father’s Day! Who is your favorite dad character in a book and why?

Just one? I have four!

Ray Quinn from Nora Robert's Chesapeake Bay series. He won his spot by adopting and raising three teenage boys from horrible backgrounds. Kudos to all adoptive parents. (Amazon/Goodreads)

Ronnie's father from Knee Deep by Jolene Perry. He found a loving and supportive way to help his teenage daughter when she was in a really tough spot. (Amazon/Goodreads)

 Both of Lola's fathers in Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. Especially Andy, because he can make pie. But they both earn their spot for being strict but loving, and embracing Lola's uniqueness. (Amazon/Goodreads)

Follow Friday 6/1/12

Q: You are a matchmaker — your goal, hook up two characters from two of your favorite books. Who would it be? How do you think it would go?

 I'm handicapped here because I read so many romances where characters are already paired off! But I'm just going to pretend for a second that Mercy Thomson isn't married, and pair her with Atticus Sullivan of the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne. They both have a talent for getting in over their heads with big time bad guys, and I think their senses of humor would compliment each other well.

 P.S.--I haven't read Tricked yet, and if you spoil it for me in the comments I will fling penguins at you. I'm serious. 

 

Follow Friday 5/24/12

Q: Activity! Dream cast your current read.

Oh boy, I am BAD at theoretical casting...

I'm going to go with  Married By Morning by Lisa Kleypas, only because I've actually thought about actors that would work in those roles:

For the hero, Leo, I would cast Joe Anderson:

  

 

...because I saw him in Becoming Jane and realized that he looks great in period costume. And he could pull of Leo's personality quite well.

And for Cat, I'd go with Kate Winslet:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...because she fits the part looks wise and because I just like her.

Follow Friday 5/18/2012

 

Q: Summer Break is upon us! What would be the perfect vacation spot for you to catch up on your reading & relax?

I'd like a nice cozy cottage, somewhere where the air is clean an there aren't too many people. Let's say Alaska. All I need in coffee, books, and internet access.

Follow Friday 5/11/12

Q: This Sunday in the U.S. is Mother’s Day, in celebration, what are some of your favorite books with strong mother/child relationships?

The first one that comes to mind is the mothers of the Chesapeake Bay series by Nora Roberts. Anna (from Sea Swept), Grace (from Rising Tides), and Sybill (from Inner Harbor), basically become adoptive mothers to Seth Quinn. These books have some of the best family relationships that I've seen in any books. If you haven't read them yet, check them out here: Sea Swept (Chesapeake Bay, Book 1)

Follow Friday 5/4/12

Q: What is one thing you wish you could tell your favorite author?

Oh no! WHY would you make me choose favorites? Okay...

To the awesome writing team known as Ilona Andrews:

I read all of your books and they are fantastic. Whenever I have to do something difficult, I always think of Kate Daniels, and it makes me feel a little more bad ass. You guys are in serious danger of acquiring me as a creepy stalker fangirl. I'll try to stalk quietly.

Sincerely,

Reading Penguin 

Follow Friday 4/26/12

Q: Have you had a character that disappointed you? One that you fell in love with and then “broke up” with later on in either the series or a stand-alone book? Tell us about him or her.

This doesn't happen to me often. I've read...I don't know, thousands of books in my lifetime, and I've only had a scant handful of character breakups. 

 1)Anita Blake, from the series of the same name by Laurel K. Hamilton. I lasted 10, maybe 11 books with this character. I loved her. I wanted to be her when I grew up. She liked stuffed penguins, I like stuffed penguins. She was a bad ass and a bad dresser and her social skills left a lot to be desired. And then she started having "on screen" sex. Which is fine, I can handle that. But then it escalated from vanilla to OH MY GOD WHAT IS GOING ON?? Which would have been fine in erotica, but I wasn't reading these books for erotica and...Seriously, Anita? Don't you have better things to do?

2)Sookie Stackhouse, brought to me by Charlaine Harris. This was a more benign break up, where I just lost interest after a handful of books. I came to the conclusion that the flaws in Sookie that initially seemed endearing were actually irritating as hell, and the stories weren't enough to make up for it.

3) V from the Black Dagger Brotherhood books by J.R. Ward, is in my personal doghouse, although the breakup is not official yet. I loved this guy through the first four books. Then he got his own story. And it was alright. I learned to be okay with it. But I maintain that he didn't end up with the right person, and I think deep down he'd agree with me. Evidence to this effect is given by the homo-erotic subtext between he and Butch. Plus now there are rumors that Ward said these two (married) men are sleeping together? Cheating isn't cool, dude. IDK, a breakup might be in order here. Those of you curious about the V/Butch issue, see HERE.

Follow Friday 4/20/12

Q: Fight! Fight! If you could have two fictional characters battle it out (preferably from books), who would they be and who do you think would win?

What a lovely opportunity to bring out my blood thirsty side! Let's see...

 I stand by my desire to have Sam and Dean from Supernatural hunt down and murder Edward and company from Twilight. I don't think Edward would stand a chance, though, so it isn't exactly a fair fight...

If we're talking a fight involving weaponry, I think Kate Daniel's from Ilona Andrew's Magic series, pitted against Elena from Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter's books, would give us the most interesting battle. I think Kate would win...but Elena does have wings, so it would be a challenge. 

 If you have no idea what I'm talking about, go HERE and HERE to check them out. You'll thank me later.

Follow Friday 4/13/2012

Oh, hi, remember me? Probably not! It's been ages since I've done a Follow Friday! I finally have some of that free time stuff again. If you follow, please, please tell me whether you're new here. I'll visit you either way, it just helps me prioritize. Kay? K.

Q: What is one book that you would be nervous to see a movie adaption of because you think the movie could never live up to the book?

Here's my attitude toward the book-to-movie thing: It will NEVER be as good. No, it just won't. So I try to always treat the movie as a separate thing and not judge by comparison. That got me through Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings and Hunger Games and Blood and Chocolate...

The one I AM a tad nervous to see is American Gods, if that comes to fruition. I've been telling people what an awesome book it is, and if they make a movie that really tanks, I'm going to feel crappy for having recommended it. So far, though, there seems to be no script or casting prospects, so maybe it will never happen. 

Following Friday 22

Q: What would your prefer: reading your favorite book over and over again until you got sick of it OR reading 100s of mediocre books? And why?

Favorite book...why settle for less?