I stumbled upon this tag when perusing the lovely Eva’s blog @ BrilliantlyBookishSite, where she talks about reading, tea and the smell of books! Go visit her site. And it seems that the tag was created by Jessica @bookishserendipity but I can’t find the site. So if you can, please thank her and let me know!
I’m still trying to figure out the point of this tag, but the pictures and the commentary were so fun, I had to participate. I don’t like candy apples, but it’s considered healthy as the note above says, so… I’ll pick a book that’s supposed to be good but that I wasn’t totally thrilled with: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. It was a bit too sour for my taste, and I don’t like the mix of something sweet and healthy and sour and sugary all at once. That’s what the book felt like to me. Too many things going on at once to focus.
Milk chocolate isn’t too rich, so I don’t want this to be a majorly popular one. It’s also a go-to food when you need a quick sweet bite of something, so it should be an author you can visit frequently. I’d go with an Agatha Christie book, but not her most popular or best ones. So… The Mysterious Affair at Styles because it’s a gateway into her entire canon just like milk chocolate is a gateway into the entire world of available chocolates.
I happen to like licorice, so I’m choosing a book that’s just OK but not really good enough for everyone to read. I might get some flack for this choice, but I’m going with Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. It’s fine. There’s lots of flavors in the jelly bean family just like there are in his plays. This play is near the bottom of his barrel for me. Just like I would leave this jelly bean flavor for last.
I don’t read a lot of romance, so this will be hard for me to choose. If I had to pick one with a great romance, I’d probably choose Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. I do love my Estella and Pip. They were nothing extraordinary in the grand scheme of things, but reliable for understanding the basics of love. Just like chocolate kisses. Pair them with peanut butter, you’ve got a winner. Put them in cookies, they are divine. Stick a flavor in the middle, it’s awesome!
Ooh… now we’re talking. I love horror. I am going to pick something I read recently which had some crazy horror in it: Richard Parker’s Be My Killer. I could have picked some classics, but I want to show something new here. The ways in which the people are murdered by this serial killer are fantastic! I never get scared enough to check under my bed, but this did make me think twice about how much I said on social media!
I struggled with Donna Tartt’s The Secret History the first few times I tried to read it. I put it down for a few months and went back to it, and it still took at least a week, which is long for me. The characters were a bit too full of themselves and quite adrift for awhile. That’s the kind of novel it was, so I had to settle down and go with. Once I did, and the murder plot kicked in, I felt much better. Sort of like how you feel when you take on the jumbo lollipop. I think I can, I think I can, I cannot, I cannot. Put it down. Ok, I have to finish it. Lick Lick Lick. How many licks does it…. wrong candy, Jay. Oh, I’m done. Yay!
All the Dr. Seuss books. Just precious. Can read them anytime and still find something new! Cat in the Hat. One Fish, Two Fish. Oh, The Places We’ll Go.
Oh no! The tag is over. But I want more candy now…
About Me
I’m Jay and I live in NYC. By profession, I work in technology. By passion, I work in writing. Once you hit my site “ThisIsMyTruthNow” at https://thisismytruthnow.com, you can join the fun and see my blog and various site content. You’ll find book reviews, published and in-progress fiction, TV/Film reviews, favorite vacation spots and my own version of the “365 Daily Challenge.” Since March 13, 2017, I’ve posted a characteristic either I currently embody or one I’d like to embody in the future. 365 days of reflection to discover who I am and what I want out of life… see how you compare!
Many thanks to ReadRantRock&Roll for posting this tag and encouraging me to give it a chance. You must check out Jenn’s site, as she has amazing content and is such a sweet person. Her blog has everything you need and want to know about life, food, health, books and fun. This one is the Rapid Fire Book Tag and it appears to have been originally made by GirlReading over Youtube, so be sure to stop by and check her out HERE.
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Question 1: E-Book or Physical Book?
I was always a physical book reader, but I’m learning to like e-readers. I download through Kindle Reader on my iPad and read in bed when my other half is sleeping. Less light than a book light, and I can easily switch back and forth to check Goodreads!
Question 2 : Paperback or Hardback?
No preference. I rarely get hardback books anymore, as I read new ones when they first come out by getting them through NetGalley or other ARCs; they’re e-reads most of the time. And when I buy older books, I go for the paperback because they are cheaper and I don’t really keep books anymore — unless it’s a high 4 or 5 rating. Can’t find a space for everything unfortunately. But I love seeing all the books!
Question 3 : Online or In-Store Book Shopping?
Both. I was always an in-store book shopper, devastated when they started closing up. I had a Barnes and Noble two blocks away, and we’d go every other weekend to peruse the shelves and buy a few books. It closed for a year’s worth of supposed renovations, and the nearest one is 20 blocks away. I love book stores, but that’s 30 minutes each way, which is a lot of time to lose. I started buying more online or getting books thru ARCs at that point. But if the brick and mortar tore opens up again, I’ll be back.
Question 4 : Trilogies or Series?
It doesn’t matter… I love serial fiction. Something about staying with the same characters and setting is fundamentally natural to me.
Question 5 : Heroes or Villains?
Villains all the way. I want the good guy or girl to win out, but ultimately, I love it when the villain wreaks havoc across the entire cast!
Question 6 : A book you want everyone to read?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It’s about a book, so readers must love books if they are reading, right? The Holocaust is a tough subject, but this book has a fantastic balance with an ethereal quality to Liesl as she struggles to survive.
Question 7 : Recommend an underrated book?
I don’t know! I would have to comb through my Goodreads list of read books, but off the top of my head, I think more people need to read Kate Morton’s historical fiction and mystery books. It has everything from characters to plot to suspense to beautiful lyrics without getting too far off the deep end or caught up in scenery description.
Question 8 : The last book you finished?
No Turning Back by Tracy Buchanan. A mystery and suspense thriller about a woman who kills a teenager to protect her young infant. But how is it connected to The Ophelia Killer from twenty years ago? Come on, you know you wanna find out!
Question 9 :The Last Book(s) You Bought?
Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes. It’s the follow-up to the first in the series, You, where a psycho stalks someone and then finds himself with an even bigger issue.
Question 10 : Weirdest Thing You’ve Used as a Bookmark?
A plastic bag. I was on a train and that’s all I had left from the Starbucks scone I purchased as a snack before heading out to Long Island to visit my parents.
Question 11 : Used Books: Yes or No?
Yes, I’m OK with used books. I often borrow from the library in my co-op building. We have about 30 shelves of nearly 1200 books… I’m always finding something to read when in between ARCs (which never happens anymore) or purchases.
Question 12 : Top Three Favorite Genres?
Mystery. Thriller & Suspense. Historical Fiction.
Question 13 : Borrow or Buy?
Buy. I tend to look for new books 90% of the time and then pick-up ones from other people or libraries about 10% of the time. It’s just a matter of time and what I want to read. ARCs come first. Then series I enjoy reading (so I have to buy the new book). And last, I search for new things or books on my TBR.
Question 14 : Characters or Plot?
Both, but plot edges out slightly. I can connect to a book with a great plot but bad characters; however, if the plot is boring, I won’t be happy.
Question 15 : Long or Short Books?
I think I prefer middle, can I say that? I like to read a lot, so shorter makes more sense. But I need depth in a story, so they tend to be longer. Oh… it hurts… Longer. Longer books if I had to choose. Please stop harassing me with these choices!
Question 16 : Long or Short Chapters?
Short chapters all the way. Helps keep focus and find break points for food, sleep and errands.
Question 17 : Name The First Three Books You Think Of…
You by Caroline Kepnes. Just bought the follow-up book.
The Mother’s Promise by Sally Hepworth. Sticks in my head.
Watch Me Disappear by Janelle Brown. Just read it last week.
Question 18 : Books That Makes You Laugh or Cry?
Cry. I like to laugh, but in a book, I want emotion.
Question 19 : Our World or Fictional Worlds?
I like both, but I enjoy reading historical fiction more than fantasy.
Question 20 : Audiobooks: Yes or No?
I have never tried one, but I want to… need to find a new book to try. Any recommendations based on what I like reading?
Question 21 : Do You Ever Judge a Book by its Cover?
Yes. If I don’t know the title, author or the cover doesn’t look good, I won’t usually read it without a strong recommendation.
Question 22 : Book to Movie or Book to TV Adaptations?
Since I like serial fiction, probably TV series adaption. It lasts longer.
Question 23 : A Movie or TV-Show You Preferred to its Book?
I’m not sure I preferred the movie adaption, but I thought Lord of the Rings was just as good in both formats.
Question 24 : Series or Standalone?
Series all the way! Couldn’t you tell from the previous answers?!?! 😛
I am not tagging anyone specifically as this is the kind of tag everyone should do. So please jump on this little bandwagon! I expect at least 5 people to go for it! 🙂
About Me
I’m Jay and I live in NYC. By profession, I work in technology. By passion, I work in writing. Once you hit my site “ThisIsMyTruthNow” at https://thisismytruthnow.com, you can join the fun and see my blog and various site content. You’ll find book reviews, published and in-progress fiction, TV/Film reviews, favorite vacation spots and my own version of the “365 Daily Challenge.” Since March 13, 2017, I’ve posted a characteristic either I currently embody or one I’d like to embody in the future. 365 days of reflection to discover who I am and what I want out of life… see how you compare!
Many thanks to Nel @ ReactionaryTales for this awesome new tag. Nel and I met a few months ago and chat every day through our blogs. She’s very funny, smart and knowledgeable about lots of cool things. Go check out her site.
The Guide:
Brace yourselves:
When Nel tagged me… I thought… so many of the couple I longed to see together were in books that maybe weren’t huge in popularity. And while it’s a chance to promote something new for someone to read, it’s hard to capture it without reading it or seeing it. So… I’m taking the easier course and highlighting 5 couple whom I felt were magic.
I tag:
If you haven’t been tagged, feel free to participate and keep this chain going. Have a great day thinking about romance.
About Me
I’m Jay and I live in NYC. By profession, I work in technology. By passion, I work in writing. Once you hit my site “ThisIsMyTruthNow” at https://thisismytruthnow.com, you can join the fun and see my blog and various site content. You’ll find book reviews, published and in-progress fiction, TV/Film reviews, favorite vacation spots and my own version of the “365 Daily Challenge.” Since March 13, 2017, I’ve posted a characteristic either I currently embody or one I’d like to embody in the future. 365 days of reflection to discover who I am and what I want out of life… see how you compare!
I want to thank PoojaG at Lifesfinewhine for nominating me for this cool tag. Please check out the site, as how often can you say you’re chatting with someone in Kenya?
WHAT BOOK WOULD YOU MAKE EVERYONE READ?
The Philosopher’s Apprentice by James Morrow — at least the first section (about a third of the book). It has so much to say about life, it really changed the way I thought about things… and it’s fiction. I love the rest of the book, too, but the first third is amazing.
WHAT WOULD YOU ABOLISH IN BOOK CONSTRUCTION?
None. I believe in free speech and do not agree with banning or destroying books. I might give something a really bad recommendation, but it is still someone’s opinion or thoughts. For example, anything Hitler used to guide his beliefs is not something I would want anyone to read unless they were learning more about the horrific behavior he exhibited. But if someone read it to learn how to be a racist, then there is a problem.
WHAT AUTHOR WOULD YOU COMMISSION TO WRITE YOU ANY BOOK?
Kate Morton. I think she can tell my life story in a wonderful way. Possibly Ken Follett, but he uses a lot of words sometimes!
WHAT BOOK WOULD YOU DEMOTE TO THE LIBRARY BASEMENT TO MAKE ROOM FOR NEW BOOK?
The White Bone by Barbara Gowdy. Stay away!
WHAT COVER ARTIST WOULD YOU COMMISSION TO MAKE A MURAL?
To be honest, I am not familiar with this side of publishing, so I couldn’t be sure unless I did some research. I tend to like the covers of Follett’s books.
WHAT CHARACTER’S FACE WOULD YOU PUT ON A COIN?
Harry Potter. We’d all smile just a little bit more, wouldn’t we?
WHAT BOOK WOULD YOU AWARD THE “RULER OF BOOKS” 2016 PRIZE TO?
Of the books I read, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child seemed to be the most sought after before it was published
Of the books I read, The Nest got the most votes.
I disagree with both, but I can’t find another one more popular published in 2016 that I read in 2016.
My Nominees Are:
About Me
I’m Jay and I live in NYC. By profession, I work in technology. By passion, I work in writing. Once you hit my site “ThisIsMyTruthNow” at https://thisismytruthnow.com, you can join the fun and see my blog and various site content. You’ll find book reviews, published and in-progress fiction, TV/Film reviews, favorite vacation spots and my own version of the “365 Daily Challenge.” Since March 13, 2017, I’ve posted a characteristic either I currently embody or one I’d like to embody in the future. 365 days of reflection to discover who I am and what I want out of life… see how you compare! Each month, I will post a summary of a trip I’ve taken somewhere in the world. I’ll cover the transportation, hotel, restaurants, activities, who, what, when, where and why… and let you decide for yourself if it’s a trip worth taking. Feel free to like, rate, comment or take the poll for each post. Tell me what you think.
Thank you very much to Kate at MeltingPotsandOtherCalamities for tagging me on this fun new tag she’s created. Here’s what she’s told us:
Let me explain the tag to clarify the confusing title. Basically, I saw a comment on the Webtoon A Budgie’s Life about…romance fails in Webtoons. They cracked me up, even the serious ones! I may not be a romantic, but I found it funny and decided to do this tag. And that’s how this tag came to be. Who knows? I may make a more serious Webtoon list about this later.
Oh, I hope I did this one correctly!!! I’ve decided to pick from 5 different genres: (5) former bestseller & movie, (4) Netflix Show, (3) TV sitcom, (2) classic play and (1) current thriller. And I am not huge on the romance stuff, so I couldn’t easily come up with more than the 5, but I think they are all funny!
5. Henry and Clare in “The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger
Love is hard enough without your husband randomly jumping time periods. Sometimes he’s 5 and sometimes he’s 85. That’s just sick! I don’t want to worry what’s going on when I’m with my other half… they could randomly disappear or change their age. And then I’m learning sh*t about you before I even get to that age. Or you’re watching me as a little girl, knowing you’ll be my husband and what happens in our life… Woah. My head’s gonna explode. Seriously? Yes… we love each other… but how do I buy you presents when you already know what’s gonna happen? Something’s just nuts here… and while the book and movie were OK… ayayayayaya… this kinda romance is not for me! And so you’re on the list, buddy… don’t be disappearing from it either, please.
4. “Grace and Frankie” on Netflix
3. “Rachel and Ross” from Friends
Love is hard. But when you’ve secretly been in love with your sister’s best friend for years, you might just do anything to make it happen. Except… you marry two other women first, knowing you really don’t love them. And then you say the wrong name at the wedding. Oh Ross… how on earth do you expect to win us over… oh, that’s right… you finally get the girl! Yay… Ross and Rachel are together. Except there are a few issues. And you break up. And then one of you sleeps with someone else while you are not together. But then you get back together. And OMG…. the secret’s out. And someone shouts “WE WERE ON A BREAK!” Well… if you loved her Ross, you shouldn’t have done that. Yeah Yeah Yeah… you eventually get back together, but so much drama here. And for that, you are on my list of epic failures for what should have been a fairly straightforward romance. I still love you guys together tho!
2. “Romeo & Juliet” by William Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet fall in love, but their families hate one another. What’s a teenage couple to do when this happens? Kill yourself, of course. Or at least make it look like you’ve killed yourself. But then when one of you wakes up and thinks the other person is really dead, you actually kill yourself. And then the other person wakes up and freaks out. So what do they do… kill themselves… Whaaaat????? Love the story, but yikes… so much confusion over love. Why didn’t you run away together and live happily ever after like all the fairy tales say? And for that, you”re on my list of epic fails (in a good way, of course).
1. Joe and Beck from “You” by Caroline Kepnes
Joe falls in love with Beck when she wanders into his bookstore. He tries to convince her to go out with him, but she puts him off for a few months. Eventually, she gives it a chance; however, she doesn’t realize that he’s engineering everything happening in her life, behind the scenes, of course. She eventually falls in love with him and everything appears like it might actually work out. And even though he’s a bit of a psycho, as readers, you will root for him to win her heart. But it seems all may not be as it appears. Beck’s got some issues, too. And as this tale slowly unravels, it becomes clear there will be blood, as the cover shows. And for that reason, this is a major fail in the sense of romance! P.S. I love Joe and would not have been upset with him for stalking me. :O (not an excuse for anyone to stalk me… I’m fine, thanks!)
I’m Jay and I live in NYC. By profession, I work in technology. By passion, I work in writing. Once you hit my site “ThisIsMyTruthNow” at https://thisismytruthnow.com, you can join the fun and see my blog and various site content. You’ll find book reviews, published and in-progress fiction, TV/Film reviews, favorite vacation spots and my own version of the “365 Daily Challenge.” Since March 13, 2017, I’ve posted a characteristic either I currently embody or one I’d like to embody in the future. 365 days of reflection to discover who I am and what I want out of life… see how you compare! Each month, I will post a summary of a trip I’ve taken somewhere in the world. I’ll cover the transportation, hotel, restaurants, activities, who, what, when, where and why… and let you decide for yourself if it’s a trip worth taking. Feel free to like, rate, comment or take the poll for each post. Tell me what you think.
I was tagged in a really fun tag by Patty at MoohnshinesCorner. We met a few months ago and have had a great time getting to know one another on our WordPress blogs. She has fun content on books and on many other topics — and super friendly. Go visit!
Well, the tag is exactly as it sounds – it’s a really wonderful way for those in the blogging community to get to know one another. It’s also great for readers of book blogs to get to know the bloggers more! I hope you enjoy!
Note: The image used for the Feature Image is not my creation! It belongs to another blogger. I heard it’s sourced back to The Girl Who Read Too Much book blog. Go check it out and follow her. I did earlier today and found it to be a really fun site.
One. Name a cartoon that you love
I loved The Jetsons. Something about futuristic family issues with a lovable dog.
Two. What is your favorite song right now?
Three. What could you do for hours that isn’t reading?
Write. I’ve never had writer’s block. Words just flow from my mind and imagination.
Watch TV.
Sit and Do Nothing.
Four. What is something that you love to do that your followers would be surprised by?
Genealogy? I’ve traced my family back over 200 years…
Volleyball. I don’t get to play often tho.
Cook. I won’t follow recipes. I always change it or do my own thing.
Five. What is your favorite unnecessarily specific thing to learn about?
History. Love any kind of history and getting familiar with places and people I don’t know much about.
Six. What is something unusual that you know how to do?
Play Mahjong?
Seven. Name something you made in the last year and show us if you can.
Dark Chocolate Tort with Raspberries
Eight. What is your most recent personal project?
Either this blog or the novel I wrote. The novel is here.
Nine. Tell us something that you think about often?
I spend way too much thinking about how to organize my time. How do I get the most done in the least amount of time? If I have 3 hours of free time, do I read, blog, review or write. Help! Can’t decide….
Ten. Give us something that is your favorite.
I tend not to have favorites… except with foods and drinks….
Eleven. Say the first thing that pops into your head.
It’s 10:45 and I’m still sitting on my ass on the couch. I need to get to the gym. Now.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed! Tag! You’re it!
I chose the last 5 people I chatted with on my WordPress blog (except the person who tagged me and Nel… because we chat all day long and she can do any tag she likes!)
About Me
I’m Jay and I live in NYC. By profession, I work in technology. By passion, I work in writing. Once you hit my site “ThisIsMyTruthNow” at https://thisismytruthnow.com, you can join the fun and see my blog and various site content. You’ll find book reviews, published and in-progress fiction, TV/Film reviews, favorite vacation spots and my own version of the “365 Daily Challenge.” Since March 13, 2017, I’ve posted a characteristic either I currently embody or one I’d like to embody in the future. 365 days of reflection to discover who I am and what I want out of life… see how you compare! Each month, I will post a summary of a trip I’ve taken somewhere in the world. I’ll cover the transportation, hotel, restaurants, activities, who, what, when, where and why… and let you decide for yourself if it’s a trip worth taking.
Feel free to like, rate, comment or take the poll for each post. Tell me what you think.
Many thanks to Joanne at YAGuitarist for tagging me in this very fun challenge. We recently started following one another but always find some fun conversations and great posts when I check out her site. So now you should go there, too.
It’s generally a cozy mystery series. I’ve finished a few of them, but one I’m taking my time on is Joanne Fluke’s “Hannah Swensen” series. It’s very light and a bit on the border between mystery and romance (which I do not read), and Hannah’s inability to make a choice between Mike and Norman drives me nuts, but I always smile and feel at home when reading this series. And I’ve recently learned she has a third suitor and does get married a few books from now. Very exciting! And it was turned into a few TV movies with some semi-famous stars. Check it out.
I really struggled with Lisa See’s Peony in Love. It has so much ethereal language full of beautiful images and deep cultural history, but I nodded off a few times. Kate Morton writes similar books, but I absolutely love hers and have given them 5 of 5 stars. I should try another Lisa See novel, as a few people I respect have noted she has had some winners.
No, I don’t think so. I tend not to dream all that much. I can’t remember the last time I did dream, nor what it was about. If I had to choose one, I’d say it would be something in the horror genre, as I love those, and occasionally they give me the creeps late at night.
Sally Hepworth’s The Mother’s Promise felt that way at two points in the book. I just didn’t expect what happened to happen. It was sneaky. Good writing.
Maya from Beartown. She’s innocent. She was hurt. And it felt like no one really cared about her enough to fix the problem.
Amanda Prowse’s The Idea of You. Sometimes you don’t get what you ask for directly. And you learn to love it anyway.
You should check out my Favorites shelf on Goodreads. Includes the following books:
Barbara Gowdy’s The White Bone. Check out my review. You’ll know why… OMG!
Dead people coming back from the dead. Overused plot device. Need to do something different.
Tough one…. Diane Mott Davidson’s “Goldy Bear Schultz Culinary” cozy mystery series has always been a good one to me.
This marks the end of ‘What Cats Do’ book tag. I will be tagging people to do this tag so feel free to ignore or not do this tag if you’ve already been tagged or simply doesn’t want to do it. But, who will be able to resist not doing such a cute tag? ❤
Tag you are it! Plus anyone that wants to participate should join in the fun.
About Me
I’m Jay and I live in NYC. By profession, I work in technology. By passion, I work in writing. Once you hit my site “ThisIsMyTruthNow” at https://thisismytruthnow.com, you can join the fun and see my blog and various site content. You’ll find book reviews, published and in-progress fiction, TV/Film reviews, favorite vacation spots and my own version of the “365 Daily Challenge.” Since March 13, 2017, I’ve posted a characteristic either I currently embody or one I’d like to embody in the future. 365 days of reflection to discover who I am and what I want out of life… see how you compare! Each month, I will post a summary of a trip I’ve taken somewhere in the world. I’ll cover the transportation, hotel, restaurants, activities, who, what, when, where and why… and let you decide for yourself if it’s a trip worth taking. Feel free to like, rate, comment or take the poll for each post. Tell me what you think.
