Today I’m participating in an A-Z Survey that I saw on Caitlin Jacob’s Blog, originally from The Perpetual Page Turner’s blog. It’s an A-Z Survey on All-Things-Bookish! And since I’m a huge reader (Let’s be friends on Goodreads!), I thought it would be fun! I will link to my reviews of each of the books mentioned below. Here we go!
Author You’ve Read the Most Books From:
Hmmm. I think I would have to say Jodi Picoult or Harlan Coban- I’ve read almost all of both of their books, but it’s been a while since I’ve been obsessed with an author. My days of Picoult and Coban obsession were years ago, but I still enjoy both of them (I’m reading Jodi Picoult’s “The Storyteller” right now, actually! I did read all of Gillian Flynn’s books after reading Gone Girl last year. She was probably my most recent obsession. I also love all of Khaled Hosseini’s books.
Best Sequel Ever
Let see. It’s funny, I LOVE a good series… but I haven’t been reading them much lately! I’m going to go with “The Girl Who Played with Fire” by Stieg Larson, the second book in the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy. I liked the second one better than the first! I don’t know that this is the BEST sequel ever… but it’s a strong second book in a series, which is hard to do.
Currently Reading
I’m currently reading “The Storyteller,” by Jodi Picoult, “Frozen in Time,” by Mitchell Zuckoff and I just finished “Loyalty” by Ingrid Thoft yesterday (review to come soon). The first two are set during WWII and ironically I read two other books this year about WWII- (Code Name Verity, by Elizabeth Wein and “Between Shades of Gray,” by Ruta Sepetys, which I moderated for my Delicious Reads Book Club. I have learned a lot about the atrocities of WWII this year.)
Drink of Choice While Reading
Chai! I LOVE Iced Tazo Chai tea and it’s my beverage of choice when I’m reading!
E-Reader or Physical Book?
I’m actually going to take it a step further and admit that by far the best medium for me right now to finish a book is an AUDIOBOOK! I am always on the go and haven’t had the luxury of sitting to read very much lately! But I can listen to an audiobook on my iPhone (thanks Steve Jobs!!) while I’m driving or doing laundry/dishes or out on a run or any other time I’m multi-tasking. I LOVE reading a physical book, but I have to admit that its been a little while. I have a nook, which I love for the easy, lightweight and compact features. But I’m pretty much obsessed with audiobooks right now! I’m not the only one- check out this Wall Street Journal article about the “Explosion in Audiobooks.”
Fictional Character You Would Have Dated In High School
Christian Grey. AHHH Just kidding. I am not into Fifty Shades at all!! Let’s see. Ummm. This is a hard question! I don’t really read romance books very often. I’m going to say Jake from “Brainrush” by Richard Bard. Jake is sexy, smart, funny, sarcastic, athletic and an all around good guy, all things I’m a fan of- just ask my hubby.
Glad You Gave This Book A Chance
I’m going to say “Eleanor and Park,” by Rainbow Rowell. I was iffy on picking this up- I’m not typically a big young adult book reader, and I don’t read many love stories, but this book was AWESOME!! I was hooked from the very beginning and I read it in two days! It’s about an totally unlikely first love. Rainbow Rowell does such an amazing job describing everything- it made me want to go back in time and have a first love all over again. It’s not the typical love story and I think that’s how it captured me so completely. Loved it- READ IT!
Hidden Gem Book
… I could list off tons of Gems… but HIDDEN? Harder. This probably wasn’t hidden but I found it after it was popular and really enjoyed it so I’m going to say “Rigged,” by Ben Mezrich- “The true story of an Ivy League Kid who changed the world of Oil from Wall Street to Dubai.” It was fascinating and fast paced- Ben Mezrich is an amazing writer! Loved this book!!
Important Reading Moment in your Life
I think the most important reading moment in my life was when I admitted to myself that not only did I love READING books, but that I wanted to WRITE one myself! I wrote a book called RE(M)ality, and I am currently seeking representation to get it published:
RE(M)ality
RE(M)ality is the parallel existence of dreams, where an innocent man is exiled and an untraceable serial killer is controlling people to commit murder in their sleep.
Think you’re immune? Think again.
Everybody has to sleep sometime…
Hope that piques your interest!!
Just Finished
I just finished “Loyalty” by Ingrid Thoft and I LOVED it! I will be doing a review soon, and I’ll link back to it here.
Kinds of Books You Won’t Read
Let’s see. I’m not really into Erotica (tried Fifty Shades and I just wanted to smack Christian, except that he would have liked it…) or anything with Vampires (I read all of Twilight, but that’s all I can do in that realm) or other-worldly monsters. It’s not that I WONT read them- I have, and I’m sure I will again… I just tend to not really connect with those kinds of stories as much.
Longest Book You’ve Read
I’m not 100% on this, but I think it’s “Truman,” by David McCullough. This is actually a funny story- when I was 11 I REALLY wanted to wear makeup, but my dad wouldn’t allow it. He was reading this HUGE biography on Harry Truman at the time, and if I remember right its over 1000 pages. He told me if I read the whole thing, I could start wearing makeup. What? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. I read it over the summer and ended up really enjoying it. When I finished, I went to the store and got some makeup- very BRIGHT makeup to make my point and slathered it all over my face. My dad saw me and of course told me to wash it off but then I showed him the book and let him quiz me. It was such a victorious moment! Don’t worry, I toned down the makeup. I kept waiting for my sister just younger than me to want to wear makeup so she would have to read the same long book, but she didn’t want it as badly as I had and she never had to read it!
Major Book Hangover
I’m going to interpret this title as the last book that I didn’t want to part with the characters after I’d finished (At first I thought it meant the book that kept me up the latest but that question is at the end). I would have to say “The Kitchen House,” by Kathleen Grissom. This book had such complex and heartfelt characters and Kathleen Grissom described everything so well that I could imagine it so well! They are coming out with the movie in 2014 so I’m really excited for that!
Number of Bookshelves You Own
Two… but this is deceptive due to Audiobook and Nook purchases…. I think I would need five.
One Book You Have Read Multiple Times
Confession… I hardly ever reread books! The only time I reread is if I’m moderating for my Delicious Reads Book Club. I just feel like there are so many amazing books out there, I need to get through them all. Plus, for me, the allure of the book is in the discovery!
Preferred Place to Read
In bed if I’m reading on my Nook or a Book… on a run in my neighborhood if I’m listening to an Audiobook.
Quote that Inspires You/Gives You the Feel From All the Books You’ve Read
“One must be careful of books and what’s inside them, because they have the power to change us.”
-Tessa in “Clockwork Angel,” by Cassandra Clarie
I love this quote… and not only believe it- it’s WHY I read so many books, and why I wanted to write one.
Reading Regret
My reading regret is that there are tons of amazing books I haven’t read and many that I won’t, simply because of time. I’m very selective with what I will read because it’s a big time commitment. If I start a book and I’m not connecting with it, I don’t mind moving on to the next. I know there are many people that have to finish if they start… but I am not one of those people. My time is valuable, and I want to ENJOY reading. If I’m not liking it… I’m going to find something else.
Series You Started and Need to Finish
There are two series that I am excited to continue reading: “Brainrush,” by Richard Bard and “Maze Runner,” by James Dashner. The first book in both series were awesome and I’m really excited to continue! The Maze Runner Movie is being released next Valentines Day (how romantic, right?) so if you haven’t read it yet, you’d better get on it!
I am also curious about the Jo Nesbo series, which was recommended to me by a good friend who’s from France. Apparently it’s similar in nature to the Dragon Tattoo books and is very well known internationally. I think there’s at least 6 books. I love a good series, so I will be reading these soon!
Three Thirteen of Your All-Time Favorite Books
This is SO hard to narrow it down to just three! It’s especially hard since I read many genres and I could pick a few for each genre. I feel like it’s an apples to oranges comparison! I can’t do 3! I’ll do 13 so I keep the T for alphabet’s sake. Hah. Ok I’m going to link to their descriptions in Goodreads so if you haven’t read them, you can view their descriptions…Here we go- in random order:
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The China Study (why I don’t eat meat)
Unapologetic Fangirl of
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Series– There are lots of opinions on this series but overall I loved it. To come up with such an intricate plot with such different and complex characters- it’s a huge feat. I’m so sad that Stieg Larsson passed away prior to knowing the international success his books would become.
Very Excited for this Release More Than Others
Since I haven’t been into a series that I’m waiting for the next release, I don’t have ONE that I’m dying to get. I’m kind of an instant gratification kind of a girl- I don’t like to have to wait. So I tend to pay more attention to what’s recently OUT than what’s coming. But, if you want to peruse what’s up and coming, you can take a peek here.
Worst Bookish Habit
My worst bookish habit… hmm. I don’t know that I have a habit that bookish. Sorry, nothing interesting for this one…
X Marks the Spot- Start at the top left of your bookshelf and pick the 27th Book
“Proof of Heaven,” by Alexander Eben- An Neurologist’s changes perspectives after he has an Near Death Experience- this is a fascinating read!
Your Latest Book Purchase
“Frozen in Time,” by Mitchell Zuckoff which I’m loving!
ZZZ Snatcher – Last Book that Kept You Up Way Too Late
“The Firm,” by John Grisham- I read this just a couple of years ago, and I can’t believe I hadn’t read it earlier! I couldn’t put this book down! I think I was up til 2 or 3 as if I didn’t have anywhere to be in the morning! This book is an awesome, fast paced nail-biter. John Grisham really knows how to do thrillers!
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Well, there ya go! A-Z and now you know everything about me related to books! If you made it this far, I commend you! This was such a fun survey- kudos to Jamie for thinking of all the questions. If you do your own survey, be sure to leave me the link to your blog in the comments! I would love to see!
I’m off to sunny Las Vegas for some Mommy and Son time with my little buddy. We are visiting his amazing godmother! So if you need me… I’ll be at the pool! Have a great week!
Brooke