BBAW: Day Two: Interviews

Tuesday: Interview Swap or Alternative Interview
 


Hi readers! Happy day two of BBAW!
This is all about interviewing each other and learning more about other blogs. I missed the sign up, not sure how, but will have to use the alternate interview on myself. Also later today I will post a special author interview, just for added book-ish love. So without further adieu, I give you... ME!

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?
I don't set out to read and make sure I have snacks. If I snack during reading it is usually coincidental.
Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
I would never dream of marring a precious book. The worst I could ever do is dog-ear a page, but beyond that is book torture, no?!
How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears?
I stick to bookmarks, unless the unforeseen happens, like losing it, then I will dog-ear for that moment only. I really love collecting bookmarks though, and even participate in Guiltless Reading's Monday meme, Bookmark Monday.
Laying the book flat open?
Only if the door has a knock and I have to move fast. Not my favorite thing to do to a book though as it breaks the binding. I love a stiff binding. (LOL)
Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?
Both. Why limit myself? Some great stories come from non-fiction as well as fiction.
Hard copy or audiobooks?
I prefer hard copies, but have been known to enjoy an audiobook. I just feel that I absorb more of a book if I read the words. It is easy for me to lose interest in non-stop talking and have a tendency to stop listening when I feel bored. It takes a great story to keep my interest in the way of audiobooks.
Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point?
I prefer reading chapter to chapter, but will put down a book for a short time in between chapters.
If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?
Yes. Only after reading the whole sentence and trying to grasp and understanding of how the word is used. Then I always look it up to ensure my understanding.
What are you currently reading?
I'm reading a couple of books at the moment. First I am ereading, Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins on my Nook. I have less than 100 pages and am eager to get to the end. Good stuff! The other book I am almost done is Where's You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple. This is a funny read, and I am still hosting a giveaway if anyone is interested.....
What is the last book you bought?
The last book I bought is The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa. Ironically I am still waiting for it to arrive from The Book Depository..... thanks for reminding me!
Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?
I always read more than one at a time. I keep my ereader in my bedroom, a book like the Chicken Soup for the Soul series in my bathroom, for those hard-to-go moments, and my copy that is on my desk that gets the most reading.
Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?
I prefer reading in the afternoon. I feel my brain is most active then. I can get a lot of pages done, even read a whole book in a couple of hours depending on the story, but when the dark rolls in, so does my want for using my eyes. I don't even watch tv much anymore....
Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?
It depends. In a fantasy story I would go for series. I like epic tales that keep you wanting more. Then you have suspense or contemporary novels which I prefer stand-alone. I guess I only like to be scared or romanced by the same person once.
Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?
There is a few I tell people that are must-reads, such as, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In 2010 was the 60th anniversary of the book, and thanks to a book blogger, I received a copy to read for the first time. It made me cry, I got angry, I wanted justice and I rejoiced. It still resonates through me everyday. The teachings in the book are that strong! While I don't recommend being forced to read it in school, (I don't know that every teenager would get the teachings, being a mother of 2 teens I can make that assumption.) I do think it is a story that an adult needs to read once in their life. It will change you, and I can begin to tell you how, it just will. Another story I recommend all the time is East of Eden by John Steinbeck. It's another epic story that revolves around quakers and early settlers. While I'm not American, I found it extremely uplifting to read this family's life in all its' generations. It reminded me how far we have come as people, and also makes me realize how far from reality we can be. It's the little things in life that matter, and this book puts that thought directly in your heart, mind and soul. The last I have to recommend every chance I get is a non-fiction story co written by Tricia Goyer, Life, In Spite of Me by Kristen Jane Anderson. This is one of those stories that if my 15 year old daughter was struggling with issues, being her self-esteem or self-confidence, I would want her to read Kristen's story. This girl had no reason to feel suicidal, other than being a teen and existing in the world, but she still tried to kill herself. The problem is she lived through it and had to come to terms with why she did it and what would happen with the rest of her life. This story of Kristen's sat with me for a long time after I finished reading it. I couldn't help but think that this sounded like so many teens nowadays, and it sparked me to listen more to teens. I will admit, since reading the book, I also wonder how Kristen is doing all the years after the fact. I hope she pens a follow up book!
How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?)
When I receive or buy a book it automatically goes in one of 3 piles. TBR or To-Be-Read is my review copies sent from authors and publishers. My second pile is the books I won. And the last is the ones I buy. I will admit I have only been taking review requests of the books that I feel I just have to read, because my piles are ginormous, but  slowly and surely it is being tackled.


Okay, so there's the questions from BBAW to myself. Now I have a question for you reading this...
If you could recommend one book for me to read, what would you recommend and why?

Don't forget to watch out for the interview with author, Mary Firmin.