Book Blogger Hop #28, Follow Friday #3, Updates and a Poll

Personal Updates

First thing first, I decided to include some updates of what is going on lately in my life (I totally copied this idea from some of you, my fellow bloggers). As the new school year started, I'm tutoring again, mainly my younger cousins, which doesn't pay in money, but I do get lots of fresh home-grown vegetables, so I save money on groceries, which is good (not to mention healthy). And it is nice spending time with them and we also have some fun. Tutoring also helps me stay in touch with what is going on in ESL teaching in our school system, which is good for when/if I get a teaching job again. This means I have less time for blogging, so I have been a little lazy on commenting. I still read my fellow bloggers' posts, and I will try to do some commenting, too.

In addition, I have a bit of a reading slump, right now, which is the reason for the lack of reviews this week. I will post the review of Ballad tomorrow, and next week I hope to review a book or two I am reading in Slovene  to beat the reading slump.

Also, I have a question for you. I am thinking about an Autumn blog makeover - nothing fancy, I just feel like giving my blog somewhat more season-appropriate look. What do you think about it? You can either comment or vote on the poll (you can find it on the top of the page).

Now, on to the Hops (I always return the visit, it just takes a few days sometimes).

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Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature.

 

This week’s question is: “Many of us primarily read one genre of books, with others sprinkled in. If authors stopped writing that genre, what genre would you start reading? Or would you give up reading completely if you couldn't read that genre anymore?”

MY ANSWER:

This is an excellent question. I read all genres, with a strong preference to one or two at a time. I have eras of reading one or two genres more than other genres. I had years when I read mostly crime fiction, then I shifted to romance, then I went for fantasy, and all the time I read some books from other genres from time to time.

Lately, I read mostly paranormal, followed by historical fiction/romance. I still read some books from other genres. If my current favourite genres ceased to be written, I would probably move on to YA which is starting to grow on me. And if that was gone, I am sure I would find some other genre to read, or return to one I used to read more in the past. I would definitely not stop reading. 

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Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

 

Today’s question is: “Have you ever wanted a villain to win at the end of a story? If so, which one?”

MY ANSWER:

I honestly can’t remember. I can sympathise with villains sometimes, but I don’t know if I have ever wanted the villain to actually win. I rooted for the villain/s to get some sort of their happy ending, but I don’t remember who or in which book/s. 

If you'd like to follow me, I have no idea why my GFC is in and out of working. My GFC box is in the top left corner, but it keeps mysteriously vanishing. I heard refreshing the page might help. I think you can also click the Blogger Follow link on the very top of the page - on the Blogger navbar. You can also follow me on Twitter @StrangeNewWords.  

Book Blogger Hop #27, Follow Friday #2

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature.

 

This week’s question is: “What are you most looking forward to this fall/autumn season – A particular book release? Halloween? The leaves changing color? Cooler temperatures? A vacation? (If your next season is other than fall/autumn, tell us about it and what you are most looking forward to in your part of the world!)”

MY ANSWER:

Definitely cooler temperatures. I am not a summer person and this August was extremely hot, so I am really looking forward to lower temperatures. And autumn colours.

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Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

 

Today’s question is: “If you could change the ending of any book (or series), which book would you choose? And, why?”

MY ANSWER:

The first one that comes to my mind is Caroline trilogy by Sandra Paretti. I cannot remember any book ending in a bigger disappointment as this one. The series is historical fiction mixing a love story and adventure. If you have not read it, skip the spoilers (and do read it if you come across it, it is a wonderful read, despite the ending).

SPOILERS:

The ending is devastating and tragic - just as everything seems to end up well, all it takes is a minute of carelessness and a lot of bad luck, let me jut say, I cried. A lot.

If I could change it, I would like the main heroine to go get her horse before the storm and not be hit by  lightning, and she would live happily ever after with her baby, and her husband, because they would deserve it after all the suffering they had been through.

If you'd like to follow me, I have no idea why my GFC is in and out of working, but I think you can click the Blogger Follow link on the very top of the page. You can also follow me on Twitter @StrangeNewWords.  

Book Blogger Hop #26, Follow Friday #1

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature.

 

This week’s question is: “Non-book-related this week!! Do you have pets?”

MY ANSWER:

I have a cat. Her name would be translated as Pumpkin. She prefers to go by Her Majesty the Cat. She occasionally contributes to this blog in Cat Diary. If you want to know more about her, click here.

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Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

 

Today’s question is: “In some books like the Sookie Stackhouse series the paranormal creature in question ‘comes out of the closet’ and makes itself known to the world. Which mythical creature do you wish this would happen with in real life?”

MY ANSWER:

Considering I love vampire fiction my choice would have to be – wait – on second thought no. If vampires turned out to be real I’d run and hide or, more probably, become a meal.

And as I‘m not keen on that idea (all right, unless it’s the only thing that would keep Damon undead – never mind, I strayed a little) Where was I?

Oh, the mythical creature I wish would “come out of the closet” would be – wait – but of course – the ELVES! Duh. That would be so cool. And next, the hobbits. 

If you'd like to follow me, I have no idea why my GFC is in and out of working, but I think you can click the Blogger Follow link on the very top of the page. 

Book Blogger Hop, August 19 – 22, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature.

 

This week’s question is: “What’s the LONGEST book you’ve ever read?”
(Note: I’m putting one caveat on this question. You aren’t allowed to say the Bible, Torah, Qur’an, or other religious/spiritual text.)”

MY ANSWER:

It depends on the definition. I’m sure the longest book published in a single volume I read would be Outlander by Diana Gabaldon with over 800 pages (although, I read it in translation broken into two volumes with over 900 pages). However, most people agree The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien is one book even though it was originally and most often published in three volumes, so this would be the longest book I have ever read – my edition has 1496 pages without the index. 




If you'd like to follow me, I have no idea why my GFC is in and out of working, but I think you can click the Blogger Follow link on the very top of the page. 

Book Blogger Hop, August 12 – 15, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature.

 

This week’s question is: “Let’s talk crazy book titles! Highlight one or two (or as many as you like!) titles in your personal collection that have the most interesting titles! If you can’t find any, feel free to find one on the internet!”

MY ANSWER:

I guess I have zero sense for crazy book titles. Zero, which is how much crazy book titles I can find among my books, both the books I own and those on my Goodreads shelves (not that I have not read my fair share of crazy books, just without the crazy-content matching titles).

However, this book has been on my radar for a while, although I have not read it yet. The title does sound crazy and the reviews are good too, so I hope I will get to it eventually: How I Stole Johnny Depp's Alien Girlfriend by Gary Ghislain.

Book Blogger Hop, July 8 – 11, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature.

This week Jennifer gave us a task:

This week’s question isn’t a question at all! I thought I would do things a little differently this week and give all of you a chance to promote a giveaway (or two!) from the blogosphere.

The catch?

IT CAN’T BE YOUR OWN GIVEAWAY!

Gotcha!

You have to find another blogger who is having a giveaway and promote their giveaway for them! If possible, promote a giveaway from a blogger doing the Hop (hey, you are visiting other blogs anyway, right?). Have fun with this one! It’s not an easy task this week! 

MY RESPONSE:

Ellie of Musings of a Bookshop Girl gives away two books from an amazing selection. Go and check it out!

Book Blogger Hop, July 1 – 4, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature.

This week’s question is: “What keeps you reading beyond the first few pages of a book, and what makes you want to stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf?”

MY ANSWER:

A good plot is definitely the most significant for keeping me reading a book. Sometimes, however, the plot is not particularly special, but there might be an intriguing character or more of them, because of which I insist on finding out what happens to them. Also, often it is the writing which makes it worth reading a book through.

The plot, the characters and the writing, if they are of poor quality, are also the reasons that can stop me from continuing reading a book and put it back on the shelf. Nothing is more torturous than reading a badly-written book with a boring story and predictable, one-dimensional characters. 

Book Blogger Hop, June 24 – 27, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature.

 

This week’s question is: “When did you realize reading was your passion and a truly important part of your life?”

MY ANSWER:

I can’t really answer that, because I just didn’t realise that at any particular time. Reading has been an important part of my life as long as I can remember.

None of my family members are avid readers, but I have always been encouraged to read. My maternal grandmother taught me to read before I went to pre-school and I have been reading ever since.

I have a minor heart condition, so I wasn’t able to spend as much time running around as other kids, and we had no TV when I was a child (thanks God for that), so reading was my salvation from boredom, and it has been my passion ever since.

I used to read more up until the end of high school than I do now, and I almost quit during my university years (I don’t count required reading and studying as actual reading), but I picked it up after I finished university.

So, there has been no big revelation about reading being my passion for me, it has just always been something I have enjoyed.  

Book Blogger Hop, June 3 – 6, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature.

 

This week’s question is: “Share your favorite post from the last month and tell us why it’s close to your heart!”

MY ANSWER:

My favourite post from last month was Songs from the Sea feature I did for Random Magic Tour: Pirates! I learned a lot about sea shanties while doing the research and had so much fun listening through all the many songs. I was also so happy that my readers found it fun and interesting. 

Book Blogger Hop, May 27 – 30, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature.

 

This week’s question is: “What book-to-movie adaption have you most liked?  Which have you disliked?”

MY ANSWER:

Usually, I like books better than their film adaptations. However, I really liked Charlotte Gray (2001). This was the one film I can think of I liked better than the book. Sebastian Faulks’ writing is wonderful but I liked the film better. The film is consistent with the book, apart from the ending, which is on my opinion more realistic in the film as far as Charlotte is concerned (it helps that it is happier in a way, too). I saw the film before reading the book, so maybe this is why I liked it better.

As far as the book-to-movie adaptation I disliked, well, as I said, as a rule I like books better. To give an example, and a notorious one recently, the Twilight films are horrible, and progressively so. The first one was all right, but than each got worse. I think it is because they are too teenage audience oriented.

Book Blogger Hop, May 20 – 23, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature.

This week’s question is: “If you were given the chance to spend one day in a fictional world (from a book), which book would it be from and what would that place be?”

MY ANSWER:

There was a similar question on the Hop, I think, not so long ago, and my answer is similar, too. I know I’m being repetitive, but there just isn’t any other answer.

If I could spend a day in a fictional world it would be in the world of The Lord of the Rings. There are a lot of places in that world I’d like to visit (and some I’d definitely wouldn’t) but since there is one day limitation, I think a tour of Minas Tirith would be a great experience. I'd love to see the unique and magnificent setting and architecture of that beautiful city.  

Book Blogger Hop, May 13 – 16, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature.

This week's question is: “Are you going to Book Expo America (BEA) and/or the Book Blogger Convention (BBC) this year?”

MY ANSWER:

Since I’m living in Europe, the obvious answer is no. We do have some similar events, and I attend sometimes, but not every year. 

Book Blogger Hop, The Non-Weekend Edition! April 11 – 14, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature. Jennifer didn't have time to post the hop over the weekend, so this week we're going to party from today through Thursday instead.

 

“Outside of books, what is your guilty pleasure?”

MY ANSWER:

 Chocolate. 

And TV. Currently I’m hooked on Castle.

Sometimes it's difficult to decide whether to watch TV or read. But I don't really feel particularly guilty about watching TV. I'm trying to cut down on chocolate, though. 

Book Blogger Hop, March 25 – 28, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature.

 

“If you could physically put yourself into a book or series…which one would it be and why?”

MY ANSWER:

The Lord of the Rings, of course. I love the world Tolkien created, its stunning landscapes, peoples and languages. The hobbit way of life would fit me perfectly. I’m much of a stay-at-home, peace and nature loving person. The Shire seems a delightful place to live in. I wouldn’t mind being an Elf either. Or a citizen of Gondor, living in the beautiful Minas Tirith / Minas Anor (preferably after Sauron is destroyed). 

Book Blogger Hop, March 11 – 14, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature.

“If I gave you £50 (or $80) and sent you into a bookshop right now, what would be in your basket when you finally staggered to the till?”

MY ANSWER:

That’s a difficult question. Most probably these:

The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún by J. R. R. Tolkien;

Blood Brothers, The Hollow, The Pagan Stone (Sign of Seven Trilogy) by Nora Roberts; 

Key of Light, Key of Knowledge, Key of Valor (KeyTrilogy) by Nora Roberts;

oh, and if there was any money left I'd grab a book or a few of them from Kresley Cole's Immortals after Dark series (you can read my review of A Hunger Like No Other).

UPDATE: I've only learned of this morning's earthquake. My thoughts and prayers goes to people in Japan  and I wish safety to all the people alongside the coasts. 

Book Blogger Hop, March 4 – 7, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature. This week's question is: 

 “Who's your all-time favourite book villain?”

MY ANSWER:

My favourite book villain would answer this question somewhat like this:

“Its usss, my precious, usss. When we get my precious back, we’ll be the Masssster, yesss, my precious. Then those nasssty men will pay for what they’ve done to usss. Yesss, they will, my precious. Gollum, Gollum.”

Gollum/Sméagol is such a great character J.R.R. Tolkien created in The Lord of the Rings. The Gollum parts are so enjoyable and entertaining because of his specific language. His villainy is very cunning, and his evil plans elaborated very much to the point. He is an absolutely selfish creature, so much possessed by the power of the Ring that not even Sauron cannot control him anymore. Thus, his obsession with the Ring in its maliciousness makes Gollum unintentionally do some good, too. All of these features make Gollum/Sméagol a lovable character.  

Book Blogger Hop, February 25 – 28, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors, and sharing our love for literature. This weeks' question is: 

“Do you ever wish you would have named your blog something different?”

MY ANSWER:

Prior to starting this blog I had had a few ideas, but they had been already taken, which made me think really hard to come up with the name. However, I think it was good that it wasn’t easy, so I could come up with the name I am perfectly happy with. 

Book Blogger Hop, February 18 – 21, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors and sharing our love for literature.

As the Hop’s host, Jennifer, over at Crazy-for-Books says, better late than never. It was 5 a.m.  Saturday morning where I live when Jennifer posted this week’s Hop and I had a busy singing day today, so I’m posting only this late, but I really want to share my answer to this week’s question:

“What book(s) would you like to see turned into a movie?”

MY ANSWER:

I was really looking forward to Eucalyptus by Murray Bail being made into a film starring Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman. It was announced to happen in 2005, but nothing has come out of it. I think it could be made into a great film and I still hope it will be done some day in one way or another. 

Book Blogger Hop, February 11 – 14, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is a weekly event hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors and sharing our love for literature. 

This week’s question is “Tell us about one of your posts from this week and give us a link so we can read it (review or otherwise)!”

MY ANSWER:

I usually write only 1-2 posts a week (not including the Hop), so my only post this week was a review of Trouble in High Heels by Christina Dodd. I read the book last autumn but it was a very memorable book so I could still review it so long after reading it.  

Book Blogger Hop, January 28 – 31, 2011

Book Blogger Hop is a weekly event hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It is a great way of discovering new blogs and meeting fellow book bloggers, talking about books and authors and sharing our love for literature.

 

This week’s question is “What book are you most looking forward to seeing published in 2011?  Why are you anticipating that book?”

MY ANSWER:

I'm sure many great books will be published this year, although I have no idea which. The one exception I do know about and I'm really looking forward to is Jean M. Auel’s The Land of the Painted Caves. This is the sixth book in Earth’s Children series, which I love, so I am interested in what happens next, although I read there is a lot of repetition and not much happening. But, I like Auel’s style and her broad knowledge of the prehistoric era, so I’m very excited about this book.