A6DC9380-EF2D-4CF7-9E04-E15242785E32It’s another tag from me! Thank you, Rachel, for the nomination! If you haven’t already, go see her at In Between Book Pages. She’s a talented writer who reads many genres, and her site is always one of my favorite places to visit!

The rules are:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you in a blog post and link back to their blog.

2. Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and ask them 11 new questions.

3. List the rules and display the sunshine blogger award on your post and/or blog.

Here are Rachel’s questions and my answers:

What got you into reading?

I have been a fan of books for as long as I can remember. In my two-year-old photo, I’m sitting in a tiny rocking chair holding a book about kittens. Books and I go way back! 

Most memorable book from your childhood/teen-age years?

Oh, I can’t pick just one! A couple from elementary school were Island of the Blue Dolphins, Charlotte’s Web, and Ramona Quimby, Age 8. In middle school, I was obsessed with the Sweet Valley books, and in high school, I will never forget reading Night, The Awakening, and Beowulf. My twelfth grade English teacher had a passion for teaching Beowulf, and my dad had actually taken an entire course on Beowulf in college, so I was primed to love it, and that I did. 

What are the 5 books you cannot live without?

Another tough one. Hm. Today I will pick: The Possible World, The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton, The Edge of Lost by Kristina McMorris, In the Shadow of 10,000 Hills, and In the Quiet. 

What book/s have been on your TBR pile the longest?

According to trusty Goodreads, I’ve got some unread Sophie Kinsella’s languishing for years, along with several alphabet mysteries from Sue Grafton, but the truth is I have so many that sit unread, I couldn’t even tell you the ones that have been here the longest. I keep buying books, though!

Three underrated books or series you would like to recommend to everyone.

I would say The Edge of Lost, In the Quiet, and The Possible World that I mentioned above as favorites. They don’t get talked about enough, and they are literally perfect books I recommend over and over. 

Genre you try to stay away from as much as possible.

Probably science fiction or true romances, but there’s no real reason for this. I just don’t tend to reach for them as often. 

What are your favorite bookish things (aside from books of course)?

Bookshelves and bookmarks. I love rearranging my shelves!

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But when I look at a photo like this, I think, “I can do better than that!” 😂

What’s your policy on book lending?

I don’t lend often anymore because of the condition my books are in when I get them back. If I do lend a book out, I just tell the person to keep it so not I’m disappointed with the outcome. I have been known to buy an extra copy for lending purposes to avoid this whole scenario! (I like my books in pristine condition before, during, and after reading!)

If you get stranded on an isolated island, who are the 5 book characters you’d want to be stuck with?

Oh gosh, I am horrible at remembering character names, but I think I’d want Katniss Everdeen to be fierce and for her survival skills, some cute animal characters because I always have to be surrounded by animals, and I’m really not sure who else because I think I’d like the peace and quiet. 

Non-fiction book/s you would like to recommend.

I read several nonfiction books every year, and a few I’ve enjoyed recently are Educated by Tara Westover and Killers of the Flower Moon. Both are not to be missed! 

What’s your opinion on giving a book a low rating/negative review?

This is only for me, no judgment on others – at all. I don’t read books I’m not enjoying, so if a book is less than maybe a 3.5 for me, I put it aside and do not rate or review it because I didn’t finish it. I figure I’m just one reader, and it wasn’t a good fit for me at this particular time, and I may try it again later. I’m a really flexible reader, and I’m sure if you read my reviews, you can tell I’m sharing the books I love and am passionate about because, again, those others, are in a pile not being read by me.

I won’t tag anyone this time around, but if you’d like to answer Rachel’s fantastic questions, feel free because we’d love to see what you think. This was so much fun, and thanks again, Rachel, for the nomination. Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR