It’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!
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.
YES! Another tag from you. I am loving it 😀
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I know, and I did it within a week! I am keeping a list now, Bibi! 💗
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Haha I’m so glad and I can’t wait to see more from you, Jen 😀
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That’s a pretty good policy on books you’re not enjoying! Nice shelf! 🙂
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Thank you, Lindsay!
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Wonderful questions and answers. Love this blog.
Have a great Sunday! 💗📚🌻
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Thanks so much, Virginia! So kind of you! I hope you have a wonderful Sunday, too! ♥️
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What a wonderful policy about books you’re not enjoying. I wish I had the ability to put down a book I’m struggling with but I just can’t leave a book unfinished. Really wish I could.
Great post!
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Thanks, Jonetta! I understand. I just have so many here to read, I finally stopped plowing through. But it’s not always easy, and I’m always hopeful!
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This is such a great post, Jen! I loved reading your answers. I also kind of have the same lending policy now. I only lend my books to trusted people (who also lend their books to me so I guess I’m also on their ‘trusted people’ list) because I’ve had people not return books to me before 😦 And, Killer of the Flower Moon is on my TBR. I’m gonna push it up next on my nonfiction reads after I finish with Dan Jones’ The Templars. 😀
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Thanks, Rachel, and thank you again for nominating me! ♥️ It’s the worst not to get books back! I can’t wait for your thoughts on Killers of the Flower Moon! To me, it reads like fiction, perfectly written, so intriguing and heartbreaking too. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
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Congratulations 👍
You have nice bookshelve🤗😊👍
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Thank you so much, Hardip! I appreciate it! 😊
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Yeasss💖. Great post
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Thanks, Priyasha! 💕
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Congratulations!! I love spying on your shelves! I never lend out my books anymore because people think they can just keep them! The nerve!!😊💕💖 Hope you had a good Sunday Jen! I haven’t read one stinking page!😭😭
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I totally understand about lending books/not lending books! Aw, I hope you’ll have some reading time tomorrow, Sus! 💕 💗
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Beowulf was one of my favourite reads in highschool too! And I love your approach to books you don’t like. I’m going to try to DNF books more instead of forcing myself to read through something I’m clearly not enjoying. Also, being “stranded” on an island with Katniss and cute animals sound like the perfect vacation 😀
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Oh, I love it, Kathy! And you totally get me! Yes, definitely use the DNF. Life is too short, like everyone says. I mean, you know I have books on my stairs, right?! So I can just put one down and pick another up, no problem! ♥️
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LOL that’s a great outlook 😂 I guess having large piles of unread books lying around can actually be helpful? 😀
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You are my sunshine💛
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You are mine too! ☀️ 🌞
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I enjoyed reading this! Your bookshelf is so pretty. Can’t wait to read 1,000 hills soon and I am adding Educated to my TBR now. Great post!
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Thank you, Diana! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Educated is a challenging read because of the content but I found it extremely engaging, too. I can’t wait for your thoughts on 10,000 Hills! I hope it’s a great read for you!
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I really like your bookshelf, it’s not too messy and it really shows a lot of books 🙂 I always borrow books from my friends so I don’t mind at all lending mine to other people.
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Thank you so much, Ayunda! It’s wonderful that you share your reads!
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Your bookshelf looks pretty well organised to me! 😉 I just acquired Killers of the Flower Moon so I’m glad to see it gets your recommendation.
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Thanks, FF! I could spend more time making some sense of how they are organized, but I usually remember where they are, for the most part, IF they are on a shelf. Otherwise, they can be tough to find! I look forward to your thoughts on Killers of the Flower Moon.
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Congrats on the award!
Yes, I don’t really like to lend my books out either because I am a bit OCD when it comes to them. I am even super careful when reading paperbacks, to not crease the spines! I’ve lent books out and when I’ve received them back… I’ve wondered how on earth they could be in that shape!
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I’m the same way with the spines! My goal is for my books to all look unread. 😂 So you and I are definitely on the same page, Leslie! But I’m not OCD about much else! Just books!
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Yes, I don’t know why. I should want them to look loved and read. Nope, I want them to look like I just bought them. My husband is the opposite. Sooo… his books go in the guest room book shelf. lol.
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That’s a great place for used books! Lol I think of it this way- we just love our books differently. Some want them pristine, like us. Others love them and want them worn. Pristine is our book love language. 😂 But we all love our books!
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Perfect way to look at it!! 🙂
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Always love finding out more about you Jen! I’m listening to Educated at the moment on audiobook and it’s brilliant! 😍
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Thanks so much, Beth! Likewise! ♥️ Oh, I cannot wait for your full review on Educated! What a read, and I am definitely interested in the audio of it. Happy you are enjoy it!
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I don’t lend my books anymore either, too many have been lost or damaged.
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I’m glad you can commiserate, Kaleena. ♥️
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I never read Sweet Valley, but it was one of my fave TV shows when i was around 14. 😀
I usually stay away from romances too, but i do love a good sci fi. 😀
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I need to give sci fi another chance, Norrie! Oh, I loved the tv show and had forgotten all about it! So fun!
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Well I came onto your blog today to nominate you for this award! But since you just got it two days ago I will nominate someone else! How funny! Congratulations anyways!
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Kim, you are so sweet to think of me! I would nominate you for my sunshine too! ♥️
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Loved, loved, loved, reading this, Jennifer!! And, I keep buying books too. 🤦🏽♀️
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Thanks, Laurie! ♥️ I am glad to be in great company with you once again! Xo
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💕
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Oh yeah, forgot to mention this. I really liked what you said about lending books out. I’m very possessive of my books and hate when they come back tattered or not at all. 😤
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Thanks, Laurie. You totally get me. I love to share, but I’ve learned books don’t mean as much to everyone else. ♥️
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So true!!
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