Feature Follow Friday: Recurring Dreams

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Have you ever had a recurring dream? What was it? - Suggested by Second Run Review

This Week's Answer: 

So I don't usually remember my dreams. Which I am very thankful about because the ones that I do remember are always super weird. But when I was a kid when I was sick, I would always have what I would refer to as my "sick dream." I would be so tired and achy that I would feel like I couldn't move. Then grass would grow around me and tiny people would show up to construct a maze around me. I would try and tell them to stop but I couldn't talk so I was just stuck there forever as a maze. It was like Gulliver's Travels meets The Maze Runner every time I got sick. It was super weird! I get really high fevers when I'm sick so it was always crazy hallucinations!

 +    = My Dream

And what about you? Have you ever had any recurring dreams? Leave me a comment of your thoughts.

And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter. Or Goodreads. Feel free to friend me there! I love seeing what other people are reading and checking out their comments.

Thanks for dropping by, happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature Follow Friday: Inspired by Books

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Have you ever been inspired by a book character to do something? If so which character and what was it? - Suggested by Eternity Through Pages

This Week's Answer: 

I thought about this long and hard. Like so long I wasn't even going to do it because I didn't have an answer. I want to say no, but I really don't think that's true. I'm not sure I have ever actually gone through with anything. Travel, maybe? There must have been something, though. Right?

I think my best answer is I was inspired by Cath from Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I really found a kindred spirit in Cath and I read Fangirl a few Novembers ago when I was participating in NaNoWriMo. At the same time I was struggling with finishing a book, Cath was also struggling with her writing and finding a voice. I felt inspired by Cath to keep writing and I ended up finishing the 50,000 words of that book. I didn't finish it and I haven't looked at it since but maybe I should find that inspiration again.

And what about you? What characters have inspired you? Leave me a comment of your thoughts.

And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter. Or Goodreads. Feel free to friend me there! I love seeing what other people are reading and checking out their comments.

Thanks for dropping by, happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature Follow Friday: Special Features

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Have you come up with any special memes or features on your blog that you'd like people to visit more? - Suggested by Take Me Away

This Week's Answer: 

I have developed one feature that I try to do at least once a month but don't do a very good job with. I call it Crossing Over and the goal is to recommend a YA book and Adult book that are similar and have crossover appeal. I used to call it something different "Recommending Adult Books." If you want to check them out here is a list.

Mysteries
Space Operas aka Science Fiction
Contemporary With A Twist
Super Anti-Heroes
Rainbow Rowell
Villain Stories


But I will say, I think what I would like to see have more visits than they do get are reviews in general. I think memes tend to get a lot more traffic than reviews, which I guess is normal, but that doesn't mean I don't want them to get more views.

And what about you? What features do you wish got more views? Leave me a comment of your thoughts.

And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter. Or Goodreads. Feel free to friend me there! I love seeing what other people are reading and checking out their comments.

Thanks for dropping by, happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature Follow Friday: Books to Save in a Fire

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Your house is burning down and you have time to select three books you own to take with you. What three books? - Suggested by Alison Can Read

This Week's Answer: 

Too hard to answer! I don't want to answer. I can't answer, I won't answer! Okay.. I'll answer but I'm going to cheat. I can't pick three books. It's a little dramatic to compare it to Sophie's choice but that's what it feels like.

So when I think of the books that I would want to save it's books that are "irreplaceable." So I'm going to pick three ARCs and three finished copies. So my three ARCs are a signed copy of The Magician's Land by Lev Grossman because I'm really attached to it after the tortured history we have had. A signed copy of NIL by Lynne Matson because that is my first physical I ever got. I won it from a contest Lynne had and it's got the old cover on it which I kind of love. And my ARC of The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh which I also won and haven't even been able to read yet.

As for finished copies I would pick my Italian version of Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling which I got in Florence when I was studying there and tried to translate. This copy of The Portrait of A Lady by Henry James which was a gift from my mom and I really love because she picked it out special and it's just a gorgeous version. Finally, my copy of Eats Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss. I was obsessed with this book in college. When I saw that my aunt had a copy she gave it to me. She passed away unexpectedly a few weeks later and it's the last thing she ever gave me. I'll always cherish it. Okay... So now I'm crying.

And what about you? What books would you save in a fire? Leave me a comment of your thoughts.

And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter. Or Goodreads. Feel free to friend me there! I love seeing what other people are reading and checking out their comments.

Thanks for dropping by, happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature and Follow Friday: Type of Books

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Do you like fantasy or realistic books? - Suggested by Realm of Books

This Week's Answer: 

Wow, this would have been a really easy question about a month ago but these days that question has become much harder. Fantasy is still my favorite genre but I have really been enjoying Contemporary novels lately. It's great to escape into a world that it purely imaginary and very different than your own and that is why I will always love fantasy novels. But it's also really great to find something so much like you and your world and experience. Finding your life experience reflected in that of another, whether they are similar to you or not, is also wonderful too and can make you feel not so alone. So I'm going to ahead and say these day, both. 

The most recent realistic book I loved, and the most recent Fantasy I loved.

On that note, I would love some recommendations for Contemporary novels I should check out. What are your favorite coming-of-age stories with slowburn romances? Funny over sad and no road trip stories! Leave me a comment with your recommendations.

And what about you? Do you prefer fantasy or realistic books? Leave me a comment of your thoughts.

And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter. Or Goodreads. Feel free to friend me there! I love seeing what other people are reading and checking out their comments.

Thanks for dropping by, happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature and Follow Friday

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Do you use the #FF on Twitter on Fridays? If you do are you afraid that you'll forget someone and they'll be sad? - Suggested by Unconventional Book Views

This Week's Answer: 

I don't use the #FF on Twitter. As much as I love Twitter and spend as much time there as possible, that is a concept I have never really gotten into. I think it's a great idea to tell your followers who are some equally great people to follow but I wouldn't know who to list. There are just to many amazing bloggers out there both big and small. I think memes like this one are a great way to find people but also Waiting on Wednesday, and Top Ten Tuesday.

And what about you? Do you us the FF hashtag? Leave me a comment of your thoughts.

And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter. And speaking of Goodreads. Feel free to friend me there! I love seeing what other people are reading and checking out their comments.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a Great Sparkle Season! Happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature Follow Friday: Reading Multiple Books

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Do you read more than 1 book at a time, and if so, how, like a certain amount of pages per book before moving on to the next one in the queue? - Suggested by Words I Write Crazy.

This Week's Answer: 

My current-reading shelf at the moment

I do read more than one book at a time. I'm pretty much always reading at least two books. I feel weird if I'm only reading one book. I recently did a whole discussion post about this topic, which I call Book Polygamy. Typically I am reading at least one e-book, one physical book, and one audiobook. Then usually I put all of those aside on the weekend and marathon a different book. I explain a lot more in my discussion post but I've pretty much always done this. For some reason I just can't only focus on one book, I get bored. Plus I read in different formats and I hate taking a physical book with me when I leave the house and commute so I always need to have an e-book in addition to a physical book.

Also if you want more tips about how to read more than one book at a time, Book Riot did an amazing video about it awhile back and it's basically how I read. Check it out!

And what about you? Do you read more than one book at a time? Leave me a comment of your thoughts.

And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter. And speaking of Goodreads. Feel free to friend me there! I love seeing what other people are reading and checking out their comments.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a Great Sparkle Season! Happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature Follow Friday: Cross-Posting Reviews

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Do you post your reviews anywhere besides your blog? Where else do you post your reviews? - Suggested by Jessica at A Great Reader

This Week's Answer: 

I always post my reviews to Goodreads. I used to always post a review on Goodreads after I finished the book and then I would use that to build off of for writing my longer reviews. Lately however I have been doing it the other way around. It makes my reviews on Goodreads much longer. I should actually get better at cross-posting. In particular I feel like I should post reviews on Audible. I usually listen to one audiobook a month (currently All Fall Down by Ally Carter) and I don't often post reviews there even though I read them. I'll get better at it though.

And what about you? Where else do you post your reviews? Leave me a comment of your thoughts.

And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter. And speaking of Goodreads. Feel free to friend me there! I love seeing what other people are reading and checking out their comments.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a Great Sparkle Season! Happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature and Follow Friday: Owning Multiple Books

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Do you own any doubles of your books? What led to getting the second...or third or forth... copy? - Suggested by Jessica at A Great Reader

This Week's Answer: 

Partially shelfie with some doubles

I don't really have many dublicates of tbooks that I own. I have a book buying problem but I don't really ever buy a second book if I already have a copy of the book. If I do happen to get a second copy of a book it's probably because I have an e-ARC or e-book and I really liked the book or the cover. Like I have an e-Book and hardcover of The Darkest Minds, Shadow and Bone, and The Kiss of Deception. I also have a couple audiobook versions of books I also have physical copies of like Exquisite Captive, The Hero of Ages, and Steelheart. I also have two copies of Little Women, one was recently gifted by my OTSP Secret Sister and is a gorgeous Puffin in Bloom edition. And I have two copies of Ruin and Rising but that's because one has a signed bookplate that I got for being in the Grisha Street Team and the other is the B&N Special Edition with the Darkling short story. But I don't have many duplicates because if I do get a second copy of a book I usually try to give it away either on the blog or as a gift to a friend.

Half my HP collection

The only exception to my not buying multiple books thing is my Harry Potter collection, but it's Harry Potter. I have the first edition hardcovers that are at my parents' house and then in college I bought the paperbacks from Sorcerer's Stone through Order of the Phoenix. I also have a Canadian version of Order of the Phoenix, and an Italian version of Half Blood Prince (I was studying abroad when it came out there and thought translating would be helpful to learning the language, it wasn't). So for those keeping track. I have 2 versions of every Harry Potter books besides The Deathly Hallows, and 3 copies of Order of the Phoenix.

And what about you? What books do you have multiples of? Leave me a comment of your thoughts.

And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a Great Sparkle Season! Happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature and Follow Friday: Collections

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Do you have any fun collections (other than books)? - Suggested by Peace Love Books.

This Week's Answer: 

These are a few of my maps! (and they are not hung straight!)

I'm not necessarily a big collector. I have a bunch of what my friends call my "nerd shirt collection" which has some bookish shirts. I've always really liked unicorns so I have a bunch of things with unicorns on them. And lately I've also been collecting random things with owls. Lately I've also started collecting maps. I got this great map of Westeros from my TBTS Secret Santa and this cool map I bought on Etsy (here's the shop) which is Pittsburgh in the style of the Lord of the Rings maps. I would say my biggest collections are post cards. I try to get a postcard from everywhere I visit and then I put them on my wall cause they're great decorations (along with the maps).

And what about you? What do you collect? Leave me a comment of your thoughts.

And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a Great Sparkle Season! Happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature & Follow Friday: Best of 2014

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Happy New Year!!!! What was your favorite book of 2014 - or books if you can't just name one? 
- Suggested by Alison Can Read

This Week's Answer: 

For me it was the year of Brandon Sanderson, he was a new to me author and I read a total of eight of his books this year including the Mistborn series that is officially one of my favorite series now. But my absolute favorite book of the year was Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth. It is an absolutely amazing retelling of Rapunzel that is dark and dramatic. I thought I pushed it a lot but I guess not because I'd say it flew under the radar and I really think more people should read it, it's pretty phenomenal. If you need more encouragement, [HERE] is my review.

If you want to check out a full list of my top fourteen books of 2014 check out this Top Ten Tuesday post.

And what about you? What was your favorite book(s) of the year? Leave me a comment of your thoughts.

And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a Great Sparkle Season! Happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature and Follow Friday - Merry Christmas!

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

What books did you give other people this holiday season? -Suggested by Alison Can Read 

This Week's Answer: 

I usually give books for the holidays, pretty much everyone I buy gifts for get books, but this year I didn't get as many as I usually do. For my best friend I bought The Young Elites, my brother likes non-fiction so I got him Dancing with Myself which is Billy Idol's autobiography. My mom likes mysteries so I got her The Heist by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg. And for my brother-in-law I got 1776 by David McCullough and a book called The Little Book of Lettering because he is a graphic designer.

But that was all. It's usually so many more but it seemed to be a relatively book-free Christmas. I only got two books and one of them I already have. What about you? What books did you give this Christmas? Leave me a comment of your thoughts.

And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, and a Great Sparkle Season! Happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature and Follow Friday:

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Do you have a go to genre when you're happy, sad, or angry? - Suggested by Take Me Away.... 

This Week's Answer: 

This is a tough question for me. Because the answer is no but it's also kind of yes. I'm not a mood reader. I'm a planner. I pick my TBR and I read those books. So regardless of my current mood I don't change what I'm reading. But if I am in a book slump then I do like to reread a favorite book. Usually Harry Potter (most of the time HBP) but sometimes something else that will restore my love of reading. But I think even if I were a mood reader I feel like I would pick up a book that matches those feelings. Like if I'm feeling angry I would read something really violent, and if I'm sad I would read something really sad. I like things to validate my feelings and have a cathartic release. I actually have a tendency to read certain parts in Harry Potter based on my mood. Like if I need a good cry I will read a certain chapter. I feel like that's not normal so I thought I would share.

So there you go, a very rambly explanation on what I like to read when I'm happy sad, or angry. Are you a mood reader or do you plan out what to read? Do you like your reading to match your mood or do you want the opposite? Leave me a comment of your thoughts.

And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter.

Thanks for dropping by, Happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature and Follow Friday #52 - Reading Plans

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Do you decide in advance what you read for the coming week or month? Why / why not?
- Suggested by Unconventional Book Views. 

This Week's Answer: 

December's calendar

Gosh, it's been so long since I have done a FFF. But I'm behind in my reading and I like this question. I do decide what I plan to read both that month and that week, I'm a planner. I usually base my reading schedule around my blogging schedule. First things first, I always pick a theme for that month (this month is Science Fiction). Usually I look at the ARCs I have for that month and see if there are any trends. Then I choose other picks that fit that theme. Then I make a calendar that plans out when I would ideally like to post the review. I try posting my reviews on Mondays and Thursday but I'm flexible. I always start with the ARCs. I want to review them as close to release date is possible. Then I fill in the other reviews and extra posts. And so each week I read the books that I plan to review the following week. As for what I'm going to read that day. I always read around three books at once so, all the books?

So there you go, a very rambly explanation on how I pick what to read. Are you a mood reader or do you plan out what to read? How do you decide what to read? Leave me a comment of your thoughts.

And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter.

Thanks for dropping by, Happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature & Follow Friday #50 - Bookish Playlist

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Create a playlist for a book - or a single song if you don't want to do a whole playlist. - suggested by This Girl Reads A Lot and Bubbly and Bookish

This Week's Answer: 

So I totally stink at this. I can't listen to music when I read because I am an auditory learner. If I listen to music it will distract me from what I'm reading and I won't be able to comprehend what I just read, it's one of the reasons that I started listening to audiobooks when I travel. So instead I will try and find a song that reminds me of my three current reads.

Curtsies and Conspiracies by Gail Carriger - Shake it Off by TaylorSwift
So this is the second book in a steampunk YA series about teenage girls attending a "finishing" school like no other. But in this book the MC is currently on the outs with her friends because of her performance and she needs to shake it off. Plus they are both kind of fun and kitchy.

The Young Elites by Marie Lu - Dark Horse by Katy Perry
This is the story of Adelina, a slightly villainous girl with powers that she doesn't really understand and a tortured backstory that has made her dark and kind of evil. It's very Dark Horse.

Legion by Brandon Sanderson - Unwell by Matchbox 20
This book is about a guy who uses his hallucinations to solve mysteries. The opening lines of the book are "My name is Stephen Leeds, and I am perfectly sane. My hallucinations, however, are all quite mad." It's Sanderson so that actually comes across in the books

So there you go, three songs that remind me about my three current reads. What songs are on your bookish playlist? Have you read any of these books? Leave me a comment of your thoughts.

And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter.

Thanks for dropping by, Happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature and Follow Friday #48 - Book Recommendation

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

What books would you give to newbies in your favorite genre? (Ex. I'm a newbie to high fantasy and EVERYONE said to ease into it with Throne of Glass series) - suggested by Take Me Away 

This Week's Answer: 

So my two favorite genres are Historical Fiction and Fantasy. I feel like I talk about HF a lot. I did a Top Ten Tuesday a few months ago where I recommended HF books based on your other reading tastes so if you are interested in that you can check it out [HERE]

As for Fantasy I would recommend The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo (Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising). I think a lot of people don't like fantasy because the authors can overwhelm you with world-building and there's either too much or it's confusing. Leigh creates and interesting and fantastical world but she builds it slowly and definitely shows instead of tells.

And... it's not a genre (though it is Fantasy) but there is a lot of talk about Brandon Sanderson in the blogosphere these days and a lot of people are reading him for the first time. I've suggested first Sanderson reads to a few people but if you like Fantasy already check out Mistborn (it's flawless) but if you like Dystopian then check out Steelheart (it's amazing). ALSO... if you're just getting into audiobooks, Steelheart is a brilliant audiobook and you should start there!

Okay, that's it, I'm done. I have recommended enough books to you. But seriously, read Brandon Sanderson! He's my newest auto-buy author, he's brilliant. And there is a whole community of Sanderson fans that will support you through the feels and gush about him with you!

And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter.

Thanks for dropping by, Happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature and Follow Friday #47 - Top Five Death Scenes

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Characters, sometimes our favorites, die during books. If you'd get to choose who would you bring back? - Submitted by Howling for Books   

This Week's Answer: 

Beware of Spoilers!!!! I like spoilers but I know most people don't so I have hidden the character name, highlight it to see who it is but you have been warned!

Can I say everyone? I am such an emotional wreck all the time that I sob like a baby through most death scenes. But in the interest of not overwhelming you in pain and sadness here are the ones that still really stick with me and hit me hard. My top 5 death scenes, get the tissues ready!

- Beth in Little Women which gets me ever single time, without fail! 

- Fred in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows because it was so senseless! 

- Julia aka Verity in Code Name Verity because I still think they wouldn't possibly go through with it! 

- Daniel in Strange and Ever After because it was such a heroic and perfectly in character death! 

- Last but certainly not least Vin and Elend in The Hero of Ages because it was both of them in the span of twenty pages and THE SCENE WITH THE DAISIES! 

Excuse me while I sob into a puddle of my own tears and resent this question forever! Help me wallow on the comments section by telling me how much these deaths wrecked you. Or tell me what your most emotional death scenes were. Misery loves company! Leave me your thoughts in a comment.

 And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter.

Thanks for dropping by, Happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Feature & Follow Friday #45 - Bookish Merchandise

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Book Merchandise - Show off some of your stuff. Posters, t-shirts, whatever you've got! - Suggested by Becky's Barmy Book Blog

This Week's Answer: 

I'm sort of eembarrassed to say that I don't have much bookish merchandise. What I probably want the most is a litograph poster. You know the ones where they take the words of the book and make it into an image that represents the book. I would love the Little Women one, or Wuthering Heights, or The Last Unicorn, or all of them! I do however have one bookish poster and that is a Sirius Black Wanted poster that I've had since college, I have a lot more Harry Potter stuff at my parent's house but the poster has made it through every move.

Currently my main way to show off my bookish fandoms and nerd cred in general is through t-shirts. My friends refer to this as my "nerd shirt collection." I don't have a lot that are book-themed but these are my three favorites which are A Song of Ice and Fire, Harry Potter, and Jurassic Park (based on the movie but it was a book so I'm counting it)

What about you? What are some of your favorite bookis merchandise? Are you not much of a collector like me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts.

 And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter. I am however very close to 300 Twitter followers so even if you follow the blog in other ways, if you would follow me on Twitter that would be great! I'm also on YouTube now but I haven't been updated much! I've been posting videos every Friday!

Thanks for dropping by, Happy FF and HAPPY READING!