Nose in a Book

Let’s talk about that book you know, the one you discovered only because you read about it on a book blog and then you realized you couldn’t live without it!  And then you read it and you loved it so hard!  Tell us about it and about the blogger (or bloggers!) that introduced the book to you!

First of all, I just want to say that there are so, so many books that I never would have read it I hadn’t discovered them on another book blog.  And many of these books have been great books.

That being said there are two books in particular that stick out the most for me.  The first is The Hunger Games.  I read tons of reviews of this book before I finally decided to pick it up.  The reason I was so reluctant to read it in the first place?  The cover really turned me off.  Something about that cover made me think that it was not the type of book I would enjoy.  Boy was I wrong!  This book in definitely one of the best I’ve read so far this year and I am so glad that I finally got over my dislike of the cover and read it.  And I’m grateful to all of you that blogged about how amazing it was so that I was finally convinced I needed to read it!

The second book I thought of, I can attribute to one specific blogger.  This blogger was one of the first I stumbled across when I made the transition from sometimes blogging about books to starting a whole separate blog to review the books I read.  This was Raych at books I done read.  Her blog is probably my favourite book blog.  I love the way she reviews books and just tells it like it is!  She reviewed To Say Nothing of the Dog and I knew that I just had to read it.  (Yes, I realize that my review is totally lame, you probably shouldn’t follow that link.  But definitely go check out hers.  It’s 1000 times better than mine!) Anyway, I loved this book and I haven’t gotten a chance to read anymore books by Connie Willis but I definitely plan on it!

Today’s it’s all about the creativity.  We have this fabulous reading meme for you below and all you have to do?  Pick ONE or answer them all in as few words as possible!  Be creative, have fun, stand out!  That’s all!

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack? Sometimes, juice and chocolate
Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you? Usually not.
How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open? Bookmark
Fiction, Non-fiction, or both? Both
Hard copy or audiobooks? Hardcopy
Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point? Any point
If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away? Doesn’t happen very often, but no, I hardly ever do that.
What are you currently reading? City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
What is the last book you bought? Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time? On at a time
Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read? Anytime I have, anywhere I can. I alway have to read before going to bed though.
Do you prefer series books or stand alone books? I like them equally.
Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over? The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?) By genre and then author’s last name.

Well, I meant to sign up to interview another blogger, but I didn’t.  I kept thinking, I should get signed up for that, but I just never did so I decided to interview myself!  Silly, I know, but I think it might be at least half as fun as having someone else interview me and getting to interview them.  And since it would be NO fun to just not participate at all, here goes!

Interview Lahni:  So blogger Lahni, how long have you been blogging for?

Blogger Lahni: Well, I’ve been blogging for almost 5 years (Oct 20 will be my anniversary) but that is at my personal blog.  I started joining book challenges and posting book reviews and noticed that my regular commenters were ignoring those posts.  I decided that I needed to start a book blog.  I started up on April 1, 2009.  My very first review that was only posted on this blog can be found here.

Interview Lahni: Why don’t you tell our readers a little bit about yourself?

Blogger Lahni: Well, I live in Alberta, Canada in a town near Calgary.  I am a true Alberta girl.  I love everything about this province including the winter (and I haven’t always lived in southern Alberta – I have experienced a few Edmonton winters).  Ever heard this song?  I love it.  That could be me singing (except that it wouldn’t sound that good!).  I have two boys and one more on the way (thankfully a girl this time).  I used to teach high school chemistry and biology but I’m taking some time off because I found working with two kids a little too stressful.

Interview Lahni: Well, now that we know a little bit more about you, what is your favourite genre to read?

Blogger Lahni: I don’t really have a favourite genre.  I like to read all kinds of books.  I love me some good chick lit, but I also like to read can lit as well, which for those of you who aren’t aware, actually is it’s own genre.  I also enjoy science fiction and literary fiction.  I also like to read non-fiction books from time to time.  I’ll pretty much read anything.

Interview Lahni:  So, if you’ll read most anything, what’s the last book you couldn’t finish?

Blogger Lahni: Weeeelll, this is going to surprise a few people, but I couldn’t make it through Fingersmith by Sarah Waters.  I made it about halfway through and then I got sick and I was really sick for 6 weeks.  (Nothing serious, just a parasite, the kind that takes 9 months to grow and then in an extremely painful manner is expelled from the body).  Somehow I associated that pukey, vomity time with the book and just couldn’t pick it up again.  I plan to go back to it sometime.’

Interview Lahni: So, how long have you enjoyed reading?

Blogger Lahni: As long as I can remember.  My mom taught me to read before I went to kindergarten and I’ve never stopped.  I’ve learned how to do many, many things and read at the same time.  I have a picture of me when I was about 10, reading a book and feeding my baby brother a bottle.

Interview Lahni: What else do you like to do besides reading and blogging?

Reader Lahni: I like to scrapbook and I’m trying to learn how to quilt.  I also enjoy spending time with my family.

Interview Lahni: What is your favourite book of the year so far?

Blogger Lahni: That’s a toughie….how about top three?  I read The Hunger Games in August and absolutely loved it.  I still haven’t read Catching Fire, even though I own it and it’s just sitting there calling me.  I don’t want to read it because if I do, then it will be over!  In June I read The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill (titled Someone Knows My Name elsewhere in the world) and really enjoyed it.  And also in August I read Airborn by Kenneth Oppel and found it very captivating.

Interview Lahni: Ok, I think one last question will do.  What are your top five favourite books of all time?

Blogger Lahni: Ooooh, that might be tough. I’d have to say Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.

What book blogs mean something to you?  Who are your most trusted sources for recommendations, your greatest help, the blogger you turn to for a laugh or to vent?  Whose writing do you admire or who introduced you to a whole new genre you didn’t know about?  We want to hear all about them…because we want to know them too!  Please share about the blogs we haven’t had a chance to meet via BBAW and let the party begin!

I had a really hard time with this one, narrowing it down!  There are so many great blogs out there!

It’s All About Books

Bloggin’ ’bout books

The Book Mine Set

Lost in Books

another cookie crumbles

Copied from the Book Blogger Appreciation Week Blog:

Last year over 400 blogs came together to celebrate the art of book blogging during the first ever Book Blogger Appreciation Week!  The second annual Book Blogger Appreciation Week will be taking place September 14-18.

WHO Anyone who blogs about books is invited to participate.  In fact, we want everyone who blogs about books and reading to be a part of this week!
WHAT A week where we come together,  celebrate the contribution and hard work of book bloggers in promoting a culture of literacy, connecting readers to books and authors, and recogonizing the best among us with the Second Annual BBAW Awards.  There will be special guest posts, daily blogging themes, and giveaways.
WHEN September 14-18, 2009
WHERE Here at the new Book Blogger Appreciation Week Blog!  (Please note that this year there are three separate blogs and feeds—one for the main event, one for giveaways, and one for awards.)
WHY Because books matter.  In a world full of options, the people talking about books pour hard work, time, energy, and money into creating a community around the written word.  I, Amy, the founder of Book Blogger Appreciation Week love this community of bloggers and want to shower my appreciation on you!

WANT TO PARTICIPATE?
Please help us spread the word about Book Blogger Appreciation Week by posting about it on your blog, stumbling this post, twittering about it, and telling everyone you know that it’s time to have a party and celebrate book bloggers!

Please register by filling out the registration form! Registering ensures your inclusion in the BBAW 09 Database of Book Bloggers and enters you into the drawing for the BBAW 09 Grand Prize!