Feature and Follow Friday (11)

Q: What is a deal breaker for you in a book? For example, do you abhor love triangles? Or can’t deal with bad editing?

This is a hard one for me since so many things can put me off from a book.  Here are some of the my top picks:

- Underdeveloped/one-dimensional characters: This is especially bad if it is the main character…
- Bad editing: Not that I claim to have perfect grammar or punctuation (I definitely don’t)… Unfortunately this is why I’ve begun to avoid many self-published books.

Usually there are redeeming qualities that help me get through a book with one of the above, so these aren’t necessarily deal breakers, but more frustrations.

How about you guys!? What are your book deal breakers?

Feature & Follow (10)

Q: Do you read one book at a time or do you switch back and forth between two or more?

I think I'm one of the few who can only handle one review book at a time. I usually have a physical review book, an audiobook (sometimes), and a romance novel going all at once. But most of my time is dedicated to getting the review book read. That's why the romance novels take me the longest to read!

What about you guys!?

Feature & Follow (9)

Q: Have you ever looked at book’s cover and thought, This is going to horrible? But, was instead pleasantly surprised? Show us the cover and tell us about the book.

This has happened to me on numerous occasions! The first book that comes to mind is Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier. I actually put off reading this book because of the cover (and the fact I usually hate time travel in books). Judging by the cover, I thought the book would be stuffy and lack excitement. Turned out to be one of my favorites once I actually got around to reading it (My review here). I think I'm one of the few people who is happy they redid the cover design!

What do you guys think of this cover? Love it, hate it? Am I crazy?

Another one that I can recall is Joust by Mercedes Lackey. Easily one of my favorites (My review here), but the guy on the front looks like he's wearing a freakin' vase on his head... I mean... really? Look my helmet doubles as a water glass! Super intimidating. The dragon is bad-ass, but the guy is just a major turnoff.

Any of you have a similar experiences with a book covers?

Feature and Follow Friday (8)

Q: Define what characteristics your favorite books share. Do they all have a kick ass heroine or is the hot love interest the Alpha Male?

First I suspect I should list some of my favorite books: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, Divergent by Veronica Roth, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

If you've read any of the above, you'll already know that the female characters are just plain KICK-ASS! In a few of the books, like the Iron King series and Mistborn, it takes us awhile to see just how strong the the female characters are. Some, like Katsa from Graceling, are independent from the get go! Regardless, I love a strong, independent heroine who can take care of herself!

This is not to say I don't like the occasional protective male! In my opinion, I think every girl has a desire to be taken care of once and awhile. There is definitely a fine line here: I can't stand OVER-protective males (can  you say Edward?). I must admit, it's always fun watching a strong female character put the overprotective male in his place! Girls can make decisions for themselves, thank you!

What do you guys think? Do you share my love for the protective male, or am I just crazy!?

Follow Friday (7)

Q: Go count the number of unread books sitting on your shelf. How many?

There are 51 unread books on my physical bookshelf and 50 unread books on my digital bookshelf.

That makes a total of 101 unread books!

This just emphasizes one of my goals for the year: GET THE TBR PILE DOWN!!

Follow Friday (6)

Q: The New Year is here — and everyone wants to know your New Years Blogging Resolution! What are you going to try to revise, revamp and redo for 2012 on your blog?

Reformat: I would like to go back to my old reviews and reformat them to match my new ones.

Comment: I’d also like to find some more time to check out other people’s blogs! I don’t comment or participate as much as I should.

Write Better Reviews: I’m not a professional reviewer by a longshot, but I do take pride in expressing myself in my reviews. I’ve noticed I use many of the same terms and sayings. I’d really like to develop a more diversified vocabulary.

Network: I’d like to make more friends!! I’m planning on going to BEA this year, and I don’t wanna be all by my lonesome. It’s hard for me to come out of my shell and be personable, so I plan on making extra efforts this year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! and Good luck with your resolutions!

Follow Friday (5)

The magic book fairy pops out of your cereal box and says "you and your favorite character (from a book of course) can switch places!" Who are you going to switch with? Ahh this is a hard one!! I think I'm going to have to go with Meghan from the Iron Fey series. She is such a strong, yet real character. I really admire how she's grown through the series and she's had some amazing adventures! Oh and who wouldn't want to be the girl who holds Ash's heart!!? Okkk, I'll admit it... Ash is the real reason that I'd want to be her.... And on another note: I AM SO PSYCHED FOR THE IRON KNIGHT!

Visit Parajunkee to start participating!

Follow Friday #4

If you were stocking your bomb shelter, what books would you HAVE to include if you only had space for ten? I'd probably cheat and bring my kindle. Then I'd have more room for survival-y stuff. But since I can't do that, here they are: 1. Zombie Survival Guide: I haven't read this yet but I've gotta be ready for anything right? I'm sure it would apply to most survival situations. 2, 3, 4: The Hunger Games Series 5. World War Z 6. My cook book - The New Basics Cookbook 7,8,9: Iron Fey Series 10. Divergent: Mostly because I really.... really... want to read it!

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To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers -Starting The Next Chapter
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Follow Friday #3

What is on your current playlist right now? GREAT QUESTION! Here are a few songs from my current playlist: Fireflight - Unbreakable Ke$ha - Blow (guilty pleasure of mine) Katy Perry - E.T. (not the one with Kanye) Rise Against - Drones 10 Years - Don't Fight It (Really great band.. Check them out!) Alterbridge - Slip Into the Void Pretty Reckless - Nothing Left to Lose

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To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://thecaitfiles.blogspot.com/ 
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Follow Friday #2

Do you have anyone that you can discuss books with IRL? Tell us about him/her. Unfortunately, most of my friends and family do not read as much as I do. But that is part of the reason I started this blog. There are so many awesome people out there with really great suggestions. I'd rather talk to them than chat my poor dad's ear off about how awesome a book is that he will probably never read. He really is a saint. Always there to listen and at least act interested :). The blogging community has been wonderful and welcoming so far. I'm a member of several clubs on goodreads.com as well, which make for some good discussions.

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To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://romance-around-the-corner.blogspot.com/
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Follow Friday #1

Do you judge a book by the cover?

I would say that cover art plays a large part in whether I pick up a book to learn more about it. Ultimately my decision to purchase is usually based on content. I am definitely guilty of buying the occasional book as eye candy though. Check out my Cover Crazy posts to see some of the amazing covers out there.

Honestly, now that I'm a kindle user I find myself relying less and less on cover art and more on reviews and recommendations. I can say that I never cared for any of the covers of The Hunger Games series, but I am absolutely obsessed with the books!

How about you guys, do you judge a book by the cover?

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To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://mykeepershelf.blogspot.com/
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!