Book Survey!

I had a serious drought of writing, so this is my warm up to writing again. Here is a survey about one my favorite things: books. 

1. Favorite childhood book?
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by Jo Rowling and Junie B. Jones Series by Barbara Park
2. What are you reading right now?
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, and next I'm going to read The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson.
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
None right now. Probably going to take some out soon for help on my research paper. I love libraries by I prefer to own the books.
4. Bad book habit?
Not finishing books or reading too many at once.
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
Nothing.
6. Do you have an e-reader?
I'm getting one for my birthday! I was quite against them, and while I still prefer books, I am excited to be able to carry a large amount of books with me without the extra weight.
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
I prefer one or two at a time, but not many more then that.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
I would say no. The amount I read depends more on my schedule and what's coming out.
9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far?)
Pretties by Scott Westerfield. It was fine, but a disappointment from reading Uglies.
10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
Not very often, but I am trying to branch out to different genres.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
YA mostly, also children's lit, adult lit, and the occasional play.
13. Can you read on the bus?
I don't take the bus often, but I usually don't have problems reading on them.
14. Favorite place to read?
My bed, my family room coach, in bookstores/cafes, and trains.
15. What is your policy on book lending?
I'm constantly letting people borrow books because I want to share things I love with other people.
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
No. It hurts me when I see damaged books.
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
Nope.
18. Not even with text books?
I underline sometimes, but my school lends us books instead of making us buy them, so I'll get fined for highlighting or writing in them.
19. What is your favorite language to read in?
English.
20. What makes you love a book?
A good, gripping plot that makes me not want to stop reading. I love getting sucked into a story. Also, the characters. Especially if they are interesting with unique opinions and thoughts.
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
If I enjoyed it, or if I think that particular person will enjoy it.
22. Favorite genre?
Young Adult fiction, though I am getting sick of romance and vampire stories that have been popular in the past few years.
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
Biography/ autobiography and sci-fi.
24. Favorite biography?
I haven't read enough to say :(
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
I don't believe so.
26. Favorite cookbook?
I've been using online recipes recently, but I enjoy some church/school ones my mom has.
27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. It was so sad and beautiful and original. I am Christian but some of their ideas about life and death really got me thinking about what I believe.
28. Favorite reading snack?
Popcorn or Oyster crackers. So good.
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
The hype of Twilight. I can not understand the appeal of these books at all. I tried, I really did, but it just wasn't good. Also, I didn't really like 13 Little Blue Envelopes. Not sure why, but I didn't care for it.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
I don't read critic reviews.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I try to be honest but also respectful when giving bad reviews.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?
French because it's a beautiful language. I can read some Spanish but my knowledge of the language is limited.
33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
Hamlet because I read it on my own when I was 15. I really enjoyed it but it was difficult to understand it all.
34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson. It's different from what I am use to, but I am determined to read it.
35. Favorite Poet?
Either Hemingway, Fitzgerald, or Poe. Brilliant writers.
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
Two or three. I check them out in spurts.
37. How often have you returned a book to the library unread?
Fairly often haha. Two weeks is a short time for a large amount of books!
38. Favorite fictional character?
Gah this is hard. I'll list some favorites:
     -Miles "Pudge" Halter, Looking for Alaska
     - John Milton, Spud
     - Luna Lovegood, Harry Potter Series
     - Augustus Waters/ Hazel Grace Lancaster, The Fault in Our Stars
      -Charlie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
39. Favorite fictional villain?
Probably Voldemort. Another hard one.
40. Books you’re most likely to bring on vacation?
Whatever I am currently reading, plus one I love, like Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Clovsky.
41. The longest you’ve gone without reading.
About three-five months. School would get in the way and time would be scarce for things other then sleeping.
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
Twilight Series. I refused to read the rest.
43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
The internet or getting a text/call. Or thinking of other things I should be doing.
44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, which I just saw last week. The story did not drag as much and some of Oskar's thoughts were pretty disjointed. Also, switching between two stories with completely different writing styles was difficult. I'm glad they were able to sort it out well.
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
Prisoner of Azkaban and I Am Number Four (that movie was SHIT)
46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
Probably about $50 or so. I love books so much, it's hard for me to choose one. So I often choose several!
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
Never. I read the back cover and start the first chapter, then decide to buy/read it.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
A really slow, boring plot.
49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
By series, author, size, paperback/hardcover, whatever feels right at the moment haha. Currently I have two bookshelves, neither big enough for all of them, so the series/favorites are on the smaller, more visiable one, and the rest are by paperback/hardcover on a smaller shelf.
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
Keep and lend.
51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?
The Chronicles of Narnia Series and the City of ... Series. The second does not seem very interesting, but I just can't get myself started on the Chronicles books. I don't know why but I really can't find the desire to read them.
52. Name a book that made you angry.
The end of Mockingjay irritated me, but I understand why it was written that way. (Though I still don't think Katniss would have had children.)
53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?
None particularly come to mind.
54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?
The Giver and To Kill a Mockingbird. Something about them bugged me. I don't enjoy reading books with classes, but I plan to read these two again.
55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
No specific books, but I love rereading old books I loved. It's refreshing and I remember why I enjoyed it so much :)

Thanks for reading, have a nice night!

~Emily

College advice

Hey there. You're looking nice since we last talked. I am sorry for being away so long, school has really been hard the last couple weeks. But I finally have a little time to sit down and write something, and it is wonderful. I miss writing for fun instead of for class.

I'm a junior in high school and I've started seriously looking into college. College is something I have thought about briefly but now the reality of you need to start looking and decide on something has finally hit. I've gone to a couple of college fairs and have complied a short list of criteria for schools.

• Location - Preferable near a large city or in suburban area with a short community to a nearby city. I really don't want to go to school in a corn field. 
• Size - No schools with less then 4,000 kids. That's the smallest I am willing to go. I have gone to small school my entire life and would really like to change that and try something new. 
• Study Abroad Program- It's gotta be good. I really want to travel and see the world. I need a school that will support me in my travels.
• I want to be taught by real professors who I can talk to and ask questions. Not a teacher's assistant. 
• Public vs. Private- Still undecided. I would prefer a public school but my parents want to me to stick with christian schools gahh it's difficult.
• Just curious, do you have a Quidditch team? Please let me know.

If anyone has any advice at all for looking at colleges please let me know in the comments. I look forward to hearing from you all. Have a good week :)

Currently Reading: World War Z by Max Brooks
(since my last post I finish Anna and the French Kiss and The Power of Six which were both AMAZING.)
Currently Listening to: When We First Met- hellogoodbye, Sail by Awolnation, and Elephant Love Medley from Moulin Rouge! And generally just listening to Pandora's Show tunes Station. Obviously, I'm cool.

For the Love of Reading: Part 1

(Note: My internet crashed on Tuesday the 30th and did not come back till late Wednesday evening, so I was unable to finish BEDA (SO CLOSE GAH). Though it has been requested, I am not going to finish BEDA; we'll have to wait till April for me to do that crazy thing again (maybe sooner, we'll see). Though it was quite fun as well, thanks for sticking through it with me ;D)


Time to talk books.



Books are something I've grown up with. It is odd to find me not carrying a novel around, whether in my hands or shoved in a bag. My room is littered with books, shoved into two small shelves or on top of a table. I developed a bad habit of buying too many books then I can read at a time. One vacation we had visited a huge mall, about 4 stories, and I came home with 10 books from a small bookstore in another part of town. I'm telling myself that it will turn into a Life's Library, just like Alaska Young. 


Some of my favorite authors are John Green, Libba Bray, David Levithan, Jonathon Safran Foer, Jo Rowling (of course), Suzanne Collins, William Shakespeare, and Markus Zusak. I know I'm forgetting some so I'll create a list on my listography when I have more time to sit and figure them all out. I mostly read Adult and Young Adult Fiction, but am starting to read more Non-Fiction and Historical books. 


If you have any suggestions for books, plllease leave them in the comments. I have an ever-growing list of books I want to read that I am always looking to add too. I'll continue this topic another time, ta-ta for now! 


Currently Reading: The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan, rereading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. 
Current music obsession: Stay Young, Keeping Dancing by Death Cab for Cutie and Losing My Religion by R.E.M.

Narcissism Continued

BEDA #28

-Homemade pillows. They are just superior over store bought ones any day. My cousin made me a beautiful pillow for my 14th birthday and I still sleep with it every night.

-Geektastic. It is a collection of short stories by many wonderfully nerdy authors about, well, nerdy things. My favorite stories are The Quiz Bowl Anti Christ, The Truth of Dino Girl, One of Us, and Once You're a Jedi, You're a Jedi All the Way. It is such a good, fun read,  I strongly recommend it to any self-professed (or not!) geeks. 


-Nerdy t-shirts. Such as Pizza John, Keep Calm, and any HP Shirt.

And now I'm exhausted. My schedule is killing me. Ta-ta, I'm going to go pass out in my bed and do it all over again.

Narcissism

BEDA #27

Taking a little break from homework and I want to talk about some of my favorite things. They are lovely and I quite enjoy them, so I want to share them with you! And we can love the same things! It will be exciting! Whee!
I'm quite perky tonight :)

- Snapple's Raspberry Tea and Mini Oreos. Epic snack.
-The Big Bang Theory. I started watching it this summer and I am in love with it. The cast has such great chemistry and the result is enjoyable for everyone involved.
- April Smith and the Great Picture Show and Regina Spektor. I've listened to both artists before but I've just started getting into it. April Smith is so quirky and different from the artists I usually listen to and it's great. She has such a unique style that is paired with her amazing song writing that creates a great listening experience. Regina Spektor is just brilliant. Enough said.

I will continue this tomorrow, I must go sleep. Night!

Board Games

BEDA# 26

I am so cold. Two blankets on, I cranked up the air, and mug of hot chocolate, and I've got goosebumps. It's August dang it.

I've been thinking recently about how life has changed since I was a kid. When I was little it was mostly coloring, board games, and Super Smash Bros. on the Game Cube. We watched Cartoon Network, went to the park, and read every book in site. Now that I've gotten a bit older I spend most of my time online, watching season of television, and doing various work. I miss my childhood, especially board games. I'm thinking of starting Board Game Night with my friends. They are just so fun! I don't understand why we don't play them as much anymore.

Though tonight instead of spending time on the Internet (Okay, spent some time on YouTube) my friends Annaliese and Caitlyn came over and we played some games. First we played this dominoes game called Mexican Train. It's where all the dominos have a line across the middle with a different amount dots on each side, ranging from 0-12. One of the doubles sets is in the middle on a center console with slots for each player. Everyone gets seven other dominoes. If one of your dominoes has the same number of dots on one end as the one in the middle, you can put it down in your slot in the center. Then at your next turn you try to match up the ends of dominoes until you are out. It's really fun, but we had one game that lasted almost 45 mins. We all started going insane haha.

After that we played Apples to Apples. If you've never played it there are red cards with different people, places, and things on it like Rust, Berlin-1945, and Adam Sandler; every player gets seven of these. There are also green cards with adjectives on them. You pick one person to be the judge, who puts down a green card. Every other player picks one of the red cards they think best (or least) describes the green card and they place it in the middle. The judges then pick the card they like the best and the winner takes the green card. Whoever gets 4 green cards first wins. It is reaaally fun and your stomach will end up hurting from laughing so hard. It was a bit harder to play with three people so we had to change it up but it was incredibly fun.

Now it's time for me to either a) Watch more Big Bang Theory b) Go on Tumblr for a long time c) Sleep or d) Do the homework I've been neglecting all day. I think we all know what's not going to win out. See ya tomorrow :)

More Sleepy Blogs

BEDA #25

I wonder there will be any posts where I'm not exhausted. I can't really keep my eyes open haha. Once BEDA is over (which is in like, 5 days? Weird) these posts should get more content. So again, I apologize. Update from yesterday, I'm going to D.C. the first week of December. I am extremely excited, it is going to be great. It is mostly going to different government buildings and a fair amount of tours, touristy.

Okay, eyes aren't staying open. I'll see ya tomorrow.