Musing Monday (69) So Many Questions...

Rules: 

• Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker that asks you to muse about something book related each week. 

My musings for the week...

I haven't done Musing Monday in a really long time, and I wanted to participate because there were so many good questions that I missed. I just couldn't pass up the chance to answer them.

Question from April 10 th: What’s the coolest name you have ever seen in a book? Would you name your offspring after said fictional character?

Uh, I don't think I would necessarily name a child after a fictional character. While some of those names are cool and catchy, there are some that are kind of out there. I mean, it works for the character, but unless this name is absolutely magical and lovely (and I have an inexplicable and burning need to stake some claim on it) then I'm going to have to say no on that one. As for the coolest name, I really can't think of one right now.

Question from April 3rd: Are there any songs that make you think of certain books or scenes from books? If so, which songs/books?

This is an interesting question. Sometimes I listen to music while I read, but I never really likened any songs specifically to any of the books I've read. I just have that go-to playlist that I automatically listen to. This is something to think about though, and I could probably put together a list later, if I feel like it. Who knows...

Question from March 27th: What was your favorite picture book as a kid?

The entire Amelia Bedelia series. I just remember that when I was a kid I found the stories to be incredibly funny. 

Question from April 17th: Do you have a favorite time of day to read?

I don't have a favorite time of day to read. I just read whenever and I say that because if I'm reading a particularly good book, then I usually stay put for hours on end, or read off and on all day. There just isn't a specific time. 

Question from May 1st: Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?

For this one, its not really a question of either or because I prefer both of them. I enjoy fiction because there are too many great stories I would miss if I only read nonfiction. However, this also works vice versa too because I could say the exact same thing about nonfiction. There are a wide range of subjects I like to read about, and also enjoy when I happen to come across some obscure historical or an interesting fact concerning anything science/astronomy related.

Other Musings...

Since I don’t want to just answer questions today, I thought I’d use one of the discussion topics that I didn’t have too much to say about. And that’s DNFing books. DNF is basically the abbreviated way of saying did not finish, and yeah, I know I’ve talked about why I DNF books at least once, but that was a while ago. And if you haven’t noticed, as of late, there have not been many negative reviews on this blog.

So, do I still DNF Books?

Yes, yes I do. Trust me when I say that, because I still DNF books and it happens more often than you might think. However, I just haven’t written many reviews about them. Not because I’m ashamed that I didn’t finish the book, but because I felt like doing so would be a waste of my time. Most of the books that fall into the DNF category happened to be ones I either bought or checked out from the library, so, I really have no obligation to talk about them. Because, sometimes, I just don’t have the words. So, just because I haven’t written much about any of the books I’ve recently disliked, doesn’t mean that I think everything I pick up is the most perfect object in the universe. It just means that I don’t want to write about them.

Of course, that won’t always the case, but I just wanted to mention why nothing really negative has been posted to Our Thoughts Precisely recently.

What about you? Do you write reviews for every book you read regardless of if you liked it or not?

Musing Mondays (68) Random Weekly Questions

Rules: 

• Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker that asks you to muse about something book related each week. 

My musings for the week...

(Random weekly question from March 13th) Do you post book reviews right after you finish the book? Or do you wait a while so you can fully digest it before posting a review?

I don’t post reviews right after I finish a book. Lately, I’m finding more often than not, that I need a little extra time to think about what I want to say about the book. Even then, that’s not the sole reason why I don’t immediately post reviews. My main reason is that I typically put them on the blog on Wednesdays, and even with that in mind the review isn’t going to appear until about a week—give or take a few days—after I’ve mentioned the book for The Friday 56. That’s due to how I have things scheduled. The same thing kind of applies to ARC’s. Except, I will post the reviews closer to release date which has little to nothing to do with how I regularly schedule posts.

(Random weekly question from February 27th) Have you ever accidentally destroyed a book? Such as accidentally dropped it in the tub, or run it over with a bike? How about accidentally on purpose or simply purposefully?

I don’t recall ever intentionally destroying a book, but some of my most read, well-loved favorites have tattered covers and dog-eared pages. But that’s a small price I’m willing to pay for getting to reread all of my favorite scenes over and over again. After all, what’s the point of having so many books if I’m not willing to just enjoy them?

(Random weekly question from March 20th) What do think of fairy tales in general? The book versions and their movie counter parts?

Well, in general, I do like fairy tales and have specific favorites that I always go back to. There are some that I don’t like as much, but that’s just a personal preference of mine. I’m not really that picky when it comes to the movie and/or book version, because more often than not, there’s going to be aspects about both that I really enjoyed or don't like as much. Although, I will say that it’s always fun to see those characters come to life on the screen. This question reminds me about how much I actually enjoy movies based on fairy tales. I’m mostly in it for the magic, scenery, story, and the atmosphere that those things create.

Other Musings...

After I've gotten through some other stuff I need to do, I'm going to finally read The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Hopefully, that'll be sometime this week. Anyway, this is one of my most anticipated 2017 new releases, and I’m really looking forward to reading it.

Synopsis from Goodreads…

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed. Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil's name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. But what Starr does or does not say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life...

 What are you reading this week?

Musing Monday (66) Random Weekly Questions & Currently Reading

Rules: 

• Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker that asks you to muse about something book related each week. 

My musings for the week...

Today, I'm going to talk about the book I literally just started. I'm also going to get caught up on some of the random weekly questions that I missed.

Have you joined any challenges in reading for the new year? Do you have any general goals book or even not book related for 2017?

No, I haven't joined any reading challenges. Generally, I don't participate in those because I read at random (unless I have an ARC or a blog tour that requires a review by a certain date). As for some of my other goals, I pretty much covered that on my 2017 Blogging Resolutions Post. One goal I have, which isn't related to books, is refining my art skills. Improving is always a goal when it comes to art, and that's one of the things I want to work on this year.

What do you think about books being made into movies or TV shows and do you always read the book first?

I think its great as long as the source material is used wisely. If my favorite book or series happens to be adapted, I would definitely give the movie or TV show the benefit of the doubt. I don't always read the book first. Sometimes, I choose not to, and at other times I might have overlooked the fact that it was a book at first (this is especially true if I'm watching a movie/TV show just to see what all the hype is about).

How do you make time for reading when you are very busy? Or how do you find a better balance between wanting to spend time reading and other commitments?

I just kind of read whenever. There's really no trick to it or really much of a specific method of balancing reading with other commitments.

Other Musings...

This week, I’m going to read The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey. I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about this book since it came out back in 2015. Since I’m trying to get through all the older releases that I’ve been meaning to read, I decided to go ahead and give this one a try—plus, the copy at my local library was recently returned. 

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Magic lives in our darkest corners...

Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she’s ever known. Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she’s fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it’s time to act. Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, though if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it’s how to hunt down what she wants…and how to take it. But some jobs aren’t as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire...

What are you reading this week?

Musing Mondays (54) Random Weekly Question(s)

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by Jenn at Books and a Beat, that asks you to muse about something book related each week.

My Musings for the Week...

Since I took a couple of weeks off, I'm going to get caught up on the random weekly questions I missed.

Random weekly question from May 23rd: Name a book you thought you wouldn’t like, but ended up loving.

I try to keep an open mind about books and reserve judgment until after I've started reading—unless, of course, the subject isn't something I'm interested in. Anyway, the series' that I'm about to mention weren't ones I specifically thought I would dislike, but I was unfamiliar with the authors at the time.

So, to answer the question...

The first is the Elemental Trilogy by Sherry Thomas. And the second is The Darkest Minds Trilogy by Alexandra Bracken. Both trilogies were in the same boat. I'm glad I ended up giving them a chance, but at the time I hadn't read anything by Bracken or Thomas.

Question from May 30th: Name a book that disappointed you.

The Tapper Twin's go to War (With Each Other) by Geoff Rodkey. This book had its high and low points. Originally, I was really excited to give it a try, but it ended up being just alright for me.

Question from June 6th:What is your most favorite book from your childhood?

When I was a kid, I really enjoyed the Amelia Bedieia series by Peggy Parish, illustrated by Fritz Siebel. I haven't picked them up in a long time, but I do remember enjoying them.

Other Musings...

This week, I'm going to read Need by Carrie Jones.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.

She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara...

What are you reading this week?

Musing Mondays (51) Random Weekly Questions

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by Jenn at Books and a Beat, that asks you to muse about something book related each week.

My Musings for the Week...

This week, there won't be any Other Musings since I don't have anything I want to specifically talk about, but I am answering two random weekly questions.

Random weekly question from April 18th: Name your least favorite plot device employed by way too many books that you actually enjoyed, otherwise.

Well, I think most plot devices (or tropes) can be okay when used in the right way to benefit the story rather than hinder it. However, one that annoys me the most is the lack of female friendships between the main character and others around her. Sometimes this works, but at other times no reason is ever given for such open hostility (and at other times the reason seems almost trivial; just my opinion of course). Either way, it is a plot devices that gets on my nerves, but otherwise, I won't dislike a good book because of it.

However, lately, I have read some books where female friendships  played a bigger role, and the main character wasn't just surrounded by guys for no explicable reason. So, that was pretty great, and I look forward to finding more books that display some spectacular and also diverse friendships.

Today's Random Weekly Question: Name any 5 books from your “to be read” pile (even if it’s a “virtual” pile).

Well, this makes it easier on me. Normally, I could go on and on about the books I want to read, but just five on my current TBR is ridiculously easy to choose—because I already have them on my shelf. I don't know when exactly I'll read the books, but it'll definitely be sometime soon...

The first is Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett. I've had this book for a long time, and it's part of my goal to revisit some old novels I enjoyed.

The next one is The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee. Like Wintersmith above, The Triator in the Tunnel is part of my goal, and the last book I have by Y.S. Lee. I do want to get the last book in the series to see how it all ends.

Next is The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black. I've read several of Black's other novels, and I have thoroughly enjoyed them. So, I'm looking forward to finally reading The Darkest Part of the Forest. 

And then there is Need by Carrie Jones. I did read this book a very long time ago. I remember that I liked it but I don't remember much of the details (not even how the book actually ended). So, I look forward to this one again soon.

And, last but not least, In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters. I'm pretty excited for this one.

That's about it for today. What are some of the books off your TBR pile? 

Musing Mondays (47) Random Weekly Questions & Short Stories

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by Jenn at Books and a Beat, that asks you to muse about something book related each week.

**Quick note: Musing Mondays is still being hosted by Jenn, but not at A Daily Rhythm, instead, it's now over on Books and a Beat.**

My Musings for the Week...

Before I move on to my other musings for the week, I'm going to get caught up on some of the random weekly questions I missed...

From February 22: How do you choose which books you read?

I mostly pick books at random, which solely depends on what I want to read at the time. However, if I have books that I'm required to read like ARCs that I have a blog tour for, then I'm more likely to read those first--just to get them out of the way and have the post done early.

From February 29: What was the last book you didn’t finish? Why?

The Love that Split the World was a book that just didn't turn out to be for me. I was really disappointed. If you want to know my full thoughts, check out my review here: ARC Review: The Love that Split the World.

Other Musings...

Today, I want to talk about short stories. No, this won't be a post about some of my favorite ones. Although, I could have done that, only, I haven't read enough of them to give me a reason to write a full post about them, well, yet anyway. Instead, I want to talk about how the stories are being published.

I don't know about anyone else, but I do like short stories when they're collected into just one edition--this is especially so when all the stories are by a single author (such as Untamed by A.G. Howard). For me, it's convenient, plus, I do enjoy paperbacks/hardcovers more than I do ebooks. So, really, this works out well for me.

Of course, I also enjoy anthologies like Guys Read: Terrifying Tales, because it gives me a chance to sample the writing styles of author's I'm unfamiliar with. Which is great, because if I like the stories enough, I'm more likely to be interested in potentially buying or checking out full length novels from my local library.

So, how do you feel about short stories being collected together in print format? Do you prefer having them in one print edition, or do you like to buy them separately as ebooks?

Musing Mondays (45) Random Weekly Questions

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by Jenn at A Daily Rhythm, that asks you to muse about something book related each week.

My Musings for the Week...

Today, I'm going to keep it short by answering some of the random weekly questions I missed.

What do you do with your books once you’ve read them?

I review them before finding a place to fit them on my bookshelf. I typically like to keep my books because there's always a chance I'll want to read them again later.

What would you say is the best children’s book you’ve ever read?

Sometimes, I hate questions like these because I have a lot of favorites. So, for that reason alone, I'm going to stick with some of my more recent reads. One of the best children's book I've ever read was probably Finding Serendipity and its sequel, A Week Without Tuesday. You can see what I thought about them HERE & HERE. Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick was another good one. Oh, and the entire Double Vision trilogy by F.T. Bradley.

What are you reading this week?