Naughty or Nice Tag

Hello all! It’s been a while since I did a tag and there’s so many fantastic end-of-year ones to choose from- this one particularly looks like a lot of fun!! Thanks so much to the wonderful Jill Jemmett and the lovely Beth @Reading Every Night for tagging me to do this one! They’re both fantastic bloggers who have so much wonderful bookish content and you need to check them out! And a special extra *thank you* goes out to Jill, for sending me this beauty (which I received today!!!) for winning her 1000 follower giveaway:

The Rules

• Tag & link the person who tagged you.
• Tag and link Jenniely’spost, for she’s love to read everyone’s answers!
• Tick/cross off the ones you’ve done (ticks = naughty, crosses = nice)
• Tag another 10 people.

1. Received an ARC and not reviewed it  

Errr do samples count? I’m gonna say no- just cos.

2. Have less than 60% feedback rating on Netgalley 

Nope!

3. Rated a book on Goodreads and promised a full review was to come on your blog (and never did) 

I rarely put my comments on GR- let alone review- so this was a safe no.

4. Folded down the page of a book 

*Coughs awkwardly* yeahhhh. To be fair, it’s a great way to do references for non fic (and mark pages to go back to later in general).

5. Accidentally spilled on a book 

Nope! What kind of philistine do you think I am? (to be fair, considering how much tea and hot chocolate I’ve drunk over my books in the last year, I reckon I’ve been incredibly lucky not to have done this)

5. DNF a book this year 

Yeah I DNF’d and I’m proud of it! After struggling through half of it for a month, I finally decided to call it quits. I actually consider my inability to DNF one of my weaknesses as a reader and have been trying to get better at it- if achieving that goal puts me on the naughty list then so be it!

6. Bought a book purely because it was pretty with no intention of reading it  

Err I’ve definitely cover bought, but I always intend to read it (even if I never do)- so gonna go with nice for this.

7. Read whilst you were meant to be doing something else (like homework) 

*Looks around guiltily*. Oh come on, you’ve all done this. Don’t pretend you haven’t.

9. Skim read a book 

Errr yeah- that’s what happens when you refuse to DNF really lousy books.

10. Completely missed your Goodreads goal 

Hehe well considering I didn’t really have a goodreads goal, it’s pretty hard to fail this one.

11. Borrowed a book and not returned it to the library

Okay I’m overthinking this question, because I *always* have books on the go from the library, but I also *always* make sure they’re renewed/returned on time. So I’m going with a tentative no?

12. Broke a book buying ban 

What ban? Okay- never mind- you can all see through the pretence. Guilty as charged.

13. Started a review, left it for ages then forgot what the book was about 

Hahaha I’ve done this for mini reviews and then end up with two lines of comments- I think it’s fairly obvious 😉

14. Wrote in a book you were reading 

I don’t actually think I’ve done that this year… wow, that’s a first.

15. Finished a book and not added it to your Goodreads 

Oh no, I’m basically compulsive about Goodreads. I finish a book, I put it on there.

16. Borrowed a book and not returned it to a friend 

NO! The horror, the horror. I’m basically a saint when it comes to borrowing books from friends 😉 (but also don’t like to do it cos it makes me STRESS so much)

17. Dodged someone asking if they can borrow a book 

Hahaha! All. The. Time. Unless it’s to my sister- then the answer’s always “after I’m done with it” 😉

18. Broke the spine of someone else’s book 

Nooooo! That would be too cruel. As bad as I am with a lot of my own books, I hate the idea of ruining someone else’s books. If I borrow a book from someone I’m going to be squinting at the half-opened pages rather than spoil it (also, again, I’m mostly too afraid to borrow people’s books)

19. Took the jacket off a book to protect it and ended up making it more damaged 

Ahhh this happened to me and it was really sad!! I had to take my Muse of Nightmares out with me (alright I technically have to, I wanted to, cos I was reading it and it was amazing, okay?!) and so I decided to leave the dust jacket behind so it wouldn’t get ruined. But I couldn’t leave it out, so I put it in a drawer, consequently forgot it was in said drawer… and crumpled it when I took it out. Not too badly, but still. I feel like I was punished enough for this one- sadly Santa doesn’t feel the same way so it’s onto the naughty list *sigh*.

20. Sat on a book accidentally 

Sounds like me (regular Bella Swan me #sorelatable) but I don’t remember this specifically, soooo no?

Final Score: 8/20

Well, with some very careful interpretation of the questions I’m on the nice list! Although I feel like that said interpretation might be why I kinda deserve to be on the naughty list… let’s not think about that!

Cos I’m naughty at heart, I’m not gonna tag a lot of people, just:

Drew, Sam, Rivermoose, Kat, Bookstooge, Katie and Cozy Pages

And to everyone else- do you reckon you’d be on the naughty or nice list? Let me know in the comments!

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Book Blogger Insider Tag!

Hello all! I’ve got no preamble today- I just fancied doing a tag, cos I’m a blogger… which coincidentally is what this tag is all about!

Thank you so much to the awesome Angelica @Book Cover Girls, super Sam @Rivermoose Reads and the perfect Panic at the Bookstore for tagging me to do this!

1) Where do you typically write your blog posts?

At my desk. I know, exciting 😉 although my desk is something of a paper jungle right now, so it somewhat resembles my natural habitat 😉

2) How long does it generally take you to write a book review?

That really depends on the book! Also I’ve never kept track lol- I reckon some take under an hour, but I only remember the ones that I slaved over for wayyy too long (it took *hours* to write my post on the Gulag Archipelago for instance).

3) When did you start your book blog?

May 2015! Just before I finished my degree… which was not the best timing in the world.

4) What is the worst thing about having a book blog in your opinion?

Not keeping up with everything and consequent blogging guilt! It’s a killer combination!

5) What is the best thing about having a book blog in your opinion?

ALL OF YOU GUYS!!!

6) What blog post have you had the most fun writing so far?

Probably one of my satirical pieces like Worst Fantasy Novel Plan or Why Satire is Evil. But I also loved doing my 3 year bloggiversary post on blogging and promoting some other bloggers, cos it was something different that I hadn’t done before.

7) What is your favourite type of blog post to write?

Hmm, while I have the most fun doing funny sorts of posts, I probably get the most out of discussion pieces. I get to think through my ideas, hear your ideas, and come up with new ideas after- which is like an idea-xplosion!

8) When do you typically write?

Usually in the early evening. Or the night. Or sometimes in the afternoon… I really didn’t have a good answer for this except to say *NOT IN THE MORNING*.

9) Do you review every book you read?

Nope- not even close lol- that’s why I try to talk about some of the other books in mini reviews (and I still don’t get to everything). I’m getting better though!

10) How do you write your book reviews? With a cup of coffee or tea? With Netflix? Cuddled with your fur baby?

TEA IS A MUST. I swear if I could open a vein and have a constant supply of tea, I’d do it (okay, that’s probably a bit far, but what can I say, I’m British and CRAZY ABOUT TEA 😉 )

Other than that, it really depends on the book (and how long I’ve been procrastinating over the review)

11) When do you write your book reviews? Right after finishing the book? Two weeks after finishing the book?

*Coughs awkwardly*. Honestly? It’s usually at least a month… Shocking- I know!! But that helps me plan my posts better and order my thoughts. I also can get a clear view about what I can talk about in mini reviews that way. But yeah, it’s rare that you’ll see my thoughts straightaway.

12) How often do you post?

That realllly depends on the week. Gonna make “it depends” my mantra after this post… except that’s not catchy, so not really 😉

Anyhoo, hope you enjoyed that chill post for a change! I tag:

Kat, Meggy, Book Beach Bunny, Katie, Jenna and Lashaan & Trang

Do you have any weird blogging habits you’d like to share? Are you a tea addict like me? Let me know in the comments!

Quote Challenges – Favourite First Lines: Day 10

Hello all! We’re coming to the end of my favourite first lines edition of the quote challenge- I so hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I’ve enjoyed making it! As always, here are the rules:

Rules

• Thank the person who nominated you
• Post a quote for 3 consecutive days (1 quote for each day)
• Nominate three new bloggers each day

Thank you so much to the wonderful Sarah @Art Expedition for tagging me! I’ve talked about Sarah on this blog before- BECAUSE SHE’S SO BRILLIANT! Seriously, as you’ll see from her blog, she’s super talented and thoughtful in her posts. I just love her blog and can’t recommend it enough!

It’s been a while since I’ve read The Book Thief– because *wow* that book punches you in the gut- but I can’t forget being pulled into the story by this intriguing opening… and slowly realising who the narrator is.

I tag:

Beth, Melting Pots and Other Calamities and Jill Jemmett

Have you read this? Do you love it as much as I do? Let me know in the comments!

Quote Challenges – Favourite First Lines: Day 9

Hello all! Welcome back to my quote challenge post! In case you haven’t noticed, I’m doing it on a “favourite first lines” theme. And as with a lot of tags, there are rules to break:

Rules

• Thank the person who nominated you
• Post a quote for 3 consecutive days (1 quote for each day)
• Nominate three new bloggers each day

Thank you so much to the lovely Anna @My Bookish Dream! I’m so excited to share Anna’s dreamy blog today (see what I did there 😉 ) I love her fantastic wrap up and reviews- she’s such a great voice on the blogosphere that I know you’ll fall for her style as much as I have! Go check her out!

I’ve talked a lot about classics in these first line posts- but not enough about my other love: fantasy. Laini Taylor is, for me, the pinnacle of what I love about the genre. And this line captures everything, everything I love. It tells you the concept, captures the mood and hints at the lyrical style. Basically, I adore it.

I tag:

Jay, a Novel Glimpse and Bibi’s Book Blog

Have you read the Daughter of Smoke and Bones? Let’s fangirl over it in the comments!

Quote Challenges – Favourite First Lines: Day 8

Hello all! Yup I’m still going with this quote challenge! As always, there have to be rules (to break):

Rules

• Thank the person who nominated you
• Post a quote for 3 consecutive days (1 quote for each day)
• Nominate three new bloggers each day

Thank you so much to the gorgeous Jenna @Bookmark Your Thoughts– she’s such a friendly, outgoing blogger and she’s always sharing the love for other bloggers! She also does fantastic, in-depth reviews and has a great take on tags and memes. You *need* to check her out!

This is the kind of first line that I love because it made me do a double take. On first reading, I was like “what’s the big deal… oh wait… wow.” It breaks all the rules- taking you in one direction and then turning everything on its head. Undoubtedly, Orwell’s 1984 is one of the best books ever written- and that opening should tell you why.

I tag:

J W Martin, No Reads Too Great, Lit Lemon Books

Have you read this masterpiece? Let me know in the comments!

Quote Challenges – Favourite First Lines: Day 7

Hello all! Doing another quote today- and I’m particularly excited about today’s pick! Anyway, before we get to that, here are the rules:

Rules

• Thank the person who nominated you
• Post a quote for 3 consecutive days (1 quote for each day)
• Nominate three new bloggers each day

(which I feel even more emboldened to break given I’ll be talking about the ultimate rule breaker)

Thank you so much to the awesome Reading for Sanity Mom– she writes great, thoughtful posts and reviews! It’s always lovely to see what she has to say!

Some people talk about how books have to capture the whole sense of the story in the first line- and what better example than this. Peter Pan is another of my favourite novels- and it’s no wonder it captured my imagination from that first, bold sentence. I think that’s the reason why I spent so much time as a child jumping off my bed, “practising” my flying technique 😉

I tag:

Sprinkle of Dreams, Zezee and Marie

So who else is inspired by this classic children’s story? Let me know in the comments!

Quote Challenges – Favourite First Lines: Day 6

Hello all! I’m still at it with these favourite first line posts 😀 Here are the rules in case you’ve missed them:

Rules

• Thank the person who nominated you
• Post a quote for 3 consecutive days (1 quote for each day)
• Nominate three new bloggers each day

Thanks so much to chomeuse with a chou– her stories about things going on in her life are always super entertaining! If you want to read fun, engaging post, you need to check her out!

Enigmatic, intriguing and inspiring- I frickin adore the opening to Shadow of the Wind (and the rest of the book!) I don’t think there’s anything else to say other than that.

I tag:

Stuck in Fiction, Paper Royalty and Bookishly Rebecca

Who else has taken a trip to the Cemetery of Forgotten books? Let me know in the comments!