BBAW || Getting to Know All About Me

I 'm a little late in posting this, but I thought I'd share anyway, as it's Book Blogger Appreciation Week! Today's topic: Shining a Light on You! I thought I'd share a little bit about me, as I was unable to sign up for the interview swap. 

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?

Most of the time, I get so caught up in reading whatever I'm reading that I actually forget to eat! But if it just so happens that a bag of cookies is within reach or maybe a Popsicle (in the summertime) or hot chocolate (in the wintertime), I will probably be consuming those things as I read.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?

I used to be a purist and want to have my books as pristine and clean as possible. This meant that, even when I came across quotes and passages that I loved, I wouldn't mark them in the book - I'd just stick Post-its or markers in place. But lately, I've been more open to underlining lines and marking off passages in my books, simply because a pen is much more accessible to me than a bunch of Post-its in the spot I usually read at home. Plus, I keep thinking that people who read the book in the future (my friends, my family, my still unborn children) will like to see which parts really resonated with me.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears?

When I have one on hand, I use a bookmark. Since I have a ton, it usually works out, even if I'm reading multiple books at a time. However, there are very rare situations when I don't have anything to use on hand (even a receipt) and so I end up dog-earing my book (in as small a fold as I can manage). I know, I know, it's a mortal sin (because technically, I'd consider it one...).

Laying the book flat open?

I avoid doing this as much as possible because I hate it when the spines of my books get damaged. It only happens when I'm in a hurry or am asked to do something else, which leaves me distracted.

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?

I actually read both, though I generally prefer fiction over non-fiction. I love reading fiction because it's a stretch of the imagination, and allows me to believe that people, events and things that don't necessarily exist in this world exist in another one. I love non-fiction as well though, because I start to feel a real connection with other people and their stories - and they actually exist in real life!

Hard copy or audiobooks?

I'm a little ashamed to admit that I've never listened to an audiobook. I've been seeing great recommendations from some bloggers, but I'm a little tentative about starting up with them since that will probably lead to a whole new obsession for me. Plus, I love holding a book in my hands.

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?

I'm a bit OCD and so, I generally have to finish a chapter before I can put down a book. I hate leaving in the middle of a chapter because it feels so unfinished. Leaving in the middle or at a random spot usually only happens when I'm commuting or someone calls me away unexpectedly.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?

Honestly, I don't. I'm generally good at getting the gist of a word based on the context. If I find the word really unfamiliar and can't figure it out, I write it down and just go back to it at the end of the chapter.

What are you currently reading?

I just started Fathomless by Jackson Pearce last night, and so far, I'm loving it. It's another fairytale retelling, which always gets me excited.

What is the last book you bought?

The last books I bought (last Friday, when I was at Barnes & Noble for the David Levithan event) were Every Day by David Levithan, Drama by Raina Telgemeier & Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan. I'm pretty excited about all three of these!

Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?

I used to find it hard to focus on more than one book at a time, but that was because I'd be reading more than one fantasy book at a time. These days, I can read more than one book at a time, as long as they're of different genres so I don't get confused! It helps sometimes when I'm reading a really long, wordy book to have another book that goes by quicker on the side.

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?

I love reading on the subway, because it makes time fly. Actually, now that I think about it, I generally enjoy reading while I'm on any mode of transport because it makes me forget my discomfort and the long hours. But, on a daily basis, I enjoy reading at night before bed. It's become part of my routine.

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?

It depends on my mood. I generally like series (though I didn't realize this until I thought about my answer to this question), even though waiting for sequels or the next books is kind of torturous sometimes (*coughs* Cress *coughs*). However, I do think stand alone books are pretty darn awesome too.

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?

Apart from the obvious (Harry Potter is always a recommendation to people who haven't read it), I do recommend a few books - The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan, Lola & the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins - quite a lot.

How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?)

Right now, I organized my books into three specific groups - all the review copies I need to read and library books, the books from series I need to read and recommended by friends, and the books that I bought and mean to read. After that, I organize them by height. They look pretty awesome right now!