tide thou over

Whenever will I stop apologizing for tardy blogging habits?

I have actually had a whole lot of fun happening in my life lately, and I just...I need to blog about it, but I don't know how to blog about it.

I'm better at blogging when theres nothing in the world for me to do but blog, so it seems.


In any case, while I am procrastinating downloading the 300+ pictures (I promise to not post them all) from Mo, summoning words (and energy) for a post, have this loverly tag that I was tagged in, shall we continue?

From The Friendly Gar, I have been alotted the Sunshine Award and the coinciding tag.  She has given me a few questions I must answer.
lets pretend its an important interview.

1. What are your top five favorite books?

aigo you had to ask this.  My Top Five of everything changes quite frequently from time to time with moods and current stuffs in my life, but right now, I'm going to say my top five favorite reads are Chalice by Robin McKinley (this one is a constant. I've never not included this book on a favorites list), The Kneebone boy by Ellen Potter (we now have a black and white cat named Otto after the book Otto. this book is perfection with a cherry on top), Hang A Thousand Trees with Ribbon by Ann Rinaldi (I really don't know how or why I love this book so much.  but, it had a great help in my novel 'Sails of Blood', despite Rinaldi's book not being about pirates, or revenge, or Sails not being about poets or impossible love).  To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (I laughed, I cried, it hurt I loved it.  Boo found a place in my heart that few others share). and Phantom Of The Opera by Gaston Leroux (we all know my phantom obsession).

2. What style do you enjoy writing in the most?
Style? I can't say I have a style I actively enjoy and try for.  I just know I like to hurt people with my characters.  So...painful?

3. Whose writing do you admire the most?
Robin McKinley's. I love that woman and her writing.  It's so frank, and beautiful and artistic and you just get lost in the words.  They swallow you up and whisk you away to wherever you need to be. Really, any adjective I use to describe her writing just falls so flat because the way she writes is out of this world.

4. What is the thing that prevents you most from writing?
being a lazy turd.  That and, sometimes I just cannot get to the computer.  But, on a whole, its pinterest or tumblr stalking or show watching or music video browsing or just sitting there staring at a blank screen that gets me.
I enjoy writing.
But its not like I enjoy eating ice cream, because I could eat ice cream and never be distracted.

5. What is your favorite WIP?   (Yes, I did that question just to be evil.)
I, unashamedly, have favorites.  Right now, I'm going to say The 100 Year Queen is my favorite wip, but thats only because, ha ha darling I only have two works in progress and the second is only like, four paragraphs and a sentence.

6. What is your nickname?
Addy. Ashes. Evil and Beautiful Ruler of The Underworld. (whaaat? its still a nickname even if only you call yourself by it)

7. How many siblings do you have?
I have 10 little minions. 9 present, 1 already home. :)

8. If you could visit anywhere, where would you visit?
you know what you little snot. why did you have to ask that.
My first thought was, "oooh London", but it was followed up quickly by "Tokyo, honey the lights!" but then "Seoul. Seoul and shopping and street food" but then "Paris. catacombs and dead people" and then "Ireland, you want to track down your irish roots, eh?" and now I'm just a humming botherment of places I need want to visit.
So I'm going to say, the world.
I want to visit the world.

9. How many writing blogs do you follow?
I follow a lot of blogs from bloggers who write, but the only actual writing blog that I follow is Go Teen Writers and its my favorite place on the internet earth.

10.  If you had to choose between Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hiddleston, who would you pick?
hands down, Tom Hiddleston.
Benny would be nice, but spending a day with Hiddles is higher on my list.
Loki
Shakespeare
Loki
Tea
Loki
his laugh
Loki
Loki
Loki
Loki
aaaaaaaaand, Loki.


Oh, now that was fun.  I'm going to be the snot now, and not tag people because I'm actually afraid of tagging people who don't want to be tagged.

moving forward!

I am now stealing a post from Abby (sorry, dearie. I'll put in a good Taj scene somewhere to make it up. but, you stole it too, so maybe I wont). It's about books, how could I not be a light handed thief?

1.  Your favourite book as a child? Define 'child'.   -7, I loved Dr. Seuss books with a passion, I still do, actually.  And then, growing more, I moved into Dear Americas, and devoured any put before me. 

2.  What are you reading right now? A butt load of books.  Seriously, I need to get better on finishing before starting. Some of what I'm reading is Cinder (Marissa Meyer), The Raven Boys (Maggie Stiefvater), Captives (Jill Williamson), The False Prince (Jennifer Neilson) and The Dancing Master (Julie Klassan).

3.  What books do you have on request at the library? zip. my librarians don't know how to reserve books. I know right.

5.  What do you currently have checked out from your library? the aforementioned Cinder and The Raven Boys.  I only got two this time, due to the fact of having a trillion books at home, and some of them review books.

6.  Do you have an e-reader? well, eh, kinda... I have the kindle and nook app on my iphone, and I use that. Its really great for getting review books, or even free books, but I prefer physical, paper scented copies.

7.  Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or do you tend to read several at once? *looks hard at you*

8.  Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog? Nope. Or, well, if they have, then I cannot remember since I've been blogging for so long. 

I know since getting an iphone, my reading has actually slacked since a whole new world of distractions (flappy bird. flappy bird. flappy bird. that stupid game) was opened up to me, and I'm working on improving that causality. 

9.  What was your least favourite book this year? There are actually very few books I actually dislike, but I'm going to say 'The White Queen' by whoever wrote it. It's a tv show now. wasn't my favorite. returned it to the library after only 7 chapters.

10.  What was your FAVOURITE book this year? That is a singular question and I don't want to answer. I like plural questions. (The Kneebone Boy probably wins though)

11.  How often do you read out of your comfort zone? Quite frequently actually.  I really don't mind any genre except you know...the unspeakable genre that Fifty Shades falls into.  But, I don't do a lot of Christian Romance reading because, no offense, I've found so very few that are actually interesting.  But, I'm reading the Dancing Master (and enjoy it, can I have a gasp of shock people?) and about once a month, I try a new one just to see if the water is wine yet.

12.  What is your reading comfort zone?  books. 

13.  Can you read in the car?  I can. and, not only can I, but its preferable.  Over the years, my eyes have grown so used to reading in a vehicle, if I'm riding and not reading, I will get car sick. 

 

14.  Where is your favourite place to read? I have a cozy corner in my room where no one can see me unless they stand 2 feet away from the entrance.  It's perfect and I keep my cozy blanket there. 

15.  What is your policy on book-lending? That book is my child. If you would never injure my child, then do not injure my book child. 

Also, no kidnapping. 

returning the child back to me is nice. 

16.  Do you ever dog-ear in books?  those who do should repent of their actions.

17.  Do you ever write in the margins of your books? So should the people who do this.

18.  What about text books? still no.  I was the child who could finish a whole school book, and not have any markings on it because I took pride in keeping it spotless and flawless.

19.  What is your favourite language to read in? English.  I can't really understand what I'm reading in any other.

20.  What makes you love a book? You know what? I don't actually know. There are just some books that click with me deep down, and make me excited, and make me want to cuddle the characters.  It can have sucky plot, poorly constructed characters, and a truly terrible cover, but if that unknown something clicks, it doesn't matter. I love it.

21.  What would inspire you to recommend a book? The books I recommend to The Friendly Gar aren't always the same books I recommended to Mirriam.   So, I guess, If I read a book, and see a glimmer of something a certain other person would like, I would recommend it. Also if I adore the author or spent a whole night fangirling over the book, its going to get shoved into everyone's faces.

22.  What is your favourite genre? Books. I feel like I've said this before.

23.  What is a genre you rarely read but wish that you did? Science Fiction. It's so hard to find sci-fi novels that arent fanfictions and aren't fanfictions in disguise.

24.  Favourite biography? i read less biographies than I do science fiction, but I really enjoyed Unsinkable by Abby Sunderland. it's an autobiography though. does that count?

25.  Have you ever read a self-help book? My mom keeps buying them and I keep not reading them.

26.  Favourite cookbook? If I have something in particular I want to cook, I will read that one recipe. But I've never gone, "Oh! what a wonderful book to read in bed!" over a cookbook.

27.  What is the most inspirational book you have read this year? Gods At War by Kyle Idleman. there was some powerful stuff in that book.  (also, all of Robin McKinley's books get me inspired to write, but I don't think thats what this question was meaning).

28.  Favourite reading snack? Tea and chocolate. or skittles. or anything fruit flavored without any fruit in it.

29.  Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience. I have yet to read the Divergent of Percy Jackson series due to the hype, even though I'm 100% certain I would love Percy Jackson because hello greek myths are kinda my thing.

30.  How often do you agree with critics about a book? I don't listen to book critics so I don't know if I agree or disagree with their opinions.  (unless its those 'back of the book critics on award winning novels and then I normally make sarcastic remarks inside my head about their critic that sounds more like its garnishing favor from the author instead of actually meaning what they say).

31.  How do you feel about giving negative reviews? It scares me.  But, the few reviews I've done that are 1-2 stars, I try to be sure to point out at least 3 three thats I liked. And since I rarely have a book I actually dislike, its a fairly easy thing to do.

32.  If you could read a foreign language, which would you choose? All the languages. please don't make me pick.  but, japanese would be a first choice, quickly followed by korean.  I'm not counting languages that use a Germanic alphabet since, reading isnt the issue. speaking is. 

33.  What was the most intimidating book you've ever read?  War and Peace. I haven't actually read it, since my mom wants to time me and see how quickly I can flash through it.  It wouldn't be intimidating if it wasn't for that.

34.  What is the most intimidating book you're too nervous to begin? oh wait. I put in the wrong answer at the wrong place. silly me. read #33.

35.  Who is your favourite poet? Neil Gaimen actually.  I know he is a novelist, but wow his poetry. 

 

36.  On average, how many books do you have checked out of the library at any given time? Seven. generally. Seven is the most I can check out and I like to touch the limit.

37.  How often do you return books to the library unread? aigo yes. too frequently. I can remember the first book I returned unread. It hurt.

38.  Who are your favourite fictional characters?  Oh hello plural question. 

Erik, from Phantom of the Opera.  He held my soul. 

Otto from The Kneebone boy because cutie. 

Magwitch from Great Expectations.  I loved him until he died and loved him still.  I actually think his death was the first fictional death I cried over. 

Tomo from Ink. He belongs to me. 

Sherlock Holmes. if Magwitch was the first death I cried over, Holmes was my first fictional crush. 

The Master from Chalice.  a man who is fire and can burn a person merely by touching them. I think thats hot. 

Corlath and Harry from The Blue Sword. because one without the other just isn't the same. 

Artemis Fowl and Butler. same as above. 

Sir Percy from The Scarlet Pimpernel. its no joke how I loved that book.  

and Thranduil my party king.  (also lots of other LOTR characters, but we will just stick with Thranduil for now).

and pretty much every single one of the badgers from Brian Jacques's Redwall series.

39.  Who is your favourite fictional villain? Moriarty, Sauron (am I the only one who thinks his voice is lovely. so growly. rawr), and Dracula.

40.  What are the books you are most likely to take on vacation? Whatever I am currently reading, of course.

41.  What is the longest you have gone without reading? Oh I read every single day, as to whether I am reading books, however, is another topic for another discussion that will be mingled with plenty of "Ashley how dare you go that long"s.

42.  Name a book that you could not or would not finish. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.  perhaps I was to young to be given the book, (no. I was to young. there were some things that shocked a 12 yo), but I could never finish it, and its left a soured taste in my mouth that will keep me from trying again now that I'm older.

43.  What distracts you easily when you're reading? I was going to write my own thing, but Abby says it perfectly so I shall quote her,  

 

"Is that a crack in the wall? I wonder if it leads to another dimension. Lee Pace has very nice cheekbones. Do you remember that terrible thing you did when you were eight that caused mass embarrassment and ruined lives and probably killed small children? Yeah. Well. Now you do. You haven't practiced guitar in almost three weeks; you should probably do that now. Maybe The Doctor's name really is John Smith. You're hungry now, aren't you.  Also, you have to go to the washroom. Five times. You could also very much use a seventh cup of tea.  Thank you for the commentary, Loki, it's not at all distracting. Remember when you tried to do that thing and failed miserably? Whoops, about thirteen eyelashes just fell into your eyes and are now currently causing you intense pain as they float under your contacts. This is the story of how I died.  I wonder if that cute guy liked you or was just cute without trying. What is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?"

44.  What is your favourite film adaptation of a novel?  oooh close tie between all the Lord of The Rings movies, and Pride and Prejudice.  but, Catching Fire is also really good, and I still need to watch The Book Thief, because !favorite!book!, but I'm afriad of how harshly I'm going to judge the movie.....and...

I got side tracked.

45.  What is the most disappointing film adaptation? um. hm. well....not many movies are made from books I love. sorry.

46.  What is the most money you have spent in a bookstore at one go? roughly $30 because it was my first paycheck and I decided I wanted books despite still having unread books. 

 

47.  How often do you skim a book before reading it?  yep. oh. always.

48.  What would cause you to stop reading a book halfway through? boredom will get me.

49.  Do you like to keep your books organized? yes, I organize them once a week because someone (*casts heated glares at sister*) does not understand my organization and shoves them anywhere they fit on my shelf.

50.  Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you're done with them? I keep them unless I dislike them in which case they get huffled off to someone who will like them. 

 

51.  Are there any books you've been avoiding? Divergent and The Percy Jackson series because everyone loves them and I'm a bit of a book hipster. Everybody has read them, and excuse me if I don't want to be everybody.

52.  Name a book that made you angry. Phantom of The Opera. in a good way. I'm still angry. ask me about my Phantom anger.

53.  A book you didn't expect to like, but did? The Dancing Master by Julie Klassan. "oh, its just a generic christian romance fiction" said I. "Oh, but it is more" said I now.

54.  How about a book you expected to like, but didn't? Fragile Things by Neil Gaimen. I didn't actually not like it, as much I was just...weirded out half the time.  half the time it was brilliant and I loved the other half I was blinking in confusion over what was he even thinking.

55.  Favourite guilt-free pleasure reading? Chalice by Robin McKinley.  that book is my soul tea. I just read it whenever I feel sad, touch its pages, breath its smell, cry over The Master. you know. the deep stuff. 

so yeah. 

I need to get better with reading more frequently. 

it's kinda an important issue.