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Thursday, June 19, 2014

Blog Tag: Book Blogger Test

We were tagged by Louisse of The Soul Sisters to do this fun little test, and we figured, Hey, we haven't done something like this in ages. Let's do it.

So now you have a peek inside our rocket science-inclined brains, let's get on with it.

1. What are your top three book pet hates?


Nicole: 
Insta love: Don't you just hate how heroines swoon at the sight of well defined abs and sultry eyes then fancy themselves in love? I mean swoon as much as you want girl, but don't mistake that for love.
Wimpy Heroines: I hate whiny, sniveling, snot-nosed spoiled heroines. Who wouldn't, really? I want my heroines strong and smart and resilient. Human. Flawed. 
Sloppy romance: I will never say no to romance in a book but when the romance consumes the whole story I just want to slap someone. Too much unnecessary romance will never be a good thing especially if the book promises bloodshed and a whole lot of action. The bloody, limb-tearing kind.

Michelle:
No clear plot lines: I hate finding out that the blurb is actually very different from the actual book, especially when I'm so excited for it only to have my bubble popped.
Misleading covers: Book covers are so misleading! Some have gorgeous, gorgeous covers, but the actual content is pretty 'eh'. Others, on the other hand, have 'eh' covers that may turn off some potential readers, but have kickbutt content!
Annoying protagonists: Since chances are pretty high that I'm going to be reading from their perspective, I hate being inside the head of someone who is obviously very petty and irritating.


2. Describe your perfect reading spot.
Nicole: Hmmm. It's got to be my bed, no doubt about it. I spend a whole lot of time in bed reading.
Michelle: Wow, okay. I just realized that I actually sprawl all over the room/house when I read! Like, later I'll be on the lounge chair. Next time you see me, I'm on my bed. Then I'll walk on over to my mom's room and get settled in her bed. And somehow I'll end up at the living room. Or the kitchen.

3. Tell us three book confessions.
Nicole: 
Plastic wrap: Books I own NEED to be wrapped with plastic, book jacket style. I even do it to ARCs. 
Covers: If I don't like a book but it has a gorgeous cover, you can bet I'll be super tempted to buy it. I like covers that are illustrated like the Stormdancer novels (Jason Chan is a god) and the cover of Seraphina. Fantasy novels have wonderful covers (Assassin's Curse) and make for challenging nail art.
Nalini Singh: Let it be known that I am a huge fan of Nalini Singh. I love her paranormal romance novels and I devour those babies in one sitting. I do a lot of rereads because she has the best alpha males.

Michelle:
Julia Quinn and Lisa Kleypas: I am a historical romance aficionado! And what I love about warehouse book sales is being to hoard romance novels like no tomorrow. J. Quinn and Lisa Kleypas are my definite faves though.
The Sweet Valley books: I can't understand how shallow these teenagers can be, or that they don't killed in some of their books. Or that one of the twins falls in love with a movie star, and that the other is chasing after a prince - but they are super addicting! And since they're pretty old, finding them at unexpected places is pretty fun.
Meg Cabot's The Princess Diaries: I re-discovered Young Adult fiction when I was in fourth grade, and I picked up a copy of Meg Cabot's The Princess Diaries. It was so... different. Here was a girl who was talking about the weird changes in her body including certain hormonal urges, alongside trying to coincide two vastly different identities. It was this book that led me to reconcile that there were books out there that weren't afraid to talk about the things that teenagers actually think about!


4. When was the last time you cried during a book?
Nicole: I honestly can't remember. I don't usually cry. My emotional settings are set to minimum.
Michelle: I don't cry much either, but I do remember making exceptions for Corinne Jackson's If I Lie, and Morgan Matson's Second Chance Summer.

5. How many books are on your bedside table?
Nicole: Right now it's a copy of Jenny Han's To All the Boys I've Loved Before because I'm doing some nail art for the book. Nalini Singh books. Hehe. Heh. And Cassandra Rose Clarke's The Pirate's Wish because I'm planning my nails for that too.
Michelle: Hooboy! The question should be: What books aren't on your bedside table? To which the answer would be all my books that are in the study downstairs.


6. What is your favorite snack while you are reading?
Nicole: I eat in between reading. So like... Fruits. I like fruits. And pizza. And cheese. Yeah.
Michelle: I find it hard to eat while reading, so I don't do it.

7. Name 3 books you would recommend to everyone.
Nicole: 
Stormdancer: This shouldn't come as a surprise. It's one of the few 4.5 books on the blog my lovelies. I mean, Japan inspired steampunk with awesome lightning wielding Arashitora and motorized katanas? Yeah. Count me in. Not to mention how dark and gritty and full of bloodshed the series is.
Girl of Fire and Thorns: Please, this is one of my favorite high fantasy novels out there. There's nothing more satisfying than reading about a Godstone wielding Princess who grows into herself and her powers in the course of three books. Rae Carson is a masterful storyteller and her character development is simply wonderful. Not to mention Hector. Hector alone guarantees this series 4 rainbows at least.
Let the Sky Fall: Sylphs! Hot guys! My OTP! I seriously love this series because of Vane. He is such a guy. Plus it's a much needed break from vampires and zombies and werewolves. 

Michelle: (Sorry, I'm cheating - but I'm going with 4. I cannot just stick with 3!)
Neal Shusterman's Unwind: Because mind-blown. Only 5-stars I ever gave.
Marie Rutkoski's The Winner's Curse: This was the giveaway for my birthday this year because I fuh-reaking loved it! I recommended this to a good friend, and she was happy with it!
Rae Carson's The Girl of Fire and Thorns: Hector. Elisa. Awesome fantastical powers. 'nuff said.
Jennifer Nielsen's The False Prince: This was last year's giveaway for my birthday. I lent it to a another good friend recently and she was just as amazed as I was.

8. Pic of favorite bookshelf:
Nicole: I love all my bookshelves but just for kicks, take a peek at the titles displayed on my romance shelf. I haven't gotten around to arranging them. Also, ignore the misplaced Cuckoo's Calling.


Michelle: It's too bad that we haven't moved yet so I can share with you guys the staircase bookshelves and bay window reading nook bookshelf I'm having for my loft, but here's an idea (sadly, without the fantastic sea horse in the aquarium):




9.Write how much books mean to you in just 3 words.
Nicole: My whole world.
Michelle: Another different life.

10. What is your biggest reading secret?
Nicole: I actually have no idea. I'm a closet romantic?
Michelle: Right now, I am kind of tired of dystopians. Shh!

Tagged Bloggers:

We're tagging






2 comments:

  1. The Princess Diaries were the books that got me into reading YA! Also, I always end up in the kitchen whenever I'm reading, hehe. Ate Michelle, please adopt me because I'm lusting after that bookshelf. I think this calls for a bookshelf tour pretty soon! ;)

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    Replies
    1. Yay, Meg Cabot! And yes, I will do a bookshelf tour once we've moved in. :)

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