Category: discussion

#Bookblogtober Day 6: Autumn Drinks

DeAnneLeave a comment

I know that a lot of people out there have been dying for this time of year to arrive, I have been hearing many a shout of “PUMPKIN SPICE TIME!” all around me. I have a confession to make. I hate pumpkin spice anything. I know I know, how dare I, but that just means more for all of you out there who love it.

Thanks again to Jenniely for creating #bookblogtober, so now let’s get into what my personal favorites are when it comes to drinks I enjoy in the autumn while reading.

Caffeine! My caffeine intake is pretty high, so it’s rare that you see me without some form of it being available to me. One of my old standbys is Diet Coke, so I will typically have some available to me in my house. Another option that I have really been enjoying is flavored sparkling water with some caffeine in it.

Most nights, especially as the temperatures start to fall, you will see me with a cup of coffee. I typically prefer a medium roast coffee and add sugar free Irish cream flavored creamer and some whipped cream, cause you know, gotta be fancy. I also have a weakness for iced chai tea lattes, though I add sugar free vanilla syrup and half and half to lower the carb count.

Now, I am mentioning a lot of caffeinated beverages here so I should add that I will usually always have some water handy. If I have a bottle of soda, then I also have a bottle of water. We all know we can lose track of time when reading, so staying hydrated is very important.

What are your favorite beverages to drink this time of year?

Happy reading!

Nanowrimo 2019: Prep

DeAnneLeave a comment

It’s almost that time again! I both look forward and sometimes dread Nanowrimo coming back around. I’ve definitely learned from last year in that I will not be working on a story that I’ve already started, once again I will be starting something fresh and new.

I know the question of outlining and preparing vs. just pantsing it is always asked. I typically do not outline; however, I do plan a little bit. I tend to do some rough character profiles, figure out major plot points and roughly map out at least the beginning. I have a notebook devoted to this that lives in my everyday bag so if I get an idea I can jot it down quickly. While I may write down the bones of a scene, it is not pre-writing at all as it’s not much more than quick notes.

This year is also going to be a little bit tricky since November is going to be a little busier than usual. Not only am I going to be working my day job, but I’m going to the Portland Book Festival in the beginning of the month which will likely affect my writing for a few days due to traveling and the excitement of it all. My hope is that I’ll get ahead on my word goal so I won’t be too upset if I don’t write a ton while I’m gone (though I will be writing something because you know I’m getting the badge for writing everyday).

The only other thing I’ve done to prepare is make sure that those in my life who would expect to hear from me know that I may be less available during the month of November. Yes, this is a real thing. My boyfriend lets me know when he has a game expansion coming out, I let him know when Nanowrimo is happening.

I’m excited about the new story I’ll be writing and for completing Nanowrimo three years in a row. Who else is doing Nanowrimo this year?

Happy reading (and writing)!

#Bookblogtober Day 5: Best Reading Clothes

DeAnneLeave a comment

Oh boy, this one is a hard topic because obviously it’s going to be different for everyone. Obviously you want to make sure that you are comfortable, but it’s also going to depend on the time of year and your environment. If you love to read by the pool, you aren’t going to do that in flannel pajamas.

I do most of my reading inside, so as long as I’m wearing comfy pants and a shirt, I’m happy. Some of my essentials are either being under a blanket or having super fuzzy socks on. I also always have to have my hair out of my face, which usually means pinned up or a ponytail.

If I’m reading while traveling I have either a large stuffed animal or pillow usually hugged against me or acting as a headrest. In all things reading, especially for an extended period of time, comfort is key. I have a number of lounge pants and super soft t-shirts that suit this purpose.

What do you prefer to read in? Does the outfit matter to you, or is where you are more important?

Happy reading!

#Bookblogtober Day 4: Cozy Places to Read

DeAnneLeave a comment

Everyone knows that where you read can dramatically affect your reading experience and everyone has different preferences regarding what is comfortable.

Earlier this year I was able to get my dream couch, which has a chaise. I have it set up so that the chaise is near my sliding glass door, so when I stretch out to read I can open the door to let fresh air in. I almost always also have a quilt and some ambient noise going to set the scene.

When I’m not on the couch I can usually be found reading in bed or at my desk, but I definitely get my best reading done while curled up on my couch. I would love to someday have a house where I had a comfy window seat to stretch out in, or something outside that was cabana like.

Overall as long as I am comfortable, have hydration and little distractions I am happy.

So where do you read? Do you have dedicated furniture or a favorite spot?

Happy reading!

#Bookblogtober Day 3: Favorite Autumn Reads

DeAnneLeave a comment

When trying to think of my favorite Autumn reads I came up with what is probably way too many options. Of course there are going to be the spooky reads that a lot of people like to read around Halloween, but since I’m a mood reader there are often a lot of other I reach for. So, let’s get started.

Spooky reads – I love a good spooky read, especially if they feature ghosts in some way. I don’t need them to be particularly scary or creepy, but spooky in subject matter.

I also gravitate towards books with a Scooby Doo or detective like group/setting. I love the original Nancy Drew and Nancy Drew Files series so anything that reminds me of those if usually enjoyable to me. I also love paranormal romance books with a crime solving aspect that also include ghosts.

I am also really drawn to actual ghost stories. Any time someone I know travels and asks me if there is anything I would like them to get me, I always respond with postcards (I collect them) and books about local ghost stories. I literally have a whole shelf of ghost story books from all over the United States (though I would love some international ones as well).

Fall and winter are also the time of year that I typically find myself reaching for sci-fi books such as Illuminae and some classic horror books. Some of my favorites are those by Shirley Jackson. If you’re looking for a place to start with her I would say check out her short stories because that will tell you pretty quickly if you like her style. I did an AP English study on her in high school and have been hooked on her writing ever since, but I know she’s not for everyone.

What are some of your favorite autumn reads? What genres do you tend to reach for this time of year?

Happy reading!

#Bookblogtober Day 2: October Releases

DeAnne3 Comments

New releases can often be a love and hate thing with me. I definitely want anticipated books in my hands as soon as possible, but I also don’t want to make my bank account wheeze. I will occasionally do a pre-order, but I do try to have some restraint.

#Bookblogtober was created by Jenniely and the prompts can be viewed on her site at the linked post. Here are some of my most anticipated releases for October, though I’m sure there will be more as well.

Like I said, I’m sure a bunch more will pop up that will test my resolve, but these ones are definitely at the top of the list.

What are you looking forward to getting and reading this month? Anything you have pre-ordered?

Happy reading!

#Bookblogtober Day 1: October TBR

DeAnneLeave a comment

I saw a few other blogs with posts about Blogtober and was intrigued, so I decided to look into it. From what I can tell it was created by Jenniely with prompts for every day of October, day 1 being posting your October TBR. This prompt is a little challenging for me simply because I tend to be a mood reader. I can have the best intentions and plans and almost always end up veering off of them. So for the most part this post will be about what I would like to get to rather than a set TBR.

Dead Voices and Tunnel of Bones are both sequels that I want to get to since I loved the 1st books in the series. The other books in the stack are mostly what I’m hoping will be spooky reads perfect for the Halloween Season. Wilder Girls is going to be a group read in the TBR and Beyond Group so I will definitely be getting to that one. I may also be getting an audiobook of Swipe Right For Murder for a group read as well, but it will depend on if my hold comes in on time. I currently have audiobooks out from my library for The Girl Who Drank the Moon and Hunted, so those will definitely be getting read.

The only other title I know for sure I will be reading is The Girl From the Well for the Dragons and Tea Book Club. Other than that I’m sure I will be reading plenty of other things on my kindle and via audiobook, as well as reading any ARCs or books from authors I have.

I guess we’ll just wait and see how many I manage to accomplish. Happy reading!

Discussion: To Keep or Not to Keep? Different Types of Book Collecting

DeAnneLeave a comment

If you’ve been on the internet at all in the last few months, I’m sure you’ve seen memes, videos and posts talking about Marie Kondo and her Netflix show, which was preceded by her popular book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.  This has caused quite a ripple effect which includes a number of book bloggers, booktubers and others to examine their collections and initiate a purge (or at least make them consider one).

One of Marie’s quotes was taken out of context regarding how many books she likes to keep and sparked quite a…discussion by some who took it at face value. I think the important take away from the varying opinions, whether people agree with Marie’s methods or not, is that either way it caused people to look at their own lifestyles and possessions. I have been known to watch extreme organizing shows when I know I need a push to clean, not because my home is in disarray, but because it’s a motivational push.

That being said, seeing how those in the book community react to this trend, or even respond to it has been interesting.  It’s important to remember that there are many different types of book collectors and everyone is entitled to their own preference regarding their collection.

There are those who prefer to have copies of every book they have read whether they liked it or not, because it’s something they have consumed and has memories attached to it.  Others prefer to only keep a small selection of books which are their favorite and most beloved of stories and not own any others.  Then there are some in the middle (like me) who have a large collection of books, but they are typically books they have enjoyed and many that they will read again.  I personally do not keep books that I don’t enjoy, or if I felt the story was enjoyable enough but don’t really feel it has a place on my shelf I will let it go to a better home.

There is nothing wrong with any of these styles of collecting.  People are allowed to collect in any way that gives them joy (a key point that Marie made, over and over again).  Too often people react negatively when they see another person collecting in a way that is different than their own, I think people often lose sight of the fact that we are all individual and what may work for them doesn’t work for other people.

So, if you watch Marie’s show or read her book and suddenly feel the urge to go through all of your books to narrow your collection, then do it! If you don’t feel like you need to, then don’t.  I regularly go through my collection of both read and unread books and purge those that I’ve changed my mind on. Do what works for you and what gives you the most peace of mind when you look at your books.

So what’s your collecting style? Let me know in the comments.

Happy reading!