When Awards Build Up…We Basically Have A Q&A!

Alright guys.

I’ve not done any tags or blog awards for a very, very long time. We’re talking months. So you can imagine how much they’ve all built up.

As much as I like reading these sorts of posts (because I’m nosy and like reading the answers to their questions), I used to do so many tags and awards that I got bored, and pretty much just stopped writing them.

BUT…I’ve noticed the same few awards cropping up over the past few months, so I reckon it’s about time I actually acknowledged my appreciation of them. And really, this has turned into a Q&A, there’s that many questions!

This will be a long post, so get comfy and enjoy!

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First of all, the Secret Life Of A Blogger tag

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I was tagged by Astra @ A Stranger’s Guide To Novels for this one a veeeerrrryyyy long time ago. I’m sorry it took me so long. But finally, it’s here.

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I’ve always loved the book community. I remember I used to want to be a booktuber, but I’m not all that good with technology, so editing videos would NOT work out well. Or working a camera, actually. I don’t think I’d be able to stand in front of a camera either. Probably not to start off with, but maybe I’d grow used to it. Wither way, I didn’t have money to get a camera and don’t have any good video editing programmes on my laptop, so I gave up on the idea long ago, despite people telling me I’d make a good booktuber because of my personality.

But then on my college course, because I study journalism, the teachers decided to try a new method of working. We basically wrote all our work onto a WordPress blog (yes, you can find it on here if you know the name, but it’s all very boring to read so I’d advise against it). So I was introduced to WordPress that way. And I saw you could make up to three blogs on one account…and the idea for my book blog started forming.

Before that, I’d write really short reviews on Instagram and Goodreads, but I wanted my reviews to be longer and more in-depth. This seemed like the perfect chance for that. So I asked friends and family what they thought,  even asked on social media whether anyone would read it…and SO many people were on board with the idea.

So I went for it.

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My advice?

Like I said earlier, write what YOU want to write about. Let your personality show through your writing, and people will be able to relate to you. They’ll remember your words.

Secondly – I know everyone says it, but comment on other people’s blogs! Not only will it show people you care, but that comment could make someone’s day. Imagine how happy you get when people comment on your posts – why not give that to someone else? 🙂

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The Sunshine Blogger Award

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Ahhh, the Sunshine Blogger Award. The one I’ve been tagged in most often recently. I was tagged by Quirky and Peculiar , Kourtni Reads, Charleigh’s Book Nook and Reading Every Night – so thank you all very very much ❤

For this one, you can leave 11 questions to answer, which is why this has basically turned into a Q&A.

Quirky And Peculiar didn’t leave any questions, so we’ll go straight onto…

Kourtni Reads’ questions:

What was the first book you remember being completely addicted to?

Besides the Harry Potter series, I think it was all the Jacqueline Wilson books. I adored her books, I had a huge collection of them!

What’s one thing besides reading that you really enjoy doing?

Singing! I adore it 😀 I’m singing as I write this!

If you could get your hands on a copy of any upcoming release right now, what one would you get?

EMPIRE OF STORMS BY SARAH J MAAS. I’ve wanted it since the second I finished Queen of Shadows last year.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Least favorite?

Favourite = Fantasy

Least favourite  = Poetry, maybe? I’m not sure.

Who is one author that you’d really like to meet?

I’d be thrilled to meet anyone really, even though I wouldn’t know what to do with myself. Though if I met Sarah J Maas or JK Rowling I’d never shut up about it. Ever.

Is there anything you like to do while reading (eat, listen to music, etc.)?

Usually I don’t do anything. Though sometimes I do like reading while in the bath with a face mask on, if I’m really careful not to drop the book in the water.

Where do you buy most of your books from?

Either Amazon or Waterstones.

If you could get a (very accurate) movie or TV show adaptation of any book or series, which would you choose?

I don’t know because most books ARE getting TV shows/movies. I’ll say Throne of Glass because it was announced to have a TV show and that scares me SO much. So I’ll take the “very accurate” part of the question and throw it their way.

What book/series would you want to be able to reread again for the first time?

The A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas. I’d love to see if I pick up on anything new.

Where’s your favorite place to read?

Curled up in bed!

What’s one book cliche that you just can’t stand?

I don’t know if this counts, but when characters describe what they look like when stood in front of their reflection. They’ll be looking in the mirror one morning at the start of the book apparently thinking “I look at my straight mud-brown hair- which perfectly matches my eyes – and sigh, before tying it up into a ponytail.”

Now, I’m by no means a writer, but I’m fairly certain no one actually thinks that sort of thing when looking in a mirror. I’ve never stared at my reflection thinking “what shall I do with my short, frizzy light brown hair today?” or “let me just add some mascara so my nearly-black eyes”. WHO DOES? I mean, right there I just described myself, but it sounded so cringey.

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Charleigh’s Book Nook’s questions:

What is your favourite song?

At the moment, I have four:

Moonlight by Ariana Grande

Two Birds by Regina Spektor

Time is all around by Regina Spektor

the Flower Gleam And Glow song from Tangled (Disney)

Do you prefer buying books or borrowing?

BUYING! I never borrow books because I don’t want to give them back. I want my collection to grow!

Do you have any pets?

I have a black cat called Oscar that follows me around everywhere and hardly leaves my side.

Here’s one of my favourite photos of him, when he was in a bad mood and didn’t want to be held. Though it’s not a good quality photo,  I laugh every single time I see this 😀

His face and outstretched arm just scream “help me”

What is one thing you want to do in the future?

Bit of a cliche, but I’d love to travel. I want to go back to Scotland because I adored it there when I went last Summer. I’d love to spend a week or so in London. I want to visit Greece and Germany. And there’s probably many other places too, but it’s hard to keep track when there’s that many.

I’d love to find and go to one of those light festivals too where they let off lanterns at the same time and light up the whole sky ❤ Not that I’m inspired by Tangled at all…

What is your worst habit?

Biting my nails! I’ve tried stopping multiple times every year and fail every single time.

Your dream job?

I’ve no idea, which is scary.

I always used to love the idea of working on broadway, since I love singing so much and act out the songs I sing. But I can’t sing in front of anyone, and I’m nowhere near good enough. But it did say “dream” job, right?

Either that or something book related.

What genre is your favourite?

Fantasy

What is your favourite TV show?

I don’t actually watch that much TV. The only thing I’m up to date with is The Big Bang Theory.

Where in the world do you live?

England!

If you had the chance to meet an author or celebrity, who would you choose?

Probably JK Rowling, but I don’t know what I’d say.

If you had 1 million pounds/dollars, what would you do with it?

Well…I’d probably give some to charity. I’d set some aside to spend on things like family, friends, books and clothes etc. I’d give a whole bunch of it to my family so they don’t have to worry about things money related. And I’d save some for my future self to buy a house/car/help with student fees/ etc.

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And finally, Reading Every Night’s questions:

What book would you recommend to everyone, because it’s so amazing?

The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich. I’m forever raving about it. Psychological mixed with supernatural, a story told through interviews, police reports, newspaper clippings, camera footage etc. And you have to decide which side of the story you believe.

If you could pick one book to read again as if for the first time what would it be?

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon, then I wouldn’t have to wait so long for each book. Also, if I started it now it would mean my series would actually match since THEY CHANGED THE SERIES DESIGN NOT EVEN HALFWAY THROUGH. UGH.

Favourite comfort food?

Chocolate – Magic Stars to be specific.

Or possibly the Brownie Ben & Jerry’s.

Favourite quote?

“Don’t feel bad for one moment about doing what brings you joy.” – ACOTAR

Best and worst book-to-film adaptations you’ve seen?

Best = Me Before You first comes to mind because I saw it yesterday

Worst = Insurgent (I just don’t like that series anymore)

What’s your favourite book so far that you’ve read in 2016?

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Scotland!

What is your favourite thing to do with your spare time, other than reading?

As mentioned before, singing! Though I do like doing art sometimes too.

If you could go back in time and change one thing in your life, what would it be?

Probably nothing. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without all that happened, even the smallest things.

If I had to say something, I’d say I’d try not to let the opinions of people in school affect me as much as they did, because I was bullied in the first year of secondary school and stayed quiet through the rest of the years hoping not to be noticed, and that basically stopped my confidence in doing things. Now I’m confident again and don’t care about other people’s opinions as long as I’m happy, but the only reason it bothers me is because I can’t sing in front of people. At all. Which sucks when you love it as much as I do.

Well, that got a bit deep.

Has blogging been different to, or exactly as you pictured it being?

I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I do! But let me tell you, the design process is SO difficult, especially when you’re as fussy as me!

What has been the most positive thing that’s happened to you this week?

The fact that it’s been sunny has let me see my friends more this week and all my deadlines came to an end this week so I have no more work to do!

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So there we have the end of a very long post!

I hope you guys enjoyed this, and it wasn’t too boring.

Have anything to say about my answers? Any random thoughts based on what I’ve said?

Do we have anything in common?

Maybe you have some advice for me?

Let me know in the comments!

Until next time…

Come and visit me!