BBAW Meme

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?
I don't normally snack whilst reading as I find it too cumbersome to hold a book and eat at the same time. Saying that, a Persephone book goes wonderfully well with a slice of cake, a cupcake, or a tart! I love nothing better than curling up with a warm drink and a book; I have holding a mug on one hand and a book in the other down to a fine art for an accidental soul.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
I hate marking books and only did it occasionally whilst completing my Master's as otherwise I was likely to suffocate under a mountain of post-its. Even when I did succumb it was only ever to highlight with bible pencil or lightly write a key-point in the margins. I also have what were once my working texts and duplicates for pleasure.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears?
I have an assortment of bookmarks that I use and I loathe dog-earing books, even library copies.

Laying the book flat open?
I hate breaking the spine of a book and will never lay a book flat open unless it's a cookbook.

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?
Preferably fiction but every so often I journey into the world of non-fiction. I try to keep my options open and challenge myself wherever possible. I have a variety of interests and love to read so why not read about things that interest me, in a non-fictional setting?

Hard copy or audiobooks?
I don't listen to many audiobooks but those I have listened to I've enjoyed. Neil Gaiman has an exceptional reading voice and Stephen Fry is also a great voice to listen to.

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?
Ideally I will read to the end of a chapter as it makes for a good ending point but it depends on how tired I am. I struggle with books that don't have chapters or chapters that aren't an ideal reading length; reading from chapter to chapter gives me a sense of achievement and I am always thinking "oh, I can fit one more in before I go to sleep... and another."

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?
Not when I'm reading in bed or travelling/commuting or in some kind of waiting room/queuing system... All of these reading occasions aren't conducive to noting down quotes either.

What are you currently reading?
I actually just finished a book and usually I have the next one lined up but I have a few to choose from... I think it will be/has to be The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt.

What is the last book you bought?
I bought four children's books today for my nephew who celebrates his second birthday on Monday. I bought him three Dr Seuss books, including My Many Coloured Days which is one the most beautiful books ever, and Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers. I love buying Children's books and I am most definitely the Auntie who gives books.

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 can read more than one at a time but I do prefer concentrating solely on one and giving it my full attention.

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?
In bed before I go to sleep.

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?
I've read a number of great series but I prefer stand-alone novels the majority of the time.

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?
Angela Carter. READ HER.

How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?)
In a system that only makes sense to me. Books by the same author are grouped together but not in alphabetical order (sometimes in order of publication); other books are organised by colour; others are shelved according to publisher and occasionally those are ordered by ones read and still to read.

If you haven't seen it yet then please read Simon from Stuck at a Book's guest post on the BBAW website, which he has also posted on his blog.

Making my Day

Today is officially the beginning of Book Blogger Appreciation Week where we can take the opportunity to celebrate our book blogging efforts, recognise each other, and discover new blogs and bloggers. In the spirit of mutual admiration, today's blog post is in honour of those great bloggers who were not shortlisted for any of the BBAW awards this year (and one who very deservedly was). Only a handful of my favourite blogs made it to the shortlists, which means that so many went without me saying congratulations for being a great book blogger and thank you for enriching my book blogging experience.

I hate to play favourites but I want to acknowledge some of my favourite blogs. These blogs and their writers make my day brighter and I am always excited to see a new blog post by each of them. These are the bloggers whose bookish opinions I trust and the ones who have prompted me to purchase and read so many books. I was always an eclectic and proficient reader but these bloggers have inspired me to read more and many.

Stuck in a Book: Simon has such an interesting blog where I am bound to find something new to read or read about. I love his "50 Books You Must Read But May Not Have Heard About" list and his recently added Weekend Miscellany, which brings together fabulous bookish and blog links. From before I began blogging, I read his blog and was aware of Simon's passion for Miss Hargreaves by Frank Baker; I now own a copy and look forward to reading it...

Kiss a Cloud: my namesake's blog is simply beautiful. Claire combines lovely, evocative photographs with an eclectic mix of reviews and they are always a joy to read. We share favourite writers and, at my corruption, a love for matching author sets of books. I love Claire's posts about cover art as I relate with her passion for loving a book by its cover.

Verity: I enjoy both Verity's blogs for different reasons. The B Files combines two of my favourite things: books and cakes and Verity's Virago Venture, albeit niche, is an exciting project that has contributed to my own Virago Modern Classics addiction. Verity is a loyal commenter on my blog and a fellow bibliophile; we have become friends during the time we have blogged and she, as well as her blogs, are a daily feature in my life. We also co-host Persephone Reading Week together and I couldn't ask for a better co-host.

Farmlanebooks: Jackie is a prolific blogger and I admire her blogging drive and determination. Books are her life, literally her means of life, and I get that completely. Her taste is wide and varied and I know that I am going to find an interest post daily and something entirely different from the day before. Jackie is continually challenging herself to read more prize-winners and nominees and it is through her enthusiasm that I have been more conscious to do likewise.

Roses Over a Cottage Door: Darlene's blog, and Darlene herself, is simply lovely. We read similar books but I admire her discipline when it comes to only reading books that she passionately wants to read as life is too short to read everything. Very funny and sweet, Darlene also has a sweet tooth and regales us with baking too!

Lakeside Musing: when I happened across JoAnn's blog, I knew I loved it from the first post I read as her enthusiasm is infectious. JoAnn loves books -okay, we all do, that's why we blog- but JoAnn's writing evokes it exceptionally well. Her posts are always illuminating and many a time I have instantly sat down to read something she has recommended.

Savidge Reads: I thought I was addicted to books and book buying until I met (figuratively and literally - I attend his book group) Simon. He came to reading late and is definitely making up for it! His posts are always varied, interesting, and enthusiastic.

Things Mean a Lot: Seeing the header of Nymeth's blog, I instantly bookmarked her site, before even reading her posts. We both love Children's literature, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, Sarah Waters, Margaret Atwood, and through Ana I have discovered wonderful writers and books that I wouldn't have elsewhere. If I didn't know that I loved her writing, passion, and good taste then this post alone would have told me in huge, neon, letters; anyone who can write so effusively about Angela Carter and see what I see in the same way, is a kindred spirit.

Speaking of kindred spirits, my favourite new blog is Book Snob. Rachel may write for the discerning reader but she also is one and her posts always make me smile and nod my head in agreement. Going out to buy a dress for a wedding and coming back with an armful of books instead, is proof that she is one of us: a book lover.

If you don't know these blogs then please visit, read, and enjoy.

For all of the wonderful blogs that I didn't acknowledge, I'm sorry. I appreciate your love of books, your love for my blog, and if I comment then you know that I love yours too.

Mish-mash

I have been attempting to curb my book-buying recently as I have so many books waiting to-be-read so I haven't had many recent requisitions to share with you. However, this week the above books arrived at the paperback reader abode: one a free copy and the other a purchase, both coincidentally Penguins. Sam Taylor very generously sent me a signed copy of his second novel, The Amnesiac, after reading my review of his third novel, The Island at the End of the World (reviewed here). I also purchased Trouble with Lichen by John Wyndham for book group, which gives me an almost complete collection of the Wyndham titles with the striking cover art by Brian Cronin, which I first discussed in this post.


I have been feeling a little home-sick this week for Glasgow since the last time I was home was in March. I was hoping for a fortnight at home this month, which was postponed until October, and now that looks impossible too, so I am holding out for at least a long weekend between now and Christmas. That shouldn't be too bad as I have family and possibly some friends visiting every month between now and then. In the meantime, I am putting off reading Kieron Smith, Boy by James Kelman, or anything else set in my home-city, in case it makes me hopelessly nostalgic for the dear green place and I think I will instead save it to read when I am actually there.

In other exciting news, I have been nominated for four Book Blogger Appreciation Week awards for the following:

Best New Blog – This new blog seems to have appeared out of nowhere since September of 2008 and has jumped into the book blogging world with both feet. You love their posts and wonder how the book blogging world ever got along without them.

Best Writing – It’s not just what they say, it’s how they say it. This blog is almost as enjoyable to read as the books (and anything else) it talks about.

Best Blog Post – This is hands down your favorite blog post you read all year. It made you laugh, it made you cry, or it reminded you of truth. I was nominated for this post, which I have to say is one of my favourites that I have written and I am proud of it. I am delighted that somebody thought it worthy!

Best Commenter/Commentator – This blogger is a major part of what makes the community great – they comment early and often, and always have a way of keeping the conversation rolling. You always look forward to a comment from them.


To whoever nominated me: THANK YOU! I am beyond thrilled and these really do mean so much. Blogging has become such a hugely important and enjoyable part of my life during a relatively short period of time and you, my readers and the writers of blogs that I read and love daily, are responsible for that.


Which leads me conveniently onto two awards I have received recently from JoAnn and Kals, which in turn I would like to share with everyone reading.

The Heartfelt Award: Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when you're relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family and friends? You know the feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea, or a hot toddy? That is what the Heartfelt Award is all about, feeling warm inside.

The Let's Be Friends Award: Blogs that receive the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to seven bloggers.