On the blog today, I am stealing a tag created by Sunshine and Scribblings (I say steal because I don't think anyone has tagged me, but I thought it looked like fun because I love sweaters. And books, of course :P). I'm disregarding the rules (because Maryliz said they're more like guidelines anyway!), but if anyone would like to do the tag themselves, here is link to the original post.
Fuzzy sweater (a book that is the epitome of comfort)
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall are definitely the epitome of comfort for me. They're full of kids adventuring, dogs, family, music, books... Basically, the recipe for making Abbey happy.
Striped sweater (book which you devoured every line of)
I read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte in a high school literature class and could NOT put it down for some reason. Maybe it had to do with the setting—a secluded English moor with only two houses. Or, the characters—two families falling in love with and marrying the wrong people. Or, the genre—my first Gothic novel!
Ugly Christmas sweater (book with a weird cover)
This is a book called Alfred Hitchcock's Haunted Houseful. Yes, that is Alfred Hitchcock's face built into the house.
Cashmere sweater (most expensive book you've bought)
I had to buy The Norton Anthology of English Literature for my British Literature class. Twice! The first time, we bought them used and when they came, one volume was missing! School (and classes) had already started by this time, so I had to re-buy them from the campus store. $75 later...
Hoodie (favorite classic book)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has been my favorite classic (and book) since I read it eight years ago! Kids adventuring, family, important issues, Atticus Finch... what's not to love?
Cardigan (book that you bought on impulse)
This is not the actual cover, but since my physical copy is at my dorm, I figured I'd make my own interpretation of the book.
Once upon a time last semester, I was feeling sad and stressed, and my friends brought me to Half Price Books, and I had a coupon, and they had an illustrated edition of one of my favorite books, The Princess Bride by William Goldman. It was so beautiful. I was weak. Disclaimer: buying books is not a healthy way to work through your feelings (but that doesn't mean I'm unhappy about my purchase).
Turtleneck sweater (book from your childhood)
Thomas the Tank Engine by Reverend W. Awdry was four-year-old Abbey's life. She read the books, watched the TV-show, and even got Thomas, Percy, and some track for her birthday. Here is a video of her singing the theme song:
Homemade knitted sweater (book that is Indie-published)
My friend and fellow-blogger DJ Edwardson recently published his first fantasy book, The Last Motley! I haven't read the finished product yet, but the version I beta-read was pretty great, so the finished version must be fantastic. Go check it out! It's about a boy with motley skin and a strange power, and the kind tailor who wants to save him. It's about family (I'm sensing a theme with the books I like) and magic.
V-neck sweater (book that did not meet your expectations)
Unfortunately, Odd and the Frost Giants—and everything else I've read by Neil Gaiman—has fell short of my expectations. This particular book is a retelling of Norse mythology (complete with Loki), but it wasn't... enough for me. All of the Gaiman books that I've read have really unique ideas behind them, but the ideas don't translate to the page in a way that captures my imagination like they are supposed to.
Argyle sweater (book with a unique format)
S. by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst is, well, VERY unique and has multiple layers. The first layer is the story, The Ship of Theseus. The second layer is two characters who have read The Ship of Theseus and write each other notes in the margins. They are trying to discover who the mysterious author is, and where he has gone. They compile clues (such as the napkin in the picture above) and piece together the mystery. The third layer is the reader, because they have to read the story (the book), and the comments in the margins (in several different colors, marking different stages of the investigation), and the extra bits (like the napkin or maps or postcards. This book has a lot of pieces that fall out if you're not careful!). This is such a fascinating concept for a book, but it's too daunting for me to read, especially since there are several different ways you could read it! Someday I'll take on the challenge.
Polka dot sweater (a book with well-rounded characters)
I have never read a book/series with better characters than The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater. At the time that I'm writing this post, I'm in the middle of re-reading the series so that I can review it on the blog. I'll talk more about the characters then, but now I'll say that the characters in this series are real people with real problems, hopes, fears, pasts, loves, hates, and personalities. They aren't caricatures or archetypes. They mature and grow throughout the books and it's astonishing to watch. As a writer, I can only hope that I can create characters this real in my own stories!
Do you like sweaters? How about books? Consider yourself tagged, if you like!
Madeline J. Rose created a tag and tagged me! This is going to be a fun one, folks.
The rules: -Access to your browser history and look through it. -Pick at least 5 of your strangest searches you’ve had to look up as a writer. -List them below with a short explanation as towhy exactly you had to look them up. -Tag 2-5 other bloggers.
1. "stab wound scar"
Google Images greeted me with some grisly pictures after searching this. I think I was researching scars because one of the characters in my fantasy novel has one and I wanted to make sure I was describing it correctly. Around this time, I also looked up "how do scars work" and "keloid scar" (which is a type of scar that grows on top of the injury. They are firm, rubbery, and raised).
2. "furious violin piece." And when this yielded unsatisfactory answers... "violin music angry"
Unsurprisingly, this was for a short story I wrote about a musician. He gets angry at his mom, grabs his violin, and goes outside to play away his frustration. I ended up choosing "Summer" from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi because I was already familiar with it.
Also searched for this short story: "saint-saens pronunciations," "shag carpet 80s," "how do middle school orchestras work," and "black silk dress."
3. "beauty pageants in ancient greece"
Apparently, they were called "kallisteia." I may or may not have been researching this for a retelling of Snow White which I may or may not be writing in the next few months.
4. "how to tar a road/what is the machine that tars a road called"
I never found out the answer to this and had to use a different metaphor for my story. If anyone knows what these machines are called, please let me know!
5. "simple explanation of gravity"
I usually write/edit my church's VBS skits, and this year the theme was science. I figured that the kids would need a simple explanation of scientific principles because, y'know, they're kids (NOT because I know very little about science and needed a simple explanation myself *COUGH COUGH* Ahem).
6. "ugly color"
<Context not found> (but I know it was for a story)
7. "book about women working for boeing/women working in factories in WWII/rosies wwii"
This is research for my next book. Don't worry, all will be revealed soon! Anyway, I found only one book about women working for Boeing, but I found a lot of books about women working in factories during World War II. I read a few of them for general information. When I start writing, I will go to the Internet for more specific research.
Tracey Dyck tagged me for the Sunshine Blogger Award! This is the one where you answer eleven questions, make up eleven new questions, and then tag eleven bloggers.
1. What's the most addicting app on your phone?
Fortunately, my phone doesn't have a lot of storage, so I don't have many apps on my phone. The most addicting, however, is definitely Snapchat. This app lets you take pictures/videos and send them to your friends, but wait! There's more. The pictures/videos only last a few seconds once they are received and then they are lost into the void forever (unless you take a screenshot).
I like this app because of the ridiculous filters, because you can be creative by drawing on your face, and because I can connect with my friends.
2. What's a song that speaks to your life right now?
I've been listening to this Rich Mullins song a lot.
3. Do you have a book or movie that's your "happy place"--a fictional world into which you retreat when you need a breather? What is it?
Whenever I'm feeling sad I re-read Replay or Bloomability by Sharon Creech. She was my favorite author when I was in middle school and reading her familiar words always makes me feel calm and happy.
4. What's a book you were (or are) looking forward to so much you're scared to read it, for fear it won't live up to your expectations? Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. I've heard so many great things about him and Something Wicked This Way Comes looks like a book I'd enjoy, but I'm worried that it will be a huge disappointment like 1984 (I had such high hopes for it. Sigh).
5. If you had to have all of your past memories wiped except for one day, which day would you choose to remember?
If I had to choose just one day to last my whole life through, it would surely be that Sunday, the day that I met you.... Just kidding, those are lyrics to a Natalie Cole song.
I think I would either remember a summer day from my childhood playing Star Wars or house with my friend from down the street, or I would remember a day when my co-op friends and I played Warrior Cats outside. Much of my childhood happiness has come from these memories and I want to remember them forever!
6. What question would you like to ask one of your favorite authors?
I want to ask William Goldman (or Harper Lee, but she's dead, so I don't think she'd answer back) how he managed to write a Perfect Book (The Princess Bride). Did he write what came to his mind or did he plan everything out beforehand? Why did he never write any other books (or, at least, none that were as popular as The Princess Bride)? What happened to Buttercup's Baby? Was he worried that he couldn't re-create what he wrote in The Princess Bride, or is he just a massive troll?
7. If you had to describe yourself as one of the four seasons, which would it be?
Probably fall because I trip a lot.
8. What's your personality type? (Myers Briggs, DISC, whichever test you prefer.)
I took the Myers-Briggs test when I was fourteen and I was an INFP. I took an online version a few months ago and my result was INFJ. Will the world ever know if I am a Perceiver or a Judger?? Only time will tell...
(I wrote a blog post about personality tests if you'd like to read it.)
9. An envelope containing $500 shows up on your doorstep. On what do you spend it?
Haha, college.
No, really.
If I didn't have to spend it on college, though, I'd probably spend it on Star Trek DVDs or books. Or a piano.
Nah, it'd still go to college.
10. Would you rather be trapped in a lamp, a tower, or an enchanted sleep?
Not a lamp, because I'm not a fan of itty bitty living space. Not an enchanted sleep because that would be boring. I choose the tower! I mean it would be the perfect place to live so long as it had books, food, and wi-fi. You wouldn't have to contend with hordes of people... you would be safe from attack... Sign me up! Although I would miss going outside... Maybe I could convince whoever locked me in the tower to build me a rooftop garden.
11. Which Disney villain(ess) do you find the most scary?
As a kid, I always thought Jafar was creepy. My friend and I would play Disney princess (she was Cinderella and I was Jasmine) and we would make her uncle be Jafar.
Rather than answer eleven questions that I make up for you, why don't you choose one of the above questions and answer it in the comments! Let me know what YOU would do with $500 or what day YOU would choose to live in your memory forever or whether YOU would rather be trapped in a lamp, tower, or enchanted sleep.
Recently, Jenelle did the Bookish Book Lover Tag (created by this person) on her blog and tagged anyone who wanted to do it. I was so inclined, so enjoy!
Rules:
Use the Banner
Answer the Questions
Use Lots of Book Covers
Tag Your Bookish Friends
Questions:
1) What Book(s) Are You Currently Reading?
My family and I have also been listening to Little Women in the car as we travel.
2) What’s The Last Book You Finished?
This is one of the most unique books that I have ever read! It is also illustrated by the author. I'm at a loss at how to describe the plot, so you'll have to read it yourself to find out.
3) Favorite Book(s) You Read This Year?
4) What Genre Have You Read Most This Year?
Surprisingly, middle grade is my most read genre this year with nine books! Nonfiction comes in second with six books.
5) What Genre Have You Read Least This Year?
The classics, if they count as a genre. I've only read three classics so far this year. And only four fantasy!
6) What Genre Do You Want To Read More Of?
According to Goodreads, my nonfiction shelf holds the most "to-read" books. Though I do want to read a lot more nonfiction books, I would also love to read more swashbuckling adventure books like Treasure Island or The Three Musketeers.
7) How Many Books Have You Read This Year, And What’s Your Goal?
I've read thirty books so far this year, and my goal is sixty.
10) How Many Books Did You Check Out Last Library Visit?
Only one! My dad and I drove thirty minutes away just so I could pick up Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Stengl.
11) What’s A Book You Can’t Wait To Read?
After reading The Silmarillion, I can't wait to re-read The Lord of the Rings! I'm reading The Hobbit right now and Bilbo's finding of the ring was much more significant after knowing the One Ring's history from The Silmarillion.
12) What’s A Series You’d Recommend to Everyone?
The Adventures of Tintin by Herge.
13) Who’s An Author You’re Hoping Writes More?
Jeanne Birdsall. She is working on the fifth and final book in The Penderwicks series right now. Her writing style and characters are charming and lovable and it would be a joy if she wrote more books after she finishes The Penderwicks.
14) A Few Books Your Heart Adores?
15) What Series’s Coming Conclusion Makes You Sad?
On my old blog it seemed as though every other post was a tag. I don't want that to happen on this blog, but an occasional tag is fun, especially when the questions are fantastic!
Rules: 1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and link their website. 2. Use the award logo on your post 3. Answer the 10 questions provided by the blogger who tagged you 4. Nominate 10 bloggers 5. Ask them 10 questions
1) What is your favorite thing about Spring? My favorite thing about spring is the green of new growth that colors every mountain, tree, and yard. I'm blessed to live in Washington State where there is an abundance of green growth throughout the year, but that green is intensified in springtime. They don't call us the "Evergreen State" for nothing!
On the street where I live... (That was a reference to My Fair Lady. I thought I'd mention that because the sentence sounds strange otherwise.)
2) Favorite era of music? The 20th century is my favorite era of music. My favorite composers (George Gershwin, Shostakovich, Dubussy, Ravel, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev...) lived and composed in the 20th century. Also, the 20th century gave us the Beatles, Paul McCartney's solo career, Elton John, Billy Joel, Focus, the Electric Light Orchestra, and the Bee Gees; not to mention the beginnings of Christian music: Rich Mullins, AD, Petra, Newsboys, Ken Medema, and Randy Stonehill.
3) What do you prefer to write with, pen or pencil? Pencil. I don't write with pen unless I have to or unless the pen is colored. I like to erase things rather than scribble them out when I make a mistake. 4) Star Wars or Star Trek? Star Trek, but only by a small margin. Do you have a favorite book, movie, or TV show that has extreme nostalgic value to you? Do you have a book, movie, or TV show that is so familiar to you that the characters and even the plot seem like friends? Do you have a book, movie, or TV show that you always include in your favorites list, that will always remain in your favorites list, and that your brain automatically jumps to whenever anyone asks, "What's you favorite..."? That's what Star Trek is to me. Even though I saw Star Wars before Star Trek, something about Star Trek captured my imagination and my love in a way that Star Wars did not. I'm not a fangirl, but I admit to being a Trekkie. 5) What is the strangest song you know? (Example: They're Coming to Take me Away, Beans In Your Ears, Does Your Chewing Gum Lose it's Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight?Tie Me Kangaroo Down, etc... Yes we know all these songs, does that mean we're crazy?) If you are My Mother you should probably look away now.
Technically, this is the strangest song I know:
However, this is my favorite strange song (yes, that is a young Oprah at the beginning. Also, this group is Dutch! So... hup Holland? I'm not sure if I'm proud or scared of being a Dutchman after watching this performance):
6) What are your feelings on glitter?
Two Halloweens ago someone in our church's young adult group wore a glittery red skirt to our Halloween party. I think the family who hosted the party is still finding red glitter on their couch.
7) What do you do when you come to a puddle? Usually, I'm not paying attention so I walk into the puddle. I don't mind walking in puddles as long as they aren't deep enough to seep into my shoes. I've gotten my shoes soaked enough times at work that I try to pay more attention where I'm walking now, but I still end up stepping in puddles whenever it rains (which is often. We're called the "Evergreen State," but we could be called the "Ever Grey State"). 8) What's your favorite outdoor game? (Example: Tag, hide and seek, cops and robbers, weeping angel escape, capture the flag etc...) I have many fond memories playing the Alien Game with my friends. In the Alien Game, someone hides an object (a ball or a bottle of sunscreen, for example) and the rest of the players have to find that object and bring it back to base. But, beware the Alien (the person who hid the object)! If they tag you three times, you become an Alien, too, and join them in trying to protect the hidden object. 9) What adjective do your family and friends often describe you with?
"Precious" (from my mom until I became a fan of the Lord of the Rings). "Silly," "Strange," "Creative," and "Weird," from various family members and friends. "Boy, you are smart," from my grandma in the Midwest. 10) What is your favorite Schoolhouse Rock song? (And if you've never heard of them, you really should.) I like The Great American Melting Pot. And, of course, I'm Just a Bill is great, too.
I'm not going to come up with ten questions or tag anyone, but feel free to answer the above questions in the comments below!
