BBAW Day 2: Some Answers and a Giveaway

Well, today is BBAW interview day which is always extremely fun but I have been so swamped with the start of school that I didn't have time to do one. So instead, you get the alternative self Q&A and a giveaway!

Do you snack while you read? Not anymore because I'm losing weight. If so, favorite reading snack? BUT, if I was to slip and grab a snack, it would be Popcorners (kettle or sea salt) or dark chocolate M&Ms.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you? Yes the idea of writing in books is not my favorite but at the same time I wish I had a better record of my thoughts while reading a book. I tend to forget them by the time I reach the end. If I ever got in a more organized place in life, I might read with post-its handy.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open? Bookmark, receipt, photograph ... NEVER dog-ears. And I actually don't ever open a book flat -- most of my read books look brand new or might have a single crease down the spine.

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both? Both! There are awesome stories and ideas in both.

Hard copy or audiobooks? Hard copy. I don't have any time where it would be convenient to listen to audiobooks and my mind tends to wander anyway. I need the written words to keep my attention.

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? I used to read to the end of chapters exclusively but now, as a parent, I've had to perfect my "putting the book down at any moment" skills. In fact, now I find myself putting books down in the middle of chapters more than at the end of them.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away? Depends. If I can guess what it means from context, I'll just move on. But if I can't guess and I think that it's an important word, I'll look it up. This is why we have smartphones now, right?

What are you currently reading? An Expert in Murder by Nicola Upson

What is the last book you bought? I bought a few books for the 100 Picture Books Read-Along (not so subtle plug) -- Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, Journey to the River Sea, The Dark is Rising box set. In the same order, I bought Matilda and Pippi Longstocking for my niece who turned 8!

Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time? Usually just one at a time but sometimes more than one if I'm doing a section-by-section read-along or if I'm reading a slower non-fiction book. But I really like immersing myself in a story and sticking with it until I'm done.

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read? All day, anywhere? But 11pm to 2am in bed is probably my super favorite.

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books? I like both for different reasons.

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over? Diana Wynne Jones! Jasper Fforde! Read their books now!

How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?) By no discernable method at all right now. I have groups by authors but those aren't placed anywhere specific in relation to other authors. I have kid book shelves and a non-fictiony-type shelf and I have a TBR bookcase (that has spilled over into also being piles on the floor next to the bookcase). Organization will never truly happen until I have many more shelves or far fewer books.

Now for that giveaway ...

I want to buy one blogger a new paperback of the incredibly awesome Charlotte Markham and the House of Darkling by Michael Boccacino. This is open internationally to all book bloggers. One entry per person and the winner will be chosen on Friday night or Saturday morning.

I just finished this book yesterday and it was really, really good. I'll have a glowing review up next week but I want to give it away now. It's dark, creepy, supernatural Victoriana and the perfect RIP read! Just fill out this little form to enter --

Best of luck, K