Tagged: The Book Blogger Test

Joy from Joyous Reads, evil woman that she is, tagged us to this questionnaire during our blogoversary. Of course, we couldn't say no to her evil genius.

What are your top three book pet peeves?

KARINA:
For me it's mostly about the character flow rather than world-building.

1. a TSTL heroine - a heroine with no instinct of self-preservation. The one who'd go into the forest with a stranger or get drunk in the club and then walks home alone on the deserted streets, etc. It's a heroine that everyone end up saving multiple times in the book, because she is too stupid to live.
2. a heroine/hero with a huge chip on her/his shoulder - the tough one that gets offended by people saying something wrong or offering help because she/he thinks she/he is too independent or too proud. You know what, f*ck your pride! Let people help you or get close to you without biting their heads off. The whining is exhausting to listen to.
3. modernization of thinking - this is harder to explain, but I loathe when a heroine in a historical romance/historical fiction starts thinking like a modern feminist, especially when she starts talking like this. I see a glaring anachronism, and my vision goes white. That's what happens when someone has huge love of history I suppose. *shrugs sheepishly*

VIKA:
This is a hard question! How do I pick only three? Okay, let's try...

1. misunderstandings as the plot device. Argh!!! I absolutely hate it when events happen because of a simple misunderstanding between the characters. (I'm looking at you Ms. Gabaldon, admit it, you had a personal vendetta against poor Roger Wakefield. And yes, I'm still bitter about it.)
2. shivers and chills that characters experience all of a sudden in 100F degree weather. (Somehow all of my biggest pet peeves seem to relate to Outlander... go figure.) But yet again, Ms. Gabaldon is a big offender of this. She really loves to make her characters shiver and have the hairs on their necks stand up because of events and revelations happening around them. Ever notice that? It's like in every other paragraph. 
3. unnecessary scenes and event that add nothing to progression of the storyline. I have lots of favorite books, but even then, I don't want to read pages upon pages of descriptions and scenery just for the hell of it. Move on and give me something good and thoughtful to read about.

Describe your perfect reading spot.

KARINA:
I'll build it someday...

VIKA:
Aww, it does look lovely K.! :)

I can read almost anywhere, as long as I'm left alone. So, most of the time you can find me reading in bed. Something about fluffy pillows and blankets, a couple of dogs snuggling next to me - and I'm good.

Tell us three book confessions.

KARINA:

1. I'll read anytime anywhere. Literally.
2. I don't borrow people my paperbacks if I can help it. Most people treat books terribly, and I'd rather give the book away than have it returned to me violated :)
3. I hate a conversation starter: "What are you reading?" The chances are whoever asked you a) is a non-reader b) reads only mainstream literature c) will get embarrassed if you show too much enthusiasm. What if I'm reading erotica? What if it's Tiffany Reisz? What shall I say? "It's about a sadistic Catholic priest and an erotica writer, but don't worry it's mostly one big mindf*ck!" I don't think it will go down well.

VIKA:

1. I used to hate reading when I was young. Don't get me wrong, if someone was reading to me - I totally loved it, but I struggled reading myself. However, now it's a whole different story. :)
2. I haven't read as many classics as I should have. Someday...
3. In college, I read books during lectures that didn't particularly inspire me if you will, so I'm very good at tuning out background noise while reading. 

When was the last time you cried over a book?

KARINA:
Had to look it up on Goodreads. Deeper by Robin York made me teary-eyed.


VIKA:
I rarely cry while reading, but in general animal abuse is a hard topic for me to handle. There is a very graphic scene in Delirium by Lauren Oliver where a dog is brutally killed - and I admit, I barely managed to read those pages. I was bawling by the time I got through it. 



How many books are on your bedside table?

KARINA:
A redundant question. I read from kindle. There are 526 books on it right now. Around 400 of them are unread.

VIKA:
There is an occasional book or two on my bedside table, but generally it's all on my Kindle.

What is your favorite snack whilst reading a book?

KARINA:
I read while I'm eating anyway, so anything will do. I just have to keep my kindle away from the messier food.

VIKA:
I don't usually snack while reading, but a cup of tea or coffee go exceptionally well with a book.

Name three books you would recommend to everyone.

KARINA:
That's really tough! These reads were a profound experience for me, but plenty of you might not like them at all...

1. Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente
2. The Last Hour of Gann by R.Lee Smith
3. Phedre's Trilogy by Jacqueline Carey

VIKA:
I agree with K., it's unlikely that everyone will love the same books. So, here are three from my favorite shelf:

1. All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness
2. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Show us a picture of your favorite shelf in your bookshelf.

KARINA:
Redundant. It's all on kindle, baby!

VIKA:
Since most of my books are Kindle books... you can take a peek at my favorite shelf right here.

Write how much books mean to you in three words.

KARINA:
Equal to oxygen.

VIKA:
Can't live without.

What is your biggest reading secret?

KARINA:
If I tell you that it won't be a secret. *wink* I'd rather give some advice. Be ruthless and axe the books you don't like early, which will leave you more time for those you do like.

Thank you, Joy! We are not tagging anyone, but it definitely was fun to do :) Share in comments what you think!

VIKA:
To quote Lynyrd Skynyrd, "[...] don't ask me no questions/And I won't tell you no lies" ...just kidding! But seriously, there are no big secrets, just read!

Thanks, Joy! ;)