Sunshine Blogger Award #2

Happy Thursday, book nerds! 

It’s been 48 hours since the NSFW #Soapgate scandal broke and hopefully by now (*she says writing from the past*) we’ve moved on with our lives. Please tell me we’ve moved on. And, if we haven’t, I guess explain yourselves below because I need answers as to why this is still happening.

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In less scandalous news, I’m finally responding to my nomination for my second Sunshine Blogger Award from the lovely Maram over at SheReadsAtPastMidnight. Maram is currently on a break from blogging, but you can still follow her (and read her wonderful reviews) on Goodreads. 

WHAT IS THE SUNSHINE BLOGGER AWARD?

The Sunshine Blogger Award is given to those who are creative, positive, and inspiring while spreading sunshine to the blogging community.

HOW DOES IT WORK:

• Thank the person who nominated you in the blog post & link back to their blog
• Answer the 11 questions sent by the person who nominated you
• Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions
• List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo on your post and/or on your blog.

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Maram’s Questions:

1.Which book made you happy while reading it?

This is tough because a lot of books make me happy while reading. One of my more recent reads that left me smiling was Lily Anderson’s Undead Girl Gang. Mila’s snark and the confetti-throwing shenanigans of the zombie trio had me in stitches for most of the novel. Even the 3-lined side characters had dialogue that made me laugh out loud (i.e. the student named Cain who was constantly shouting: “I don’t know anyone named Abel!”).

2. What is your favorite thing to do for relaxing?

Would I be a bad book nerd if I didn’t say reading? Sometimes that’s a good fix, but if I really need to clear my head or check out and reset I like to take a hot shower and sing along to the top hits in my “Shower Mix.”

3. What is your favorite season? 

It’s super #basic to say Autumn, but guess what, I’m still gonna say Autumn. Because what’s not to love? The weather, the clothing, the color of the leaves. I’m all about Fall.

4. What is something you love about yourself?

I love that I can make people laugh. It’s not something I understood or appreciated when I was younger, but I feel a lot of joy when I KNOW I’ve helped improve someone’s mood or just provided a brief moment of comedy.

5. What keeps you blogging?

The people. Hands down. That means YOU! The person on the other end of the screen — wherever you are in the world — that’s taking the time to get to know me.

When I first started blogging a year ago I did it because I wanted a space where I could write about the books I read. It was a solitary activity and not one I promoted or really thought too much about. But once I started interacting with fellow book lovers the whole game changed. I started seeing books I NEVER would have found on my own that ended up being some of my favorite reads of ALL TIME. I started learning how to do tags, and buddy reads, and ARC requests, and eventually it lead to the greatest gift of all: GENUINE friendships with fellow book nerds. A handful of which I talk to so frequently my husband refers to them as “my secret second family.” So yeah no question about it my answer is y’all.  ❤

6. What is a song that makes you happy?

Eesh another singular answer question. There are so many options, but one song that will ALWAYS bring a smile to my face is this 80s jam. Namely because it’s the song that makes me think of my bestie (y’all have seen mentions of her in most of my Whitney-related stories)! And if you don’t get it watch and then try to duplicate that fierce shoulder dancing and tell me it didn’t make you smile. It’s the duplicating that’s gonna get you!

7. What is your dream vacation?

I’m an incredibly lucky wanderluster because I’ve already been able to visit — and live in — some of my dream vacations spots: Greece, Italy, France, & Australia. Add in the amazing places I’ve been fortunate enough to explore Stateside and I would say I’ve already accomplished this question multiple times over!  However, a traveler is never DONE with traveling so if I didn’t have to worry about the cost of the flight/lodging/safety issues/etc my next flight would be to EGYPT. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little girl and I hope one day I’ll get to add that stamp to my much-loved passport.

8. Which fictional character would you like to be friends with?

Can’t I have a bookish entourage instead? The only (potentially cliched) answer that’s coming to mind is Cassian from the ACO-series. And before you get your minds all up in the gutter, it’s not for Illyrian wingspans romantic reasons. I always felt the big brother vibe while reading his scenes, and his playful banter consistently made me smile and feel comforted. I have 5 brothers (including the hubby’s) so that’s what I’m used to and feel would be the best friend type for me. And if Amern is in High Fae form than she’s invited to the friendship party, too!

9. What is a book you recommend for someone going on vacation?

I’m a fan of recommending books that are set in the location of your vacation. It’s why I read The Da Vinci Code on my flight to Paris or Love & Gelato — while eating gelato — on the flight to Italy. I think it’s fun to read about a setting before you get there. But if it’s poolside reads you’re after for some fun in the summer sun than I’ve got a whole post about it here!

10. Coffee, tea or wine or other?

Depends on my mood. Coffee if it’s cold and resembling ice cream. Tea if my voice is playing hide-and-seek. Wine on nights out with family. Diet Coke when I need a pick me up. And an ice-cold tumbler of water for all the times in between.

11. Favorite pizza toppings?

🍕 I’m super boring when it comes to pizza. I’m just a classic cheese & pepperoni kind of gal. 🍕

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And My Nominees Are: 

I figured it would be easiest to nominate people I interact with so I’m selecting the last 9 bloggers that commented on my page — that also haven’t tagged me in my next round of Sunshine Award noms lol! I know you’re supposed to do 11, but rules smules.

Michaela 

Alyssa & Andrew— if you both answer this is serves as 2 nominations 😉

Kaleena 

J.W.

Lilly

Melanie

Cassie

Siobhan

Kristi

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My Questions To You: 

1. What is one of your favorite book quotes?

2. If you won a free plane ticket anywhere in the world where would it take you and what is the FIRST thing you’d do there?

3. What is your favorite underrated/under reviewed book?

4. What celebrity would cause death by fangirling if you got to meet them on the street?

5. What is your favorite 2018 read — so far?

6. What is the last band you saw in concert?

7. What’s the last book that made you cry?

8. What’s the current most played track on your Spotify/Apple Music/iTunes playlist? No cheating! 

9. If you were going to get a tattoo based off a book what would you get and why?

10. What’s your favorite meal? Your go-to dinner if money wasn’t an option. 

11. Who’s your fictional crush and who would you cast IRL to play them?

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Well there you have it! Eleven fun new facts about my life and reading habits. I look forward to reading my nominees responses and hope you’re all having a wonderful day!

And, as always, Happy Reading!

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