The One Where I Answer 55 Questions (Part 1)

Last week sometime, I was perusing my blog feed minding my own business when I came upon wondrous blog post by the amazing Notebook Sisters: 55 questions about books. Questions about where I get to talk about books and myself? I'm always game for that. These 55 questions, which the Notebook Sisters believe originated here, are what I bring to you today. Well, at least the first part. I agree with Cait and Mime, 55 questions is a lot. 

Well, at least not in one post. 

So, without further ado, I present to you 27 questions about yours truly.

1. Favorite childhood book:

     Soooooooo, confession time:

I, Mackenzie, here at "Oh, For the Love of Books" did not grow up reading. 

     But don't go grabbing your torches and pitchforks quite yet. I wasn't necessarily a reader, but I did read. Only when I found those really rare books that captured me. My sister was always the reader and would bug the crap out of me to read and brag about all that she read so I decided I was better than reading. Naturally. Doing the exact opposite of what I'm told to do? Welcome to childhood. 

Anyways, what books I did read were simply phenomenal. Two series that stuck with me were the Harry Potter series (who wasn't impacted by these?) and both The Song of the Lioness series and the Immortals series by Tamora Pierce. Both J.K. Rowling and Tamora Pierce are goddesses amongst man. Most of y'all have definitely probably read HP, but if y'all have not been lucky enough to be blessed by the awesomeness that is Pierce, I suggest you remedy it immediately. Else I might take the torches and pitchforks to you....I kid. I kid. Somewhat. 

2. What are you reading right now?

     I am currently re-reading the gloriousness that is Throne of Glass by yet another goddess amongst man, Sarah J. Maas. I've decided to re-read the whole series in preparation for Heir of Fire (WLEJHRWOEFJWOIEJFO!!). I just finished The Assassin's Blade and my emotions are currently a wreck. Naturally, I've decided The Assassin's Blade did not produce enough feels and decided to jump right into Throne of Glass without giving myself the necessary time to get myself together. Please ignore my feels. They may dissipate....eventually.

3. What books do you have on request at the library?

....um......none...PLEASE DON'T HURT ME! I JUST MOVED HERE!!!

4. Bad book habit:

Umm....okay, just give me a moment......ugh, sorry, can't think of one. Which means I'm perfect. Obviously. And humble.

5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?

Please see #3.

6. Do you have an e-reader?

Yes, And I absolutely adore it #NoShame. I'm a traveler and having an e-reader is a wonderful help. Also, I usually get ARCs through Netgalley and it's much easier to read on a Kindle rather than a computer. Actually, ARCs are really all I use it for. I still really love owning books. I can't ever give that up completely.

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time or several at once?

Well, I prefer to read one book at a time. However, that doesn't mean I don't read more than one at a time. Usually that happens when I'm not totally in love with a book or I'm not in the mood. I'll start it, put it down and start another book, and when I'm finished with the second book, I may or may not pick up the first one again.

8. Have your reading habit changed since you started to blog?

Not that I can recall. I guess I try to read more and take advantage of free time?

 9. Least favorite book you've read so far this year?

Unfortunately, I feel like I've had quite a few I've been disappointed with. To name a few:

Defy

The Queen's Choice

Camelot Burning

Sworn to Raise

All of those were books that I wasn't sure what to expect, but was disappointed anyway. There are two books that I had high(er) expectations for, yet fell somewhat flat for me: Kiss of Deception and The Queen of the Tearling. Both were books that the blogosphere were practically exploding over, yet left me with somewhat confused feelings. Both were books I devoured while reading, yet still found many issues. The Kiss of Deception didn't leave me with quite as mixed emotions as The Queen of the Tearling (as you can see from the review), but both were less than savory.

10. Favorite book you've read this year? 

    WHAT KIND OF QUESTION IS THIS?!?!

YOU DARE ASK ME WHAT MY FAVORITE BOOK IS?!?

.....

Impossible. There is no one book, but many. Therefore, A LIST!

Cress - Cress is just absolutely, preciously adorkable. As if that wasn't good enough, the romantic interest is Captain Thorne. *SWOON*

The Falconer  - Aileana is one butt-whoopin, faerie-killing machine. She. Is. Awesome. With a beautiful Scottish setting, a snarky, intelligent, kick-butt heroine, and, of course, the incredibly mysterious Kiaran, this book is a favorite. BUT THAT ENDING! GAHHHH! Oh, and Kiaran. 

The Winner's Curse - So beautiful. I didn't know what to expect, but this just blew me out of the water. I actually plan on re-reading it before writing a review. It was that good. 

The House of Hades - It's Rick Riordan. I'm fully convinced that he is one of the gods of olympus hiding amongst us rather mundane mortals. 

The Grisha Trilogy - I re-read this and the FEEEELINGSSSSS. I can't believe this series is over with! I'm in denial. My only consolation is the fact that the Great Leigh Bardugo is writing another series set in the Grisha universe. I suppose that sates my appetite somewhat. 

The Assassin's Blade - I read all of the novella's save for the last one (and The Healer that was exclusive in this book) before this book came out. Then I stupidly bought this book. They were super good. But the last one. The last one. MY FEEELLINNGGGSSSS! It gutted me. Destroyed me. I even knew what happened, just not how. And the how is what destroyed me. Beautiful, haunting, heart-breaking, and feels-destroying. But oh so satisfying. 

11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?

Never. Well, basically never. Unless textbooks count. 

12. What is your reading comfort zone?

I don't really know actually. If it comes to genres, I'll read most any fiction, except contemporary. I just don't like contemporary. I read to escape. Contemporary doesn't allow that in my opinion. I may not be huge fans of some genres (urban, horror, thriller) but I'll still read them. They may just not be my forte, per se. 

13. Can you read in the car?

If you don't mind me puking all over you, then yeah. I don't like getting sick though, so I'll go with the safe HECK NO! 

14. Favorite place to read?

Anywhere at home that's comfortable. I really love the chair by the window I have in my room. We also have a reading room with two chairs looking out a window that's so comfortable to read it. And my couch. I love my couch. 

15. What is your policy on book lending?

Non-existant. Not many of my friends really read to be honest. If I lend them to anyone, it's usually my sister. The only thing I hate that she does is using the cover for a book mark. I mean she takes off the whole cover and shoves it in the book instead of just using the flap. IT'S BOOK CANNIBALISM! Other than that, if I lend em out, I just ask that they take care of them.

16. Do you dog-ear books?

What is this blasphemy?

17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?

MORE BLASPHEMY! 

Okay, I totally get why people do this and, to be honest, I even envy them. With the writing, the books look so loved and worn. But, but, BUT! I just can't bring myself to do this. 

18. Not even with textbooks?

Not even with textbooks.

19. What is your favorite language to read in.

English. Else I wouldn't understand a thing I was reading and it would be far less enjoyable. 

Though, I do hear it's a great way to help learn a new language! 

20. What makes you love a book?

You know, I can't really pinpoint it. Not making me want to gouge my eyes out usually helps. But I'm usually relatively easy to please. At least I think so. But what makes a book great? Wonderfully complex and amazing characters, an engaging plot, action-packed awesomeness, and FEELS! I need to feel connected and actually care about the characters. Also, added bonus points for maps. And really, to make a book awesome in my opinion, you need all of these dumped in one awesomely fantastic medieval-like fantasy world (with magic). I love fantasy. 

21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?

If I love it, I'll recommend it. Usually I don't recommend though. I'm truly awful at it. 

22. Favorite genre?

FANTASYYYYY (see #20)! Seriously, give me fantasy any day of the week and I'm a happy gal. I love exploring new worlds with magic, wonderful characters, adventure, and complex systems. Also, if it's got a medieval vibe to it, it's basically perfection. 

23. Genre you rarely read but wish you did:

Oh. Um. I don't know. I guess classics. Unless I had to read them for school, I avoided them like the plague. I feel like I should like the classics. But I don't. 

24. Favorite biography?

You're assuming I've read one...

25. Have you ever read a self-help book?

Part of one. When I was considering opening an Etsy store I read the how-to guide for idiots. Quite informative actually.  

26. Favorite Cookbook?

Any Christmas/dessert recipe book. I actually only have one, but it has my favorite seasonal dessert in it: Pumpkin cheesecake bars. To. Die. For. 

27. Most inspiration book you've read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?

Oh. I don't know if inspired is necessarily the right word, but I do truly love the Throne of Glass series. For one, phenomenal writing, characters, and world-building. If I ever was a writer, this is what I'd aspire to be. But, I love it too because I love complex characters who aren't perfect and had to make incredibly hard decisions. I'm a psychology major and I absolutely love delving into personalities and the mind and decision-making when it comes to difficult situations. It's amazing what people will do to survive and it blows my mind how two people can be in the same situation, yet react completely different. It simply amazes me. And Celaena is as complex as it gets. I totally understand why she is how she is and I love delving into her past and really learning about her. She may be an assassin, but she's much more than that. It  goes to show that you truly can't judge a book by its cover. It's what's between the pages, the inner story, that counts. 

So my dears, what about you? I'd love to know some of y'alls answers to questions! And if you make a blog post, let me know! I'd love to read it!