Book Tag

Book Tag.  Here's how to play!

1. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.

2. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.

3. Tag 11 people and link them to your post

4. Let them know you've tagged them!

5. Include these rules and and a link to the person who tagged you with your post.

I was tagged by Steph's Book Corner.  

Here we go!

1. Which character in a book is your favorite: the Hero or Villain?

I always love the hero more than the villain.  The only exception may be when the villain is a really hot "bad" guy that I really want to kick some ass!

2. Do you prefer to read books in a series or standalone novel?

I typically like reading series. Mainly because I fall in love with the characters and then get to visit them time and time again in a series.  But I will read standalone novels,too.  In my experience, most adult novels are better as standalone.

3. Which novel in a trilogy do you prefer?  Beginning, middle, or end?   Completely depends on the trilogy.  My favorite trilogy, The Hunger Games, I enjoyed Catching Fire--the middle book--the most.  I would say most other trilogies, I liked the end the best.

4. Did you like to read as a kid?  

YES!  Its crazy, because when I was in 1st and 2nd grade, I was in the lowest reading group.  I didn't enjoy it at all.  But my mom bought me the whole Laura Ingalls Wilder set of books and made me read 30 min a day.  By the third day, I was reading 2 or 3 hours on my own.  After that, I was hooked, I read all the time!  (Still do!)

5. How many books do you usually pack when going on vacation?  

Usually only 2.  I don't go on long trips, though, only long weekends.  With 4 kids, its too expensive for this house!

6. What was your favorite book when you were younger?

Well, until 8th grade it was On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  That's now been downgraded to #5.  Then it was Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell until I was 18 and read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig.  

7. What are your thoughts on books being made into movies? Good or Bad?

Mostly good I think.  But I always separate books and movies in my mind.  I realize that a movie will never be exactly like a book, or vice versa, because they are such different mediums.  And its fun to see my favorite stories onscreen to enjoy.  The only real disappointment I've had was Percy Jackson.  That movie could have been SO much better!  And if books weren't made into movies, I would be deprived my favorite movie of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird with Gregory Peck.

8. What is your all time favorite book?

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig.  If you haven't read it, read it!  The thing I love best about it is it is a nonfiction story.  And you will get something new out of it every time you read it.  I try to read it every 5 years, and I always find something profound every time.  It will change the way you look at things, I guarantee it!

9. What made you decide to start a book blog?

Well, I actually got into blogging because I was a HUGE Sims fan.  The game from EA for the PC.  I have been hooked on it for 11 years.  Anyways, one of the things I loved was building houses in the game and creating things.  There are a ton of websites where people post their creations, make online friends, etc.  A lot of my sims friends online were creating their own blogs showcasing their stuff, so I created one as well.  http://juliababyjen.blogspot.com/  But because of numerous technical issues, I have quit the Sims.  I really liked blogging, so I decided to do a book blog, my other big passion.  I could talk about books forever!

10. What is it about a book that makes you decide to read it?

It doesn't take much for me to decide to read a book.  Usually I get suggestions from other bloggers, Goodreads, Amazon, the library.  Then I read over the synposis, and if it sounds interesting, I'll read it!

11. What is your most anticipated new release for 2012?

That one is hard, I am excited about so many new books!  Insurgent by Veronica Roth, Bitterblue by Kristen Cashore, and The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore are the top ones.

Okay, that was a lot of work!  Felt like I was back in school! Now its my turn!

1. What is the most important element of a book for you: the plot, the characters, or the setting?

2. YA books seem to follow trends as far as subject matter.  We've had vampires, werewolves, 
wizards/witches, fallen angels, and now, dystopian.  Do you tend to follow the current reading trends, or are you always looking for something "new and different?"

3. If you could pick a new "trend" what would you pick?

4. When deciding to read a book, do you judge a book by its cover?  Or does the cover not matter to you?

5. Your local community college is creating a literature course based on one author's works (dead or alive), and picks you to decide on the author.  What author would you pick?

6. Do you belong to any book clubs?  If so, how many, and are they online or in person?

7. Do you use your library, and if so, how much?

8. What's your favorite quote from a book?

9. What do you think about E-readers, and do you own one?

10. If you could visit any world in a book, which book would you choose and why?

11. Do you consider yourself a book addict?

TAG!  You're IT!

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