Tag: book tag

AllBook Tag

Reread, Rewrite, or BURN! Book Tag

Posted on by J.W. Martin

Saw this Tag on Modern Witch’s Bookshelf. If you’re not following Sam, you’re missing out on great tags, meme posts (including some killer First Impression Fridays, wink, wink, nudge, nudge), reviews, and discussions. She writes with an obvious love for the world of literature and there’s always something funny, entertaining, or thought-provoking in her posts. Often, all three.

Since Sam’s the one I’m stealing this from, I’m also going to steal her idea of using books I’ve read (or listened to) in 2018.

THE RULES:

  • Randomly choose 3 books
  • For each group, decide which book to burn, which one to rewrite, and which to reread (like Marry, Boff, Kill).
  • Repeat until you completed three rounds (or six) (or however many you want to do).

Round 1

  

REREAD – Macbeth – This was awesome. Brutal. Raw. Wonderful.

REWRITE – All The Light We Cannot See – There were only a few things that I would change. The pacing of things, the order of things, etc.

BURN – Moonrise – This little book certainly doesn’t deserve to be put to flame, but thems the rules.

Round 2

  

REREAD – Something Wicked This Way Comes – Bradbury’s work is genius. I need to read more and more.

REWRITE – Find You in the Dark – This book just needs a tiny bit more action and a tweak to its pacing.

BURN – Good Guys – I loved this premise, but the execution just wasn’t there…

Round 3

  

REREAD – Gemina – Duh. No explanation needed.

REWRITE – As You Wish – I’m not even sure how I’d rewrite it, I liked it quite a bit. Just not as much as Gemina.

BURN – The Philosopher’s Flight – Quite a bit more that I didn’t like about this one. Definitely had some issues with it.

Round 4

  

REREAD – The Forgotten Book – This is probably the book that is furthest away from my “wheelhouse” that I’ve read, and liked, this year. It was good, and unexpected.

REWRITE – The Midnight Front – This was another book that the premise had me really excited and the execution just let me down. Mainly, I think it just needs more character development. Found it really tough to care about the characters.

BURN – Dayfall – This might be my most disappointing book of 2018 so far. The sun is about the come out for the first time in decades. Awesome, right? With a cop main character who acts like anything other than a cop, and a lot of other issues, this one is headed for the incinerator.

Round 5

  

REREAD – Room – Loved it. I actually bought this book for my mom years and years ago, so I’m kind of upset it took me so long to get around to reading it!

REWRITE – The Cuckoo’s Calling – I’m a big fan of the characters in this book, especially Cormoran Strike. I big portion of this book is just interviews with potential suspects, though. Maybe that’s how these books are supposed to go, but that’s what I’d change.

BURN – The Crossing – Nothing real bad to say about this book, but also nothing great to say about it.

Round 6

  

REREAD – To Kill a Kingdom – Maybe the biggest surprise in 2018! I loved everything about it. Premise, characters, plot. EVERYTHING!

REWRITE – School for Psychics – I think this book just needed to take itself a little more seriously. The characters were adults but acted more immature than most teenage characters from other books. A lot of solid stuff as well, though.

BURN – Ringworld – Oh, boy. This is the one that’s going to get me in trouble. Ringworld is considered a classic. Many people, who know a lot more about sci-fi than I do, will list Ringworld as one of their all-time best sci-fi books. What can I say? It just wasn’t for me. I didn’t care about anything. The characters, the situation, the worlds. It would have ended with a nuke going off and destroying everything and everyone and I wouldn’t have shed a tear.

Fun fact about this post: I hate the idea of burning ANY book, even ones I didn’t like…

 

AllBook Tag

Reader Confessions Tag

Posted on by J.W. Martin

I was tagged by Kiersten @ Once Upon a Spine for this tag, probably because I have so much to confess. I am just a mystery wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in a riddle, wrapped in a terrible dad joke. (if you doubt me, see question 8)

1) Have you ever damaged a book? 

Unless you count the very occasional dog ear, or broken spine, no. Not that I can remember. 

2) Have you ever damaged a borrowed book?

Nope.

3) How long does it take you to read a book? 

Let’s say 4-7 days. 

4) Books that you haven’t finished?

I’m awful for forcing myself to finish, even when it’s something I’m not enjoying. Can’t even think of anything that I didn’t force myself through to the end. It’s terrible. I’d much rather DNF something I’m not digging and get into something else, but I just. Can’t. Do. It.

5) Hyped/popular books you didn’t like? 

I’m pretty easy to please. The only book I can think of is This Savage Song. I still enjoyed it, I just wasn’t crazy about it the way a lot of people seemed to be.

6) Is there a book you wouldn’t tell anyone you were reading?

Yes. Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. And purely out of strategy. Have I read it? I don’t know. Do YOU think I’ve read it?

7) How many books do you own?

A BAGILLION! 

8) Are you a fast or a slow reader?

It’s all relative, question number 8. By the way, question 0 called and said, “nice belt.”

I’m a lot faster than a lot of people I know, but compared to most other book bloggers, I’m dreadfully, painfully, LAUGHABLY slow. 

9) Do you like to buddy read?

Never tried. Not sure what kind of protection I should use. 

10) If you were only allowed to own one book, what would it be and why?

Stories: All-New Tales, edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio.

As you can probably guess, it’s an anthology, edited by writing God and has contributions from Joe Hill, Chuck Palahniuk, Jeffrey Deaver, Jodi Picoult, and many, many more. 

So, that… or Sun Tzu’s Art of War. Which one will it be? I don’t know. Which one do you think it’ll be?

I TAG:

Samantha @ Modern Witch’s Bookshelf

Nina @ The Cozy Pages (yes, you AGAIN)

MC Rolon

nickimags @ The Secret Library

Fun fact about this post: I’ve never read The Art of War… or have I?
Book Tag

The Currently Reading Book Tag

Posted on by J.W. Martin

I was tagged on this one by Jillian the Bookish Butterfly. She posts a lot of interesting stuff on her little corner of the internet. So if you’re not already following her, what are you doing?? Thanks, Jillian!

How many books do you usually read at once?

Generally, 3. A physical book, which almost never leaves my house. An eBook, for those times I have time to read somewhere that isn’t my house. And an audiobook for walking the dog and occasionally while at work. 

If you’re reading more than one book at a time, how do you decide when you switch books?

See above answer.

Do you ever switch bookmarks while you’re partway through a book?

Ha ha. It’s happened. But usually only if I’m using some ratty receipt or something else that gets worse as I read until it’s nearly non-existent. 

Where do you keep the book(s) you’re currently reading?

Wherever I was reading it last. There’s no specific spot.

What time of day do you spend the most time reading?

Night. Sometime between 9 & midnight.

How long do you typically read in one sitting?

Probably an hour. But I’ve been known to grab a book even if I know I’ve only got 7 minutes. 

Do you read hardbacks with the dust jacket on or off?

Off! How anyone can read with them on is beyond me. 

What position do you mainly use to read?

Sitting, with my book in my lap.

Do you take the book you’re currently reading with you everywhere you go?

You’re not paying attention, are you, dis-embodied questions. My book stays home unless I KNOW FOR A FACT that I’m going to be somewhere with an hour or more to sit around. 

How often do you update your Goodreads progress on the book you’re currently reading?

Ha ha. Almost never. Generally, I put in that I’ve started reading a book and don’t give an update until I’m done. 

I tag: 

María @ Bookgraphy

Sophie @ Sophie’s Corner

Michaela @ Journey Into Books

Book Tag

Music Habits Tag

Posted on by J.W. Martin

Thanks to Ally for tagging me in this one! Don’t get me wrong, I can talk books all day long, but it is a nice little change of pace to talk music for a minute or two. This tag was created by Sumedha of The Wordy Habitat, so thank you for the wonderful tag!

RULES

  • Tag the creator
  • Thank the person who tagged you.
  • Answer all the questions.
  • Tag at least three friends.

DO YOU DOWNLOAD SONGS OR STREAM ON APPS LIKE SPOTIFY, WINK?

I’m an Apple sheep, so I use Apple Music.

WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT FAVOURITE SONG?

I’ve really been liking Waking Lions by Pop Evil. It starts out sound like a really hard song, but it’s very inspirational by the time you hit the chorus.

LAST SONG YOU LISTENED TO?

Roots by In This Moment

WHO ARE YOUR ALL-TIME FAVOURITE ARTISTS?

  • Oasis
  • Weezer
  • Macklemore
  • Foo Fighters
  • Walk Off the Earth
  • Mariana’s Trench

HAVE YOU BEEN TO ANY CONCERTS?

Sure. I’ve seen Mariana’s Trench a few times. I’ve also seen Third Eye Blind, Ben Folds Five,  Down With Webster, and Weezer.

DO YOU PLAY ANY INSTRUMENTS?

Not really. I play a little guitar, but by “a little” I mean I can’t play an entire song, unless you count Jingle Bells.

DO YOU PLAY YOUR SONGS ON SHUFFLE OR CHOOSE A PLAYLIST?

Both! I use playlists, but always on shuffle.

NAME ONE SONG THAT YOU ALWAYS SKIP WHEN IT COMES UP ON SHUFFLE.

I don’t know…

DO YOU PREFER PLAYING SONGS ON SPEAKER OR LISTENING IN EAR/HEADPHONES?

Headphones. I’m not against speakers, but rocking out on your own is something else.

IS THERE ANY POPULARLY LIKED SONG THAT YOU DON’T LIKE?

Most Lady Gaga. None of it is terrible, but it’s not for me.

WHERE DO YOU USUALLY FIND NEW MUSIC? EXAMPLE THROUGH SHUFFLE ONLINE, RECOMMENDATIONS.

Honestly, I still hear most new music on the radio to/from work. Old school.

DO YOU LIKE SONGS BASED ON TUNES/BEATS OR LYRICS?

Most of the time, I need it all. A good tune/beat will have me listen to the song a few times, but if I don’t like the lyrics, it won’t last.

NAME ONE SONG THAT YOU THINK EVERYONE SHOULD LISTEN TO.

Make the Money by Macklemore. Probably seems like an odd choice, but the message is really great. (LANGUAGE WARNING: He’s quite liberal with curse words, so if you’re not a fan of that, you may want to skip this one.)

I tag Bri, Tammy, and Samantha.

Book Tag

The 20 Questions Book Tag

Posted on by J.W. Martin

I was tagged by Amy @ A Court of Crowns and Quills. Normally a post like this makes me hyperventilate a little. So many questions. So many answers. So much talking about myself. But once I started reading the questions, it sounded like fun. So, thanks, Amy, for the tag!

And here we go!

1. How many books is too many books in a book series?

If I have to give it a number, 5 feels like a good MAX.

If the series is good enough, it can continue forever, but with new main story ARCs every 3 to 5 books.

2. How do you feel about cliffhangers?

I’m usually so far behind when it comes to reading series, that as soon as I finish one book, I can pick up the next one. So, I’m pretty okay with them.

3. Hardback or paperback?

Both are nice. If I had the choice, I think hardcover. There’s no risk of cracking the spine and they tend to sit open a little easier. 

4. Favorite book?

Oh, okay. First let me pick my favorite child. Pff…

5. Least favorite book?

Corrupted Ambition by Obi Orakwue. It sounded cool. It was one of the first covers I remember seeing with the whole blood spatter thing. And the blood had this raised effect to it. Very cool stuff. Except for the book. It was hot garbage.

6. Love triangles, yes or no?

Nah. They’re done well in very rare occasions, but I prefer love sextuples. (see what it did there?)

7. The most recent book you just couldn’t finish?

How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships by Leil Lowndes. It’s not that the information wasn’t interesting, it just seemed to get repetitive. 

8. A book you’re currently reading?

Macbeth by Jo Nesbo. So far, SO good!

9. Last book you recommended to someone?

The Last Namsara, which I recommended to my wife!

10. Oldest book you’ve read? (Publication date)

The Great Gatsby by Scott F. Fitzgerald. 

11. Newest book you’ve read? (Publication date)

School for Psychics by K.C. Archer. 

12. Favorite author?

13. Buying books or borrowing books?

Buying. Which is strange, because I rarely re-read books. 

14. A book you dislike that everyone else seems to love?

I guess The Philosopher’s Flight. It’s pretty new, but so far the reviews for it are really good.

15. Bookmarks or dog-ears?

Bookmarks. It doesn’t even have to be some fancy store-bought thing of beauty and extravagant cost. I often use the receipt from the purchase of that very book. My son once used a kleenex, which is quite brilliant if you anticipate a tear-jerking read.

16. A book you can always reread?

Ready Player One. 

17. Can you read while hearing music?

Absolutely. I prefer it. 

18. One POV or multiple POV’s? (POV’s = Point of views)

Multiple. One can be great, but I like jumping into other people’s heads. 

19. Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?

Multiple. Who’s got the kind of time to read an entire book when they sit down? And have they never read a GRRM or a Nesbo?

20. A book you’ve read because of the cover?

Sea of Rust. I haven’t read it yet, but I bought it based purely off the cover. 

 

I TAG…

Kiersten @ Once Upon a Spine because she’ll have the most hilarious answers

Nina @ The Cozy Pages because she gets mad at me when I tag her in stuff

Sam @ Modern Witch’s Bookshelf because she’s the bestest

Brittany @ Perfectly Tolerable because she’s new to me and I want to know more about her

Paige @ The Girl With All the Books because she’s far too quiet for my liking!

Fun fact about this post: I had to look up the details about Corrupted Ambition, and the only thing I could remember about it was the letters “OBI.” Everything else had been blocked out.
AllBook Tag

Talking About My WIP in GIFs

Posted on by J.W. Martin

I was tagged by the talented Sophie @ Sophie’s Corner. I love reading AND writing, and her page has a great mix of both of those topics! Thanks for the tag, Sophie. This one is going to be a whole lot of fun!!

The Rules

• Thank the person who tagged you
• Credit the creator of this tag (Michelle!) and link back to this post so she can find out allll about your WIPs!
• Try to limit the amount of gifs you use per question – I’d say maybe stick to five or less but I’m not the boss of you

The Questions

Sum up your WIP in 4 gifs!

Time to introduce your main characters!

Eric

Kate

Kun Ma

Victor Eastman

How would your main character react in a crisis?

If you were to meet your main characters, how would you react?

And if you were to meet your antagonist?

Is there any romance in your WIP? How would you sum it up in gifs?

How do other characters feel about this ship?

 

Relationship? Where?

 

How do you want people to react to reading your WIP?

Fun fact about this post: I originally saw this over at Drizzle & Hurricane Books, and really wanted someone to tag me. Thanks again, Sophie!
AllBook Tag

The Spring Cleaning Book Tag

Posted on by J.W. Martin

My house is in desperate need of spring cleaning. My wife and I have two young boys, who I think believe their toys and things put themselves away. They just leave things wherever they’re standing when they’re done with them, and when they come back later, the things are “away.” If I asked them where “away” was, they’d probably have no idea what I was talking about.

However, instead of giving my house the spring cleaning it so desperately needs, I’m going to do a book tag. Thanks to Jillian the Bookish Butterfly for giving me an excuse to avoid the cleaning just a little longer. 🙂

The struggle of getting started: a book or series you struggle to begin because of its size?

Mistborn. And it’s not even because of how many books there are in the series. Each book is THICK!

Cleaning out the closet: a book or series you want to unhaul.

This is a tough one, but I guess I’d go with the Wheel of Time series. Great series. I loved just about every book. However, I’m pretty sure I won’t read them again, and there’s so many of them!

Opening windows and letting fresh air in: a book that was refreshing.

To Kill a Kingdom. Some of the most unique characters I’ve read in a long time, packed into a story that kept me turning pages late into the nights!

Washing out the sheet stains: a book with a scene you wish you could rewrite.

Another tough one. With books I didn’t like, how do you pick just one scene to rewrite? And I don’t want to change anything in books that I love.

I suppose there are a few scenes in This Savage Song that I would make a little more ‘monstrous.’

Throwing out unnecessary knickknacks: a book in a series you didn’t think was necessary.

Crossroads of Twilight (Book 10) from the Wheel of Time. Still an enjoyable read, but it just feels like the main storylines didn’t really move forward.

Polishing doorknobs: a book that had a clean finish.

Artemis. Squeaky clean.

Reaching to dust the fan: a book that tried too hard to relay a certain message.

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow. I get it. The government is evil, and they’re watching everything we do. I’m not saying he’s wrong or right, but that dead horse got such a beating but the end of the book.

The tiring yet satisfying finish of spring cleaning: a book series that was tiring but satisfying to get through.

Sorry. I have to use Wheel of Time again. There are 14 books (NOT counting a few prequels) and each book is as thick as a tree! I can’t remember the exact word count of the series, but it’s over 2 million words. It’s a lot, but I don’t regret making it through.

I TAG:

Kristina @ Kristina Reads

Lauren @ BAOTB

Reach @ When I Reach You

Samantha @ Modern Witch’s Bookshelf

Fun fact about this post: My house isn’t dirty as much as it’s cluttered. Very, very cluttered.
AwardsBook Tag

The Liebster Award part 2 & 3

Posted on by J.W. Martin

It’s raining Liebster awards over here! Even though I still don’t quite know what it means, or why anyone would want to chuck them at me, I was nominated recently by Shanah the Bionic Bookworm, and Paige the Girl with all the Books! Thanks to both of you for the nod.

The Rules:

  • Answer the 11 questions that you’ve been asked
  • Nominate 11 other bloggers
  • Ask your nominees 11 questions
  • Let them know you’ve nominated them!

Shanah’s questions:

If you and a best friend could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

New York, I guess. Just to see what all the fuss is about.

Choose any character to be your best friend – who is it and why?

Lira from To Kill a Kingdom. She’s a badass, but still good at heart.

What book world/setting would you like to live in or visit?

It’s a toss-up between the Oasis and Hogwarts.

What book impacted you the most? Either in a thought-provoking, emotional, happy, etc, way.

The Corrections. Really great, inspiring ending.

If you had one extra day in a week that nobody knew about, what would you do with it?

All of the things. Mainly, I think I’d write and play video games.

If you could have your own personal library that you could decorate ANY way you wanted (money is not a factor!) what would it look like and what would it HAVE to include (besides books of course!)

I’d want it to look like an old-fashioned library straight out of a log cabin or something similar. The only other things I’d want besides books is a big comfy chair, and a big picture window. It never seems better than when you can read by natural light.

If you could donate $1000 to any charity, which would you choose?

I’d have to do my research to see which charities put forward the biggest percentage of that donation. But, Make-A-Wish seems to do some pretty great things.

Pets – do you have any? If you could have any pet which would you choose?

Two cats (Frito and JuJube) and a big dog (Dexter.)

Favourite flavour of ice cream?

Superhero. Sometimes called Superman. It’s a combination of Banana, Blueberry, and Strawberry. Its aesthetics are just as pleasing as its flavour.

What is your Hogwarts house?

Ravenclaw.

If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?

Invulnerability.

Paige’s questions:

When and why did you start blogging?

Almost a year ago. And I started because my cousin (the same Bionic Bookworm that tagged me) makes it look like so much fun (and it is!)

What is your favourite thing about yourself?

Ugh. Nothing? Is nothing an answer? I guess my creativity.

What is your favourite bookish quote?

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.” – George R.R. Martin

If there was a movie about your life, who would you cast as you?

Seth Rogen, I guess. Though he’s way cooler than I am.

What was your idea of a dream job when you were younger?

Firefighter!

Name one fictional character that you hate

Dolores Umbridge.

What is your favourite movie?

Geez. If I HAD to choose one, The Big Lebowski. But so many other great ones: Swingers, Good Will Hunting, The Departed, Inception, Clerks, I could go on and on.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

Hopefully, working from home writing novels fulltime.

If you could do one thing to change the world, what would it be?

Without limits? I’d find a way to keep bees safe forever.

What is your greatest accomplishment to date?

Can I pass? Lol. Honestly, I know it’s cliche and corny, but my two sons seem like the best things I’ve ever had a hand in.

What book changed your outlook on life?

I don’t think I’ve read a book that changed my outlook on life. Maybe, On Writing by Stephen King. Not just because it was some of the best writing advice I’ve ever read, but also because it went into great detail about King’s own struggle before finding success. Before hearing about struggles like that, it just hadn’t occurred to me that there was a struggle at all.

I nominate:

No one! Since I’ve had this particular award before, I’m not going to obligate another set of people. But I would like to thank Shanah and Paige one more time for nominating me, and for providing me with such interesting questions!

Fun fact about this post: It was ALMOST The Lobster Award. Thanks autocorrect.
AllBook Tag

3 Days, 3 Quotes – Day 3

Posted on by J.W. Martin

Thanks to Cozy Pages and Kristina Reads for the nominations.

RULES

• Thank the person who nominated you.
• Post a quote for 3 consecutive days (1 quote for each day, can be a super short post).
• Nominate three new bloggers each day.

Day 1 I did a writing quote, day 2 was a reading quote. On this final day, an inspirational quote for anyone, whether they dig books or not.

 

I’ll all about this. If you want it, go out and get it. It’s not coming to you.

Today, I tag:

Nerd Narration

Hannah

Steph

 

AllBook Tag

3 Days, 3 Quotes – Day 2

Posted on by J.W. Martin

Thanks to Cozy Pages and Kristina Reads for the nominations.

RULES

• Thank the person who nominated you.
• Post a quote for 3 consecutive days (1 quote for each day, can be a super short post).
• Nominate three new bloggers each day.

Yesterday’s post was a writing quote, so today I wanted to do a reading quote.

I know it’s kind of a cliche quote, but it’s just so true.

 

Today, I tag:

Sophie

Tammy

Taylor

Fun fact about this post: I live several lives per month!