Tag: Book Tags

The Dilemmas of a Book Nerd Tag

Posted October 17, 2019 by Rowena in Personal | 6 Comments

I saw this tag over at Happily Ever After Book Nerd and thought it would be a fun thing to bring to my own blog since I’m a nerd too and I like reading about these kinds of things. So here are my answers.

Dilemma #1 – Book Storage

How do you store and organize your books? Hmm. Well, I don’t have a print collection anymore since I’ve gone strictly digital a few years ago so I store all of my books on my Kindle, the Kindle App on my iPad/iPhone but I also store all of my books in Calibre. I organize them by collection on my kindle and by author last name on Calibre

Dilemma #2 – Tracking

How do you keep track of what you have read and what books you own? Spreadsheets, spreadsheets, spreadsheets. I use spreadsheets for everything and years ago, I started a collections spreadsheet that tracks all of the books that I own. I still need to update it but I started it and it’s really a thing of beauty. I also keep track of books I own on Goodreads too.

Dilemma #3 – Borrow

Do you lend your books out? Since my entire personal library is digital, no but back when I had a physical print personal library? You betcha. I was always lending my books out because that was the only way that I’d get my sisters and my friends to read the books that I love.

Dilemma #4 – Buying

How do you buy or acquire your books? I get my books from either publishers and authors directly, I request books that I’m interested in for review on Netgalley and Edelweiss. I also have a Kindle Unlimited subscription so I check books out from there and I also have a monthly Audible Escape subscription that I pick and choose audiobooks from to listen to at work.

Dilemma #5 – Comments

How do you respond to the, “How do you read so much” comment or similar comments? The same way, every single time. I respond to that question with, “I make time to read. I read every chance that I can but I make the time for the things that I enjoy and reading is one of those things.”

Dilemma #6 – Next Book

How do you pick your next read? I normally pick my next read by what is coming out the soonest on my review pile. If I’m all caught up on my review pile then I choose the books that I’m doing buddy reads to read and when I’m all done with that, I’ll choose books off my TBR pile. I have lists for my lists and I’m always picking books off one of those lists to read. I’m always adding books to my wishlist, to my TBR list so there’s always a book to choose to read next.

Dilemma #7 – Travel

How do you pick what book(s) you bring on vacation with you? I’m a digital reader. I don’t have to choose which books to bring with me. I can bring ALL of my books with me wherever I go and I freaking love it.

Dilemma #8 – Annotate

Do you write or highlight or mark up your books? When I had physical books, I did not mark them up. I didn’t highlight or write in them BUT I did dog-ear them. I did crack their spines. So I’m not perfect but I never marked them up the way that I mark up my kindle books. I highlight, bookmark, I do it all to those kindle books but it’s all good. They’re still holding up.

Dilemma #9 – New or Backlist

Which do you prefer, new releases or backlist books? I’m normally reading new releases. I hardly ever have time or hell, take the time to read backlist books but it’s one of my ongoing goals. To read more from my TBR pile which is full of backlisted books. One of these days, I’ll make a real go at those backlist titles. For realsies.

Dilemma #10 – Sequels

Do you read books are they are released or wait for an entire series to be published before reading a book? For my auto-buy and favorite authors, I absolutely read their books as soon as I get them. There have only been a few instances where I waited for an entire series to be completed before I started them.

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Get to Know the Romance Reader Tag

Posted October 15, 2019 by Rowena in Personal | 8 Comments

I saw this book tag on a couple of different blogs and even though nobody tagged me to do it, I’m doing it anyway. It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything personal on here so this was the perfect post to throw up today. Sorry, I don’t know where this book tag started and I really don’t even know which blogs I saw it on (it’s been ages) so whoever started it, thank you! Here are my answers…

1. What is your romance origin story? I didn’t start reading romance novels until I was out of high school. The summer after high school, I didn’t have a job so I babysat for my sisters. I used to watch everyone’s kids at my sister Blanche’s house and when she moved into a new house, we went a couple of weeks without cable so I became super bored. I came across a box of books and Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught was at the top of the stack so I picked it up and started reading it. I read that book in an entire day and I read the rest of the books in that box in like a month. And then when I would get paid, I would buy more books. I never turned back.

2. If you could be the heroine in a romance novel, who would be the author and what’s one trope you’d insist be in the story? What a great question. 5 years ago, my answer would have been different but right this minute? I’d want Lauren Layne to write the book I’m in and I’d want a Single Dad trope. I’m trash for Single Dads. Seriously.

3. What is a romance you’ve read this year, that you want more people to read? Hmm, probably Hook Shot (Hoops #3) by Kennedy Ryan. That was such a well written book with characters that just lit up the pages and a romance so steamy, I fanned myself multiple times. This book had everything and not too many people that I know have read it. I love Keenan and Lotus’ story so much and I know that everyone else would if they gave it a shot. At least I hope they would.

4. What is your favorite romance subgenre? Easy. Contemporary romance. I adore modern romances because it’s easy for me to connect with what these characters are going through and they’re really easy to read. Most of the time, I’m eager for stories that are easy to follow along with and not super angsty or heavy on the plot. Contemporary romance is perfect for that, and in turn, perfect for me. What subgenre have you not read much from? I don’t read a lot of urban fantasy or paranormal though I hope to change that this month since it’s the month for scary things.

5. Who is one of your auto-buy romance authors? Lauren Layne. I would read her grocery lists if she let me. She writes my kind of romances. Romances that are character-driven and full of heart. I love her stuff. Even when I get her books for review, I still buy every single book. I can’t help myself. Other authors on my auto-buy lists? Sarina Bowen, Elle Kennedy, and Kennedy Ryan.

6. How do you typically find romance recommendations? Typically, I scour the Goodreads New Releases page every month, I read a lot of book blogs and my book friends. I’m one of those people that can be easily persuaded to try a book out. I’ve bought plenty of books that I would have never chosen to read for myself just because one of my book blogging friends read and wrote a fantastic review of it. My biggest book influencers are my friends though. Mostly Holly and Ames. They’re my people. They know what I like, what I don’t like and they’ve never steered me wrong.

7. What is an upcoming romance release you’re excited for? I can’t just pick one! That’s madness. There are quite a few romances that I’m looking forward to releasing in the coming months. The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang, Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas, Marriage on Madison Avenue by Lauren Layne, the next Hidden Legacy book by Ilona Andrews, The Bride Bet by Tessa Dare, Daring and the Duke by Sarah MacLean, and a bunch of other books that I can’t think of right now.

8. What is one misconception about romance you would like to lay to rest? That romance novels are mommy porn. There is much more to romance novels than the sex scenes. Sure, there are sex scenes in most romance novels but the stories are about finding your person. Porn is about sex. Romance novels are about love. There’s a big difference.

9. Who is the most recent romance reading content creator you came across that you’d like to shoutout? I can’t remember the latest content creator but one of my favorite Instagrammers is @utcbookblog. Their Instagram feed is the bomb. Full of colors, books out in the world (this is my favorite), pretty books everywhere. They’re like Bookstagram goals and I love their stuff.

10. If someone had never read a romance before and asked you to recommend the first 3 romances that come to mind as places to start, what would those recommendations be? Another easy question for me. Saving Grace by Julie Garwood for historicals, Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie for contemporaries, and Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh for paranormals.

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Bookish Naughty or Nice Tag

Posted December 20, 2018 by Rowena in Personal | 2 Comments

I saw this over at Cornerfolds and wanted to participate in it myself but the tag itself was created by Jenniely and it looks like a lot of fun. The rules are easy! Just check off what you’re guilty of this year, link to this post and the original tag, and tag whoever you want.

As far as who I’m tagging? I’m tagging you. If you’re reading this post then I’m tagging you but only if you want to be tagged. 🙂

Here are my answers!

RECEIVED AN ARC AND NOT REVIEWED IT

I did receive a couple of ARCs this year that I did not review. I know, for shame but in my defense, I didn’t do a complete review for these ARCs because I DNF’d them. For all of the books that I did read, I reviewed them. Yay me.

HAVE LESS THAN 60% FEEDBACK RATING ON NETGALLEY

Nope, not this year. I can’t think if I’ve ever had anything under 100% on NetGalley. I don’t think so. I try to stay on top of my review pile every year and I did great this year.

RATED A BOOK ON GOODREADS AND PROMISED A FULL REVIEW TO COME ON YOUR BLOG (AND NEVER DID)

Hahaha, yes. I’m guilty of this. I did do a short, gather my thoughts for my full review kind of review on Goodreads while promising to come back and post my full review earlier in the year before I changed my mind and am just posting my quick thoughts on GR. If you want to read my full reviews, you gotta check out my book blog. Sorry!

FOLDED DOWN THE PAGE OF A BOOK

Nope. Can you believe that I haven’t read a print book all year so I don’t need to fold down anything. I just exit my kindle app.

ACCIDENTALLY SPILLED ON A BOOK

Yes, I spilled on one of the ARCs that was sent to me from Avon. I felt super bad too, so much for my dreams of spill free bookstagram pics.

DNF A BOOK THIS YEAR

Yes. I DNF’d more than one book this year and one of them made me sad because I was really looking forward to it. Just didn’t work for me.

BOUGHT A BOOK PURELY BECAUSE IT WAS PRETTY WITH NO INTENTION OF READING IT

No. I’m too cheap to be buying books I have no intention of reading. Who does that?

READ WHILST YOU WERE MEANT TO BE DOING SOMETHING ELSE

Yes. I’m guilty of this a lot because I sneak read at work. LOL. Whoops. I hope my boss doesn’t read my blog.

SKIM READ A BOOK

Yes. I did this a couple of times this year. Some books were just too wordy and I didn’t have a lot of patience for that this year.

COMPLETELY MISSED YOUR GOODREADS GOAL

Nope. I never fell behind in my Goodreads goal this year. Not even once and that’s surprising because in the last month or so, I’ve been in a serious reading slump but that didn’t stop me from finishing my goal.

BORROWED A BOOK AND NOT RETURNED IT TO THE LIBRARY

Not this year but that’s mostly because I don’t use the library. If I did, I probably wouldn’t return any of the books I check out. *shrugs* It’s better for the library if I don’t borrow from them.

BROKE A BOOK BUYING BAN

No. I don’t do book buying bans. I know better than to do that to myself. I tried it once and…nope. Never again.

STARTED A REVIEW, LEFT IT FOR AGES, THEN FORGOT WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT

Yeah, this has happened to me this year. A couple of times, actually. I had to go back and re-read the book to figure out my thoughts again.

WROTE IN A BOOK YOU WERE READING

Nope. I don’t read print books, remember? I’m a complete digital girl these days.

FINISHED A BOOK AND NOT ADDED IT TO YOUR GOODREADS

Yes. I did this on accident a few times this year but I went back and fixed that. I take my book tracking each year seriously.

BORROWED A BOOK AND NOT RETURNED IT TO A FRIEND

No, not this year. I read a lot of my own books this year. Way more than I have in years and years.

DODGED SOMEONE ASKING IF THEY CAN BORROW A BOOK

Haha, yes. I’m not going to say any more than that.

BROKE THE SPINE OF SOMEONE ELSE’S BOOK

*gasp* Most of my friends are all digital girls like me so no. I haven’t done this to any of my friends but I would be horrified if I did. That’s….oh gosh.

TOOK THE JACKET OFF A BOOK TO PROTECT IT AND ENDED UP MAKING IT MORE DAMAGED

No. Not this year anyway. Being a digital girl helps to protect print books from my damage. I’ve taken the jacket off of books and then lost the jacket before but not this year!

SAT ON A BOOK ACCIDENTALLY

No. I haven’t even accidentally sat on my kindle. Or my iPad. Or my iPhone. Or any of the print ARCs that are sent my way. I normally look before I sit and remove anything on the chair before sitting.

Final Score

My final score is…

9 out of 20

I think I’m still nice. I think anything 10 and over puts you on the naughty list so I need to get my act together for next year. I’m too close to naughty.

Did you guys do this book tag on your blogs? Share your links in the comments, I’d love to check out your posts. How did you guys do?

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Holiday Dinner Book Tag

Posted December 6, 2018 by Rowena in Personal | 4 Comments

I saw this holiday tag over at Grace’s blog this week and wanted to give it a go to try to get in the holiday spirit. The original blog post is over at Du Livre.

Auntie Brought a Pie

A book (or series) that is popular but you don’t care for

The In Depth Series by J.D. Robb

A long time ago, I tried to get into this series because so many of my favorite bloggers read and adored this series but I read the first book and wasn’t feeling it so I never picked up any of the other books in the series but it’s still hella popular with like 40+ books in the series. What even???

Time for the Main Course

Your favorite book(s) of the Year

Burn for You (Hidden Legacy #1) by Ilona Andrews
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

I have adored each and every single one of these books this year. They’ve all gotten 5 stars from me and for good reasons. They’re damn great romance stories. If you haven’t read them, fix that! I promise you won’t regret it.

It’s Time for a Toast

A debut author that you can’t wait to read more from

Helen Hoang

My favorite debut author of the year goes to Helen Hoang because I adored her first book so, so much. I loved the reverse Pretty Woman theme she went with for Stella and Michael. I loved seeing them fall in love with each other, just the way that they are. Their love was a special kind and I ate it right up. I’m looking forward to reading more from Helen Hoang. Her writing style is just fabulous.

Anyone for Dessert?

A satisfying fluff read

Runaway Groom (I Do, I Don’t #2) by Lauren Layne

Are you guys surprised that Lauren Layne made the books tag cut? You shouldn’t be because I love the heck out of her writing and her characters and just her books overall. She writes my favorite kind of romances. Contemporary romances that are smart, fun and steamy. Runaway Groom is one of my 5 star reads this year because it hit all of my high notes. This was such a fun and fluffy read and I can’t recommend it enough.

We’re Having Leftovers

A book you would happily re-read over and over again

The Deal (Off Campus #1) by Elle Kennedy

For this one, I went with a book that I re-read this year and this book. I would happily read this book over and over and over again. I love it so much that I recommend it first to anyone looking for a great NA read. I’ve been on Brenna to read this book for ages and she’s slowly making her way through it and loving it too. Gah, G and Wellsy are the best!

Did you participate in this book tag? Share your posts in the comments and I’ll check you out for sure!

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Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag: 2018

Posted June 26, 2018 by Rowena in Personal | 8 Comments

Lately, I’ve been watching a lot of BookTubers videos on YouTube and everyone is doing this book tag and it looks like a lot of fun. A way to take stock of what you’ve been reading this year up to this point so I’m on board this train. The tag originated here and kind of took off from there. I’m seeing a lot of book bloggers participating too and I’m loving those posts so why not do my own?

Best book you’ve read so far in 2018

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
June 5, 2018
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

I just completely adored this book. From the smart and strong heroine who loved her parents so much that she hired someone to help her be more comfortable with herself and with intimacy so that she can try to give her parents what they wanted…grandchildren to the hero who gave up his dreams to take care of those he cared about. There’s so much to like about this book and the writing itself is fantastic. So, so good.

Honorable Mention: My other 5 star read so far was for Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews and while I adored that book, I think I adored The Kiss Quotient just a teeny bit more. So Burn for Me gets a nod from me. Mad Rogan and Nevada were a fabulous duo and I cannot wait for November for the next installment in this awesome series.

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2018

Brooklynaire by Sarina Bowen
One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews
Wildfire by Ilona Andrews

I’m reading a whole lot of series and these are my favorite sequels that I read so far, this year. Nate and Becca in Brooklynaire made me super happy, Sean and Dina in One Fell Sweep were another fabulous couple and I love the way that their story ended. Mad Rogan and Nevada are some of my favorite characters and each book in their series just kept the party going and I loved it all.

New release you haven’t read yet, but want to

Save the Date by Morgan Matson
June 5, 2018
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

I’m so ready to read this book but I haven’t gotten a chance to pick it up. I hope to change that sometime soon. Wish me luck!

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

Hard Sell by Lauren Layne
September 4, 2018
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Any reason to read a new Lauren Layne, I’m up for it. I really enjoyed Hot Asset so I’m really excited to read Matt and Sabrina’s book. Come to Mama!

Biggest disappointment

If You Don’t Have Anything Nice To Say by Leila Sales
May 1, 2018
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Leila Sales has written some pretty great books in the past so I was really looking forward to this book. After I put it down, I couldn’t get over the whole thing so if you want to see all of the reasons I did not like this book, check out my review here.

Biggest surprise

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
October 28, 2014
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

My friend Holly recommends books for me to read all the time and I never read them. Or, it takes me years to get around to reading them. It drives her crazy but I’m a slow ass reader anyway. So I finally got around to reading this book this year and I knew that I would probably enjoy it even though I don’t read a lot of urban fantasy, fantasy or even paranormal books. Well, I more than enjoyed it. I loved it. I was surprised at how much I loved it. Such a great series.

Favourite new author. (Debut or new to you)

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
June 5, 2018
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Ilona Andrews is new to me but I read one of her books last year so she doesn’t count. A completely new to me and debut author is Helen Hoang and already, I love the heck out of her work. I’m so anxious for The Bride Test.

Newest fictional crush

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
June 5, 2018
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Michael Phan. *swoon* Can you guys tell that I really loved this book?

Newest favourite character

Sophie Bigelow from The Hookup by Erin McCarthy
Stella Lane from The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

I loved both of these heroines. They were strong women, who were smart and didn’t suffer fools without being annoying or bitchy. Love them both.

Book that made you cry

Hooked on You by Kate Meader
May 29, 2018
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

There were a bunch of parts in this book that made me tear up and then just flat out cry. Seeing Violet develop relationships with both of Bren’s kids, in the beginning with Bren’s attitude toward Violet and then the scare that Violet got, the custody of the kids up in the air, there was plenty of stuff in this book that had me crying.

Book that made you happy

Wildfire by Ilona Andrews
July 25, 2017
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

When I finished this book, I was over the moon. That last battle, seeing the Baylor family (all of them) really come into their own and seeing Arabella and Catatlina, even Bern and Leo, seeing them all grow into their powers and themselves. I just loved it all and I legit celebrated when I found out that we’re getting more books from the Baylor family. Yippy skippy!

Favourite book to film adaptation you saw this year

Forevery My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin
January 19, 2018
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

I’ve only watched 2 book to film adaptations and of the two, this one is my favorite. This movie was good, the casting was great, the acting was good but it was the music that completely won me over. I still listen to that soundtrack whenever I can.

Favourite review you’ve written this year

Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

My buddy review with Holly over at Book Binge is probably my favorite review that I wrote this year. So far, anyway. I laughed a lot while we were discussing the book.

Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)

What? They’re beautiful.

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan
The Real Thing by Cassie Mae
Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews

I’m a huge basketball fan so a basketball romance? I couldn’t wait for it to come out. I bought Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan the day that it came out but still haven’t touched it. I need to fix that because two of my faves together in one book? Yes, please.

I found The Real Thing by Cassie Mae while searching for romances featuring Polynesian characters. Brown folks need love too!! 🙂 I read that this book Samoan hero and my Samoan heart got excited. I’m trying to read more diverse romances and while searching for some gems, I wanted to search out some Poly love too.

Diamond Fire takes place at Connor and Nevada’s wedding….OF COURSE I WANT TO READ IT!

Have you already had your mid year book freak out? Share your posts and I’ll be sure to check them out.

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