1. Is there a book that you really want to read but haven’t because you know that it’ll make you cry? The Fault in our Stars by John Green. I’m very rarely in the mood to read a sad book, but I know that if I ever get in the mood that everyone says this book is great. 

2. Pick one book that helped introduce you to a new genre. Germ by Robert Liparulo. This was the first actual ‘thriller / action’ book I read, and OH MAN I loved it. I read this one after a long period where I had trouble finishing the books I start, and I was just so drawn in by the pacing and urgency of the books that I got my stamina back. 

3. Find a book that you want to reread. Fear Nothing by Dean Koontz. It’s been a long time, and there are some pretty exciting rumors that he’s going to finish that trilogy sometime (soon? ish? please?), but it’s been a while since I read the first two. 

4. Is there a book series you read but wish that you hadn’t? I mean… yeah, but I’d rather not say it by name. There are places on the internet for that sort of thing, but I want my blog to be a space where I only talk about things that I like. 

5. If your house was burning down and all of your family and pets were safe, which book would you go back inside to save? A copy of Alanna, signed by Tamora Pierce. The book itself is really emotionally important to me (a gift from a beloved friend of mine), and then it was signed by the author when I met her at a reading. You can’t replace something like that. 

6. Is there one book on your bookshelf that brings back fond memories? Proof by David Auburn. This was the First Year reading assignment right before I started at Hollins. I got it in the mail the summer before my first year, and it was my first official act as a college student, AND the book just happened to be about math. It was kind of a sign for me that my world was going to come together at college. 

7. Find a book that has inspired you the most. It’s not really a book. It’s a story I read in 9th grade in a paperback anthology with a red cover. It’s called The Bet by Anton Chekhov. Basic premise is a guy takes a bet that he can’t survive 15 years in total isolation. That story stuck with me like nothing ever has, and I think of it all the time. As I read it (and yes, I know this isn’t the point of the story…) I was thinking of all the things I would do with 15 years (play an instrument, meditate, read, strength training…) Then I had this moment where I realized that there is no reason why I shouldn’t aspire to do those things. 

8. Do you have any autographed books? The one by Tamora Pierce I talked about earlier. Oracle of Philadelphia by Elizabeth Corrigan. Things That Are by Amy Leach. 

9. Find the book that you have owned the longest. Runaway Ralph by Beverly Clearly. This book was the epitome of comfort as a child. And I still have days where all I want is a blanket fort and some quality time with my favorite mouse and motorcycle. 

10. Is there a book by an author that you never imagined you would read or enjoy? There’s a Manga series called Peach Girl by Miwa Ueda. Ordinarily, I’m annoyed by love triangles, so if you told me previously that I would fall head over heels for an 8 volume series all about a the same triangle. But OH MY GOSH YOU GUYS….. this manga… Yeah, I think I’m going to go reread some of my favorite scenes from that right now. 

Sooooo as for my tags, I’d like to take a peek into the shelves of Victoria Davenport, Tara Sim, Sky, and Alex.