Siblinghood (Sisterhood) of the World Bloggers Award

Hello! As I mentioned in a few of my last posts, I’ve been hoping to get to some awards/tags these next couple of weeks. So here I am with the Sisterhood Siblinghood of the World Bloggers Award. I was nominated by Joey, Erika, Tiffani, Casey, Carolyn, and Maria. Thank you guys! They’re all great book bloggers with very different reading tastes and blogging styles; check out their blogs if you haven’t already!

Joey actually made this into the Brotherhood of the World Bloggers because he wanted to recognize some male bloggers. Since I’m also going to nominate some male bloggers I decided to just go ahead and make this the Siblinghood of the World Bloggers, but feel free to call it whatever you want!

---

The Rules – 

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you, linking back to their site.
2. Put the Award logo on your blog.
3. Answer the ten questions sent to you.
4. Make up ten new questions for your nominees to answer.
5. Nominate ten blogs.

---

Joey’s and Erika’s Questions –

(as the nominations went around… the merging of these questions just sort of happened, lol)

1. Did you have a book that meant a lot to you as a child?
Before I was introduced to HP and got into reading, I did read albeit seldom. A Little Princess was one of those special reads I was lucky enough to have read during that period. It’s a wonderful classic because though it’s a children’s tale there’s some positive, deep underlying themes. The story also features a self-effacing protagonist (ironically) and friendships. The Secret Garden is the more well-known work by Frances Hodgson Burnett but I really adored The Little Princess and recommend it to all children (and adults).

2. Is there any author or book that you collect and will always welcome multiple editions of the same title?
I would probably only buy multiple editions of standalones. I don’t see the reason behind collecting multiple editions of a book in a series (well except HP maybe), just because that’d be too many double copies. However, I am that reader that owns several copies of certain installments in a series just because there was special content pre-released in the later editions that the original releases didn’t have. They were mostly unplanned buys though. I also have multiple copies of a book because I bought another copy not remembering that I already own it. Or I wanted to get another copy as a gift for a friend. (I am guilty of birthday/Christmas shopping year round.)

3. Say that you find yourself judging a book by its cover (not that we ever do that!); what sort of covers do you go for? Are there any that are an absolute turn off?
The main reason stopping me from reading New Adult books are the covers. Since I still live with my dad, it’d be pretty awkward if I was to carry around and nonchalantly read a book with a half-naked man on it.

4. If you could pick any imaginary animal to bring home to Mom with an earnest, “Can we keep him??”, what animal would it be?
OH! OH! I KNOW! I like big huggable things so… Totoro or Baymax please!

5. What is the most unusual book you’ve ever read? (Plot, writing style, chapter layout, etc?)
Definitely, hands down, Brave New World. It was a very bizarre book. I don’t remember much except that there are orgies, baby clones, and that the word pneumatic appeared a lot. I had to read it my senior year of high school and wasn’t really fond of it.

6. Last page: read it first or save it for the end?
I admit that I’ve read the last page before… but I don’t do that often!

7. Urban Legend: Can you taste the difference between Coke and Pepsi?
Actually, yes. For some reason Pepsi reminds me of dirt. I’m not saying it actually tastes like dirt (don’t ask why I know how that tastes…) but every time I drink it it’s very earthy? I don’t drink soft drinks anymore though, but I would prefer Coke over Pepsi.

9. What book were you “forced” to read in highschool but ended up loving?
There’s a lot of these. On the top of my head: Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, East of Eden, Lord of the Flies, short stories by Flannery O’Connor (her writing is creepy, I get chills every time), poems by Sylvia Plath.

10. What book you keep telling yourself you’ll read but never do?
There’s many of these as well. Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Divergent…

---

Tiffani’s Questions – 

1. Do you have a nickname? What is it?
Oh. I had a lot growing up. SC curriculum makes us learn about ancient civilizations in the 6th grade so when we got to the Sumerians… I became Sumer. Some of my friends call me Sums. But I’m mostly called by any season, Spring being the most popular.

2. What is your favorite fairy tale?
Disney wise? Beauty and the Beast! Grimm brothers? Little Briar-Rose or more commonly known as Sleeping Beauty. Now that I think about it, there’s some strong insta-love in that one, haha.

3. Name three books you would like to pass along to your grandchildren!
Instead of 3 books… can it be series? I think Harry Potter (no surprise!), Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and Alex Rider. All three have adventure aspects to them that I think both boys and girls would love. (Oh and I actually answered a similar question to this in one in my Exploring My Bookshelves post)

4. What word do you love the sound of?
Ephemeral, ethereal, elephant. I like “E” words a lot!

5. If you could be immortal, would you choose to be?
Probably not. Loss is something everyone has to go through in life, I don’t want to experience multiple generations of my loved ones dying…

6. If you could have any question answered, what would it be?
It would either be between what was my past life like (yeah… I’m Buddhist and believe in reincarnation) or what will my future be?

7. Name five things you’ve never done but would like to do!
Maybe some extreme sports/activities? Like skydiving, rock climbing (I have done this before actually, but not very tall ones), and scuba diving perhaps. I also would like to travel outside the States. Since I adore dolphins, swimming with them would be a cool experience!

This was from a couple of summers ago, when I went to Sea World with my friends for a competition and was able to feed dolphins. Just look how happy it looks! 😀

8. If you were going to write a book, what would the title be and what would it be about?
My dad is my biggest role model. And since he had an interesting upbringing and journey to the states, I think I’d like to write a biography on him if I did write a book. As for a title, I’m not sure yet.

9. Do you prefer living in the city or countryside? Why?
I live in Columbia, which is considered “the city” part of South Carolina. However, it’s a smaller city and very tiny compared to the big cities like Atlanta or even Charlotte. So I guess I’m more accustomed to smaller cities or the suburbs.

10. One piece of advice you would give to your younger self is…
Dear 4-year-old Summer,
Please, back away from the T.V. and watch from a distance. You will ruin your eyes and have to wear glasses if you don’t.

Yes, I’ve had glasses since I was 5 years old… My eyesight is so poor!

---

Casey’s Questions – 

1. Name 3 characters that you would like to punch in the face.
I’m not the violent type and that thought hasn’t ever crossed my mind before. But I guess characters I weren’t a fan of are Lavender Brown from Harry Potter (because of obvious reasons, poor Hermione!) and Grace Wilde from Hello, I Love You (you can see why here).

2. Recommend a book that you’ve recently read and loved.
The entire Grisha trilogy. Oh my, that series was ridiculously gripping. (Me fangirling.) Actually, my GR currently reading shelf isn’t reflecting it, but I’m currently reading The Summer of Chasing Mermaids and it’s great. I have about 100 pages left but it’s definitely going to become a summer favorite. 

3. What is the most annoying plot twist that you’ve ever read?
“It was all a dream…” or anything along the lines of that. It’s actually happened before and to a well known ya series. Man, was I peeved.

4. If you could jump into your last read book and “act” as the protagonist (and the story would be the same as you read it) would you?
(Highlight only if you’ve read the book to reveal the major spoiler) The last book I read was Ruin and Rising. I would totally be Alina if she ended up with the Darkling. 

5. What book to movie adaptation would you love to see (assuming it was done well)?
I’m actually not much of a movie/T.V. watcher… And most of the books I read are popular enough to have already been made in to films. But I guess I’d choose The Tiger’s Curse. Just because I’d love to see how they’d make the effects of having the guys morph into tigers. I imagine it’s similar to how they make werewolves shift. 

6. What is your dream job?
I’m currently only in my second year of college, but I hope to become a compounding or research pharmacist one day!

7. Who are your biggest fictional role models?
More than a role model and wanting to follow this character’s footsteps, I admire this character: Auden from Along for the Ride. She’s probably one of the most relatable characters I’ve ever read  and closest to what I am like in real life. She grows a lot in AftR and I guess I’m proud of her development. 

8. What book would you recommend to a person who thinks reading is “boring”?
Everyone is different and taste is so diverse. It’s hard to predict what someone would enjoy if they’re not a reader in the first place. It has to take that special book to convert these nonreaders. (LOL, I talk about them as if they’re another species or some religious cult, haha.) Harry Potter was the magical book for me and helped me become an avid reader (like many others). So I guess I would suggest it to those that enjoy a good adventure or just loved the films. But I do acknowledge that some of them are on the lengthier side and may seem overwhelming…

9. How do you choose which book to read next?
Totally with feeling. I have no rhyme or reason behind why I pick up a book unless it’s an ARC and has an attached release date. I also find that some books (not particularly classics, though they often are) can be appreciated so much more in different times in a reader’s life. 

10. Kiss Marry Cliff Harry Ron and Hermione. Sorry not sorry!
REALLY, CASEY?! I’ve never kissed a girl before but I guess I’d kiss Hermione. Marry Harry. And hug Ron then push him off the cliff. (So sorry, Ron!)

---

Carolyn’s Questions – 

1. Your OTP just got married! What fictional world do you send them to for the perfect honeymoon? Which OTP?
Gosh, I have some many OTPs (it’s like having more than one favorite, totally inevitable)… but my ultimate one is Clace (Clary/Jace). Their honeymoon would be in Idris, the City of Glass. 

2. You are having a bad day. Which fictional character do you go to for an inspirational pep talk?
I would choose my fictional best friend so Simon from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda! I mean he’s just so cute and I can imagine him bringing oreos to console me during these pep sessions. 

3. What is your favorite scene in your favorite book of 2015 (so far)?
Can’t this be very spoiler-ish for you, Carolyn?? Lol. Well as you know, my latest bookish hangover has been caused by Ruin and Rising. I know you haven’t read the book so I’m going to keep it vague (I know, I know. You have better books to read than to continue this series…) just in case you do decide to read it. But the very last scene that has both Alina and the Darkling was a very touching moment for me.

4. You have just received a million dollars to spend on your personal library. What would it look like?
OH MY GOSH. I feel like a million dollars is way more than I need though. I’d probably use maybe $100,000 to stock up on all the possible books I’d ever want and maybe $20,000 to build the Beast’s library from Beauty and the Beast somewhere. I honestly don’t know how realistic those estimates are, but yeah. And the rest would probably be donated to schools to enhance their libraries. I know this probably sounds cliche but I really mean it. I grew up volunteering at the library through my elementary (we did nothing then really) to high school. And SC is known to not have the best public schools. Like the Corridor of Shame is a real thing. It just sucks how few students read, and if we can increase those numbers it’ll maybe help with encouraging more kids to reach their dreams and make higher acadamic goals. Maybe it could even change demographics and our country’s economy in the long run. But if this was that easy it’d already be done by now, I guess. 

5. If you could read one new release right now what would it be?
It’s either between Soundless or Six of Crows!

6. What book did you read that came to you at just the right time?
I don’t often preorder books, but I guess if you mean in general like going out and buying boos for yourself? It would be all the The Mortal Instruments books after City of Glass and Vampire Academy books after Shadow Kiss. I literally devoured those books, there’s an addicting quality to those…

7. What is your favorite bookish item (not a book)?
I don’t own a lot of bookish items aside from books and bookmarks. However, I am pretty happy with one item. I went to Harry Potter world in Florida two summers ago (actually the same trip I mentioned above with the the dolphin picture) and I debated over getting a Hermione’s wand. I’m so glad that I did! 

8. What is a type of person that you would normally like in real life but would probably hate as a character in a book?
I like to think I’m pretty easy-going and not easily bothered by others (well except if they were to live with me, that’s a whole other story…). Plus, the good thing with books is that obnoxious/mean/evil characters don’t stick around. I mean they disappear once you close the book. Unless something like Inkheart or Between the Lines happened, lol.

9. Your most recent favorite quote from a book?
I know my GR says I’m reading the The Kiss of Deception, but I picked up The Summer of Chasing Mermaids yesterday and now have 100 pages left. I really love the writing and its poetic quality. There’s a lot of great redemption and rebirth quotes like

“When one dream burns to ash, you don’t crumble beneath it. You get on your hands and knees, and you sift through those ashes until you find the very last ember, the very last spark. Then you breathe. You breathe. You fucking breathe. And you make a new fire.”

10. What is a book that you think would make a great game? (can be any game: video, computer, app game)
I’m so lame… I play Word With Friends daily and religiously but that’s about it. I haven’t played a video game before but I think it’d be cool if there was one that was similar to the quests in the Percy Jackson and the Olympian books! Or do they already have one of those…?

---

Maria’s Questions –

1. What made you decide to start book blogging?
The in-depth answer can be found here. But the short answer is that I just wanted to try it and meet new friends that enjoy reading as much as I do. Since a lot of my in real life friends have outgrown reading or aren’t readers to begin with.

2. Do you prefer paperbacks, hardcovers or ebooks?
I’ve always preferred physical copies. As for paperbacks/hardcovers, I used to like paperbacks more because of the cost. But I’ve started to become a hardback snob this year. They just look so much nicer to shelve and the spines just don’t break however rough you are. 

3. What is your favourite book to movie adaptation?
My absolute favorites are both versions of the Pride and Prejudice. The one with Jennifer Ehle has Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, and he’s the epitome of a living Darcy for sure. Also that BBC series has 6 episodes so it allows them to be very precise with detailing the entire book (line by line even). The other adaptation with Keira Knightley has such a beautiful soundtrack and breathtaking scenes (Pemberley looks wonderful in it) so I love it for those reasons. Also, it has Keira, I adore her!

4. What is your favourite book that you have read so far this year?
This is a super hard one. Is it okay if I choose my top three? The Glass Castle, Unbroken, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

5. What is one book that you would love to see turned into a movie or television show?
I actually answered this above under Casey’s questions. You can jump to that question here.

6. If you could meet any author, dead or alive, who would it be?
Probably Sylvia Plath. I haven’t read The Bell Jar yet but I really love her poetry though a lot of it very is melancholy and depressing.

7. Do you read Graphic Novels? If so which ones are your favourite?
I read manga more than I do actual graphic novels. Skip Beat is my favorite. Nana is another good one.

8. What is your most anticipated read for the second half of 2015?
I also answered this above in Carolyn’s questions. Here’s another page jump.

9. What is your favourite childhood picture book/short story/novel?
Little Bo in France or Million of Cats. I’m more of a dog person but both stories conincently have cats in them. XD

10. If you could bring one fictional character to life, who would it be?
Simon from Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens. He’d totally be my best friend. And we could have wonderful chats with oreos to munch on, haha.

---

Once more, thank you guys for the nomination! 😀 I had a lot of fun answering these questions.

My Questions – 

I’m honestly not feeling that creative… So I’m going to piggyback off of what Joey and Erika did and just say that you can choose any 10 questions above you want to answer. There’s a ton of great ones!

---

Alright time to nominate… Unsurprisingly, a lot of bloggers have been nominated and posted their posts since April. So I’m sorry if I’ve nominated you and you’ve already done it, feel free to ignore it.

I Nominate –

(This ratio though…)

Brotherhood

• David @Double Your Presence
• Daniel @Hyperion Sturm
• Shelumiel @Bookish and Awesome
• Thomas @The Quiet Voice
• Trey @Trey Schnarr Books

Sisterhood

• Alex @Alextheshadowgirl
• Analee @Book Snacks
• Ashley @Dreaming Through Literature
• Assia @The A Blog
• Becky @Blogs of a Bookaholic
• Cassandra @Life with Cassandra
• Honya @Honyasbookshelf
• Kelly @Dancing Through the Pages
• Lauren @SERIESous Book Reviews
• Marie @Drizzle and Hurricane Books
• Poulami @Daydreaming Books
• Raven @Dreamy Addictions
• Savindi @The Streetlight Reader
• Shotobhisha @Confessions of a Bibliophile
• Thuong @I Read Therefore I Am
• Trisha Ann @The Bookgasm
• Victoria @Addlepates and Book Nerds
• Wesaun @Oreos & Books

---

Alright, happy Friday and have a fantawesome weekend everyone! 😀