Feature & Follow Friday (12): My Reading Habits

An awesome idea to make friends in the blogosphere, Feature & Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. It’s a great opportunity to find and follow new blogs. Every week, they feature bloggers on their sites and we get to learn more about them as they answer some questions. Each week also features a question that we can share our answers to.

 

Question of the Week: 

How have your reading habits changed in the past few years? Did you get interested in a new genre? Do you read more? Less? Why do you think your habits changed, if they did.

A couple of years ago, my reading was really just focused on some of my favorite authors in historical romance and contemporary romance. But then I got interested in YA (even when I didn’t even know it was called as such ^_^). And then I discovered Harry Potter and so the fantasy genre also entered the picture. Two years ago, I got interested in paranormal romance. And then last year, in NA. I’m really glad that the types of genre I enjoy reading have expanded. And there are so many gems out there, sometimes it’s a little overwhelming but at the same time exciting and fulfilling (once you read them).

 

Feature & Follow Friday (11): Back-list Recommendations

An awesome idea to make friends in the blogosphere, Feature & Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. It’s a great opportunity to find and follow new blogs. Every week, they feature bloggers on their sites and we get to learn more about them as they answer some questions. Each week also features a question that we can share our answers to.

 

Question of the Week: 

Recommend some of your favorite back-list books – books that are at least a few years old (5-10 years old rather than classics)

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh (Paranormal romance)

I can’t recommend Nalini Singh or this series often enough.  I love her writing, her world-building, her characters, her plots!! I love everything she writes! And this book is the first of her awesome Psy/Changeling series.

 

Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (Contemporary Romance)

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is one of my favorite Contemporary Romance authors. Her books are witty, her conversations sharp, and her plots heartwarming. Her heroines are sassy but strong-willed and her heroes are totally swoon-worthy. This book is part of her popular Chicago Stars series.

 

The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner (Young Adult Fantasy)

This is the 2nd book in her The Thief series, which is out-of-this-world amazing! It’s best to read the series in order and while some might be turned off by the slow pace of the 1st book, I hope you forge through with it because this second installment will make it worth your while.

 

 

Feature & Follow Friday (10): Last Book That Made Me Cry

 

An awesome idea to make friends in the blogosphere, Feature & Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. It’s a great opportunity to find and follow new blogs. Every week, they feature bloggers on their sites and we get to learn more about them as they answer some questions. Each week also features a question that we can share our answers to.

 

Question of the Week: 

What was the last book that made you cry?

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. Boy, did this book make me cry my eyes and my heart out. It was tissue after tissue for me.

 

 

These two I just have to mention. I didn’t exactly and literally cried my eyes out for them. But they made my heart ache so badly it was like I was crying inside. There was just so much heartbreak in these but they are still lovely, so very lovely novels with amazing, amazing writing.

 

That’s it for me for this week’s question. What about you guys? Tell me more about it.

Don’t forget to check out the other blogs participating in this feature. Head over to Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

 

Or if you can, follow me via Twitter and like my Facebook page too.  🙂

 

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Feature & Follow Friday (9): Books I want to read again for the “first time”

 

 

An awesome idea to make friends in the blogosphere, Feature & Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. It’s a great opportunity to find and follow new blogs. You hop from one to the another participating blog, say hi, follow them and they follow you back. It’s a win-win situation.

Every week, they feature bloggers on their sites and we get to learn more about them as they answer some questions. Each week also features a question that we can share our answers to.

 

Question of the week:

If you could read a book for the “first time” again, which book would it be? Why?

 

I’ve pondered on this question a long time now. ^__^ And whenever I get to read a really, really good book and I finish it already I sometimes wish that I could read it again, not as a re-read but as a first-time read. While the question is really asking for a book, I have to say that this would simply be impossible for me. So allow me to take a little liberty and list my top books that I wish I could read all over again for the very first time.

 

 

The Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner

I want to experience Megan Whalen Turner’s magic as she winds and twists and just expertly lays down the incredible plot that is this whole series. I want that wonderful feelings as the story progresses and then unravels, the mystery and the discoveries, and I want to meet her characters again for the first time. 

 

 

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

I sort of grew up with this series. I couldn’t imagine my younger years without having read these amazing books. And although re-reading them is fun (my cousin actually makes it a point to re-read the whole series every year, which is really commendable might I add), experiencing these 7 books again for the first time will be magical in its own way.

 

 

 

Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh

I can’t gush enough about how much I love and adore Nalini’s Psy-Changeling series or how much I am a fan of her genius writing. She takes world-building and story-telling to new levels. I can’t think of enough superlatives to describe the awesomeness that is this series.

 

 

That’s it for me this week. What about you guys. Tell me all about it in the comments section or leave a link to your post and I’ll definitely check it out.

 

  

Or if you can, follow me via Twitter and like my Facebook page too.  🙂

 

 

 

Feature & Follow Friday (8): Books I’m looking forward to reading in 2014

An awesome idea to make friends in the blogosphere, Feature & Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. It’s a great opportunity to find and follow new blogs. Every week, they feature bloggers on their sites and we get to learn more about them as they answer some questions. Each week also features a question that we can share our answers to.

 

Question of the Week: 

What books are you looking forward to read in 2014?

I’ve actually made my top ten list of 2014 releases last December and  you can check them out HERE. And in the interest of not being repetitive with my post, I’ll list other books that I’m really, really looking forward to reading this year.

Feature & Follow Friday (7): Blogger BFFs

An awesome idea to make friends in the blogosphere, Feature & Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. It’s a great opportunity to find and follow new blogs. Every week, they feature bloggers on their sites and we get to learn more about them as they answer some questions. Each week also features a question that we can share our answers to.

Question of the Week: 

Who is your blogger BFF? Tell us a little bit about him or her? If not tell us why you need or don’t need a blogger BFF.

Well, this is… awkward. 🙂

I don’t really have any blogger BFF yet. Although I would like to have one. I think it adds that little extra to a blogger’s life. I’m actually envious of those who not only get to talk through their blogs but also can literally get together like in a book event or just out for drinks or dinner.

Although, I think I should explore more. I would love to meet fellow book bloggers from Manila, where I come from, or fellow Filipino book bloggers for that matter. I guess geography-wise, it would be easier to get together in person if you’re in the same place, let alone in the same country. A shout-out for fellow Filipino book bloggers out there 🙂

That’s it for me for this week’s question. What about you guys? Tell me more about it.

Don’t forget to check out the other blogs participating in this feature. Head over to Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

  

Or if you can, follow me via Twitter and like my Facebook page too.  🙂

Feature & Follow Friday (6): Blogger Resolutions

 

An awesome idea to make friends in the blogosphere, Feature & Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. It’s a great opportunity to find and follow new blogs. Every week, they feature bloggers on their sites and we get to learn more about them as they answer some questions. Each week also features a question that we can share our answers to.

 

Question of the Week: 

Resolutions: Put together your blogger resolution list for all of us to see!

I’ve actually listed my bookish resolutions for 2014 in another post HERE. But as a rundown, I listed the following:

1. Improve the design of my blog. I want to personalize my blog banner and I want to have my own blog button and personal signature.

2. I want to complete my 2014 Reading Challenges. I’ve joined a couple of challenges (you can check them out in the menu above and see if you like something and you want to join).

3. Write more reviews. My dream target would be to review all the books I finish reading this year. And I’ll do my best to fulfill this one.

4. I want to hold my own giveaway. It’s a very cool way to give back and share with awesome people in the community.

 

Others:

Now, aside from those I’ve already listed above, I also like to tackle the following as possible resolutions as well.

5. Reply to comments faster. I really am appreciative of all the wonderful bloggers who come to visit Girl meets Books and leave comments. I make it a point to reply to everyone but sometimes it takes a long time for me to do so.

6. Explore more blogs in the community. I see all these amazing blogs especially when I participate in different features like this one and then I just don’t have enough time to visit everyone. So I’ll try to make time and visit the most that I can.

7. Comment more on reviews. I love reading book reviews and I know the time and effort it takes to write. So I’ll try and comment on all the reviews that I will read.

 

That’s it for me for this week’s question. What about you guys? Tell me more about it.

Don’t forget to check out the other blogs participating in this feature. Head over to Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

  

Or if you can, follow me via Twitter and like my Facebook page too.  🙂

 

 

 

 

Feature & Follow Friday (5): Favorite Books of 2013

An awesome idea to make friends in the blogosphere, Feature & Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. It’s a great opportunity to find and follow new blogs. Every week, they feature bloggers on their sites and we get to learn more about them as they answer some questions. Each week also features a question that we can share our answers to.

 

Question of the Week: 

What were your favorite books of 2013?

This one’s a tough question because 2013 has been such as an amazing reading year and I have a lot to choose from. But I’ll try to limit the list to my top ten reads of 2013. For more of my reading highlights of 2013, please check out my Year-in-Review post HERE.

 

The Countess Conspiracy by Courtney Milan

This is one of the last books I’ve read for the year and it had seemed such a long wait but it was so worth it. This book is perfection: emotionally-stirring, unconventional but heartfelt, just really, really great story writing from one of my favorite authors.

 

 

 

Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh

I can’t believe I just read this book early this year. It seems like it has been a favorite of mine for a very, very long time now. I believe I’ve read this three times already just in 2013. I wonder how many times I’ll re-read it this year.

 

 

 

 

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

This book felt so full and complete to me. The story comes in full circle and you know every word and every event took place because of a purpose and Rainbow Rowell tells the story this way. This was a fantastic read.

 

 

 

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Oh, this book. I didn’t know what to expect from this book when I started reading it. I had a slight inkling that it would be about young love and the challenges that young adults face like peer pressure, bullying, the good and bad of first love, but this book was so much more than that. It totally blew me away. Blew. Me. Away.

 

 

 

The Story Guy by Mary Ann Rivers

This is a novella but it didn’t feel like one. And that’s in a good way. Mary Ann Rivers has created such characters and this wonderful setting that’s refreshing.

 

 

 

 

One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean

Cross and Pippa are two of my most favorite characters in 2013. They’re both a little bit on the eccentric side and at first glance they wouldn’t seem to have anything in common. But Sarah MacLean has given her readers such a precious gift in the love story that she has weaved between these two characters. It was such a journey reading about them finding each other.

 

 

Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare

This is the first that I’ve read by Tessa Dare and it surely won’t be the last. I loved how she was able to take something a bit conventional for a plot and yet was able to still write a unique and positively addicting story with her very own twists sprinkled throughout the book.

 

 

 

The Chocolate Touch by Laura Florand

2013 was also the year I discovered Laura Florand and she just keeps getting better and better with every book she releases. The Chocolate Touch features one of the most unique male protagonists I’ve ever read and I just love his characterization.

 

 

 

All Fired Up by Kate Meader

Kate Meader is another new-to-me author and she’s close to becoming an auto-buy author for me. I’m loving her writing style and the characters that she has created.

 

 

 

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and Cricket. I love these characters to bit. I really enjoyed watching their story unfold. How their past and present are slowly revealed in the book. It was such a joy to read about them.

 

 

 

There you go. Those are my favorites. What about yours? Leave a comment and your link below and I’ll definitely check them out.

Don’t forget to check out the other blogs participating in this feature. Head over to Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

 

  

Or if you can, follow me via Twitter and like my Facebook page too.  🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feature & Follow Friday (4): Holiday Book Haul

An awesome idea to make friends in the blogosphere, Feature & Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. It’s a great opportunity to find and follow new blogs. Every week, they feature bloggers on their sites and we get to learn more about them as they answer some questions. Each week also features a question that we can share our answers to.

 

Question of the Week: 

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! What books did Santa stuff your stocking with this holiday season? Do a holiday book haul for us! If you don’t celebrate just show off your books that you got this week. Pictures!!!

Well, I haven’t received any from Santa but I definitely got some book gifts from ME! ^_^ I also won an audiobook and an ebook and got freebie deals this Holiday season!

I finally got my first ever package from The Book Depository.. Laura Florand’s The Chocolate Heart.

 

I bought these on a shopping spree. ^_^

Searching for Someday by Jennifer Probst

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han

The Queen of Attolia, The King of Attolia, and The Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

I bought these ebooks from Amazon, Kobo, and Smashwords.

Plus, I won an audiobook and an ebook from Courtney Milan!

 

I have to say that it has been a wonderfully-booked Holidays! Happy Holidays everyone!

 

What about you guys? What are your book hauls this Holiday Season?

Don’t forget to check out the other blogs participating in this feature. Head over to Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

  

Or if you can, follow me via Twitter and like my Facebook page too.  🙂

 

Linky List

 

 

 

 

 

Feature & Follow Friday (3): My recommendations in Historical Romance to a reluctant reader

 

An awesome idea to make friends in the blogosphere, Feature & Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. It’s a great opportunity to find and follow new blogs. Every week, they feature bloggers on their sites and we get to learn more about them as they answer some questions. Each week also features a question that we can share our answers to.

Question of the Week: 

Pick a book in your favorite genre that you’d recommend to a reluctant reader.

 

 

My favorite genre is Historical Romance and one of the greatest and most unique authors in this genre is Courtney Milan. I would recommend these two books of hers. These are not sappy love stories. And they’re most definitely not your run-in-the-mill of this genre. They’re unique, plot-wise and Courtney Milan’s writing is superb. You have compelling characters, an unassuming but passionate romance, and spot-on dialogue.

You can start with a novella first, if you’r really reluctant to read historical romance. It’s short of course but Courtney Novella is one of those great writers that regardless of the length of her work, be it a novella or a full-length book, the story would still be full and complete.

 

What about you guys? What are your recommendations this week?

 

Don’t forget to check out the other blogs participating in this feature. Head over to Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

 

  

Or if you can, follow me via Twitter and like my Facebook page too.  🙂