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This week’s question:
A while ago, I interviewed my readers for a change, and my final question was, “What question have I NOT asked at BTT that you’d love me to ask?” I got some great responses and will be picking out some of the questions from time to time to ask the rest of you. Like now.
SammyDee asks:
What book(s) have you read that you’re secretly ashamed to admit

My response:
The books that came instantly to mind aren’t necessarily that I’m ashamed to admit to, but more so embarrassed.  And there are 4 read, 1 waiting to be read.

I have openly admitted that I am computer challenged, which that is something that I’m ashamed of, just ask Gina from Hott Books.  I don’t know what I would do without her as she is my computer angel.  She puts up with me, and with much patience I might add, for all the questions I ask how to do certain things.  She was partially the force behind  the new look and the reason why and how I moved over to wordpress., which she did both.  Because I am always bothering her, I bought WordPress For Dummies as a reference guide and even then, I have trouble and end up going to her for help.  The other is a book she just sent me , Getting Geeky With Twitter, since I am still trying to navigate that site but haven’t had the time to open it up and read.

The other books that came to mind are 3 that I read and reviewed from a request last year.  As I said, I’m not ashamed but a bit embarrassed because of the reasons I accepted the review request.  They were children’s books.  I don’t read children’s books since it has been many years that I have had to read to my sons, seeing that they are 26 and 28, and my hinting for grandchildren has fallen on deaf ears.  So there aren’t any little ones around to share these books with.  However, if I read and reviewed them, I would also have the opportunity to host a giveaway, and seeing it was right around Christmas, I thought it would be a fun giveaway for those that follow my blog and did have little tykes in their lives.  And the final one was The Bedtime Book For Dogs, an adorable book for children that instead of being read to, they could read to their dogs.  That book I gave to my son and future dil, partially as a joke, because she would say all the time, even with my husband and I, that it was time for “bonding and quality time”.  And would say the same thing about their dog.  So I thought this would be the perfect book so that she could have her “bonding and quality time” with the dog.  Knowing the personality of this dog, the book has probably been digested, literally lol.

OK, your turn.  What books are you ashamed to say that you read?

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Today’s question:
So other than books … what periodicals do you read? Magazines? Newspapers? Newsletters? Journals?
Do you subscribe? Or do you buy them on the newsstand when they look interesting?

My response:
I occasionally read periodicals other than books, not as much as I used to.  Years ago, I did subscribe to some magazines like Good Housekeeping and Family Circle.  And the past couple of years my husband subscribed to magazines like Time, News Week, Entertainment Weekly  because he gets points through one of his CC for a 1 year free subscription.  The current subscription being delivered is Sports Illustrated, which the only time I pick up is when it’s time to put it in the recyclable bin, I am definitely not a sports fan.  Since, I am often in a doctor’s waiting room, I will peruse the magazines and if one looks like it has some interesting articles, I will pick it up to read instead of my book, which goes with me everywhere.  Until recently, we would have the newspaper delivered daily, which I did read every day.  However, the paper was getting smaller and smaller but more expensive.  So we are currently trying an online paid subscription, however, it just doesn’t feel the same and I will go days without signing in to read.

What about you?  Do you read magazines, papers, etc.?  Do you subscribe to certain reading material?

http://btt2.wordpress.com

Today’s question:
A while ago, I interviewed my readers for a change, and my final question was, “What question have I NOT asked at BTT that you’d love me to ask?” I got some great responses and will be picking out some of the questions from time to time to ask the rest of you. Like now.
Margaret asks:
Who taught you to read?

My answer:
Since , with me, it was many years ago, I can’t exactly recall.  However, I would assume it was my Mother and Grandmother.  My mother used to relate stories as to how she would always give me books while in my playpen, while potty training, etc.  She was not an avid reader nor do I remember ever seeing her or my Dad reading a book for pleasure when I was young.  I do remember, as a young child, helping my grandmother cook, and she would let me read the recipes.  I do have vivid memories of always being with a book when I was in 2nd grade as my teacher, Mrs. Chervarini, encouraged reading and would give books as prizes for different tasks.  Example, one month she created a collage of many sites, buildings, etc in our state.  In our spare time, we could try to name each picture and the one with the most right would win.  My parents used to take many day trips around the state so I was able to recognize many pictures in the collage and I won, which I received the book, PT 109 by John Kennedy.

What about you?  Who taught you to read?

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Today’s question:
A while ago, I interviewed my readers for a change, and my final question was, “What question have I NOT asked at BTT that you’d love me to ask?” I got some great responses and will be picking out some of the questions from time to time to ask the rest of you. Like now.
Sally asks:
Have you ever bought a book, started reading it and then realised you have already read it? If so, how far did you get? (Can you tell this happened to me for the first time ever this week!?!)

My answer:
Unfortunately, many times.  I usually knew by the end of the 2nd-3rd chapter.  After doing this far too many times, I bought a small, thick notebook and divided it into letters of the alphabet for authors and titles.  I would write down books I wanted to read and cross off those I had read.  It came with me when I visited bookstores and the library.  Now, since everything is done online, including purchasing books, I have a spreadsheet.  However, I still have those notebooks to reference for older books.

What about you?  Has this happened to you too?

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Today’s question:
A while ago, I interviewed my readers for a change, and my final question was, “What question have I NOT asked at BTT that you’d love me to ask?” I got some great responses and will be picking out some of the questions from time to time to ask the rest of you. Like now.
Cathy De Los Santos asks:
If you could write a book, what would it be about, and why? (Though, of course, some of you already HAVE.)

My answer:
Great question from Cathy!!  However, for me, the idea of writing a book is quite a stretch for a couple of reasons.  First, there are some days that I can’t even come up with a great idea to write a blog post lol.  Another reason is that when I read a mystery/suspense, I usually don’t figure out the ending, never mind, being able to outline a detailed plot from start to finish.

But if I was approached, with a huge advance lol, it would be a memoir.  I have had several people, that know me well and know my history, say that I should write about my life and what I have been through, experienced and witnessed.   They have also told me that some of the incidents and adventures sound as if it was fictional but it was my reality.

I think I will stick to reading and let the talents and gift that authors possess do the writing for my entertainment and pleasure.

What about you?  What genre would you write?  Have you considered and/or tried your hand at writing?

http://btt2.wordpress.com

This week’s question:
A while ago, I interviewed my readers for a change, and my final question was, “What question have I NOT asked at BTT that you’d love me to ask?” I got some great responses and will be picking out some of the questions from time to time to ask the rest of you. Like now.
abookandashortlatte1 asks
If you had to choose to live within a novel, which would it be?

My answer:
The first novel that came to mind was one that I had read last year and it was Beachcombers by Nancy Taylor.  It  takes place in Nantucket and the premise is of 3 sisters that come home to reconcile their pasts.  It was the type of novel where I became invested in the lives of the characters and wanted to follow their journey long after I finished the book.

http://btt2.wordpress.com

This week’s question:
A while ago, I interviewed my readers for a change, and my final question was, “What question have I NOT asked at BTT that you’d love me to ask?” I got some great responses and will be picking out some of the questions from time to time to ask the rest of you. Like now.
Heidi had an assortment of questions to ask:
Do you consider yourself an extrovert or an introvert?

My answer:
It depends on the situation, but overall consider myself an extrovert.  I can be very chatty if I feel comfortable with the people around me.  However, if I am in the company of people I just met, I usually will ask questions and take on the role of listener, to get to know them better.  And if I’m in an environment, for example a doctor’s office, on the beach in Aruba (sorry but am wishing that we were still there since the weather here is rainy and cool),  restaurant, I would not just start a conversation with someone unless they talked to me first, BUT, if they have a book in hand, then I would initiate a conversation.   Books are always great conversation starters.

What about you?  Are you an extrovert or introvert?

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Today’s question:
A while ago, I interviewed my readers for a change, and my final question was, “What question have I NOT asked at BTT that you’d love me to ask?” I got some great responses and will be picking out some of the questions from time to time to ask the rest of you. Like now.
 Two people asked a similar question:
Charlie Quillen asks:
Has a book ever inspired you to change anything in your life, fiction or non-fiction alike?

My response:
I would say yes, a lot of books.    I take away and/or find something in many fictional books and memoirs that I can either relate to, as far as the premise or characters and that also create thought provoking thoughts.

Three books come to mind that I have recently read.    Two were fictional, but the premises were  controversial moral issues that both educated and enlightened me whereas my original standpoint was waivered.  Betty’s (Little Basement Garden by Laurel Dewey, which is about medicinal marijuana and acceptance of it, and The Volunteer by Barbara Taylor Sissel, which deals with the death penalty.

The third book is a memoir, that truly touched me to the core.   A book that will stay with me for quite some time.  Ragdoll Redeemed: Growing Up In The Shadow of Marilyn Monroe by Dawn Novotny.   The author shares a very traumatic childhood into adulthood life and how she fights back to regain her life.  Ms. Novotny  was victimized and has dealt with issues that are so profound but has the courage and will to change her past to become a happy, forgiving and content person today.  This book is the one that mostly changed my life.  There were so many issues, thankfully not to the degree that the author had to face, that paralleled my own life.  And in some of those instances, I am trying to mirror the author’s courage and outlook that has inspired me to live each day differently.  I can’t stress enough, how good this book is.  But on June 7th, mark your calendars, she will be a guest here where you can meet her, read a little about her journey through life and even get a chance to win a copy of this amazing book.  This book is such a must read!!!