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| Design by Amber of Shelf Notes |
Now, on to today's discussion topics -- Introductions and Literature. I will begin by introducing myself using a handful of the pre-set questions that the team provided us.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? Where in the world are you blogging from?
I'm Tif and I've been blogging here at Tif Talks Books for officially 7 years as of last week! I originally got into blogging to keep track of my reading, but it has expanded and evolved so much since then. Since my blogging began, I have lived in four different locations all in the Midwest US. BUT, I am preparing for yet another move, hopefully a more permanent one, that will take me back to my beautiful home state of Montana.
Describe your blog in just one sentence. Then, list your social details -- Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. -- so we can connect more online.
Tif Talks Books is a site for literacy and bookish chatter for all ages!
I have listed my social details for your perusal below:
Google+
Tumblr
What was your favorite book read last year? What’s your favorite book so far this year?
I wrote a whole post highlighting my favorite reads of 2013, but I will narrow it down for the purposes of this post by sharing my two top favorite. I have also added a link to take you to my original reviews, if you so desire.
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| Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones |
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| I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak |
As for my favorite reads for 2014 . . . so far anyways . . . I cannot leave you with just one book. Instead I leave you with three of my current faves (links to reviews included).
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| Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare |
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| Ready Player One by Ernest Cline |
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| Saga, Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan |
What is your favorite blogging resource?
I actually have three different resources that I use on a regular basis. The first one is Bloggiesta because it keeps me on top of the logistical and technical aspects of my blog on a regular basis, as well as up-to-date on the latest trends. The second resource is the Book Bloggers Do It Better Google+ Community. It's a great place to ask questions and commiserate with fellow book bloggers. The third and final resource is Book Bloggers International (BBI), though I may be a bit biased on this one because I am also one of the co-creators of this site. BBI features book bloggers from around the blogosphere as well as special tips, features, etc. every week. It's a great place to discover other bloggers that have similar interests to myself.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 books would you bring? Why? What 3 non-book items would you bring? Why?
I just love this question too much to leave it unanswered! The three books that I would bring with me are:
- Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling: I know this is cheating because I'm really including the whole series, but it is one that I can return to again and again (and actually do!) and it never bores me. I love it even more every single time I read it.
- Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones: I am a late-comer to this book, but it can serve as a great reminder that there are many doors that are opened to us in our lives. Maybe if the deserted island was a bit like the deserted island from Lost, I can find a few mysterious doors myself to explore.
- The Indian Creek Chronicles by Pete Fromm: This little memoir is about a man that willingly bears a winter alone in the mountains. It faced many challenges and obstacles, and not only survived to tell his story, but also thrived because of it. Maybe this one will give me hope for surviving and thriving as well.
As for three non-book items:
- A water filter because I want to ensure that I'm drinking clean water.
- A good knife because it can help with eating, building, and so much more.
- Companions to keep me company, preferably my husband and children. (Though I'm not sure I would really want to subject my children to be stranded on a deserted island!)
I leave you with just a handful of my all-time favorite books (that I have not previously mentioned above) that I believe are considered literature, though they are in very different categories! I have also linked back to some reviews if you are interested in reading my thoughts.
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| Blindness by Jose Saramago |
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| The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien |
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| The Stand by Stephen King |
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| Wicked by Gregory Maguire |
Are you participating in Armchair BEA and/or enjoying it? What have been some of your favorite introductions or literature conversations so far?
Congrats on your Blogoversary! I wrote a review about 'Howl's Moving Castle' last week, I absolutely loved it! It's such an amazing novel and works for all ages! Have you seen the Studio Ghibli movie and did you like it? I'm going to have to check out all of your blogging resources, they sound great! I'm sure I'll stop by again during BEA!
ReplyDeleteMy BEA Intro
Juli @ Universe in Words
Juli Rahel ... Thank you! I'm assuming you are talking about the Miyazaki film? If so, I really enjoyed it! I just watched it for the first time a month or two ago. See you again soon!
DeleteI could never narrow it down to three books. I don't reread much, but knowing I have favorite books nearby to read always makes me so happy. Good for you for narrowing it down like that.
ReplyDeleteMark Baker ... It really is hard to narrow it down! I try to do it every year at year's end, and my list always ends up longer than planned!
DeleteI also enjoyed a lot Ready Player One and Blindness, nothing in common except they are so well written
ReplyDeletewordsandpeace.com ... YES!! Very, very different topics, but both are oh so good!
DeleteI will have to check out Book Bloggers International! It sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteAnd I wish I could have the pleasure of reading Howl's Moving Castle for the first time again..........
Charlotte ... Definitely recommend that you check out Book Bloggers International! You can even be featured there to by simply filling out the form under How To Be Featured!
DeleteThere are so many books I wish I could read again for the first time! Right now, I'm hoping I can live vicariously through my kids when they get to them!
I didn't realize it was your Bloggiversary last week! Awesome! Congrats! (If you posted about it, so sorry, I am insanely behind on blog reading.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for listing the G+ group as a resource you like! You are awesome.
I couldn't answer the deserted island question. I had like 7 books and couldn't get it down in number lol
Becca Lostinbooks ... No worries! I didn't post about it until today because I haven't had the time and it actually slipped my mind! Oops!
DeleteYou've got me curious about the 7 books! Do share!
Happy belated blogiversary!!! Go you! Armchair BEA is off to an awesome start. :D
ReplyDeleteAndi ... Thank you so much!! :)
DeleteI love seeing Wicked in your list of books. Great book and definitely one of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteAshley LaMar ... Me too! I actually think I may try to re-read it this fall and actually finish out the series!
DeleteWow! Seven years?! I bow down to your greatness!
ReplyDeleteI am (not so) patiently awaiting my request to join that google group to be approved... soon, I hope!
Lisa @Just Another Rabid Reader
Lisa Pottgen ... Ha! No need for bowing!! :)
DeleteI'm sure you will be approved for the google group, so I look forward to seeing you there!!
Wow, seven years! Six years ago, I started my first blog (in April 2008), but didn't do much connecting for another year.
ReplyDeleteI have seen Howl's Moving Castle mentioned on a couple of sites, so I must investigate it!
Here's MY ARMCHAIR BEA POST
Creations by Laurel-Rain Snow ... I didn't get in a lot of real connecting until a year in as well. I didn't realize there was this whole world out there at first, but I was so excited when I did find it!
DeleteDefinitely recommend Howl's Moving Castle! I love it!
Love that Ready Player One is among your favorites for this year. I read it right after it came out and it's been one of my favorites ever since. Wonderful book. I've been tinkering with my own blog today so am just now getting around to visiting others, first through my Bloglovin' list, then only the BEA list.
ReplyDeleteKarsyn Smith ... Ready Player One is really quite brilliant in so many ways!! Have fun visiting all the blogs this week. I'm already behind!!
DeleteI am still kicking myself for not getting to Howl's Moving Castle when I had it from the library recently. I love how diverse your list is!
ReplyDeleteRachel Reads ... You definitely want to get Howl's Moving Castle back!! :)
DeleteI said hubby and kids as well...though water filter would be a really great thing to have! I knew you were planning a move but I didn't realize it was to Montana or that it was where you were originally from! I've never been (unless you count the time when I walked across the border for 10 minutes in Yellowstone) but I've heard it's beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteHappy 7 years!!!
Trish ... The water filter came from my Montana and hiking days!! ;) I actually didn't grow up far from Yellowstone and spent a TON of weekends there every summer!! I think it is beautiful, but I'm biased because I was born and raised there!!
DeleteGreat to meet you... 7 years blogging... wow! That's an accomplishment!
ReplyDeletefredamans ... Thank you! And, thank you for stopping by!
DeleteThank you for creating this great event! I was a cheerleader this year and it was a lot of fun to meet so many new-to-me bloggers. Congrats on your blogoversary! I just downloaded the audio version of Ready Player One.
ReplyDeleteChris Wolak ... You're welcome! Keep me posted on what you think of Ready Player One!! I really, really loved that book, especially for all the 80's references!!
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