Award : Sunshine Blogger Award #2

Hello everyone !!

EDIT : I’ve typed this post thrice now, because wordpress keeps publishing the unfinished draft over and over. If you still find an unfinished post, I’m really sorry. Please just know that I gave up on it because there are only so many times that I’m willing to write the same thing. (This is so damn frustrating !!!)

First of all, I apologise for not posting last weekend. I had my personal reasons. Secondly, here’s wishing all my fellow Hindus out there a very happy Navrathri/Dussehra. Also, I just joined my M.Tech course and my classes would probably begin next week, I’m SO EXCITED !!! Does any other nerd here love studying/learning ? Plus, who doesn’t like getting an excuse to buy more stationery ?

Now, on to the rest of the questions and nominations for the sunshine blogger award. In case you want to read my previous Sunshine Blogger Award post, you can find it here. I was nominated by Emma from Reading Through the Night, Sarah from Book Hooked Nook and Eram from Literary Tea Wither. Thank you Emma, Sarah and Eram, for the nominations. Means a lot to me.

The Rules

• Thank the person(s) who nominated you in a blog post and link back to their blog.
• Answer the 11 questions sent by the person who nominated you.
• Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
• List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo on your post and/or on your blog.

Emma’s Questions

1. What are some TV shows or Movies you’d recommend ?

A: There are quite a lot of TV shows and Movies that I would recommend. However, this time I’m only mentioning the most recent ones I liked –

• BBC’s Strike – The Cuckoo’s Calling starring Tom Burke (Yes, I know the 2nd episode is also out. I watched it and did like it but, it did feel a bit rushed. They should’ve made it 3 episodes long, that would’ve made it better)
• BBC’s The Child in Time starring Benedict Cumberbatch (Quite a few changes from the book, but still a wonderful adaptation)

2. For each of the shows or movies listed above, recommend a similar book.

A: Hahaha, they’re both adaptations of books. So, read the books before watching them.

3. Do you have any reading habits ? (Like reading with candles or in the batch, etc.)

A: Hmmmm, I think this question is more about reading nook or reading time habits than reading habits. In which case, no I don’t have any such habits.

4. What’s the last book you went to a bookshop and bought ?

A: I think it was The Godfather by Mario Puzo. I lost my old copy, so had to get a new one.

5. Do you tend to re-read books ?

A: I do intend to re-read certain books and I have re-read quite a few of them. I wouldn’t say I tend to do it often, because there are too many books on my TBR list.

6. Do you use Goodreads ? How often do you use it ?

A: I’m actually thinking of deleting my goodreads account. I just don’t use it much, I often forget to update my shelves and it’s almost useless to me. I’m not too keen on using digital systems for everything (and I’m an engineer, oh the irony !!).

7. What’s the thinnest book on your shelf ?

A: I don’t have shelves, so can’t really go check. I’m pretty sure, however, that it’s those really thin children’s books with glossy pages. (I have kept almost EVERY book I EVER bought, right from childhood. Except for the one or two that got lost when moving houses.)

8. What are your favourite fantasy/sci-fi diverse reads ?

A: Okay, what do you exactly mean by diverse ? Books by authors who are not from the same ethnicity as me ? or maybe characters who aren’t the same ethnicity as me ? In that case, almost 90% of the books I read can be considered diverse I suppose. So, The Foundation Trilogy by Issac Asimov.

9. What are some of your least favourite book covers ?

A: The ones with people on it. NO, just No.

10. Do you annotate or tab your books ? If so, how ?

A: I usually don’t. Occasionally, I do underline a favourite quote or passage using a pencil. That’s about it.

11. Who are some characters you relate to ?

A: Scout Finch from To Kill A Mockingbird, Winnie the Pooh (in that I’m a lazy, happy, honey-loving bear) and Anne from Anne of Green Gables (in how I just can’t stop talking most of the times.)

Sarah’s Questions

1. Where would you like to travel to most in the world ?

A: Mostly, I want to travel all across my own country first (that in itself would take a lifetime). If there’s any time left, maybe Scotland ?

2. Are you a sweet or savoury person ?

A: Savoury. I do like a few sweets but I’m mostly a savoury person.

3. Who do you look up to in your life ?

A: My parents, Ruskin Bond (one of my favourite authors and I wish I had as simple a life as the one he leads. Also, his love for nature is something I share) and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (The most beloved president India ever had. He was also a scientist and teacher)

4. What inspires you to write ?

A: I’m not a writer. As for the blog, the inspiration is always the amazing books I read.

5. What TV shows/movies do you recommend ?

A: I already answered this. It’s the first of Emma’s questions, so scroll up.

6. Where is your favourite place to write ?

A: My bed.

7. What does your dream house look like ?

A: A castle !!

8. What author would you like to collaborate with ?

A: Again, not a writer. Let’s not spoil the works of actual good authors.

9. If you could do over a day, what day would it be ?

A: None !! I’m just happy living through stuff once. Also, bad experiences are much more helpful than the good ones.

10. What is your best childhood memory ?

A: The times spent at grandma’s place in Kerala. Climbing trees, eating mangoes, etc.

11. What book character would you love to be like ?

A: Hermione Granger, Molly Weasley and Atticus Finch (Molly and Atticus are parenting goals)

Eram’s Questions

1. What is the one thing that you don’t like about blogging ?

A: There’s always a LOT to catch up on and the sticking to the schedule when you’re damn busy with other stuff in life.

2. Describe your reading nook.

A: I don’t have a reading nook really. I just read wherever I can sit comfortably at. Usually it’s the sofa or my bed.

3. Have you ever given a really bad rating to a book? How did you feel about it?

A: I haven’t given a really bad rating to any book. I just don’t rate book I don’t like. There are a lot of unrated books on my goodreads “read” shelf, even though I liked them, simply because I didn’t bother to update it after reading.

4. How do you juggle your responsibilities and commitments with blogging and reading ?

A: I write my blog posts whenever I get free time (these days it’s mostly the day before the post goes up). As for reading, I make sure I read a bit every night before sleeping. So that way, I read almost everyday except when I’m dead tired.

5. Would you rather party or read?

A: Read, definitely. I do like get-togethers and going out for lunch or dinner with a small group of friends, but parties are not my thing. If I decide to spend time with other humans, it’s to get to know them better or to spend quality time with them. Being in the same room as them with almost no interaction and blaring music, doesn’t count.

6. Which fictional character would you marry?

A: No clue what-so-ever. I don’t really have a fictional “soul mate”.

7. What are the qualities that make a book stand-out?

A: Good writing and grammar (obviously !), a well paced plot and if it leaves the reader with some food for thought.

8. What would be the one question you would ask your favourite author? Name the author.

A: I don’t have a favourite author. I have favourite authors. I would probably ask them their biggest regret, in terms of the plot lines of their books (not that their regret matter to me as a reader, but it would be interesting to know).

9. Suggest a book for your father.

A: Ooohhh, this is an interesting question. Good one, Eram ! I read such few “new” books, that I think he must’ve already read most of the books I read (yup ! even if he passed away 12 years back).

I’m going through my goodreads “read” shelf right now, looking at each book and thinking “Oh, he wouldn’t have liked this” (Also, I’m hating this shelf right now. Where are all the good books I read ? Why is this shelf so shitty ? This is probably why I should’ve updated this more frequently)

Okay, maybe “Wings of Fire” by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak (I think he’d’ve liked this one, right ? It’s difficult not to) and “The Godfather” by Mario Puzo (he must’ve already read this, but just in case he hadn’t)

10. Which character do you identify with the most?

A: Again, copy-pasting an answer from above – Scout Finch from To Kill A Mockingbird, Winnie the Pooh (in that I’m a lazy, happy, honey-loving bear) and Anne from Anne of Green Gables (in how I just can’t stop talking most of the times.)

11. Give two pieces of advice to your future blogging self

A: Again, good one. Okay, here goes-

1. If it isn’t fun anymore and you don’t enjoy doing it any longer, quit.
2. Don’t bother about the number of followers, remember the friends you’ve made and the wonderful books you’ve read.
3. This one is being added in the latest edit of this post, write your posts on MS Word or something and then copy-paste it to wordpress to avoid unfinished drafts being published.

Well, that’s all the questions answered. Thanks for reading through. Sorry, I will not be nominating anyone because I really don’t have time for this right now (to think of 11 questions to ask). However, if you like any of the above questions and want to answer them, feel free to steal them.

Have a lovely day, everyone !!

-Vrinda.