The Outstanding Blogger Award (I) and (II)

I was over the moon to be nominated for the Outstanding Blogger Award by Siena @ Booksophobia and Jessica @ Beyond the Front Cover! Thank you so much to both of you for the nomination – I really appreciate it and I’m sorry it took me so long to get the post together.

If you don’t follow these amazing blogs already, please do go and take a look for a creative and unique variety of posts!

The Rules

Here are the rules for this tag:

1. Link back to the creator’s original award post
2. Answer the questions provided
3. Create 7 unique questions
4. Nominate 10 other bloggers. Neither the award’s creator nor the blogger that nominated you can be nominated
5. At the end of 2020, every blog that ping-backs the creator’s original post will be entered to win the 2020 Outstanding Blogger Award!

I think it is a wonderful idea to find out more about the bloggers whose posts we read every day. My answers are below:

Siena’s Questions

What book series or novel would you like to see be made into a Netflix series?

At the moment I’m listening to a non-fiction audiobook called The Trauma Cleaner by Sarah Krasnostein and it’s so compelling. I would love more detail about the trauma cleaner Sandra (who has a troubled but deeply hopeful life story) and the clients she deals with in a Netflix documentary.

What’s a book from when you were younger that still holds sentimental value for you?

Definitely The Dreamseeker Trilogy by Jenny Oldfield! It’s a fantasy adventure trilogy inspired by Native American folklore that will appeal to children and adults looking for that sense of wonder in a book.

This gem is also criminally under-rated with only about two reviews on Amazon (one of which is me!) so please do check it out if you’re intrigued by the concept.

What book would have been better without a sequel?

I hardly ever read series, as I’m pretty poor at keeping up with them! The only sequel I read this year is The Testaments by Margaret Atwood – as much as I tried to enjoy it in it’s own right, it didn’t have the perspective-shifting power of The Handmaid’s Tale for me.

Has having a blog changed your reading habits?

Before I started book blogging, I thought I could only read one book at a time. Now it’s not unusual for me to have four or five on the go at once – an audiobook, a book club book, a ‘fun’ uni book, a ‘not fun’ uni book, a bedtime reading book… the list goes on!

Who’s a character you really like but wouldn’t want to be friends with in real life?

Ooh, great question! I was fascinated by the quirky narrator of Convenience Store Woman, Keiko, but I think if I met her in real life I would find her too emotionally distant.

What’s a book that didn’t live up to the hype for you?

We recently studied King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider Haggard and apparently it’s a very popular adventure story, but I found it too dated and imperialistic.

Has reading made you want to write and be an author?

I would love to write a book, although it seems very scary and demanding! I especially like the idea of a non-fiction collection, writing about the people I meet in my job as a library assistant and defending the importance of libraries!

Jessica’s Questions

What was your reason for starting your blog, and does it still follow the same structure now?

When I started my blog I wanted to find a way to connect with like-minded people who love reading as much as I do! I planned to review books from as many genres as possible, and I do still try to keep this variety. However, since starting my focus on diversity and social justice has definitely grown.

What is your favourite non-blogging activity?

I love to dance! Ballet fitness, ceilidh dances, Zumba, ballroom, weirdly freestyling in my room when nobody’s home – I’ll have a valiant and semi-successful go at any form of dancing!

Which of your blog posts is your favourite, and why?

I found that the process of researching and writing Support Black Authors: Book Recommendations helped keep me accountable for decolonising my bookshelves.

What takes the top spot on your list of things that shouldn’t be annoying but really are?

At the moment, it’s when tutors ask us to turn our webcams on in online seminars! I know they’re just trying to make things more friendly and similar to ‘normal’ seminars, but when I have no make-up on and am snuggled in my dressing gown I’m silently cursing them!

2020 really hasn’t been the best year, but can you share something great that happened to you?

I got a permanent Saturday job at the library! Before I was working on a casual basis for holiday cover etc, which was fine but it’s great to feel ‘official’ now! I also started the final year of my English Literature degree.

If you let someone borrow a book and they returned it with dog ears how would you react?

I wouldn’t be too bothered, I prefer books to be read than sit pristine on my bookshelf! We have a very elaborate book circulation system going in my family, so by the time they’ve been borrowed by my Mum, Dad, Nan, a couple of Aunts and maybe a neighbour they’re looking err… well-used when they make their way back to me!

Which book genre do you rarely (if ever) read, and why?

I hardly ever read fantasy because I tend to prefer books set in the real world. However, I have really enjoyed some fantasy books recently such as The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern so maybe I’ll give the genre more of a chance in 2021!

My Questions

1. Share an under-rated book that you absolutely love.
2. What are your top three recommendations for diverse reads?
3. Which book character do you most admire?
4. If you could have dinner with 2 authors, one living and one dead, who would be on your guest list?
5. I’m going to steal Jessica’s question because I really like it: 2020 really hasn’t been the best year, but can you share something great that happened to you?
6. What are you looking forward to most in 2021?
7. Do you have any pets? If so, share a picture to brighten our day!

Thank you again for the tag Siena and Jessica! I really enjoyed reading your answers and joining in myself. I’m looking forward to finding out more about other bloggers!

My Nominations

Stephen @ Stephen Writes

…for his impressively in-depth reviews of books from a wide variety of genres, and for being such a kind, supportive part of the book blogging community! Stephen also bravely shared his own poem ‘Reading at Night‘ recently so make sure you check it out – I’m sure every bookworm will relate!

Mani @ Mani’s Book Corner

…for her incredible variety of posts, from honest and nuanced reviews to fun tags. Anyone obsessed with book quotes as much as I am must check out her regular Quotes of the Week feature!

Cherelle @ A Bolt Out of the Book

…for having only been blogging for 3 months and still being more pro than I was after years! Her posts have such a friendly tone and are bursting with enthusiasm – I really enjoyed reading her first discussion post on redemption arcs.

Emer @ A Little Haze Book Blog

… for taking such a refreshingly honest approach to blogging. She also writes quality, insightful reviews of an amazing variety of books, as well as being a very supportive and encouraging member of the book blogging community!

Veronika and Sabrina @ Wordy and Whimsical

…for being committed to promoting diversity in books and calling attention to marginalised voices. Their Holiday Gift Guide is a must for this time of year – plus the blog is absolutely gorgeous too!

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Don’t worry if you’re not really into tags or are feeling overwhelmed by blogging at the moment, I promise I won’t be offended! Otherwise, I can’t wait to hear your answers 🙂