Fall Time, Cozy Time, Book Tag

I thought it would be a lot of fun to do the Fall Time, Cozy Time, Book Tag and talk about my absolute favorite time of the year, Fall. There's so much that I love about this time of year, from the beautiful colors of the crunching leaves changing to the warmth of the season, and the time to reflect on the year itself. It's just an absolute beautiful time of year and I love how it brings us closer together with family, friends, and of course my very favorite thing ever - books. Because, who doesn't love to snuggle up with a fantastic book, a cozy warm throw, and a hot cup of tea/coffee on a cold blustery day when the wind is howling and raging outside your door and you're all warm, comfy, and cozy on the inside visiting new worlds, meeting new people, and having amazing adventures. So, I hope you guys liked seeing all of the books that I've chosen and if you've done this tag already or are planning to, please leave a link to your post/video on your channel/blog in the comments below and I'll be more than happy to come by and show you some comment love. Thank you so much Samantha @ Novels and Nonsense for creating this fun, Fall Time, Cozy Time, Book Tag. :)

The Books Chosen for this Tag
Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone by J.K. Rowling
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little
Illuminate by Aimee Agresti
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

Alright, so I had A LOT of fun doing this tag and I definitely tag EVERYONE who hasn't done it yet, to do it. I'm also going to go ahead and tag the following people too: Molli Moran, Marie Landry @ Ramblings of a Daydreamer, Jessica Sankiewicz, and Katie @ Worn Down Glories. Also, don't forget that I have two giveaway's happening on the blog here and here. One of them is for a HUGE GIVEAWAY that will have multiple winners featuring Forbidden by Kimberley Griffiths Little and the other one will have two winners that will each be able to win a finished copy of The Bodies We Wear by Jeyn Roberts.

15 Days of Being A Book Blogger featuring Day #11: Your 5 Best Posts

Hosted by Good Books and Wine

This isn't an easy one for me, because I don't know if I have written any "best posts" yet or not, but I don't know that I have a few favorite ones that I've written over the last three years and I think I'll share a little insight on those. Most popular posts wouldn't really work out that well for me either, because I don't think I have any. 

So, my five favorite "best" posts are...

If We Were Having Coffee. I was inspired by the lovely Molli @ Book Whimsy and Jaime @ The Perpetual Page Turner (who originally had written a post of this nature), to just take a big risk and put everything out there in probably one of the most personal posts that I've ever put up on my blog. I don't regret one moment of writing it or posting it for everyone to see, because it's a goal of mine to post throughout the year two or three personal posts such as this so that you guys can get to know who I am a little bit better. Plus, I found some solace and clarity in writing it, it helped me to deal with a lot of things that I had needed to take a closer look at and just put it out there, then let go of it. 

Author Interview with Molli Moran. If you didn't already know, I talk a lot about my bestie Molli Moran, a lot on my blog because she's such an amazing friend and she's also one of the most talented NA author's that I know. She's definitely at the top of my list as one of the best NA author's ever, along with a couple of mutual friends too. Earlier this year, I got the chance to ask her a few questions and basically interview her for my blog. We talked about all the "bookish things" and she told me a little bit about what inspired her to become an author and what some of her favorite things were while writing her debut NA southern contemporary romance, As You Turn Away (The Walker Brothers #1). 

I loved being able to do this interview, because I got to share with you guys one of my favorite new debut NA novels, and I also got to promote one of my best friend's books and support her in her dreams of becoming a writer. Right now, she's hard at work writing a new NA southern romance novel, One Song Away and she's also busy posting these swoon-worthy teasers every Saturday where you get to read little snippets from the book itself. If you haven't read As You Turn Away yet, then you really should definitely check it out. It's one of the most amazingly written and emotionally compelling NA contemporary romance novels that I've read in a while. 

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon Challenge: Letter to my Future Self. Again, this was one of the more personal posts that I was talking about and I loved being able to participate in the Book Blogger Love-A-Thon, as much as I could. Writing this future letter to myself, proved to be a little bit of a challenge in how I wanted to go about it, but once I sat down to write it all out the words just somehow sort of came tumbling out of me and it happened in the most genuinely organic way. It took me a years to get to the place where I am in my life and to learn how to be happy with the "me" I am becoming, versus constantly nit-picking at her all the time. It's been tough learning how to let go and let be, but it's been one of the best things that I could have possibly done for myself. So, I was extremely proud of myself, and happy that I was able to share such an open and honest post with you guys.

Book Review for As You Turn Away by Molli Moran. As you can already tell by now, I really LOVED this book for everything it was and everything that it stood for. I am extremely proud of Molli, for pouring everything that she had into writing such a gorgeous and captivating novel that ended up giving me ALL THE FEELS. It's hard to find words to tell you guys how much I really love this book, so I'll just go ahead and quote part of my review and hopefully that will sum up everything nicely for you guys. 

"Beautifully written and full of emotion, As You Turn Away, will leave you breathless. Charmingly sweet and romantic, you'll find yourself getting wrapped up in such a gorgeous love story brimming with self-discovery, courage, and bravery."

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon Interview with Katie @ Worn Down Glories. It's actually kind of funny how this happened really, because neither Kay or I knew that we were going to be paired up, it just sort of happened that way and I couldn't have been more happier because she's definitely one of my favorite people in the book blogging community and she's definitely one of my closest friends. I just love this girl to pieces because she's all kinds of brave and unafraid to be who she is, she's fun to get to know, truly one of the most sweetest and genuine person that I've had the pleasure of getting to know. 

Now that I've shared some of my favorite posts with you guys, what are some of yours? Let me know in the comments below! :)

Book Bloggers 2014 LoveAThon Interview with Katie of Worn Down Glories

Guys, this is my first time participating in the LoveAThon hosted by the lovely Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books and Kate @ Kates Tales of Books and Bands. I'm so excited to be a part of it this year, especially since I get to showcase one of my favorite bloggers. Katie @ Worn Down Glories is such an amazing person and awesome friend, I'm so glad that I have gotten to know her over the last year. She's really become one of my favorite people to talk about all things bookish, with. Seriously, if you're not following her blog, go do it now! So, I was like ecstatic over-the-moon thrilled when I got the email telling me that she was going to be my LoveAThon partner! I thought, "YES!" Because, I couldn't have been given a better person to hammer questions at and believe me, I didn't hesitate to fire away! lol. There are fifteen of these bad boys. ;)

So, grab a cuppa whatever, sit back and get comfy, while we talk about ALL THE THINGS! (Also, now I have to read Magics Pawn by Mercedes Lackey, because of that quote!)

Gots the Love Interview with
the bestest friend/blogger ever!

Me: Author's are some pretty amazing people with incredible talent and imagination that inspires readers, who are some of your favorite author's that have inspired you and how?

Katie: This is HARD! There are so many authors that have inspired me over the last couple of years, but the first one that really comes to mind is Jessi Kirby. I read IN HONOR right around the time I started blogging and the story hit home and I took a few steps back to think about what had happened in my life and what I could do to honor the memory of loved ones I had lost. Jessi has always been so incredibly kind, sweet and encouraging.

Emily Murdoch has become someone really special to me over the last year and she has only been supportive, encouraging and someone I can talk to no matter what is going on. IF YOU FIND ME was the hardest book I've read in a long time, but it healed me in so many ways and forced me to work through a lot of things. Emily has always cheered me on and encouraged me through it.

Me: If you were given a chance to slip between the pages of your favorite book or series and experience the world the characters live in, which book or series would it be and why?

Katie: A lot of the worlds the characters live in are ones that I wouldn't want to experience their world because it's just a mess and depressing. I'd have to pick going back into the 90s during TIME BETWEEN US and TIME AFTER TIME by Tamara Ireland Stone because I grew up in the 90s and would love to re-experience those years.

Me: What or who inspired you to create your book blog?

Katie: My girlfriend, Molli! Not only did she get me back into reading again, but she really inspired me to get into blogging and not just about books - I'm slowly finding my voice and having fun posting about books, my life and whatever adventures I find myself on.

Me: Is there a favorite book or quote from a book that has inspired you in some way? If so, what is it?

Katie: Hands down, it will ALWAYS be this quote from MAGIC'S PAWN by Mercedes Lackey:

“The great love is gone. There are still little loves - friend to friend, brother to sister, student to teacher. Will you deny yourself comfort at the hearthfire of a cottage because you may no longer sit by the fireplace of a palace? Will you deny yourself to those who reach out to you in hopes of warming themselves at your hearthfire?”

(Me: Okay, now I really HAVE TO read this book! That quote...guh!)

It still makes me tear up when I think about it, but this quote changed me in many ways. I read this at point in life where I was depressed and was too scared to open up to anyone, but I realized that in order to let anyone in and get close to someone, I had to open up - no matter what losses I had faced before.

Me: What are some of your favorite tunes these days?

Katie: Everything on my ipod! I've been listening to a lot of Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum lately. My girlfriend made me a couple of sweet mixes that I listen to at the end of the day when I'm settling down for bed.

Me: Have you ever met an author or attended a book event? If so, who did you get to meet and what was your experience like at the book event you attended?

Katie: 2013 was the year for book signings/events for me. It was so much fun! In the span of six months I had gone to three different events in various places in the Bay Area and met Tamara Ireland Stone with my girlfriend on the way to the coast. All of the events were a blast and I LOVED being able to interact with the authors (and other book lovers!) at each event. Everyone I have met has been so kind.

Over the last few months I've been lucky enough to meet - Tamara Ireland Stone, Gayle Forman, Jessi Kirby, Morgan Matson, Sarah Ockler, Kimberly Derting, Ransom Riggs, Suzanne Young, Tahereh Mafi and Shannon Messenger. Everyone has been SO kind and you can really tell how much they love meeting their fans. I'm hoping 2014 will be another great year for book events!

Me: Is there any specific thing that would turn you off of a particular author or book/series? What would it be and why?

Katie:Ummm, I really had to sit and think about this one. While I've had mostly positive experiences in books there is one that is my biggest issue and that's going to be interacting/reacting negatively towards readers.

Me: Do you have any other hobbies besides reading and/or listening to music?

Katie: Hanging out with friends, exploring NorCal (oceans, beaches, San Francisco!), blogging for a The Hob (a Hunger Games fansite), photography (I'm not that great at it, but oh well).

Me: What is your favorite genre of books to read?

Katie: I mostly read YA - I'll read most subgenres - contemporary, romance, dystopian, fantasy, etc. I'm trying to challenge myself a bit and read some mystery and horror, but I get scared so easily so.... that's a big challenge, lol!

Me: Could you ever see yourself branching out and reading other genre's or age demographic books and series?

Katie: I used to read A LOT of adult paranormal romance, but I found myself losing interest and getting behind on a couple series I used to enjoy, so I'd love to go back to those one day. I'd also love to get back into adult fantasy if I can find the right series to drag me in.

Me: What is the next book that you are currently reading and what are you planning on reading next?

Katie: I have a whole stack of books I want to read in the next few weeks, but I'm currently getting ready to start THESE BROKEN STARS! I think everything after that for a couple weeks may be contemporary YA. :)

I'm reading an ARC of my girlfriends debut - AS YOU TURN AWAY! I'm so excited to read this because from the snippets I've seen while she's worked on this, I've been amazed at how beautiful and amazing it is. I cannot WAIT to read this!

Me: What kinds of books inspire you? Can you name a few of them?

Katie: IN HONOR by Jessi Kirby, MAGICS PAWN by Mercedes Lackey, TIME BETWEEN US by Tamara Ireland Stone, IF YOU FIND ME by EMILY MURDOCH.

Me: What turns you off when it comes to reading YA books?

Katie: Instalove. Yeah, no. I can't handle it, it doesn't make sense or work for me.

Me: If you could spend a day with a character from one of your favorite books, which character would it be, what would you do, and why would you choose this character?

Katie: There are so many, and I honestly cannot just pick one. This is the hardest question EVER! I honestly don't know - whoever I'd pick, I'd love to just sit and talk to them and have a relaxing day together. I'm low key and laid back, so I probably would be fine having a relaxing day where we could just talk and share stories.</p>

GO & GIVE HER SOME LOVE TODAY! 

SHE'S THE BOMB-DIGGITY!