The Sunshine Blogger Award

Hello there! Today I’m answering some fun questions from Liza at The Inharmonious Heroine and Erin at Rin’s Reads. My very first tag from fellow book bloggers, so thanks to both of you!

What is The Sunshine Blogger Award?

The Sunshine Blogger Award is given to those who are creative, positive and inspiring while spreading sunshine to the blogging community.

How does it work?

• Thank the blogger(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 in your post and/or on your blog.

  

Question 1

Liza: When did you start your blog?

I started my blog in June 2020, so it’s been three months!

Erin: What’s the most rewarding part of blogging?

Interacting with people and sharing thoughts about books! I love this community and how welcoming it is so much. Being a part of it has really been the most rewarding part of itall.

Question 2

Liza: What motivated you to start your blog?

I had been wanting to get into the community to gush about books with fellow bibliophiles ever since I found booktube a couple of years ago, but I couldn’t bear filming myself and having to edit it. I tried out bookstagram, but it also proved to not be my thing. I really can’t remember how I found book blogging, but it was probably through bookstagram or twitter. I realized that there is actually a community where I could gush about books through writing, which is perfect for me!

Erin: When did you start reading (childhood, teenage years, adulthood)?

I started reading as a pastime since childhood, which was spurred by my grandpa encouraging me to read anything I could get my hands on and my amazing elementary/middle school/Jr. High library. I have loved it for as long as I can remember.

Question 3

Liza: What is your absolute favorite thing about reading?

Definitely the ability to immerse myself in another world or perspective. Whether it be for escapism or to learn something new, books allow me to become a part of another time and place. I’m also able to put myself in someone else’s shoes and learn about their experiences. I’d much rather be able to read about the endless stories and experiences that people live/create than only view the world through my single perspective.

Erin: Who’s your ride-or-die character?

Jem Carstairs. I love him and I know he will never do me wrong.

Question 4

Liza: If you could only read one genre for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Probably nonfiction. Although it isn’t my favorite genre, I do love reading it for the education factor and the ability to look at the world through different viewpoints. There are a plethora of genres under nonfiction such as memoirs, social science, and historical. I don’t think I would ever get bored.

Erin: If you could only read one author for the rest of your life, who would it be?

Yikes, you are really hitting me with the tough questions! Maybe John Steinbeck. He has so many books, he reminds me of my home state of California, and I have many memories attached to the novels of his that I’ve read so far.

Question 5

Liza: What is your favorite thing about blogging?

Being a part of a community and interacting with people who also love reading. I absolutely love getting new recommendations, reading about people’s perspectives, and just being able to talk to people I would otherwise never have interacted with. The world is a big place, I think it’s kind of beautiful that the internet can bring like-minded people together to share a wholesome love of books.

Erin: What’s your favorite post to write?

Recommendation posts! I haven’t written many yet, but I love categorizing books into moods, subjects, genres, and formats. I love enabling people to add more books to their TBR and I’m here to do just that! I have a bunch of topics in mind that I hope to get posted soon.

Question 6

Liza: What is something you wish you’d known before starting your blog?

I wish I would have known how easy it is to become a part of the community with just a little genuine effort. I always thought that I would be a tiny fish in a huge pond of massive “influencers” and my efforts wouldn’t see any return (this is kind of based on booktube assumptions). I eventually decided that I should just start a blog for my own enjoyment even if no one read it and without any expectations. I let my fear of yelling into an empty void stop me from starting anything book related, which I’m glad I finally got over. There are so many book blogs popping up constantly and we are all so excited about this one thing, we just want to share it!

Erin: Physical book, e-book or audiobook?

Physical! A lot of the time I have one of each on deck because I love them all for different reasons, but I prefer flipping the pages of a good book more than anything.

Question 7

Liza: What is your all-time favorite novel?

Another tough one! It’s a tie between East of Eden by John Steinbeck and Rain of Gold by Victor Villaseñor…I know I know that’s two, but I love them both for very similar reasons. They are both family sagas that deal with major drama, the idea of history repeating itself, and breaking or not breaking those patterns (at least from what I can remember). I cried reading both of them because I felt like I could see my family members and ancestors while reading the authors’ words, especially with Rain of Gold since it is about a Mexican-American family. I don’t know if that makes sense, but I could feel the words in my blood and they healed me a little bit.

Erin: Do you have a favorite reading snack or drink?

I like to curl up with some tea and perhaps a cookie or two during the colder months (which I’ve been impatiently awaiting for agessssss). Give me all the cozy vibes!

Question 8

Liza: Who is your ultimate favorite author?

I feel like I haven’t read enough books from enough authors to truly decide this, so I’ll just take the easy route and say Jane Austen. I have yet to read all of her books, but she hasn’t failed me yet with the four that I’ve read so far and I know that I will reread them countless of times in my life. Flawless, beautiful, amazing, gorgeous!

Erin: What are the top three books that encompass you as a person?

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills, and Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan.

Question 9

Liza: If you had to describe yourself using three literary characters, who would they be?

Holden Caulfield, Edward Cullen, hmmm who else…just kidding! It was fun to look through all of the books I’ve read and figure this one out. Final answer is Chicky from Miss Meteor (she is very similar to me), Mildred from The Worst Witch series (she’s a mess- as am I), and Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice (I’m stubborn and a hopeless romantic even though I try not to be).

Erin: What are your hobbies outside of reading?

I really don’t do much else other than read and play Animal Crossing, although I do like sewing when I can build up the stamina to sit down and start a project (I don’t stop until I’m finished even if takes 12 hours straight). The last time I sewed anything though was 6 months ago at the start of the lockdown to make face masks and I’ve been procrastinating making more ever since. My entire body was sore for three days after…I tense and crouch a lot.

Question 10

Liza: What advice do you have for beginner bloggers?

Just start! I waited so long because I didn’t want to be talking to an empty void, but if you put a little bit of effort to comment on posts that interest you and write about topics that excite you, then it will become something that is fun and worthwhile.

Erin: What’s your favorite time of day to read?

Nighttime! I’m a night owl all the way, so even though I read a lot during the day, nighttime is always the best time.

Question 11

Liza: What’s your favorite post you’ve ever written? (Link it below)

I don’t feel like I’ve posted something that is my true favorite yet (so little time, so many ideas!)…but probably my August Mini Reviews just because it was fun to write. I’m sorry, but writing about books I don’t like is a lot of fun *cough* Midnight Sun.

Erin: Lastly, have you ever thought about writing your own book?

Writing a book was my ultimate dream as a kid, but school killed that for me. I still want to write a book one day, even if I self-publish it. Not sure what it would be about yet, but I’ve always loved the idea of writing a middle grade book. I once read a self-published book that featured a boy who turned a potato into a little brother and it stuck with me even though I can’t remember the title for the life of me! I want to have that impact on at least one person. For now though, I’m content to just read other people’s work.

Thanks Liza and Erin for tagging me, I had so much fun answering your questions!

I am nominating the following people, but if you have already been tagged or want to skip, no worries! 🙂

Cherelle @ Cherelle the Bibliophile ||  Fleur @ Fleur is Reading Again  || Catalina @ Catarpillar Thinks || Ashmita @ The Fictional Journal || Siena @ Booksophobias || Alison @ Antari Reads || Halee @ HD’s Reading Life || Mayurakshi @ Bookshelf Life || Adira @ Introvert Interrupted || Sahi @ My World of Books || Shan @ Shan Shelves

The Questions

1. How did you come up with your blog title?
2. If you could have a sequel and/or prequel to any book, what book would it be for?
3. What do you listen to while you read, or do you prefer silence?
4. What book character would you want to be your best friend?
5. What is your favorite book to movie or TV show adaptation?
6. What three books encompass who you are?
7. What was your favorite book as a child?
8. What do you like doing on your free time other than reading?
9. What is your favorite music album? If you don’t have one, what is your favorite song?
10. What has been your biggest bookish blog accomplishment so far?
11. What’s your favorite post you have written so far?