Weekend Wonder: Ley

General Questions…

Name: Ley

Blog Penname: loveleyrambles

A sentence or two about yourself: I shamelessly watch trashy E! reality shows while reading Nietzsche and making homemade Bolognese sauce. 

Link to blog: http://www.loveleyrambles.com

A sentence or two on what your blog is about: It’s my attempt to narrate my life while omitting the boring parts (almost everything) and sometimes exaggerating (we all do it!).

Book Lover Questions…

What is your favorite book and why? The Princess Bride, but only the ‘good parts version’ abridged by William Goldman. The movie is also my favourite, but the book expands so much on my favourite characters and provides so much more backstory.

Other favorites? Pride & Prejudice, Harry Potter, the Tudor novels by Phillippa Gregory, A Year in the Merde.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Usually historical fiction, but I’m agitated when an author takes too many liberties with known historical facts.

Where do you like to read? Curled up on the couch with a soft blanket, roaring fireplace is optional but preferable.

Do you prefer paper books or ebooks? I much prefer paper books. I’m a tactile person, so having the book in my hand is a given. I also love the way books smell—especially old books.

Do you prefer to buy or borrow books? Buy. I don’t write in my books, nor do I dog-ear pages, but I like building my library, and having the ability to re-read books that I enjoy.

Do you stop reading when you are tired or when you hit chapter breaks? I try my very best to stop reading at either chapter breaks, but that frequently causes me to fall asleep while reading.

When you finish a book do you usually keep it, throw it away, sell it, or give it away? When I was 19 and backpacking Europe, I gave my copy of  “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” to a nice Korean girl that I met at my hostel in London. I had signed my name, country, and the date the I finished it in the front cover before handing it over. To my dismay, three months later I stumbled across that very book in a hostel in an entirely different country—in the hands of a guy from Mexico City. The inside covers (front and back!) were completely covered in names, nationalities, and dates. I couldn’t believe how quickly and frequently that book had been passed on, and I was floored that I had the chance to see it again. Ever since then, I try to share my books when travelling…but at home I usually end up keeping my favourites for myself.

What helps you decide on a book? (Book reviews, suggested by friend, by browsing the shelves, etc.) Everything from a recommendation, to the fact that it is on sale, written by an author that I enjoy, or one that I stumble across randomly while combing the bookstore for interesting reads.

Do you prefer to read a book that stands on its own or is a part of a series? Is it cheating to say both? I enjoy well-written one-off books, but I also enjoy the suspense and prolonged reading experience that you get from series. Although, the suspense of waiting for the next installment makes me a little loony sometimes.

So You Want to be a Writer questions…

A few sentences about your writing: What do you write (blog entries, novels, poetry, etc)? Why do you write? I’m a blogger, so it’s no surprise that I am very open about my thoughts, emotions, and life in general. I try to keep it honest, and I try to be me at all times. It’s just a space for me to unleash my pent up thoughts upon the world, and I’m lucky enough to have a few people that read it—and enjoy it!

Did you always know that you wanted to write? I’ve always been a very creative person, but my short attention span has usually interfered with my ability to write anything longer than a blurb. The more I write, the more comfortable I become with myself and my style, and the easier it is to write.

Favorite Questions…

What’s your favorite food? Ohno. My first thought was “cheese”, but I reserve the right to answer “everything (subject to exclusions)”.

Favorite color? Purple

Favorite song? Everybody (Stabilo). Runner(s) up: Sweet Child ‘O Mine (GNR); Khe Sanh (Cold Chisel)

Favorite movie? The Princess Bride

Favorite TV show? House Hunters International

Random Questions…

If you developed a superpower what would it be and why? Teleportation, because my boyfriend currently lives 1400KM away from me, and I would give almost anything to be able to see him at my whim.

What did you want to be when you were little? A unicorn.

What is the answer to life?

Poll #7 Results: Top 20 books on BBC's list: Which ones have you read?

Wow! That's a lot of reading! These books are supposedly what BBC considers to be some of the best books that you need to read sometime in your life. And it looks like several of you are well on your way to completing a good chunck of the list. However, this is just 20 of the books on the list. To see the full list, all 100 books, please check out this link...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/top100.shtml

Now, off to the results...

The majority of us, at 14% have read To Kill a Mockingbird. I myself had to read it in 7th grade and it is one of my mom's favorite books.

Next, 11% of us have read Harry Potter. I've read the 1st book once, the 2nd book 3 times, the 3rd book 3 times, the 4th book once, the 5th book twice, the 6th book twice, and the 7th book twice! I love them all.

10% of us have read The Chronicles of Narnia. I have yet to read any of these books I am curious who has read ALL of them. Have any of you read them ALL!? I think there are 6-8 of them, right?

9% of us have read Pride and Prejudice and/or Little Women. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books and I have started Little Women in the past, but have yet to finish it. I don't know why.

7% of us have read Great Expectations. I read Great Expectations as a Great Illustrated Classic when I was in 6th grade or so. The Great Illustrated Classics are awesome books that simplify literature for the sake of young readers. Then, when I was in 8th grade, I had to read the actual original text (WAY too early to be reading a book like that. It's so complicated) but I was able to understand it better after reading the Great Illustrated Classic.

6% of us have read Winnie the Pooh. I've never read the book, but I loved the show when it was on and all the little movies!

5% of us have read Lord of the Rings and/or His Dark Materials and/or Jane Eyre. I've read The Hobbit, but I don't know if BBC meant to include that book or just the trilogy. I have also read The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife, but I have yet to tackle The Amber Spyglass to finish it all up. Does anyone know if another movie is being made for The Subtle Knife? Jane Eyre is on my bookshelf, but I haven't finished it yet.

4% of us have read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and/or The Wind in the Willows and/or The Catcher in the Rye and/or Wuthering Heights. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is another one of my favorite books. So funny! Wuthering Heights is on my bookshelf but I haven't finished it yet.

2% of us have read Catch-22. I never have, but I remember it being assigned as an option in 8th or 9th or 10th grade.

1% of us have read War and Peace (which I just realized that I spelled that wrong on the pie chart, but I am not going back to change it) and/or Nineteen-Eighty-Four. I haven't read either of these. Heavy stuff!

0% of us have read Captain Corelli's Mandolin and/or Rebecca and/or Birdsong. Honestly, I don't think I have even heard of these books until know. Maybe Rebecca, but I don't know what it's about. I do recognize a the author's to a degree though.

Well, that's the lowdown! Onto the next poll! Go check it out at the bottom of this page!

Weekend Wonder: Richard Timothy

Happy Easter everyone! I hope you are able to spend this holiday with the people you love. Enjoy all the chocolate and jelly beans you can muster!

Now, it is time to return to the Weekend Wonders! I recieved two fabulous questionaires a little while ago so please meet Richard Timothy today and Ley next Saturday!

General Questions…

Name: Richard Timothy

Blog Penname: Richard Timothy

A sentence or two about yourself: This is definitely going to be more than two sentences; actually I think that says it all… ok maybe not. I was born January 1 in a small Wyoming town. Yes I was the first baby of the New Year, and no I did not get any gifts… and yes there is a story about this. I use to believe I was a Capricorn until “they” decided “they” got the zodiac wrong. “They” always cause problems. Now I don’t know what my sign is… nor do I care (take that “they”). I hope I leave the lives of people I meet and the world I live in a little bit better than it was before I was there.

Link to blog: www.richardtimothy.com

A sentence or two on what your blog is about: In a word, amusing observations, well in two words then. The

whole point when I started my blog was to write something that was going to get the reader to smile, even smirk, and on some occasions laugh out loud to themselves. In short, it’s a virtual place of joy and laughter, and the groovy part is that people occasionally return the experience when they share one of their experiences with me about the topic I’m writing about, giving me a good laugh in return.

Book Lover Questions…

What is your favorite book and why? Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. It’s my favorite book because it was the first book I’d read that made me laugh out loud while I was reading, while at the same time creating a plot and story line that was sincere and though provoking. It also carried with it the realization that reading and writing could be just that, a laugh, an experience of joy and amusement that can affect the mood of another person, creating something positive and cheerful in them.

Other favorites? Small Gods by Terry Pratchett, Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams, the poetry of Pablo Neruda, and Lamb, The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Satire… and I guess Fantasy/Fiction since I’m a huge Pratchett fan and apparently his writings are classified as that.

Where do you like to read? In bed, it’s amazing what a good book can do you’re your dreams when you finish a chapter and then dose off into your own subconscious interpretation of what you just read… note to self: Avoid doing this with books like the Darkly Dreaming Dexter, Moby Dick, The Adventures of Captain Underpants, etc, not very conducive to delightful dreams.

Do you prefer paper books or ebooks? Paper books, I’m a bit of a traditionalist that way. I love my books. When I finish a book I have something left as a reminder of the accomplishment/experience. If it is it truly worthy I put it on my bookshelf, a trophy along with the other brilliant works I have read and placed on my shelf of accomplishments. I get the ease and functional aspect of an ebook reader, but I still love my books. If the ebook is exceptional, there is a good chance that I’ll get a paper copy to add to my library.

Do you prefer to buy or borrow books? Depends on the book, if it comes highly recommended from someone I trust, it’s a keeper, I’ll try to get the hardback if I can. If I’m not sure, or if it’s a trial book, say a new author, I’ll either borrow it or get it from the library. If I love it, then I’ll get my own copy.

Do you stop reading when you are tired or when you hit chapter breaks? I’d like to say it depends on the book, but truth is if I am reading in bed I’ll keep reading until I can’t keep my eyes open any longer. If it’s a good book I can easily keep my eyes open longer. The other factor is if my wife is in bed while I’m reading and is ready to get some sleep, in those cases I’ll stop at the end of the current paragraph I’m reading.

When you finish a book do you usually keep it, throw it away, sell it, or give it away? If I love a book, I’ll keep it. If it was a worthwhile read I’ll give it to a friend that I know will enjoy it. If it’s a book I love, and I have a friend who I know will love it, I’ll buy them a copy.

What helps you decide on a book? (Book reviews, suggested by friend, by browsing the shelves, etc.) I go with authors I like, and friend’s suggestions, and occasionally the suggestions of author’s I like.

Do you prefer to read a book that stands on its own or is a part of a series? If there is a character that I really enjoy I prefer a series. There is something brilliantly enjoyable about accompanying a likeable character through a number of adventures.

So You Want to be a Writer questions…

A few sentences about your writing: What do you write (blog entries, novels, poetry, etc)? Why do you write? I am in the process of finishing the rewrite of my first book and let me just say hooray for editing, it’s amazing and the improvements I’ve made over the last set of edits and feedback I’ve received. I also write Smirks, I call my blog entries smirks, because, well, that’s the whole point of them. I love writing something that is going to get the reader to smile and quite possibly to laugh out loud. I love the feeling or reading something that makes me laugh out and I strive to create that experience for others.

Did you always know that you wanted to write? No, but I did know I wanted to do something creative. I started out as an artist; my first college degree was in art. It was while I was getting that degree that I realized I enjoyed the creativity or words much more than the creativity of paint or ceramics. I can paint much better scenes using words than I can using paint.

Favorite Questions…

What’s your favorite food? Sushi or Pizza… but never sushi pizza, some things are never meant to be combined, this is one of those things.

Favorite color? Green

Favorite song? Glósóli by Sigur Ros

Favorite movie? The first one that comes to mind is Harvey, there is just something about the Stewart’s performance as Elwood P. Dowd that causes me to perpetually smile through this entire film.

Favorite TV show? All time show MST3K. Now if I had to pick a show that is currently on the air… hmm… probably The IT Crowd I guess.

Random Questions…

If you developed a superpower what would it be and why? Developed? Like if I were to scientifically create one in a lab… or do you mean if I were to suddenly have a superpower bestowed on me? For the one I develop in a lab, let’s go with a classic and say it would be the one that turns people big and green whenever they got mad, except I’d add some type of valium timed release along with it so once they turn big and green, they mellow right out. Then I’d start a stretchy pants company and unleash my superpower on the world. I’d make a killing in stretchy pants sales.

Now as for a superpower I possess, I think it would be the power of turning water into wine… really good Italian red wine.

What did you want to be when you were little? A cowboy, then a fireman, then a standup comedian, then an artist and finally a grown up, this covers about a three week period when I was around seven by the way. First time I watched Pinocchio I spent a week wanting to be a “real boy”, although I’m not sure that counts.

What is the answer to life? Live it, this is the only life we know we have for certain. Oh and while living your life and finding joy, don’t hurt others in the process… and 42, which I’m sure has been given as an answer to this question before, and I know it will continue to be given again and again, because let’s face it… it’s a loaded question.

WYE?s Bookmark Break Challenge (3 Month Update)!

OK! It's already April and that means that it is time for our 3 month update!!! Just remember, anyone can still join. You just have to click on the button below, read through all the rules (there's only a couple), let me know you want to join, and get reading! VERY SIMPLE! Anyway, onto the current standings! 

• Rose (47 Books)
• Susan (45 Books)
• Poekitten (26 Books)
• AubrieAnne (18 Books)
• Kyria (18 Books)
• Shah (18 Books)
• Selena (15 Books)
• Natalie (14 Books)
• A Woman's Right to Shoes (12 Books)
• Michele (8 Books)
• dtwilight (6 Books)
• The Creative Muslimah (4 Book)
• Patrick (4 Book)
• Moana (3 Books)
• Alissa (3 Book)

Starting at the bottom, we have a good pack! Michelle, dtwilight, The Creative Muslimah, Patrick, Moana, and Alissa have been real troopers and very consistent. Slow and steady wins the race guys! In the middle, we have myself, Kyria, Shah, Selena, Natalie, and A Woman's Right to Shoes. These here are my girls! They read just as much as I do and we have all been fighting to get  ahead of each other! At the very top, almost impossibly so, is Rose, Susan, and Poekitten. These girls are amazing, whipping out the books left and right. I am so proud of them!

Until next month!

Weekend Wonder: Sarah

General Questions…
Name: Sarah
Blog Penname: Sarah
A sentence or two about yourself: I am a stay at home mom and Army Wife. We are now living in Europe.
Link to blog: http://caiafacraziness
A sentence or two on what your blog is about: We blog about our travels, autism, family life, recipes, hot topics, going from civilian life to military life
Book Lover Questions…
What is your favorite book and why? I have two Water for Elephants. I love how you are roped in and can't put the book down. Also Homeless to Harvard by Liz Murray. That now what what road you have traveled you can succeed if you put your mind to it. Her story is so inspiring.
Other favorites? Other favorite books include the giving tree, I'll love you forever,Anything by Shell Silverstine, My Sergei.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Love true stories, crime,
Where do you like to read?snuggled on my couch with my Nook and Fleece blanket. A cup of coffee is a must.
Do you prefer paper books or ebooks?I love the freshness of books, the touch and smell. However ebooks make traveling convenient.
Do you prefer to buy or borrow books? I buy my books
Do you stop reading when you are tired or when you hit chapter breaks? chapter breaks
When you finish a book do you usually keep it, throw it away, sell it, or give it away?I keep all my books
What helps you decide on a book? (Book reviews, suggested by friend, by browsing the shelves, etc.)browsing the shelves or if I hear it talked about in the news and peaks my interest
Do you prefer to read a book that stands on its own or is a part of a series?
So You Wanna Be a Writer Questions...A few sentences about your writing: What do you write (blog entries, novels, poetry, etc)? Why do you write?
Did you always know that you wanted to write?Yes since I was a little girl. I have been working with a publishing company.
Favorite Questions…
What’s your favorite food? Rouladen and Hot Potato Salad
Favorite color?Pink and Black
Favorite song?Oh songs... Ingrid Michaelson The Way I am and Garth Brooks Unanswered Prayers it was hard just to pick two. We are huge music lovers.
Favorite movie?Elf and Beaches
Favorite TV show?Grey Anatomy, Private Practice, One Life To Live, Modern Family, Raising Hope and Glee
Random Questions…
If you developed a superpower what would it be and why?Mind Reader, I want to know what my kids are thinking and scheming
What did you want to be when you were little? A Mom that stayed at home
What is the answer to life? Love and Laughter if you have these your heart is full and you can do anything

Weekend Wonder: Kelly-Ann

General Questions…

Name: Wendy L. K. Karamath

Blog Penname: Kelly-Ann

A sentence or two about yourself: I like to read, listen to music and write.  When I am stressed I write or practice yoga.  I’m currently studying a B.Sc. in Business Computing from London Metropolitan.  I want to do four things in life: Web design, teaching, Law and Legal affairs and become a mother.

Link to blog: What makes me different?

A sentence or two on what your blog is about: I like to look at my blog as a reflection of who I am and what I do and want in life.  It’s my personal diary, health and food stuff, a little photography and anything that just comes to my mind.  I write.

Book Lover Questions…

What is your favorite book and why? My favourite book is Shaftesbury the Reformer, written by John Pollock. I bought it on the Logos II a few years and never knew what it was about.  It speaks of an English man who later in his life became a “Lord, best-loved politician and a social reformer of England in the 19^th century”- adapted from the book.  He completely changed English people’s character in the way they carry about themselves in society.  He has helped poor people to be respected and treated equally in England.

Other favorites?  Pride and Prejudice, The Mill on the Floss, Miguel Street (a local old literature),

What’s your favorite genre to read? Old Literature

Where do you like to read? I like reading on the bus or one of the benches on campus

Do you prefer paper books or ebooks? I prefer paper books anytime

Do you prefer to buy or borrow books? I love to buy my own books

Do you stop reading when you are tired or when you hit chapter breaks? I would stop as soon as I’m tired

When you finish a book do you usually keep it, throw it away, sell it, or give it away? I keep it because sometimes I would read it over or like to lend it to someone.

What helps you decide on a book? (Book reviews, suggested by friend, by browsing the shelves, etc.) The cover and sometimes I would read the Foreword.

Do you prefer to read a book that stands on its own or is a part of a series? I would definitely read a book that stands alone.

So you want to be a Writer questions…

A few sentences about your writing: What do you write (blog entries, novels, poetry, etc)? Why do you write?

I used to write poetry whenever I had a break up or stress coming on in my teenage years.  Now I live on writing blog entries and in two years or so I really want to print it.  I write because I believe apart from my rants, I have something interesting to share with more than just my friends but the whole world that visits my blog.  Writing relaxes me and helps me to keep my goals and achieve them.  If I didn’t started my blog, half the things I do now, probably wouldn’t have happened.

Did you always know that you wanted to write? Yes.  From a very young age I used to write and speak a lot.  I taught my little sister to form sentences and write short paragraphs from books.  I did the same and so I was able to write simple compositions such as “Myself” and “My favourite place or animal”.

Favorite Questions…

What’s your favorite food? Indian cuisine, I love curry and paratha roti. 

Favorite color? Blue.  All shades of blue!

Favorite song? I would say “Glee Cast- No air”

Favorite movie? Working girl with Harrison Ford and Melanie Griffith.

Favorite TV show? Married with children but they stopped airing that ages ago.

Random Questions…

If you developed a superpower what would it be and why? 

What did you want to be when you were little? I wanted to be a teacher.  Having a little sister was a great advantage because I had someone younger than myself to listen to me and help.  I taught her a lot and being in Elementary school with her and her little friends, I always able to teach them as well and develop a keen relationship with children at a young age.

What is the answer to life? Trusting in the one true God who has created the heaven and earth and he alone can will things.  I live each day, come whatever good or bad, God alone can make things happen and everything happens for a reason.