'BTT - Gluttony'

Mariel suggested this week’s question (thanks Mariel!):
Book Gluttony! Are your eyes bigger than your book belly? Do you have a habit of buying up books far quicker than you could possibly read them? Have you had to curb your book buying habits until you can catch up with yourself? Or are you a controlled buyer, only purchasing books when you have run out of things to read?

Wow! This week's question seems to be 'tempting' enough!!! Only this early morning, I sat on the family hall with my cuppa coffee, staring at my neatly arranged books on the table. One of them is still covered with a plastic cover, while I've read few pages on the other two.. plus my current reading on my hand (it's halfly read, though!). And more inside my room.. Thoughts passed my mind... am I gonna make it?? Could time tell???

I have used to ask myself that kind of questions everytime I bring home new books. I just couldn't resist my desire. I love them and I never wanted to curb this greediness (grin). Even though I know I have a so-called 'to-be-read' pile a mile high, but it's weird getting out of the bookstore without buying something.. and the whole day would be empty, like I've skipped one of my routine! My nephew suggests me this, 'Don't enter the bookstore!'. Ok, sometimes I would just go away but then in few minutes time I would be inside the bookstore and you will find me with at least two books in my shopping bag walking out later on. :)

I'm a book-glutton... and this is a confession of a bookaholic..

Have a wonderful day!

BTT - Authors Talking

Do you read any author’s blogs? If so, are you looking for information on their next project? On the author personally? Something else?

My first love of reading arose from reading Cecilia Ahern's 'If You Could See Me Now'. From that, my journey of reading goes further by knowing her other best-selling novels through her blog.

I would always update myself on Cecilia Ahern's news, upcoming events and so forth through her blog as that is the only most convenient and quickest alternative I have. Besides that, by reading her blog, I feel close to her even though we are thousands miles apart. The Internet has always shortened the long journey and I'm thankful for that technology.

How about you? Do you visit and read any of author's blogs?

Happy BTT!

'BTT - Inspired'

Since “Inspiration” is (or should) the theme this week … what is your reading inspired by?


I'm a slow-reader, but I like to read. I am mostly inspired by good title of books. How further the title could portray the journey of the story would be an indicator. The story-line also do count in. As I read along the storyline, I would look for a plausible chain of events that may evoke my emotional or artistic response to get inspired.

Do you think a good title makes any difference? What is your inspiration?
Have a nice day!

'BTT - Sing! Sing A Song'

But, enough about books … Other things have words, too, right? Like … songs!
So, today’s question?
What songs … either specific songs, or songs in general by a specific group or writer … have words that you love?
Why?
And … do the tunes that go with the fantastic lyrics live up to them?

Okay, this topic is fun. I have a list of songs that I have loved until now for some certain reasons. The tunes really go well with the lyrics that give me some sorts of inspiration when I listen to them.

• Home by Michael Buble

'... and I've been keeping all the letters that I wrote to you, each one or line or two, 'I'm fine baby, how are you?', well I would send them but I know that it's just not enough, my words are cold and flat, and you deserve more than that...'

• You Make Me Feel Brand New by Simply Red

'... without you, my life has no meaning or rhyme, like notes to a song out of time, how can I repay, you for having faith in me...'

• I'm Alive by Celine Dion

'...when you bless the day, I just drift away, all my worries die, I know that I'm alive.. I get wings to fly, God knows that I'm alive..'

• Stay the Same by Joey Mcintyre

'...you were meant to be the way you are exactly, don't you ever say you don't like the way you are, when you learn to love yourself, you're better off by far, and I hope you always stay the same, coz there's nothin' bout you I would change..., don't change'

• Realize by Colbie Caillat

'...take time to realize, I'm on your side, didn't I tell you? take time to realize, this all can pass you by, didn't I tell you? but I can't spell it out for you, no it's never gonna be that simple...'

• Everything I Own by David Gates

'...is there someone you know, you're loving them so, but taking them all for granted? you may lose them one day, someone takes them away, and they'll never hear the words you have to say...'

What do you think? Do any of these has effect on you?

How about yours? Happy BTT!

'BTT - The Best'

It’s a week or two later than you’d expect, and it may be almost a trite question, but … what were your favorite books from 2008?

I have several 'favourite books' that I have loved in 2008. And those were I considered to be 'The Best' since they could 'emotionally' attract me. Truthfully, as I adore the author so much, I consider most of their writings were incredibly impressive.

My favourite line-ups:

If You Could See Me Now by Cecilia Ahern

Thanks for the Memories by Cecilia Ahern

Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

The Guy Not Taken by Jennifer Weiner

Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

The Gift by Cecilia Ahern

What's yours?

Happy BTT!!!

BTT - Wintery Books

No, no … this isn’t the question you’re probably expecting, that asks about your winter reading habits.
What I want to know today is … what are the most “wintery” books you can think of? The ones that almost embody Winter?
(Personally, “A Winters Tale” by Mark Helprin pretty much nails this for me, and “Smilla’s Sense of Snow” was right up there…)

I couldn't think one with the word of 'winter' or 'snow'. But I remembered, my grown-up book that I had loved the most. It was 'The Christmas Book' by Enid Blyton. I read this book as a youngster and I could say this one could be linked with Winter.

What's yours?

Happy BTT!

BTT - Generosity

Do you give books as gifts?
To everyone? Or only to select people?
How do you feel about receiving books as gifts?

Books are always been the best gift for me. It’s just that some other people won’t value books as preferred gifts compared to other common gifts. I would selectively choose to whom I would give books. As far as I could remember, I had ever given books to my elder sister on her birthday, my niece also on her birthday, and my nephew as souvenirs when I traveled outside my residing country. As I highly value books, I would always be happy to receive books as gifts (even though I never received them as gifts.. :)

Do you think so???

Happy BTT!!!

BTT - Time Is Of The Essence

1. Do you get to read as much as you WANT to read?
(I’m guessing #1 is an easy question for everyone?)
2. If you had (magically) more time to read–what would you read? Something educational? Classic? Comfort Reading? Escapism? Magazines?

Time...
Is the precious gem of life.

If only I had more time (magically) to read, I will spend more time reading facts and educational materials. Why??? It makes me knowledgeable and I wouldn't need to depend on others. It is something like having the world in my pocket.

I would also be using that extra time to read day-to-day stories, experiencing what it is to be in other people's shoes. For that, I'll be learning the ups and downs of life.

Mmm.. having so little time and much to read, I always didn't get sufficient time to read all I'd wanted.

What do you think???

Happy BTT!

BTT - 5 For Favourites

1. Do you have a favourite author?

Yes.. Enid Blyton, when I was a child and Francine Pascal for the series of Sweet Valley High & Sweet Valley University. Current favourite author, the gorgeous Irish writer, Cecilia Ahern.

2. Have you read everything he or she has written?

Not yet. Cecilia Ahern's 'The Gift' is on my current reading list.

3. Did you LIKE everything?

I could say, it's very near to everything.. But as I favour them, I always tried to like 'the whole everything'.. Does that sounds weird? :)

4. How about a least favourite author?

Every authors have their own ways to tackle readers, yet none of them being on my least favourite author.

5. An author you wanted to like, but didn't?

I wanted to like Jeffrey Archer but never got to fall in love with his famous writings on 'Kane and Abel'.

Happy Reading!!!

'Booking Through Thursday'

THANKFUL

Today is Thanksgiving in the U.S.
Now, you may have noticed that the global economy isn’t exactly doing well. There’s war. Starvation. All sorts of bad, scary things going on.
So–just for today–how about sharing 7 things that you’re thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving To All in the U.S. Wishing this Thanksgiving finds you with plenty reason to give thanks!

It's my 7 things that I'm thankful for...

my life.. for my career and everything that has happened to me..

my loving family (and that include my cat.. surely!!!) they are my friends through thick and thin. They could stand my unpredictable and changing mood. Thanks with love.

my precious friends all over the world. the laughter and friendship that I share with you are what I'm truly thankful for!

music is moonlight in the gloomy night of life. Without music, I'm empty.

food.. there is no love sincerer than the love of food???

the borderless world (the net), for me to explore the whole world.

and lastly, (saving the best for last).. thanks to God for all His blessings! Without Him, I won't get to experienced this wonderful life...

'May all the blessings of life be yours in abundance'

'Booking Through Thursday'

WHY BUY?

Even if you are a die-hard fan of the public library system, I’m betting you have at least ONE permanent resident of your bookshelves in your house. I’m betting that no real book-lover can go through life without owning at least one book. So … why that one? What made you buy the books that you actually own, even though your usual preference is to borrow and return them?
If you usually buy your books, tell me why. Why buy instead of borrow? Why shell out your hard-earned dollars for something you could get for free?

It's my first BTT & I'm happy to share my answer...

I used to go to the library to borrow books.. Till now, I borrow books that ONLY in good condition. I couldn't deny, I'm judging a book by its cover! :) And the cover, does matter for me.

So why do I buy them? Because of their covers of course. And, their contents too. If I possess them, I would have all the time in the world to read them without worrying whether I could finished reading them or ending up few pages left unread. Happy reading!!!