Love-A-Thon Interview Swap!

Hi Everyone!
Sarah and I (Lindsay) are so excited to be part of this year's Love-A-Thon! We're so excited to participate in everything Katelyn & Alexa have planned! They've lined up a ton of fun events over the next couple of days. We've had a blast planning each post.

I'll be updating this post throughout the weekend with links to each of these mini-challenge as well:
Book Spine Poetry
Book Valentine
Mad Lib
Mash Up
Letter to Yourself
Awards
Giveaway

First up is the interview swap. We are paired with Monica, who can be found at http://fumafiles.blogspot.com/ and on twitter at @mfumarolo.

(Side note: Since we didn't sign up as 2 people, I decided to interview Sarah too! Check out her responses below Monica's).

Monica:

About Me: Hi I’m Monica and my book blog is The Fuma Files! I’m way late to the blogging party, but I’m so happy to be here and can’t believe I just had my 2 year anniversary. Time flies when good books are to be read. I’m a life long Illinois resident, licensed English teacher, and even got my masters degree at library school (yes, library school is real and it is awesome!). When I’m not reading other people’s stories, I’m writing my own, making videos on YouTube, or plotting my next great adventure.


 1.  If you could be any book character who would you be and why?

So many great options! It’s impossible to choose, but one character I’d love to be for a day is Cress from Marissa Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles - oh to be tech savvy and a dreamer and so much stronger that she gives herself credit for!

2. What's your favorite genre & book?

I read contemporary YA more than anything else lately with my love for fantasy being a close second. I’m a proud member of the Harry Potter generation and my favorite book is either Pride & Prejudice or Persuasion by Jane Austen.

3.  What's your earliest reading memory?

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t able to read! My brother and I were particularly fond of Dr. Seuss as kids and I felt the need to take the title “Hop on Pop” literally.
4.  If you could make 1 book required reading, what would it be?

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, which is already required reading a lot of places thank goodness! From YA, though, I’d have to go with Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read.

5.  What are the top 3 books you read last year?

This is so hard!! Cress by Marissa Meyer (Lunar Chronicles #3), Pivot Point by Kasie West, and This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales.

6.  Since it's Valentine's Day, who's your favorite book boyfriend or fictional couple?

Cricket from Lola & the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins is just so freaking sweet - I love it! As for the classics, I’m a huge Jane Austen fan and while Mr. Darcy rocks, I think that Mr. Knightley from Emma gets overlooked too often! 

7.  If you could visit any fictional place, where would you go?

Hogwarts! Still waiting for my owl…I’m sure he just got lost...

8. Similar to the previous, what book made you want to go to a place that really exists and have you gone there?

Harry Potter made me want to go the UK which I was lucky enough to visit after high school. I also absolutely loved Sharon Creech’s novel Bloomability which takes place in Switzerland and I can’t wait to visit someday.

9.  Favorite reading/book related moment?

I’ve been so lucky to meet so many amazing authors, but one that stands out was meeting Meg Cabot - I started reading the Princess Diaries when I was a kid and grew up with those books, plus she’s so nice and loved that I was going to library school!

10.  Film adaptations of books - love 'em or leave ‘em?

It depends. It’s a lot like comparing apples to oranges - of course they can’t be identical and I usually prefer the book to the movie, but if the film can capture the spirit of the book, then I’m usually a happy camper.

Sarah:

About Me: I'm 29. I'm a mommy to a sweet little boy and wife to a wonderful man. I love reading and writing. I collect owls and tea cups. I speak sarcasm fluently and I'm mildly cynical. My favorite genre is YA fiction. My favorite book is Finnikin of the Rock. I love 90's Alt Rock so much and Hanson is still my favorite band of all time ... No shame! My favorite TV shows are New Girl, Son's of Anarchy, and The Amazing Race.




1. If you could be any book character who would you be and why?  

Claire Beauchamp from Outlander. Four words ... Time Travel, Jamie Fraser. 

2. What's your favorite genre & book?  

It's a toss up between Historical Fiction and YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy. So in that case, my favorite book in Historical Fiction is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon and in YA Sci-Fi/Fantsay it would have to be Finnikin of The Rock by Melina Marchetta. 

3. Whats your earliest reading memory? 

Are you there God? It's Margret. Weird, right? I know I had to have read before that. But I guess that's the book that made the biggest impression so it's the one I actually remember. 

4. If you could make 1 book required reading, what would it be? 

Harry Potter. Not only is it a phenomenal series of books but there are so many wonderful lessons to be learned by Harry and his friends. 

5. What are the top 3 books you read last year? 

Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo, and The Diviners by Libba Bray.  

6. Who's your favorite book boyfriend and/or fictional couple? 

Current book boyfriend is Sturmhond and couple is Jamie and Claire. 
 

7. If you could visit any fiction place, where would you go? 

Hogwarts. Duh.

8. What book made you want to go to a place that really exists and have you gone there? 

Outlander makes me want to go on an Outlander tour of Scotland (these tours really exist.) I haven't gone yet. But I will!!! 

9. What's your favorite reading/book related moment?  

There are far too many to name one!

10. Film adaptations, love 'em or leave 'em?

Love 'em when they're done like Harry Potter or The Hunger Games. Leave 'em when they're done like The Host.

Feel free to chime in with your answers below!

Lindsay's 2013 End of Year Survey

Joining in on The Perpetual Page Turner's End of Year Survey! Yay!

1. Best book you read in 2013?
    This is SO hard to figure out. I guess I'll break it down.
     1. YA Fantasy: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
     2. YA Contemporary: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
     3. New Adult Contemporary: Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
     There are tons of books I loved this year. I could go on and on (and on).

2. Book you were excited about & thought you were going to love more but didn’t?
     Does it count if it is going to be released in 2014? Because it would have to be Defy by Sara B. Larson. I had very high hopes for it, and I didn't love it as much as expected. My review is HERE.

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013?
     Cinder and Scarlet by Marissa Meyer. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the whole cyborg aspect of these stories, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE these books. I seriously cannot wait for Cress to come out in the spring.          

4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?
     While I suggest a lot of books to people based on what they like, I probably suggested Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins the most. I had lots of friends ask me for a "happy" book, and this was my favorite by far. I even convinced my book club to read it next month.

5. Best series you discovered in 2013?
     Since I read a lot of series this, I'll pick one that actually ended this year. Fire and Thorns Series by Rae Carson. I read The Girl of Fire and Thorns and The Crown of Embers in June, then immediately downloaded The Bitter Kingdom and read it in one morning upon its release in August.
     

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013?
     I read a lot of new authors this year (TTT post here), so this is super hard. I'd have to go with Rainbow Rowell or Sarah J. Maas. I adore both of their books.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
     I tend to stay in certain genres, but the one that was probably the most out of my comfort zone was The Diviners by Libba Bray. I don't usually read books that give me the heebie-jeebies, but this book definitely did. Sarah suggested it to me, and I ended up really enjoying it.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book of 2013?
    The Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi. I devoured the first 2 books (and subsequent novellas). Could not put them down. Warner FTW.

OR

Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas. I love 'em. I devoured 'em. I read CoM in one afternoon (same day as The Bitter Kingdom and Deception actually. Not cool releasing books on the same day!)

9. Book you read in 2013 that you are most likely to re-read next year?
    I love rereading books, especially ones in series. Since I read so much, I often forget things that happened in previous books. So I know I'll be rereading The Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi, The Courier's Daughter Series by CJ Redwine, The Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas, and The Grisha Series by Leigh Bardugo just to name a few.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013?
     These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. So. Gorgeous.

      Also Gorgeous by Paul Rudnick. I love the dress on this cover, especially with the title in the dress.

11. Most memorable character in 2013?
     Celaena Sardothien from Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas. Because HER NAME, obviously. Plus she's a totally awesome, kick-butt heroine. If you haven't read the novellas, you should. You'd fall even more in love her.

12. Most beautifully written book in 2013?
    I don't even know what to pick, so I'll go with the first book that came to mind. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner (have I gushed about this book enough yet?). I don't usually enjoy books using dual perspectives, but this really worked for me. I also liked how they don't give Lilac unrealistic abilities. Homegirl has zero survival skills, and is a little spoiled, but you can't help but root for her. Plus I appreciate when characters show serious growth, and Lilac definitely does so.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?
    Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. This book you guys. It's so fantastic. Rowell does an amazing job of addressing big issues.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to read?
     I can't believe I waited until this year to read the Alanna series by Tamora Pierce. So wonderful. 

15. Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2013?
    I'm sure there were lots I enjoyed, but I'll pick one from a book I haven't really mentioned yet. This one is from Defiance by CJ Redwine "It’s probably my job to tell you life isn’t fair, but I figure you already know that. So instead, I’ll tell you that hope is precious, and you’re right not to give up."


16. Shortest and longest book you read in 2013?
     I really have no idea how to figure this out. Obviously the novellas I've read would be the shortest (Fracture Me, Destroy Me, etc). But as for the longest? I don't really know. I read mostly on my kindle, so it's not like I can look at my bookshelf to determine the length. I did reread Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, which is long, so I guess it?!

17. Book that had a scene in it that had you reeling and dying to talk to somebody about it? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.)
     Allegiant by Veronica Roth. I read it in one day, and then had to wait for everyone else I knew to finish it. THAT SCENE NEEDED TO BE DISCUSSED.

18. Favorite relationship from a book you read in 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc.)?
     While there are lots of romantic relationships to choose from, I'd have to go with Cather and Wren from Fangirl. I love the complicated relationship between the twins.

19. Favorite book you read in 2013 from an author you’ve read previously?
     Since I read so many new authors in 2013, this is fairly easy. It's Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta. I loved the end to this series. So wonderful. 

20. Best book you read in 2013 that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from someone else?
    The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay. We read this in our book club, and I really, really enjoyed it. I wouldn't put it in my normal wheelhouse of books (but it is YA) because I tend to read fantasy, but this was a great contemporary novel.

21. Genre you read the most from in 2013?
     YA Fantasy. Hands down. It's my favorite.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?
     Chaol from Throne of Glass/Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas. Swoon. Or. ORRRRR Hector from the Fire and Thorns trilogy. I love these guys. LOVE THEM.

23. Best 2013 debut you read?
     Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I adored this book. And I will read ANYTHING Rowell writes. My gushing review here.

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013?
     Oooh, I love fantasy, so this is tough. But I really enjoyed the world building in These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. Seriously amazing world building. The planet they create is fascinating. It's almost as much of a character in the story as the Lilac and Tarver.

25. Book that was the most fun to read in 2013?
     Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. I LOVED the story, and I loved the Simon Snow fanfiction.

26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2013?
     Attachments by Rainbow Rowell. There were a couple of parts in the book that reminded me of some things that have happened to me, and it definitely brought me to tears.

27. Book you read in 2013 that you think got overlooked this year or when it came out?

     Gorgeous by Paul Rudnick. I haven't talked to many people at all that have read it. It's a bit different than a lot of books I read, and I absolutely adored it.


Thanks everyone! Feel free to share some of your answers below!

Sarah's 2013 End of Year Survey

1. Best book you read in 2013? Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta. I have been waiting for the finale of this series for a while. This book had one of the most satifiying endings I've ever read. I love love loved it. 

2. Book you were excited about & thought you were going to love more but didn’t? The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic by Emily Croy Barker. I always enjoy books about faeries and folklore. However, I do not like books with weak female leads and Nora was weak minded and foolish. I just couldn't take her!
 

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2013? Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr. I was pleasantly surprised. Typically her books are redundant. She has quite a few books about Faeries and the like and they all seem to have the same story line. I downloaded Carnival of Souls hoping for something different and I got it! I really enjoyed this one. It was very Dark and mysterious! 
 

4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013? Divergent Series by Veronica Roth. It's on of the best series I've read since The Hunger Games.
 

5. Best series you discovered in 2013? The Divergent series by Veronica Roth. Simply because there were no other complete series I discovered this year.
 

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2013? Anna Carey. She wrote the Eve series. I discovered her last year and recently finished the series. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the books. 
 

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you? Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling. This is the first memoir I've read. I'm not much for non-fiction but I really loved this book. Mindy Kaling is hilarious!
 

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book of 2013? Stolen by Lucy Christopher. This book was chilling. I couldn't tear my eyes from it. It held me captive. (Pun totally intended.)
 

9. Book you read in 2013 that you are most likely to re-read next year? Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta. I usually read this series once a year anyway. I can't put it down. 
 

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2013? Rags & Bones (New Twists on Timeless Tales) by Multiple Authors. 

11. Most memorable character in 2013? Quintana from Quintana of Charyn. Girl is totes cray (as my sister, Leah, would say.) But I loved her all the same. I really enjoy strong female characters and Quintana was fierce.

12. Most beautifully written book in 2013? The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. The characters, the backdrop, the story in general ... All so beautiful!

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013? Stolen by Lucy Christopher. This book was published in '09 but I just recently added it to my Nook. It's incredibly   intense. When I finished reading it, I thought about it for weeks afterwards. It broke my heart in so many ways. 

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2013 to read? Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth. They'd been on my reading list for a long time. I just never got around to reading them. But once Lindsay kept raving about the series I knew it was time to read it! 

15. Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2013? "It's hard to hate someone once you understand them." Stolen by Lucy Christopher

16. Shortest and longest book you read in 2013? Shortest is a toss up between ...

1. The Ocean at the End of the Lane

2. Stolen

3. Edgar Wilde and the Lost Grimoire. 

The longest books were 

1. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey.

2. Quintana of Charyn.

3. Carnival of Souls

17. Book that had a scene in it that had you reeling and dying to talk to somebody about it? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Hello! Insurgent's big death! Mind.Blown. I totally get it. Did I like it? No. But I get it.

18. Favorite relationship from a book you read in 2013 (be it romantic, friendship, etc.)? Brother and sister, Bartholomew and Hettie Kettle from The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann. The way Bartholomew protects Hettie and loves her is so sweet. It warms my heart.

19. Favorite book you read in 2013 from an author you’ve read previously? Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta. Do I need to say anymore about my love for Melina Marchetta?! 

20. Best book you read in 2013 that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from someone else? I'm in the process of reading  Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. I only added it to my Nook because of Lindsay's recommendation. So far I LOVE it. 

 

21. Genre you read the most from in 2013? YA. It's my go-to genre. 
 

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013? Ronan Lynch from The Raven Cycle series. I always fall for the dark, brooding bad boys.
 

23. Best 2013 debut you read? Edgar Wilde and the Lost Grimoire by Paul Ramsay. I alway enjoy stumbling upon new authors. I especially enjoy when their debut is a quirky, fun, quick read. 
 

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2013? The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater. This is the second book in The Raven Cycle series. It wonderfully written and hugely imaginative. Maggie does an amazing job with the world she creates.     
 

25. Book that was the most fun to read in 2013? Edgar Wilde and the Lost Grimoire by Paul Ramsay. A really fun, interesting and quick read. 
 

26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2013? Stolen by Lucy Christopher. So many tears. 
 

27. Book you read in 2013 that you think got overlooked this year or when it came out? The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stievfater. This series has me totally hooked and has kept me guessing from the very beginning. Yet I know no one who's read it or even knows what series I'm talking about! Bummer!!!