RSS Feed
Jan 15

The Fifty Bookish Questions Book Tag

Posted on Friday, January 15, 2016 in Literature, Other

I found the book tag here on My Little Book Blog.

1. What was the last book you read?

A Swedish mystery.

2. Was it a good one?

No, unfortunately not.

3. What made it good?

What I did like about it, was the setting – it’s a very beautiful region where I went to college and it’s fun to ‘revisit’ the area. Also, I like the fact that the characters are relatively nice. In so many books today, the characters are really unpleasant and that makes it impossible for me to care about them and what happens to them in the story.

4. Would you recommend it to other people?

Not this particular book, but others by the same author.

5. How often do you read?

Every day.

6. Do you like to read?

I love it.

7. What was the last bad book you read?

See above.

8. What made you dislike it?

The author didn’t seem to be able to  manage the ‘show’ don’t ‘tell’ technique. There were info dumps towards the end, that took out any kind of excitement from the story. Also, I don’t really like the ‘main’ main character – she’s so boring. In fact, I didn’t love any of the characters, but fortunately, I didn’t hate any of them either.

9. Do you wish to be a writer?

Yes, and I already am.

10. Has any book ever influenced you greatly?

Probably, but I couldn’t say which one. I’d say many different books have.

11. Do you read fan fiction?

Yes, sometimes.

12. Do you write fan fiction?

Yes.

13. What’s your favorite book?

I can’t pick just one.

14. What’s your least favorite book?

Again, it would be hard to pick just one.

15. Do you prefer physical books or read on a device (like a kindle)?

While I love all kinds of books, I do love printed books a little more.

16. When did you learn to read?

When I was about 3 years old.

17. What is your favorite book you had to read in school?

I think I’ll have to say The Great Gatsby. If I could have chosen freely, at the time I wouldn’t have picked that one, but now I really like it.

18. What is your favorite book series?

I can’t pick just one.

19. Who is your favorite author?

See above.

20. What is your favorite genre?

I’m sorry to have to repeat myself, but I can’t pick just one so I’ll say fantasy, science fiction, mystery, historic and non fiction.

21. Who is your favorite character in a book series?

Again, I can’t pick just one.

22. Has a book ever transported you somewhere else?

Frequently. That’s what I love about reading.

23.Which book do you wish had a sequel?

I can’t say.

24. Which book do you wish DIDNT have a sequel?

See above.

25. How long does it take you to read a book?

Usually not very long.

26. Do you like when books become movies?

If it’s done well, yes.

27. Which book was ruined by its movie adaptation?

It’s hard to tell.

28. Which movie has done a book justice?

I’m not sure.

29. Do you read newspapers?

I read news online, not actual printed newspapers.

30: Do you read magazines?

No.

31. Do you prefer newspapers or magazines?

Neither.

32. Do you read while in bed?

Yes.

33. Do you read while on the toilet?

No.

34. Do you read while in the car?

No, I can’t and not on the bus either. I’d get sick.

35. Do you read while in the bath?

No and maybe this is too much info – I don’t take baths, I prefer showers.

36. Are you a fast reader?

Yes.

37. Are you a slow reader?

No, not at all.

38. Where is your favorite place to read?

In bed or a really comfortable armchair.

39. Is it hard for you to concentrate while you read?

Not if it’s a good book.

40. Do you need a room to be silent while you read?

I prefer it, but I can read even if there’s a bit of noise.

41. Who gave you your love for reading?

I suppose my mother and grandmother and indirectly, my book loving father who didn’t exactly love to read to his children, but had a huge collection of books.

42. What book is next on your list to read?

Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich.

43. When did you start to read chapter books?

I think I was about 4 years old, judging by when I got the first such books.

44. Who is your favorite children’s book author?

Hm. I’m afraid I can’t say, too many favorites there too.

45. Which author would you most want to interview?

I don’t know.

46. Which author do you think you’d be friends with?

I don’t know. It might be difficult, even if you love someone’s books, but then again, maybe it would work out. If so, it would be great.

47.What book have you reread the most?

I think I’ll say LOTR, but I have reread other books and series as well, for instance the Earthsea series, Diana Wynne Jones’ books and Gregory Frost’s books Shadowbridge and Lord Tophet, to name a few.

48. Which books do you consider “classics”?

The ones other people consider classics? Also any good book that’s still popular after twenty or more years.

49. Which books do you think should be taught in every school?

Any good book, I suppose.

50. Which books should be banned from all schools?

Books of really low quality. It would be a shame to waste time on them.

Jul 4

23 statements about me – meme

Posted on Saturday, July 4, 2015 in My life, Other

I found this meme on two Swedish book blogs.

My name is Camilla, but I often call myself MilliLinnea or Ilirwen.
At the moment, I’m a bit sick.
I’m good at spelling and proofreading, which is good, because that’s actually my job)
I don’t like cruelty to animals, neighbours, bicyclists, mean people in general.
I’m bad at being social (in real life, online it works a bit better).
I’m reading (at the moment – a Swedish historic non-fiction book about an eighteenth century lady, married to the king’s brother).
I like books, history, languages (and also historic tv-series).
I sing (not at all, because I don’t have a good singing voice).
I love my family, including the four-legged kids, and also practically all animals in the world.
I’m not particularly good at doing practical things, unfortunately.
I prefer tea to coffee (but love iced water), the countryside/the woods to urban areas (but like cities better than small towns, usually).
I like tasty vegetables like avocado, kale, zucchini, chocolate and home made bread.
I’m addicted to books, of course. 🙂
I’m wearing a blue long-sleeved t-shirt and blue sweatshirt pants.
I’m drinking – nothing at the moment, but I just had a big glass of ice cold water, because it’s hot outside.
I listen to older music, that is classical (especially baroque music) and a bit older pop and rock (80’s and 90’s).
I get angry at stupidity, especially at how extremely cocky stupid people are, it’s dangerous, see below.
I’m scared of everything bad that’s happening in the world today.
I wish for a better future, for my family and for others.
I’m embarrassingly bad at doing practical things, even pretty simple things, like ironing clothes.
I grew up in West Gothia, Sweden where I’d love to stay, but unfortunately, in a dreadful little town that I’d love to move away from.

I also found a few extras on one of the blogs, and I wanted to add those too.

I’m exceptionally good at – hm – I’m not sure if I am exceptionally good at anything, but like I mention above, I am pretty good at spelling, grammar, proofreading and editing text, and also languages, like English and French.
I like that I dream of big changes for the better, for myself and the world. That is, I dare to dream about getting a fresh start, when I’ve got a bit stuck in life.

Jun 5

Get to know me tag: twenty-one questions!

Posted on Friday, June 5, 2015 in My life

1. Are you named after anyone?

Yes. My mum was a teacher and once she was testing children’s ability to read and met a very cute, but not so bright little girl by a lovely name that is also now mine.

2. When was the last time you cried?

Strangely enough I don’t remember, but I do cry quite often.

3. Do you have kids? Not yet.

4. If you were another person, would you be a friend of yourself?

I should hope so. As me, I’m quite lonely and I’d to think that ‘the other me’ would at least be friends with me.

5. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Occasionally.

6. Will you ever bungee-jump?

No.

7. What’s your favorite cereal?

I don’t really eat cereals.

8. What’s the first thing you notice about people?

The face probably.

9. What is your eye colour?

Greyish blue.

10. Scary movie or happy endings?

Happy endings.

11. Favorite smells?

Hm. Vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon, lemon, peppermint or flowers, grass, trees. Or fresh laundry.

12. Summer or winter? Summer.

13. Computer or television?

If I have to choose, computer, but I do like to watch a little TV sometimes too.

14. What’s the furthest you’ve ever been from home?

Not very far. Either England or Paris, not sure which is the furthest away. I have also lived quite far away from where I live now, probably as far away as London or Paris (to the north).

15. Do you have any special talents?

Spelling, languages, getting a quick overview of things. Nothing much, in other words.

16. Where were you born?

Outside Gothenburg (Göteborg), most people probably haven’t heard of it.

17. What are your hobbies?

Reading, writing, hanging out with my family including the four-legged ones, see below.

18. Do you have any pets?

Yes, dog and cat.

19. Favorite movie?

I guess I’ll say LOTR, but I have seen a few others I really liked too.

20. Do you have any siblings?

Yes, a sister, who is also my best friend.

21. What do you want to be when you grow up?

LOL. Do I have to?

Mar 28

Quiz/meme

Posted on Saturday, March 28, 2015 in Other

I found this meme/quiz on a Swedish book blog and decided to do it too.

1. If you could choose to live in a tv series, which one would you want to live in?

I mainly watch cop series and that wouldn’t be all that much fun. Besides, most of them aren’t set in Sweden, but since this is just a fantasy anyway – maybe Endevour, Grantchester or Mr Selfridge. On the other hand, I think I’ll pick Star Trek (TNG), because that future looks a lot nicer than the past of those three series.

2. As a child, what did you want to do ‘when you grew up”?

Even though I loved my parents who were teachers and my favorite place was the library, other professions attracted me when I was very young. For a while I thought I wanted to be an astronaut (not very realistic) or an archaeologist (which as it turned out wasn’t realistic either)

3. What is your favorite smell/fragrance?

I love fragrances but in this case I’d say it depends on the context. Food, desserts, fruit and chocolate smell really great, but I also appreciate the smell of nature or a garden.

4. If you were a big rock, where would you like to lie?

Far into the woods.

5. You find out that the Earth will be destroyed in twelve hours. What would you do?

Hopefully, I’d have access to some amazing defence weapon and will be able to save us all. Really though, screaming and crying and hugging my family.

6. What would have been different in your life if you’d belonged to the opposite sex?

A lot would be the same as now, but I’d probably be physically stronger and more accepted and make more money.

7. What is your favorite tool?

Tool? I’m clumsy and impractical, so unfortunately, I don’t know.

8. What will you be doing in ten years time?

Trying to think positively, I think things will be roughly the same only better. Hopefully I’ll be living somewhere I’ll be happy and hopefully I’ll have children or at least one child. Sadly, I think I’ll still be single though.

9. What is your best song to dance to?

I don’t dance, but I love all kinds of music. At the blog where I found this quiz, it says Dancing Queen, so I guess I’ll say the same. It’s a great old song.

10. If you were really great at sewing, what would you make?

I’d make clothes for the whole family.

11. How would you handle winning about 100 000 000 Euros?

I’d invest in a really great place to live and in other ways secure our future. I’d insist that my sister stop working and then we’d find a good way to invest the rest of the money. I’d also set things up so I can donate money to causes I believe in.

12. This was a question about a new Swedish word for she/he, but since this isn’t relevant I’ll replace it with this:
How do you feel when you read a self-published book or a work-in-progress on Wattpad, when the writer doesn’t master basic grammar, has a very poor vocabulary etc. Do you still enjoy the story, if it’s based on a good idea? Or do you move on to another story?

I would stop reading and find a better story. A good idea counts for something, but you also need to be able to tell the story in a relatlvely decent way.

13. What is your best recipe and why?

I’m really bad at following recipes, but I’d have to say our vegan spreads, like hummus tahin.

14. How do you feel about meat consumtion/the meat industry? (No, I did not add this question myself!)

I really dislike it for a number of reasons. Because of all cruelty and ruthlessness towards the animals. Because of the pollution and because of the injustice towards the starving people in the third world.

15. Are you ‘addicted’ to anything?

My family (including the animals), books, chocolate, cold water, avocado, plants…

16. What kind of music triggers your nostalgia and why?

Hm. My nostalgia? Classical music, eighties music, nineties music…

17. What makes you really angry?

Rude people who go out of their way to pick a fight and those who try to silence people with their unfair master suppression techniques. And neighbours and bicyclists… 😉

18. Do you have any really good domestic advice?

No, I can’t say I do. But I think it’s important to use non-toxic products in the home, as well as everywhere else.

19. Is there any commercial you really like?

Since this refers to Swedish commercials, it may not tell you anything, but I’ll say it anyway: ICA:s (groceries), and Telia (telephone company)

20. Are you a lot like you were as a child?

Yes, pretty much, only thinner and sadder and a lot more disillusioned.

Jul 22

Ten Characters I’d Want On a Desert Island With Me

Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 in Fandom, Literature

I found this meme here and I thought I’d try to do it too. It won’t look as pretty here, but I’d like to have a go anyway.

Gandalf (Lord of the Rings,  J R R Tolkien) – it’s good to be prepared for all eventualities

Sabriel (Abhorsen series, Garth Nix) – see above

Tigger (Winnie the Pooh, A A Milne) – someone to hug

Howl (Howl’s Moving Castle, Diana Wynne Jones) – again, it’s good to be prepared

Ged/Sparrowhawk (A Wizard of Earthsea, Ursula K LeGuin) – see above again

Bix (Dinotopia, James Gurney) – because I think Bix would be nice company

Serafina Florio (Serafina Florio mysteries, Susan Russo Anderson) – in case I went into labour or there was a murder to solve

Diverus (Shadowbridge and Lord Tophet, Gregory Frost) – some music would be great

Percy, The Scarlet Pimpernel (The Scarlet Pimpernel, Emmuska (Baroness) Orczy) – this guy is probably prepared for all eventualities and probably hot too, as well as well behaved and chivalrous, so nice company

Tristan Farnon (All Creatures Great and Small, James Herriot) – cute guy, who can take care of my four-legged kids, if they were there with me

Jun 26

Book meme

Posted on Thursday, June 26, 2014 in Literature, Other

I found this book/reading meme on WordPress.com and I thought I’d try it here.

You just answer these three questions on your own blog:

What are you reading right now? K D Nelson Folds of the Script – a science fiction novel from Amazon on my Kindle.

What did you just finish reading? Lady of the Moon by Mary Gillgannon (from Smashwords).

What do you think you’re going to read next? A Swedish children’s book by author Ingelin Angerborn (“Heart of Dust”)

Oct 7

My list of ‘Bests’ – meme

Posted on Monday, October 7, 2013 in Other

Best tea: lemon tea
Best ice cream: vanilla (best sorbet: strawberry)
Best snacks: nuts
Best chocolate: dark, possibly with nuts and salt
Best food: fresh vegetables, home baked bread, fried potatoes, different types of vegan protein
Best fragrance: citrus, vanilla, apple
Best season: summer
Best new movie: I haven’t seen a new movie lately
Best new tv series: No really new ones lately, looking forward to another season of Forbrydelsen/The Crime
Best new book: The next book in the French historic mystery series about the detective Nicholas Le Floch L’année du volcan (“The year of the volcano”)
Best writer: Me! (haha)
Best taste: tangy
Best garment: grey skirt
Best gift: book
Best longing: moving out of this town

Jul 22

Marry, Date or Dump: Hamlet, Meme

Posted on Monday, July 22, 2013 in Fandom, Humanities, Other

Since I found this “Tumblr-ish” meme on WordPress, I decided to do it here. Who would you marry, dump or date in Hamlet – Horatio, Laertes or Hamlet?

Hamlet, John Barrymore

I’d marry Horatio, date Laertes and dump Hamlet.

May 30

The Fairy tale meme

Posted on Thursday, May 30, 2013 in Humanities, My life, Other

Taken from katemacetak’s Livejournal.

Snow White: Do you consider yourself pretty? Name the part of your body you think is the most beautiful!
No. Not ugly either. Just plain. My hair is probably quite nice, and maybe my eyes.
Cinderella: What is your shoe size?
Big. 40 (7)
Sleeping Beauty: How many hours do you sleep each night?
Not sure. Not enough. I’m always tired. But then I probably need more than most people.
Little Red Riding Hood: What is your favorite food?
Vegetables, especially avocados and kale.
The Frog Prince: What do you find disgusting?
Body fluids and tissues. Dead bodies. Certain people’s mentalities. But not frogs and toads…
Jack and the Beanstalk: What plants are in your room?
None, but in the house, several, including Hoyas, Monsteras and Geraniums.
Puss in Boots: Do you have a pet? Do you want one?
My family and I have dogs and cats and will probably always have them. I used to have rabbits, guinea pigs and cockatiels and I’d like to have some of those again some day, but it’s difficult, so I’m not sure if/when that will be.
Rumpelstiltskin: What is the meaning of your url?
Ruby is my birthstone, and Crimson Corundum is another word for ruby.
The Little Mermaid: Can you sing?
No.
Pinocchio: What is your greatest wish?
To have children.
Peter Pan: What is your (mental) age?
On a good day, somewhere between 12 and 24. LOL. On a bad day: about 900 years of misery, sorrow and disillusionment.
The Star Money: What is your most prized possession?
I love my books, but I think I’ll mention my very cool Vegetarian Leather (Dr Martens) boots. 🙂
Beauty/Belle: What is your favorite book?
What a difficult question. I have to pick just one? I suppose I’ll choose either Gregory Frost’s Shadowbridge or Garth Nix’s Sabriel (and the rest of that series). But I have so many favorites.
Classics: Jane Austen’s Persuasian, Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice.
Fantasy: One of the ones I mentioned above or Frances Hardinge’s YA book The Lost Conspiracy. But really, it’s impossible to pick just one or even few.
Mysteries: Either Eliot Pattison’s excellent mysteries set in Tibet (especially the later books) or Barbara Nadel’s equally excellent mysteries set in Turkey. Or Jean-François Parot’s also excellent historic mysteries about Nicolas LeFloch, set in pre-revolution France.
Non-fiction: too many to mention, but definitely something about history and/or languages. Or… (LOL – I just can’t stop) Carl Sagan’s Cosmos.

Oct 2

Meme – about me

Posted on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 in Other

I found this meme on Livejournal, but it’s originally from Tumblr. I decided to borrow it and adapt it a little.

I write fan fiction
I write original fiction
I publish books
I don’t acccept criticism well
I’m different from the others
I can’t wait to start my own family
I love The Chronicles of Narnia (and the LOTR books and… – how long do we have?)
I live in a fantasy
I love books, even e-books
I was once so ill I nearly died
I’m quiet but I have a lot to say
I hate getting up early
I have never been on a plane
I have been on tv (to talk about my fan fiction writing)
I just need some time off, away from everything
I have blue eyes
I’d rather buy cd:s than download them online
I’m easily distracted
I feel like no one listens to me
I’m a different person online
I’ve lost a parent
reading is my escape
writing is my escape
I long for a happy, long-lasting relationship
I’m shy
I miss summer
I’m the kind of person who uses complete grammar, even while texting
I’m a thinker, not a talker
I’m a t-shirt, jeans and sneakers kind of girl
I want to be forever young
I’m a vegan
I’m starting to lose hope in humanity
I’m concerned about what’s happening to our planet
I’m ashamed of the human race
I love animals more than people
I feel enormously protective towards animals

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox

Join other followers: