Q&A ~ With Booknut

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

I've been receiving heaps of messages via Goodreads lately, asking me questions about myself, reading, and me and reading.

So, I thought I'd create a discussion here where all of you wonderful bookworms can post up any questions you want to ask me. Ask away!

Questions range from stuff like how many books do I own, to books I'd recommend for certain readers, to just plain old questions about life, to riddles, and even my favourite kind of penguin. Feel free to ask any questions you have about the group, or about anything else to do with reading, blogging, or bookworms.

I'll do my best to answer all your questions honestly...and relatively briefly ;)

Best wishes and happy reading to you all!
~BN101

[Eugenia (Genie In A Book)]

With all the books you read - how many do you own physically and in ebook format?

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Thanks for the question, Genie!

Here's a brief summary. I own:

- 300-400 physical books (hardcover/paperback)
These range from YA and NA, to biographies and non-fiction books. I have 147 in my three-shelf bookcase, 241 stacked in cupboard with shelves, and the rest are piled in a display case with five shelves.

- 836 ebooks

- Around 100 kids books
These belong to my siblings, and I read most of them when I was little.

The one thing I always ask for for birthdays and Christmas are books, so over the years I managed to put together quite a nice collection. If I buy an ebook and really enjoy it, or read a galley for Netgalley and love it, I always buy it so I have a hardcopy on hand to read whenever I feel like it.

I hope that answers your question :)

[Zohal, Co-Moderator]

Booknut wrote: "Thanks for the question, Genie!

Here's a brief summary. I own:

- 300-400 physical books (hardcover/paperback)
These range from YA and NA, to biographies and non-fiction books. I have 147 in my th..."

WOW! Tis a lot of books. And my mother says I have a lot. *Tsk tsk* Out of all the people I have asked on this site most people have more books than me. I only have approx. 90 books.

What sort of e-reader do you own?

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

I have an e-reader on my Mac - Adobe Digital Editions - as well as a Kindle for Mac via Amazon.

[Zohal, Co-Moderator]

Where do you enjoy reading most?

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

@Isabelle - I love reading all types of books, but if I had to pick just one type that I enjoy the most it would be reading different takes on mythology.

So books for e.g. like: The Rush , Percy Jackson , Vengeance Bound , Touch of Death , Sweet Venom , Goddess Boot Camp , and books like those :)

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

@H99...hmm. Good questions!

I'll answer the penguin one first: fairy penguins. I mean, emperor penguins are so so cute, but fairy penguins are so tiny and adorable! My family and I took a trip to St. Kilda beach in Melbourne, and at sunset the fairy penguins come up to the shore and waddle across the sand...it's a magical experience :)

As to why I created this group, it was because I thought it was a shame that there wasn't a universal book club - not to mention, with busy schedules and other stuff, it's often hard to find time to join a real one. So I thought, "Wouldn't it be fun to have a bookclub - a virtual one - where bookworms from all over the world could join and discuss their love of books?"

And so the group was born!

Also...I don't know...I guess it's hard to share your love of books with people you know - it's not like you can randomly be like, "Hey guys, let's talk about the ending to Mark of Athena!" This group was an opportunity to meet and spend time with people who have similar interests to myself and that love books as much as - if not more than! - I do. And the fact that I've met all of you is a blessing I am ever thankful for :)

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Probably the Cinder series , most books by Gail Carson Levine (for e.g. Fairest ) and Robin McKinley writes some amazing books, like Spindle's End .

[Sasha Ivashkov-Herondale-Jackson (aka Clarisse)]

Ok Booknut.... Important question..

Right now i think you are in yr 12, and in the middle of your HSC trials (i think, cuz the yr 12 ppl in my school are doing their trials)
then hw do you manage to make time for goodreads and managing a HUGE group AND reading books???

im in yr 11 and its soooo hard to study when im reading or doing any leisure activities.

(which is y i only read in the holidays)

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

@Sasha - honestly? I have no idea!! I try to divide my days into time slots devoted to certain activities...kind of like a reward system, but less lame ;) So, say, after an hour of studying for my HSC Trial on this Monday, I will spend an hour checking my blog, reading a little, and spending time on GR.

It's so much easier thanks to my Mac, though - I can have multiple windows open at once. I normally have GR minimised, so that I can check whether there's any activity in the group every now and then whilst doing my work.

And best of luck for the rest of Yr. 11 and Yr. 12! My advice? It's all about perspective. The only person you need to impress or achieve anything for is yourself - and if you do the best you possibly can, that's all that matters.

And you'll always manage to find time to do the things you love. I love reading! I've been reading books since I was small, and I couldn't get through my day if I didn't read one. It's a calming thing, a way to de-stress from all the work.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

@H99 Pivot Point by Kasie West. It's an amazing book, and to anyone who hasn't read it...do! It twists and turns and creates an addictive storyline that you won't be able to put down.

[Zohal, Co-Moderator]

What is your favourite subject?

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

I think it's a tie between English Extension 2 & Ancient History. English Extension 2 = creative writing and the ability to create your own major work, and do what you love to do. And Ancient History is just so interesting - learning about ancient societies, gods and goddesses, researching sites and looking at artefacts. So it'd have to be a tie...I can't pick!!

[Sasha Ivashkov-Herondale-Jackson (aka Clarisse)]

Booknut wrote: "I think it's a tie between English Extension 2 & Ancient History. English Extension 2 = creative writing and the ability to create your own major work, and do what you love to do. And Ancient Histo..."

omg! English Ext 2?
wow thats probably like the hardest subject... well in my perspective. I mean i think even Maths Ext 2 would be easier than english... my respect for you has reached a whole new level... but im sure you ace it though, given the amount of books you read! :)

[Sasha Ivashkov-Herondale-Jackson (aka Clarisse)]

Booknut wrote: "@Sasha - honestly? I have no idea!! I try to divide my days into time slots devoted to certain activities...kind of like a reward system, but less lame ;) So, say, after an hour of studying for my..."

haha thanks! i will try my best to keep reading and study... after all its gonna be nearly impossible to give them up!

[Sasha Ivashkov-Herondale-Jackson (aka Clarisse)]

Q. What are you planning to study in college/university?
(probably an english major?)

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

@Sasha - aww thanx, lovely! It's not that hard, to be honest - if you love creative writing, and you have a story in mind, etc. it is a whole lot easier than it sounds :)

As for your question, I don't know as of yet - I'm thinking something to do with either history/english, but I'm waiting to get all my results back after my HSC to decide for sure.

[Eugenia (Genie In A Book)]

What subjects did you do in year 11/12?

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

I do:
- Ancient History
- Modern History
- Advanced English
- English Extension 1
- English Extension 2
- Food Technology

[Aurora, Co-Moderator]

My sister (who is now in her first year of Uni) also did both ancient and modern history in her HSC years. She regretted it because of the huge amount of essays and speeches she had to write.
How do you deal with the essays and speeches?

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

*laughs* I don't think I do deal with them!!

Doing both was a huge undertaking - one that I look back on with mixed feelings. I think that I needed to try both, to fully gain that all-rounded view of history, and to see what I liked to learn about, and what I found boring.

The essays and speeches, to me, were the easy bits. Sure, they're hard (and nerve-racking!) but they're nothing compared to the content. History - any history course - has heaps, and heaps of content. Having to memorise two sets of histories, each with around four major topics, and with each topic having around twenty sub-categories...its a heavy load.

What made it easier was the fact that I do love history. If I didn't, this would have been alot harder to deal with :)

[Jay]

Are you looking forward to the new season of The Vampire Diaries?

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Absolutely!!

I'm really excited to see how Paul Wesley will (view spoiler)[act both 'versions' of Stefan, especially Silas. An evil Stefan will be interesting to see! (hide spoiler)] Also, now that (view spoiler)[Jeremy's back from the dead (hide spoiler)] the show is sure to be better than ever :)

[Jay]

Do you watch the tv show Teen Wolf ?

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

*nods* I'm midway through the 1st season and enjoying it so far :)

[Jay]

Have you seen The Mortal Instruments City of Bones Movie ?

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Jay wrote: "Have you seen The Mortal Instruments City of Bones Movie ?"

Yes, I saw it last Friday! Loved how it brought the book to life, although a little disappointed how some great parts of the original book were cut out, or not included, in the film.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Aurora wrote: "Have you read the book Geek High by Piper Banks?"

No, but I just looked it up via GR and it sounds intriguing - will definitely give it a read soon :)

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

:)

[Jay]

Booknut wrote: "Jay wrote: "Have you seen The Mortal Instruments City of Bones Movie ?"

Yes, I saw it last Friday! Loved how it brought the book to life, although a little disappointed how some great parts of the..."

Yeah it was cool

The sequel should be better

[Jay]

Do you watch the tv show Supernatural ?

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

I've seen one or two episodes, but I know heaps about it thanks to Tumblr and my friends who are mostly obsessed with Sam and Dean :)

[Jay]

Have you seen the tv show Nikita?

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Hmm...no, I don't think I have. Is it any good?

[Jay]

Yeah its awesome

[Jay]

Do you watch the tv show Revolution ?

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Jay wrote: "Do you watch the tv show Revolution ?"

Unfortunately no, I haven't.

[Sasha Ivashkov-Herondale-Jackson (aka Clarisse)]

OMG! ur a fellow Vamp Diaries fan!!!!

YAYYY i jut cannot wait for season 5!!!

now that Elena and Damon are together

i was in denial when (view spoiler)[they killed off Jeremy... (hide spoiler)] and then i kept watchng every episode after tat in hopes that he would just magically appear.... but then when he did come back i was like YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!

so yeh.....
but then (view spoiler)[Bonnie dies!!!! (hide spoiler)] i was really sad about this. I actually like her. But then i saw this interview of Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhaulder and they were hinting that she may not be all that dead... shoe could come back or just visit as a ghost from the other side sine Jeremy can still see her.

[Sasha Ivashkov-Herondale-Jackson (aka Clarisse)]

Did you read Origin (Lux #4) yet?

[Jay]

What did you think about the ending of Crown of Midnight ?

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Sasha Ivashkov-Herondale wrote: "Did you read Origin (Lux #4) yet?"

I'm actually currently reading it - I'm so excited to find out what happens next with Katy and Daemon. Hopefully this book doesn't end in a cliffhanger, fingers-crossed!!

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Jay wrote: "What did you think about the ending of Crown of Midnight ?"

On one hand I was like, "Yep, I knew it!" And on the other I was shocked, and also a little heartbroken at how (view spoiler)[Chaol and Celaena will now be apart from one another. (hide spoiler)] I hope he forgives her - I love those two together!

[Jay]

Do you watch the tv show Bones ?

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

I've watched a little of the 1st season - I love the forensics side of the show :)

[Zohal, Co-Moderator]

Have you seen the movie The Last Airbender and if so what are your thoughts on it?

[Jay]

Yeah its really interesting

The 9th season starts this month

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Isabelle wrote: "Have you seen the movie The Last Airbender and if so what are your thoughts on it?"

The movie was not as great as the tv series. I love, love, love the tv series, and found the film adaption left out important parts and really rushed the storyline.

[Jay]

Do you watch the tv show Arrow ?

[Aurora, Co-Moderator]

Do you have any pets?