Here are (some of) the questions I received this week :)

1. cloudydream asked: How do you choose the books you will read?

It usually depends on what I feel like reading! I guess it’s just a feeling. Do I feel like reading something I know is going to be depressing? Challenging or light reading? Serious or humorous? 

2. tonightamlovingbooks asked: Hello, so here’s the thing. I was going through all of my likes on tumblr yesterday. I was doing this because I started a quote book and i wanted to include quotes I’ve found inspiring here on Tumblr. One of my older likes was of an answered you answered to a question. The question was something about how you feel about reading only fiction and not “classic” novels etc. Your answer was very strong and i had saved it to my likes back then. But yesterday, when i read it again, i found myself smiling because when ever my parents accuse me of reading only “garbage” I have something to keep me strong. The last few sentences of your answer really hit a cord in me, and so I have added it to my quote book - and I hope this isn’t creepy. I just wanted to let you know that you’re an inspiration and that I love your blog. Thank you. 

This is your last part of the answer I’m talking about:

“If I went through life reading only what I think I should be reading… well, what’s the point? Books are there to be enjoyed and there’s a difference between being ignorant and reading what you enjoy”

- prettybooks

Aww that’s so nice! Thank you so much <3 This makes me feel better too because I do still feel guilty about some of the stuff I read. Even though I stand by what I said, I do feel self conscious sometimes. I’m glad that people understand. P.S. I also love Cardcaptor Sakura :) 

3. lostmybalance asked: I’m thinking of doing the 50 Book Challenge and I was wondering if you could make a post of books you would recommend for it? Basically just a list of books you love/think others would love?

Here are 10 books that I really enjoyed:

- The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
- 1984 by George Orwell
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
- The Missing by Jane Casey
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffrey Archer
- High Fidelity by Nick Hornby

4. hannahbubble asked: Hi, I just wanted to say that I find your blog really beautiful - I love to read and it’s nice to see books appreciated! Also, I’ve just started my 50 book challenge, read 3 so far, and would love to read other peoples 50bc blogs to see what everyones reading! Mine is athttp://50booksh.tumblr.com.

Thank you for the lovely comment and sharing your blog with us! You can see other people’s challenges here. 

5. lettersonastring asked: Just discovered your blog while looking for people on a similar challenge to my own. I’m doing a 150 book challenge for 2011, which is a bit crazy, but I am extremely excited about it and am glad that so many people have a similar idea. I’m hoping to inspire others to make reading a consistent part of their lives, because it really is a beautiful, life-altering and wonderful thing. Keep up the awesome blog, hopefully we can exchange book ideas! 

I agree with you. Also, 150 books in a year is amazing! I wish I had the time and motivation to do that. Good luck with it :)

6. carzilla asked: Have you read, or do you plan on reading the YA novel, “I Am Number Four,” by Pittacus Lore? I have been hearing very good things about it. It seems like something along the lines of the Hunger Games, although I could be way off. I definitely plan on reading the book before it comes out as a movie in February. Movies always ruin the books for me if I watch them first.

I have thought about it but I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews, which is why I’m reluctant to pay full price for it. I’d read it if I could get it cheap or from the library :) I love that sort of thing though. I’d suggest Unwind and The Maze Runner too. Although I’ve not read them yet, I heard they’re ideal for THG fans.

7. “Don’t You Love Your Daddy? by Sally East with Toni Maguire”. This book is so good, it’s also really sad though. I think the author is amazing. I’ve read “Don’t tell mummy” and am halfway through the book “Nobody Came” ….these book are incredible and sad…but you wont be able to put them round. I end up staying up till morning that’s how good <3 ps Love your tumblr :)

Thank you for your recommendation! I’m not sure I enjoy these sorts of “true story” books though, especially because they’re about abused young children! It reminds me of Ghost Girl by Torey Hayden. Are we meant to judge whether the story was interesting enough or not? That makes me feel uncomfortable when it is based on a child’s real experience. However, other people feel differently (e.g. A Child Called It is very popular) so I’m sure other followers will appreciate your recommendations :)

8. tap-aparecium asked: Is the Vampire Academy series good? I get all of these YA paranormal series mixed up and have no idea which one might be more worth it than others. I believe I also have the Darkest Powers series and the House of Night series on my to-read list. Have you read either of these? I’m looking to get into something with better writing than Twilight and Sookie Stackhouse.

This is my opinion in it. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily “good” writing (although this tends to be less important to me - I think the story is more important) but I found it entertaining. I only got really into it when I read the third book so you might not think it’s *that* great at first!

9. zzpit asked: Have you ever read Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale? It’s one of the most heart-wrenching, beautiful books I’ve read in quite a while. 

I bought it in September but I’ve not read it. I really want to though! I wanted to read it for ages before I bought it.

10. gam asked: Have you read Tess of the D'urbervilles by Thomas Hardy? If so can you recommend anything similar to it :). I love your tumblr by the way.

I’ve not, no :( I’m a bit lacking in the “classics” department. I’ve read more “modern” classics like 1984, The Outsiders, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby. 

11. prettyinpinkgm asked: Hi, I saw that you had read/are planning to read “A Clockwork Orange”, so I was wondering if its any good. A friend recommended the movie but I don’t want to watch it before I read the book, and I’d like some opinion about it. Bye :)

It is! It’s probably different from anything you’ve read before (it was certainly different for me). I’d recommend printing out a glossary as that REALLY helped me.

12. esoracceber asked: I love your blog! I hope to have my own library one day too :) But how do you make those fancy quote box things? Haha I’ve been using image chef but your’s are much cooler.

I’ve only made a few really but ones like this are made in Photoshop (CS2). I expect others use Photoshop too! I heard Gimp was a good, free substitute.

13. kristidreamer asked: I have been looking at you tumbler for like an Hour.. LOVE IT! I wished I lived in London, I would trade with you in a heartbeat :) Keep it up I love this site!

Thank you! :) I’m glad people find it good enough to browse for that long!