A to Z Bookish Survey

 Every week my critique partner, Kendra Merritt, and I meet to catch up, write, edit, critique and share goals. A few weeks ago during one of our meet ups, we decided to do an A to Z book survey. The survey has been floating around on the internet for a while. Google it and you will find lots of author's answers. 

Here are my answers.

Click here to go say hi to Kendra and read her answers.

Author you’ve read the most books from:

Diane Chamberlain

Best Sequel Ever:

I don't know...I'm not a big sequel fan. I haven't really found one I love....not yet.

Currently Reading:

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Mango- Lemonade

E-reader or Physical Book?

Mostly E-book, but I still enjoy physical books, too.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

I totally  have a character crush on Walking Dead's Darrel Dixon...sadly he is not in the graphic novels. However, not so sure I would have dated him in high school...but I would want him around if there is ever a zombie apocalypse, that's for sure. :)

 Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

Walking Dead. I'm not a big graphic novel reader, but I really loved the experience and the Walking Dead is so much more than a zombie tale...even in graphic novel form.

Hidden Gem Book:

Don't have an answer...sorry. I'll post back if I think of one. 

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

When I started teaching. 

Just Finished:

Beta reading Susan Oloier's Travel memoir and I loved it!

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

Bad ones

Longest Book You’ve Read:

There's been a few. But I enjoy the under 400 page books the best. The long ones seem to drag on and on.

Major book hangover because of:

Jodi Picoult's books. Regardless of if I liked the story line or not, her books always seem to provoke loads of emotion- good or bad- and sit with me long after I put them down.

Number of Bookcases You Own:

One huge one and a couple of small ones...but this doesn't include my virtual book shelf-- that one is growing and growing!

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

To Kill a Mocking Bird (There are many other books, too...)

Preferred Place To Read:

In bed under the covers

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

Don't have one...could scour the internet for a fun quote but that would be just as boring...

Reading Regret:

Wasting time on a bad book when there are so many other great books out there to read. I will always put a bad book down. 

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

Not a big series fan. I will read the first couple books in a series but never care to finish. Too many other great books out there to read.

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

Don't really  have favorites....changes depends on mood, time, and place.

That being said, I really, really love all of Susan Oloier's books- if you haven't read them yet- do. She is an amazing story teller and her characters are well developed. Love her writing!

I also really enjoyed 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher and have re-read multiple times.

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

The Walking Dead

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Nothing right now.

Worst Bookish Habit:

I don't have any crazy habit...lol!

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

What bookshelf do you want me count?

Your latest book purchase:

Too many to write here because I just went to the local library used book sale and bought bags and bags of them. Some that made it in the bag are 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass, 12 Finally by Wendy Mass, Ender's Game, A few Nancy Drews, Pretty Little Liars....

 ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

I'm up way too late every night- no matter what....

I would love to hear your answers. Leave a comment or link back and let me know!

Have a great day!

Best to all-

Becca

Defining Beauty

I was inspired by Susan Oloier's post at Moxie Writers- Media Monday- Redefining Beauty about  Rick Guidotti. Rick Guidotti was a fashion photographer in NYC who took pictures of what was considered the world's most beautiful people. During a chance encounter with a young girl with albinism, he turned his world upside down and starting taking beautiful pictures of individuals with genetic disorders. You can read his full story here or listen to his TEDtalk here. Rick Guidotti is redefining beauty. He is showing that you that there is beauty in everyone.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about what society defines as beautiful and what is actually real in the fashion industry. When you look at those fashion ads in magazines, did you know that what you are looking at is altered? Those models in Victoria Secrets magazines are stunning, but did you know that those photos are photoshopped before going to print? Not only has society set a standard for what we all should considered beautiful, but they have altered reality. Not even the most stunning model can reach those standards without being tightened, smoothed, and lifted in a computer program.

Beauty surrounds us. It draws us in. It creates happiness and joy.

But what is beauty?

Beauty is defined as (1.) A combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, esp. the sight. (2.) A combination of qualities that pleases the intellect or moral sense.


But what does that mean to you?

Beauty is subjective. It is often a personal experience. What is beautiful to you, may not be as beautiful to someone else.


















Yet society has changed our perspectives of beauty. The industry has told us what we must think is beautiful. They have told us that we have to have high cheek bones, unobtainable thin waist, long legs, and absolutely no fat under the arms.





No wonder our perception of beauty is so distorted...











And is beauty a cultural thing? A time period thing?

When you look at other cultures, other periods in time, you find different attributes that define beauty.

So...is beauty in the eye of the beholder? Or is beauty based on what society tells us it is?

If you look close enough you can see beauty in everything.

-Rebecca

It's May! And I'm Raising Awareness on Celiac Disease. Also- A to Z is Over and I'm a Survior

May is Celiac Awareness Month

Celiac Disease is a genetic autoimmune disorder triggered by the digestion of gluten, a protein in wheat, barley and rye. It causes damage to the inner surface of the small intestine and an inability to absorb certain nutrients. Ingesting gluten will make many individuals with celiac disease very sick.


According to National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, an estimated 1 in 141 Americans has celiac disease, yet 83% of those who have it are either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

There isn't a cure for celiac disease, however by eliminating gluten, one can effectively manage the disease.

I was diagnosised with celiac disease almost two years ago. Eating a gluten-free diet can be very challenging at times. I think the hardest part is dealing with cross-contamination. Because of my high sensitivity to gluten, I do not allow any gluten in the house and rarely-if ever- eat out. But since I have gone gluten-free, I have felt a million times better. So it is worth it!

Through out the month of May, join me in raising awareness to celiac disease by supporting gluten-free blogger,   wearing green, sporting a gluten-free bracelet or t-shirt, supporting your local gluten-free restaurant, or even sharing a plate of gluten-free cookies.


Also- The A to Z challenge is over...and I survived.



I had so much fun this past month during the A to Z Challenge. And I must admit that I'm very sad that it's over. I really enjoyed everyone's theme and am grateful for everyone who commented and followed my blog. I thank you all!

I am also grateful to Susan Oloier (and Moxie Writers) for joining up with me. With the "Power of Three" we created a theme of teen tough issues and causes.

Again-thank you all for supporting us. I look forward to seeing you all in the blogosphere.

Sources: National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, Mayo Clinic,

R-Romance and Characters in YA Books

omance


 

Romantic love is an intense, emotional feeling unlike any other.  A romantic relationship involves attraction, closeness, and commitment. Romance involves respect, trust, honesty, dependability, and support.

Here are some characters in YA books about romance...

 
 Anna's best friend Frankie from Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler believes that twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

(Not considered a YA book- but i had to add it)
 Noah Calhoun from The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. In 1932, two North Carolina teenagers from opposite sides of the tracks fall in love. Decades later they can't stop thinking about each other. This begins a story of a love so enduring and deep it can turn tragedy into triumph, and may even have the power to create a miracle.

Elle from Superstitions by Susan Oloier struggles with the changing relationships with her dad, her best friend, and even with her estranged mom she hasn't seen since the day her mom walked out. When Elle meets Alexander, the quirky new boy, learns about his map, his quest, and his background, she finally discovers a way to heal.

 

 

 

 

 

  Don't Forget about the power of three!!!

Head over to Moxie Writers for more on the YA cause/tough issue and organizations that help.

Head over to Susan Oloier's site for a song and lyrics that pertain to today's issue.

B- Bullying and Characters in YA Books

ullying



Bullying can happen to anyone, anywhere, any age, and statistics are showing that bullying is an increasing issue.

More than 1 in 4 teens are bullied, and over 160,000 youth stay home each day due to fear of being bullied at school.

Here are some characters from books that center around the issue of bullying...


Noelle from Outcast by Susan Oloier dreams of a different life, one where Trina Brockwell doesn’t exist. Trina has bullied Noelle since junior high. Now she’s tired of it. With the help of her black-sheep aunt and a defiant new classmate, Noelle seeks revenge. But vengeance comes with a price: Noelle risks friendship, her first love, and herself to get back at those who have wronged her.







Lil from Playing Nice by Rebekah Crane is different and has many secrets that make her a target for gossiping and online bullying. But Marty sees something special in Lil. Something honest, something real.







Don't forget!!!

Head over to Moxie Writers for more on the YA cause/tough issue and organizations that help.

Head over to Susan Oloier's site for a song and lyrics that pertain to today's issue.