Nonfiction November & The Intimidating TBR Tag


When I saw that Nonfiction November was a thing for November, I decided that it was time for me to join in because I love nonfiction and really do not read it any more. Clearly, my reading plans this year have been derailed a lot because of life this year, but I may accomplish something, right?

What do I want to read?

1. The Promise of Canada by Charlotte Gray
2. Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
3. Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
4. The View from the Cheap Seats by Neil Gaiman


1. What was your favourite nonfiction read of the year?
~ This is a tough one. It is either As You Wish by Cary Elwes or A Slip of the Keyboard by Terry Pratchett.

2. What nonfiction book have you recommended the most?
~ Probably the Pratchett. His fiction is awesome, but have you checked out his nonfiction?

3. What is one topic or type of nonfiction you haven't read enough of yet?
~ This is actually a sparse year of nonfiction in general. I would like to get more in general this year, but I have been trying to do better with essay collections and hope to get to a couple more before the year is out!

4. What are you hoping to get out of participating in Nonfiction November?
~ Book recommendations! I don't need anymore books, but recommendations can't help, right? lol

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I saw Jenny had done this, so I decided to as well!

1. What book have you been unable to finish?
~ Books that typically I start and do not finish are usually very long or short story collections. I am atrocious with both! This year there are a lot of books I have started and then not finished because my mind has been elsewhere most of the year. More recently I started The Round House because everyone seems to love it. It's good, but I haven't picked it up in like a week or more. If you are depressed to begin with, depressing books are not a good idea... I likely will put it aside for now and pick it up when my head is better.

2. Which book haven't you read yet because you haven't had the time?
~ ugh, so many. This is a complicated question when you have a TBR that is always out of control! There are many books I have wanted to read for months and just haven't got around to. I am really struggling with finding reading time... It just seems like there is always other things to do and reading takes the backseat. And, there is the mood thing. If the books are slower or depressing, I am just not interested this year. One that pops to mind is The Underground Railroad. It is a book that lots of people have loved and I just haven't had a chance to read it. And, right now, I am not sure if it will happen very soon because of my whole mood...

3. Which book haven't you read yet because it's a sequel?
~ Oh, me and sequels... I love series. I get really excited to find out what is going to happen next. And then... fizzle. I have never been good about finishing one book in a series and then immediately picking up the next one, either, so that doesn't help! One of my goals for the year was to read all of the Iron Druid Series and make a dent in my Lois McMaster Bujold books. Oh, and re-read Robin Hobb. At the beginning of the year I was all into this project... Then, it fizzled. And, it is a definitely a me issue. I just suck at series. I am trying to do the Lois McMaster Bujold on audio, so definitely won't finish that this year. And, I haven't read anything by the other two authors in months.

4. Which book haven't you read yet because it's brand new?
~ Amazingly, the newest book in my house is Promise of Canada by Charlotte Gray and I have all ready started it! It would be the newest released book I own at the moment, too. Before that, there is The Comet Seekers. I bought this on a whim because it sounded good when it got buzz around BEA, but then I really have not seen anything else about it. I still grabbed a copy, though, and it is patiently waiting for me to get around to it. (As well as so many other books...)

5. Which book haven't your read yet because you read a book by the same author and didn't enjoy it?
~ I don't read Isabel Allende anymore because I just do not like her newer stuff as much as her older stuff. Her early stuff like The House of the Spirits and Daughter of Fortune were both really good. I lost interest around Zorro and have hardly read her since. She used to be an auto-buy and I really should try some of her other stuff, but why are so many authors moving away so much from the stuff that made them famous?

6. Which book haven't you read yet because you're just not in the mood for it?
~ I suppose I should have read ahead on these questions. lol My issue is I just don't know what I am in the mood for lately. Even what could be a good pick isn't working well for me. I am also trying really hard to get caught up in reading to take my mind off everything else. It works when I have long periods of time to read, but it doesn't work so well when I am busy. I just don't make time for it. I think one that pops to mind is Homegoing. I know people really like it, but it starts kind of quiet and so I couldn't get into it. Hopefully soon, though!

7. Which book haven't you read yet because it's humongous?
~ ha. There are a few chunksters that have been hiding on my TBR for way too long... If I had to pick, I will go with Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. (Jenny mentioned it for a different reason in her post, so it is on my mind.) I suspect that given the chance, I will really like it, but with the exception of The Fireman earlier this year, my reading has been shorter stuff...


8. Which book haven't you read yet because it was a cover buy that turned out to have poor reviews?
~ As Jenny said in her post, this is a very specific question and really doesn't apply to me... I very rarely impulse buy anymore because I own so many books to begin with! So, I am going to change this to a book I have because of the cover and the reviews, but I am not sure if it is a 'me' book. That book is Bellweather Rhapsody. It sounds good, but it also sounds way out of my normal zone. I don't read as much out of my zone as I used to because I read too widely as it is. But, it comes recommended and everyone likes music. I am not sure when I will get to it because my reading is so slow lately, but we will see how it goes!


9. What is the most intimidating book in your TBR pile?
~ Typically, I would answer some sort of classic. But, when I bought my e-reader, I got rid of all my classics because it takes me forever to get to them and I was in the land of free e-books that were classics. (I even read some back then... Those were the days...) Now, I am not so sure I am intimidated by anything on my bookshelves. It is more about time nowadays. If it takes me like two weeks to listen to a 6 hour audiobook, just imagine how long it would take me to read a longer work! I will go with The Pillars of the Earth. It used to be on my TBR, but I got rid of it at one point. When my grandmother got rid of her books, I took her copy. So, now it is back and maybe I will read it this time!



This or That

I saw this on Diary of an Eccentric and thought I would play along!

Reading on the couch or reading in bed?
~ In the morning when I am the only one up, I will read on the couch with Mackie or Casey. The rest of the time I read in bed.

Main character: Male or Female?
~ It doesn't really bother me one or another as long as they are written well. I think I gravitate more towards women just because I try to seek books out that are about women. The men's story have been told for years in many genres, it is time for the women.

Sweet or salty snacks while reading?
~ I don't really snack while reading. Usually just drink my coffee or another drink. That's about it.

Trilogies or quartets?
~ Trilogies. Only because that is one less book in a series and I am atrocious at series. lol

First Person or Third person POV?
~ I will read both. I don't seek one out over the other really. It is all in the writer and if they can pull it off.

Night or morning reader?
~ I read when I get the chance. I do most of my reading in the morning, though, because that is the usual time I have the peace and quiet to do so.

Libraries or bookstores?
~ Bookstores. I love libraries, too, but never go to the one here because of its inconvenient location.

Books that make you laugh or books that make you cry?
~ I guess unintentionally I tend to read sadder books than books that make me laugh. I don't necessarily seek one out above the other, but tend to read more darker books than lighter ones.

Black or white book covers?
~ Not sure why this is a question because covers are many colours? If I judge a book by the cover, it is usually to appreciate the art. Like Charles de Lint or Patricia McKillip. They scored in the cover art department!

Character driven or plot driven stories?
~ In fantasy, I find that a lot of books tend to be more plot driven than character driven. But, again, I honestly do not have a preference when I pick out books. It is again all in how well the author does it!

7 'Interesting' Things About Me

Jenny at Alternate Readality did this meme of sorts, and since I am always looking for easy ways to blog... I thought I would, too!

1. | I am not a flowers, chocolates, and jewellery type. But, I did get flowers for my birthday this year that were multi-coloured and really have enjoyed using them for photo-a-day prompts. I could come around to this getting flowers thing!

2. | You probably know this, but I am atrocious at TV watching. There are so many shows that I have heard good things about and want to try. I watch an episode or two and then fall behind. The only two shows still on the air that I usually manage to catch-up on are NCIS and Bones.

3. | Autumn is my favourite season. I love the changing leaves and the crispness to the air. I used to love winter when I was younger, but it loses its appeal when you have to clean out your driveway or drive in dangerous conditions. Not to mention power outages in the winter suck!

4. | I rarely actually use my cellphone for any of the phone functions. I mostly use it as a little tablet... Although, I prefer to do any reading on the larger screens of my tablet (or usually dead, e-reader).

5. | I think you have probably figured this out lately, but I am very routine-oriented. If my routine gets thrown off, it throws off my day because I feel like there is stuff not finished when I get to the end of the day. It is why the summer is hard for me, the guys son is here a lot more and I lose my 'me' time in the morning.

6. | I like making lists and keeping track of things. I still do my day by day journal that I blogged about in like 2012. I think for 2017, I am going to take it one step further and get one of these Q&A a Day journals. If I can keep it up, it would be fun to see how I change over 5 years.

7. | I have a love/hate relationship with politics. I say I am going to ignore them and not comment on them, but as time passes I am spending more and more time glancing at the train wreck. I think Canadians need to pay more attention to our closest neighbours because what happens down there ultimately affects us... I just think we live in a scary world.

Not necessarily interesting, but it is what it is!

A Bookish Meme

I saw this on Jenni's blog and thought it would be fun to do.

1. | What book is currently on your nightstand?

~ Nothing. I keep putting things back because my reading has been so sporadic! My tablet rests there sometimes, though, and more recently I have been reading The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin on in.

2. | What was the last truly great book you read?

~ Nevernight was probably the most recent, but I have read a lot of really good books this year despite reading slumps... 

3. | If you could meet any other, dead or alive, who would it be? And what would you like to know?

~ Man, I have no idea. I have too many favourite authors to ever narrow down who I would like to meet about all others!

4. | What books might someone be surprised to find on your shelves?


~ Well, I don't think my reading is really a secret since I blog about it in some capacity... Most of my shelves are fantasy, science-fiction, historical fiction, and non-fiction. I suppose books that don't meet those genres? I have a bunch of J.D. Robb! I haven't read much from her in years despite efforts to try and get back around to her...

5. | How do you organise your personal library?

~ Currently, it is alphabetical by author. It used to be broken into genres and then by author, but that got too complicated. My TBR is mixed in with my read books, too. If I had more room, it would likely be more broken up. But, I can find books and that is ultimately the important thing!

6. | What book have you always meant to read and haven't gotten around to yet? Anything you feel embarrassed never to have read?


~ This post could go on forever if I discussed every book that I have been meaning to get to and haven't. I think one surprising thing is Sharon Kay Penman. I loved The Sunne in Splendour but have never read anything else by her! As to the second half of this question, there are so many classics that I have never got around to reading... And, I know there are many I would love. One day I will get to them!

7. | Disappointing, overrated, just not good: which book did you feel you were supposed to like but didn’t? Do you remember the last book you put down without finishing?


~  I know that lots of people love Pullman, but this trilogy didn't work for me at all. It sounded like a me book at the time, but I just only kind of liked it and have never felt any interest in reading the sequels. As to books I have put down? So many. I have started books all over the place the last few months. It is likely not the book, but me, so I won't name names.

8. | What kind of stories are you drawn to? Any you steer clear of?

~ I would say my favourite genre is fantasy. It is definitely the type of genre that I can always find stories that I enjoy in it and it is where I am comfortable. As to what I steer clear of... Westerns. I don't think I have read a Western in the entire time I have been blogging.

9. | What do you plan to read next?


~ The Last Days of Magic will likely be my next audio. Have no idea what I will read with my eyes next, though!

*Note, if you plan to do this yourself there was another question that I skipped. Please see Jenni's post if you are interested!

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