Unexpected break!

I’m sorry the blog has been so INCREDIBLY quiet lately. My poor laptop has been feeling poorly for a while now and one day a few weeks ago it finally went and died on me. Thankfully I have an awesome IT-guy (aka Dad) who hooked the laptop up to some sort of life support and managed to extract the content of my hard drive and then install it in a new laptop. Therefore all I have lost is time, and I haven’t actually lost that either, as I have managed to read/listen to quite a few books in the the computer was at the Spa. So look for some reviews after the weekend.

In other news I have started back at my teaching job and it has been a drama filled week and I am exhausted. Hopefully things will settle down now that the students come back (my new motto in life is: “it will all work out in the end”).

I am aiming for a  book filled, quiet autumn….yeah I believe in Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny too . I am excited about BBAW and I am hoping to get into some serious blogging, with Banned Book Week hopefully featuring in my teaching as well as in my blogging. As well as some stuff for the Nordic Challenge (with a fun announcement coming there). I’m really looking forward to it all now.

Copyright ©2011 Zee from Notes from the North. This post was originally posted by Zee from Notes from the North. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Armchair BEA: Blogging About Blogging

As with yesterday’s topic I am not sure I a qualified to blog about blogging but I will anyway . I thought I would use some of the questions from the Armchair BEA blog to get me started.

How do you utilize social networking in relation to your blog? What may be the pros and cons of doing so?

As I said in yesterday’s post I have been very bad of late at leaving comments on blogs and most of my contact with other book bloggers is through twitter so I would say that to me social networks is very important to me. I don’t use facebook for blogging because to me facebook is private. I mainly keep it to people I have met in real life and I have it locked down pretty tight (I don’t want my students finding me) but on twitter I don’t feel the same need for privacy.

For me the negative aspects of social networking sites is deciding which ones to be on. I have decided to, for blogging purposes to limit myself to twitter and my blog. I do have profiles on several other sites but I don’t maintain a communicative presence there. I just don’t have the time. With work, family, reading, the blog and other interests I just don’t have time to check them regularly and then I forget about them. It just isn’t worth the timesuck they represent.

What are your tips for balance life and blogging?

Oh I am so so so not the right person to ask this! I have not been able to maintain any sort of balance of late and the blog has definitely suffered for it. I am slowly starting to find what works for me right now and that is to schedule posts in advance. I usually set aside time on Saturday or Sunday and write a bunch of posts (this post is being written on Sunday and so far today this is my 12th post). The problem with this is the weekends when I am insanely busy or suffering from one of my all to frequent writers blocks. When that happens nothing gets written. There is also the fact that some posts take a lot of time to write. A typical review can take me most of the day to write because I tend to have to walk away from the text in order to remember everything I want to write about a particular book (most of the posts I have written today have been for the 30 day challenge).  If I am suffering from writers block I find that sometimes it helps to do blog maintenance such putting in the facts of future review books (title, publisher, book cover etc.) I think the most important thing is to find what works for you.

There are quite a few book blogging events out there. Which are your favourites and why? How do they affect your blog directly?

Well I obviously love Armchair BEA! I would love to one day go to the real BEA but since it always seems to be at the end of May I don’t think that will ever happen (as I work as a teacher it would be difficult for me to get time off this time of year with the school year wrapping up). I think it is a great idea to have an event that highlights and unites book bloggers.

In this vein I also love Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW) as it also brings book bloggers together and highlights what I feel is excellence in blogging. I refocused my blog from a general knowledge seeking blog to a blog about books primarily due to what I saw in BBAW in 2009. I also like that it doesn’t just highlight different blogs but also the thing we blog ABOUT books.  It is an event I will always try to participate in (and I hope that in the future I can get some students involved in).

Banned Book Week is another event that is dear to my heart. I know it isn’t exclusively book blogging event but it is an event that many book bloggers promote and participate in. To me the banning of books is an abomination. Yes I understand that there are some books that should not necessarily be read by everyone, for example, all though I enjoyed the Twilight series, I have some reservations about recommending it to certain teenagers as I feel that it can promote an unhealthy view of relationships. If I ever have children of my own it is a book that I would discuss with them, but certainly not ban.

Last but certainly not least the bi-annual Bloggiesta hosted by Maw Books Blog. This event never fails to help me get organized. It is always filled with great blogging tips as well as a way of being kept accountable for blog housekeeping.

 

Copyright ©2011 Zee from Notes from the North. This post was originally posted by Zee from Notes from the North. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

BBAW: Future Treasures

We’ve been visiting each other and getting to know each other better…now is your chance to share what you enjoyed about BBAW and also what your blogging goals are for the next year!

As always BBAW has been a lot of fun, even though I have been unable to participate as fully as I would have liked (stupid school :D). I have read tonnes of posts but not commented as much as I would perhaps have liked. I have found a several new to me blogs, caused by TBR pile to turn into a vast lake instead of a nice little duck pond* and above all I have once again been reminded that the book blogging world is a NICE world!

As always looking at other blogs has given me ideas for improvements and changes on my own blog. No real big ones but little tiny ones, some policy changes and clarifications which will go up over the next few weeks.

My BBAW related goals for Notes from the North over the next year is to become better at commenting on other blogs and to respond to comments on my blog. That is my one goal!

*Eva and I had a conversation on twitter last night where she said she has started to look at the TBR pile a pool instead of a mountain, that way it isn’t as intimidating, I have to agree. A mountain looms over you. It’s an image that wants conquering. A pool or a lake is much more tranquil. A lake is a place where you can paddle around the edges. Dip your toes in or jump in from a raft. It doesn’t really matter if it is super deep in the middle because you can go as deep in as you like. So from now on my TBR pile isn’t a mountain, it’s a lake.

Copyright ©2010 Zee from Notes from the North. This post was originally posted by Zee from Notes from the North. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

BBAW: Forgotten Treasure

Sure we’ve all read about Freedom and Mockingjay but we likely have a book we wish would get more attention by book bloggers, whether it’s a forgotten classic or under marketed contemporary fiction.  This is your chance to tell the community why they should consider reading this book!

Well I wrote a guest post for Aarti at BOOK LUST on the book that I would normally have touted here, but I suggest you go and read that post if you want to know about my normal, “everyone must read this book, why is no one reading this book?” book. But I thought it was time for another book now, one that was a best seller at the time but I think deserves another plug:

The Belgariad and The Mallorean

by David and Leigh Eddings

I’ve reviewed the first five books in the series here (follow the link above, please be kind those reviews are from when I was a very baby blogger, I cringe when I read them now) and I’m hoping to review the remaining seven books later this year (I have a couple of challenges left to finish before I do my re-read). The Belgariad has a very sentimental place in my heart because these were the last few books my mum read aloud to me. I was 10 or 11. She stopped reading them because I would get so engrossed in the story I would continue to read the next chapter and the next chapter long after she had kissed me good night :D

 

Two series?

Well, yes and no. The books are grouped into two series of five books each plus to Prologues except they are actually epilogues. (are you more confused now?) The first five books are collectively known as The Belgariad whereas the second set of five are called The Mallorean. The last two books tell of events leading up to the first book in The Belgariad but they are written to be read after you have read The Mallorean as they refer to events in The Belgariad and in The Mallorean.

What are the books about?

The first book of The Belgariad, Pawn of Prophecy, starts with the story of the young farm boy Garion. Garion think he is just an ordinary boy, however, he will soon come to realise that his aunt Pol and the mysterious Mister Wolf, the storyteller, are anything but ordinary. And thus the real adventure begins. 

What do I love about this series?

Well apart from the sentimental value this series is funny! Especially as you continue to read the series and the amount of in jokes increase. The in jokes that are easily understandable to the reader makes one feel part of the story, sort of like being an extra character in the story.

That feeling is increased by the fact that the main character, Garion, is supremely real. Maybe it helps that I myself was almost a teenager when I started reading the books. Garion’s feelings of never being told what is going on, the resentment at being sent away when exciting things are being discussed, they are all feelings teenagers can relate to. Although Garion is the main character, the books feature a whole host of other characters, and among them is one of my favourite female characters of all time, Garion’s aunt Pol. She is a strong, intelligent, no nonsense female. I adored her growing up. And she isn’t the only strong female character in the books. One can tell that, although only the last two books reflect it, Eddings had a strong female in his life.

Like many of the books in the fantasy genre the books in the Belgariad and the Mallorean deal with the fight between good and evil. There are mythical beasts and magic. There are different tribes of people, most of which can be connected to nations or cultures in our own world, but our world is never referred to. This is a world complete with its own mythology and history.

If you enjoy a good story, with a familiar* message that allows you to escape into a world of chivalry, but with very strong female characters, I highly recommend this series.

*familiar does not have to mean boring, just sayin’

Copyright ©2010 Zee from Notes from the North. This post was originally posted by Zee from Notes from the North. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

BBAW: Unexpected Treasure

We invite you to share with us a book or genre you tried due to the influence of another blogger.  What made you cave in to try something new and what was the experience like? 

Oh wow…a book?! Just one?! I think I might have to break the just one book just a little. I can’t write about just one book, as because of book bloggers, I’ve discovered a treasure trove of books. There was The Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent that I discovered through Eva at A Striped Armchair. Then we had The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman which wasn’t a review but a twitter conversation with Nymeth and Eva. The more I go through my bad blogger list the more I realise that Eva is very responsible for the state of my TBR pile BAD Eva :D However if I had to pick one of my bad blogger books to highlight to you all I would have to pick Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers, for which Nymeth at Things Mean a Lot is responsible, with this review.

 

Why did I love this book so much?

Well mystery is one of my favourite genres but this mystery was a little bit different. Sayers manages to create a very creepy but real feeling. I actually felt like I was transported to Oxford in 1930.

I am really glad I took up the recommendation from Nymeth because it allowed to find not just a book that is vying for my favourite reads of 2010 but also introduced me to a new to me author. Although I had heard of Sayers before it was actually in connection with education and not mysteries and here I am, wanting to read all the Peter Wimsey series (plus the one Harriet Vane book I have left). This book also helped me look outside of my normal mystery series. So although this book was in one of my “normal” genres it was still a book I probably wouldn’t have picked up had it not been for bloggers.

What made me pick up this book?

Well first off, it is a mystery, which is one of my favourite genres. Secondly, Nymeth wrote such a glowing review of it, how could I not? Add to these two factors it features a strong, independent female character as its main character, which is something I really like. And it was set in Academia, a world in which I am supremely happy. This book and I were made for each other. We really were.

Copyright ©2010 Zee from Notes from the North. This post was originally posted by Zee from Notes from the North. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

BBAW: New Treasure - Interview Swap

Welcome to day two of BBAW and the interview swap! I am very pleased to welcome Sophia of the Fiction Vixen Book Review  to my blog! Although she reviews in a genre that I don’t read a lot of books in I really enjoyed getting to know this new to me blogger.

 

First off, can you tell me and my readers a bit about yourself?

Hi Zee, thank you for having me at Notes From The North today.  My name is Sophia and I am an unapologetic romance novel lover.  I write the blog Fiction Vixen Book Reviews where I review romance and urban fantasy books.  I am married and mother of three girls. 

What made you start blogging about books?

I originally started my blog as a way to connect with other readers who share my love of books.  I didn’t have a clear idea of the direction I wanted to take my blog back in August of 2009 when I first started blogging but eventually I fell into a my groove and found my blogging voice. 

How did you find out about BBAW?

BBAW was in full swing just after I started my blog and became more active in book blogging community.  I didn’t participate last year since I was a fairly new blogger, but I decided that I wouldn’t miss out in 2010.  I’m very excited to have been short listed for Best Romance Blog this year. 

What other bloggers have you connected with? What made their blogs stand out to you?

Since my main reading interests are in the romance and urban fantasy genres I mostly visit blogs that focus in those areas.  My must read blogs are Smexy Books, Babbling About Books and More, Smokin’ Hot Books…actually the list is a little too long to share here.  I love these blogs and others because they are written by smart women with opinions.  They read the books they love and write thoughtful, constructive reviews.

If you didn’t blog about books what would you blog about ?

I’ve been a blogger for years about various topics, however my book blog is the only one I currently write.  In the past I have kept a family blog, blogging about family life and parenting.  I also had a blog dedicated to digital scrapbooking where I promoted my business and shared my digital art.  But these days if I wasn’t blogging about books I’m not sure if I’d be blogging at all.

In your post from December 2009 you admit how you fell in love with “your” genre you mention that your “gateway” books were Twilight and then Sookie Stackhouse. Are there any other books you think a relative “virgin” to the genre should read? (I’ve read Twilight and I’ve got the Sookie Stackhouse books waiting for me).

Well, my December 2009 post was mostly tongue-in-cheek where I was being a little silly.  Most of my readers are used to my sense of humor but I sometimes wonder how someone who just happened to stumble upon my blog might receive some of my posts.  I like to have fun and keep it light. 

Twilight and Sookie Stackhouse did lead the way for my love of paranormal romance.  If you’ve read those books and enjoyed them then you might enjoy the Immortals After Dark Series by Kresley Cole as well as the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward.  Paranormal Romance was actually the gateway to my most favorite genre, romantic urban fantasy.  My favorite urban fantasy series include The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, The Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost, and a few more you can see here.

Before you found your love for Paranormal Romance what type of books did you read or did they turn you into a reader?

I have been a reader most of my life.  I’ve dabbled in horror, mystery and suspense as well as some Christian fiction.  However I’ve always loved romance and that’s what I always come back to.

I noticed you read a lot of books on your Kindle, what made you switch from print to e-reader?

I haven’t totally switched over to e-books yet since most of the books I receive from publishers for review are print books.  But when I purchase books for myself I prefer e-books.  I don’t like clutter and overstuffed bookshelves and my e-book library stores nicely on my hard drive and e-reader.  I love the convenience of e-books as well.  I can easily take all my books with me on vacation or anywhere else and I can purchase new books within seconds.  I just recently purchased a Kindle 3 and I love it.  

Let’s play Desert Island Discs Books! If you could pick only 5 books to take with you to a Deserted Island (no you can’t bring your Kindle :D) which books would you take? And why?

Oh gosh, that is a hard one.  I think I would take the first five books in the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.  That series is one of my most favorite and I could read it over and over again.  It’s a mix of fantasy, historical and paranormal romance and adventure.  It’s written beautifully and each book at least 650 pages or more.  Plenty of pages to keep me busy.

Thank you!

Thank you for having me here today Zee, it was fun. J

Copyright ©2010 Zee from Notes from the North. This post was originally posted by Zee from Notes from the North. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

BBAW: First Treasure

We invite you to share with us about a great new book blog you’ve discovered since BBAW last year!  If you are new to BBAW or book blogging, share with us the very first book blog you discovered.  Tell us why this blog rocks your socks off and why you keep going back for more.

Allow me to introduce my “New to me” book blog!

A Little Bookish

A Little Bookish is run by Carin B and like me she reads quite an ecclectic mix of books! Just take a look at her sidebar to see what she has read in 2010. Her reviews are always thoughtful and I’ve added a tonne of books to my thanks to her! (should it really be thanks? sometimes I wonder ;))

But it isn’t just her ecclectic mix of books I like, she also runs (or co-runs) a bunch of fantastic features on her blog.

First there is Friday Coffee Chat where she asks book related questions and asks her readers to comment on it. One of my favourite topics was Are You a Book Abuser? (answer: yes)

The second feature is Book Around the World or Book Hobo where she has two different books travelling around the world to different bloggers. Carin generously provided two books to travel around the world: Lost on Planet China by J. Maarten Troost (my group) and Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim. When a blogger receives the book they read it 1-2 weeks and then writes a guest post for Carin about where they are from and about the package they received, you see each blogger sends some small local gifts to the next person on the list along with the book. It is such a fantastically fun idea. I can’t wait to see what I get and I’m trying to think of what to get myself.

In addition Carin is currently running 3 different competitions, so stop on over and enter!

Copyright ©2010 Zee from Notes from the North. This post was originally posted by Zee from Notes from the North. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

TSS: BBAW, the Dewey 24-Hour Read-a-Thon and a Book Fair

School is picking up so I’m not getting as much fun reading in as I would like, and even though I am reading loads I won’t be reviewing my ethics textbooks here thankyouverymuch so reviewing might slow down (it might also speed up because I am making a concerted effort to READ in my free time :D) but I do have some exciting bookish events coming up that I wanted to share with you all!

So starting tomorrow is the start of BBAW (Book Blogger Appreciation Week) and I’m really excited and I’ve got some great posts lined up. Because of this I won’t have any regular review posts up during the week, I know everyone will be busy reading all the fantastic posts for BBAW and I will save any review posts for after the event. But do please check in as I will have some review posts (of sorts) and will be highlighting some great bloggers!

I’m also throwing my hat in for the Dewey 24-hour Read-a-Thon. I won’t be reading for the whole event due to family commitments but I will read as much as I can. I’ve missed the previous two events due to various life things so now I’m going to make some time for me! And READ!!

Finally I am hoping to have some great posts to share with you in late September-early October about my experiences at Bok & Bibliotek Göteborg Book Fair which is one of the highlights of the year for me. I’ve just about triple booked myself for every hour of the day and really have to start making some hard choices soon but it all looks like so much fun!!

Copyright ©2010 Zee from Notes from the North. This post was originally posted by Zee from Notes from the North. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Weekly Geeks: Reassess Your Blog 2010-21

BBAW is approaching fast and this year there are some changes to the nominating and voting format. One of the major changes is that bloggers have to nominate themselves to the different categories. Because of this Weekly Geeks this week ask us to pick our 5 best posts.

I am nominating myself in the eclectic category as I so far this year (since January 2010, when I’ve been keeping track) have reviewed 39 books and out of them 9 are non-fiction, 11 crime fiction, 9 modern, 1 fantasy, and 6 children’s/YA (I don’t really know how to categorize the Anne books). So as you can see I have a bit of an eclectic taste.

1. Book Review: The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B du Bois. This is my favourite review ever. I am so incredibly proud of the way this one turned out. Normally I am not really one to toot my own horn and I can usually find faults with my reviews, but this one, this one, I am incredibly proud of. I just feel that I got a great balance between the personal and the substance.
2. Book Review: Mias systrar (Mia’s Sisters) by Mia Eriksson and Kerstin Weigl. I’ve chosen this review because of the subject matter it covers. I read it for the Women Unbound a challenge that I find very important. What is even more important is the subject matter the book covers. Highlighting violence against women and the poor protection for victims of domestic violence is something I find very important and worthwhile. I want this blog to not only highlight books in general but to also highlight books that show issues that are important to me. In addition to this I want to show off books that have not been translated to heighten awareness amongst English speaking publishers to books not in English that might be worthy of translation.
3. Book Review: The Last Hero by Terry Pratchett. I chose this review because I so completely love this book. I also chose it because it is an illustrated book, which is out with my comfort zone. Although I read eclectically I also don’t read many books that are heavily illustrated. Not even the books I chose for the Childhood Favourites Challenge were illustrated. So for me this is a departure, of sorts. I say “of sorts” because it is a book by one of my favourite authors, Terry Pratchett. I adore his writing style. The dry wit and snarkasam. It is just wonderful. I also like it because of it’s commentary on our society. Well worth a read.
4. Book Review: Freedom in Exile by The Dalai Lama. This was a book that I loved for very many reasons. One, I loved learning more about one of the big leaders of our time. To hear about his life and philosophy was great. Two, I liked his philosophy. Yes it is easy to like someone who basically agrees with you, however, it was more than that. He managed to put words to ideas I have not been able to. I also chose to highlight this review because this is primarily a review blog right now and I want my selections to show that.
5. National Audiobook Month: How I Fell in Love with Audiobooks I haven’t written many feature posts outside my weekly(-ish) Sunday Salon posts but I want to start doing more of them. Part of the reason why I haven’t written many is that I am never sure if people want to hear my thoughts (yeah I have issues, I’m working on them :D). Part of it is that I am still trying to find my voice. I like the Sunday Salon because it has given me a way to think about books, but now I want to start posting Book Talk posts during the week just for me, because, in all honesty, I blog for ME so it shouldn’t really matter if anyone else reads these posts. I chose this one because I am happy with how it turned out and because it is very topical right now.

In addition to our 5 nomination posts Weekly Geeks also highlights the fact that this past weekend was Bloggiesta Weekend and therefore they also ask us to look at our blogging goals. I was unable to take part in Bloggiesta this time round :( because I was away celebrating a high school graduate (YAY!) and working (BOO! but kind of YAY! got to make money for books) but working on this post has made me think about what I want to do in the future so…

I blog for me. To do something creative. To keep a record of what I read. To move out of my comfort zone. To help me organise my thoughts.

In addition to this I want to spread the word about books I love. Books I want other people to love. This is one of the reasons why I am passionate about the Spotlight Series and the Classic Circuit and why I love Aarti at BOOKLUST’s feature With Reverent Hands (and it is her series NOT a meme, if you want to participate contact her). They all work hard to promote books that don’t normally get to go on tours. Books that might not have a large marketing budget but are still very worth a read.

Most of my non-review posts for the last year are meme’s and Sunday Salons. There is nothing wrong with that, but I think I want more of my posts to reflect me and what is important to me. I have already stopped taking part in many of the meme’s I started with* and I want to continue keeping them to a minimum. I do want to continue with Teaser Tuesday for a very specific me centred reason: it reminds me to finish a book. I try to use Teaser Tuesday as a preview of a book I will be reviewing in the next week. It doesn’t always work that way, but I want to get better at it.

*I don’t want anyone to think that I think that meme’s are bad. It is just that it isn’t the way I want this blog to go, simply because I start to feel like I HAVE to do the meme and this blog will never become an obligation. It always has to be fun!

So my goals are:

• To share books I love
• To showcase books that might not get so much attention
• To write non-review posts that reflect me and my interests
• To use Teaser Tuesday as a showcase for the next book to be reviewed.

Okay so that got a bit rambly, but actually that is another one of my goals, write longer reviews.

• Write longer reviews

Most of all I want to blog because it is FUN! I like writing about what I like. I like reading other books. I like making connections (although that is something I need to get better at too…this list is getting long now). And now I think I might have rambled enough for this week.

Copyright ©2010 Zee from Notes from the North.This post was originally posted by Zee from Notes from the North. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

BBAW: Goals

Today's topic at Book Blogger Appreciation Week is:

Hopefully this week you’ve been visiting a bunch of new book blogs and maybe noticing some things about them you’d like to try yourself. Or maybe you’ve just had some ideas for improvements to your blog you’d like to put into place or new ideas for content. But there’s also probably something you really love about your blog, too, something you’re really proud of. It’s time to show off! Tell us and this is really important, in 50 words or less what you love best about your blog! And then in 50 words or less where you want your blog to be by the next BBAW! Ready? GO!

What am I most proud of?
That's a hard question since I have just started seriously book blogging. I suppose that is what I am most proud of. Taking that first step to share what I love. Putting my thoughts out there.

Goals for the future:
I want to...
...find a layout and background I love (maybe even a personalized one).
...continue to blogg regularly
...entertain and give tips to others
...take part in different challenges
...get a structure to my entries and my weeks and months (I'm playing with this still)

BBAW Meme

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?
Occasionally. And it really depends. Nuts are good 'cause then I don't get the pages sticky. I do always have a cup of tea at hand.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
Depends on the book I'm reading. I have stared doing it more and more since Susan Wise Bauer said we should and could in her book The Well-Educated Mind. It really does help me think.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open?
To remember where I am? Neither (unless I am running up to answer the phone or something and I will be right back to the book in which case I leave it flat open, then my dad yells at me)

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?
Both but mainly fiction.

Hard copy or audiobooks?
Both. I like to listen to a book while I'm eating breakfast or lunch or when I am doing some other (boring) household task. And I can also listen to books I have already read when I drive.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point?
Depends on the book if I want to put it down or just read one more page! I usually carry a book that I can put down at any point for when I am waiting at the bus stop/doctors office/generally waiting but I need to put it down once it is my turn.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?
Not unless it really bothers me that I don't know it. Often I can guess the meaning from the context.

What are you currently reading?
Queen of Sorcery by David Eddings, The Year of Living Biblically by A. J. Jacobs, Running for Mortals by John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield and I am currently reading my way through the Bible in a year.

What is the last book you bought?
The Epic of Gilgamesh

Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?
Well as you can see from my answer above I read several books at once :D

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?
Time of day: No. I read all the time. Favourite place: My bed or curled up in the Red Chair of Doom (unfortunately for me the Red Chair of Doom is on a different continent from me).

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?
Hmmm...series probably. But only because I have a compulsive need to know what happens next.

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?
J.D. Robbs In Death Series, David Eddings The Belgariad and The Mallorean, Anne McCaffrey's Pern Series and the Anne of Green Gables Series.

How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?)
Right now? Where ever they fit. I am once again running out of bookshelf space. One day when I have my own place (which at this rate is going to need to be a mansion) I would like to organise my books by genre and then author's last name. I like organisation.