I started this blog as a way to share my views on pop-culture, but I forgot that a blog is a two-sided beast, and that, you know, some people might actually read it. Imagine my surprise to be nominated by Seal of Approval for the Liebster Award, which I had not previously heard of, but is a super cool award that honors new blogs. I feel really blessed to be nominated for this award (Thanks, Seal!). I accept your challenge!
The rules are as follows:
- Thank and link to the blog that followed you
- Answer the 10 questions that they gave you
- Nominate 10 blogs (must have less than 200 followers each)
- Propose 10 new questions for your nominees
- Include these rules in your post
Here I go…
1. What is your favorite book?
- Wow, this is a puzzler straight out of the gate. I love so many books and different series. My criteria for a favorite book is one that I can re-read multiple times without boredom, has compelling characters and realistic relationships, an ending that makes me think for for than five minutes, and overall, a beautiful style. In this case, my favorite book is The Crimson Petal and the White, which is one of the most fantastic novels I’ve ever read. It also features an incredibly kick-ass characters, Sugar, and mesmerizing descriptions of Victorian England.
2. What have you been fangirling about lately, books or otherwise?
- I recently started watching Justified, so currently I am fangirling over Timothy Olyphant. Search a picture of him in a cowboy hat and you’ll understand. I’m also very excited about Frank Ocean and J. Cole. And I’m pre-excited for Mockingjay Part Two.
3. What book would you recommend to someone who wasn’t a “reader”?
- I know quite a few very intelligent people who don’t like to read, and that hurts me deep inside. I would recommend a Carl Hiaasen book, probably Star Island, because he’s hilarious and an accessible author. His books are relatively quick reads; they play out like movies, and they’re consistently entertaining. His content is a bit mature, I’d say, but if it was a kid I’d recommend his younger books like Hoot.
4. If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go?
- I would visit East Asia. My dream is to spend 2-3 months, starting in China, then visit Japan, South Korea, maybe stopping in Vietnam, see Malaysia and Singapore, then since I’m already on that side of the world, hop over to New Zealand and Australia. I don’t think I have the constitution for that plane ride yet; 8 hours is the longest I can stand so far.
5. What is your favorite movie?
- *Cries* I have so many movies that I love! Sentimentally, I love the Anne of Green Gables movies and I know they’re not necessarily good movies, but they make me really happy. My three favorites would probably be: The Iron Giant, Donnie Darko, and No Country for Old Men. Honorable mentions: Spirited Away, The Incredibles, 13 Going on 30.
6. What is your “ultimate book nerd problem?”
- My main peeve is when I have conversations like this: “Do you like [insert classic author here]?” Yes, I like them. “Have you read this, this, and this?” No, I’ve only read one of his works, but I still like him. “You can’t truly like [classic author] unless you’ve read [blank].”
- I don’t believe in that nonsense. You can understand a classical author without reading their entire portfolio. I love Mark Twain, but I’ve only read Huckleberry Finn. Does that mean I can’t be a Mark Twain enthusiast until I’ve read Tom Saywer, The Prince and The Pauper, etc.? Of course not!
7. If you could have a super-power, which would you choose?
- The power of invincibility, and secondly, the power to bestow invincibility on whoever I choose. That way, my friends and family would always be safe.
8. What kind of book is not your thing?
- I could get lots of flack for this, but I’m really, really, not a fan of YA romance novels. I liked THG series, and I used to read a lot of Meg Cabot back in the day, but some authors, like Sarah Dessen, really grate on my nerves. They portray unhealthy pictures of teenage life, but since they’re not movies or TV, girls can’t so easily write them off as fiction. Books like Hush, Hush, the Beautiful Disaster series, etc, give very skewed glimpses into what is “normal” for teenage girls and glamorize violent men and violent relationships. Not to say all YA is bad, but the romance subset of that genre makes me really angry.
9. Which book has your favorite cover art?
- Memoirs of A Geisha has a beautiful cover. I can’t think of others off the top of my head. Maybe Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix.
10. You’re at a conference…which author are you borderline stalking?
- Robert Massie, who writes unparalleled biographies like Catherine The Great and Nicholas and Alexandra. I would spend all day watching him lecture, scratch his nose, write his name, etc. Everything he does is golden!
Alright, now it’s time for me to pass on the torch. I’m not really an active member on WordPress, so I’ll nominate five blogs instead of 10, because otherwise I’ll just be writing random names down of people whose blogs I’ve never read. So my nominees:
3. Telethinking
Here are my 10 questions:
1. Which piece of pop-culture (book, music, movie, etc.) has changed your perspective on life?
2. Who are you listening to right now?
3. If you could remake any movie, which would you choose and why?
4. What is your favorite pop-culture quote?
5. Which movie villain would you most like to be?
6. Which film or TV show is your guilty pleasure?
7. Who is your favorite director?
8. What’s your favorite film score?
9. If you could invite any famous characters, living or dead, to a dinner party, who would they be?
10. What’s your biggest pop-culture pet peeve?
And now, for a non-sensical gif to seal the deal.
cultcrumbs 