Hello, Hivers!
I don't want to say this on every blog, but yeah, it's been a long while. A lot of things happened while I was away. Life has been tough--the majority has been full of downs. However, amid those hurdles, I can attest that I will never break. And I'm trying to fill the jar of courage so I can write and freeze those tough moments, and when the sky clears again, I have something to look back.
But as of now, I'll be joining the initiative of Hive Book Club, and I don't know if I can make it on time. I tried my best to start writing after I've read the contest post three days ago.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TIME AND PLACE TO READ?
I don't have this favorite place to read. Maybe it's because I don't have a personal space at home; I grew up with no bedroom on my own. Now that I'm living independently, I still don't have this favorite space to read. But, I'm dreaming of a house with a backyard, where I could read all day long in a hammock. And when it's dark, I could crawl to an igloo-like hammock or an L-shaped couch and read there until I fall asleep. If possible, I want a humidifier beside me with either peppermint or vanilla scent.
As for the favorite time to read, that would be at night time until dawn. My mind is alert at that timeframe, and I read until my eyes give up. The downside: I tend to finish the book, and when I finished it, I look for another book to read again.
WHAT MAKES YOU ENJOY A BOOK?
Storyline. This one plays a vital role in keeping me hooked up in a book. That's why most of my reads are crime and mystery because I want to think, guess, and connect the dots. Contrary to the desire to guess correctly, I want the book to surprise me several times. As much as possible, I want the ending to be a cliffhanger, so I can argue with myself and formulate possible endings to the story.
Characters. If it's not a sci-fi or fantasy I'm reading, as much as possible, I want the characters to be as real as possible, and less annoying, of course. If the protagonist is annoying throughout the story with minimal character development, then the antagonist can entertain me by sufficing the lacking of the main character.
Rhyme. This one is for poetry. I love to read aloud whenever the poet is a master of rhyme. Some are hard to digest, especially from the legendary classic poets. Reading a few lines is enough to stimulate your brain cells and make your mind wonder and wander.
DO YOU LIKE TO READ OUTDOORS, BEFORE BED, OR ON THE BUS ON YOUR WAY TO WORK?
I can't say that I like it since I can read wherever and whenever as long as my hands are free and I'm alone. I can read in a park or a comfort room; read while walking or traveling. I have mastered, somehow, the art of shutting down my hearing sense whenever I'm reading.
I used to read while on my way to work or home. But now that I'm currently living in a big city, I never attempt to read on my phone because I don't want my phone to be snatched again.
But there are some settings I want to experience, like reading in a park during the Spring or Fall season. I live in a country with two seasons only, and it would give me great joy to read with Sakura in full bloom or be surrounded by autumn leaves.
DO YOU FOCUS ON CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, THOUGHTFUL MESSAGES, OR THE LEVEL OF INTRIGUE A PLOT GENERATES IN YOU?
It depends on what genre and to my mood.
For sci-fi, fantasy, crime, and mystery, it's the plot that gives me a thrill. I like it when the book gives me a sinusoidal of emotion--ups and downs, slow and fast. For romance, even if the storyline is not that amazeballs, as long as it's easy to read and there's character development, then it's good for me already. As much as I want to widen my vocabulary, it is frustrating sometimes to stop for a moment and look for the meaning of the word. It's convenient only when I'm reading to an epub.
But, it's the other way around for poetry and short stories, and alike. I focus on the message and will be deeply enthralled if it's thought-provoking. I refer to these books as food for the brain.
I guess that would be all for my entry in the Community Contest #3: All About Readers. I hope I passed before the deadline.
Also, I will still tag two of my friends here - 
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All photos are mine.
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