{ArmchairBEA Day 1}: Introductions!

 

Design by Amber of Shelf Notes

So, welcome to my blog!  If you are a new visitor, thanks for stopping by!  I hope everyone enjoys what they see and comes back!

Anyway, for our first day of Armchair BEA, we have our introductions!  The directions are to choose at least 5...

I was going to make a video, instead of typing out my responses, but then I didn't feel like it....

 

My "I don't want to make a video" face

Anyway....here goes!

1.  Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? Where in the world are you blogging from?
     My name is Amanda, I'm an elementary English as a Second Language teacher.  I love my students and sharing the love of reading with them!  I've been blogging for, I think, 3 years this past January, but I can't really remember.  I got into blogging because I wanted to stay up to date on great books for my students.  I am blogging from Harrisonburg, Virginia, which is located in the Shenandoah Valley, about 2 hours south west of Washington, DC.

2.  Describe your blog in just one sentence. Then, list your social details -- Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. -- so we can connect more online.
     My blog is very eclectic---it started out as a book blog, but has evolved into stuff I use in my classroom, stuff about my dogs, about my subscription boxes---it represents how I've evolved in the past 3ish years.
      Twitter:  @maestra_amanda
      Facebook:  I don't have my blog connected to Facebook.  I think that may be something I need to do this week.
      Instagram:  akfurman (be warned, it's filled with pictures of my dog, Luna)
      Pinterest:  www.pinterest.com/maestra_amanda

3.  What genre do you read the most? I love to read because ___________________ .
      Obviously, I love anything from picture books to YA, but my favorite type, is fantasy.  I've gone through phases:  historical fiction, crime, romance, and now fantasy.  I like being transported to different worlds and seeing how they would work.

4.  What does your favorite/ideal reading space look like? (Pinterest encouraged!)

From: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/53480314295208141/

5.  Share your favorite book or reading related quote.

 

From http://www.pinterest.com/pin/17099673558595545/

6.  If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 books would you bring? Why? What 3 non-book items would you bring? Why? 

     I'd bring Harry Potter #7, Game of Thrones #1 and a survival guide.  I'd bring HP7 and GOT1 because they awesome, but also super long.  I'd bring a survival guide, because DUH!  I have no clue how to survive in the wild!  

     As my non-book items, I'd bring a 2 gallon tub of sunblock, duct tape (I saw that Mythbusters, you can make a ton of survival stuff out of duct tape), and a hunting knife.  The name of the game is survival, and not getting sunburned.  

Hope you enjoyed my intro!  Have a great Armchair BEA! 

Winter Break Book Blogger Challenge, Day 1: Favorite Book Set in Wintertime

Obviously, Game of Thrones...I mean, 

(If you just snorted, I think we just became best friends)

But honestly, I love Christmas picture books (though my favorites are by Robert Sabuda, and are pop-up...so pretty!).

 

This is a video I found on youtube showcasing one of my favorites, Twas the Night Before Christmas!

Don't forget to link up and check out other people's favorite books set in winter!  And head over to Andi's ABCs to see what people have linked there!

15 Day Blogging Challenge: Day 1

Day 1:  Make 15 Book Related Confessions

1.  I have never finished reading Pride and Prejudice.

 

  Much like Tom Hanks, I've tried and quit a bunch of times.  I also get lost in the words, but not in the good way like Meg Ryan.  They overwhelm me.

2.  I feel like I'm cheating when I don't finish a book.

3.  I don't know how to delete DNF books off Goodreads so I just leave them on my "currently reading shelf", realizing it makes me look like I'm reading like 5 books at a time.  I don't want to click "done" because I'm not "done", I just don't want to finish it!  I just want it to go away... 

4.  On Pottermore, I was originally sorted into Slytherin House.  I didn't agree with those results (as I had a bad day that day and was in a pretty bad mood), so I later created another account and was sorted into Hufflepuff.  Twice (ok, I created ANOTHER account to verify).  And I can totally see that.    

5.  I'd rather give books (or bookish things) as gifts rather than anything else.

6.  I don't think I've ever read the entire assigned text for a class.  Masters level included.  

7.  I'm a skimmer.  Which is why I often read things more than once.

8.  Please don't hate for this one:  While I enjoy John Green's humor (especially on his youtube videos), I'm not a fan of his books.  

9.  I hate realistic fiction in which the characters don't act or talk like normal teenagers.

10.  I always try to read the book before I see the movie.  Except in the case of World War Z (I tried, but see #3).  But then, I haven't actually SEEN World War Z yet, so this point may in fact be moot (or moo...

11.  Because I'm a skimmer (#7), I often only see the superficial.  I don't see the "hidden meaning" behind things.   I also don't remember quotes.

12.  Besides "teacher books", I've read less than 10 adult books in the past year.  

13.  Growing up, I used to have an "upstairs book" and a "downstairs book".  And sometimes a "bathroom book".  I'd take books to restaurants.  I'd have a book in the car.  Just so I'd always have a book.

14.  I'm slightly upset over the fact that my husband doesn't take my book recommendations.  I was right about Harry Potter and Hunger Games!  I can be right about Game of Thrones and the Chaos Walking series, too!  (Actually, those are the only 4 series I've ever recommended to him.)

15.  If we have a girl, we plan on naming her "Molly" after Molly Weasley.  If we have twin boys, Fred and George.  Our next dog shall be named "Tonks" if it's a girl, or "Muggle" if I can convince Aaron into letting me get a puggle.     

The 15 Day Book Blogger Challenge is hosted by April of Good Books and Good Wine.  And don't forget to head over to Andi's ABC's to find out Andi's book related confessions!