Hello everyone and Merry Christmas! How are you all? I’m proud to say that, after struggling through a two-hour algebra test and a terrifying all-encompassing oral exam, I’ve made it to Christmas break and have completed my first semester of college! Woo!

…And now I don’t know what to do with myself. XD Which is why I thought today I’d do a fun book tag, courtesy of Elisha @ The Voyaging Storyteller!

The questions

What’s the longest book you ever read and what made you stick with it?

This is tough because I don’t really keep track of stuff like this when I’m reading. I read a lot of long books for school this year, of course, but I don’t want to talk about those. XD So I’ll say probably Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which, according to the internet, is almost 200,000 words. I doubt I’ve read a book that’s longer than that one was, but I don’t know for sure.

I stuck with Deathly Hallows because it’s, um, amazing. ._.

What’s the funniest scene you’ve read?

I’m drawing a blank here, but I remember giggling quite a bit while reading Frank and Ernestine Gilbreth’s Cheaper by the Dozen. That book is a comedic masterpiece. It’s basically Family Circus in book form. XD

Have you cried reading a book and if so, why?

I don’t often cry while reading, but I just finished beta reading S. D. Smith’s newest book, Prince Lander and the Dragon War, and OH MY GOODNESS this book. It’s so sad and so good. The stakes are impossibly high and I love it. It’s my new favorite. Buy it when it comes out, y’all. ;_;

(Yes, I teared up while reading Prince Lander. -_-)

What’s something you wished more books had?

Realistic female characters who have weaknesses as well as strengths, flaws as well as virtues, and who speak and act with vulnerability and authenticity and have to suffer real consequences. Caroline George’s Dearest Josephine did a great job with this.

Can you read more than one book at a time?

Oh, you bet. In fact, I struggle with reading only one book at a time. XD Not only am I a slow reader, but I get distracted by new books and therefore have books scattered throughout the house that I pick up at random times. It’s a bit of a mess, really.

E-book or hardcover, for a massive tome like Les Miserables?

I struggle to stay focused on e-books, I think because I like to see how much progress I’ve made in a book, and with e-books it’s harder to tell this. To be fair, though, I haven’t given e-reading much of a chance. I much prefer holding a physical book in my hands to staring at a screen.

If you could only read one book for the rest of your life (besides the Bible) what would it be?

Easy. Pride and Prejudice. Not even a competition, lol. I pray I never get tired of it. There’s just so much to love and unpack. ^_^

What’s the first book you ever remember reading?

Um… A Clifford the Big Red Dog? Franklin? I don’t know, man! It’s all a blur up there in my two-year-old brain. XD

In general, do you think books are better or worse now than they used to be?

Ooh, interesting question. I feel like there are a lot more “careless” books—books that are written purely for profit, for example—these days than perhaps there used to be. Although, to be fair, it’s very possible the trashy books of old just may not have made it to the present day. XD

How do you resist going broke at bookstores?

You know… I’m actually not one of those people who spends all their money at Half Price Books. I don’t know why. ._. I mean, I probably could spend a lot of money there, but that’s only if it was, like, the only store I was allowed to go in or something. XD

On second thought, I do really love browsing at Barnes & Noble. All those shiny, delicious-smelling books. ^_^ I suppose sometimes it is hard to resist buying a tantalizing new book—especially if it has a gorgeous cover. But the high prices at most bookstores usually turn me away. XD

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All right, now for the new questions!

1. Do you like to listen to music while you read?
2. Have you ever wanted to try a new food/drink item after reading a book?
3. If you were to open a bookstore, what would you call it?
4. Would you rather a book make you laugh or cry?
5. What’s a book you really want to read but just can’t bring yourself to commit to yet?

I won’t tag anyone in particular, as I’m bad at remembering my friends. 😛 Whoever wants to answer these questions is more than welcome to do so! ^_^

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Okay, now for a brief life update!

First of all, I got my ears pierced! For years, I’ve been too scared to have it done, afraid it would hurt like heck. But Target happened to be having a good deal on a package with a team of official ear nurses, so I decided to suck it up in the name of societal pressure. 😉 And yeah, it hurt, duh. But I’m so glad I finally did it, because now I get to shop for earrings, which is super fun! First up on the wish list: silver leafy branches. ❤

Speaking of, where do y’all like to shop for earrings? I’d love to hear your favorite places to browse! 🙂

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I am now on Artfol! In case you’re not familiar with the site, it’s basically like Instagram but newer, smaller, and more geared toward artists. …Yes, I still cower before the powerhouse of intimidation that is Instagram. XD But at least now I have a designated place to post my art! I do still draw! I promise! So feel free to check me out on there and say hello! 😀

Also in the social media vein, I now have have Facebook pages for Foxhunt and Celta. I haven’t posted anything on either page yet, but it’s my plan to make those pages my main hub for sharing news, art, snippets, and other fun stuff about my WIPs. I’d be so grateful if you’d check those out and maybe give them a like and a follow!

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Yo, I have time to read for fun now! 😀 I’m starting with Letters from Pemberley by Jane Dawkins. I received the book for Christmas last year but sadly have not found time to pick it up yet. So…better a year late than never, right? What are y’all reading for fun right now?

As far as movies and TV goes, we’re currently watching Hawkeye (fun enough but not super remarkable) and our usual list of Christmas classics like Elf, Home Alone, and A Christmas Story. We also went to see Spider-Man: No Way Home on opening night! It was so good! It had an epic, bittersweet ending and felt like a true finale. (Also, I’m very glad we watched the previous Spider-Man movies first. *wiggles eyebrows*)

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Finally, I have not forgotten about our Socratic circles! (Well, I suppose I did for a short time. Sorry, December! Blame finals! 😦 ) Never fear, our series of highly intellectual discussions will be back in January 2022—which means anyone who still wants to answer the most recent Socratic question has a bit more time to do so! Have at it if you like! 😀

All right, that’s it for me until after Christmas! Hopefully I can squeak in at least one more post before spring semester starts. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you all find peace, rest, and renewed closeness with God during this truly wonderful season.