Happy 4th of July & Answers to Triva

4th of July Comments



Here are the answers to the triva questions.


1. What are the names of the children from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? I already gave you one.
Charlie Bucket, Violet Beauregarde, Mike TeeVee, Veruca Salt, and Augustus Gloop.

2. From Dr. Seuss, what does Sam not like? Green Eggs and Ham

3. In Anne of Green Gables, what did Anne serve Diana, causing her to become dizzy? Current Wine but Anne thought it was raspberry cordial.

4. In The Little Princess, where did Sara's father go? India

5. What do Margaret and her friends want to increase in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret?
Their busts!

6. What curse did Harry Potter survive? Killing Curse or Avada Kedavra.

Thanks to those who tried to answer the questions! It was fun. I'd love to do it again!

Weekly Geeks-Triva

Though I'm really not very good at it, I love trivia. Put books and trivia together and you've got a perfect match. So I thought it would be a fun Weekly Geek activity for us to come up with some book trivia questions to ask each other.So take a moment, don't stress about it all, and write down five to ten questions that pop into your mind. You could center all your questions around a particular theme or genre, maybe something in which you specialize. Or ask questions about one certain book. Or teach us about your favorite author through your questions.You could do really easy ones that you know we'll all get or really hard ones that will challenge even the best of us.Once you post your questions and add your link here, be sure to go around and answer the questions posted by everyone else. Remember, no fair Googling! At the end of the week, don't forget to do another post with the answers to your questions.

I had a real hard time coming up with the topic for triva. I almost decided not to do until Sabrina gave me an idea-children's books! So here's my attempt at writing trivia questions.


1. What are the names of the children from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? I already gave you one.



2. From Dr. Seuss, what does Sam not like?



3. In Anne of Green Gables, what did Anne serve Diana, causing her to become dizzy?



4. In The Little Princess, where did Sara's father go?



5. What do Margaret and her friends want to increase in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret?


6. What curse did Harry Potter survive?


I only went with books I read as a child or as classified as young adult fiction in the case of the last question. Leave your answers below. I'll post the answers this weekend.

Weekly Geek #16

This week's Weekly Geeks topic was suggested by Sheri of A Novel Menagerie. She writes:

"Reading Challenges: a help or a hurt? Do you find that the reading challenges keep you organized and goal-oriented? Or, do you find that as you near the end of a challenge that you've failed because you fell short of your original goals? As a result of some reading challenges, I've picked up books that I would have otherwise never heard of or picked up; that, frankly, I have loved. Have you experienced the same with challenges? If so, which ones? Do you have favorite reading challenges?"

As we pass the halfway point of 2009, how are you doing with your reading challenges? Did you participate in any challenges this year?

I've been reluctant to join any challenges. I've decided to make the Filling In The Gaps Challenge my only challenge until I make a sufficient dent in my list.
But I think overall challenges can help people read new things and find different books to read. I don't always know how to find out about various challenges. Can any point me in a direction to learn about them before they start?

Weekly Geek #15

This WG asks give us some fun activities to do during the summer.
A Summer CruisePicking Blueberries
Bumbershoot photo found here
Picnics photo found here
Roasted Corn On The Cob photo found here Love the tattoo!
I love summer and can't wait to enjoy it all!

Weekly Geek #14

This week's task was sent in by Maree of Just Add Books, who's been thinking about those things that we do when we're not reading or blogging. Here's what Maree has to say:

The comments on this post of mine got me thinking about guilty pleasures. Non-reading guilty pleasures.

Mine at the time the post was written was American Idol. Particularly one contestant, as you can see. By now, the show is over, and the results are in, one way or another. But my inappropriate addiction to Idol got me thinking about the things we do that we love but that we don't like to admit to--our guilty pleasures. Mine is reality TV, which scratches that small, dark place that we all have.

So. Weekly Geeks, we're going into the confessional this week.

What's your non-reading guilty pleasure?
Trashy TV?
Trashier movies?
Junk food?

Well Tai would say my guilty pleasure is bad movies. At least bad to him. I love cheesy action flicks (like anything with Jason Statham) and teen movies (my favorite being Can't Hardly Wait). I could watch Bring It On, She's All That, and Mean Girls over and over again. Or an action flick marathon would also keep me happy. Put on the Transporter series and the third Blade movie and I will sit happily in front of the tv for hours!
But I would say my guilt pleasure is junk food. I love candy, carmel corn, ice cream, brownies, cupcakes, and fast food. I'm trying to limit all that but I could eat it all day!
What about you? What your guilty pleasure?

Weekly Geek #13

Again with Memorial Day Weekend here in the U.S. starting traditionally on Friday evening, it also is unofficially the start of summer. You've probably been asked this in other meme groups in which you participate, but do your reading habits change over the summer? Do you choose lighter fare? What do you enjoy to take to the beach, for example? What is the ultimate summer book?

I don't change my reading habits in the summer. I used to do the whole beach read/trashy novel approach. But now I just read whatever is in my pile. But there is something about reading a trashy novel while laying by a pool! I would recommend something like Second Assistant or one of the Shopaholic books. Keep it light and fluffy!

Weekly Geek #12

This week, take us on a literary tour of your hometown!

Do you live in a place where a famous author was born? Does your town have any cool literary museums or monuments? Does Stephen King live at the end of your street? Was Twilight set in your hometown?

Share your fun literary facts about the town or area where you live. You can talk about famous (or not so famous) authors who live there, novels that have been set in your area, or any other literary facts that you know about where you live. Feel free to embellish with pictures of places and/or authors, maps of the area, and fun facts about the authors.

As usual, feel free to personalize this. Don’t like your hometown? Pick another! Do you live in a literary wasteland? Feel free to expand and discuss a region. Feel like returning to a place you lived 20 years ago? Go for it!

I can think of books set here in the PNW but I can't think of many authors. Oh, let's turn to the internet for help.
Duh, Dan Savage lives in Seattle. I think of him more as a columnist than an author but he has written a couple of books.
Ann Rule lives in the Seattle area. I've never read her books, but I think she wrote several books about local murders.
Tom Robbins lives in the Seattle area as well. I've never read his books either. Never seen the movie Even Cowgirls Get The Blues.
As for novels that are set around here, I've read Broken For You and Nisei Daughter. The Twilight novels were set in Forks. I know Hotel On the Corner Bitter and Sweet is set in Seattle so it's on my tbr list.
Any of your favorite books set in the Seattle area?

Weekly Geek #11

For this week's edition of Weekly Geeks, I'd like to focus on one of the most useful tools for a bibliophile: Bookmarks.

Do you use bookmarks or just grab whatever is handy to mark your page? Do you collect lots of different bookmarks or do you have a favorite one that you use exclusively? If you're not someone who uses bookmarks on a regular basis, have you ever used anything odd to mark your place?

If you make your own bookmarks or have a bookmark collection, please feel free to share some pictures with the rest of us.

I used to have a collection of bookmarks as a child but I've lost most of them. When I go to Dad's I'll have to see if any are left.
I have 2 bookmarks I keep in my bag.
As you can see they are well used! I was just thinking the other day I need to get some more. I tend to lose them so I don't like to spend money on them. I've also been known to use plane ticket stubs and magazine subscription cards.
Tai got this one as a wedding gift. It's his and I never use it. I don't want to lose it. I'm glad he got a proper bookmark though. He used tissues before that!
Perhaps I should order some of these from ChicBoutiqueJewelry. I like how simple but colorful!
What about you? Do you use bookmarks? Or do you just fold the corner down (which I have done before)?

Weekly Geek #10

This week you are asked to share books (fiction or nonfiction) and/or movies which center around an animal or animals.

• Which are your favorites?
• Which touched your heart the most?
• Which have found their way onto your wish lists or TBR stacks?
• Is there a childhood favorite?
• Have you ever named a pet after an animal from a book or movie?

You get the idea! Have fun with this; use your imagination. Share your thoughts!

As an adjunct to this post, consider sharing photos of animals (domestic or wild) which have inspired or thrilled you, or graced your life with their presence.

When I think about animal books my favorite is Charlotte's Web. I was so in love all the characters of that book. I think I read it a thousand times.
There aren't any books about animals in my current stack. And I'm hard pressed to think about a recent character that has a beloved pet. The only one that comes to mind right now is Samantha from I Am Legend. She sticks in my mind. She was one awesome dog.
My first dog was Lady from Lady and the Tramp. Mom always said she was quite the lady. My brother had a dog named Cujo.
Recently I've been taking pictures of our friend's pets. Tai and I don't have enough room for a dog right now, so we love our friend's pets.
Jeff recently got this little Maltese, Toby. He's just a little sweetie. I took this the other day we went to the dog park.Carlo brought Stella over the other day so ignore all the mess. I couldn't get Stella to move to get a better picture. Every time I moved she moved. I love Stellie. She's such a good dog.And here we are with Simon (Jill and Jamie's dog), the greatest dog ever. Simon recently passed on. We were blessed to know such a wonderful spirit.
I look forward to getting our own little pup, but right now I enjoy spending time with these.

Weekly Geek #8

Write a post encouraging readers to look through your archives (if you have your reviews in a particular place on your blog, point them there), and find the books that they have also written reviews. Tell them to leave a link to their review on your review post. For example, I've written a review for Gods Behaving Badly and Jane Doe leaves a link to her review of Gods Behaving Badly in the comments section of my review.Edit your reviews to include those links in the body of the review post. Visit other Weekly Geeks and go through their reviews. Leave links for them.

I don't write reviews so much. I prefer to just recommend a book. But some people are so much better at reviewing books. So I went through and looked for books that I recommended and found reviews for them.

Thousand Splendid Suns-I recommended it last April. Here are some reviews:

Still Point

Mary Withrow

Bloody Hell, It's A Book Barrage

Change of Heart-I recommended it last May. Here are some reviews:

Rough Review

Serene Hours

Too Old To Know Better

Animal, Vegetable, Mineral- I recommended this last October. Here are other reviews:

The Country Doctor's Wife

The Weekend Blogger

A Little Bit Of Everything

I Feel Bad About My Neck-I recommended this in January. Here are other reviews:

David Kinchen

Framed and Booked

Leslie Jane Moran

And last month I recommended The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted. Here are what other people thought:

Just A Book Reader

Polymath At Large

Upsidedown B

It's interesting to see what other people think of books you like. I love reviews though cause I find new books to read. I'm always looking for those.

Weekly Geek #7

Is there a particular era that you love reading about? Tell us about it--give us a book list, if you'd like. Include pictures or some fun facts from that time period, maybe link to a website that focuses on that time. Educate us.

Do you have a favorite book that really pulled you back in time, or perhaps gave you a special interest in that period? Include a link to a review of it on another book blog if you can find one (doesn't have to be a Weekly Geek participant).

Historical romance is one of my guilty pleasures. I tend to shy away from romance especially Harlequin romance novels. But I confessed my guilty pleasure a few weeks ago, so here's the whole confession.
When I was a teen I found Sunfire Romance novels. I think I read Jacquelyn first which I don't seem to have anymore. I was entraced with the time (the Depression) and her struggles to afford things that she had before the depression. It seemed so romantic. I made an effort to find more. I wound up collecting 10 of the 32 books.I liked the different time periods. I don't really have a favorite time period although I tend to gravitate toward medieval and Civil War era. Odd combo huh?
Any other closet historical romance readers out there?

Weekly Geek-Book Quotes #7

"Good children's literature appeals not only to the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child." Anonymous

I adored reading as a child. I loved Shel Silverstein. Ever go back and read a beloved children's book as an adult? It's well worth it. I read Where The Sidewalk Ends a few years ago and it was just as good as I remembered. Sometimes I also read Where The Wild Things Are and Harold and The Purple Crayon. Both make me laugh and feel like a kid.
What about you? Read any children's books lately?

Weekly Geek-Book Quotes #6

"Writers should be read, but neither seen nor heard."Daphne Du Maurier

Have you ever gone to see an author? I've seen a couple. I saw Candace Bushnell a few years ago when she was promoting Lipstick Jungle. She was just like I thought she'd be. I remember her showing off her Prada shoes! I also saw Rick Bragg when he was promoting All Over But the Shouting. He was an excellent author to see. He was funny and interesting. Just like his books.
I'd love to see JK Rowling or Jodi Picoult. I enjoy both of them so I think they would be interesting to hear.
What about you? Have you seen any authors or what authors would want to see?

Weekly Geek-Book Quotes #5

"I guess if I wrote a book one day, it would be about hair." Julia Louis-Dreyfus

If I wrote a book, what it be about? I have hundreds of books rattling around in my head. When I'm bored I start writing them, but not on paper. When I start writing them I get stuck. I can start a book but never end it. Mostly I write about people. Ever see someone on the street and create a story about them? I do.
I'd also like to write about my mom and her mother. I think they had interesting lives. I might just write that for myself.
What would you write about?

Weekly Geek-Book Quotes #4

"A room without books is like a body without a soul." Cicero

I have always grown up around books. My parents had a healthy library. My mom had a closet full of cookbooks and health books. Dad had tons of engineering and car repair books. You've seen all the books Tai and I have.
When I go to someone's house the first time I always look to see if they have any books. I prefer people that have them in plain sight but I envy people who have a library in their home. Looking at other people's books helps stimulate conversation. Talk about books you haven't read, books you have or books you've never heard of. To me it's a great way to get know people.

Weekly Geek-Book Quotes #3

"The reason a writer writes a book is to forget a book and the reason a reader reads one to remember it." Thomas Wolfe

I remember a lot of books fondly. Some I read over and over again. Some I just like to remember. Like the Harry Potter series. I adore the books. But I rarely read them over and over again. I doubt I'll read Twilight again but I do think about it sometimes. I loved East of Eden but I haven't read it since the first time.
What books stick with you after reading?

Weekly Geek-Book Quotes #2

"A classic is something that everyone wants to have read and nobody wants to read." Mark Twain

I love Mark Twain quotes. He's so witty and real. Here's a man that wrote some classics. I read a few of his books in high school. But I wish I read more of his books since so many of them are classics. But I haven't put a single on my to be read pile.
One reason I decided to attempt the 1001 book list was to read more of those classics. Books people say you should read. Those books are rarely on the top 10 and rarely easy reads. Some of them feel like work! That's why we read so many of them in high school and college!
I'm all about expanding my horizons, so what's your favorite classic? What book should I have read?

Weekly Geek-Book Quotes #1

This week on Weekly Geeks it's all about quote. Everyday I'll be posting a new quote. My theme is books!

"Some books leave us free and some books make us free." Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have to admit I've never read anything by Emerson. But I usually like his quotes. And I really like this quote. I've read books that I as just glad to finish. Certainly some of the books on the 1001 books list. I was pretty glad when I was done with the Golden Ass!
But some books free us from old ideas and preconceived notions. I haven't read a book like this in awhile, but I certainly keep on the look out for books that challenge me rather than repeat theories I already agree with. Anyone read a good challenging book lately?

Weekly Geek #5

Here is how to play:

1. Choose a political or social issue that matters to you.

2. Educate readers about your topic by telling us a little about it and any involvement you've had in this issue.

3. Find books addressing your issue; they do not necessarily have to be books you’ve read. They can be non fiction, fiction, poetry, etc...Give a little synopsis of the book or a link to the description.

4. Use images which you feel illustrate your topic.

Prior to my current job I was very involved in creating affordable housing options in the community. Sadly the funding for that job and a lot of initiatives that I worked dried up. I still feel that there should be more affordable housing options in communities. A lot of workers especially those making minmium wage need to commute long distances to their jobs adding more cars on the road. Businesses and local governments should make sure that those who work in their communities also can live in their communities.

Here are a list of books about affordable housing that I've never read:

The Architecture of Affordable Housing

Making Housing Happen

Developing Affordable Housing

When people cannot afford to live close to where they work they move farther away. This causes congestion and long commutes. It's a simplistic view I know. Hundreds of other factors go into traffic and congestion. But if people could live closer to their work they could reduce the amount of time spent in their cars and reduce their carbon footprint.

Weekly Geek #4

This week we are going to continue with the theme started last week and go even further exploring our favorite book characters.

Many of us have had an opportunity to interview an author, mostly through email, but perhaps even on the phone or in person. In fact, many of you have become experts at author interviews. So this week, let's pretend that we can get in contact with one of our favorite characters and interview them. What would you ask Mr. Darcy if you could send him an email. What would his answers be like? What would you say if you could just call up Liesel or Rudy from The Book Thief and ask them anything? How would they answer your questions? What if you could invite Jo March or Anne Shirley to lunch, what would the conversation be like?

So blog about that imagined conversation, or phone discussion, or email exchange. Of course, there may be lots of things we'll have to make up or imagine them saying. But many things we should be able to figure out their answers just from what we know of them in their respective books.

So I've been thinking about this since Saturday when it was posted. But I've had a cold for the past couple of days and can't seem to think straight so you'll have to forgive me for skipping this. But I wanted to post some of the other delightful conversations people came up with.

Suey had a lovely conversation with Mary Bennet.
It's Dark in the Dark had a great conversation with Cthulhu. I learned so many interesting things about this mysterious creature.
Naida talked with Lestat and asked him his opinions about The Interview with Vampire movie.
Which literary character would you want to sit down with?