Good morning Bibliofriends,

The lovely Ahaana at Windows to Worlds who tagged me in the Sunshine Blogger Award. I absolutely love this tag and the way that it changes with each person’s questions.

Rules
(1) Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link back to their blog.
(2) Answer the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you.
(3) Nominate 11 people and ask them new 11 questions.
(4) Notify the nominees by commenting on one of their posts.
(5) List the rules and display the sunshine blogger award in your post.

Ahaana’s Questions:

When did you start blogging?
I think I technically started blogging in 2017 when I was using a different blog title and identity called Cotswold Bookaholic. Blogging wasn’t something that really stuck back then and I couldn’t really find my blogging voice or purpose so eventually it fizzled until around 2019 when I relaunched as The Biblioshelf. 

Why did you start blogging? What made you?
I think I started blogging just to become part of a community and get involved. None of my family or friends enjoyed the types of books or even enjoyed reading as much as I did so I had to find other people to share that with! The blogging community has been so wonderful to me and I love that it is such an inclusive place to be a part of and share our love for all things bookish!

What’s your favourite part of being in the blogosphere?
Without a doubt, the amazing community and books, books, books! There are so many wonderful books and authors I’ve been introduced to because of the blogging community and for me that’s really the heart of why we’re all here in the great blogosphere!

What genres of music do you listen to? Any favourite artists/songs?
My iPod is so varied that a random shuffle can bring out Bob Marley followed by Dolly Parton, Eminem and Pavarotti. I don’t have one specific genre that I like listening to Florence + the Machine would definitely be my desert island discs or the discography that I’d be saving from a burning building. I’ve been on every tour and have every single album and remix going!

What’s your favourite book genre?
I think it has to be fantasy. It’s the one I gravitate to the most. There’s just something extraordinary about the magic, elves, witches, dragons and mythological creatures that make me wish I really did have a fictional worlds passport to escape reality on Earth sometimes.

Where’s your favourite place to read?
In bed or in the quiet, cosy spaces. I love the ideal of being able to read in coffee shops and things but I always get distracted by people watching so I need somewhere to read with minimal distractions as possible!

What do you dislike about blogging in general?
I sometimes wish I had the creativity to come up with lots of different posts and content rather than just keep posting tags, memes and reviews – that’s more of a personal goal rather than something I necessarily dislike. I wish I had more time to dedicate to it to.

Do you prefer dogs or cats?
I am definitely a dog person! I can’t remember a time when we didn’t have a dog in our house. They’re like family and I’d hate to be without them!

Which book is closest to your heart? Why?
This one is so tough. I have a few books that make my ‘God-Tier’ and they include: Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, The Throne of Glass Series and Ready Player One.
The most recent addition to this tier was The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwa because it absolutely stole my heart. I think it’s the way that Addie and Henry’s personalities, attributes and deepest desires reflected my own. They really resonated with me in a way that not many characters have ever done – so that book would have to be my pick! I love it so, so much!

What other hobbies/talents do you have besides blogging?
I have a large amount of useless knowledge and absolutely love pub-quizzes and gameshows. Before becoming a teacher, one of my hobbies was line-dancing (it’s where the country music influence comes in!) and I did choreograph some of my own dances which were published online.
Hobby-wise nowadays two sports I love watching and am involved in are Rugby Union and Horse Racing. I’m a member of both my local sports venues for those and am also an owner in several horse racing syndicates.

Do you have a pet? Or do you want one? Which one?
I’ve had so many pets over my childhood (chickens, ducks, geese, a rabbit, fish, greyhounds) but my all-time favourites are our dogs! We’ve had Cavalier King Charles Spaniels ever since I can remember – they’re more like family than pets!

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My Questions

1. What is your favourite type of blog post to write?
2. Are you a mood reader or do you follow a set TBR?
3. Do you have a ‘God-Tier’ of all-time favourite books and what is on it?
4. Pick three authors to invite to a fantasy dinner party.
5. What are your most anticipated reads for 2021?
6. Do you have any special editions of books/series?
7. What is the longest book you’ve ever read?
8. Which season is your favourite and why?
9. Have you ever DNF’d a book?
10. Name the best thing you watched on TV/Film recently.
11. If you had a spirit animal / familiar what form do you think it would take and why?

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My Nominees

I’m rubbish at nominating people for things so I’m tagging YOU! If you feel like having a go at my questions for the Sunshine Blogger Award then consider yourself tagged! 😉

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Happy Tuesday people!

T xx