This is your first CBR, right? What do you think so far? And congratulations on Cannonballing your first time out!
Thank you! Yes, this is my first CBR and I love it. I thought the best part would be finding new books to read but it’s actually the social aspect. Which is funny because 80% of the time I decide my comments on other people’s reviews aren’t worth posting, so I say nothing and just lurk. I should work on that.
In one of your reviews, you said, “I really wasn’t crazy about this book so I’m not sure why I finished it.” How many chapters do you usually give a disappointing book before deciding to DNF?
I generally try to get to 25% before giving up. I figure that gives the author plenty of time for the set-up. If I’m unsure at 25%, I’ll keep going up to 40%. But if I’m still unsure at 40%, it’s a goner.
I’ve never regretted giving up a book but there have been many that I regretted finishing or continuing.”
Your bio says you read mystery, horror, fantasy, and SciFi. If you were trapped on a deserted island and could only have one genre with you to keep you occupied, which would you pick?
Definitely mystery, specifically cozy mysteries. I’ve loved fantasy, SciFi, and horror all my life but I’ve only recently fallen in love with mysteries. I like the low-stakes environment of cozy mysteries, especially in these trying times. That would probably be doubly-true on a deserted island. I think horror would be a bad idea on a deserted island. I’d probably start worrying about evil spirits and Cthulhu coming after me. SciFi would be my second choice; it’d make a nice escape.
Who’s your all-time favorite book character?
What an impossible question! You might as well ask me what my favorite appendage is. Okay, now I need everyone to comment on their favorite appendage.
My favorite character is Kamala Khan, the current Ms Marvel. She has an inner strength I find admirable. She stands up for what is right, even if it means disagreeing with her hero. And she doesn’t buckle when the villain turns her town against her.
You seem to have a photography hobby; it’s very cool that you’re using your own photos with your reviews. Do we need to worry about your proximity to snakes and alligators? What else do you photograph?
I started taking nature photographs a few years ago after lupus forced me to stop working. I was feeling really down about losing my career and at a loss on how to fill my days. My husband thought I might enjoy posting on iNaturalist. iNaturalist is a website where people can post photos of plants and organisms they’ve observed. Scientists use the observations to track the growth, movements, and decline of species. My husband was right, I love it. I’ve learned a lot about the plants and animals in my area, I’ve connected with some cool people on iNaturalist, and getting out in nature does wonders for my spirits.
But back to your question. I have a healthy respect for snakes and alligators. I stay back and then crop the photos. So, no, you don’t need to worry about my proximity. 🙂 I love photographing birds but they can be tricky as they like to fly off while I’m focusing. I actually fell in a ditch a few months ago trying to photograph a hawk. I didn’t realize I was that close to the edge, one foot went out from under me and I slid down on my butt. I wasn’t hurt, but I was annoyed I didn’t get the shot!
Cozy mysteries would be my choice for a desert island, too!
I’ve gotten really into birdwatching during the pandemic and have been tracking my stats on eBird. I need to check out iNaturalist!
I like iNaturalist because I can’t always identify what I’ve seen, so it’s nice to have other tell me. But I like eBirds hotspots and monthly calendar. Tracking stats sounds addictive!
My favorite appendage? Well I love my eyes….but I’ve got cute ears! 🙂 (Keep the snakes, I’ll stick with the birds…even if I’ve had a similar experience of slip/fall. Thank goodness for “extra padding’ there!)
There are a few appendages I would like to swap out for a better model. My nose looks fine, but it doesn’t function all that well, and my feet are pretty busted up. I would also like an extra arm.
I would love new feet and hands. Pretty much new anything arthritic. I think two extra arms would be great.
Bird watching is surprising hazardous! It’s hard to look up and down at the same time.
Hmm, favorite appendage. I don’t know. I’m pretty attached to all of them.
I’ll see myself out.
And all this time I thought you kept them in a jar on the mantle…
As someone who regularly makes dumb comments on people’s posts, I encourage you to make what ever comment you want, even if you think it’s unworthy. It’s a good way to let people know their review was read.
yes yes yes comment away!
Very true.
I’m quite partial to my left thumb; I love to deliver a good over-the-top thumbs up with a wild grin to people making poor driving choices.
You are so much nicer to bad drivers than I am.
LOL I have found that it makes them angry AND confused, which works for me!
My favourite appendage? Probably my hands. While I wish my fingers were longer and more elegant, my hands and their wonderful opposable thumbs (take that, cats, you do need me to help keep you fed!) make it possible for me to write, draw, knit, cook, get myself and my child dressed every morning – you get the idea.
Hands are pretty amazing. I’ve always thought my fingers were kind of pudgy, but my dad said they are “aristocrat hands” because the fingers taper to the end. I thought that was nice so I think of it whenever they seem pudgy to me.
I love the photo. You could lose an evening or two on iNaturalist. I’m glad to hear you’re savvy enough not to become alligator chow!
Thank you! I have lost many nights on iNaturalist. It’s helped us plan a few vacations. I did have to pull back my husband because he kept getting closer and closer to the rattlesnake, trying to get the shot.