I was nominated by Amy @ Curiouser and Curiouser for The Mystery Blogger Award. (Thanks, Amy!) 🙂

The Rules:

1. Include the award image in your post
2. List the rules
3. Thank whoever nominated you and leave a link to their blog (Amy | Curiouser and Curiouser)
4. Mention the creator of the award: Okoto Enigma!
5. Tell your readers three things about yourself and answer the questions set by the person who nominated you
6. Nominate ten to twenty other bloggers and notify them on their blogs
7. Ask your nominees any five questions of your choice
8. Share the link to your best/favorite post!

Three Things About Deanna:

1. I once drove the wrong way down a one way street in Bellingham, WA. The first thing I did when I realized it was yell, “I love me!” That phrase stuck for a few years and my friends and I would say it whenever we did something stupid. (Luckily, it was early on a Sunday morning when I did this and I could easily turn into a business’ parking lot to turn around.)
2. Everyone calls me Deanna. Very few people shorten this into a nickname. There are a very few people who call me “Dea” – interestingly enough, they’re all male.
3. I try to be a really honest person and go with the truth 99% of the time. Lying always catches up with you. Which makes the next fact pretty funny to me. One of my closest friends would call me in college to help her come up with lies because mine were always believable.

Amy’s Questions:

1.Why did you start a blog?

It was something I had been throwing around in my mind for a while. My friends encouraged me to go ahead and do it because I was always recommending books they loved to them.

2.What are you most proud of in your life?

My daughter. She’s going to be 9 in a couple of weeks, and I’m so proud of the little person she’s become. I know part of it’s her personality, but I would like to think all the time I’ve spent with her since she was born has helped shape her. If I do one thing important in life, it’s raising her to be a good person.

3.What’s the last film you watched and did you enjoy it?

So we’re watching all of the Star Wars movies at our house right now. My daughter’s really interested in them. The last one I watched with them was Attack of the Clones. I hate to say it, but I didn’t really enjoy it all that much. I’ve watched all of them except Revenge of the Sith. This trilogy within the franchise is my least favorite.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

To stop myself from saying stupid things in awkward situations!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hmm…I see myself doing a lot of what I’m doing now. I guess that’s how it is an adult with a child. I’m sure I’ll be working full time, running her to all her activities and spending time with the family. I wish I had something more exciting to say.

My Questions:

1. Who is your favorite female popstar and why?
2. What is the funnest thing you’ve ever done?
3. Where is the coolest place you’ve ever been?
4. If you could have one and one author’s ARCs who would it be?
5. What celebrity do you think you look the most like?

I Tag:

Ali @ I Wuv Books
Ari @ The Daydreaming Bookworm
Ashley @ What’s She Reading?
Claire @ Art and Soul
Cristina @ My Tiny Obsessions
Debby @ alwaysbooking
Jessica @ Mud and Stars
Joey @ Thoughts and Afterthoughts
Lois @ My Midnight Musing
Stephanie @ Stephanie’s Book Reviews

Thank you to Beth @ Reading Every Night for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award. I really appreciate it! Now, for the award.

Rules:

• Show the award on your blog.
• Thank the person who nominated you.
• Share seven facts about yourself.
• Nominate fifteen five blogs.
• Link your nominees and let them know of your nomination.

7 Facts About Me:

1. I have way too many books on my TBR list right now. 12 that I have to read.
2. Now that I’m an adult, I like the school year more than summer. I’m horrible at coming up with things to keep my daughter busy during the summer.
3. I wish the NBA would bring back the Supersonics. I miss having a local basketball team to root for.
4. I played fastpitch (softball) growing up, but I can’t stand to watch baseball now. Too slow moving.
5. The only countries I’ve been to other than the United States are Mexico and Canada. Evidently, I don’t travel very far.
6. If I’m at home, I’m probably rocking pajama pants.
7. I used to love rollerskating when I was a kid, but now it scares the crap out of me.

I Nominate:

Claire @ Cup of Books

Jamila @ Heartscent Reads

Jennifer @ Wonderland Review

Larkin @ Wonderfilled Reads

Maria @ Big City Bookworm

It’s been an amazing spring in the Pacific Northwest. We’ve been graced with so much sun and warm weather. I love it! It makes this award even more fun to accept. Thank you to Beth @ Reading Every Night (Love that blog name!) for the nomination!

I have to admit, I’ve accepted this award a few times now. I just can’t help myself. Answering questions is so much fun! So bear with me as I accept again and nominate some newer to me bloggers!

The Award Rules:

• Thank the person who nominated you!
• Answer the 11 questions you were asked.
• Nominate 11 other bloggers and let them know they were nominated.
• Ask the nominees 11 questions

Answers to Beth’s Questions:

1.What book would you recommend to everyone, because it’s so amazing?

2. If you could pick one book to read again as if for the first time what would it be?

3. Favorite comfort food?

It’s a toss up between homemade macaroni and cheese or homemade chocolate chip cookies.

4. Favorite quote?

“Do Epic”

Kim Holden, Bright Side

5. Best and worst book-to-film adaptations you’ve seen?

Worst: Fifty Shades of Grey

Best: Game of Thrones

6. What’s your favorite book so far that you’ve read in 2016?

I have so many of them!!! It’s so unfair to pick one, but I will. My most recent is FREE on Wattpad.

7. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Honestly, I love living in western Washington. I love all the green, the bodies of water and the beautiful mountains. If I couldn’t live here, maybe a Hawaiian island or on the Oregon Coast.

8. What is your favorite thing to do with your spare time, other than reading?

I love hanging out with my friends and reminiscing about old times.

9. If you could go back in time and change one thing in your life, what would it be?

I would go back and join a gym with aerobics classes sooner after my daughter was born.

10. Has blogging been different to, or exactly as you pictured it being?

It definitely takes up more time than I expected, but that’s all on me. I need to be better at spreading out my posts and not reviewing EVERY book I read.

11. What has been the most positive thing that’s happened to you this week?

Well, it’s been a pretty boring week. The most positive thing was probably getting to spend some alone time with my husband while my daughter was at a sleepover.

I Nominate:

Camryn @ The Writing Crafter

Jacquie @ Rattle the Stars

Jennifer @ Wonderland Review

Kathy @ A View to a Book

Lauren @ The Laurenest

Megan @ PITCHBLACKSKY

Sheri @ Read in a Flash

What A Book Wants

thisbookthatbook

My Random Blog

Being A Book Nerd

My Questions for You:

1. What inspired your blog name?
2. If you had to create a superlative for your blog what would it be? The blog most likely to…
3. Which book has inspired you the most?
4. What book would you tell me to not bother reading?
5. Are you writing your own book?
6. Favorite book character?
7. Who was the last book boyfriend or girlfriend you fell in love with?
8. How many minutes/hours do you read a day?
9. What’s your favorite snack while reading?
10. What influences whether you read a book or not?
11. Do you like to read out loud?

Thanks again for the nomination, Beth!

This is tag is a mean reminder that rain has been forecasted for the entire week in not-so-sunny Seattle. 🙁 It’s a bummer because we had three sunny, springlike days last week. I’m ready for more sun, less rain in my future. Anyways. Rain or shine, thank you to the lovely Arec @ Rainy Thursdays for nominating me for The Sunshine Blogger Award. So sweet of you!

 Rules for this award:

• Answer the 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you.
• Nominate some wonderful bloggers and write 11 questions for them to answer.

Arec’s Questions:

1.Disney or Dreamworks?

Both! (I can do that, right?)

2.Do you consider yourself a feminist?

According to Wikipedia, “Feminism is a range of political movements, ideologies and social movements that share a common goal: to define, establish, and achieve equal political, economic, cultural, personal, and social rights for women.^[1][2]This includes seeking to establish equal opportunities for women in education and employment. A feminist advocates or supports the rights and equality of women.” 

I totally support the rights and equality of women, so I must be a feminist. I’m not out there campaigning for women, though. So maybe I’m not really sure how to answer this question.

3.Book adaptation or movie adaptation?

Book. Well, as long as the book comes first. If it was written after the movie, then forget it.

4.Do you do anything else while you are reading?

Sometimes I have music going or I am eating lunch/dinner or I am watching TV or reading on the treadmill. Depends on the day.

5.How often do you write review for books you haven’t actually finished?

Never. Well, unless it’s a DNF and I feel the need to say why for other readers.

6.If you can have one thing in the world, regardless of price, etc. what would it be?

Ooo! This is a hard one. The first thing that came to mind was a body like Britney Spears back in the day. Lol. But I like chocolate and tacos.

7.What do you think about women who don’t want to have children?

I think it’s great that they know themselves well enough to know having children isn’t for them. Having kids is hard. You have to devote part of yourself and your life to someone else for at least 18 years. That’s a big commitment. If someone doesn’t want to make it, then they shouldn’t be judged. There are a lot of people out there (men and women both) who have kids and shouldn’t.

Now, I have to admit I feel a little sad for people who choose not to have kids. There are a lot of rewarding things about having kids. I can’t imagine life now without my daughter. I think they’re missing out a little, but at the same time, being a mother or father isn’t for everyone.

8.Do you have an special talents?

I can tap dance.

9.Name one time where you have been scared out of you mind.

One time when my husband was in the hospital and they weren’t sure what was wrong with him. (Hereditary high blood pressure)

10.Do you believe in soulmates?

I don’t know. Maybe? I like to think you meet the right person at the right time in your life. Like, if I would have met my husband at 18 instead of 23, I’m not sure it would have worked out for either of us. (I can say that because I actually knew of him when I was in my teenage years.) And even though I dated some crappy people in my late teens and early twenties, without them and the experiences we had, I wouldn’t have been who I was when I met my husband. I think he’s the perfect person for me. So in that way, I think he’s my soulmate. I like to think we complete each other.

11.What is the one thing you cannot leave your house without (no cellphones please!)

A jacket with a hood. You never know when it’s going to rain in the Pacific Northwest and true Washingtonians don’t do umbrellas.

My Questions:

1. What was the last book that shocked you?
2. Favorite boy band?
3. What song are you playing on repeat lately?
4. What book are most anxiously waiting for?
5. What is your favorite kind of potato chip?
6. Who is the first person you would call after meeting your favorite author?
7. What was the last book you read that you absolutely loved?
8. If you could have any job, what would it be?
9. Who is your favorite TV character?
10. What is the last book that made you laugh out loud?
11. Do you believe in ghosts? UFOs? Aliens?

The Nominations:

If you’ve already been nominated or just don’t want to do it, feel free to ignore. 😉

Chelsea @ Books for Thought

Sarina @ Cookie Break

Kelly @ Kelly’s Rambles

Jamila @ Heartscent Reads

Maria @ Big City Bookworm

Lisa @ Remarkably Lisa

Caroline @ A Novel Romance

Melissa @ In A Bookish World

I was recently nominated for The Sunshine Blogger Award. Thank you Jessica @ Mud and Stars for the nomination! It was very sweet of her to think of me! If you haven’t checked out her blog, you should!

The Rules:

1. Answer the 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you.
2. Nominate some wonderful bloggers.
3. Write 11 questions for them.

Jessica’s questions for the me:

1.If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, which book would you choose?

It would have to be a choose your own adventure book because then I could read the same book with several different outcomes.

2.If you were stranded on a desert island, which 5 fictional characters would you most like to be stuck there with?

Kate & Gus from Bright Side because they’re super cool and they would help me stay positive. Kaz from Six of Crows because he would find a way off the island. And Kaz would need Inej and Nina to help, of course.

3.Which Hogwarts House are you in?

According to the Almighty Guru Harry Potter House Sorting Quiz, I am a Hufflepuff. 

4.Who is your least favorite main character of a book and why?

Nick from Gone Girl. I just didn’t like him. He was so sketchy.

5.What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?

There are ton. I hate admitting this. Most recently it was when I took my daughter to a birthday party. I didn’t know anyone and was making small talk with another parent I didn’t know. She was going on and on about her amicable divorce. I have never been divorced so I was comparing it to a friend’s amicable divorce. I ended up realizing at the end of the day that my friend’s old neighbors were also there and most likely heard everything I said. No big deal except they’re friends with my friend’s ex. At least I didn’t say anything bad — just more than I should have. Lesson learned.

6.What is the weirdest dream you have ever had?

When I was a kid I dreamt I was being chased by the Tootsie Pop owl. It was freakin’ scary! “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop…”

7.Which book do you wish you had written?

I would love to have been witty and creative enough to have written just about any book!

8.Have you ever met anyone famous, and how did you react? If not, who would you most like to meet and how you do think you would cope with it?

I went to school with Heather from the 80’s Christian music duo Heather and Kirsten. They had an album and also sang the national anthem at a ton of major sporting events. They even recently sang the national at a Seahawks game. Does that count?

http://www.seahawks.com/video/2015/09/29/ostrom-sisters-national-anthem

I also went to junior high with ex-NBA player Michael Dickerson (he was older and I didn’t know him). I also helped him with a bank transaction when in college when I was a teller. I also sat next to NBA player Brian Scalabrine in Speech class at Highline Community College (I actually talked to him and he said he was going to play bball at UCLA, but I didn’t realize he was really good). Those probably don’t count either.

Or how about one of the girl’s mom’s on my daughter’s soccer team is old friends with Kevin Federline’s wife? That’s just like knowing KFed and Britney, right? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

My sister’s husband’s co-worker’s daughter is Seahawks player Ricardo Lockette’s girlfriend. I was in a book group with the co-worker for a while. Yeah, that doesn’t count either.

I have seen a ton of famous people during fight weekends in Vegas (Mario Lopez, Eva Longoria, Mike Tyson, Ludacris, etc.) but I was never close enough to react to them.

So, yeah, I really got nothing.

Oh, wait! I did shake Al Gore’s hand at a book signing my BFF drug me to years ago and I have met Washington’s Governor, Jay Inslee. My BFF works for him so I said hi and stuff. I’m lame.

9.Which TV shows are you addicted to?

So You Think You Can Dance, The Blacklist, The Big Bang Theory, Scream Queens, The Voice, The Mindy Project

10.What were your first words?

No clue. Sorry. My mom didn’t write it in my baby book. I checked.

11.If you had another blog, what would you blog about?

Mommy stuff probably.

My nominees:

Kat @ Life and Other Disasters

Jesse @ Books at Dawn

Joey @ Thoughts and Afterthoughts

Jordyn @ J.Bookish

Sky @ Bookish Night

Feel free to ignore the nomination if you’ve already done this and don’t want to or just plain old don’t want to. 😉

My questions for my nominees:

1.If you had to give each of the following people a book, what books would you give them: a child, your best friend, your mom and your significant other?

2.If you could be friends with someone famous who would it be and why?

3.Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera?

4.What is the weirdest topic you’ve ever discussed at a holiday meal?

5.What is your favorite board game?

6.If you could co-author a book with someone who would it be and what would your story be about?

7.Name your favorite band and what book you would like them to create a soundtrack for.

8.Who is your favorite person to talk books with?

9.What was the last book someone recommended to you that you loved and what was it?

10.Do you review all of the books you read? Why or why not?

11.Would you ever rate a book on Goodreads before you read it? If so, why?

Have fun!