Kate says

Summer time means travels! Have a look at the confessions of a debut travel author, Nicholas Kontis, who encourages readers to focus more on the local experiences and local people when traveling. Maybe this read will inspire you to hit the road and explore something amazing this summer!

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A guest post by Nick Kontis

Follow Nicholas Kontis' blog on BookLikes HERE

Nick Kontis' author page on BookLikes is HERE

Being a child of Greek immigrant parents, it was important that I learned about my heritage. I was blessed to spend my childhood summers in Greece. I learned the meaning of family and of sharing. I slept on couches in spare rooms, hitched rides, and helped with the preparing of meals. I even learned to bake bread when I was 12 years old.

At age 24 I left my native San Francisco, and took a backpack and on what was to be a last trip to the Greek Islands before buckling down and becoming a productive American citizen.

On the island of Ios, I met Swen and Maria from Sweden. After many shots of the chalky Greek liquor Ouzo, I forfeited my return ticket home and traveled to Bangladesh and later all throughout the Indian subcontinent.

Moving on, I manage to tread lightly all throughout India, Nepal, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Bali, Australia, New Caledonia, Tahiti and then finally back to California.

Without a job prospect in sight, I ended up creating one. I started the first travel agency in the U.S. specializing in discount around the world airfares. I was the Lonely Planet guidebooks of travel agencies catering to backpackers. I actually sought out world travelers finding them in various locales of San Francisco. I turned them into productive sellers of around the world airfares. Productive travel agents.

I never left the travel industry. In a field where people scoffed and said that I wouldn’t make a dime,  I did extremely well.

  Now, as a travel journalist, I wrote my first book on the timely subject matter of experiential travel titled, Going Local Experiences and Encounters on the Road.

Ever since the birth of Airbnb, immersing into local society and the buzz word, "sharing economy," came to fruition. Today's modern day explorers seek a better understanding of people. Going Local details how to implement a local point of learning from local cultures.

With the assistance of technology, never before has it been so easy to stay in someone's home, share a meal, hitch a ride, and to be guided by a local to gain greater wisdom from a society.

"Going Local" delves into the rise in peer-to-peer travel and shows how to use meal sharing apps, and other ways in which a nation's food and cuisine is a glance into a nation's culture.

Other subject matter includes: how a trip around the world is a life-changing experience, moving out of your comfort zone and living abroad, why it is of the utmost importance to practice responsible travel, along with choosing responsible tour operators to guide you, volunteering and why we all should give at least a small portion of our journeys to help others.

With keynote talks with travel visionaries, icons and explorers in the field of travel, including Tony Wheeler, Richard Bangs, Rick Steves, Don George, Judith Fein, James Dorsey, Tim Leffel, Dr. Harald Goodwin, David Noyes, Andrew Zimmern, Eric Wolf, Larissa & Michael Milne, Tomislav Perko, Tamara Lowe.

The great Lonely Planet guidebook founder Tony Wheeler, gives the cover endorsement stating:

“Many people - Mark Twain included - have noted how travel is a certain cure for bigotry and narrow-mindedness. I hope Nick’s book may help persuade people to take the treatment.”

As some of my luminary travel author colleagues have reminded me, travel books are a breed of their own and not interesting to most readers.

The average American reads fewer than two books a year and a paltry 38% of Americans have passports. So there aren't many travel books that are robust blockbusters. Expect slow and steady, not a mad rush.

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You can find the book on BookLikes here: Going Local: Experiences and Encounters on the Road by Nicholas Kontis  

The author is also willing to e-mail a PDF copy in exchange for a review.

If you're interested, please leave a comment below.

Am I the only one doing the July book club read?

Am I discussing it with myself?

If so, I'm going to just read like any other book without pausing to post discussions and spacing out the chapters in order to participate.

[If you care to join in on this or a future Virtual Speculation Book Club read here on booklikes, the book club is at http://booklikes.com/book-clubs/50/virtual-speculation ]

It's July 7th and this means that the buddy reading for "The Invention of Nature" by Andrea Wulf starts today! Everyone wanting to participate in the read is warm welcome!

You can read more about the book on the book page HERE (or click the cover on the left) and in Jenn's, the buddy read's initiator, post HERE.

Please join the book club hosted by Jenn from Murder by Death to participate in the buddy read and to share your thoughts.

Click HERE to take a tour and join the Book Club for The Invention of Nature.

If you'd like to add a discussion post, look at the discussion threads created for each chapter of the book - they are HERE. Once you join the Book Club the discussion group will become automatically open for you.

Once you're a book club and discussion group member make sure to switch on the notifications on the top of the discussion threads to stay up to date with the book discussions' post.

Click HERE to look at the chapter discussions and join the club.

If you're using Facebook, you can also join the Buddy Read event. Click HERE to view and join the Facebook buddy reading event. To invite more readers, please share the event among your friends and family.

Buddy reading sounds like a lot of fun! Can't wait to see your discussions and reviews!

Happy reading!

Six months checked and six still to go. Have a look at BookLikes bloggers June reads and let us know how are you doing in your 2017 reading challenge. Click the blogs' headings to visit the blog pages and follow the reviewers.

Scroll down to view more June reading relations from BookLikes book bloggers. 

Happy reading!

9  books

31 total  

9  audio

2  ebooks 

1   library  book ... read more

12 books read in June.  Not my highest month, but respectable by any measure.

5,332 pages read for a total of 37,037 pages read so far this year.  At the halfway mark of the Reading Challenge I've read 144 books out of the 200 slated for the year.  My second half of the year is always a slower reading time, so I feel like I'm actually right on track.

Just the one 4.5 star read this month: Storm in a Teacup by Helen Czerski... read more

 

This year, June has been a month from hell...It started out with my birthday/Open House for my daughter, then a few days later her graduation ceremony, that all went okay...just very hectic.  Two days after my oldest daughter graduated high school, my youngest daughter and I went up the road a mile to Subway and came home and a car had driven into our house.  Like, seriously, drove through the front porch and the garage...then proceeded to go through the wall of the garage into the woods behind the house, where he hit a tree.  

Anyway, my reading hit a bit of slump (as in I found it hard to concentrate on reading and listening at all), with everything going on lately... read more

I can't believe June is over already! Where does the time go? I must be getting old. Or working too much.

I finished 5 books this month. 4 of them from Netgalley, oops! I seem to have lost control again and have 6 more from them to keep me from my A-list reading, but 3 are cooking and craft books and they go fast... read more

June was an excellent month of great books, and my second 5.0 Star read this year!
With all the activity going on this month in real life, I hadn't been sure if I'd have much time to read.  Lots of excitement with relatives visiting and a wedding... life was pretty hectic.  And then, on top of that, I STILL haven't gotten back into my normal sleep schedule.  Everything is off, I'm waking up at weird times, sleeping at weird times... not getting enough sleep...
And it probably doesn't help that I've been reading mysteries before going to bed... read more

If you've missed June wrap ups by other BookLikes bloggers, have a look at the following posts, and feel invited to read and join :) If we haven't included your post link, let us know in the comment section below.

June Wrap-Up by Tannat ->

• June Books by Emerjas ->
• June Wrap Up by Line Bookaholic ->
• June 2017 Wrap Up by Tea, Rain, Book ->
• Books I Read This Month (June 2017) by Obsidian Blue ->
• Angel’s Monthly Wrap Up – June 2017 by Angel's Guilty Pleasures ->
• My June 2017 by Bookish thoughts!!! ->
• 2017 Books---- 97 and counting.... by Peregrinations ->
• COYER Summer Reading List | June Readathon Wrap Up! by Ani's Book Abyss ->
• June Wrap Up and Challenge Update by meeplemaiden ->
• June 2017 Round-Up and Giveaway by SnoopyDoo's Book Reviews ->
• Monatsrückblick: Juni 2017 by Sunsy ->

BookLikes book bloggers' previous 2017 reading challenge posts:

Book Bloggers May Reading->

April in books ->

2017 March Reads ->

Look back at the February books->

January wrap-ups! ->

So far we have 5 people participating in our upcoming buddy read for The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World - Andrea Wulf and we're welcoming anyone and everyone who might like to join us.  

The original start date was slated for July 14, but BrokenTune has been told her library reservation for the book is ready early.  I know at least one other person needed to borrow it from the library for the buddy read, so is it possible to start the buddy read early?  Say on the 7th (this Friday) instead of the 14th?  (Keeping it a Friday so BL-opoly players can use it for their Free Friday Read)

If so, let me know and I'll change the bookclub start dates.  If not, that's totally ok too - we don't want to rush anyone and we'll start on the original date as planned.

Comment here or in the bookclub:

http://booklikes.com/thread/3065/2017-07-14-2017-07-31-the-invention-of-nature-alexander-von-humboldt-s-new-world-andrea-wulf

And again - if anyone is interested in joining us, please do!

We're happy to welcome Nataša Pantović Nuit, an author of 9 mindfulness books and spiritual researcher and trainer, on BookLikes blog. Nataša introduces the subject of spiritual writings, and we have to confess that we've learned a lot form this short piece. We wish you all inspiring and spiritual reading. And writings!

All readers are invited to join Nataša's Giveaways.

• To win Conscious Parenting: Mindful Living Course for Parents click here->
• To win Mindful Being click here->

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A guest pos by Nataša Pantović Nuit.

Follow Nataša's on BookLikes ->

Nataša Pantović Nuit's author page ->

If you are into “Spiritual writings” you are probably already pre-warned and have experience more than a few expectations and accusations instantly associated with this amazing genre. To be fair, throughout the history this was the most read genre of all. Remember the “eternal” classics such as: Bible, Koran, Baghavagita, to mention just a few, that have earned the reputation of the “best sellers” of all times. Whether in English speaking countries or within the countries of the East, the books that took the attention of the millions were “Spiritual” writings, talking about eternal love, happiness, or damnation.

Even within the ancient marketing, it was clearly understood that if a book is written by God, it stands a much better chance to win huge audience. Paradoxically, if you are a believer, all the books are by force written by God or influenced by His or Her Majesty, cause God as an Omni-potent entity must surely encompass the world of writing, yet a claim that the words are directly channeled by Holy Spirit (a messenger of God) is quite a popular one. Yet the competition within the world of Holy Spirit followers is quite tough, surely such experiences must be unique and sacred, so the other people’s assentation of the same, was at times guarded by deathly sword.

Within the competition of who is more “enlightened”, and closer to God, only “the best” could possibly survive. Some tradition have decided to keep this “spot” reserved only for the karmic few, by birth given rights, some others chose a complicated hierarchical process that after the completion give their God representatives the full trust.

Moving a step away from the Holy Books, and mind you this was not easy, there were times when only Holy Books were readily available for folks around the fire gathered to read, the written word was once “sacred”. If it is “written” then it must be true. Pope Innocent the VIII (we are talking 15the century) embraced a book written by two German Dominican Monks, called the “Malleus Maleficarum”, the Witches' Hammer, the hunting manual and blessed it, giving to the Inquisition all the power and tools needed to act against this so-called evil, called: women, resulting in killing some-say millions.

All wickedness, is but little to the wickedness of a woman. ... It is written in the manual.

What else is woman but a foe to friendship, an inescapable punishment, a necessary evil, a natural temptation, a desirable calamity, domestic danger, a delectable detriment, an evil nature, painted with fair colors... Women are by nature instruments of Satan - they are by nature carnal, a structural defect rooted in the original creation.

This book was printed and re-printed many times in the centuries to follow, “the  Witches' Hammer became the bestseller, the hit amongst different classes, and was passed from hand to hand, read aloud in Churches, and on the village squares, stored in special places, with the Bible, consulted in the dark corridors of the torture chambers. The best Hunters would know it by heart, reciting it as a deepest wisdom against poor women. Printed, reprinted and translated into German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, English, Portuguese, it outsold all other books except the Bible!” (a quote from A-Ma Alchemy of Love, my spiritual historical fiction book, that explores the 17^th century China).

Note: Personally, I have a deep interest for this amazing time: the 16^th and 17^th century when the printed books became available and we finally entered the era when our ancient scripts are readily available for us to read, compare, and thoroughly research.

Back to the modern times, did you know that within the world of our most powerful Internet, the words that still win the most of our “human” interest are: God, sex and love. I bet this does not surprise you!

Writing and talking about “enlightenment”, “love” and “God”, we ought to learn our reputation either as an eligible representative of a religious structure or as a “Spirit” filled individual that allows this “Divine “ force to flow within ones life.

Detaching the “psychological” tools from the religious connotations is always a difficult process and it risks "charlatans" invading the space of Gurus, Philosophers, Sages, Priests, and Spiritual Researchers promising an "instant happiness", a "curse" or a "pink pill" that cure all the diseases and bring immense wealth.

Whether you approach your spiritual writings with the “mind” or with “heart” filled with “Divine” flow, this will not be an easy journey, yet with the "Rightful Effort", under the shade of inspiration, and within the worlds of a constant ever-expanding self-development training, working with Virtues, Creativity, Changing Habits, etc., you might be able to truly “break” into this most amazing market.

Giveaways!

ENTER TO WIN ->

ENTER TO WIN ->

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Artof4Elements (htttp://www.artof4elements.com) is a Mindfulness Training and self-help Publisher that publish books, audio, and video materials in areas of Mindfulness, Meditation, Self-Help, New Thought, Alternative Health, Nutrition, and Conscious Parenting.

In March 2014, Artof4Elements developed and launched the Alchemy of Love Mindfulness Training Series of 9 fiction and non-fiction books, authored by 7 authors, focusing on spiritual growth, creativity and mindfulness.

Nataša Pantović Nuit is a Maltese Serbian Author of 9 mindfulness books, a spiritual researcher and trainer, whose work focuses on spirituality, alchemy, conscious parenting, and self-development.

You can find Nataša Pantović Nuit on BookLikes:

Follow Nataša's on BookLikes ->

Nataša Pantović Nuit's author page ->

 

and more

It's reading Summer time, let's keep ourselves busy - with reading! Discover these amazing reading lists and book clubs ready to make your Summer even more bookish. Join and keep on reading!

Buddy Read Open Invite

via Murder by Death

Lillelara, BrokenTune, SusannaG - Confessions of a Crazy Cat Lady, and myself are all going to participate in a buddy read of The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World by Andrea Wulf starting on July 15th (or very close to - subject to library availability).

If anyone would like to join us, we welcome everyone.   :)

Read more and join ->

Bookish Delights blogger shares Summer books you can't miss!

Summer is coming.

Now, after I've made that trying- to-be ASoIaF reference, it's time to talk about books! This time of the year is all about light. easy, enjoyable read no matter if you are somewhere on the beach with salt in your hair or lying in your aparment under the air conditioner.
I loved and utterly enjoyed every book listed below and highly recommend you read them!...

Read more in here->

COYER Summer Vacation 2017 Summer Reading List

This is Tea, Rain, Book's summer reading list. As per the rules, 30 books to start; for every 5 books read and reviewed, 5 books can be added to the list.

For rules and to sign up, please go to http://coyerchallenge.com/2017/05/20/coyer-summer-reading-list-sign-now-challenge-starts-june-17th/.  

Join and read on->

Top 20 Best New Summer Reads Coming July

What a line up of talent.  Someone "lock me in" with no interruptions!

Check the best July beach titles ->

TOR Monthly Free e-Book

Once a month, publisher TOR offers a free e-book. Let's read it!

Read more ->

I rarely put a book aside and telling the truth I could count the abandoned books on the fingers of my hand (maybe two hands), I give them a second chance and count for an improvement later on. But when enough is enough I feel guilty and start to think that maybe there's something wrong with me or my reading preferences.

How do you treat books that aren't your cup of tea?

A. Close and forget or giveaway to hated cousin.

B. Read till the last page because I cannot otherwise.

C. Have short brake from a title and give it a second chance after a while.

pic via BookLikes Facebook

For the last couple of days BookLikes is experiencing a troublesome relation with Facebook: the login via Facebook and synchronization isn't working as it supposed to. The two features experience hiccups and therefore are unavailable at the moment. The Facebook options will be turned on as soon as we sort the problematic issues out.

If you're using Facebook to log in to BookLikes and you're experiencing login problems at the moment, please follow the steps below to log into your BookLikes to shelve your books and write reviews:

1. Go to BookLikes.com, press log in and then Forgot password link.

2. Type in the e-mail address your BookLikes account is set up on (if you're using Facebook to log in, the e-mail will be the same as for your Fb account)

3. Check your e-mail inbox for the password reset e-mail, open it and press the link.

4. Type in your new password.

5. Log into your BookLikes with your e-mail and a new password and start shelving and posting.

So sorry for any inconvenience. Once we sort the thing out, we'll let you know in the comments below.

In case of any further questions, write in the comment section below or send a message to kate@booklikes.com

We're happy to announce that BookLikes supported the bloggers' conference, the buchmesse: blogger sessions 17, in Leipzig, Germany on March 26. Today we'd like to highlight 8 things that make BookLikes really special on the blog platform scene. Here are the tools that each blogger and book lover will appreciate when starting a book blog on BookLikes.

The blog post is published in English and German. Scroll down for a German version and a contest info for German readers.

1. User-friendly design

No matter whether you're a tech-savvy or not, BookLikes is suitable for all personalities. You can use easy peasy customization tools and ready made blog templates, or show your HTML magic skills and customize your BookLike page all by yourself.

If you're a designer you can also upload your design to BookLikes Theme Store and become a book blog designer.

2. Different templates for different writings

BookLikes lets you discuss books in six different ways.The review template is the most popular but once you try the text, quote, photo, video and link styles, you'll love the way they stand out on your blog page and your Dashboard feed.

3. Shelf

In book lover's world the bookshelf is so much more than just a place to store books. It's your way of expressing yourself and presenting your reading life.

4. Book search integrated with the blogging tools

Choose the writing template: text, quote, photo, video or URL, search the book within a blogging template, add your review and publish. Don't worry about the layout or copying/pasting the covers, it's already done. Now all you have to do is read and write.

5. Community

Can reading be a social activity? Sure it can! No one is better in discussing books than book bloggers. And an international community is a dream place for a member of a modern blogosphere.

6. Book widgets

Widget is another way fo showing off your books, reviews and giveaways. You can add BookLikes widgets to your BookLikes blog page and to your other www pages.

Spread the word and promote your book blog brand!

7. Fun zone

Set up your reading goal for an annual reading challenge, add your reading lists, win giveaways.

8. Affiliate program for book bloggers

Why not to earn money on doing what you love -- reading and reviewing. If you're using online booksellers' affiliate programs (e.g. Amazon) you can connect your affiliate ID with your BookLikes blog and receive the money when somebody buys the book via your blog page. Simple as that.

[DE]

Ihre Erfahrungen mit Büchern können nur Ihnen gehören, Sie können Sie aber auch mit anderen teilen. BookLikes ist eine internationale Gemeinschaft aller Buchliebhaber und Blogger. Werden Sie Teil und entdecken, erleben und präsentieren Sie Ihre Welt der Bücher.

8 Dinge, die Buchliebhaber auf BookLikes finden und lieben werden:

1. Ansprechendes Design

Kostenlose Vorlagen und Extras, einfache Individualisierung.

2. Verschiedene Text-Styles
Veröffentlichen Sie Ihre Beiträge als Buchbesprechungen, Zitate, Videos, Links oder Fotos.

3. Bücherregal
Teilen Sie Ihre Buchsammlungen und nutzen Sie diese als Ihre persönliche Visitenkarte.

4. Buch-Suchmaschine mit integrierter Blogfunktion
Sie suchen ein Buch, fügen Ihre Buch-Besprechung hinzu und veröffentlichen diese, ohne sich mit Zusatzgraphiken und dem Kopieren des Buchcovers aufzuhalten.

5. Blogger-Community
Lesen Sie nicht nur für sich. Teilen Sie Ihre Erfahrungen mit anderen Buch-Bloggern. Tauschen Sie sich aus und nehmen Sie an spannenden Diskussionsrunden teil.

6. Book Widgets

Die BookLikes-Widgets erlauben Ihnen, in Ihrem Blog Ihre Lieblingsbücher, Buchverlosungen und Zitate zu präsentieren – die Nutzung von Extras externer Webseiten ist nicht mehr notwendig.

7. Fun Zone
Nehmen Sie selbst an unseren Lesechallenges teil und testen sich selbst, erstellen Sie Ihre eigenen Leselisten mit Ihren Lieblingstiteln oder machen Sie mit bei den Buchverlosungen.

8. Affiliate-Programme für Blogger
Warum nicht mit der Lieblingsbeschaftigung etwas Geld verdienen? Mit dem Schreiben von Buchbesprechungen und der Nutzung von Affiliate-Programmen gewählter Buchhandlungen haben Sie mit BookLikes die Möglichkeit.

Hat Dir dir Buchmesse gefallen? Teile Deine Eindrücke und gewinne einen inkBOOK Prime E-Reader.

Gewinnen Sie einen E-Reader inkBOOK auf BookLikes in 3 Schritten: 
   

1. Registrieren Sie sich auf BookLikes.com    

2. Füllen Sie Ihre Bibliothek auf BookLikes.com

(Import aus LovelyBooks.de möglich).

Verfassen Sie zusätzlich eine Buchbesprechung und veröffentlichen Sie in Ihrem Blog auf BookLikes.com einen Bericht über die Bloggermesse/-Konferenz in Leipzig.  

3. Versehen Sie Ihren Beitrag mit den Tags #booklikes #bmb17 #lmb17    

Veröffentlichen Sie Ihre Beiträge vom 26.03. bis zum 09.04.2017.    

Gewählt werden 3 der interessantesten Berichte, deren Autoren mit inkBOOK E-Reader ausgezeichnet werden!    

Be in the spotlight! Schreiben Sie in Ihrem Blog auf BookLikes, wie es sich mit dem gewonnenen inkBOOK liest und wir senden Ihre Rezension über den E-Reader rund um die Welt!

BookLikes ist einer der Sponsoren der buchmesse:blogger sessions 17auf der Leipziger Buchmesse

Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

It's time for Bloggers write section! One thing we love more than books and bookish gadgets is a bookish gift box full of personalized goodies. Here's a step by step instruction how to create one:

1. Read the following piece

2. Join Bookish Box Swaps on BookLikes

3. Meet other book lovers

4. Prepare fancy gadgets

5. Send a box with a smile

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A guest post by Jessica from Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile:

So you’re wondering about Bookish Box Swaps, and what they are? Well friends, let me take you on a quick trip into a world filled with boxes of goodies. A world where that fluttery feeling of filling boxes with things you know someone else will love, comes more than once a year. If there’s one thing we bookish people know, it’s that books can soothe the soul. This is exactly why I created the Bookish Box Swaps group.

The idea behind it all is simple. Our group chooses the next swap we want to do, a minimum spending requirement is set, a list of fun themed items is created, and the rest is all up to the swappers! We do a quick poll at the beginning, before people are paired up, to give the swappers a glimpse at the people behind the emails. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the people you interact with on a daily basis, and see what you have in common! Each swap is unique, and a brand new chance to meet someone new.

As an example, our “Cozy Up Swap” at the end of 2016 was about all things comforting and warm. The rules called for a book, a warm drink, something edible, something handmade, and a card. I was absolutely floored by the types of boxes that were curated by our members. There were so many thoughtful, handpicked, handmade items. It’s a lot of fun to watch the pictures roll in, as the swappers receive their packages. The amount of love thrown around is infectious.

Have I given you enough of a reason to join us yet? We would love to have you! You can find us here: http://booklikes.com/groups/show/746/bookish-box-swaps. Keep in mind that our swaps aren’t mandatory, and all our members are welcome to participate whenever they can!

My hope for this group was always that it would foster more of the bookish love we all already have, and bring people closer together. It seems to be doing just that! When the world looks bleak, at least we have this little piece of kindness and light to hold onto.

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If you've missed the previous "Bloggers write" post here's a link to catch up with the BookLikes Librarian's tips & tricks on editing and adding books on BookLikes ->

BookLikes blogger form Spooky's House Of Books asked 11 questions about the ways you read and we could not share. We'd love to know!

click the image to read the Q&A list

Here's a list of questions, please copy them and add a reading habit tag to the post so we could find and share it :-)

1. Do you have a certain place in your home for reading?
2. Bookmark or random piece of paper?
3. Can you  just stop reading or do you have to stop read after a chapter / certain number of pages?
4. Do you eat or drink while read?
5. Multitasking: music or TV while reading?
6. One book at a time or several at once?
7. Reading at home or everywhere?
8. Reading out loud or silently in your head?
9. Do you read ahead or even skip pages?
10. Barking the spine or keeping it like new?
11. Do you write in your books?

BookLikes decided to take part too. Have a look at the reading habits of Kate, the community manager & support:

1. Do you have a certain place in your home for reading: Not really, I love to ready anyplace although recently it mostly happens in the bedroom.

2. Bookmark or random piece of paper? I love bookmarks and collect them, it's my a must have souvenir from my travels. But I love them so much that I'm afraid of using them so I use all kind of stuff as the replacements. Recently I've read that "keeping nice things, as opposed to using them, takes away some of the specialness of the object. By using something, you give it even more value than you do allowing it to collect dust on a shelf or in a basket". So I may consider changing this habit.

3. Can you  just stop reading or do you have to stop read after a chapter / certain number of pages? I usually stop when my eyes close.

4. Do you eat or drink while read? Yes, I do. A book and a cup of coffee is a perfect couple. Sometimes I read with a mug of green tea. With snacks rather than a full meal.

5. Multitasking: music or TV while reading? I used to read like that but now I appreciate the silence while reading.

6. One book at a time or several at once? One at a time. Whenever I start several books at once I rarely finish any.

7. Reading at home or everywhere? Definitely everywhere. I always carry a book or an e-reader in my bag.

8. Reading out loud or silently in your head? Silently unless I read to my baby boy.

9. Do you read ahead or even skip pages? It may sound weird but I even sneak peek at the end of the book. I cannot resits! Sometimes I just cannot wait to see what's gonna happen.

10. Barking the spine or keeping it like new? None of my books looks like new.

11. Do you write in your books? If it's a paper edition and I find a quote I love or I need to add a note, then yes. I have a liberal attitude to books, I love reading them but I don't consider them sacred. I also add a lot of highlights and notes to my e-reads. 

And what are your reading habits?

Booklikes direct links if ever useful to anyone:

• http://booklikes.com/notification  follow the conversations
• http://booklikes.com/settings  (plus tabs to blog, import, pages and affiliate links)
• http://booklikes.com/blog see a dashboard view of just your posts
• http://booklikes.com/blog?draft your drafts
• http://booklikes.com/apps/reading-lists reading lists
• http://booklikes.com/FAQ  for site FAQs
• http://booklikes.com/friends/followers  see your followers
• http://booklikes.com/groups/show/1/booklikes-official-group official booklikes group with bug and suggestion threads.
• http://booklikes.com/groups discussion rooms (just found this one, boy have I been inactive in my groups) 
• http://booklikes.com/goodies/widget widgets (goodies tab) [Yay!  I may be able to clear the 2014 challenges]
• http://booklikes.com/template/customize customization tab [Yay! I finally got goodreads out of my blog description]

Have you ever thought how your setting influences the way you work, think, act? I'm happy to see that my desk is as messy as Einstein's, and I really enjoy working on the floor, just like Kipling. There's still hope for me ;-)  

What's interesting I've recently noticed that it gets harder and harder for me to focus on books I'm reading when I'm outside. It looks that I've grown up to reading in the comfort of my home. How about you? 

infographics via Made to Measure Blinds

I'm a cat lover  >^..^<

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It's Friday the 13th! Again! It's perfect time to remind you good luck black cats :)

Whether you believe in Friday 13th bad luck or not, we wish you all the best and all the luck. Btw, we think the superstition about the bad luck black cats was made up by the white cats' gang. Just look at those pics!

Stamp your feet via Lenore on BookLikes 

Reading lesson via Lenore on BookLikes 

The Sleepyhead via Tina Sandevska on BookLikes

Smart one via

Just sitting via 

and sitting via

and still sitting via

Come, sit by via

Mark Twain’s vintage cat Bambino via

Lucky 13 via

Comma cat via Tina Sandevska on BookLikes 

And if you wish to read some cat books have a look at the collection of several reads featuring cats found by Kagama -The Literaturevixen.

Happy Friday the 13th and good luck! ;-)

P.S. Watch out! Zombie kittens are waiting. 

furry zombies via Musings of NerdyNatasha on BookLikes 

Originally posted on BookLikes Blog: December 13, 2013, updated June 13, 2014.