this or that? books edition TAG

Reading is my reward at the end of the day. It is a way to unwind and learn more. I have always loved to read and often wish that I had more time to do so. That is why my reading goal each year is to finish at least 20 fiction and 20 non-fiction books. It is important that I make the time to read whenever possible. So far this year, some steady progress has been made towards that reading goal. At the moment, I am reading a couple of non-fiction books, including Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford and What If You Are The Answer? by Rachel Hollis. For a little bit of light reading, there are some cozy mystery novels on my bedside table as well. Last month, the amazing blog, Yasmina Rosa Wölkchen, shared the This or That? Books Edition TAG. I knew immediately that it was something I wanted to post here as well. Keep reading for all of the book related questions.

Reading on the couch or in bed? Both, but it is definitely my preference to read in bed. At the end of the day, it is nice to get comfortable in my bed and reach for whatever book strikes my fancy that evening. Reading in bed is a wonderful treat. 

Male or female characters? In general, the books that I read are from female authors, with very few exceptions. I also tend to prefer the main character to be non-male. We live in a patriarchal world, but my bookshelf doesn't have to be that way. 

Sweet or salty snacks while reading? Snacks are definitely my downfall and I am trying to be better about them, but my perfect reading snack would be a bowl of popcorn and some chocolate. So, my ideal reading snack would be a bit of both.

Series or individual volumes? I like both. Sometimes, it is nice to read a good book series and know that the characters will be sticking around for a bit. Other times, it is fun to get to know a character for just a little while and then let them go.

First-person narrators or stories written in the third-person? I don't have a preference exactly, because both forms of storytelling have their pros and cons. It is possible to understand the character more immediately when it is written in first-person, but it is possible to have a broader understanding of the situation with a book that is written in third-person. 

Reading time: night owl or morning person? I wish I could read in the morning and at night. (Well, all day.) Due to my schedule, my reading usually happens at night. Some time after eight or so. It really depends on what my to-do list looks like that day!

Do you prefer to buy books or borrow them? Though I do like taking random books out of the library...my preference is to purchase books. I love having a collection of books that I can re-read and fall in love with many times. The library is great if there is an author that I would like to try out or a book that I want to read but not necessarily keep. I can be a little more experimental at the library! Sometimes, there will be a random book that catches my eye. I am able to do something different. 

Books that make you cry or those that make you laugh? It totally depends on my mood. I have some books that are heavier and pull out a lot of emotions, but I also have books that are funny and lighter. It all depends on what I need that day.

Black or white covers? Neither. I like books with bright fun colours. Some people like to organize their books by colour (white, black, blue, red, and so on) but I like a mixture of all sorts of colours. Books should be colourful, inside and out.

Would you rather have something fantastic or something realistic? Realistic. There are times when something a little more fantastic and out-of-this-world make sense, but for the most part, it is the realistic stories that speak to me most. I like to hear about the way people have lived, what they have learned, and what wisdom they want to share with the world. 

Be sure to answer the This or That? Books Edition TAG questions in the comment section below, on your own blog, or elsewhere. Talking about books and reading is a lot of fun...and a good reminder of how important the written word is.