July's #ReaderInterview: Jasmine Pearl (@JasmineRaymundo)

Welcome back to a monthly meme here at Let Me Tell You A Story: Reader Interview! I met Jasmine on Twitter recently, and asked if she'd like to tell us about her faves! Good news: She said yes! :D So here she is!

1. How long have you been reading YA?

I think I started reading YA last November 2013. Almost all of my friends in senior highschool were wide readers and we loved talking about all the characters from the books we were reading. They influenced me, I guess. :D

2. Have you ever bought a book based on cover love, alone? If so, what book was it?

Yes, I did buy once because of cover love! It is My True Love Gave To Me by 12 authors. :D

Um, yes, that really *is* gorgeous.

3. You've just grabbed a book. What do you read first?

Oh, I'll most probably check the back. I'm always reading the synopsis of the book. I also check the price of the book.

4. Paperback, ebook or hardcover?

OH. This question is very easy. PAPERBACK. I'm a paperback baby! Almost 95% of my books are paperbacks. They're cheaper and they're easy to carry!

5. Go to page 83 of your current read. Find a sentence you like. Share it.

I'm currently reading an ARC of Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman. My fave sentence on this page + a teaser is: 

Your message has been received and quarantined. Your message will be processed. Over.

6. Do you have a favorite character? If so, who is it, and what makes them stand out above everyone else?

Yes, I do have a favorite character and it is Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins. She's such a rockstar to me. She's rad and caring. I love her archery skills. ;D

7. Now, tell us about your favorite secondary character. What do you like about them? Would you rather meet them than your favorite main character? Why or why not?

My favorite secondary character is Mara Dyer from the Mara Dyer Trilogy by Michelle Hodkin. She is extraordinary. She's different. I don't want to spoil you but I'd recommend this trilogy to you, guys. I'd prefer to meet Katniss Everdeen + Peeta Mellark. ;D

8. Name a book you didn't think you'd like very much, but were pleasantly surprised by.

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson. I thought this book would gave me so much drama but I ended up loving it. It's family-oriented that's why I really loved this book so much. 

9. Is there a book or series you'd love to be able to buy the soundtrack for?

I think I'd buy the soundtrack of the Mara Dyer Trilogy. I hope there is. >_<

10. Describe your favorite reading spot.

I'm usually reading on the sofa. I have my laptop or phone with me. I barely read books on my bed because I tend to fall asleep. Whenever I see pillows, I always feel sleepy. :D

11. Book that recently made you laugh:

Ugh, I think I haven't read anything funny recently. I think Anna and the French Kiss made me laugh. You should go read it too. Etienne is < 3 

12. All-time favorite YA title:

Oh, this is difficult. I love all YA titles. They're all unique! ;D

13. If you could choose one book not yet adapted to be a movie, what would it be? What element would you look forward most to seeing on the big screen?

Mara Dyer! I really look forward to seeing "their" powers and the chemistry between Mara Dyer and Noah Shaw. 

14. Favorite spine art:

Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman. #Covergasm to the max level. < 3 

15. Name one character you'd never want to be stranded with on a desert island:

I don't want to be stranded with Voldemort. Damn, I don't have any powers and wand. 

16. What character would you never want to trade places with?

Primrose Everdeen from The Hunger Games Trilogy. I don't want to..... cry. *I don't want to spoil you, guys*

17. Favorite indie book:

I think I haven't read much indie books lately. I'm not sure with my answer.

18. Book not yet released you're looking forward most to reading:

I'm so excited to read Winter by Marissa Meyer. (I haven't bought Scarlet and Cress yet.)

About Jasmine:

Hi! I'm Jasmine Pearl. I'm seventeen years old and I'm a second year college student taking up Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. I'm living in the Philippines and my hobby is bookstagramming, book blogging, and anything that involves books. If you like books, then I'd probably be your friend. :)

Connect with Jasmine on Instagram | her blog | Twitter | Goodreads

June's Reader Interview: Becky G. (@Becky_LoveDemi )

Welcome back to a monthly meme here at Let Me Tell You A Story: Reader Interview! This month Becky is here to tell us about her faves! :)

Hey, Becky, thanks so much for being here! :D

Hello Jessica! I'm so happy to be doing this, this is my first interview ever and I'm so happy that it's about books!! So let's do this. 

How long have you been reading YA?

Since 5 years ago, the first YA book that I read was Firelight by Sophie Jordan, I LOVED that book, it was amazing and when I finished it I started to buy lots and lots of books.

Are the majority of your YA reader friends local, or online?

Some of my friends love to read YA, I never stopped talking about my love for YA books and I always recommend them to read some of my favorites, but yes I think the majority are online, they are amazing and I love to talk about books and writers with them. 

How do you feel about chapter titles? (Yes? No? A bit of both? Why?)

I think they are ok, I love chapter titles because they kind of give you a sneak peak of the chapter, and I like to know what will happen next without a major spoiler. 

If you could make one book cover into a poster to hang on your wall, which book would it be?

Fallen by Lauren Kate of course! I love those books, and the cover is dark and amazing.  

Favorite book quote?

“Libraries were full of ideas–perhaps the most

 dangerous and powerful of all weapons.” 

― Sarah J. Maas, Throne of Glass

Do you have a favorite indie read?

I haven't read an indie book, but I would love to read one. 

Name the last book you breezed through because you were so sucked in, and tell us what made it so intriguing. 

The Sin Eaters Daughter, it was amazing, I love it because it has mystery, love and plot twists, it was very original, I couldn't stop reading it and I can't wait to read the next book.

Favorite secondary character?

Marlee from The Selection.

Has there been a book you weren't sure you'd like, but were pleasantly surprised by?

Yes! I thought I wouldn't like The Selection but now I love the books, every single one of them. The Heir was amazing, and I can't wait to know what happens next. 

Do you find that you tend to gravitate toward one type of cover design? If so, what's your favorite style?

Yeah, I love the covers in which the models are wearing dresses, they are so beautiful and stunning, and I always wonder what the story is about, and I usually end up loving them.

What character would you hate to be stranded with on a deserted island?

Bellatrix Lestrange for sure. 

Go to page 42 of your current read and tell us the 5th sentence (unless it's spoilery, of course) :D

When I am sure he is out of earshot I turn to my oldest companion. "He's not Lormerian," I say in a low voice. 

(Quote from The Sin Eater's Daughter.)

What's the first thing you read when you get a book in your hands?

I always read the dedication first and then the acknowledgements. The book with my favorite dedication ever is The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows. 

Last month Von listed quite a few favorite male and female MCs. Who are yours, and what makes them so special?

Eleanor from Something Strange and Deadly. 

Tris from Divergent.

Cècile from Stolen Songbird.

Meira from Snow Like Ashes.

Luce from Fallen.

Mare from Red Queen.

Daniel from Fallen.

Harry Potter.

They are some of my favorite characters because they are brave, they never give up and they fight for what they believe. 

Strangest thing you've used as a bookmark.

A flower.

That had to be a lovely bookmark! :) 

Well thanks so much for hanging out with us here at Let Me Tell You A Story, Becky! :D Happy reading!

Meet Becky: Hey guys I'm Becky! Reading and writing is what I love to do, I'm super fan of Harry Potter and Friends. I'm also into fashion. For me it's really important to have a healthy lifestyle but I love pizza so... Yeah. My favorite writers are Lauren Kate, Susan Dennard, Jodi Meadows and more.

Go Bookworms! Connect: Twitter | Goodreads | Book Nerd Addict (blog)

April's #ReaderInterview: Von P. (@MrBookWonder )

Welcome back to a monthly meme here at Let Me Tell You A Story: Reader Interview! April's reader interview is a week late, but that's okay, because we've got Von P. (aka, Mr. Book Wonder)! 

Hi, Von! Thanks so much for being this month's interview-ee! :)

Thank you so much for inviting me! I feel so honored!

Tell us a little about what got you into reading YA.

I will always remember how I got into reading YA. Always. It's a very important memory for me.

Most readers would say how they got into reading YA or reading in general was because of either Harry Potter or Twilight. Mine was tweaked differently. I came to know the Harry Potter and Twilight books because of the film franchises. Too bad I never got to read them as a kid or teen because we can't afford the books and books were a regarded luxury here in the Philippines, plus people here, as far as I know, hardly read before. I was only able to read them when I am old enough to afford to buy books. (I still have to read years 4, 5, and 6 of the Harry Potter series though; and Eclipse and Breaking Dawn too.)

What really got me to reading YA was this book called Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz. It was lent to me by a friend (who eventually became my best friend because of our love for books and YA). I was ecstatic and intrigued to know that the author was a Filipino so I had to borrow it. It was probably around the time when Twilight reigned in the bestsellers list and the box office that vampire books were a big hit to the readers. I read the books, bought copies for myself and now I have all the Blue Bloods books. I started buying other books too. I remember buying the first book in the Kane Chronicles series by Rick Riordan which also got me to reading his other books. More books quickly filled up my shelves especially when I discovered Goodreads and the book blogging community and now I have over 200 books (not to mention the 400+ eBooks in my Kindle) and almost half of it are still unread. Then, as they call it, the rest was history.

Thinking back on all of the YA books you've read, Von, is there one that's stood out to you above the rest? If so, why?

(Oh, trick question! You're basically asking what my favorite book is! Smart move Jessica! Smart move! LOL.)

Hehehe! I’m so tricky! :D

There are a lot of books that really stood out for me. LOTS!

There's the Hunger Games series that was totally mind-blowing and the first dystopian series I'd read and turned me into a dystopian buff. Colleen Hoover's Slammed series that turned me into a fan of contemporary romance and New Adult books. Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall & Delirium series made me fall in love with words even more. John Green's Looking For Alaska & The Fault in Our Stars almost made me cry. Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel that made me realized my fascination for historical fiction.

What's the first thing you do when you get a new book in your hands? 

Ah. Honest to goodness the first thing I do is sniff the pages! I am a proud book sniffer! I don't care if others are giving me weird looks but it's probably one of the best feelings in the world! LOL.

Do you organize your books? 

I have an OCD when it comes to organizing and cleaning so apparently I'm very good at organizing books. Need someone to organize your books for you? You can definitely hire me!

Who are your favorite male and female MCs?

Thank God your question isn't as hard as the second one. I've got loads of favorite MCs! Who doesn’t?!

Samantha Kingston in Before I Fall. Alaska Young in Looking For Alaska. Theodore Finch and Violet Marky in All the Bright Places. Augustus Waters and Hazel Grace Lancaster in The Fault in Our Stars. Gray Weathersby in Taken. Tris Prior in Divergent. Alina Starkov in Shadow and Bone. Lochan Whitely and Maya Whitely in Forbidden. Need I say more?!

That’s a pretty impressive list! 

If you could be friends with one secondary character in real life, who would it be, and why?

Oh, I'd love to be friends with Sturmhound aka Nikolai Lantsov from the Grisha series. I love his sarcasm, his charm, and the way he can disguise himself! I'd learn a lot from this guy for sure!

Some readers want everyone to read their books; others like to keep their copies to themselves. Are you a book pusher, hoarder, or a bit of both? 

Probably, I am a 90% hoarder and 10% pusher. I'm a proud hoarder and I only have a few friends to share my books with. Besides, I am one out of some percent of readers that wouldn't let anyone touch their books. I even provide a set of rules before I lend a book to anyone. If ever they break one of the rules, I'd turned into a hulk for sure. LOL.

A lot of authors write to music. Is there a book you'd love to hear the soundtrack of (or one you've heard that you loved)? What makes that book so special?

Oh, I'd love to hear the soundtrack of Tabitha Suzuma's Forbidden! I'd love to hear Tabitha Suzuma's writing playlist. Forbidden, I think, was a hard book to write and perhaps one of the hardest books to read. It's so emotional and there were too many heartbreaking scenes. I'd love to hear those songs.

Do you have a favorite line or book quote? 

YES! BUT THERE ARE SO MANY!

*unfurls a long scroll of quotes*

Okay, I think I found one.

“Don't take life too seriously. Punch it in the face when it needs a good hit. Laugh at it.” -- Colleen Hoover, Slammed

I like to ask readers if they could choose one book to see on the big screen, what would it be?

I'd like to see Shadow and Bone in the big screen. I'd like to see how filmmakers are going to adapt it. Of course, they'll have to use special effects and I'll definitely love to see those in the big screen. But I doubt it that filmmakers would stay true to the story. It's a fantasy story so it is full of complex elements. In which case, I think a television series is a better option for Shadow and Bone. A television series means more episodes and more Shadow and Bone fanboying moments.

What elements in the book would you look forward to seeing most?

I'd like to see more elements of surprise, like heart-shattering, mind-blowing twists that would haunt me in a very good way or something that will throw me out of my seat!

Tell us about a book you thought you wouldn't like, but were pleasantly surprised by.

Lynn Weingarten's Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls surprised me big time! I picked up this book from a random set of eARCS not expecting anything from it at all. Then lo and behold, this book killed me. Lyrical, beautiful, and so damn twisted! It definitely liven up to its Gone Girl meets 13 Reasons Why pitch! It was everything I want in a book!

Why don’t I have this on my TBR yet? *rushes off to Goodreads to add it* 

Unique formatting can make a book stand out and leave a lasting impression. Are there any books you've read that had that unique quality lately? 

Hmm.

Shatter Me has one of the most unique formats I've seen thus far. The cross-outs?! I am in love with it! It adds a certain charm to the prose that only Tahereh Mafi could pull off.

The Book Thief has also a very unique format. The way it is narrated puts The Book Thief on the map of most unique formats. (I still have to read it though.)

Name a character you'd hate to be stranded with on a deserted island.

I am torn between Dolores Umbridge and Dolores Umbridge.

What merits a book making its way to your favorites list?

Oh, another tough one!

As long as the book can hit me hard on all the feels along with a great set of characters and a gritty storyline, it's enough to be considered for my favorites list!

Most recent book that made you laugh:

Jenny Han's To All the Boys I've Loved Before is the one!

Worst book hangover:

Tabitha Suzuma's Forbidden gave me my worst book hangover! I was on the brink of crying by the end of the book! The story is just too emotional! I couldn't seem to stop thinking and caring about the characters for days after finishing the book! What will happened to them now? How will they survive without him? They felt real to me, you know!

Are there any upcoming releases you're looking forward to reading?

*unfurls another long scroll*

Vengeance Road, The Invasion of the Tearling, An Ember in the Ashes, A History of Glitter and Blood, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Illuminae, Six of Crows, The Heir, Truthwitch, The Last Leaves Falling, Dumplin, Made You Up, November 9, P.S. I Still Love You, Extraordinary Means and many more! It's an endless list!

Thanks so much for being here, Von! :)

Phew! Those questions are tough! But I enjoyed them a lot! Hope you enjoyed my answers too! Thank you so much again for having me, Jessica! 

Meet Von. He is an introvert turned book nerd turned book hoarder turned writer-in-progress turned sporadic book blogger turned part-time fanboy, and now an upcoming college dude. You can find him on his Blog, Goodreads, Twitter, and Instagram.

March's #ReaderInterview: Melissa Robles (@MeliRobles)

Hi, guys! Welcome back to a monthly meme here at Let Me Tell You A Story called Reader Interview! :0) This month's reader is Melissa Robles. Melissa and I first met at Kate Tilton's #K8chat on Twitter. We've been book buddies ever since. :D

Hi, Melissa, thanks so much for being here! :)

Hi Jessica, I'm thrilled to be here on your blog today!

First off, what book got you into reading YA? What was so special about it?

I'm part of the bunch that got into reading YA because of Twilight (please don't hate me!). The series thrilled me, and after finishing it, I just had to read more and more. But before reading Twilight, I was already in love with books. Harry Potter was my #1 favorite, but since I lived in a part of Mexico where people hardly read, I had no idea that there were more books out there. So Twilight came, it swooped me off my feet, and then I discovered more incredible books.

Definitely not going to hate, because that's what started me back into YA, too! *fist bump*

Regarding paper books, do you read the back cover before reading the book?

Yes! I love reading the back blurbs. I even read them out loud making this serious voice, kind of like if I were recording an Audiobook LOL. 

How about jackets? Do you keep the jackets on when you read?

I keep them on most of the times (sometimes I even use the flap as a bookmark), but it really depends on where I am. If I'm at home, it stays on all the time. However, when I'm traveling, I always end up taking it off sooner or later in fear of getting it damaged.

What's your favorite hardcover design *beneath* the jacket? (For instance, mine is Better of Friends. It's gorgeous!)

From the ones I own? *Rushes to check all hardcovers*  Insurgent by Veronica Roth. I love the simple Amity tree design, it's so pretty and shiny! Plus, I'm very fond of its gray-greenish color.

Have you ever dropped any food on a book while reading? How'd that turn out?

Ugh, yes. I dropped chocolate ice cream in my copy of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I screamed my head off because the corner of one of its pages got ruined. :( Now I can't stand the thought of eating ice cream while reading books.

Oh no! Poor book. Sad story!

Do you dog-ear your pages?

Not anymore! I used to secretly do it behind my sister's back when I was like 12 years old, but after she found out I was "ruining" her precious books, I concluded it was not worth hearing her rant about it. I swear she would go on and on about it for HOURS. Now I stick with bookmarks or any other piece of paper I can find.

What's the most unique cover you've seen?

A Thousand Nights by E. K. Johnston. It's so beautiful my heart aches to have it in my hands. I love that what appears to be just doodles around the main title, are in fact key words about the story. Isn't it a magical and graceful cover?

Go to page 39 of your current read. What's the first sentence say? 

A little more magic and a whole lot more skill was involved to keep out of the way of a sword's edge for any length of time, especially if the person wielding the weapon knew what she was doing. - Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep

Ooh! Intriguing! 

Do you have a favorite place to read? Tell us about it. 

I love to read besides my sitting room's window  when the sun is beginning to set. The light turns so soft and magical, so incredibly perfect to lose myself inside a good book. And when it rains? I think those moments are the happiest times of my reading life.

Current book you're desperate to get your hands on:

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch . I've been trying to persuade my parents to get me that book since everyone started raving about it, but they just tease me with pictures of Barnes & Noble or bookstores, telling me they are so very close to buying it. My parents sure know how to torture me. :)

I am also DESPERATE to get my hands on a print ARC or finished copy of Hidden Huntress by Danielle L. Jensen. It's my favorite fantasy series at the moment.

What book would you say you've read the fastest, and what made you want to finish it?

Oh, definitely Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. A book set in Paris + kissing + cute boy? It was an instant page-turner for me! I remember that I read it in 4 hours, then after finishing it, I re-read it immediately in about the same time too.

Favorite indie book:

Lichgates by S.M. Boyce! It was the first indie book I reviewed and it was amazing. Everyone should go explore the magical world of Ourea!

Favorite title:

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith. It's a mouthful, but I love saying that title out loud.

What is your all-time favorite quote?

"Sometimes, one must do the unthinkable, for it is the only way to accomplish the impossible."  Hidden Huntress by Danielle L. Jensen 

This quote is my new favorite. Can't get it out of my mind!

Well, that concludes this month's Reader Interview. Thank you so, so much for being here, Melissa, and sharing your booklove! :D

Thanks to you for having me, Jessica! It's always a pleasure to talk about books :D


About Melissa: 

Melissa is a book blogger and reviewer, currently studying International Trade and Customs in Mexico. Her favorite genres are fantasy, paranormal, and all things young adult with a hint of romance. She also enjoys new adult books and classic literature.  When she’s not reading, Melissa loves to sing out loud, eat sweets, and stare at her collection of books. You can find her at The Reader and the Chef (her blog), Cuzinlogic, and at Kate Tilton, Connecting Authors & Readers.

Connect with Melissa: blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads