Hey folks! This is my first post for the #BookishBloggersUnite Tag. This was developed by a group of likeminded bookish friends who thought that blogging about books together would be fun! Anyone is welcome to join. The first tag is being hosted by Katy over at The Bookish Cronk so make sure you pay her a visit. You can add your link to her post. The first post is some introductory questions, so here we go!

1. What got you into reading?

My parents I guess. I don’t remember not being able to read. There’s a photo of me at the age of about 3 with a book on my lap and a pile beside me. Nothing much has changed, except my hair is cooler now. 🙂

2. What are your favourite genres?

I’m a big sci fi and mystery fan from the time I was little. I will read almost anything though.

3. What are your least favourite genres?

Horror and romance. I’m not great with bodily fluids.

4. If you had to choose bringing a mediocre series or one great standalone to a desert island, which would you choose.

The mediocre series. I would get bored with even an awesome standalone pretty quickly.

5. How do you organise your bookshelves?

Like the rest of my life, my bookshelves exist in organised chaos. I try to put books from each author together. All my philosophy books are together. The rest will go where they fit! It’s like an adventure!

6.What’s the next book on your TBR that you’re excited about?

I’m excited about all of them, which makes prioritorisation a bitch.

7. Have you ever gone to any book signings? Which was your favourite?

I don’t know if I could pick a favourite. I’ve been lucky enough to go to some great events in the last couple of years. I’ve seen Anita Heiss and Amie Kaufman a few times and they have always been delightful. I had a wonderful 10 minute conversation with Hebe de Souza (author of Black British) at the end of her event and she had some wonderful insights. I fangirled over Catherine Jinks, Magda Szubanski and Susan Faludi who all took it with wonderfully good grace. Kim Scott and Paul Beatty were both humble and a joy to chat to.

8. Hardcovers, paperbacks, ebooks or audiobooks?

Yes please! As an Australian who likes to read widely, I will take whatever I can get.

9. What’s your favourite book to recommend which isn’t a common recommendation for new readers?

I think that would be reader specific, but I’m recommending Terra Nullius by Claire Coleman to anyone who stands still long enough at the moment, so I guess that counts?

10. What does your ideal reading day look like?

Ideally it’s a nice cool day and I can sloth around in my favourite daggy clothes, with endless cups of tea and excellent books with no interruptions.

11. What makes you DNF a book?

I have to really hate a book to not finish it. Even if I really hate something I may still finish it so I feel justified in ranting about it.

12. What book are you most excited about in 2018?

SO MANY! Obsidio by Kaufman and Kristoff will be out before too long. Autonomous is due out in a couple of weeks. I can’t wait for the two new Murderbot books, and Dread Nation looks awesome! Also the third in the Machineries of Empire series by Yoon Ha Lee is due out and I can’t wait for that either! Imma stop now….

13. Which series or book do you revisit for self care/nostalgia?

This is going to sound terribly wanky, but Swann’s Way by Proust. I loves it.

14. Do you have a bookish pet?

There is this guy. But he doesn’t want to be a bookish pet. Look how cross he is!

15. Do you enjoy readathons? Which ones do you participate in?

My favourite type of weekend looks like a readathon anyway so HELLZ YES to all the readathons. The 24 in 48 happens in January and July and I’m always attempting that one. I will tend to treat Dewey’s readathon in a similar manner to the 24 in 48 because I’m old and sleep is important. Are there other readathons? Tell me!

16. What is one part of your bookish life that you enjoy that isn’t reading?

The book community, and in particular the Book Riot Insiders slack. It’s been great to meet a bunch of like minded book nerds who care about the same sorts of things I do. I have learned a lot thanks to that amazing group of people, and will no doubt continue to do so.

17. Is there a genre you wished you read more of?

Not really. If something sounds good I will read it regardless of the genre it belongs to.

18. What is your favourite book cover of all time.

Okay, brace yourself.

Welcome to the 1970s ladies and gentlemen. I bought this in the late 80s and I think it has imprinted on me.

Cheers!