10 Questions

I was 'tagged' by this blog. Normally you answer the questions at the end, then make up new ones, but I won't be tagging anyone - I just really liked these questions. However feel free to use these questions on your own blog.

Spine Poem by me

1. What in your opinion do you think YA (or fiction in general) needs more of?

Right, to be honest, I probably don't read enough YA to know what's missing, but I'd say fiction in general could do with more.. honest harsh realities? Something like that. People with problems - not to make the book exciting or give it a plot, but to show the truth of it. Mental illnesses that aren't linked with murders, kidnappings, violence.. There are already books with those topics, but I don't think it would hurt to have more depressive, bipolar, socially anxious main characters. But it would have to be done properly.

2. What is something you would absolutely love to see a book about? (Be specific if possible!)

Hmm.. Tough one. I'm not too sure, since I like exploring different topics.. The ones I really want to read, I could always try to write! I think it'd be fun to read another book similar to The Devious Book For Cats. Or books about humans interacting with animals in a positive way. And of course, books about people who aren't 'normal'. Enough with normality! ;)

3. How many non-American authors can you name? (List them!)

Here are a few that come to mind:

1. Brian Jacques (Redwall series)
2. Tove Jansson (Moomins!)
3. S.F. Said (Varjak Paw)
4. Douglas Adams (Hitchiker's Guide)
5. Mark Haddon (Curious Incident..)
6. Richard Adams (Watership Down)
7. Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes)
8. Gordon Korman (Son of Interflux) -Note: Wiki says he is Canadian American, but he was born in Quebec, so I think he can be on the list.

Also, YA authors listed below are all non-Americans.

4. How many non-American YA authors can you name? (List them!)

Off the top of my head..

Siobhan Dowd (I re-read Solace of the Road recently).

Jenny Downham (I read both of her books - Before I Die and You Against Me).

Tabitha Suzuma (Read all of her books so far - favourite has been From Where I Stand since the beginning! You can read my post about meeting Tabitha here). 

No more come to mind right now, but there you go!

5. What are books that have made you sob and/or cry out loud?

Before I Die made me cry at the end, Hurt also made me a little upset and I was surprised I cried at the end too. I'm not sure about others - I don't recall crying at other books, but I might have. To be honest I've cried a bit more at books and movies only recently. 

6. What is your favourite book from childhood?

I enjoyed Watership Down. My favourite non fiction book from my early teens is The Tiger's Child.

7. What do you like to do that has absolutely nothing to do with reading, writing, or anything of the like?

I love walking/exploring. I'd like to go hiking in other countries. I also enjoy knitting and painting. Photography is also a bit of a hobby. I'm also the kind of person who finds it hard to resist the urge to dance when good songs are played (but I hate dancing in public - I have to hide in the crowd). And every now and then, I like to watch a good movie.

8. What does diversity mean to you?

A mix of things/people/ideas.. 

9. How would you describe your style of clothing?

Transitioning.. So still figuring it out. It's more colourful than it used to be, thankfully.

10. What is your goal in life? (It could be at the moment or overall).

At the moment, it is to complete my coursework and hopefully NaNo by December. And keep learning about myself. Also, continue learning Arabic. Overall.. Well, I don't think I could say it all in a sentence or two!