You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

1. What is your name? (First, Last, Middle, Nickname – you only need to pick one if your prefer. Feel free to list them all.)
- Elsbeth Gertina van den Akker - Memelink (van den Akker is my husband's last name - the others I got when I was born!)
2. What is your favourite sport?
- bicycle riding
3. What colour are your eyes?
- brown/green
4. Have you ever had a broken bone?
- nope
5. What is your favourite movie?
- 'Como agua para chocolate' (based on the book Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel - my husband and I went there on our first date, 20 years ago!)
6. What is your favourite book?
- If I have to chose one.. Of Love and Shadows by Isabel Allende (it was the first book of her I read and it made me fall in love with her writing style!)
7. Pick a number between 1 and 10.
- 2
8. What is your favourite holiday?
- Sinterklaas!
9. What is your relationship status?
- married with children ;)
10. Are you right or left handed?
- right
11. What is your birthday month?
- June
12. Do you have a pet? What is it? Don’t have a pet? Adopt a pet that someone in your immediate circle has (mother, brother, sister, friend, etc.)
- a rabbit and a budgie (actually the budgie is my daughter's, she got it for her 7th birthday)
13. What is your favourite type of food? (Chinese, Italian, Mexican, etc)
- Thai
14. What is something you use daily? (brush, computer, car, get creative)
- my e reader! duh!
15. What is your shoe size? (No halves; roll up to next number)
- in Dutch sizes: 39
16. What is your favourite Ice cream flavour?
- After Eight (Chocolate and Mint together!)
17. What is your country of birth?
- The Netherlands
18. What is your favourite season?
- Spring
19. What is your current desk top picture?
- something I copied out of a magazine: a black and white drawing of 2 ducks, a panda bear and a frog (my children's classes have animal names and my son is in the panda's and my daughter in the frogs! - hard to find something with both these animals on it...) and a small text saying (translation): 'When you take a good look at a frog's tail, you'll see it hasn't got one'. - no idea what it means (apart from the obvious), anyone have a clue?
20. What is your preferred mode of transport?
- bicycle
21. How many candles were on your last birthday cake?
- I didn't have one, but it would have been 43...
22. Have you been in an accident?
- luckily, no! Only behind one. As a child we were driving behind someone who smashed his car into a tree! Luckily my mother could stop in time!
23. Do you prefer a shower or bath?
- shower
24. Name a place you’d like to visit.
- Liechtenstein (= small country between Switzerland and Austria
25. What is your favourite genre?
- historical fiction
26. Do you prefer a car or truck?
- neither, I prefer train.
27. Do you have a tattoo?
- no
28. Do you prefer Classic or Contemporary?
- contemporary
29. What is your favourite flower?
- tulip
30. Have you been to Europe? Where? (If you live in Europe, specify country other than your own.)
- Germany, England, Wales, Scotland, France, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Slovenia, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria
31. If you could meet anyone famous, infamous, notorious, who would it be?
- the Dalai Lama
32. What is the feature on you are most often complimented?
- I work in a bookshop and get mostly complimented that I'm so kind and have so much patience.... (Really...? During our last vacation my daughter said I should buy a stress ball. She thought I needed one...! Really! - I actually did buy it, it is nice to play with and has the image of our beloved earth on it. Lol, I can squeeze you all!)
33. Would you rather encounter a ghost, an alien, or neither?
- a (friendly) ghost; I'd like to ask him/her what it is like to be dead...
34. What is your favourite animal (other than domestic pets)?
- (all kinds of) bears
35. What type of holiday do you prefer? (Beach, Mountain, Camping, exotic, etc)
- we usually combine a city trip of a few days with a week or so in the hills/mountains (in an hotel or apartment, no camping - my husband hates camping ;)!)
36. If you had to lose one of the 5 senses, which would you prefer it to be?
- wow, tough one! I think... hearing (I love to smell the flowers and feel and taste and I need my sight for my books - I don't like audio books...) - edit: Oh no! Than I can't hear our budgie anymore... I'll change it to taste (might be a good way to loose some weight...)
37. Who is your favourite author?
- I have many... Since I already named one at 'favourite books', I'll name another one here: Ken Follett
38. Do you prefer tea, coffee, or water?
- ice tea green (if that is not allowed, my answer is water)
39. What is your birthstone using the US 2016 listing: (https://www.americangemsociety.org/en...)
- pearl, alexandrite and moonstone
40. What is your favourite fruit?
- strawberries
41. Issue you are passionate about (abortion, euthanasia, animal rights… etc)
- equal rights (and chances)for everyone!
42. Would you rather explore in space or undersea?
- undersea - all those beautiful fish!
43. To what time period would you like to time travel?
- the 1960's. I'd like to see what my mother was like in her 20's and how my father lived with my grandmother (I miss her so much!)
44. Do you prefer shoes or barefeet?
- shoes
45. Do you prefer green or black olives? Neither?
- green
46. What is your Zodiac sign?
- Gemini
47. What is your height in inches?
- 64
48. Who is someone you miss?
- my grandmother, my mother-in-law and my father-in-law! And my sister (she's not dead, but she lives all the way in South America) and her family (husband, 2 nieces and 2 nephews)!
49. What is your hobby?
- apart from reading: playing board games and games on the computer and walking or cycling in the forest
50. What language would you like to learn to speak?
- Spanish - I learned it 10-15 years ago, but forgot a lot of it!


Oh by the way - interpret these any way you chose. It's all about you

I like your answers and the explanations.

Thanks, Janice! ;)

I love your answer to 43. Wonderful!

Thanks, Tasha! Want to join us (Peggy is also going to the 1960's)?;)

And Janice too!

I think I just might! I wrote the 1800s but I'd love to see the 60s. My mom was in her 20s in the 60s and had me in '67. I don't think it's too late to change...

Since Janice gave permission to make changes before the start of this challenge, I just edited the first post...

Tasha wrote: "I think I just might! I wrote the 1800s but I'd love to see the 60s. My mom was in her 20s in the 60s and had me in '67. I don't think it's too late to change..."

Janice Just got us a great Volkswagen van (I believe it was in Lori's thread), so we'll save you a seat! :D

Great! This is going to be fun! :D

Oh no, it was in TrudyAn's thread - I believe we're going to Woodstock! :)

Haha!! I'm not really a fan but I'm totally looking forward to seeing what it was like!

I see that everyone has reserved a few places for the challenge, so I'll do that, too...

The Survey dictates that you find a book for each book as per the following criteria:


1. What is your name? (First, Last, Middle, Nickname) – Read a book that contains one of your names in some way – author, title, character.

2. What is your favourite sport? – Read a book that is either about your favourite sport or one of the characters plays that sport. You could also chose a book where the cover shows that sport.

3. What colour are your eyes? – Read a book where the colour of your eyes is the main colour of the cover, or the word is in the title.

4. Have you ever had a broken bone? – If yes, read a book with the word “Bone” in the title. If no, read a book about archeology (the character may be an archeologist, the book may be set in a museum, etc)

5. What is your favourite movie? – If the movie is an adaptation, read the book that inspired the movie. Or, read a book that is written by the same author. Or, read a book that has the same title. If the movie is not an adaptation, read a book with a similar theme or has the same title.

6. What is your favourite book? – Read it again. Or, read a book that has the same title. Or read a book by the same author. If you can’t find the same title, or the author only has the one book, go to the book page and click on “Readers Also Enjoyed”. Select a book from the list.

7. Pick a number between 1 and 10. – Select a series and read the book that corresponds to that number. Or, read a book with the number in the title.

8. What is your favourite holiday? – Read a book that is about that holiday, set during that holiday, or has the name in the title.

9. What is your relationship status? – Read a book with that word in the title, or where the main character or author shares that status. Or…. Get creative. What kind of book will be representative?

10. Are you right or left handed? – Read a book with that word in the title.

11. What is your birthday month? – Read a book with the selected month in the title, or set during that month.

12. Do you have a pet? What is it? Don’t have a pet? Adopt a pet that someone in your immediate circle has (mother, brother, sister, friend, etc.) – Read a book featuring that type of pet. Or, read a book with that pet in the title.

13. What is your favourite type of food? (Chinese, Italian, Mexican, etc) – Read a book set in the country or region of choice. (Chinese – set in China, Italian – set in Italy, etc.) If you chose a type of food that is not specific to a country, what region would you find it prevalent? Read a book set in that region. For example – Seafood would be prevalent in the coastal areas of Canada, United States, among others.

14. What is something you use daily? (brush, computer, car, get creative) - Read a book with that word in the title. Or, is on the cover. Or…. Get creative. What kind of book will represent that item?

15. What is your shoe size? (No halves; roll up to next number) – Select that number of books on your TBR, put them into the Fruit Machine (or another randomizer), and read the one that is selected. If you used European sizes, convert to US using this site: https://www.softmoc.com/ca/shoesize.asp That will reduce the number of books you need to plug into the Fruit Machine.

16. What is your favourite Ice cream flavour? – Read a book that either represents that flavour by the colour of the cover, or in the title. You may also chose a book that represents that flavour in some way.

17. What is your country of birth? – Read a book set in that country, or written by an author that was also born in that country.

18. What is your favourite season? – Read a book with either the season in the title, or set in that season.

19. What is your current desk top picture? – Interpret that desk top picture any way you like. Read a book that represents that interpretation. For example, mine is a magnified picture of a frozen soap bubble. I could interpret it as ice, or alien landscape, or bubble. I could read a book with “Ice” in the title, a book set on an alien planet, or has bubbles on the cover. The gophering could be endless on this one.

20. What is your preferred mode of transport? – Read a book with your selection on the cover, or in the title, or it plays a significant role in the book.

21. How many candles were on your last birthday cake? – Go to your TBR and order the shelf by number. Read the book that corresponds to your answer. If you picked “none” or “zero” as your answer, your number will be 100.

22. Have you been in an accident? – If yes, read a book set in a hospital, or with the word “accident” in title. If no, read a book that is a thriller, in which an accident is a high probability.

23. Do you prefer a shower or bath? – Read a book with your selected word in the title, or depicted on the cover.

24. Name a place you’d like to visit. – Read a book set in that location.

25. What is your favourite genre? – Read a book in that genre.

26. Do you prefer a car or truck? – Read a book with your selection on the cover or in the title.

27. Do you have a tattoo? – Read a book that represents your tattoo in some way. For example, if you have a tattoo of a rose, your book choice could have a rose on the cover, in the title, or a proper name of the author or character. If you don’t have a tattoo, read a book with a tattoo on the cover, or represents a tattoo that you would want if you were to get one.

28. Do you prefer Classic or Contemporary? – If Classic, read a book published in 1800 – 1899. If Contemporary, read a book published in 2000 – 2017.

29. What is your favourite flower? – Read a book with that selection on the cover or in the title. Or, read a book that you feel represents that flower in some way.

30. Have you been to Europe? Where? – Read a book set in that location. If you haven’t been to Europe, read a book set in a European country you would like to visit.

31. If you could meet anyone famous, infamous, notorious… who would it be? – read a biography, autobiography, memoir, or historical fiction about that person.

32. What is the feature you are most often complimented on? – Read a book with that feature on the cover or in the title.

33. Would you rather encounter a ghost, an alien, or neither? – If ghost, read a ghost story. If alien, read a story with aliens in it. If neither, read a book about another supernatural being other than a ghost or alien (werewolf, vampire, witch, succubus, etc).

34. What is your favourite animal (other than domestic pets)? – Read a book with that creature on the cover, in the title, or in the story.

35. What type of holiday do you prefer? (Beach, Mountain, Camping, exotic, etc) – Read a book in that setting or that represents your choice.

36. If you had to lose one of the 5 senses, which would you prefer it to be? – Read a book with that word in the title, or read a book where a character is afflicted by that same loss.

37. Who is your favourite author? – Read either a book by that author, or a book recommended by that author.

38. Do you prefer tea, coffee, or water? – If tea or coffee, read a book with the word in the title, or set in a country where that beverage is a huge export (ie China for tea, Brazil for tea). If water, read a book with the word in the title, or set on/near a large body of water.

39. What is your birthstone using the US 2016 listing: (https://www.americangemsociety.org/en...) – Read a book with that gemstone on the cover, in the title, or the colour of that gemstone is the colour of the cover.

40. What is your favourite fruit? – Read a book with that fruit on the cover, in the title, or the colour of that fruit is the colour of the cover.

41. Issue you are passionate about (abortion, euthanasia, animal rights… etc) – Read a book where this issue is prominent or is represented in some way. It may be fiction or non-fiction.

42. Would you rather explore in space or undersea? – Read a book in that setting.

43. To what time period would you like to time travel? – Read a book either set in that time period, or published in that time period. Or, read a book about time travel where the character’s time travelled to that period.

44. Do you prefer shoes or bare feet? – Read a book where your selection is on the cover or in the title, or get creative and find a book that represents your choice.

45. Do you prefer green or black olives? Neither? Read a book with either a predominantly green or black cover depending on your answer. If you said “neither”, read a book with a predominantly white cover. Aim for at least 75% of the cover so that when you look at the cover, it screams green, black or white depending on your choice.

46. What is your Zodiac sign? – This one is wide open. Read a book that represents your zodiac sign in some way. Mine is Sagittarius (the archer). I could read a book with Sagittarius in the title, Archer in the title, author named Archer, bow and arrow on the cover, horse on the cover, a Western with Indians (bow & arrow).

47. What is your height in inches? – Go to your TBR shelf and sort by number. Read the book that matches your answer. If you don’t have that many books on your TBR, select a listopia on a topic you are interested and read the book with the corresponding number to your height.

48. Who is someone you miss? – Read a book that represents that person in some way. I miss my mother, so I could read a book with “Mother” in the title, a biography of Mother Theresa, where the main character is a mother, a book with a mother holding her baby on the cover, etc.

49. What is your hobby? – Read a book that represents that hobby in some way.

50. What language would you like to learn to speak? – Read a book that was translated from that language to one you do speak. Or, chose a book where a character speaks that language. For example, if you chose Gaelic, you could read any of the books in the Outlander series

Reserved

Mine!

All mine!

This one, too!

Just in case....

Afer this one you are welcome to comment again. :-)

Elsbeth wrote: "8. What is your favourite holiday?
- Sinterklaas!"

Saint Nicholas? Christmas?

Yay Sinterklaas, we're almost there!

Sandra wrote: "Elsbeth wrote: "8. What is your favourite holiday?
- Sinterklaas!"

Saint Nicholas? Christmas?"

Nope, not Christmas. Sinterklaas is indeed Saint Nicholas, but he celebrates his birthday on the eve of December 6th (6. December is actually the day he died). We call it 'pakjesavond', which means: present night. Children believe that the presents they get are brought by Sinterklaas.