Asking The Blogosphere (Episode 2): On Bookish Habits, Movies, And Graduation

This is a new feature I came up with, because lately, I’ve had a problem filling in my Wednesdays with relevant posts. It’s a discussion post of sorts, that revolves around books and your life outside of it. At the end of each segment, I ask you guys a few questions, ones you’re free to answer of course!

On Weird Bookish Habits

I recurrently see posts on these all over my news feed, though I scarcely ever find myself disposed towards giving them much regard because I don’t nurse many bizarre habits with regards to books that I, or some others, would consider uncouth or disconcerting. Though indeterminate as to whether or not I should take pride in the fact that I am much a conventional reader, I still do think some of my propensities worthy of the recognition.

1. I read and reread entire paragraphs until I can paint vivid picture of the scenes in my head. I am, by all means, a visual learner—part of the reason why I’ve never languished for an audiobook, not even for a favorite or a limited edition copy. Whenever I read books, I feel the necessity for an unclouded idea of the goings-on within the recesses of my imagination. Otherwise, I can’t process what I read and will likely never get past the page in question.                                           This is getting frustrating, and fast.
2. I read every dialogue in an American accent, even if the book categorically states that a certain character says it with a different twang. British, Irish, French, you name it. Though purely Asian, I possess an American accent myself, and have grown accustomed to hearing the people around me speak with it. Sometimes, I make a conscious effort to read lines the way the character would have said them, but it just sounds ludicrous in my head if I can’t manage their accent out loud, so I just drop the pretense and revert back to the original. Not everyone can master a gorgeous, Tom-Hiddleston-worthy accent, anyway.
3. I can read a book in pretty much every setting. I know of a significant number of people who can’t read with music, or unless they’re somewhere quiet, or if someone’s watching them, and any number of other excuses for retreat into their respective natural habitats. Such is not the case for me, however—I simply carry around the book, fish it conveniently out of my backpack whenever I feel like reading, wherever I may be: in bed at night, at a party, in the car, at the cafeteria, in the middle of the road (okay, maybe the sidewalk), with or without music, classic or heavy metal. I tend to just zone out whenever I do so, and as such, external forces have nary an effect on my reading. After all,

What about you? Do you have some weird bookish habits you’re willing to share? Were mine weird enough? Can you relate to any of them?

On Movies We’re Anticipating

I haven’t been watching a lot of book to movie adaptations lately, and have only grown to appreciate a select few:

Many more are set to hit the big screen in the coming months, and I myself am looking forward to a healthy number of them:

Catching Fire. The trailer looked exactly like how it did in my head, and I myself loved the first movie. Jennifer Lawrence can do no wrong—and besides, my sugar cubes are ready, so where’s Finnick? (Odair he is!)

The Fault In Our Stars. I’m not too sure about the casting, but John Green invested in this production enough for me to think it nice to support him by watching it too.

Divergent. Even if I’ve contemplated boycotting this one entirely due to the conclusion to this entire series, I’ve decided not to because I loved the first book, and I do think that Shailene and Theo have chemistry enough to capture the atmosphere between Tris and Four (and Theo is such a darling! You should really try watching his interviews).

The Maze Runner. Dylan O’Brien, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Will Poulter and Kaya Scodelario in a single movie? Sign me UUUUUP. If you don’t know who any of them are what must your life be like?, try watching either Teen Wolf, The Game of Thrones, The Chronicles of Narnia or the UK version of Skins (18 and up only, and yes, I somehow regret making this decision).

Other upcoming and speculative book to movie projects I’m anticipating include:

1. If I Stay (Gayle Forman)
2. Uglies (Scott Westerfeld)
3. Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Laini Taylor)
4. The Giver (Lois Lowry)
5. The Alchemyst (Michael Scott)
6. The Knife of Never Letting Go (Patrick Ness)
7. The Raven Boys (Maggie Stiefvater)
8. The Scorpio Races (Maggie Stiefvater)
9. Shadow and Bone (Leigh Bardugo)
10. Under The Never Sky (Veronica Rossi)

For more information, visit this article.

Despite this exciting premise, I also find myself feeling neutral or apprehensive towards certain up and coming titles:

1. Ender’s Game. Never read it, and I’m not sure if I ever will– it just doesn’t sound like my type of book. Based on reviews, however, it sounds good. So does Asa Butterfield.
2. The Book Thief. I’m just not sure if the movie can give the book justice, and I’m not sure if I’m mentally prepared enough for yet another emotional breakdown.
3. Vampire Academy. The trailer was filth. Scares the bejeezus outta me, because I will not tolerate having one of my favorite series blown up in smokes by some potentially trashy adaptation. And have you guys seen the poster?! It looks way too stereotypical, or hipster, whatever. And it reads, ‘They Suck At School’. Holy crapola.

What are some of the book to movie adaptations you’re eagerly anticipating? Do you share some of them with the titles as aforementioned? If so, which ones?

On  Graduation

If you haven’t already noticed, I am a high school senior and am thus about to graduate. With regards to this thought, however, I do have to admit that I am pretty much torn.

On the one hand, college is an entirely alien realm, and a new experience. I’ll be meeting new people, exploring a new campus, taking new lessons, and enjoying a newfound freedom, both in terms of my schedule and in terms of my abode. Of course, I’m eager to start afresh, because only goodness knows how much I’ve messed my high school life up—don’t get me wrong, it’s been fun for the most part, but the drama is never-ending, and admittedly, I am getting sick and and tired of the whole thing. College just sounds like a more professional atmosphere, and ultimately a less strenuous endeavor.

However, I am apprehensive of having to leave my old friends for new ones, and inevitably so, and in a sense, letting go of the childhood I’ve tried so hard to cling on to. Sometimes, the thought just scares me. In addition, there’s the matter of having to pass the exams for the universities, and though my school’s status is something of an assurance, I still don’t want to get disappointed. So as you can see, the thought of a transition into a new life of sorts scares the living daylights out of me.

Where do I go from here?

Have you ever tried to cope with change? How did you manage? Do you have any tips for a teen undergoing an identity crisis?  

And that’s it for this feature! If you want to share your own answers, please do! Leave a comment and make my day 🙂