A Reader of Intrigue and Lover of Hammocks

This is my entry to the Hive Book Club community challenge #3: All About Readers.

Hello, fellow Hivers at the Hive Book Club community! I hope you’re doing well.

I’m fairly new to Hive (only 2 months since my intro post) but I can say that the Hive Book Club is one of my favorite communities here. I’m also an avid reader, that's why I’m excited to answer all these questions.

Ready? Let’s get to it!

I wear this super cozy Ice Bear blankie when reading at night.

What is your favorite time or place to read?

My favorite time to read is at night and the wee hours of the morning (when it’s still dark out)--snuggled on a comfy couch with a soft blanket.

There’s something about the dark that makes me appreciate reading more. I think it’s the quiet, but also I think it’s the concept that everyone is asleep and you’re alone with the book. Somehow it’s easier to be transported inside the book and leave the real world behind.

Reading a book at my parents' house with my crown paper clip as a bookmark.

What makes you enjoy a good book?

I enjoy a good book the most when I can’t stop turning the pages! That’s when I know I’m having fun. For me, it’s all about the ability of the author and the story to keep me going. It doesn’t even matter what genre. When I’m hooked, I’m hooked.

Sometimes a good written book (technically speaking) can be such a bore, while a badly written one (considered trashy by others) can be more exciting.

Just browsing for some books and magazines at the Starfield Library in Seoul, South Korea.

I read even during pedicures! Here's me waiting for my pedicure session--accompanied by my mom's Nicholas Sparks book.

Do you like to read outdoors, before bed or on the bus on your way to work?

This is a tricky question because if given the chance, I would like to read anywhere. As long as I have a book with me, I would love to read it regardless of where I am.

Still, if I had to pick one out of the three, my best scenario is reading outdoors. Preferably, “outdoors” is on a hammock by the beach at sunset. What a dream!

Relaxing at a hammock by the beach in Cloud 9, Siargao, Philippines circa 2017.

In a hammock with the husband at Sumilon Island, Cebu, 2020.

For me, the beach is a great place to read. This is a photo of me featuring the iconic Boracay Island sunset, circa 2016.

Do you focus on character development, thoughtful messages, or the level of intrigue a plot generates in you?

My favorite genre is mystery/ thriller so as a reader, I tend to focus on the level of intrigue a plot generates. Based on experience, I enjoy books more when they are plot-driven and fast-paced. I can finish a thriller in 2 days whereas it would take me about a week to get through a very slow paced classic.

I’ve been blessed to come across a number of good thrillers this year which helped me read a lot. My favorites include: The Guest List by Lucy Foley, Lock Every Door by Riley Sager, No Exit by Taylor Adams, and my most favorite yet, The One by John Marrs. Those are only a few of my long list of reads this year but what they have in common is they all have high levels of intrigue in the plot.

The same goes for my current read which is The President is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton. Every chapter is short but a lot of exciting things happen so it’s easier to keep going. I’ve already read a third of the book and I already know it’s my kind of thriller (so far).

This baby is getting a movie this December! It will star Lucy Hale of Pretty Little Liars and Austin Stowell.

This book pulls off the rivals to lovers trope at its finest! Also, amazingly, this book is dedicated to "Joey" which is coincidentally the name of my husband @thejoeprocess so I had to take a photo of it with my rings. Haha couldn't resist!

Even in other genres like romance, the level of intrigue is what propels me to do a fast read. My ultimate favorite tropes in romance are enemies/rivals to lovers and fake dating because usually those are the stories that generate a lot of intrigue to the plot. My favorite romance reads this year that feature those tropes are The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, Beach Read by Emily Henry and The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren. Those stories live in my head, rent-free!

How about you, fellow Hiver and book lover? Do we have the same tastes or the exact opposite? Let me know by leaving a comment below so we can talk about it!

I tag my fellow readers and bookworms @jongcl and @kcwonders. If you're interested 😊

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If you liked this post, you may be interested in these book-related posts of mine as well: