I Am the Reader Book Tag (June Book Wrap-Up)

My Skulduggery Pleasant readthrough has begun! I am loving this return to the world of Irish magic and sorcerers, and the fantastic banter that comes with Valkyrie Cain's partnership with the skeleton detective. I'll tell you all about my rereading of the first two books in a minute. But first things first!

Writing
Let's not talk about the fact that I didn't do any more writing on Follow the Raven this month either and instead focus on the fact that Camp NaNoWriMo July starts tomorrow! I've set my goal at 10k words again and I will make it! This will be the year that I win BOTH camps in the same year - not to mention the main event in November. I can feel it!

I only posted a couple of chapters of "Everything Changes" this month - both during Sonic and Shadow's birthday week. My readers seem excited about the direction I'm taking the story. If all goes as planned I'll be wrapping up this book in July, since I planned for it to be 20 chapters just like my first Sonic fanfic was and I've already posted 16. My current stats for this story are 1,942 reads; 185 votes; and 45 comments.

Reading
Obviously the highlight of my reading this month was the beginning of my months-long Skulduggery Pleasant readthrough, but I did read a couple of other titles as well. I also didn't get as much reading done as I wanted to this month, but four books is better than none. Here's what I read:

• Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
• The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry
• Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
• Playing With Fire by Derek Landy

Crenshaw is a book I picked up at the beginning of the month because I needed something light and fluffy to read to get my mind off of other things. It is a children's book; I finished it in two days. It was cute and really good considering the age group it was targeted at. I also listened to the audiobook version of The Amaranth Enchantment, just to give the audio experience another try with a different story and narrator. It had its moments, but overall I'd say it was fairly predictable and definitely meant for the younger side of the young adult genre. It took me the entire month to get through this eight hour audiobook, as I would go days at a time without the desire to keep listening. Although I never wanted to DNF it. I just didn't force myself to listen to it when I wasn't in the mood is all.

Every word of the first Skulduggery Pleasant book was exactly how I remembered it (of course), and I found myself quoting certain lines out loud before reading them on the page because I am so familiar and in love with them at this point. I enjoyed the journey this time just as much as I did the very first time I read it. I noticed this time, however, that I was picking up on things that had slipped my attention before, and I grew to like characters I used to dislike (aka Tanith Low). I'm curious to see if that will keep up throughout the series.

I've read books two and three only once before, and I've never read books four and beyond (which is why the real reviews and thoughts will come out next month, I think). Reading Playing With Fire for the second time was almost like reading it for the first time in that I remembered certain key events but overall I didn't recall how the story went or how it ended. It was neat to see the character growth in both Skulduggery and Valkyrie, and watch their partnership be tested and strengthened over the course of the 345 pages of the book. I've already begun the next book in the series, but as I'm not even 100 pages in yet I'll save that for next month's wrap-up. Overall, very excited to reread this third installment and then finally move on into uncharted territory!

I Am the Reader Book Tag

1) Name one word that describes being a reader.

• The first word that popped into my mind for this one is "fabulous." Being a reader means you get to escape reality whenever you want, go on awesome adventures of your own choosing, live a thousand lives, meet hundreds of people you never would otherwise, learn new things about a variety of topics, and so on. It's just...fabulous.

2) What's the very first book you fell in love with?

• The first book that I can vividly remember loving and devouring over and over is F Is For Freedom by Roni Schotter. The American Civil War era has always been my favorite historical period, I think because I like to see people fight for each other, regardless of skin color. F Is For Freedom essentially is about a young girl whose parents host a stop on the Underground Railroad, and she meets a slave girl who is about her age and doesn't know how to read. It's the story of their friendship and the slave's escape into the northern states. While I don't remember a lot of specifics, I do remember that I read and reread that book more times than I can even recall. I think it's safe to say that that was the first book I fell in love with.

3) Hardcover or paperback?

• I'm so glad I finally get to talk about this! I prefer paperback books. Most of my shelf is made up of paperback books. They're easier to handle, they're lightweight so your hands don't get as tired when you're holding it up for a prolonged period, you don't have to fuss with a book jacket...etc. Plus they just feel nice, you know?

4) How has reading shaped your identity?

• I feel like I would be an entirely different person today if I had never been a reader. I probably wouldn't want to be a writer, for one thing. But besides that, growing up I always had a book in my hand. I was always reading something. Friends and relatives knew me as the bookworm. All throughout high school, especially, I was known as a major book nerd. Nowadays it's just accepted that if you're planning on getting me something for a birthday or holiday, a gift card to a bookstore is always a safe bet. (And I very much enjoy those gifts.) Plus, reading has really helped me escape when I needed to the most. In the darkest times of my life when I didn't have anyone to talk to or turn to with my problems, there was always a book to be read. A different place to go and get away for a while. I think that really helped me.

5) What book do you read when you need to be comforted?

• Obvious Answer: Skulduggery Pleasant. He's always there to remind me of better times and to make me laugh when I need him the most.

6) Who taught you to be a reader? Or did you do it all on your own?

• I actually just had a conversation with my mom about this recently. I always knew that I had taught myself to be a reader, though I didn't know quite to what extent until just recently. My mom told me a story a while ago about how when I was about two years old there was this particular book that I really, really loved. I wanted her to read it to me all the time, over and over, as kids do. Mom said that if she ever tried to rush through it or didn't add the correct enthusiasm to her presentation of the story I would let her know that that was not how it went, and then I'd make her do it again the right way. Just the image of that makes me laugh. So short answer to this - I taught myself to be a reader. Neither of my parents were ever really into reading as far as I can remember. I've never seen my dad read a book in my life. I've seen mom read a few - especially now that she's getting older - but overall I'd say I'm the only reader in my family. My younger brother certainly doesn't read.

7) Describe your dream reading lounge.

• This is something I've wanted to do an entire post on before but I have never really been able to come up with a solid answer. Nine times out of ten when I picture a "reading nook," or a place to get away from the world for a while, it's a small little corner that's out of the way but cozy, with a bookshelf nearby and a table with snacks and stuff. And if it's snowing outside? Bonus. I like the cozy feeling that brings me.

8) What book changed the way you act or see the world?

• I think The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini really changed my entire perspective on the war that's going on over in the Middle East right now. I knew it was bad over there and I knew there were some messed-up groups taking power and bad things happening to innocent people, but I don't think I realized the full extent of how awful it is until I read The Kite Runner. My entire way of thinking has changed now when it comes to that part of the world. I feel like I have a better understanding of how this all started and what's been going on thanks to this book. (Although I do have to note that it messed me up big time. I couldn't read anything else for a solid week after finishing The Kite Runner. And I really want to read A Thousand Splendid Suns, too...but I'm afraid that will mess me up as well, if not more so.)

And that's all I've got for this month! Be sure to come back for my July wrap-up as I move out of familiar Skulduggery Pleasant territory and venture into the unknown. I'll finally find out what happens to him after the end of book three! Clearly he survives the battle...but how?! See you next time, guys! :D

My Battle With Misophonia

It's been a while since I've gotten more personal and deep with you guys, so to change things up this month I decided that it's about time I told you something pretty big. Something that has impacted my life in a not-so-great way and how I'm learning to deal with it on a daily basis. I suffer from a rare medical condition called misophonia. Many of you out there probably have no idea what that is OR don't believe that it's a legitimate condition when it is very much so for myself and many others. But what exactly is misophonia, and how does it affect my everyday life? If you read on, I will do my best to explain it to you.

What is misophonia?
Misophonia is the shorter and more common name for a condition known medically as Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome, or S4. Basically this means that those who suffer from it will be "triggered" by very common, everyday noises in an extremely negative way. The easiest way to explain it to someone who isn't very sciency (like myself) is that something is wonky with the wiring in the brain of a misophonic, and it causes them to interpret certain sounds in a bad way, even if there is absolutely no reason for it (which is mostly often the case). Anger, fear, anxiety, and panic are just some examples of the negative feelings the misophonic's brain will produce upon hearing a trigger sound. Common trigger sounds include chewing, tapping, clicking, mouth sounds, repetitive noises, breathing, etc. Very common noises that can be heard on a day-to-day basis, which only makes being an individual who suffers from this condition worse, as there is no escape from it unless you completely stay away from people.

How does it affect people generally?
The severity of the reaction depends upon the individual, but it can range from very minimal discomfort to using physical violence against the source of the trigger sound, be it person or inanimate object. Some people are simply bothered by the noise and seek to get away, while others go into a panic attack and their fight or flight response kicks in, thus the physical violence mentioned earlier. Here is a chart of the different levels (10) of misophonia:

How does it affect me, personally?
When I was growing up I would be triggered by certain noises and react violently to them, which often got me in trouble with my parents and sometimes even with my brother. I didn't actually have a name to put to this condition until about two years ago. You cannot imagine the relief I felt when I found out that I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE who suffers from this. All those years of feeling like I was just being picky, or overreacting to certain situations - all of it was because of a legitimate problem. I just didn't know it at the time.

In the past couple of years I've learned a lot more about what it means to have this condition in this day and age, and various coping mechanisms that others use to get through their lives relatively peacefully. It's impossible to have a perfect day when you live with misophonia, but thanks to online support groups and forums, I've learned a lot about how it affects me personally and how I personally can deal with my specific triggers.

If you'll refer to the chart above, you may be surprised to learn that I am a Level 9 misophonic. My primary trigger is gum chewing (just writing it down makes my heart beat faster), but I have a handful of others that include but are not limited to chewing, mouth noises, clicking, and repetitive sounds. It is impossible for me to get through even one day without being severely triggered. Every day I will talk to someone who is chewing gum as they're speaking (why the heck people feel the need to chew gum - or anything - with their mouth open, I DO NOT know). And even if I get away with not dealing with that specific trigger, I will have to deal with my family members who eat loudly and sometimes chew their food with their mouths open. (Which, again, I do not know why.) I will go to the kitchen to grab something and I'll hear my brother using the computer mouse in the living room, which triggers me as well. 9/10 times I will be physically shaking by the time I get back to the sanctuary that is my room, even if I'm only out there for a few seconds.

When I'm triggered my heart rate spikes, I get extremely tense, and when dealing with people I try to get the encounter over with as quickly as possible so I can get the heck out of there. This may seem like I'm being rude or anti-social, but it's the only way to avoid a breakdown. When exposed to a trigger noise for a prolonged period I will start to become antsy, I'll feel sick, anxiety will kick in, and then I will be in the midst of a full-blown panic attack and crying like a child because someone is chewing gum as they're talking to me. I simply cannot be exposed to those kinds of sounds for very long. It will literally cause me to have a mental breakdown on the spot because my brain is interpreting these sounds as a bad thing and I feel like I cannot get away.

Is there a cure?
Currently there is no cure for misophonia, but there are ways those who suffer from it can cope. Coping mechanisms vary from person to person, but thanks to the online support groups and forums I've been part of, I've learned a few tricks that have helped me get through situations I would have had to opt out of otherwise.

What coping mechanisms do you use?
My go-to coping mechanism is earplugs. Simple devices, but to the misophonic, they work wonders. I carry two sets of earplugs around with me everywhere I go and have one on standby just in case. One set is in my purse and the other is for use around the house. I've used earplugs in theaters (not because the movie is too loud but to block out the eating noises of the people around me), planetariums, and even in my own home. I sometimes sleep with them. They have been my saving grace when it comes to my everyday life. I remember the first time I used them to go see a movie with my college roommate and I left the theater almost crying with joy because I was able to sit through the whole thing without hearing a single chewing noise to trigger and distract me.

Besides earplugs, though, the only other coping mechanism I have is to stay away from people. I know it sounds horrible and anti-social, but it's honestly the best thing I can do for myself when it comes to having this condition. People don't understand that this is an actual medical condition; most just see it as giving people an excuse to be rude. I cannot tell you how much I hate seeing and hearing people say that this condition does not exist. Swap places with me for a day - me, a Level 9 misophonic - and then tell me it doesn't exist. I dare you.


I hope that I've enlightened you somewhat, and that perhaps you've learned a bit more about me after reading this post. I know not many people I see on a daily basis read this blog, but if you are one of those people, I'm going to take this opportunity to BEG you to PLEASE try to remember what you've learned here and take it seriously. If you happen across me one day and you're chewing gum, either take it out while you talk to me or try not to be offended if it seems like I'm trying to get away from you. I never mean it personally; I'm only try to save the both of us from the very real possibility of a mental breakdown.

And to those who are reading this generally: please, be considerate of others around you. Even if you don't know any misophonics in your lives there are many people who are annoyed by common mouth sounds, such as chewing gum or lip smacking. Be observant, be considerate. Take people's requests seriously. You never know if you're interacting with a misophonic person who is too afraid to speak up for themselves and ask you to stop whatever trigger noise you're causing. I've been that person. It sucks a lot.

I suffer from a rare medical condition called misophonia. It is very real. It is NOT an excuse for me to be rude, it is NOT an excuse for me to be by myself most of the time. It has impacted my life in a very negative way, and I am done being quiet about it. This is a part of me. Please respect that.

Thank you.