
We would just love to say THANK YOU SO MUCH to Jenna over at Bookmark Your Thoughts for nominating us. She’s been so incredibly kind and and supportive of us during our start as newbie bloggers! We love reading her reviews and ADORE her blog’s aesthetic.
While this is our first award (EVER) we’ve seen it going around quite a lot and just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to the book blogging community (or just those of you reading this haha). You’ve all been so incredibly kind to read our posts and comment over this last month. Not just to our blog but to so many others. When we first started out we weren’t sure what the community was like and were a bit nervous. It’s turned out to be such a supportive, kind and friendly place. We’re glad to have become a small part of it!
What is the Sunshine Blogger Award?
The Sunshine Blogger Award is given to those who are creative, positive and inspiring while spreading sunshine to the blogging community.
The Rules
↠ Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog.
↠ Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
↠ Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
↠ List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award in your post/or on your blog.
One. What was the last book you strongly disliked?

Nen: I try not to dislike books, but I’ll definitely rant about improvements (sorry, Jen!). They all have potential at the end of the day! But if I had to pick one I really didn’t like it would be Strange Objects by Gary Crew. I had to read it in school and it has stuck with me for all the wrong reasons!
Jen: I don’t generally tend to dislike many books either but there have been two in the last month that were really bad. They were Evvie Drake Starts Over and Our Stop. They both were just so SLOW and I didn’t connect with the characters at all. It’s a shame since their premises sounded so good!
Two. How does your star rating system work for your reviews (if you use one)?
Due to there being two of us, we try very hard to keep our review process consistent and honest. Our rating system is:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It was amazing! Perfect in almost every way.
★ ★ ★ ★ We really liked it! There were only a few things we did not like.
★ ★ ★ We liked it! There were things we disliked, but the book was good overall.
★ ★ It was okay. There were more things we disliked than liked.
★ We did not like it. It was problematic, offensive or un-relatable.
Three. What are your favorite pizza toppings?
Nen: Ah, pizza, the greatest of all Italian inventions (you can’t convince me otherwise). I’ll avoid seafood and pineapple when I can. You can’t go wrong with a good pepperoni pizza, but I do like veg too!
Jen: Can you ever really go wrong with pizza? I’m a margherita gal at heart. Simple, delicious and cheesy. Man, I could die happily for cheese!
Four. Would you rather read a great plot with mediocre characters, or a boring plot with amazing characters?
Nen: I’d take the boring plot with amazing characters any day of the week! I can stick with a story if the characters win me over, but following a mediocre character that makes questionable life choices the whole way through can get very frustrating.
Jen: Exactly the same as Nen! I’m pretty sure we’ve had this conversation together half a million times. Especially after reading a book with SUPER DULL characters that made us mad. We take it kind of personally if a book has so much potential (great plot, world-building etc)… and then just had a cruddy excuse for characters or their developments.
Five. How many books are you currently reading, and which one is your favorite so far?

Nen: I haven’t had the chance to read any recently. It sucks, but I know I have plenty on my list when I get back home so I’m looking forward to that! And Melbourne Breakfast tea…boy, have I missed my fav tea.
Jen: I’m currently reading A Lie for a Lie by Helena Hunting and A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer. They’re actually not too bad. I keep swapping between them when I get bored though… so that says a bit about how they’re going haha.
Six. What was the last book review you posted?

Nen: It was an ARC on Goodreads for a book called ‘The Dawnvel Druids’ by William Collins (see our review). One of those books with potential I mentioned earlier!
Jen: I posted a review on Everything, Everything. This was a book I was expecting so much more from. I mean… it was a quick and easy read that had some enjoyable moments but overall was just a miss for me. It’s not one I’ll be re-reading.
Seven. Do you prefer MG, YA, NA, or adult books?
Nen: Oh, that’s tough. There are books in each that I really love. Anything I read and adored as a child has that sentimental value that’ll keep me coming back when I’m 80. But as I get older I do lean towards older characters and (if I’m feeling brave) darker themes.
Jen: This is definitely a hard one to answer! It generally depends on my mood. I’d say I read the most from YA and NA so it would have to be a toss up between them depending on how much patience I have for YA’s angst on the day!
Eight. Is there a popular author you’re NOT interested in reading anything by? (Elaborate if you’re comfortable doing so!)

Nen: This question threw me back into the Twilight era haha! I avoided those like the plague if I’m being honest. I think there are a few authors I’ll avoid. Don’t get me wrong, they’re all incredibly talented, but they’ll usually write for a genre I’m not interested in. John Green and Nicholas Sparks, for example – I just can’t deal with the tear-jerkers!
Jen: Oh man, I remember the day I made Nen binge watch the Twilight films for the first time. Her look of annoyed frustration every time Bella did something stupid or Edward sparkled… It was hilarious! I don’t generally avoid many authors but one that comes to mind is Suzanne Collins. I just don’t like her writing style. Me and The Hunger Games will never be friends!
Nine. What marginalized rep would you most strongly like to see more of in books?
Nen and Jen: We have pretty much the same thoughts on this. We both love all rep for marginalised groups of individuals. We’ve read some great stories lately that refuse to ignore or patronise marginalised characters and rather show their strengths without hiding or ignoring the bigger issues. We’ve been waiting a long time to see this become mainstream.
We love that representation, especially well-written and positive rep, is increasing in books. The only stipulation to this is that authors authentically and respectfully tell people’s stories. Raising awareness of issues and portraying a more realistic representation of characters in accordance to world around us is important. To pick only one marginalised group to improve takes away from others. No one book should be the advocate, rather they all should. Equal rep and respect shouldn’t be limited!
Ten. Do you listen to music while reading?
Nen: It depends on what I’m reading. If I do, the volume has to be quite low and I’ll avoid lyrics if I can. I do love listening to music when I write though, even if it crushes my productivity.
Jen: I generally prefer to read in silence but I’m partial to some light instrumental music. Especially cello covers. They’re my happy place!
Eleven. Do you prefer book twitter or bookstagram?
Nen: I actually don’t use Instagram all that much. Jen’s the pro where insta is involved, but I’ve always liked Twitter more for keeping up with sports and books!
Jen: I’m a sucker for pretty book covers so checking out other Bookstagrammer’s posts is my daily indulgence! I’m warming up to Twitter though. I think I tend to be more interactive on there than on Insta. But in terms of preference… nothing beats a stunning book cover and autumnal tones!

We’ve decided to nominate these bloggers because they’ve been so supportive of us on our blogging journey so far. Also… we love reading their posts and ADORE their blog aesthetics!
- The Bookish Romantic
- Stacy, Justin and Nikole at A Court of Coffee and Books
- Elysa at WordsWordsWords
- Holly at Holly Reads A Lot
- Leah at One More Chapter Book Blog
- TJ Fox at Sharing the Experience
- Reading Tonic
- Lilyfae at Lily and the Fae
- Kirsty at Kirsty’s Book Buying Addiction
- Lisa at Lisas Books Gems and Tarot
- Robin LeeAnn
Questions:
We actually really loved the questions Jenna used, so we’re going to continue them!
- What was the last book you strongly disliked?
- How does your star rating system work for your reviews (if you use one)?
- What are your favorite pizza toppings?
- Would you rather read a great plot with mediocre characters, or a boring plot with amazing characters?
- How many books are you currently reading, and which one is your favorite so far?
- What was the last book review you posted?
- Do you prefer MG, YA, NA, or adult books?
- Is there a popular author you’re NOT interested in reading anything by? (Elaborate if you’re comfortable doing so!)
- What marginalized rep would you most strongly like to see more of in books?
- Do you listen to music while reading?
- Do you prefer book twitter or bookstagram?

Great answers, Nen & Jen! I’m sorry to hear that you’re not really enjoying ACSDAL though? ☹️
Also, I think Twilight was the only movie that I walked out of hahaha I admit that I enjoyed the books (not that I can remember any of it now…) but my friends made me watch the movie when it came out and I think I stuck around for like 30-45 minutes and then I walked out 😂😂😂 I’m terrible! Haha
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Haha you’re just like Nen! 😂😂 she was pained the whole time watching it. But she’s never read them. I think the film scarred her and she wasn’t keen to continue! I’ve literally just finished ACSDAL and I don’t know what to think. I was hating it. Then totally loving it. Then angry… It’s gonna be a fun review to write 😂 Jen
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Great answers, and thanks for the nomination! I’ll have to get my thinking cap on now!
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You’re welcome! We enjoy reading your posts and thought you deserved a nomination! Thanks for being so supportive of our blog 💙✨ Can’t wait to see your responses! Jen
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great answers! I really didn’t like evvie drake starts over as well and I really want to read a curse so dark and lonely.
you guys definitely deserved this nom.
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Thanks Amanda!! Uhh don’t get me started on Evvie (“like Chevy”). Nen knows I can’t rant about her for DAYS 😂😅 I’ve literally just finished ACSDAL and I don’t know what to think now. I was hating it. Then loving it. Now I’m angry 😂 gonna be a fun review to write…
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I love all your answers! I’d also take the boring plot with amazing characters, since the characters really drive a story. Also, thank you so so much for the nomination, you both are too sweet!!
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You’re welcome! We love your blog and thought you deserved a nomination 💙 Characters can honestly make or break how much I’m loving a story. Even it’s it’s well written, well paced etc. I can still hate it if I’m not connecting with them 😂 can’t wait to see your responses! 💙 Jen
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Loved your answers! The pizza question made me hungry 😂
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Thanks Joanna! 😊 You definitely can’t go wrong with pizza! What are your fav toppings?? 💙 Jen
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I personally love Canadian bacon and pineapple 😅
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Great answers! I would elaborate more, but I gotta answer them myself now. : P
Thank you so much for the nomination! Made my day!
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Aww I’m glad!! We really love your posts and are so grateful for how kind you’ve been to our blog 💙 Can’t wait to see your responses! ✨
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Loved reading your answers! And congrats on the award!
(www.evelynreads.com)
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Thank you Evelyn! 💙✨
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Thanks so much for the nomination! I don’t do these, but I do really appreciate you thinking of me and my little blog. Congrats to you two!
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You’re welcome 😊 We really enjoy your posts and thought you deserved a nomination! 💙✨ Jen
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Thank you! I do really appreciate it.
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I love reading both of your answers so much! I have no idea how you manage to blog together, I think it’s really cool how you compliment each other. If I had to blog with anyone else I’d probably end up deleting their admin powers LOL!!!!!!!!!! Fab post :))))) <33333
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Hahaha Nen is an absolutely sweetheart! 💙 I have to admit… I’m a control freak so it’s not always easy 😂 Jen
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I was thinking the same thing while reading their responses! 😂 I’m way too much of a control freak to try to do this with someone else. Nen & Jen, I have so much respect for your blog and your ability to do it together!
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Thanks Elysa!! We make it work 😂 Jen
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[…] want to thank Nen and Jen for this nomination! You are both so […]
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Thank you so much for nominating me!!! These are some fabulous questions that I’m going to enjoy giving some thought to!!!
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You’re welcome! I really love your posts and thought you deserved a nomination 😊 I look forward to reading your responses! 💙 Jen
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Thank you!! 💜
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Thank you for nominating me! These are some hard questions! I loved your answers and am about to be surprised by my own. 😂
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You’re welcome! We enjoy your blog posts and thought you deserved a nomination. Looking forward to reading your responses! 💙 Jen
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OH MY GOSH! You guys are so sweet! Thank you for the kind word!!!! Meltin’ my heart over here ❤ And I honestly forget you two are "newbie bloggers" … your posts and commenting and such make it seem as though you've been doing this for SO LONG!
LMAO! I feel as though you're both right, can you really go wrong with pizza??
I feel you with the patience for YA. Typically, I'm okay. But if I'm easily frustrated that day, I sometimes avoid it since I start eye-rolling a lot ha-ha
Oh my gosh … the comment of watching Nen react to Twilight is killin' me! I totally feel that … there are so many *are you serious* moments. I'm honestly shocked sometimes that I finished the books once upon a time. I will say, I liked the historical elements of the werewolves … but that's it. I do NOT see the appeal of Edward at all …
I loved The Hunger Games, but I can see how it's not for everyone.
I'm so glad you two had fun with this! Happy Reading, loves! ❤
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Thanks Jenna!! You’re so kind ❤ It actually feels like we've been doing this longer than we actually have. Or maybe the novelty hasn't quite worn off yet 😛 HAHA I'm Team Edward for life but Nen can't even speak about Twilight without rolling her eyes. She also adored The Hunger Games so you're similar in that regard! Happy reading to you, too! 🙂 Jen
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Oh my gosh. I’m loving how you two have different opinions about Twilight. It makes me giggle. YAY! I’m glad she enjoyed them!
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[…] must start by saying thank you to Nen & Jen for nominating me! They started their blog recently, and I love what they’ve done so far! If […]
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[…] would like to thank Nen and Jen from Nen & Jen for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award! It was such a pleasant surprise to wake up […]
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Congratulation on your award nomination. Have an amazing day.
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