TMST: To Spoil...or Not to Spoil

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Do you like spoilers? Do you read the last chapter first? Share your thoughts.

Spoilers don't bug me at all. If the story is good enough I want to know the journey. 

Confession time???

In my youth, I would read the last chapter. I do not that anymore, but I was guilty of it as a teenager. Whoopsies. 

TMST: Narrators/Audiobooks

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

Do you prefer single narrator, duet/dual narration, full cast, or "graphic audio" audiobooks?

I'm not picky when it comes to how many narrators the book has. However, it needs to make sense for the story and POVs happening. If we get a whole cast...cool, but if the narrator is good they can manage it themselves. It all depends on the story and the narrator(s) involved. 

I do LOVE when they have sound effects though and some music. It just adds an extra glitter to the story happening. 

TMST: Favorite Decade(s)

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1/27/2026 What's your favorite decade and why? (You do not need to have lived through it!)

I've been bad at joining in on this weekly posting! My goal this year is to try and do one or two a month (at minimum). They are such fun prompts!

I'm a huge history buff and I loved parts of my childhood. But what always stuck in my head was the 1760s, 1770s, and 1780s. The aesthetic is just so...beautiful. It's always been one of my favorite time periods. The looks. The fashion. The colors. It just speaks to me. 

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Teenage Rebellion

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10/21/2025 What’s something you rebelled against as a kid?

Rebel? Me? Only a teeny bit. 

I mainly rebelled against wearing my coat or using both straps of my backpack. Why? Who knows. 

Now who has some back pain? MEEEE. Thanks a lot teenage Carole. >_> 

I also rebelled against audiobooks for some reason. I didn't think it was real reading. As an adult I loooooooove audios especially when I'm driving. 

TMST: Future Summer Reads

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

5/27/2025 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Summer? (Jun-Aug)

I usually don't plan too much ahead when it comes to reading because I am a mood-reader. However, I do have some planned books that I plan on reading:

TMST: Fitness Routine/Exercise

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

5/20/2025 Do you have a fitness routine or exercise you enjoy?

I hate working out especially if it is boring. The only time I find joy in it is if I can listen to my audiobooks while doing it. So like walking or weights or yoga. 

I've been trying to walk WAY more but even listening to my audiobook gets boring so I have to switch it up and watch YouTube or one of my shows. 

TMST: Comfort Zones

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3/11: Have you ever ventured out of your comfort zone and ended up having a nice experience?

Books? Yes. I'm always willing to try something new. It doesn't always work out for me, but....yeah sometimes it does. 

Life? Sure, I guess you could say that. 

For one, I started this blog years ago and I've loved it. I may not have the biggest following or whatnot, but I love the community I have found. Plus, I love the work of writing up my reviews. 

Also, I've recently (well slightly over a year) have started streaming on Twitch. I play video games talk. Sometimes (with the right crowd) I talk about current books I'm reading. It has been a great experience and I'm so glad I was talked into trying it out. I love the community there. If you're interested, you can find me at: https://www.twitch.tv/carole_rae

TMST: Winter

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1/28/2025: What is your favorite thing about winter?

Winter is rough. There are a couple of things I like, but I mainly HATE winter. I will say that I LOVE the things that make winter warm. Like hoodies, sweaters, hot coco, fireplaces, blankies, comfy socks, and heaters. I love that feeling of being cold and then warming up. Oh! Also a nice winter book is always nice. 

Is that weird????

TMST: 5 Things That Make You Happy

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11/5/2024: What are five things that make you happy?

Things....like in general?

Mmmmm....

1. Books

2. Group activities like Gal's Day, etc.

3. Video games

4. Chocolate

5. My cozy blankets and pillows. 

For fun....here are things in a book that make me happy....

1. Cool/pretty cover

2. That new book smell

3. Complex characters

4. A good ending that isn't too cliffhanger-ish

5. Nice world-building that engulfs you

TMST: Ideal Book Boyfriend

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10/15/2024: Who is your ideal book boyfriend/girlfriend?

Oh boy. I feel like I have a lot! But I can't remember all of them. Were they not truly my soulmate-book boyfriend then? 

I know for sure I have been in love with Captain Wentworth from 'Persuasion' for a very long time. He is slightly grumpy and a romantic at heart. He is a gem. Sure he holds a grudge, but I wouldn't be like Anne ;) 

Another one that has stuck with me for a while is Darius from 'Princess' by Gaelen Foley. He is charming and cunning and tough. But he has a weakness for his love. He would make me swoon. 

They may not be perfect for me, but I do adore those complex men. LOL

TMST: Go-To Comfort Reads

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9/17/24: Do you have a go-to comfort book/read?

There are soooo many books that I consider a go-to especially after the last few years. I'm so happy my list is getting so big.

LOTR for sure. 

Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig.

The Others by Anne Bishop.

Both 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Persuasion' by Jane Austen. 

Also, it's becoming a yearly tradition is 'You Can Thank Me Later'. 

TSMT: This Blog and All the Eras

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8/20/24: How long have you been blogging? And has your blog changed over time?

Oh my. I have been blogging for........*has to search* about 2009. I had an old blog that I scraped and started this one in 2011. From there it is history!

I did a lot more variety of posts thus why it is called Carole Rae's Random Ramblings. I reviewed music and did fun stuff like make dream casts of books WHICH I have been itching to maybe bring back. Or like writing challenges. Oooo I miss those. 

Mainly now I just review books, audiobooks, and movies. I'll do the occasional TMST post or Wordless Wednesday or share a guest post. Occasionally I'll share a little poem I've whipped up, but that happens less and less each year. Doesn't happen as much as I would like because life is busy.

The look of the blog has changed a few times. This format has stayed the same for a while though because I love the painting my friend did for me (yesss my friend did the feather image - she is so talented). I now use that image for my discord page so it all ties in together in a way so I don't see myself changing this image or look anytime in the foreseeable future. 

All-in-all even with all the eras of this blog, I still love my little space on the internet. Of course, I want it to be successful, but at the end of the day I mainly blog for me so I post what makes me happy. 

TMST: Summer Treats

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8/6/24: What is your favorite summer treat?

I couldn't resist doing this prompt! I'm a foodie that is for sure. 

In no order...here are some of my favorite summer treats:

- S'Mores in every shape and form (I really love using Reese's instead of chocolate)

- Fruit salad

- Tea refreshers

- Ice cream is a must

- Banana or Zucchini bread

TMST: Three Words

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3/5/24: Describe yourself in three words

JUST THREE WORDS? I don't know................

mmmmmmm................

- Thoughtful

- Imaginative

- Awkward 

TMST: Candy????

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2/20/24: What is your favorite type of candy?

CANDY!! I had no choice but to do this post. I haven't done a TMST since *looks it up* September. EEEEE! *hides in shame*

But yessss! I love candy, but mainly chocolate candies. Chocolate is king of the universe. Chocolate is the only way.

I love KitKats, Snickers, Reese's, Milky Way....just to name a few. 

If I can't have a chocolate candy, I do like Skittles. 

TMST: Electronic Freebies...Yes or Nah?

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9/26/23: Do you download freebies? read free preview chapters?

I love freebies!!!! I love Amazon for that fact. I have discovered some hidden gems because of freebies. To be completely honest....there are some meh freebies out there. But the gems are worth the piles of meh books to find. 

Now....free preview chapters? Nah. I'll do snip bits that people share on their blogs, but I don't like reading ahead of the next book. I'll wait. 

TMST: Visiting Book Worlds

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8/8/2023 Which book world would you like to visit (real and/or fictional)?

I am badddd I haven't done one of these prompts in a looooong time. *awkward laugh*

Soooo a lot of the fantasy and UF worlds are scary. I would want to visit during the peaceful times. Like HP world AFTER Voldy is killed. LOTR when the Ring is destroyed. I would love to meet our nice dragon or Mercy or any of the Wird Sisters. 

I wouldn't mind taking a dance with a Duke but the ton are mean. 

So final answer? I will just fly to Europe and check all that out and pretend I am in those fantasy lands. ;)

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Reading Slumps

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6/20/2023: How do you get out of a reading slump?

Reading slumps are a lot of fun. I feel like I hit one or two a year especially when I have busy life stuff going. 

Defeating reading slumps depends on why or how you fell into the slump. But the core way is patience with yourself. You need to be kind and patient with yourself. The slump will pass especially if you love reading like me. 

If you find that you are struggling to shake the reading slump...I do have a couple tips:

- Re-read a beloved book. That sometimes can help rekindle the love. 

- Try a book you normally wouldn't read. This seems odd, but it is something different and will work different parts of your brain. Sometimes a slump might because you have just been reading too much of one thing. Too many HRs can make me feel like I am stuck in repeat. 

- Go for a walk and listen to an audiobook. For some reason this helps me. 

- Take a break. Give yourself a planned vacation and then just dive back in. I feel like reading can be like work and you need days off. 

After typing this up, I decided to look up some other tips. Click here to check out this article I found. 

TMST: Summer reading

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5/30: Which books are you looking forward to reading this summer? (June-August)

This year I have been trying to focus on my TBR list and not take on as many ARCs. I do have a couple though that I am really looking forward to:

ARC

Technically re-reading this, but this is a new version/edited 

Next book for book club

TMST: Blogging Expectations

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

4/18/2023: What were your expectations when you started blogging?

Honestly? I expected to quit after a while. I had two failed blogs I gave up on rather quickly. I thought I would post for a few months and no one would care so I would stop caring. 

Look at me now! I have a few followers and have made a few friends. I have been blogging for yearssssssss now and I still love it. :)