My Life in Books Tag

I, like many others, am currently utterly consumed with Taylor Swift's new album evermore at the moment. So that, mixed with an intensely busy week at work, has me so drained. I wanted to do a "What Are You Currently Reading?" post today, but my brain can't compute thinking about what I'm going to read this weekend. Maybe next week?? But for this week, I decided a book tag would be fun! I found this one here.

Find a book for each of your initials

J - Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

L - Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

B - Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh

Count your age along your bookshelf: What book is it?

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

(this hardcover version!)

Pick a book set in your city/country

Austin, TX--Wait For It by Mariana Zapata

Pick a book that represents a destination you'd love to travel to

His Royal Highness by R.S. Grey--I'd love to go to Disney :)

Pick a book that's your favorite color

Red--A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn

What book do you have the fondest memories of?

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. SHOCKER, I know.

Which book did you have the most difficulty reading?

The most DIFFICULTY? Hmm. I'm not sure? If I have difficulty getting through something, I just...don't read it. So I guess this would be something I DNFed? Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins (I love her! but this book was not for me)

Which book on your TBR will give you the biggest accomplishment when you finish it?

Right now? A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I need my attention span to COOPERATE.

After that, probably House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas.

And that's it! What do you think? What would your answers be? Leave a comment and let me know! :)

The Guilty Reader Book Tag

Hi, friends! After a super busy week at work, I want to do a post that's lower maintenance this week. So I searched book tags and this was one of the first to come up, and it sounded cool, and now here we are. I'm not sure who started it? The one I'm using is here, though. 

So yeah. Here goes!

Have you ever re-gifted a book you’ve been given?

Yes. Either because it was a book I already had or too much time passed without reading it and I lost interest. 

Have you ever said you’ve read a book when you haven’t?

Lol yeah, some books for school back in the day. I didn't actually read all of Lord of the Flies. Or a couple others we were supposed to read in high school. I don't really say I've read books I haven't read in every day life, though--there's no point. 

Have you ever borrowed a book and not returned it?

Ugh. Yes. And I feel terrible about it.

Have you ever read a series out of order?

YES. I first did this a long time ago by accident. I checked a book out from the library and only realized it was book 2 in a series after I'd started reading it and didn't understand like any of the past events being referenced. More recently, my answer is still yes--with companion series, though. If they're standalone companions I have no problem picking up the ones I'm most interested in first.

Have you ever spoiled a book for someone?

No? Not unless they asked me to, at least. But I still think no.

Have you ever dog-eared a book?

Yes. I did it a lot when I was younger. Now it's rare, and if I do it's only in paperbacks.

Have you ever told someone you don’t own a book when you do?

No. Why would I do that?

Have you ever told someone you haven’t read a book when you have?

...No. Again, why? lol

Have you ever skipped a chapter or a section of a book?

YES. I am big on skimming or skipping around if I need to in order to hold my attention. Or if I'm super nervous about how something in a book is playing out, I will absolutely skip forward and then circle back to skim and fill in the gaps.

Have you ever bad mouthed a book you actually liked?

Sadly, yes. I fell into the Twilight hate with everyone else back in the day. I'm back to unapologetically loving it now, because really I do. And I never do this anymore. I'm much more confident in my reading choices these days. I like what I like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

That's it for this tag! What do you think? Would your answers be similar to mine??

The Would You Rather Book Tag

I was in the mood for a tag this week, so I did some looking until I found one I haven't done yet & seemed fun. I found this one on The Infinite Limits of Love (which is an awesome blog, btw, and y'all should absolutely follow!)--a bookish edition of Would You Rather. Fun, yeah? Here we go! :)

Would you rather read physical books for the rest of your life or only audiobooks?

This one is easy for me--physical books for sure. I am forever a work in progress with listening to more audiobooks. 

Would you rather know all the spoilers before you start a book or never read the last chapter?

Spoilers 100%! I already tend to read spoilers before starting books. It's rare that spoilers will turn me off reading a book I'm already excited about. So I'd definitely rather be spoiled and get to read the entire book.

Would you rather be stuck on a very long train/plane ride with a book you hate or no book at all?

Hmm. Probably a book I hate. That way I could pick what I hated about it and then start writing something I like better as my own personal fanfic entertainment.

Would you rather read a book with a really bad ending or a book where your favorite character is killed off?

Okay, this one is tough. I guess it would depend on what the bad ending was? Like, is it a bad ending where the main ship doesn't end up together? Or the love interest cheats? Because in those cases I'd probably rather the favorite character getting killed off. But if it's just an ending that isn't satisfying... I think I have to go with the favorite character getting killed off. Either way this probably wouldn't be a favorite book if one of these two options are true, so I'd rather the character die with dignity and give me room for fanfic where they don't die and instead live HEA... I'm overthinking this. lol.

Would you rather love a book everyone hates or hate a book everyone loves?

Love a book everyone hates! I love when I love books.

Would you rather read books by your favorite author but they’re all really bad or read books by an author you hate but they’re all really good?

Books by an author I hate but they're all really good. Like I said, I love to love books. (This is assuming that I hate the author because their previous works weren't to my tastes and not because the author is racist, homophobic, etc... Then I'd rather stick with the author I love who isn't all of those things.)

Would you rather only ever read contemporary books for the rest of your life or fantasy?

I am such a mood reader this one is so tough! But maybe contemporary? That would leave me with KA and Mariana Zapata...but it'd take away JLA and Ruby Dixon. Ugh! This question! Fantasy. For the sake of picking one (even though I don't want to), I'll say fantasy. 

Would you rather own a signed edition or a first edition?

I've never much paid attention to first editions or anything, so I guess I'll go with signed.

Would you rather never be able to borrow a book from the library again or never reread your favorite book?

Oh good, an easy one. Never be able to borrow a book from the library again. It's been so long since I've used the library (though I do love libraries! I just own so many books now, and there's KU, and all the books sitting on my Kindle...) and re-reading is my comfort crutch. There's no way I could give that up.

Which now has me second guessing the contemporary/fantasy question. A lot of my comfort reads are contemporary. Maybe that should have been my answer...

Would you rather spend the day in your favorite fictional world but never meet your favorite character, or spend the day as the villain and try to attack/kill that favorite character?

A day in the world without meeting the character. It'd hurt, but there's probably some other awesome characters there. Oh! Or the day as the villain and then PLOT TWIST it turns into one of those hero/villain love stories. That'd be fun, though hard to pull off in a day. Yeah, the first option is probably the more successful choice.

Well, this was fun! What do you think of my answers? Would you have answered differently? Leave a comment and let me know! :)

Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag: 2020 Edition

Hello, friends! I've seen versions of this tag floating around lately, and since we are now officially in the second half of the year I figured I'd give it a go. I don't know who created this tag, but the questions I'm using I found on The Literary Phoenix. :)

Sworn to the Shadow God by Ruby Dixon: Considering this was also my most anticipated book of 2020 (or one of them, at least), this isn't entirely surprising. But dear goodness, Ruby Dixon writes some top notch slow burn fantasy romance. I am obsessed with this Aspect and Anchor series and cannot wait for the next one! In the meantime, I'll be over here in love with this book and book 1 and likely re-reading them happily.

Barbarian's Beloved by Ruby Dixon: Almost all of the sequels I've read this year have been by Ruby Dixon so sorry not sorry for choosing RD books for two answers in a row. Plus, this is an honest answer because Zolaya and Ariana are my favorite Ice Planet couple. I love them and also this book.

Take A Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert: Literally the only reason I haven't read this book yet is because my copy hasn't arrived. I am waiting patiently but also very excitedly because I've been looking forward to this one since even before I read Get A Life! 

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer: I'd be a liar if I picked any other book. I'm literally counting down to when this book releases (WE ARE EXACTLY A MONTH AWAY OMG OMG). I've been waiting and wanting for it for the longest time. And now it's going to be here soon and ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh I am so freaking excited!!! 

Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin: This one technically doesn't release until September, but I was lucky enough to receive an e-ARC so here I am. I feel weird calling it my biggest disappointment when many people haven't had the chance to read it yet, so please take this with a grain of salt. This was amongst my most anticipated sequels of 2020 along with Sworn to the Shadow God. So my expectations were high. For me, this one fell way short and therefore was a huge disappointment. I have super high hopes that other people may still love it, though!

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds: I'm not surprised at all that I loved this book. However, I am surprised by just HOW MUCH I adored the audio. It was my first audiobook ever and it was stunning. Though I really shouldn't be surprised because it was Jason Reynolds reading his own work--of course it would be magnificent. Still, this is my answer. And if you haven't given this audio a listen, you absolutely should.

Brynne Asher: I did read a few books by this author last year, but it has been in 2020--through reading Athica Lane and then diving into this Carpino series--that Brynne Asher has stood out as a possible fav. And considering most of my reading this year has been Ruby Dixon and other authors I've loved before, I feel like this is the most solid answer I can given right now.

Devil from Lost Star by Rebecca Royce: I read this question and my first thought was DEVIL. So Devil it is. He's done such a 180 in this series as a whole and I'm so glad he's now to the point where I seriously just...looove him. 

Chloe Brown from Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert: I freaking loved Chloe. She saw that her life was going in a way she didn't like and made a plan to fix it. To take chances. Her determination and growth was lovely. (And honorable mention goes to Red, who had his own evolution in this novel and it was so good.)

....N/A. None of the books I've read this year have made me cry. I kind of like it that way.

After the Climb by Kristen Ashley: Honestly, this is actually my third choice. First was going to be Chloe Brown, but I already answered with that one. Then it was going to be Lost Star, but again--already used it as an answer. So now here we are, with After the Climb. Which now that I think about it, actually DID make me super happy. It was a surprise release that was free for download from my favorite author. Of course I was happy! But also this book was so fun. I loved the main characters' children especially. Their PERSONALITIES. They're going to make for such a great series!

ALEXANDER HAMILTON!

Which I just watched today. And is likely a cheat answer because I have not read it but it's the only answer I've got and again--I just watched it today so it's fresh in my mind and my heart and I have feelings, okay?? 

My What Are You Currently Reading? post because it started a nice little series I have going on here. Those posts are 100% always fun to write, and I genuinely love seeing what everyone else is reading too. And someday maybe I'll finally make a new graphic as the header for those posts...

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown: This. Book. Is. GORGEOUS. The cover! The spine! The map! I am head over heels. And I am beyond excited to read it! It's next up as soon as I'm in a fantasy mood, but until then I'm making such heart eyes at it because goodness gracious!

    

    

And that's it for the tag! What do you think of my answers? What are YOUR answers? If you've done this tag, please share a link so I can check it out!! :)

Gilmore Girls Book Tag

Gilmore Girls Book Tag

So I found this tag a while ago and decided that I clearly need to do it, because I LOVE Gilmore Girls...but as usual, I've taken forever to do it. So here's my (very belated) post for the Gilmore Girls Book Tag! 

Just Got Hit By a Deer - character having the worst day ever

Katniss Everdeen has the WORST days. Like, this entire series is just a whole long string of terrible days for Katniss. 

Stars Hollow - wildly eccentric cast

These books are full of amazing characters. They're nice, they're smart, they're good and bad, they're funny, they're complicated, and they all have some of the best friendships...yeah, this cast. (And THESE BOOKS. If you haven't read them, you should!)

Coffee - a book you're addicted to / a character with an addiction

This entire series will always be my addiction. ALWAYS.

Someone Devil-Egged My Car?! - great act of revenge

I refuse to spoil anything, so I'll just say......Crooked Kingdom........ (read these books, y'all!)

Mr. Medina - an illicit affair

The entire Forbidden Men series is absolute gold (especially book 5, A Perfect Ten!), but this was the first one that popped into my head for this question.

Kim's Antique's - a world you'd be afraid to enter

Don't get me wrong, it'd be amazing to be in the same world breathing the same air as Liam...but let's be real, I'd never make it. Super cool powers or no, I'd be a goner.

Harvard vs. Yale - character who needs to make a life-changing decision

Bella makes a few life-changing decisions actually. The biggest, of course, being to become a vampire. Because that's kind of a big deal.

Luke's Diner - a comfort read

There are several books I could have put here (Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, Scarlett Dawn's Forevermore series, and Significance by Shelly Crane being a few of them), but I'd say this has become my go-to comfort read. Like, I literally JUST finished a re-read of Lady Luck. Because I love it (and Ty and Lexie) so darn much. It makes my heart happy every time.

Am I Crying or Laughing? - a book that messed with your emotions

Just thinking about this book too hard tears me apart. I love it beyond words (like, possibly my favorite book ever kind of love), and always (always, always) cry whenever I re-read any of it. Even the happy parts. Because FEELS.

Emily - the HBIC (Head Bitch in Charge)

So the first character to come to mind for this was Faye from The Secret Circle, but I already used that series and I'm TRYING not to use any book twice (I'm like 100% sure I'm going to fail, though) so I thought harder and came up with Keller from Witchlight! She totally fits this. (And now I want to re-read this whole series and all of The Secret Circle!)

Lorelai and Rory - favorite family dynamic

The Inner Circle counts for this. IT DOES. And obviously they're the best.

I Pushed Him in the Lake! - a book you'd throw in a lake

Really, this entire series can get out of my face. 

1000 Yellow Daisies - favorite romance

THIS QUESTIONS IS IMPOSSIBLE. And makes me go back on my "not using a book more than once" thing. Because, um, Daemon & Katy. Ty & Lexie. Cath & Levi. Corrado & Celia. Kaz & Inej. Literally ALL OF THE ROMANCES I CANNOT CHOOSE.

Jess - an unpopular opinion

This book was super hyped up and basically everyone loved it...except for me. It was well written, but other than that the story and romance and everything else was so disappointing.

First Snow - snowy or holiday read

Oh, look, snow! And the book takes place in a huge snow storm.

Hep Alien - book centered around music

I couldn't choose. Amy & Roger has playlists scattered throughout (which I LOVE), plus they're roadtripping so music is important. And Mayhem features an entire band. So obviously music is big there. I really adore both of these books!

He'd Better Have a Motorcycle! - your book crush

LEVI LEVI LEVI LEVI LEVI LEVI LEVI LEVI LEVI LEVI LEVI

...ahem. Um. Levi.

It's Repetitive and Redundant - a book that could have been shorter

I'm breaking my own rule again, but this was the only one I could think of. I'm a huge fan of big books, so I don't really nitpick. But this book was mostly boring. I spent the entire book just wanting Edward to come back and instead had to trudge through a bunch of blah. I liked the wolves, so those parts were okay, but anything with Bella alone or with her friends from school...nope.

Kirk - the weirdest book you've ever read

I read this book for a class my senior year of high school and while I enjoyed it immensely, I've still got to admit that it's an odd one. Very, very odd. But also very, very entertaining.

It's a Lifestyle. It's a Religion. - that one book that means more to you than any other

The idea of only picking one book as an answer to this is cute. HOW am I supposed to pick just one? So many books are important to me and mean the world to me. The Secret Circle, which played a huge part in my early ventures into YA and are books that I still re-read often. Fangirl which I just GET and connect with (and also, you know, Levi). Made that tears into my soul every single time I open it. Lady Luck, a book that never fails to warm my heart. Opal, which is my favorite in an entire series that played a HUGE part in getting me where I am today. Six of Crows, for which there are literally no words--like, I'm speechless. And Violet Grenade, the book that gives me chills and feelings and has a most special place in my heart forever. How do I choose between all that??? 

Answer: I don't. (And I didn't even list Twilight...I probably should have.)

So those are my answers! What do you think? How would you answer some of (or ALL of!) these questions?