It’s been a long time since I did a book tag post, but I’m always up for some fun blog hopping. Big thanks to Becky and Kayla @ A Couple of Bees for tagging me in the Selena Gomez book tag that was started by Nehal @ Books and Words. Check out their blogs!
The Rules:
- Thank the person who tagged you and leave a link to their blog.
- Mention the creator of the tag: Nehal @ Books and Words
- Answer the prompts.
- Tag at least 5 people.
- Just have fun!
“Love You Like A Love Song“: A romance novel that is cliché but you still love it
Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore – Every historical romance starts the same way, with a young independent woman who is just trying to make her way in this male dominated world. And then she runs into some guy who everyone agrees is absolutely beautiful but that is also kind of a jerk, and she wants “nothing to do with him” even though she’s intensely attracted to him. One day something happens to the two of them, and she suddenly sees his softer side, learns his vulnerabilities, and learns that he finds her attractive too, even though she is “not a normal girl”.
Rare: A book with a female protagonist unlike any other
The Life and Death of Sophie Stark by Anna North – I have never read a book where the protagonist was completely absent and yet still so present. The entire story is told by the people who knew Sophie, and you never actually get her point of view. Each of them had such a completely unique relationship with her, so you have to take bits and pieces of each of their stories to try to get the full picture of this woman. It’s such an incredibly real way to look at the life of someone, because when we are gone the only thing that is left of us is the stories that others have of us.
Look at Her Now: A character who suffered a lot (physically/mentally) but eventually recovered and is now at the better end of life
The Oathbound by Mercedes Lackey – This is one of my all-time favourite books because the two main characters suffer so much and yet become so much stronger because of it. Tarma has literally seen her entire clan get murdered, she is raped and assaulted, and then goes on to become an incredible warrior. She still has a lot of mental health issues to deal with, but she constantly pushes herself to be better and not let those who hurt her win. It was an incredibly empowering book to read as a teen when I was dealing with my own issues and needed someone to look up to even if it was just a fictional character.
Wolves: A book that got you out of a reading slump
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers – There were a few months back in 2019 where I just didn’t read. I was in the middle of a very stressful time in my life, and I was struggling to focus on anything more than podcasts. But when Becky Chambers releases a book, I am definitely going to read it. I didn’t jump on it right away, but once I picked up this little book and started reading, it set off a hunger for more. I did my usual reread of all of her books in the Wayfarer series, and that really helped me get back into the groove of reading.
It Ain’t Me: A character you used to like but not anymore
Chapter and Hearse by Lorna Barrett – This is a really recent read for me. The first book in the series was pretty good, and I enjoyed the main character even though she was a bit troublesome. Unfortunately, the quirky parts of that character’s personality have become unbearable over the last few books. She’s genuinely oblivious to the way she treats the people in her life. She seems to think that she knows better than everyone, including the police. She’s constantly touching evidence, confronting people she thinks are murderers, going into places she shouldn’t be… it’s so frustrating!
Feel Me: A character you can’t bear to see with anyone else but you
The Dark Discovery of Jack Dandy by Kady Cross – Jack is one of those darkly mysterious characters who should definitely be real and not interested in anyone but me. LOL Honestly, this prompt was really hard for me because I don’t have book boyfriends. I enjoy the romance that blooms within a story, and never really find myself pining for fictional love interests. I love the idea of a tall, dark and handsome man with a quick wit who lives outside the law, but I’m also a realist who really loves my happy married life.
Same Old Love: A book with an unoriginal and unrealistic romance
Pride by Ibi Zoboi – This might be cheating a little, because by definition a retelling is going to be unoriginal, but my issue is more with the way that this love story was written in comparison to the source material. It really seemed like the characters in this book should never have fallen for each other in the first place. In P&P, Darcy and Lizzy’s relationship builds over a long time. There are other characters who influence and derail the story, bringing tension and drama to their relationship. In this book they just seem to go from hate to love with no true emotional buildup. It’s super disappointing and feels like the dreaded “insta-love” trope that I hate so much.
The Heart Wants What it Wants: A book you regret finishing because you miss reading it a lot
Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh – I flew through this book so quickly, laughing and crying along with the author. When it was over, I was just so sad to say goodbye because I know that this is likely going to be the last book that she ever writes. It took her so long to finish this one, which is understandable with everything that happened in her life, but it’s still sad. And now that I’ve read it, reading it a second time isn’t going to have the same impact that it did the first time. I’m sure I will laugh and cry, but not with the same level of emotion that came from that first time.
Back to You: A book you read again and again even though you have other books on your TBR pile
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers – I reread this entire series every time a new book comes out, and I have no regrets. I used to reread all of my books, but these days there are just too many new books to keep up with for me to do that. As a bookseller I feel compelled to read new things all the time. These books are the exception to the rule for me. With each reading I seem to focus on something new. The main plot isn’t my focus in these repeat readings… instead I focus on the other characters, the side stories, and the details about the world that I missed the previous times.
Hit the Lights: A book that just made you forget everything else
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert – This book is super cute, and so fun to read that I just didn’t want to put it down. I flew through this adorable rom-com in an afternoon, completely ignoring my husband, daily chores, etc. I think people often assume that a book needs to be deep and insightful to take you away from your day, but I have always thought that it is the simple stories where we can see ourselves in the characters that do the best job of making us forget that there is a world outside the pages.
Tell me Something I don’t Know: A book people keep recommending you which you already have it in your TBR pile
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens – This is one of those books that everyone says is “the best book I have ever read” and that I keep meaning to read but just don’t feel drawn to right now. I am such a mood reader, and when everyone else is reading and loving something I often find myself pulling away. I just don’t want to be part of that crowd. I already know so much about the book from reviews and hearing people talk about it, so I don’t have that urge to make myself read it.
I Can’t Get Enough: A book series/world you just want more and more of
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune – I’ve said this before, and I will say it again… THIS NEEDS TO BE A SERIES! When I finished this book I was heartbroken that there was no more for me to read. I didn’t want to finish the last few pages because I knew that it would be over. I really hope that some day the author suddenly feels inspired to continue the stories of these incredible characters.
The Literary Counsellor 
Awesome choices!!!!
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Thanks for doing my tag! 😀
I loved the diversity of your answers ✨.
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