I was sitting trying to think of something that I could do for this week’s tag post, and I thought I know, I should look at the FIRST tag I did and compare my answers to now! So here we go.

The first tag I ever did was I dare you tag – you can see my original post by clicking here!

Here we go! 2017 me vs 2020 me!

Which book has been on your shelf longest?

2017: Cell 7 (I’ve read it since!)

2020: The Hate U Give. (I’ll read it eventually)

What is your current read, last read and the book you’ll read next?

2017:
Currently reading – Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
Next read – The Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge – it’s the last of my April TBR books and I am determined to get it read! (I never did get round to reading this!)

2020:
Currently reading – Troofriend by Kirsty Applebaum
Next read – who knows!
Last read – Amelia Fang and the Naughty Caticorns

What book(s) did everyone like but you hated?

2017: Caraval (I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t enjoy it)

2020: I still agree with Caraval!

Which book do you keep telling yourself you’ll read, but you probably won’t?

2017: Oh god, any classic.

2020: The Hate U Give (lol)

Which book are you saving ‘for retirement’?

2017: Pass! That’s like 50 years in the future… I barely know what I’m reading tomorrow never mind 50 years time!

2020: Probably all of the classics. I’m not a big classics girl, but I’ll have loads of time when I retire!

Last page: read it first or wait until the end?

2017: Ooooh! I generally peek once I’m half way through but I generally only read the last sentence!

2020: I’ll still peek, but only if I’m concerned about the wellbeing of one of my favourite characters haha

Acknowledgements: waste of ink and paper or interesting aside?

2017: Bloody love acknowledgements! They generally make me cry.

2020: Still a massive fan of an acknowledgement. I think they’re just a lovely way to learn about who was important to the book!

Which book character would you change places with?

2017: Ooooh, interesting question. Twylla from The Sin Eater’s Daughter because she’s badass. Or Wing Jones because I would love to be able to run. (Aw, I miss these girls!)

2020: Sorrow, so I could date Luvian Fen. And be brilliant, but maybe mostly Luvian Fen.

Do you have a book which reminds you of something specific in your life?

2017: Charlotte’s Web will forever remind me of my friends growing up.

2020: Matilda. Always Matilda. If you don’t know why Matilda is important to me, let me know and I’ll fill you in!

Name a book you acquired in some interesting way.

2017: I have a copy of Melinda Salisbury’s ‘King of Rats’ that she sent to a local bookshop for me, because I couldn’t get to the event. (Aw! What a happy memory! LOVE YOU MEL)

2020: I mean being told I’m on an author’s list of people they want to get a copy of their book is WILD.

Have you ever given away a book for a special reason to a special person?

2017: Most of the books I buy for people are because I think “this would be perfect for you” or “you need to read this”. Books are an incredible book to buy.

2020: ALL THE TIME.

Which book has been with you to the most places?

2017: Probably Matilda. I still have the copy that I had a child.

2020: Let’s be real, it’s still Matilda.

Any ‘required reading’ you hated in school, which wasn’t so bad two years later?

2017: I really enjoyed the books we read in school, but I reread 1984 a few years after finishing school and I really enjoyed it!

2020: I don’t remember my thoughts on Macbeth at the time, but now I teach Macbeth with gusto and love. It’s one of my favourite things I get to teach!

What is the strangest item you have found in a book?

2017: I once found a note from the previous owner which said “This book will change your life”. (I genuienly do not remember this, what a cool memory to come across!)

2020: Not strange per se, but a lovely little postcard from the author written to me!

Used or brand new?

2017: Generally new, but I love a good charity shop find!

2020: Yep, I’m still a new book girl!

Have you ever read a Dan Brown?

2017: Yes, don’t be a literary snob. I enjoyed them when I read them a few years ago.

2020: I’ve probably not read a Dan Brown book for a good 5/6 years, but I’m not gonna turn my nose up at them if I know they’re good!

Have you ever seen a film you liked better than a book?

2017: Oh my. Now you’re asking something controversial. I don’t think so?

2020: I think I prefered Love Simon more than Simon vs the Homosapiens Agenda!

A book that NEVER should have been published?

2017: I think every book is published for a reason.

2020: I don’t know really? I think freedom of expression and speech is important, but there’s probably people whose stories don’t need to be printed. (I don’t have a specific story in mind by the way!)

Have you ever read a book that has made you hungry, cookbooks being the exception?

2017: I don’t think so? Possibly!

2020: LOADS. I can’t think of one right now like!

Who is the person whose book advice you’ll always take?

2017: Can I say people? Cause if so my gorgeous friends Kelly, Aoife, Cora and Rachel. Because they are wonderful and have excellent taste in books. And tea. (All of these people are still wonderful people)

2020: Charlotte and Kelly. My two truest book loves.

That was a very cool thing to do! 2017 me and 2020 me are quite similar in many ways… it’s cool to look back and remind myself of things, or look back and see what the books were that were important to me then! 

S x