Thursday Tag: Testing my memory!

November 28, 2019November 28, 20192 Comments

Hello friends!

It’s Thursday again… you know what that means: it’s Thursday Tag!

Today I’m taking on another tag from my massive tag document… all about testing my memory (LOL). Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t have the BEST memory in the world! I mean, it’s fine, but my short term memory is NOT great. So this was a bit tricky!

Name a book written by an author called Michael.

It hurts me to admit that Morpurgo was the first author I thought of who was called Michael. Not that I have anything against his books, I’m just not the biggest fan!

Name a book with a dragon on the cover.

This counts right? It’s got the WORD dragon AND a dragon’s tail. (It’s the first one I thought of!)

Name a book about a character called George.

An iconic George, let’s be real!

Name a book written by an author with the surname Smith.

I’m a MASSIVE Dan Smith fan. If you’ve not read his books… PLEASE DO. He’s brilliant AND he’s a proper lovely man too!

Name a book set in Australia.

If my memory serves me right, this book is set in Australia?! (I checked… yes it is!)

Name a book with the name of a month in the title.

This was a strange one for my brain to come up with because I’ve never read it!

Name a book with a knife on the cover.

I’m so glad my brain came up with this straight away… otherwise that would have been embarassing! (I don’t know that I can think of another one after this mind!)

Name a book with the word ‘one’ in the title.

This one took me a while, but it came to me eventually. I remember reading this but I couldn’t remember if it was called Once or One, so I just picked it hoping!

Name a book with a eponymous title.

I’ll be honest, I had to look up what this word meant! And despite the fact I know what it now means, I can’t think of a book for this…

Name a book turned into a movie.

Saw the film before I read the book. Loved them both. Would recommend whole heartedly.

And that’s it!

If you fancy doing this tag, please feel free!

ALSO. I’m looking for more tags to do for Thursday Tag. If you have one you’d like me to do/you think I’d like to do, let me know! I LOVE a tag!

S x

Thursday Tag: The Book Cake Tag

November 21, 2019November 17, 20195 Comments

Hello friends!

How are you all? It’s Thursday… YOU ALL KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. IT’S ALMOST FRIDAY, but more importantly, it’s tag day! Who doesn’t love a tag? I certainly do… if they’re not your jam, thanks for stopping by! Why don’t you check out one of my other posts from this week?!

Anyway… we are here for the Book Cake Tag. This is another one of those ones I’ve had in a massive word document titled “Tags to do”. Seriously, it’s just a massive document with a load of different pages of tags to do. Once I do one, I delete the tag from the document. It started with 100s of tag questions/prompts in and now it’s still got LOADS in, but there’s definitely fewer.

As always, if you fancy doing this, go for it! Here we have the ingredients for making the perfect book cake!

—

Flour: A book that was slow to start off but picked up as it went along.

I think the only reason this book came to mind was because you had to get to know and understand the characters before you could really get into the action. I really loved this book when I read it though.

Butter: A book that has a really “rich” and great plot.

(The temptation to recommend all the Mel books here is REAL guys)

I read this back in January and GUYS. It is blooming excellent. Secrets, lies, royalty, betrayal, trust and friendship. Just delicious.

Eggs: A book that you thought was going to be bad, but turned out quite enjoyable.

First off, I’m unlikely to pick a book that I think is going to be bad… HOWEVER, this book is “adult literary” and I don’t have a great track record with adult books. They’re just SO SLOW. This isn’t mega fast paced, but it is BLOODY BRILLIANT.

Sugar: A sugary/sweet book.

This book is SAD, but it’s also really lovely. It’s a gorgeous story of compassion, love, working through adversaties and ultimately, living life. I read it on a recommendation from a friend and it was lovely!

Icing: A book that covered every single element that you enjoy of a book.

THIS IS SO HARD. SO SO HARD. I can’t choose just one, so ha.

If you’re gonna ask me to describe my perfect book, IT ALL DEPENDS if I’m reading kids or YA. Things I love in books: fantasy, magic, a bit of danger, friendship, wit, a message, emotional turmoil (ha) and a ship that is worth shipping.

(Also, I’ve just spotted what the final prompt says and dear God help me)

Sprinkles: A book series that you turn to when you’re feeling down.

OOOH. This is interesting because I’m not a rereader, but if I were and I wanted a series to reread, it would be the Sorrow duology because LUVIAN FEN THO.

Cherry on Top: Your favourite book this year so far.

ABSOLUTELY NOT. You can have a smattering of some of my favourite books so far. (Not pictured: many many others)

—

That was a lot of fun. As you can tell, I am indecisive and am not up to committing to “favourite books” yet… although, I probably need to start thinking about my “favourite books of the year” post soon…

S x

Thursday Tag:Winter Wonderland Book Tag

November 14, 2019November 10, 20192 Comments

Happy Thursday friends!

How are you all? We are here again. Thursday. You know what that means. It’s a tag day.

How do you all feel about tags? Do you like doing them? Do you like reading them? Have you got a good one that you want me to do? I need more tags in my life!

Today, I’m taking on the Winter Wonderland Tag. I know it’s not TECHNICALLY winter yet, but here, in my world, it is. It’s cold and dark all the time and my body knows that it’s winter… (as usual, I’m not sure where I found this tag as I’ve just saved the questions, so if it’s your tag, shout at me because I’d love to credit you!)

One: What book is so happy and so sweet that it just warms your heart?

Unconventional – Maggie Harcourt
I remember reading this book and just SMILING. It was such a lovely book and it’s nice every now and again to come across books which are great at just making you smile.

Two: What’s your favorite book with a white cover?

Scars Like Wings (proof edition) – Erin Stewart
I don’t know if this is cheating because it’s the proof cover, but I just think it’s so simple, yet so effective.

Three: You’re sitting in a nice, comfortable chair with a cup of hot chocolate. What monster book are you reading?

The Toll – Neal Shusterman
This book was A MAMMOTH READ. 630 pages of absolute stress. 630 pages of not knowing what was going to happen next. I think I need to be able to read it again as I know what’s coming to enjoy it. Can not recommend enough though. PROPERLY BLOODY GREAT.

Four: Its snowing outside and you decide you want to have a snowball fight. What fictional character do you want to have this snowball fight with?

Song of Sorrow – Melinda Salisbury
Luvian Fen. I need say no more. You guys know I love him.

Five: Sadly, your campfire is dying. What last few chapters of a book would you throw in the fire to revive it and keep yourself warm?

A Curse So Dark and Lonely – Brigid Kemmerer
I have NO doubt this will be a very unpopular opinion, but my god I hated the “twist” at the end about the relationship between two of the characters. I finished this book at the beginning of the year and I am STILL annoyed about how it ended. Sorry like. I loved the book though… I just couldn’t get away with the ONE thing at the end.

Six: What book do you love so much that you would buy another copy of it to give to someone as a Christmas gift (or any gift really) to inspire them to start reading?

LOL ALL OF THE BOOKS. Seriously? Nope. I can’t choose just one, soz. I might make this question into an actual blog post though…

Seven: Who do you tag?

You. Her. Him. Them. Anyone. All of you. None of you (if you don’t want to).

And there you go! My attempt at the Winter Wonderland book tag. It was somewhat successful! If you’d like to have a go, feel free!

S x

Thursday Tag: Library Loves

October 17, 2019October 13, 20193 Comments

Hello friends! How are you all?

Like I excitingly announced last week, I’m one of the cohosts for #LibraryLoves, a month long celebration of libraries big, small and everything in between! Today I’m coming at you with the blog book tag that Jess came up with and tomorrow I am sharing with you all what the library in school looks like (both in my classroom and our ACTUAL library! I can’t wait to show you all!)

1. When did you first go to the library/get a library card?

I don’t remember when I FIRST went to the library because for me it’s always been a thing in my life. When I was growing up, there was a library maybe a 10 minute walk away from my hosue, so I was always there on a weekend. I was very lucky to grow up so close to the library and that I had a bunch of friends (and a brother) who didn’t mind coming to the library with me. Sadly, I don’t think the building is used as a library anymore!

Fun fact: I had my first kiss in the little playground out the back of that library! It was under the slide.

2. How often do you use your library?

I use our school library ALL THE TIME. The fact I’m the lady in charge of the library should tell you something! I’m not very good at using the public library in Newcastle that much if I’m honest… however it is an incredible library and I love going to see what they have on offer. I’m particularly a fan of seeing the books they have for sale because there’s sometimes absolute gems for as little as 25p!

3. Have you ever had a late or lost library book?

Oh, yes. A few years ago I came across a book that was from the library I went to as a child so it must have been YEARS overdue (I’m 30 now), but as that library no longer exists, I’m not sure what to do with it. I rang the big library in Newcastle and they told me they had no record of it… so it’s currently just sat on my shelf!

4. What’s your favourite thing about your library?

Gosh, that’s a loaded question. I think one of the best things about a library is that it’s free access to this exceptional collection of different worlds, characters and feelings. You don’t have to pay to go on an adventure with Morrigan Crow, or travel to Tallith, or to learn about the life of a doctor. You’ve got a magical card which allows you to learn all of these wonderful things.

5. Are you a browser or do you plan what you’re taking out?

Definitely more of a browser. However, I’ve definitely borrowed my fair share of books in my life!

6. Name a book you took a chance on from the library.

Ooooh. As a child, I remember being TERRIFIED of Goosebumps (I’m easily scared, shush now) and being told that they weren’t that scary. I got one of the books out and then was OBSESSED. I don’t know what it was about the books but I went through that series QUICKLY once I’d read one.

7. What is best book you read from the library?

All of them? Ha! I genuinely don’t think I could answer that! There’s so many brilliant books I’ve borrowed from the library – particularly our school library – that it would be hard to say one of the best ones.

8. Have you ever taken the same book out multiple times?

I’m not a re-reader, so it’s unlikely. But I imagine childhood me read Matilda many times from the library. That book is ingrained in my memory.

9. Have you read a good book set in a library?

The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman is EXCEPTIONAL. Magic, librarians and adventure. PLEASE READ IT.

10. Have you used your library’s ebook and audiobook options?

I didn’t even know this was a thing until about a year ago, but I still haven’t indulged in this service yet! I shall need to get onto it though!

11. Which is the best library you’ve been to?

I haven’t actually visited that many libraries in the world to know which the best one is. I’d love to go to more libraries in the world. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about so many different libraries in the world. I can’t praise Newcastle City Library enough though – it’s a beautiful building and it is JAM PACKED with exceptional books.

12. What would make you use your local library more?

100%. I’m so guilty of just buying books I want to read because I can them pass them on to friends/our school library, but it’s so important that we keep libraries open that I need to start using our library more.

And that’s it!

If you’d like to join in the library love and do this tag, please feel free! This was a lot of fun!

S x

The Lover Book Tag

October 3, 2019September 29, 20192 Comments

Hello!

Massive welcome to my Thursday Tag! This week I’m taking on something a little different. My wonderful friend Andrew did this tag, which was created by the wonderful Vicky over at Vicky’s Reads, and he has challenged me to take it on. So here I am taking on… (if you’d like to see Andrew’s answers, check out his post here on Vicky’s blog!)

Before I get started on this mammoth tag, there are just a few rules if you want to take part in this tag!

Give credit to the creator (that would be ME!)
Tag 5 friends
HAVE FUN!

Now… I’m not the biggest Taylow Swift fan, but she has some banging songs… so let’s get on with this!

I Forgot That You Existed
A book on your TBR that you’d completely forgotten about

So so many! Nothing really springs to my mind, but having had a look, The Matilda Effect is on that list! It sounds like a book right up my street, so I’m not sure why I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet (because you forgot about it Steph, duh!)

Cruel Summer
A Perfect Summer Read

I hate this question so much. I’m not great with “summer reads” or even winter reads. I just wanna read all the books all the time. I even in my notes haven’t answered this question…

Lover
Your Favourite Book/Series

It would be criminal of me not to say The Sin Eater’s Daughter because that series truly is one of the best series I’ve ever read. I miss Twylla so much. As a MASSIVE series reader (I’d rather get invested in series than only read standalones), I have SO SO MANY series that could go on this list. As for MG books, you can not get any better than Who Let The Gods Out? series by Maz Evans. They’re just bloody brilliant.

The Man
An Amazing Female Character

A character I’ve fallen massively for this year is Emily from No Big Deal. Emily is me at 17. I read that book very much with a “omg this is me” kind of thing. It’s weird being seen and heard in a book, so I massively appreciated coming across Emily. If you’ve not read No Big Deal yet, please do. It’s such an incredibly important message and it’s proper good. (Plus Bethany Rutter is a BABE)

The Archer
A book from your childhood because you never grew up

This is another one I could’ve had many many answers for because I have ALWAYS been a reader. I don’t know anything but how to be a reader. I loved Matilda, Charlotte’s Web, The Secret Garden, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe as a kid. I think I’d love to relive these stories again and again.

I Think He Knows
A book everyone knows you love!

Lol, I think this is OBVIOUSLY going to be Mel or Maz. Any of the Mel books, any of the Maz books. I love them both.

Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince
A book that makes you so sad, you could paint the town blue

Again… there’s so so so many. However, I can not get this question and not mention Countless by Karen Gregory. I read this book maybe a year and a half ago and still now thinking about it makes me emotional.

Paper Rings
Your favourite OTP

Man. Another thing I love reading for. If you give me a series I love and a ship I can truly ship, you’ve got a series I would die for. Sorrow/Luvian, Kaz/Inej and Amani/Jin are my faves.

Cornelia Street
A book that lived up to the hype

Had I not had everyone shouting at me about Six of Crows/Crooked Kingdom, I never would have read it… and let me tell you that was WORTH EVERY BLOODY SECOND and every second after. Just an amazing duology.

Death by a Thousand Cuts
A book that saying goodbye to is death by a thousand cuts, so you just have to re-read it again

My series loving heart has found a few series REALLY BLOODY hard to say goodbye to. Saying goodbye to WLTGO was a THING. Saying goodbye to Amani and Jin broke my heart, but I really think that saying goodbye to Twylla will always be one of the hardest things. I would LOVE an update on how she’s doing. I love her so.

London Boy
A book based in London

I’ve not got round to reading them, but I own the A Darker Shade of Magic trilogy, which is set in numerous Londons!

Soon You’ll Get Better
A book that brightens up your sky

God, there’s so much MG that just makes my heart so happy. I have to give a massive shout out to Anna James and her Pages and Co series though. I’m part way through book 2 and I just think it is one of the most beautiful and wonderful things in the world.

False God
A book that you could reread over again because it still does it for you, babe

I’m not a massive rereader (as people who are long time readers of this blog will know), but I have reread Matilda numerous times. I just worry that the second time I read it I won’t love it as much as I did the first time!

You Need to Calm Down
An LGBTQ+ book you’d GLAADly recommend

Lol, this prompt is so clever. Good work friends. Simon vs The Homosapiens Agenda is the first thing that jumps to my head for this… it’s an obvious choice, but it’s lush. I saw the film before I read the book, but that didn’t spoil it for me at all!

Afterglow
It’s Not the Book, It’s Me (A book that wasn’t for you)

Freshers. I just couldn’t get away with it. It made me more mad than anything. I don’t talk about it often. Loads of people loved it, but I just… yeah.

ME!
A Character You Relate To

I’ve already mentioned one character I relate to massively, Emily from No Big Deal. But I’d also like to give a shout out to Out of the Blue by Sophie Cameron. It was so lovely to read about a similar situation that I had experienced… a character who had to live a “secret” relationship.

It’s Nice to Have a Friend
A Character You’d Love to be Friends With

LOL. This is going to be another predictable answer if you know me. But Izzy O’Neill is my gal. I wanna be her, I wanna be her girlfriend, I wanna be her friend so much.

Daylight
A book that you weren’t sure of at first but turned out to be amazing!

The Smoke Thieves. It’s slow initially, but it’s really good. I read the second one earlier this year and I really enjoyed it!

Bonus: Favourite Taylor Swift Album

I don’t really have one? Im not a big enough fan to have a favourite album. Sorry to the TSwift fans out there!

And there you go! Phew… what a mammoth task that was!

I’m not going to tag anyone, but if you wish to have a go, please do!

S x

Back to School Book Tag

September 26, 2019September 22, 2019Leave a comment

THURSDAY TAG DAY IS UPON US ONCE MORE.

I’m taking on the Back to School Book Tag today. I KNOW I KNOW. I’m late. Please forgive me. I saw this on my friend Amy’s blog recently and thought I needed to take that on… so here we go!

—

English – Name your favourite author’s (or book’s) writing style

I don’t wish to be predictable in this here tag (lol, lbr, I’m predictable af), but I can’t beat Melinda Salisbury’s writing style. It’s just gorgeous. She is the QUEEN of worldbuilding in my eyes. PLUS… she gave the world the god that is Luvian Fen, so who am I to complain?

Maths – A book that made you frustrated

This again might be one that you might all guess that I’d say, but Caraval. EVERYONE was like “It’s going to be the next Night Circus” (and I LOVED that book) and then it just wasn’t. I’ve put off reading the rest of the series because book 1 frustrated me so much… I just wanted more!

Science – A book that made you think

This was a hard one because I think there’s a lot of books that I read which make me think. However, I’m punting for They Both Die At The End and Scythe because of their dealing with the issues of death. I read both of those books and they left me thinking “What would I do in those situations?” Knowing I was going to die, what would I do with my time? Who would I spend it with? That’s one of those eternal thinking points for me from these books and I don’t think I have an answer for myself yet!

Social studies/History – Your favourite book from a different time period

I am a MASSIVE fan of a book from World War 2. You don’t get many YA books (well, that I know of) from that time period, but there’s a good chunk of MG books out there from that time period and I am ALL ABOUT THEM. Shout outs to Hitler’s Canary and Letters From the Lighthouse though – loved both of these!

Art – Your favourite book with pictures

ALL OF THE PICTURE BOOKS. Gotta love a David Litchfield illustration, or, of course, an Oliver Jeffers illustration.

Drama – A book you would love to turn into a movie

SO MANY and yet SO FEW at the same time. I don’t want what I know and think about a book RUINED because it is poorly made into a film. However, I would love The Sin Eater’s Daughter trilogy to be made into a series of films. I bloody love Twylla.

Music – name a character you think (or know) would have the same musical taste as you

This is another one that’s hard because I don’t really know. However, I think Emily from No Big Deal might be the one I go for. She’s got a very diverse music style and I like to think that I do too. So maybe her?

Lunch – A food you would love to try

All of the yummy food that’s mentioned in the Sam Wu books. I ALWAYS read them and want to try the foods straight away.

Bus ride home – A book or author that is relaxing

LOL. I don’t know that I read books that are relaxing. However, I’d go with something that I can get lost in and instantly Kiran Milwood Hargrave and Sophie Anderson’s books jump into my mind. PLEASE. Oh, and Alice Broadway. A story I can get lost in is relaxation to me.

Extra credit – A book someone else told you to read and you ended up enjoying

I think if everyone hadn’t shouted about and made me read Six of Crows, I wouldn’t have known how much I bloody love Kaz Brekker and his crew… so thanks everyone!

And there we go! If you’d like to have a go at this, please do!

Speak to you tomorrow!

S x

The OsemanVerse Book Tag

September 19, 2019September 15, 20192 Comments

Hello pals!

It’s a Thursday tag day. What a joy. I have a great tag to come to you today. This tag was invented by the Brilliant Layla (Kaz Brekker to those of you who know her) and it’s centred all around Alice Oseman characters. Now, I’m a BIG Alice Oseman fan so I knew I’d have to take this one on! All graphics are from the original post!

Jimmy Kaga-Ricci: A character that overcame something huge

Ooooh. Steffi from A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard. I love her. She has to overcome a BIG thing in her life. I love that she’s so afraid but she manages in the end. I miss Steffi and Rhys.

Rowan Omondi: Favourite protective character

Aw man. Cosmo from I, Cosmo was the first character that came to mind. He just wants to look after his little family and make sure that they are all OK. I love Cosmo and all of you should too. He’s such a good doggo.

Lister Bird: Character that oozes charm

Lol. I can’t answer this question and NOT be predictable. You say the word charming and I think Luvian Fen (Sorrow-verse) and Jin (Rebel-verse). Those two have my proper heart.

Angel Rahimi: Book you’re the most passionate about

Can I say ALL OF THEM? Let’s be honest, there’s a whole chunk of books that I am forever shouting about. Who Let The Gods Out? series, The Sin Eaters Daughter series, The Paper Magician series. But most recently, I want everyone to know that I have an undying passion for No Big Deal by Bethany Rutter and Jemima Small versus the Universe by Tamsin Winter. Those two books need to be read by everyone ever. Please.

Charlie Spring: Favourite bookish OTP

Again, this is a question that I can have 30438 answers to because MAN I LOVE A SHIP. If there’s a ship worth shipping in a book, I probably ship it with all that I am and all that I can be! However, two ships that I will go down with are Amani/Jin (Rebel-verse) and Sorrow/Luvian (Sorrow-verse). Just the best.

Nick Nelson: Favourite book that brings you joy

I love a joyful book. They’re the best. We all know that I love a good cry, but a book that makes my heart happy is one that I am there for. There’s quite a few. If I can cheat and mention two series here… I’m going to go for the Sam Wu series by Katie and Kevin Tsang and the Amelia Fang series by Laura Ellen Anderson. These two series just make me chuckle a lot!

Nellie: Favourite book to snuggle up with

Whenever the phrase “snuggle up with” comes up in a prompt, I imagine snuggling up with my twiglets and reading a story to them, so it’d have to be a picture book and you can’t get any better than The Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield. I bloody love the Bear, and David Litchfield is a bloody brilliant illustrator!

Aled Last: A book that helped you through a rough time

It’s gotta be Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig. That book is just incredible.

Frances Janvier: A character with tons of determination

She’s in my head because I just recently finished the trilogy and I’m so sad that it’s over, but Violet from the Perfect series is one determined little girl. She saves the place she lives over and over, and she is constantly trying to help her friend Boy.

—

That was SO FUN. Massive congrats to Layla for coming up with this tag. If you’d like to see her answers, go check out her post (link at the top of this post) and if you’d like to have a go, go for it! I love a tag!

See you tomorrow!

S x

Autumn book tag

September 12, 2019September 8, 20191 Comment

Happy Thursday everyone! How are you all doing?

Have you got your jumpers out? Are you all wrapped up warm? Since it’s technically Autumn now (right?), I thought I’d dedicate this here Thursday Tag to The Autumn Book Tag which I found over on The Quirky Book Nerd’s blog! It feels only right that I said goodbye to Summer last week, so I say hello to Autumn this week!

What is your favourite thing about Autumn?

Ugh. I am not really a big Autumn fan… it’s cold, getting dark earlier. However, I do LOVE that it’s a great excuse to curl up in bed and read! Also, you can’t fault the changing colours of the leaves – they’re always gorgeous to look at!

What book reminds you of your school days?

We read Nineteen Eighty-Four for GCSE English and I absolutely loved it. I thought it was FASCINATING. I think it helped that I had an amazing English teacher too! I’d love to reread this book some day soon!

What cover reminds you of Autumn?

I don’t think you can get any more autumnal than Leaf Man – it’s all of the autumnal colours. A brilliant picture book that I’d LOVE to use in school some time!

What is your favourite horror or Halloween story?

LOL. This is not the genre for me nor is it something I can ever give recommendations for! However, if I had to choose a book because it was creepy, I’d have to go for A Place Called Perfect. It’s a BLOODY BRILLIANT spooky/creepy MG book (1st in a series) and it would be a great introduction to slightly scarier content.

What is your favourite horror or Halloween film?

Again, not really a thing in my life! I wouldn’t know where to start. I’m just not very good at these things haha. Give me Sabrina the Teenage Witch or Charmed and I’m good though!

What fall book release are you looking forward to?

Hmmm… this is a GOOD question! I think I’m excited for everyone to finally read The Places I’ve Cried in Public by Holly Bourne. I was lucky to read a proof copy and I really enjoyed it! I’m not really sure what else is out in this last bit of the year to be excited about though, so let me know if there’s something I should be excited about between now and the end of the year!

What autumn movie releases are you anticipating?

AGAIN… I have no idea? I don’t think I’ve been to the cinema AT ALL this year. Or, if I have, it’s been with my goddaughters for Kids Club. I’m just not the biggest movie buff. I’m always excited by the prospect of new movies, but I just never bother getting round to going to the cinema. Maybe I should do something about that!

What are the three books you plan to read this Autumn?

I don’t really PLAN to read anything haha. I am pretty terrible like that. I read very much what I’m in the MOOD to read. I’ve got The Battle for Perfect to finish and then I’ll see what else catches my fancy! I’ve got the new Adam Kay book and Jonathan Van Ness’ autobiography on order, so they’ll be read AS SOON as I get them!

And that’s it! If you fancy doing this, go for it! If you wanna recommend me some scary (but not too scary) books, I’d love your recommendations!

S x

Summer Book Tag

September 5, 2019September 3, 20192 Comments

It’s finally time to say goodbye to the Summer… so I thought I would do ONE LAST tag all about the Summer! (What can I say? I’m holding on as long as I can!!) I saw this gorgeous little tag on Rosie’s blog and I just knew it was the perfect thing to say goodbye to Summer with!

What book cover makes you think of Summer?

You know what? Any time I see Sara Barnard covers, I think of Summer. I dunno if it’s the gold or what… but they always make me think of Summer (particularly Goodbye Perfect)

Which book has brightened your day?

I read I,Cosmo over the Summer and it filled me with delight, hope and joy. It is an amazing story with a doggo as the main character (he doesn’t die, I promise!). It’s just a gorgeous story about friendship, family, bravery and love.

Find a book with a yellow cover:

This was one of the #SixforSunday prompts recently, so here’s LOADS!!

What is your favourite Summer beach read?

44140770. sy475

I reckon Alex in Wonderland would be a proper fun beach read. As it’s set at the beach, I think it would be proper apt to read… plus we all need a bit of light entertainment when we’re relaxing at the seaside!

Which action book had you running for the ice cream man?

41708501. sy475

For all it disappointed me… the ending of Two Can Keep A Secret had me FLABBERGASTED. That last line though.

Which book has left you with a bad an/or painful ending?

43667892. sy475

Guys. I can’t tell you how much A Pocketful of Stars BROKE ME. Like, IN HALF. Aisha Bushby has a lot to answer for.

Sunset: Which book gave you the happiest feelings when it ended?

I’m going to cheat and mention 2. No Big Deal by Bethany Rutter because I needed that book in my life and the ending is like a big F YOU to the world (Emily is an absolute wonder characters and she needs more love); Song of Sorrow by Melinda Salisbury because the ending NOT WHAT I EXPECTED but EVERYTHING I NEEDED. The ending of that duology is SO BLOODY SPOT ON. Man. I miss Sorrow and Luvian. (Luvian tho)

Which book cover reminds you of a sunset?

27208612. sy475

Purely based on the colours, The Radleys by Matt Haig is perfect for this. It’s also a BRILLIANT story. (I don’t think he’s written a bad book so far!)

What is one book or series you hope to read this Summer?

Well, I’m going to say one that I hope to read NEXT Summer because Summer is over *weeps*

I’m gonna be predictable AF here and say State of Sorrow and Song of Sorrow by Queen Melinda Salisbury. For so so many reasons. If you don’t know what they are then are you even a reader of this blog? If you haven’t read them yet, can you please do that because Mel deserves all of the love and all of the praise.

And there we go.. this tag, just like Summer, is officially over!! BOOHOO.

If you fancy doing this tag, go for it. If you have a tag you think I’d be interested in, please let me know… I love a Thursday tag!

S x

“NOPE” Book Tag

August 29, 2019August 26, 20192 Comments

Hello there!

Welcome to Thursday Tagday! I really love a tag because they’re usually fun and they’re a really interesting way to get to know someone’s likes and dislikes. PLUS (unless you’re me who tends to ramble on), they are really quick!

I found this tag while I was browsing the interwebs a while back so saved the prompts into a word document (sorry, I didn’t save the blog it was from. If it’s yours, please shout at me for credit!). I don’t normally talk about NOPE books, so I thought this would be an interesting one for you all to read… and would make me think about books I might not normally talk about! I hope you enjoy!

NOPE: Ending. A book ending that made you go NOPE either in denial, rage or simply because the end was crappy.

OOOH. An interesting one. Hmmm… I think an ending that recently enraged me was The Girls by Emma Cline: it wasn’t a bad ending… I JUST WANTED MORE ANSWERS.

NOPE: Protagonist. A main character you dislike/drives you crazy.

If I remember correctly, I was NOT a fan of the main character in Caraval… one of the sisters. One of them I didn’t mind, the other one I was NOT a fan of! (I checked Goodreads and it is Scarlett I did not like)

NOPE: Series. A serious that turned out to be one huge pile of NOPE after you’ve invested all of that time and energy on it, a series you gave up on because it wasn’t worth it anymore.

NOW. Interestingly, I don’t think I actually have an answer to this. I like to see a series out to its end and all of the series I’ve read have a satisfactory ending.

NOPE: Popular pairing. A “ship” you don’t support.

I don’t really know which ships are popular with the kids (ha). You’d have to shout me some ships and I’ll tell you if I ship them. I have quite fervent feelings about a lot of ships (particularly in books I LOVE) so that could be an interesting thing to talk about! I will say both Gale and whats his face Peeta deserved better than Katniss though.

NOPE: Plot twist. A plot twist you didn’t see coming, or didn’t like.

I don’t see a lot of plot twists coming to be honest (but I prefer it that way), so I’m constantly surprised. The end of A Heart So Dark and Lonely…

NOPE: Protagonist action/decision. A character decision that made you shake your head NOPE.

Hmmm… there are SO MANY. So so many times a character goes into a room/faces off against a baddie that I am like NO. Sorrow makes some NOPE decisions (particularly in regards to Vespus bloody Corrigan). There’s that one time she [spoiler redacted] that made me absolutely say NOPE.

NOPE: Genre. A genre you will never read.

I mean, never say never. But like I’m so unlikely to read anything that is really highbrow. Or erotica. Just not my jam to be honest.

NOPE: Book format. Book formatting you hate and avoid buying until it comes out in a different edition.

I’m gonna have to say books in verse (apart from kids books obvs). Unless there is a very purposeful rhythmic pattern, I can’t get behind it. I really bloody struggle.

NOPE: Trope. A trope that makes you go NOPE.

Gosh, SO MANY. I could be here A WHILE. The “boy wants to fix girl” trope. Girls “adopting” the ugly girl to give her a make over and make her attractive to boys. Love triangles.

NOPE: Recommendation. A book recommendation that is constantly hyped and pushed at you that you simply refuse to read.

Now I can imagine this answer will make me unpopular with some people. However, I’m not a fan of the old hype, so I haven’t yet read THUG (I acknowledge that it is more than likely incredible and I will love it when I read it… but just stop telling me to ha)

NOPE: Cliche/pet peeve. A cliche or a writing pet peeve that always makes you roll your eyes.

A bit like the old trope hating… anything that is like she’ll be better when she’s pretty. Nah thanks pals.

NOPE: Love interest. The love interest that’s not worthy of being one. A character you don’t think should have been a viable love interest.

Katniss Everdeen and anyone ever. I think that story should’ve just been about her and overthrowing the government… none of the romance thanks. (I’m not her biggest fan)

NOPE: Book. A book that shouldn’t have existed that made you say NOPE.

I don’t think I have an answer for this? All books and stories have a right to exist. It would be unfair of me to invalidate someone’s story because it could be someone else’s reality.

NOPE: Villain. A scary villain/antagonist you would hate to cross and would make you run in the opposite direction.

VESPUS CORRIGAN. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE.

NOPE: Death. A character death that still haunts you.

OOOOH. Sirius Black. #JusticeforSirius. I loved him so much.

NOPE: Author. An author you had a bad experience reading for and have decided to quit.

I don’t actually have an answer for this. I’d be FASCINATED to hear what others have said, but I genuinely don’t have anyone so far. There’s LOADS of authors who I have NEVER read who other people have… so maybe I’m just not reading widely enough ha.

And that’s it! Apologies for some of the non-committal answers!

If you enjoyed this, feel free to have a go yourself (Charlotte… I’m looking at you!). Do any of my answers surprise you?

Talk to me!

Speak soon,

S x

December 2019
M	T	W	T	F	S	S
« Nov
						1
2	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30	31