Category: Book Tag

Hallotober Tag

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With Halloween coming up this weekend, it’s time to really break out the pumpkins and fall decor this week! I don’t have a costume planned for this year, but I am wearing a candy corn face mask for work this week to get into the Halloween spirit. I was tagged by The Book Bratz to do the Hallotober Blog Tag. The Hallotober Tag was created by Jordanne of The Life of a Glasgow Girl.

What’s the worst Halloween candy? 

I am a huge chocolate fan, but I never really liked ‘sugary’ candies, with Laffy Taffy as my least favorite. 

What is your favorite horror novel or short story? 

It’s definitely not considering a straight-up horror book, but I love, love Carmen Maria Machado’s short story collection, Her Body and Other Parties. 

What was the last halloween costume you wore?

I dressed up as a mermaid last year – if I somehow have to dress up again this year, I’ll probably throw the mermaid scale leggings back on!

What is your favorite fall snack?

I don’t think I change up my eating habits too much in the fall – I definitely reach for pumpkin spice coffee, but I’m not a fan of pumpkin-flavored foods (yes, this includes pumpkin pie). I’m definitely more of an apple fan over pumpkin, so I feel like I do tend to eat more apples in the fall, and I’ve been planning on making an apple pie with coffee crumb topping soon. 

This photo was taken last fall – I actually didn’t make my way to a pumpkin patch this year.

Do you carve pumpkins?

I tend to paint them instead of carve!

Do you prefer horror movies or stories?

You might know that I’m not the biggest horror fan in general,  but I’d rather take horror in book over movie form. 

What is your favorite halloween memory?

I can’t think of a particular moment, but until about seventh grade, I always went trick-or-treating with my two younger sisters. I probably got bratty at times for not being able to go trick-or-treating with my friends, but looking back, I’m so glad we got to have those memories together. We always loved coming home and dumping all of our candy on to the table and dividing it into categories while we ate dinner. There were actually 2 years we didn’t go traditional trick-or-treating because we spent Halloween weekend in Hershey Park!Read More »

End of Summer Recap Book Tag ft. My Favorite Summer Reads

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Summer is my favorite reading season of the year. I tend to read the most during summer between the time off from school and reading alongside my favorite summertime activities, aka going to the beach & hanging by the pool. I also really dive into contemporaries I’ve been holding off from reading to save as the perfect summertime reads! With the exception of a few summer-like days, fall weather has arrived where I live. My friends and I are planning a weekend to go apple or pumpkin picking! I made the most delicious apple pie with coffee crumb topping from apples I picked last year, and I cannot wait to recreate it. 

With fall officially starting  tomorrow, I wanted to take some time to reflect on my summer reading with the End of Summer Book Tag. I saw this tag on Kristin Kraves Book, and I thought it was the perfect way to wrap up my summer reading without listing all the books I read or choosing 20 favorites (see the end of this post for some favorites though). While my summer definitely starts in May and does wrap up in September, today’s books are from the summer months, June, July, & August. During Summer 2020, I read 44 books! 

The End of Summer Recap Book Tag was created by Faith of You Are What You Read.

What book can you not stop thinking about?

If there’s one book that I can’t stop thinking about because I’m trying to get all my friends IRL to read it, it’s none other than Kate Stayman-London’s One to Watch. If you’ve been on the blog this year, you’ll know that for better or worse, I got into The Bachelor franchise. I loved this book’s Bachelor vibes – picture Bachelor meets Love Island with a female lead who’s a blogger & plus-sized. One to Watch felt so relevant to the conversations and issues surrounding diversity on Bachelor. As soon as I finished One to Watch, I immediately texted my friends in our Bachelor group chat and told them to pick it up. Otherwise, I’m thinking this might be everyone’s holiday gift in December? 

Which book would you rather not have read?

I thought I was going to LOVE Tessa Bailey’s Fix Her Up because so many people I know have adored this one, but I really wish I had actually DNF’ed it. Never have I ever disliked a male romance protagonist so much…. until I picked up the sequel companion, Love Her or Lose Her, and disliked that lead even more… 

What genre did you read the most?

Contemporary as usual! I haven’t tracked my reading stats in a spreadsheet (yet), but after doing a quick tally, I did read more adult & new adult contemporary than YA this summer. 

Which book surprised you the most?

Maybe it’s because its election season and let’s face it, an extremely heated political time in the U.S. right now, but I can’t stop thinking about Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld. I wasn’t necessarily surprised that I loved it, but I’m still in awe of how this book felt so real and was based on Hillary Rodham Clinton’s life, but at the same was fictional and had so, so many what-if moments.Read More »

Folklore Book Tag 

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Music Taylor Swift

Out of all the things, books and film included, that haven’t been able to happen in 2020, the last thing that I expected this year was a new Taylor Swift album! folklore is not my absolute favoriteeee Taylor Swift album… but that doesn’t mean I haven’t listened to it at every opportunity possible! I really do love its indie vibe, and I find that it makes for the perfect background music while I’m doing school work or blogging. Like every TSwift album, my top 3 favorite songs are always changing but my current three faves are “betty,” “illicit affairs,” and “august” (with “exile” and “invisible string” as a very close #4 & #5). I’m also going to be providing my thoughts on each song in the corresponding prompts!

This album has also caused me to fall into Taylor Swift Tik Toks – I especially love the ones focusing on the bridge of “betty” transitioning into the “All Too Well” bridge and the ones comparing life when Lover came out last August vs. pandemic life with folklore. I definitely relate to this last category so much, considering that when I did the Lover book tag last fall, I was starting my senior year of college, commuting to the city every week, and living with my best friends…. but at least we have folklore now to compliment all of our feels! I also admit that I came to close to hitting ‘submit order’ for the merch cardigan from the “cardigan” music video, but I’ve determined to find a lookalike! 

The folklore book tag was created by Ilsa of A Whisper of Ink, and I was tagged by Rebecca of bookishlyrebecca. I also want to shout out Erin from rin’s reads, where I first saw the tag and I love her graphics for each question! I also really loved Cristina from Girl in the Pages’ folklore-inspired post, where she paired books on her TBR with songs on the album!

the one: a book with an ending that left you speechless

I’m going to go with a recent read of mine, Verity by Colleen Hoover. It’s been a while that I’ve read a book with an ending that still has me thinking about it and rethinking the book’s ending weeks later! 

song review: I think “the 1” is a strong first song, and it sort’ve reminds me of the vibes of Lover’s first song, “I Forgot That You Existed.”

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Anticipated Releases Tag: 2020 Edition 

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I can’t believe it will soon be time for me to share my Fall 2020 anticipated releases lists! I plan on having one or two posts dedicated to the rest of the 2020 releases I’m excited about towards the end of August or in early September, but today’s Anticipated Releases Tag will give a sneak peek of the books I’m most excited about! I first did the anticipated releases tag back in 2019. The tag was originally created by Ellyn of Allonsythornraxx.

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Most Anticipated Release 

I’m currently the most excited about Majesty by Katherine McGee, the sequel to American Royals. American Royals was in my top 3 favorite books of 2020. I’ve basically been waiting for the sequel to come out since last summer, especially because of it’s ending! I think I’m going to reread American Royals in August to re-familiarize myself on this book following the AMERICAN royal family. 

A Book You’re Not Anticipating 

I probably will pick it up at some point, but I’m not super excited for Marissa Meyer’s Instant Karma. I’m so for reading any genre from Marissa Meyer, but I’m not that interested in the slight magical realism aspect.

Most Underhyped Release 

I’m so excited for Laura Taylor Namey’s A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, especially because I loved her debut, The Library of Lost Things. 

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Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag: 2020 Edition 

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I think out all of the years I’ve done the Mid-Year Freak Out tag, I think 2020 is the year it’s officially okay to say that I can’t believe it’s June. This year has felt like the longest and fastest year yet. I spent some time this weekend with my best friends and as we were reminiscing, it’s really crazy to think what we thought June and summer would look like in January vs. March vs. even a month ago.

I plan on having my If We Were Having Coffee for June posted this week, where I’ll probably talk about how busy I’ve been lately between graduate school and starting remote work. I was so excited then that the Mid Year Freak Out tag was starting to float around the book community over the past week because I think it’s a nice to reflect on the reading I’ve done and some of my reading plans for the rest of the year. The first 2020 version I saw was from Jessica of Peace Love Books. At the time of this post, I’ve read 50 books so far this year – I think there might be at least two novellas in there, but I’m not getting technical until the end of the year. 

Best book you’ve read so far in 2020

Who really thought I’d be able to pick one book? Check back at the end of 2020 if I could choose just one book, but for right now I’m going with a toss-up between all of the books below (blame my indecisiveness and current tiredness):

Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon

More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn

Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett

House of Earth & Blood by Sarah J. Maas

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2020

It’s technically a companion novel, but 10 Things I Hate About Pinky by Sandhya Menon was such a fun return to the Dimpleverse.

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TBR & JUNE READING PLANS: The Stuck At Home Book Tag

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Almost three months later, the stay at home life is still going strong for this blogger. I’ve been home since the second week of March, having finished my last undergraduate semester online and since then, working remotely from home and taking remote grad school courses. Although I have started to venture into the world more with each month – picture socially distant walks and outdoor hang-outs with friends- I admit that one silver lining to having less travel time and more home time is all the added reading time.

Alexandria of Reading by Starlight tagged me to do the Stuck at Home Book Tag, created by Ellen of allonsythornraxx. 

What are you currently reading?

I’m currently re-reading Attachments by Rainbow Rowell and reading Kathryn Ormsbee’s The Sullivan Sisters for review.

What’s your favorite ‘can’t-leave-the-house’ activity?

Besides reading, I have been doing a lot of binge-watching (PSA to leave me some TV/movie recs in the comments). Stalking the ‘Latest’ page on Netflix has become a new hobby for me. My favorite shows have been:

  • Workin’ Moms (Netflix)
  • Beauty and the Baker (the Israeli version on Amazon Prime)
  • Never Have I Ever (Netflix)
  • You (Netflix)
  • Selling Sunset (Netflix) 
  • Schitt’s Creek (PopTV/Neftlix)
  • Below Deck (Bravo)
  • Outdaughtered (TLC) 
  • The Morning Show (Apple TV) 
  • The Mandalorian (Disney+)
  • Ben Platt Live from Radio City (Netflix)

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Harley in the Sky Book Tag

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If there’s one book that I have absolutely loved in 2020, it’s Akemi Dawn Bowman’s Harley in the Sky! This YA contemporary follows Harley’s dream of becoming a trapeze artist after growing up in her family’s Las Vegas circus. Within its circus setting, Harley in the Sky explores so much surrounding family, friendship, identity, belonging and mental health.

Since my review won’t be coming until closer to its March 10th release, I couldn’t help but share my love for this book by doing the Harley in the Sky Book Tag! I saw this tag completed by Lili of Utopia State of Mind, who is a member of Harley in the Sky’s Street Team. The Harley in the Sky Book Tag was created by Jemma of Fantastic Books.

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Ring Master: What book introduced you to your favorite genre?

I started reading YA contemporary back in fifth or sixth grade, but I can’t remember a specific that got me into the genre. It was definitely a blend of Sarah Dessen, Meg Cabot’s The Princess Diaries, & Ann Brashares’ The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Acrobatics: A fast-paced read

The last book I read that I would consider fast paced is Christina Lauren’s The Unhoneymooners. Olive and Ethan are thrown into a hate-to-love relationship when everyone at a wedding gets food poisoning and the two must claim the married couple’s paid honeymoon.

Clowns: A book that made you laugh

My favorite contemporary romances tend to make me laugh out loud, which includes Alexa Martin’s Fumbled. There is so much humor between Poppy and her nine year old son, her best girl friends, and of course her romantic interest, TK.Read More »

I Should Have Read that Book Tag

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The I Should Have Read That Book Tag has been on my book-tag to-do list for quite a while. I love this tag because I have a love for talking about the books I haven’t read– and don’t even get me started on the ones that I have read. I’m not too ashamed of admitting what books I haven’t yet picked up yet or ones that I really have no intention of reading. The ‘I should have read that book’ tag was created by Beth of Books Nest. 

A book that a certain friend is always telling you to read 

 So many of my book blogging friends have told me that it’s finally time for me to pick up Natasha Ngan’s Girls Made of Paper and Fire. 

A book that’s been on your TBR forever and yet you still haven’t picked it up

I haven’t been afraid to admit that there are a few books on my TBR that have sat there for a while (hello Magnus Chase), but one that I haven’t mentioned before is Jeff Zenter’s The Serpent King. According to Goodreads, I’ve had this book on my TBR since June 2017 when I picked up a physical copy at Book Con. This book seems to be everyone’s Jeff Zenter fave and has definitely caught my interest for having a character who is a fashion blogger.

A book in a series you’ve started, but haven’t gotten round to finishing yet

I’m currently not in the middle of reading a book in a series, but one book I would like to read somewhat soon is Marissa Meyer’s Supernova, the final book in the Renegades trilogy. I’m usually someone who loves to binge-read series or read the books as close together as possible, but I didn’t find myself wanting to jump right away in Supernova after finishing Archenemies last month. I plan on checking Supernova out from the library the next time I’m home from college.

 A classic you’ve always liked the sound of, but never actually read

Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club has been on my TBR for at least two years. If I pick up a classic anytime soon, it has to be this one.

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MORE 2019 TBR PLANS: End of Year Book Tag 2019

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Yearly wrap-up season is one of my favorite times of the year in the book blogging community. This time of the year allows us to reflect on what we’ve read this year—and what we still have yet to read! The End of Year Book Tag is such a nice blend of the two. This tag was created by Ariel of Ariel Bissett.

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?

I’m currently not in the middle of any books that I’m worried about not being able to finish by the end of the year. I always attempt to not start a book in the previous year and continue it in the new year(aka starting a book in 2019 then finishing it 2020). It’s definitely a weird reading quirk of mine that happens to never work out— I remember one year I finished Lola and the Boy Next Door on New Year’s Eve only to start Isla and the Happily Ever After about two hours before the ball dropped!

Do you have a book or an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?

We are basically past autumn where I live- we had snow in the forecast last week- so I’m looking for books that will bring me into winter. I’ve read a few atmospheric reads in October and November that have done so, like Shea Ernshaw’s Winterwood, but I think Josie Silver’s One Day in December will do the trick.

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LIBRARY LOVIN’:The Library Loves Tag

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As someone who has always loved the library, it shouldn’t be too surprising for me to realize that I absolutely love writing posts about libraries. Back in my early blogging days, I did a post on all the reasons you should love the library and I did the Library Lovers Tag back in 2018.

That being said, I think I have officially established a Fangirl Fury tradition in which I must do a least one library-related post every year. 2019 shall thus be the year of The Library Loves Tag, created by Jess of Read by Jess in honor of Library Loves month. I saw this tag done by Kate of Reading Through Infinity.

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

I cannot recall my exact age when I first got my library card, but it had to be when I was in elementary school. My mom is other sole bibliophile in my family, so I would always accompany her to trips to the library. I think she made me check out my own card at some point because I would take out so many books on her account!

How often do you use your library?

My use of the library is an ever-changing question, as it really depends on my school schedule and the amount of books I have received for review or purchased myself. I definitely use the library way more when I am home for school breaks, given that I have way more time to read than during the semester. While I am somewhat close to home, I tend not to check out books from the library during the semester so I don’t have to worry about constantly renewing books. I used my college town library a lot during my sophomore year- although my library at home is awesome at ordering in books from other libraries, my college town’s YA selection was amazing- but my school schedule have gotten significantly more hectic in the past two years that I rely on my review and owned books for reading.

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I don’t think I have ever explained this before, but I use my county library system (I live in the US). This means that while I primarily visit one of the local branches in the town over from me, I can borrow books from almost any library in the county (some libraries are private and only the town’s residents can borrow books from them). If my local library doesn’t have a title, I can put the title on hold from another branch.

Have you ever had a late or lost library book?

I’ve definitely had late books before. This usually happens when one of my parents borrow a book from my account (yes, I made the mistake of giving them my library card number), but even I admit that I am the delinquent user from time to time. BUT NEVER DELINQUENT ENOUGH TO LOSE A BOOK!

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