St. Patrick's Day Book Tag

☘️ St. Patrick's Day Book Tag ☘️

March 17th, 2018

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of the other Irish out there or to anyone celebrating. I'm hoping for some luck of the Irish this weekend.

This tag was created by BookaflixTaylor on her Youtube channel: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISNX3Fpt3cc

St. Patrick’s Day- Your Favorite Green Book
☘️ The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer- This series will always be a favorite.


Corned Beef & Cabbage- A Book That Made You Hungry
☘️ Heartless by Marissa Meyer- Cath is a baker in a good amount of this book and every time she talked about her baked goods, I wanted to eat them. 


Four Leaf Clover- A Book or Item that was a Rare, Good Luck Find
☘️ Stardust by Neil Gaiman- This edition of Stardust came out in 2007 when the movie came out. Originally, the book was illustrated just like this when it came out in 1997.  Then it was published as a regular novel years later. I feel lucky to be able to have this edition. It's stunning.


Irish Whiskey- A Book So Bad, You Need a Drink to Get Over It
☘️ Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais- It would actually be kind of ironic if I needed to drink to get over this book but anyway. I read this book during my second semester in college sometime in early 2013 for my European Literature class. I despise this book with all of my being and I read a good amount of it for class, we didn't actually read the entire thing though. It's over 1000 pages long and I probably would have gone insane if I had to read the entire thing. This book is the worst thing I have ever read. It's been five years and I still remember some of the "humor." The obscene humor is gross and I hated every moment of it.  


Irish Dancing- A book So Good, it Made You Want to Dance in Excitement
☘️ My most recent one is Eric by Terry Pratchett. It was so darn great! Can't wait to write my review for it.


Ireland- A Book that Made You Want to Travel to Another Country
☘️ Greece because of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares- I remember becoming obsessed with Santorini when I read these books back in middle school and high school. These were a favorite of mine for a long time. 


The Pub- A Meeting Place in a Book You Would Love to Go to
☘️ The Room of Requirement in Hogwarts from the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling

☘️ The Fairy kingdom in The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer

☘️ The Heart of Gold from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams because I would love to travel with Arthur, Ford, Zaphod, and Trillian.

Future Classics Book Tag

Future Classics Book Tag

Tag Tuesday- March 13th, 2018

I have loved reading classics since I was in middle school. They are actually one of the reasons that I went into teaching English, to begin with. I enjoy reading classics and also literary fiction books that I believe could be classics someday. 

Original by Eric Karl Anderson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMLUIAIHkfs

1) Pick an established classic that you think will still be relevant in the future. 
Obviously, anything Shakespeare because the themes still resonate with us after so many centuries. I know that they will in the future also.


2) Pick a recent book which you feel has gone under the radar, but which you’re confident will be a future classic.
School of Velocity by Eric Beck Rubin-One of my most recent reads that I believe deserves to be considered a classic one day. It holds a lot of great messages and I feel like it will stand the tests of time like many of the other classics out there. A wonderful book that I enjoyed a lot. I have just done a review on it if you would like to check that out. 2018 Reviews Week 9


3) Pick a title that won one of your favorite book prizes recently which you think will still be lauded in 50 years time.
Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt- It got the Alex Award in 2013 by the YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) This is an incredible book that I think should be praised for 50+ years.

4) Pick a recent book you haven’t read yet, but which you think might become a classic based on reputation alone (reviews, responses on GoodReads, booktube recommendations, etc).
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas- This is one of the most popular books in recent times and I do believe that it will be considered a classic one day.

5) Pick a favorite book that you want to save for your grandchildren (or your friends’ grandchildren) to read in 50 years time.
There are so many books that I would save for my future grandchildren to read. the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling,  The Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer, anything by Leigh Bardugo or Laini Taylor, The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett or anything by him, and so many more. That's just to name a few.

   

Rapid fire Book Tag

📚 Rapid Fire Book Tag 📚

Tag Tuesday- February 13th, 2018

This tag was created by GirlReading on Booktube. Here is a link to her video if you would like to watch it- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-46EzDWdSY&feature=youtu.be

~ E-Book or Physical Book?
    - Physical

~ Paperback or Hardback?
   - Hardback

~ Online or In-Store Book Shopping?
   - In-store, though I buy a good amount online.

~ Trilogies or Series?
   - Series

~ Heroes or Villains?
   - Depends, if the character is developed I would like either.

~ A book you want everyone to read?
   - Here are a few: the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett (because it is one of the best fantasy series ever), the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan (also, I'm going to assume any Rick Riordan book but I haven't read any more yet.), The Odyssey by Homer (because I feel that it is the best classic ever, but that is just my opinion.), and basically any other book that I have ever recommended on here before.

        

~ Recommend an underrated book?
   - Insanity by Cameron Jace- This and its series were self-published and I just wish that more people knew about it.

~ The last book you finished?
    -Runebinder by Alex R. Kahler- It was really great and I will be doing a review of it at the end of the week.

~ The Last Book You Bought?
    - I just bought a bunch of books at a book sale. I'll just name the one I'm most excited about, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson. It's the first of a four book series. It looks great.

~ Weirdest Thing You've Used as a Bookmark?
    - A pencil, I really don't use weird things for bookmarks. I always make sure I have one with me.

~ Used Books: Yes or No?
   - Yes, I get a lot of books at book sales that actually look brand new.

~ Top Three Favourite Genres?
    - Retellings, Fantasy, Mystery/Adventure stories

~ Borrow or Buy?
   - Buy

~ Characters or Plot?
    - Depends on the book.

~ Long or Short Books?
   - Long

~ Long or Short Chapters?
   - Depends on the book, I really have like both.

~ Name The First Three Books You Think Of...
   - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling

   - The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien- I really need to read these soon.

I love this cover!

   - The Odyssey by Homer

~ Books That Makes You Laugh or Cry?
   - Both, probably the books that make me laugh. I do really love a tear-jerker.

~ Our World or Fictional Worlds?
   - Fictional

~ Audiobooks: Yes or No?
   - Yes

~ Do You Ever Judge a Book by its Cover?
   - Yes, sometimes. I will not buy a book just on its cover though. If it doesn't sound interesting I'm not going to pick it up. Also, if a book doesn't have a nice cover that does not mean I'm not going to pick it up. Some of my favorites have not always had beautiful covers.

~ Book to Movie or Book to TV Adaptations?
   - Book to Movie

~ A Movie or TV-Show You Preferred to its Book?
   - The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky, I adore this book but I felt like the movie was just better.

~ Series or Standalones?
   - Series

Valentine's Day Book Tag

💕 Valentine's Day Book Tag 💖

Wednesday, February 14th, 2018

I don't know who actually created this tag. I saw it on Bookables Booktube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e4_2Meka5w

1.)  Favorite basic romance plot (tropes, things you like)
      💖 Hate- Love Romances

      💖 Friends- Lovers Romance

2.)  Favorite classic romance
      💕 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

 

3.)  Favorite feel-good romance
      💖 Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

      💖 Finders Keepers by N. R. Walker

      💖 Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

      💖Stardust by Neil Gaiman

4.)  Favorite sad romance
      💕 The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

      💕 The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

5.)  Favorite genre to add romance to
      💖 Fantasy

6.)  Least favorite romance of all time
      💕 Four and Tris, probably. They are from the Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth. I'm not really a fan of this series.

7.) Favorite literary couple of all time:
     💖 This one is hard for me because I have so many favorites.
            Probably, Cath and Levi because they are just so cute. I also adore Levi. They're from Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell.

8.) If you could have one literary significant other who would it be?
     💕 An older Percy Jackson. He is just so darn funny or maybe Levi from Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell.

9.) Do you have a special someone this Valentine's Day?
     💖 Nope

10.) Favorite Valentine's Day candy
      💕 Reese's

11.) Will you wear red, pink, or white for Valentine's Day?
      💖 I'm wearing pink

12.) Favorite romance movies
      💕 You've Got Mail

      💕 Love, Rosie

      💕 Dirty Dancing

      💕 Ten Things I Hate About You

      💕 Moulin Rouge

13.) Favorite love songs:

Here's ten of mine (the list probably could go on forever):

      💖 "Everlasting Love"- the Carl Carlton, U2, and Michael Ball versions

      💖 "Burning Love" - Elvis Presley- so good

      💖 "Can't Help Falling In Love" - Elvis Presley

      💖 "You're Still The One" - Shania Twain

      💖 "Give Me One Reason" - Tracy Chapman

      💖 "Somebody Loves You"- Betty Who

      💖 "Come What May" - from Moulin Rouge

      💖 "I Try" - Macy Gray

     💖 "It's All Coming Back To Me Now" - Celine Dion

      💖 "Can't Stop Loving You"- Phil Collins

14.) Favorite thing about Valentine's Day
      💕 Watching great movies, eating some great candy, the hearts.

15.) Least favorite thing about Valentine's Day
     💖 The way people always look down on it.

16.) What are you doing this Valentine's Day
     💕Writing and I'm probably going to watch a movie.

A Writer's Life For Me- Writing Tag

A Writer's Life For Me- Writing Tag

Tag Tuesday- February 13th, 2018

Below is a link to the video where I first saw this tag. I don't actually know who created it originally. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMk1x2z0jOI&t=1s

I have been writing a lot recently and really wanted to do another writing tag. This is a pretty good one. 

1. What kind of writer are you?
     Young adult fantasy
     Young adult and adult contemporary

2. When did you start writing and what made you want to try it?
     Majorly in tenth grade, I have always really loved the idea of creating worlds that people can experience. Worlds that become real to people just as much as our own. It's an incredible feeling.

3. What inspires your stories?
    The books I have read. Classics, retellings, fantasy, humor, romances.
    Also, life in general. Really, anything could be an inspiration to me.

4. What themes do you explore in your writing?
     There are multiple examples of themes throughout the books I'm writing now. There's a bit of ambition, coming of age, courage, deception, discovery, and I could continue on from there.

    For an overall theme, I'd say coming of age. Max and Evianna are both growing up and learning how to live in the world around them.

5. Are you a plotter, pantser, planters?
    Definitely, a plotter. I like having a somewhat clear idea of where I'm going in a story. I like having a full working outline, though it does change as I'm writing.

6. Where are you in your writing journey?
     I have written one novel and have a heck of a lot of ideas.

7. Have you entered any writing contests? Did you win any?
    I entered into a poetry contest five years ago. I didn't win but I was published in an anthology. That was an incredible achievement.

8. Who are your writing heroes?
     Terry Pratchett, J. K. Rowling, Chris Colfer, Neil Gaiman, Leigh Bardugo, Laini Taylor, and I could go on and on.

9. Have you been to a writing conference?
     Yes, I went the Virginia Woolf Conference a couple of years ago for a paper that I wrote on Mina Loy.  It was a great experience.

10. What are your top 3 writing tips?
      1. Don't be afraid of writing something you weren't planning to originally into a story. You never know where it may go.

      2. Write what you know and what you love.

      3. Believe that you can finish what you are working on. Don't doubt yourself.

The Book Combo Tag

The Book Combo Tag

Tag Tuesday- January 16th, 2018

This tag was created by Jessethereader on Booktube. Here is a link to his video if you are interested in seeing it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVhKiOaXjWg

1.) What two authors would you like to see put their writing skills together to write a book? 
Leigh Bardugo and Laini Taylor- The book that they would create would be atmospheric, lyrical, and just stunning all around. It would probably also be one of my favorite books of all time.

2.) What is your favorite author collaboration? Whether it be a short story collection or just a book that the authors worked together on.
Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman for Good Omens. I love this book so much and they were the perfect people to collab together to write a book. I really wish that they could have written more together.

3.) If you could combine two stories and make them a book of their own, which would they be? & what would the reworked title be?
I would love a crossover between Percy and Harry. That would be an epic story. I really would not want them to be one book together. Just another story altogether where they have to work together.
Harry Potter and the Quest to save the Olympian.- Probably the worst title ever but oh well. :)

And apparently, this is a thing that many
people wanted. 

4.) What two characters from different books do you ship?
Can't say that I have ever shipped characters from different books.

5.) What two worlds from different stories would you like see come together to be one epic world?
Narnia and Hogwarts
Narnia and Wonderland
Hogwarts and Wonderland
The Land of Stories and this world in real life so I can go there.

6.) What duology/trilogy/series would you have liked to see be combined into one book?
The Dorothy Must Die Series- Really, I would not want each of the books to be combined into one but I feel like the four books could have been made into a series of three books.

New Years Resolutions Book Tag

❄️ New Years Resolutions Book Tag ❄️

The original video was here but it's no longer available: https://youtu.be/PV9kI2UCSJo
I watched Kayla's video from last year on her channel BooksandLala: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZbJCEbJ0_w

I'm going to focus this on the books that I want to really read in 2018.

1. An author you'd like to read (that you've never read before).
    ❄️ Jane Austin- I'm not sure of what book that I will read of hers. I'd love to read Emma.

2. A book you'd like to read.
    ❄️ Circe by Madeline Miller. This is the book I look forward to the most for next year. I already have it pre-ordered.


3. A classic you'd like to read.
   ❄️ Too many. A Jane Austin book, Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, the rest of Dante's Divine Comedy (besides the Inferno), Candide by Voltaire, The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Something Wicked this Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, etc.

4. A book you'd like to re-read.
   ❄️ I re-read Chris Colfer's The Land of Stories series every year in July, so definitely that. Can't wait for is next books that are coming out next year. :)

   ❄️ Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli- for the movie.


5. A book you've had for ages and want to read.
   ❄️ The Book Thief by Markus Zusak


6. A big book you'd like to read.
   ❄️ Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, this is on the classics list that I really want to read in 2018. It is intimidating though at 864 pages.


7. An author you've previously read and want to read more of.
    ❄️ Rick Riordan- I have to read all of his other series. I read Percy Jackson series this year.

8. A book you got for Christmas and would like to read.
    ❄️ All of them. Here they are.

I have already read Father Christmas by Terry Pratchett, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C Dao, and The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom. Can't wait for the rest.

Mythos by Stephen Fry will be my first book of next year.

9. A series you want to read (start and finish).
    ❄️ Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson.

    ❄️ The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan

10. A series you want to finish (that you've already started).
    ❄️ The Inkheart series by Cornelia Funke. The problem with this series for me is that I was spoiled for the second book in the series years ago and the spoiler that I know sort of makes me so apprehensive about actually finishing this series. I loved the first book when I read it but this really gets to me every time I try to pick it up. I am going to try again next year.

    ❄️I would also like to finish the City of Bones series by Cassandra Clare. I have only ever read City of Bones.

11. Do you set reading goals? If so, how many books do you want to read in 2018?
    ❄️ 100 books