Hello everyone!!! It’s been months since I’ve done a tag and I really like this one. I was tagged by the wonderful Azia @ The Uncharted Word, you all need to check out her beautiful page.
To play fair because I know this tag is super late, I will only count the books I have read from January 1st to June 30th. Let’s start!
1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2017?
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. This was such an easy answer because it’s really stuck with me. It’s actually one of the very first books I read in the beginning of the year. I have a full non-spoiler rave review here.
2. Best sequel of 2017 so far?
Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab! Hands down, best sequel I have read so far. I do plan on reading A Gathering of Shadows and A Conjuring of Light in the next half of the year so I wonder if any of these will take it’s place lol. I have a non-spoiler review here.
3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to?
Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee! This book has asexual representation and if you don’t know, I identify as gray ace (demisexual). A lot aces in the book community have been raving about this one so yes!!!! Here is the synopsis:
After a shout-out from one of the Internet’s superstar vloggers, Natasha “Tash” Zelenka finds herself and her obscure, amateur web series, Unhappy Families, thrust into the limelight: She’s gone viral.
Her show is a modern adaptation of Anna Karenina—written by Tash’s literary love Count Lev Nikolayevich “Leo” Tolstoy. Tash is a fan of the forty thousand new subscribers, their gushing tweets, and flashy Tumblr GIFs. Not so much the pressure to deliver the best web series ever.
And when Unhappy Families is nominated for a Golden Tuba award, Tash’s cyber-flirtation with Thom Causer, a fellow award nominee, suddenly has the potential to become something IRL—if she can figure out how to tell said crush that she’s romantic asexual.
Tash wants to enjoy her newfound fame, but will she lose her friends in her rise to the top? What would Tolstoy do?
4. Most anticipated release of the second half of 2017?
Spellbook of the Lost and Found by Moïra Fowley-Doyle. Thanks to my twin, Lilly @ LairofBooks for mentioning it to me. Ever since she mentioned Spellbook, it’s been on my planner waiting to be released and purchased lol.
Here’s the synopsis:
One stormy summer night, Olive and her best friend, Rose, begin to lose things. It starts with simple items like hair clips and jewellery, but soon it’s clear that Rose has lost something bigger; something she won’t talk about.
Then Olive meets three wild, mysterious strangers: Ivy, Hazel and Rowan. Like Rose, they’re mourning losses – and holding tight to secrets.
When they discover the ancient spellbook, full of hand-inked charms to conjure back lost things, they realise it might be their chance to set everything right. Unless it’s leading them towards secrets that were never meant to be found . . .
5. Biggest disappointment?
Lol I am going to get major side eye for this one and maybe lose a few more followers like I already did when I posted my spoiler rant review. However, I have to be truthful with myself. The answer is A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOTWAR #3) by Sarah J. Maas. I found the book to be very problematic. The thing that upsets me most about this one was that it had a lot of potential (in my opinion) to be great. I really absolutely adored A Court of Mist and Fury so to read this one and see the outcome was just utterly disappointing.
6. Biggest surprise?
Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia! I loooooved that book so much! It was heavily compared to Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and I didn’t enjoy Fangirl at all. But! I loved Eliza and the graphic novel inserts. I wrote a non-spoiler review here.
7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)?
K.Y. Robinson!!! I read her debut poetry collection The Chaos of Longing that was self-pub and is now officially signed by Andrews McMeel. The re-release of Chaos of Longing will be out in September. The Chaos of Longing made me cryyyyy!!! She also published two other poetry books under a pseudonym and I really loved them.
8. Newest fictional crush?
I don’t have a fictional crush……
9. Newest favorite character?
Sarai from Strange the Dreamer!! Gosh her character arc is amazing and her power is great too. Also, if you haven’t read Strange the Dreamer, you definitely should. I have a non-spoiler review here.
10. Book that made you cry?
soft magic. by Upile Chisala. This debut poetry collection that came out a while back had me seriously tearing. There was so much beauty and honesty. Amazing poems of women empowerment. I would definitely recommend this! Here is the synopsis:
‘soft magic.’ is the debut collection of prose and poetry by Malawian writer, Upile Chisala. This book explores the self, joy, blackness, gender, matters of the heart, the experience of Diaspora, spirituality and most of all, how we survive. ‘soft magic.’ is a shared healing journey.
11. Book that made you happy?
The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember! I have a non-spoiler review for it here. Finally a mermaid book with some norse mythology that was worth every second of my time!
12. Favorite book to movie adaptation you’ve seen this year?
I don’t have an answer for this because either I cannot remember watching anything or I haven’t watch a book to movie adaptation this year. And I am going to lean with the latter.
13. Favorite review you’ve written this year?
This answer goes hand in hand with the first question. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern! It was really fun to write that review, add quotes from the book, and aesthetic ❤
14. Most beautiful book you bought or received so far this year?
Lol this is going to sound really pretentious but I have to go with my own poetry book love, and you. I am obsessed with my own book and the cover. Sorry not sorry haha *hides face in embarrassment*
15. What books do you need to read by the end of year?
Whoa I have so many books to read by the end of the year but I’ll just insert the covers here and ones that are already out:
and that is all for today! let’s chat in the comments about your thoughts and opinions on some of my answers! thanks so much for stopping by ❤
Instagram: @chicnerdreads
Twitter: @chicnerdreads
Before I read that it was your own poetry collection I was thinking ‘Wow that is a gorgeous cover!’ It really is stunning!
I find it ridiculous that people would unfollow you because you have a different opinion then them! I enjoy seeing everyone’s perspective on books. It would be so boring if we all thought the same way!
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Thank you Kristin!!! I thought it was pretty petty but then I looked at it in a positive light and was like “you know what? that’s fine. i prefer having honest respectful followers with differing opinions and we can all get along.”
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Yes Twin!!!! love this tag, like a little re-cap on your reading year so far & you’ve read some pretty amazing books so YAY for that! *excited emoji* The Night Circus *Le sigh* every time I see it mentioned my heart skips a beat at that majestic book, again so glad you got around to it this year! 😉 ODD really was the best sequel though lol, Eliza was a surprise, & I cannot wait to get to Spellbook of the Lost and Found. I’ll wait for your thoughts on Tash Hearts Tolstoy & still undecided on ACOWAR…to read or not to read *sigh* & if you lose followers over an honest review/opinion that’s ok twin, as bloggers we owe it to our readers to be honest even when it’s a well loved book. You know I have yet to read your review because I haven’t read ACOWAR as of yet but I know you & I know you wouldn’t write a negative review unless it was absolutely problematic & beyond the point of finding redeemable aspects. Keep on keepin’ on 😉
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I am so happy that I got to finally read The Night Circus and that I LOVED IT!!! It’s definitely worth all the hype in the world. That book has left a stamp on my soul.
ODD was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Schwab is just an awesome write…still hoping for a spin off lol.
Thank you again for recommending Spellbook to me, I cannot wait to read that book. I have hopes for that one lol.
Ugh, ACOWAR is so hard to recommend, especially since you read EoS and we both know how we felt about that one. *giving it major side eye* I also feel like you have so many great reads to get too that if you don’t get to it soon, it’s honestly okay? I guess whenever you have time.
Losing followers over a review was definitely a-okay for me and you know how I feel since we talked about it outside the blog. I definitely agree that we owe it our readers and ourselves to be completely honest.
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Oh no you didn’t like ACOWAR… now I don’t want to pick it up
You should totally brag about your book!! It deserves amazing awards!!!!!!!!!!!
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Thank you so much Debby!!! ACOWAR has been getting a lot of love, I’m just in the small percentage of people who didn’t like it lol. You already have the book on your shelves so check it out and form your own opinion. You never know what could happen!
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It’s after my next review book… it’s on my vacation TBR for sure!!
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Number 14 😍😍😍 you should take pride in that beautiful cover its amazing lol im scrolling through your tag and saw it peek out the bottom of my screen and im like OH! whats this . These books seem like great picks . Book to movie adap. Are always so hard to choose cause lets face it our imagination produces a far better picture than any movie industry . Its really great to see you doing tags again loved this one! Keep up the great work !
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Lol ain’t number 14 beautiful? book to movie adaptations usually go horribly wrong and I barely watch TV/movies anyways. Thanks for stopping by!
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The night circus was ❤
Someone who didn't like ACOWAR like me YAAAY! I still get a little upset when i read someone's review and they loved ACOWAR! Like HOW? WHY?!
That book cover is so beautiful!
I need to read most of the books you mentioned in 15.
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looooooved the night circus! it will forever hold a special place in my heart!
with ACOWAR…*sigh and shakes head* that book got me all levels of angry that i never want to experience with a book again.
i hope we like the books i mentioned in 15! whenever we get to it lol
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Yeah same… It’s so sad to dislike something so much that you can’t even appreciate the previous books or look forward to the new ones!
Hahah yeah, it’ll probably take me two months to read all the ones listed XD
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I really want to read Spellbook of the Lost and Found by Moïra Fowley-Doyle,the cover is gorgeous and I have a soft spot for red haired girls. The Night circus is such a good book, Im really glad you liked it, its so atmospheric. You need to Read the Hate you Give omg it’s so good, I cried so many times because of how real it is.
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Red haired girls get me all heart eyed lol! I cannot wait to read Spellbook though, it just sounds so so good!
I completely agree that The Night Circus was atmospheric!! It was amazing and I cannot wait to read The Hate U Give, I know that book is going to tear me apart.
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Oh great picks for this tag Gretchen! Yes I am so glad The Night Circus is your top read of the year so far, if I’d read this one for the first time this year instead of simply re-reading it it would probably be mine as well, also Our Dark Duet was a brilliant sequel. I’d say it was my favourite sequel so far too, or one of them at least.
You have some brilliant books to get to for the rest of the year as well. The Hate U Give is an amazing contemporary book, one I loved and would highly recommend to anyone and everyone, and you know how I feel about A Gathering of Shadows right?
At the moment my favourite book of the year is A Conjuring of Light so you can imagine how excited I am for you to get around to that book! 😀
Again great picks for this tag, and I hope the second half of your year is as great life-wise and reading-wise as the first half has been. 🙂 ❤
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Thank you so much Beth!!! The Night Circus was very enchanting and beautiful. That’s a book I don’t mind re-reading and I don’t blame you for doing so as well. Our Dark Duet was just soooooooo good *big sigh*
I cannot wait to tackle AGOS and ACOL, they are sitting so beautifully on my shelves waiting to be read by me lol. soooooooooooon!
I also wish for a happy second half of the year for you as well ❤
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That’s all right! 😀 God it really was, talking about it now is making me want to re-read it all over again! Our Dark Duet exceeded all my expectations, it was just amazing. 🙂
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that soon comes even sooner then! 😀
Thanks Gretchen. 🙂 ❤
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❤
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Thank you for putting Vinyl back on my radar!
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YAY! you’re so welcome ❤
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Loved your list! I loved Our Dark Duet and Eliza and her Monsters! I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t loved ACOWAR. I’ve heard great things about Night Circus, Strange the Dreamer and ADSOM. I hope I’ll get to read them soon.
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I hope you get to them soon as well! Those books are PHENOMENAL!!
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ACOWAR was disappointing for both of us. I need to read The Hate you give and ACOL too by the end of the year (and also Strange the Dreamer)
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I have high hopes that we will like The Hate U Give and ACOL! Strange the Dreamer was great, hope you like that one as well =)
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[…] Gretchen at Chic Nerd Reads […]
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Great Post Gretchen! Don’t feel embarrassed for your own poetry book in their, it’s gorgeous so show it off girl! Also forever super proud every time I catch a glimpse of it off my shelf i’m like I KNOW HER.
Also please read The Hate U Give. Loved it!
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awww thank you so much Hannah!!!! I definitely plan on reading The Hate U Give sometimes in october-november!
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Oo I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
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So this post just reminded me how much I need to read The Night Circus & The Seafarer’s Kiss. ((Hangs head in shame))
I hope Tash Hearts Tolstoy is everything you hope it to be! Fingers crossed for you.
Totally agree with Sarai from Strange the Dreamer being an awesome character! So many layers there… I cannot wait to see how things develop in the next book, especially with how things ended in book 1.
I think your poetry book is definitely one of my favorite covers of 2017! Not only is it totally gorgeous, but it actually fits the book to boot! That doesn’t always happen…
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OMG Amanda please read The Night Circus and The Seafarer’s Kiss! They are so so good! You will not regret it lol.
I definitely cannot wait to see what happens in book 2 from Strange the Dreamer, I cannot believe Laini Taylor left our hearts like that lol.
And thank you so much!! I love my cover and am super satisfied that it fits the book, thank you for agreeing ❤
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Ahh I really need to read The Night Circus!! Your poetry book is gorgeous and I’m dying to get my hands on a physical copy, haha. Hopefully soon!!!! I’m hoping to get to THUG this month.
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Lauren read The Night Circus please!!! lol. I would definitely suggest it when you’re in a reading kick because it has a slow start.
And thank you so much for supporting my poetry book! it means so much to me *sobs for days*
I definitely want to get to THUG sooner rather than later. Here’s hoping!
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I love to see so much love for The Night Circus. It’s such a wonderful book and I love to see others who have fallen in love with it as well! And wait, you actually lost followers for posting your review of ACOWAR? Laaaaaaame. I liked the book but I would never unfollow someone because they had a different opinion than me. Sorry that happened 😦 I’m really curious about Tash Hearts Tolstoy. I keep seeing it everywhere and now I want to read it but I feel I wouldn’t get it because I haven’t read Anna Karenina? I might pick it up once I read a review from you haha. And Strange the Dreamer was AMAZING. Loved all the characters, especially Strange and Sarai! Awesome post ❤
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The Night Circus was just an amazing book!!! And yes, I lost a good handful of followers for my review lol. I definitely agree that I wouldn’t unfollow someone for having a differing opinion than me. I actually think that’s what makes blogging pretty cool, that we can respect and understand others different opinions.
I have yet to read Anna Karenina either but I am really excited for Tash! I have hope that it’s going to be a great read.
Thank you!
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Yeah, I thought that’s what being part of the book blogging community was all about but maybe not for some bloggers. That’s okay. The ones who stick by and respectfully accept your opinion are the ones you want to converse with anyways 🙂
I hope so, too! And np! 😀
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you are so right about that ❤
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YES YES YES THIS TAG. I love all your responses. Even for the books I haven’t read yet! XD The Night Circus is my favorite book OF ALL TIME. I’m so glad you think it’s the best book you’ve read this year! That really makes me super happy.
I think there is nothing pretentious about calling out love, and you as the best book you’ve gotten this year. It’s soooo pretty and a HUGE labor of love. You deserve to celebrate it! I also think there is nothing wrong about NOT having a fictional crush. I’m with you on that. *fist bump*
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The Night Circus just needs to get some awards and get all the love. Wow that book has taken a special place in my heart for sure. I definitely want to reread it in the future.
Oh finally someone who understands that I don’t have a fictional crush! Lol! I get so caught off guard with those type of questions and also the book boyfriend ones. ummmmm awkward!
Thank you for the love on my book!!
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