Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag

Whew! Hello there! How are you? Hope you’re well. I’ve seen this tag floating around and I thought of partaking because it seems fun!

1.Best book you’ve read so far in 2019?
I’m going to go with the majorities answer, and that is: Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

This book was also the reason why I got back into reading this year. I’m so grateful. After being in a slump for over a year, Daisy Jones got me out of that.

 

 

2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2019?
When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton! It’s not a continuation but it is a companion novel and omg what a book!!! I actually read it this month. Hopefully I’ll post a mini review for it soon. I would highly recommend this book and Next Year In Havana. Definitely worth the read and it’s own voices too!

 

 

 

3. New Release you haven’t read yet, but want to?
Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine! I’m grateful that I received this book from the author and publisher. I definitely want to get to it ASAP!

 

 

 

 

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year? 
Ninth House (Ninth House Series #1) by Leigh Bardugo! I am so excited to read this because it’ll be my first book where it’s not Grishaverse related. No, I did not read her Wonder Woman book. Ninth House does sound right up my ally; thriller, adult, fantasy, secret societies. SIGN ME UP!!

 

 

 

5. Biggest Disappointment? 
Hate to say it but definitely King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo. I DNFed it at 100 pages. I tried so hard to give it a chance but I couldn’t do it. It was not in me/not for me.

 

 

 

 

6. Biggest Surprise?
For this question, I’m going to say Sadie by Courtney Summers because it was my first real Audiobook that I loved and devoured. I was not expecting to like it very much, especially since I can’t really get into YA anymore. However, this book, the theme, the plot, EVERYTHING, really did it for me.

 

 

 

7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)? 
Taylor Jenkins Reid. I read both Daisy Jones & The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo this year and now I want to read all of her work.

 

 

Honorable mention for Chanel Cleeton. Just like Taylor, I also read Next Year In Havana and When We Left Cuba this year. I definitely will be reading her other books in the future.

 

 

8. Newest fictional crush?
I thought I was going to have a hard time choosing an answer for this question but umm HAVE YOU HEARD OF SHEPARD OLSEN???!!!????!?? He’s from Rebekah Weatherspoon’s romance novel, Haven. Wheewwwwww yes get your life by reading this book. And you’re welcome.

 

 

 

9. Newest favorite character?
EVELYN HUGO!!!! She is that bitch! Wow wow wow. I love how strong willed she is and her “take no bullshit” “do what you gotta do to survive” type of personality she has. I love reading morally gray characters, who you don’t necessarily agree with their decisions but you get why they do it and don’t hate them for it.

 

 

 

10. Book that made you cry?
A lot of books made me cry so far this year lol. However for this one, I’m going to choose one that’s impacted me. The Broken Girls by Simone St. James is a thriller but there’s such a beautiful story with some of the characters that made me emotional.

 

 

 

11. Book that made you happy?
Next Year In Havana by Chanel Cleeton!! I cried so much for this book but I was so happy with everything and how the story closed up, especially the character endings as well. Ugh, I was smiling big at the end.

 

 

 

12. Favorite book to film adaptation that you’ve seen this year?
Uhhhhh I don’t think I’ve watched any book to movie adaptations. Or maybe I just can’t remember right now to be honest lol.

13. Favorite review you’ve written (Booktube or written)?

14. The most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)?
I had to look at my bought books and I’ve decided to choose Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. This book is beautiful on the outside and the inside. Also! I wanted to add that the cover matches the atmosphere of the content.

 

 

 

15. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
I don’t need to read any books but I definitely want to get to these:

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And that is all for today! I will not be tagging anyone. Please feel free to tag yourself. Any of these answers same as yours? Let me know!

Instagram: @chicnerdreads
Twitter: @chicnerdreads

 

 

The Mid Year Freakout Book Tag

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!

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

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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?

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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 . . .

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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.

 

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

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8. Newest fictional crush?

I don’t have a fictional crush……

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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.

 

 

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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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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.

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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 ❤

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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*

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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:

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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 ❤

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Instagram: @chicnerdreads
Twitter: @chicnerdreads

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books You’ve Read in 2017 So Far

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature with new topics every Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. If you would like to participate, the link provided will lead you to the feature and upcoming topics for the rest of the month

Today’s topic is: Best Books You’ve Read in 2017 So Far

**titles of books will link you to goodreads

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Here Are My Best Books:

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Genre: Fantasy, Historical, Romance
Thoughts: One of my all time favorite books and my heart will be forever changed by the characters and the circus. I will need to revisit this world sometime in the future again. Review here.

 

 

 

 

 

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The You I’ve Never Known by Ellen Hopkins
Genre: YA Contemporary, Verse, Realistic Fiction, LGBTQ+ (Bi)
Thoughts: Ellen Hopkins is definitely a fave auto-buy author for me so when she came out with this book, I was really excited. I wouldn’t suggest reading all of the synopsis because it gives away the whole story, however I have a full review here.

 

 

 

 

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Pennies (Dollar #1) by Pepper Winters
Genre: Dark New Adult
Thoughts: Absolutely a very hard read but I was addicted and sucked in. This book is about a girl who is sold via sex slavery. We go through her physical, mental, and emotional abuse. I have a mini review here.

 

 

 

 

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The Chaos of Longing by K.Y. Robinson
Genre: Poetry
Thoughts: AMAZING!!!! I love love loved it and it will be forever a favorite. I have a full review with some poems attached here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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We Are Okay by Nina LaCour
Genre: YA Contemporary, LGBTQ+
Thoughts: Deep, short, and to the point. A very impactful read and I have a review for here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Genre: YA Fantasy
Thoughts: A fantastical lyrical read. I would recommend reading my review here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember
Genre: YA Fantasy, Retelling, LGBTQ+ (Bi)
Thoughts: For fans of The Little Mermaid and Norse Mythology, please check out this awesome read. I have a review for it here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Love Poems I found In My Closet by Evette Blue
Genre: Poetry
Thoughts: An amazing collection of poetry that features old poems this author literally found in her closet. I do not have a review but you can check it out on Amazon here.

 

 

 

 

 

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Afterlife by Melissa Jennings
Genre: Poetry
Thoughts: Lovely debut dark poetry that deserves to be read. I have a review with some of the poems here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity #2) by Victoria Schwab
Genre: YA Paranormal, Fantasy
Thoughts: OMG!!! MY HEART STILL HURTS!! I have yet to write a review for this book, it should be out in the next few days. But I absolutely loved it and thought it was a great heart-wrenching conclusion. If you haven’t checked the first book, This Savage Song, I have a review for it here.

 

 

 

 

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that is all for today! have you read any of the books mentioned or plan on to? let’s chat in the comments!

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Instagram: @chicnerdreads
Twitter: @ChicNerdReads

The Night Circus Spoiler Free Book Review

Title: The Night Circus
Author: Erin Morgenstern
Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Anchor Books
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night. 

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance.

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Summary/Plot

Years later I have finally read this book and it was amazing!! An atmospheric story telling novel about two people, Celia and Marco, who have been placed in a competition due to their fathers. The Night Circus is told from when Celia and Marco are kids to adulthood. They are bound together and they will be a part of this competition till one of them is left standing. However, the rules aren’t that simple. And when Celia and Marco, the magicians, realize that every single move doesn’t only affect them but everyone and everything that’s involved within The Night Circus, things change. And in all of this Celia and Marco fall in love with one another which makes this competition all that much harder because it is not easy to escape The Night Circus. The Night Circus is like a chess board and Celia, Marco, and the rest of the team are the chess pieces.

“The most difficult thing to read is time.
Maybe because it changes so many things.”

The Night Circus isn’t your regular circus. No this one is full of enchanting tents like The Ice Garden, The Wishing Tree, Cloud Maze, and so many more. Each one built filled with magic, illusions, and manipulations. Each tent serves a purpose. Every single thing that happens within the circus has a reason and a purpose because in the end, it’s all part of game.

Writing

I loved the writing. The story is told in third person so we get to see a little of everything that’s going on. It’s a little slow paced but so worth it because of it’s poetic flowery way of writing. It’s avid descriptions of every single person, thing, circus, surroundings were vivid and wonderful. The writing completely sucked me in. I also loved how the author makes you think since she doesn’t entail everything. I love authors who do that, don’t give you everything in written detail but have a way of saying things that you still understand what’s truly being said.

Every single time I picked up this book, the author definitely sucked me into The Night Circus and I felt like I was there experiencing it all through every sentence that flowed through this book.

“I would have written you, myself, if I could put down in words everything I want to say to you. A sea of ink would not be enough. But you built me dreams instead.”

Characters:

We meet so many characters throughout this book and they are all important to the story because they play important roles within what’s taking place in the competition. Although Celia and Marco are the main characters of the story, we also get insight of other characters which in my opinion, makes me feel like The Night Circus in a whole is just the main character at this point lol.

Celia and Marco wouldn’t be the amazing Illusionist they are without their instructors. Celia’s instructor who so happens to be her father Prospero the Enchanter. He is a downright douchebag who always claimed he wanted the best for her. Through his character we see that Celia and Prospero don’t have the greatest relationship. I’ll go to say that he’s emotionally abusive to Celia, all for a win. We also meet Mr. A.H., Marco’s instructor, who is merely present in Marco’s adult life but still has a hold of the circus and knows what’s going on at all times!

There are a few characters that I absolutely loved though, the red haired twins Poppet and Widget. One born a minute before the circus opens and the other born during the grand opening. Poppet and Widget aren’t just any bit human, they have these magical abilities. Just like Celia and Marco, we also see Poppet and Widget grow into adolescence (sheds a tear). Poppet and Widget really stole my heart because of their sweet innocence. You can’t help but love them so much (my precious babies). Another character that grows with them but we don’t really see much of is Bailey. Bailey is not apart of the circus but his story was very heartwarming and added more to the summary and plot. Bailey’s story started off with a dare from his sister to take something from the circus in the middle of the day, meanwhile the circus only opened up at night.

 We meet other side characters, which like I said take apart of the circus. Some take you totally by surprise which is why I am leaving them out of this section. Just read the book if you haven’t already lol.

Thoughts:

I still can’t believe how long it took me to read this book but I am so happy that I started off the new year with this dark circus read. It’s branded as a favorite of 2017 for sure. I took a long time reading it for good reason, I have a thing with faves…they take me forever to finish. I just didn’t want to let go of the circus. I know I said this but again, The Night Circus isn’t a regular circus. It’s full of magical elements that I have never seen or read in any other book. The Night Circus consumed me in amazing ways. We even get to meet these group of people in the book who follow the circus wherever it goes, and if this book was real, I’m sure I would be apart of that group.

I loved that we get to grow throughout the years with these characters and we see character development for sure. Everyone plays an important role and there were times that I was scared of what was going to happen. There is also a take on mental instability for some of the characters and I liked how the author handled that eloquently.

One of my favorite things about this book is how there isn’t instalove. Both Celia and Marco were around one another for years but didn’t really KNOW each other. I would ask myself “sooooo when are you two falling in love, hmm?” The author definitely took us on a ride with those two characters but it was so worth it.

I am hoping that maybe one day the author will write a book about Poppet and Widget, that would be my ultimate dream come true besides making a movie for this.

Photo Cred Here

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? Let’s chat in the comments!

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Instagram: @chicnerdreads
Twitter: @ChicNerdReads
Goodreads: Gretchen (ChicNerdReads)

A Random Post About Favorites Cause It’s My Birthday

On this lovely day today, a girl by the name of Gretchen was born *cuts the music off*…boohoo I turn 27 today.

Everyone is so happy about it being my birthday and I am extremely grateful for all the love but I’m also like:

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ANYWAYS! Hi everyone, I decided to do a little something different today. Since it’s my birthday today, I thought of showing you what some of my favorite bookish/non-bookish (music) things were throughout my 26th year (September 20, 2015 – till today).

Some of my favorite books:

The top 4 I did read before I started my blog so there are no reviews but This Savage Song and Nevernight both do! (Click the titles of each book and it will lead you to the link)

Some of my favorite bookish quotes:

“The mind, it can be a deceitful thing. But it is no match for the heart.”
-K.A. Tucker, Burying Water

“I am haunted by humans”
-Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

“No Mourners, No Funerals”
-Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“To the stars who listen— and the dreams that are answered.”
-Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury

“When you spend so long trapped in darkness, Lucien, you find that the darkness begins to stare back.”
-Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Mist and Fury

“The heart is an arrow. It demands aim to land true.”
-Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“You have me. Until ever last star in the galaxy dies. You have me.”
-Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman, Illuminae

“The books we love, they love us back. And just as we mark our places in the pages, those pages leave their marks on us. I can see it in you, sure as I see it in me. You’re a daughter of the words. A girl with a story to tell.” 
-Jay Kristoff, Nevernight

Some of my favorite blog post:

Okay so I’m going to get a little personal here but I am so proud of myself for finding the courage to post my writing. Right now I have a segment titled People I Once Knew. It’s all about people that were once apart of my life, the way I saw them, what they did to me, my experiences with these people, etc.

Tonight I will posting part 6. I don’t know when I’ll be done with People I Once Knew but when I am, I will start another segment titled Dreams. (surprise, surprise)

Some of my favorite albums/singles:

The Neighbourhood – Wiped Out!

Banks – Gemini Feed

Frank Ocean – Blonde

Disclosure – Caracal

Some of my favorite lyrics:

“I’d do anything for you, in the dark”
-Frank Ocean, Seigfriend (Blonde)

“Pretty girls don’t know the things that I know”
-Disclosure ft. Lorde, Magnets (Caracal)

“And we were so depressive.
You and me together, we were gemini feed.”
-Banks, Gemini Feed

“Cause I fuck with myself more than anybody else
It’s all love
I used to care what you think about me
It’s all love
Cause my love so good
So I fuck with myself more than anybody else”
-Banks, F*** With Myself

“I can taste it, my heart’s breakin’, please don’t say
That you know, when you know
I can’t take it, I’m impatient, tell me baby
Now I know, you should go”
-The Neighbourhood, Cry Baby (Wiped Out!)

“I’m sick, and I’m tired too
I can admit, I am not fireproof
I feel it burning me
I feel it burning you
I hope I don’t murder me
I hope I don’t burden you”
-The Neighbourhood, The Beach (Wiped Out!)

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And that is it! I can go on and on but no I will not lol. Well, let me say that one of the things I am super happy about is starting this blog and meeting all of you wonderful people. You bloggers are so freaking sweet and hilarious.

Look out for a birthday book haul coming soon!

Books With A Purpose Tag

I was tagged by TeenBookLit101 to do this tag!!! Thanks sooooo much =D
This tag was hard but super fun to do all at the same time lol.

THE RULES:

1. Mention the person who tagged you in your post and provide a link to their blog
2. Fill out the 9 questions in the tag
3. For each question, insert a gif of how you feel about the book(s) or author.
4. Tag 5 people and/or everyone to do this tag!
5. Before you post the tag, do a five-second party dance. Cause you dat awesome

Questions:

1. Best story premise? Delirium by Lauren Oliver
   
2. Best world building? Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
   
3. Best character? Kaz Brekker in Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
   
4. Best series? Shadow Falls Series by C.C. Hunter
   
   

   

   

   

   

   

5. Best tear jerker? A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
   
6. Best author? This is sooooo hard but Wendy Higgins because she hasn’t disappointed me at all with all her books out as of yet!
   
7. Best writing style? Ellen Hopkins
   
8. Best cover? Anna and The French Kiss Trilogy by Stephanie Perkins
   
   

   

   

   

9. Best ending? Burying Water series by K.A. Tucker
   

   

   

   

   

I tag:
A Book Nerd
A Haven for Book Lovers
Muggle and Mundanes
Bookstraveller
Book Nerd Momo