Saturday 9 July 2016

An Awful Lot of Books



Very kindly sent my way by Tracey from Adventure Awaits. (You should definitely check out her blog, by the way, it is A*.) Now, I give you forewarning: even I, a book blogger, am a bit embarrassed by the lengthy amounts of fangirling in this post. *ahem*

1) What Book Are You Currently Reading?
  
When asked if I ever read more than one book at once, I always say, “No, NEVER! I can't! How can anyone?! It makes me feel like I'm having an affair!" Which is true, but what I mean when I say that is, I never read more than one novel at once. However, I thought I would go the whole hog with everything I am reading.

Career of Evil -- the third in Robert Galbraith, AKA JK Rowling's, crime series. I LOVE THIS SERIES AND THIS BOOK SO MUCH I CAN'T TELL YOU. I love Cormoran. I love Robin. I love London. I love Rowling's style. I love the pacing. I love the genre -- I'm not normally that into crime, but she does it so well. I love the themes, the issues, even though it is a very scary book about very scary people. I love the tension. I love the cleverness of it, which I could spend a whole post writing about. I LOVE IT. My love for JK Rowling is a boundless ocean. 

River -- in which I fall in love with Ted Hughes all over again. The most recent of his books I read, Remains of Elmet, was good, but it was no Hawk in the Rain (the book that first obsessed me aged fourteen). But River is absolutely stunning. I love him, I love him.

Malachi -- a minor prophet, the last book in the Old Testament. It's a very challenging book. Isn't it amazing how the attitudes of the Israelites thousands of years ago are so contemporary and recognisable in our own lives?

Search the Scriptures is a really great resource taking you through the whole Bible in three years. It has a bit of commentary on each book and then breaks the book into manageable daily chunks. There are then two or three questions and cross-references. It is really helpful and I'd 100% recommend.

Shakespeare's Sonnets are absolutely mind-blowing. I've loved Shakespeare since reading Romeo and Juliet aged fourteen (incidentally, I saw a live stream of the Kenneth Branagh production, with Lily James and Richard Madden, on Thursday night, and it was amazing!), but I feel like reading his personal poetry helps you to see who he actually was as a man. My fave so far is Sonnet 27. I don't think I talk enough about how incredibly important Shakespeare is in my own and all of our lives.

The Roald Dahl Omnibus -- I've not actually read anything from this for ages, but I am working through it. I blimming love Roald Dahl. He had such an incredible mind. If you like his children's books you will love his short stories, which are in a similar vein but darker and creepier. Absolutely brilliant.

2) What’s The Last Book You Finished?

And let me tell you, by the end of it I felt I'd fought a ten-year war myself. This is a very important book but there was a lot of warfare and blood, and I found myself questioning its morals very often. Aeneas is meant to be this amazing, upstanding hero, but he has no qualms about viciously murdering hundreds of people?? For me, the most interesting thing about this book (which links to our recent discussion of Chosen Ones) was the whole idea of Fate. How much could Aeneas change his fate? When the gods got involved (as they frequently did), could they change pre-written courses? Did the gods write those courses themselves, or are they too at Fate's mercy? If the gods cannot control Fate, what is Fate?

It has also left me with a hankering to start on Heroes of Olympus. 

3) Favorite Book You Read This Year?


Anne's House of Dreams was an absolute delight. Review here.

We Were Liars blew my mind and I loved it! Review here.

Les Miserables is such an important book. At the time I only gave it four stars on Goodreads, because it does have a lot of flaws, but since then they've all kind of receded and just left it there in its majesty. This book, guys, This book.

The Road is the devastatingly beautiful, heartbreaking journey of a father and son through an ashbound, post-apocalyptic America. Six months later I still think about it so often.
Dark of the invisible moon. The night now only slightly less black. By day the banished sun circles the earth like a grieving mother with a lamp.
The Silkworm -- did you know I love the Cormoran Strike books by JK Rowling?? This one was set in the literary world. Perfection.

4) What Genre Have You Read Most This Year?
Classics. (Though that's a dubious answer, because what even is a classic? Shouldn't Les Miserables be historical fiction, because Hugo wrote it years after the events of the book? Should I put The Aeneid as a classic or as poetry, because it's classical poetry? Is Love's Labour's Lost a classic because it's by Shakespeare, or should Drama get its own category? I HATE GENRES, YOU GUYS. I really do.) Next is poetry (go me! I wanted to read more poetry this year and I am succeeding, with five books so far). 

5) What Genre Have You Read Least This Year?
I've read one biography (Two Lives by Vikram Seth) and one play (Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost). I've not read any steampunk this year, or, in fact, ever.

6) What Genre Do You Want To Read More Of?
I would like to pick up some steampunk at some point!

7) How Many Books Have You Read This Year, And What’s Your Goal?
31 out of 52. According to Goodreads I'm four books ahead of schedule.


8) What’s The Last Book You Bought?


Normally when I buy a book I leave it on my shelf for, like, six months (or twelve or sixteen or maybe three years, what?), but when Career of Evil arrived I just--

Me @ the Cormoran Strike novels.
Boys, Beads and Bangles by Sophia Bennett is the second book in the Threads trilogy. I've a plan to reread it this summer, and over the past couple of years I've picked up #1 and #3 in charity shops, but I've never found #2, so I bought it off Amazon. Their covers are the worst, and the titles, in my opinion, make them sound like shallow tweenage fiction. The tagline on the cover of Beads is no better: “Hanging onto the fashion dream". They sound and look pretty bad. What they actually are is an amazing trilogy set in London about four teenage girls, living life between the fashion world, Broadway, and school. They are so cool and I love them! They hang out in the V&A!

Me @ books set in London. Like, for example, have you heard of the Cormoran Strike series by JK Rowling???
I'll do a proper review when I've reread them, but suffice to say: wonderful, marvellous books, I love them.

9) What Book Are You Saving Up To Buy Next?
Desolation by Derek Landy, so I can continue my journey along Demon Road!

10) How Many Books Did You Check Out Last Library Visit?
Um ... one. It was One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, which I read in April. I haven't been to the library since .... ??!

11) What’s A Book You Can’t Wait To Read?


A Dance with Dragons: After the Feast -- and by can't wait to read I mean am deathly afraid of reading yet have a consuming need to. If I die in the next few weeks, you'll know why.

Is he kidding?? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
Sinner -- I have an insane amount of love for the Wolves of Mercy Falls series and cannot wait to finish it!

Ted Hughes: The Unauthorised Life -- reading River has got me ridiculously excited about Ted Hughes all over again (I mean, I'm always ridiculously excited about him, but, like, ridiculously excited). 

12) What’s A Series You’d Recommend to Everyone?
Obviously. I can't imagine not living a life half-devoted to worshipful adoration of this series. Harry Potter didn't introduce me to fantasy -- I'm pretty sure I left the womb loving magic and wizards and dragons -- but it was the first serious fantasy series I read. The Icemark Chronicles by Stuart Hill (which someone should read, by the way!) or the Pure Dead Magic series by Debi Gliori are both brilliant, but they are almost satirising fantasy; they are fun kids' books. They don't have the mindblowing complexity of Harry Potter. As well as teaching me insane amounts about characterisation and character development, these books are a stunning lesson in worldbuilding. JK Rowling's magic world is absolutely watertight. These books ... I could write post after post about them. I will never stop rereading them. I love them. Always.

It's not like I love JK Rowling or anything ... what??
These books are so clever. As in HP, she displays her fascination with the working of the human mind -- in these books, it's often the twisted minds of the murderers and pyscopaths she conjures from London's underbelly. Cormoran Strike is a wonderful MC (I may be a little in love with him) and I absolutely adore Robin Ellacott, the other MC. My love for these books has no limit. 

This is a slightly odd choice. These are kids' books -- skinny kid's historical fiction, set in Ancient Rome, kids solving mysteries, with a mildly annoying ten-year-old MC named Flavia.
Would any adult enjoy these books?
Yes.
They have so much heart. The characters are a delight, and with a few words Lawrence immerses you in the world of Italy millennia ago. The Roman Mysteries are so fresh and full of joy ... I could not recommend them highly enough, to any adult.

13) Who’s An Author You’re Hoping Writes More?

So I don't know if you've ever heard me mention this book called The Goldfinch? I dunno, I don't talk about it much ... *ahem*

Anyway, here's the thing. The Goldfinch was published in 2014. The Little Friend was 2002. The Secret History was 1992. That's right, she published three books in twenty-two years! I haven't read either of these two yet, because if I just romp through them (as I so want to), am I going to have to wait ten years for more Tartt? Fifteen? I feel I should space them out, but, darn it, the wait might kill me!

14) A Few Books Your Heart Adores?

To quote Tracey's answer to this question, “A few? You know what that word makes when you take off the F? Ew." I tried to narrow it down, but, um ... er ...

Girl With A Pearl Earring -- stunning historical fiction. If you like art, or beautiful writing, or romance, or just good books, it's for you.

How I Live Now --  the most beautiful book! My heart really does adore this one. 
If you haven't been in a war and are wondering how long it takes to get used to losing everything you think you need or love, I can tell you the answer is no time at all.
A Suitable Boy -- I don't talk about this massive joy of a book enough. It's set in India in 1950, just after Independence from British rule, and follows four massive families. It took me four months to read, but I am going to reread one day, because my heart really does adore it.

Romeo and Juliet -- this play hit my fourteen-year-old self like a ton of bricks. I fully believe Shakespeare is the greatest writer in the English language ever to have lived and I owe him (almost) everything. 

Give me my Romeo; and, when he shall die, 
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine 
That all the world will be in love with night 
And pay no worship to the garish sun.

The Dream Thieves -- because MAGGIE STIEFVATER! My fave Stiefvater book to date.
She wore a dress Ronan thought looked like a lampshade. Whatever sort of lamp it belonged on, Gansey clearly wished he had one. 
Ronan wasn't a fan of lamps."
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix -- WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM ME?! If you want an essay on why this is my fave, ask me in the comments.

The Lord of the Rings -- the king of fantasy. Hello.

Anne of Green Gables -- the most joyous, beautiful, hilarious, wonderful book, from the most joyous, beautiful, hilarious, wonderful series. No one could not enjoy this book. Anne Shirley is one of my all-time faves.

The Great Gatsby -- a perfect novel.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe -- Narnia is the treasure of my heart. 

Emma -- AUSTEN IS AMAZING. Hilarious, proto-feminist, wonderful romances, marvellous characterisation, her books are just the dream. 

How Green Was My Valley -- actually the first book that sprang to mind for this question. My heart really and truly adores this wonderful Welsh story. I cannot convey the beauty and poignancy of this book. 

Roman Mysteries -- the series of my heart. I love these books so much.

Also The Book Thief, which, bizarrely, I forgot to photograph. Also Wild Swans by Jung Chang. And The Goldfinch (which, weirdly, I don't own?!) and The Library of Unrequited Love by Sophie Divry and Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler and--

Yeah, all right, I'm sorry.
15) What Series’ Coming Conclusion Makes You Sad?
Not sure. I'll be sad to finish A Song of Ice and Fire, but at the rate GRRM is writing that probably won't be until 2027 ... 
~distant sobbing of Game of Thrones fans everywhere~

16) What Books Are On Your Wish-List?


All the Light We Cannot See -- The Goldfinch and The Road have both won the Pulitzer Prize, so I am now convinced I need to read every Pulitzer winner ever. I've been visiting this one in Waterstone's. I'll buy it soon!

Cinder -- reading this summer, I promise!

Desolation -- DEREK LANDY!

The Winner's Curse -- this trilogy sounds so good. I want it. (Now.)

Howl -- I've read the start of this poem, it is amazing, I need it!

Darling -- Jackie Kay is the new Scot's Makar (like a Poet Laureate ... the word makar comes from the same route as maker, as in, creator), and I really want to read some of her work.


Crow // Birthday Letters -- because Ted Hughes. 

The Beautiful and Damned -- because F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Mean Time -- because Carol Ann Duffy.

Lanark -- it's Glaswegian, it deals with metafiction, and it's the fave book of my best pal. Three concrete reasons really to want this book.

Why We Broke Up -- a stunning book by Daniel Handler (AKA Lemony Snicket, fun fact for you) that I read a few years ago. I think about this book so often. In secondhand shops my eyes are always peeled for it. 


No Country for Old Men -- because, after The Road, I want to ingest everything McCarthy's ever written.

Splintered -- really interested in this series!

Me Before You -- I resisted this one for a long time, but after so many recommendations I do want to read it.

On the Road -- one of those teen classics, like The Catcher in the Rye or The Bell Jar. This has been recommended to me very highly indeed. 

The Last Night of the Earth Poems -- I seem to spend the majority of my time Pinning Bukowski quotations, so I'd like to actually read a book of his!

Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair -- after visiting two of Pablo Neruda's beautiful houses in Chile, I really want to read some of his poetry. The one or two poems I have read have been lovely.


The Idiot -- I've yet to foray into Russian lit, but you've gotta start somewhere, eh? In The Goldfinch one of the characters loves this book, and according to my friend who's read them both, TG has heaps of TI references in it. She's pretty sure Tartt named TG's MC, Theodore, after Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Kafka's Letter to His Father // The Myth of Sisyphus // The Stranger -- because after reading Kafka's Metamorphosis I want to pursue my studies of absurdism. Also, one of my friends is a bit obsessed with The Stranger.

The Library of Unrequited Love -- this tiny, 90-page French book is a librarian's one-sided rant at a reader who accidentally fell asleep in the library and got locked in overnight. Through her diatribe we see her loneliness, her love of books, and her unrequited love for a library regular named Martin. This book is so beautiful and so powerful and it only takes an hour or two to read but dang, I haven't stopped thinking about it for three years, and I am so desperate to own a copy and reread it!

Shadow and Bone -- I think I'm the last person on earth not to have read this series.

Also looking to complete my series collections of Skulduggery Pleasant, Gone by Michael Grant, Septimus Heap and Roman Mysteries.

So just one or two books, not a big deal!

Haha, ha, ha ...

That was an insanely long post. If you got to the end, CONGRATS. If you just looked at the pictures, I won't hold it against you. Writing it has partly made me like:


because, you know, I just really frigging love books! But it also kinda makes me:


because there are just so many books and I'm the kind of incompetent reader who does occasionally drop her book on her face. You know?

Anyway. I tag: Lauren // Emily // Skye // Blue // Patrick // Victoria // Ashley

If you want a nice copy-and-paste list of the questions, click here to go to Deborah's blog The Page Dreamers; she has helpfully included one.

~***~

What is the best book you've read this year? What are you saving up to buy next? If you did just look at the pictures, which one was your favourite? And what book does you heart adore? (I really love the wording of that question, by the way. From now on, I don't love things; my heart adores them.) I'm off -- you guessed it -- to read Career of Evil!

27 comments:

  1. So many books! I could shed tears of happiness (and envy).
    I'm looking forward to the Threads review. Characters are automatically awesome if they hang out at museums!

    I, for one, have no great love for Me Before You. The way it portrays euthanasia, it frustrates and grieves me. (please don't take that as a judgmental statement, though).

    Getting back to happier topics... Thanks for the tag! I've already taken it, but I had so much fun with it that I think I'll take it again! I could save it for a rainy day.

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    1. I could shed tears of happiness too, but also tears of WHEN WILL I READ ALL THE BOOKS?!!! WHEN??
      Looking forward to my reread! I've actually only read the first two, I never managed to complete the series, so I especially cannot wait! <3

      Hmm. I will let you know what I think of it.

      You're welcome! Yes, I see that you have done a post on it -- I've not read it yet, though. But it will come in handy on a rainy day, I'm sure :)

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  2. Steampunk is one of those genres that I'm not sure that I've even read, yet I've written a story or two of. I think it comes up more in short fiction than novels nowadays. I would have to say Calamity by Brandon Sanderson has been the best book that I've read this year. I'm ahead on book supply, so, while I'm sure I'll buy more in the near future, I'm not really on a quest to get more.

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    1. I've been recommend a book called Illusionarium, which I'm looking out for. I cannot WAIT to get my mitts on some Sanderson! I've heard his worldbuilding is like whoa.

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    2. Wait, why is HP5 your favorite? I read it over ten years ago (and finished the last one ten days after it came out), so I don't really remember any of them very well.

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    3. For one thing, it's the longest, hello! More Harry time! But no, seriously, it was my fave last time because I feel the characters really develop. I haven't read the books since I was 15 (I'm now nearly 18), but at that time I really enjoyed reading about their relationships in that book. Previous reads had seen me generally unimpressed with / not that interested by Cho (Harry's crush) but as a 15y/o I loved reading about his first crush, first date, first kiss. He is 15 in that book as well. Likewise, there's a lot of relationship development within the Golden Trio. That's the book (I'm 90% certain) where Ron becomes Quidditch keeper, so he's starting to get more of his own identity / kinda come out of his shell, if that makes sense. It's the book where they sit their OWLs, which is where we get to learn a lot more about Hermione and her fear of failure. The two things that stand out for me from that most recent HP reread are a) the romantic angst and b) the meaning of being a Gryffindor. Hermione taught me a lot about bravery and its different manifestations, and I think that her character in that book is key in showing that being a Gryffindor doesn't necessarily mean fist fighting or jumping onto moving trains (like a Dauntless. I used to think Dauntless and Gryffindor were the same thing. THEY ARE NOT.). OotP is also the one where Romione really starts (YAY), and ALSO it sees Dumbledore's Army, which lets us see Harry really develop his leadership skills, which will be so important later on. I always feel so proud of him in that book.

      So, yeah.

      That's why I liked it best last time. But who knows. Next time, I'll notice something else in a different book, I don't doubt.

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  3. THE FANGIRLING HERE IS MAGNIFICENT. :') And also I totally admire you for reaidng such a wide variety of stuff! I mean, Les Mis and then Sinner and then Roald Dahl?!? YOU ARE THE QUEEN OF A VERY HEALTHY AND VARIED BOOKISH DIET HERE.
    And also Maggie STIEFVATERRRR LOOOOOVE. The Dream Thieves is so excellent. <3 Ronan is absolutely my favourite darling. One of my top favourite fictional characters I think. ZOMG.
    I love this tag! IT IS SUCH A FUN TAG. I feel like stealing it. XD
    And omg I have Desolation and still haven't read it yet. 0_0 My TBR is just out of control at the moment and it's a little ridiculous. Someone contain me. I can't help myself around books these days. AWK.

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    1. THANKS, CAIT! I try to be an “eclectic reader" ... XD

      I'M READING SINNER NOW IT'S ALREADY PERFECT I'VE ONLY READ ONE CHAPTER?!!! GAHHH COOOOOOLE!!!!!! I love TDT so much, I can't wait to reread TRC!!! <3 <3 <3

      Go for it!

      I ENVY YOU. Though I feel that, for I am queen of buying a book -- with shrieks of I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS! -- and then leaving it for, like, years ... I try not to think about the size of my TBR. Blegh!

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  4. CINDER! *cheers* I hope you like it!

    *whispers* I haven't read Shadow and Bone yet either and I feel like I need to. Like there's a huge possibility I might adore it if I do.

    What you said about Malachi was just on point. All of the Old Testament prophecy books. Every time I open up Isaiah, I feel like I'm reading about modern day America. It's scary.

    THE DREAM THIEVES!!! ALDKFJA;OEFJA!

    I'm sorry, I can't hear you. Did you say, Cormoran Strike? Who's that by again? Joking! ;) A crime novel sounds fantastic! I shall have to look this one up!

    Gah! Yes, what is it with genres and classics? I can't stand it. Some people are like Jane Austen books are classics. But then there are those people who think Jane Austen wrote historical romance. -_- What even?! Jane Austen wrote about her own era. She even wrote about her own society and social status; she wrote what she knew. She wrote about everyday life. By today's standards, she was basically a contemporary writer of her time. Or so says I. . .

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    1. I HOPE SO!

      I feel the same possibility! Though tbh it's not on the #1 priority list, actually ... you know my ten series at a time rule? I FINALLY CRACKED IT ABOUT THREE HOURS AGO WHEN I FINISHED CAREER OF EVIL! I mean, I've not actually finished the series, but there are no more /published/ books right now, so I am only ACTIVELY reading ten series! Go me! And I've just started Sinner so that will be another complete! Which means I can start the Lunar Chronicles!!!!

      But priorities after that are Daughter of Smoke and Bone, then TMI, THEN Grisha. Then a million other things ... ~cries forever~

      Isaiah! We just started a series on it in church. Yes, yes, yes. You are right. The old testament is only old in one way; not in another!

      I KNOW! Will reply to email soon, promises.

      YOU SHOULD YOU SHOULD. Cormoran really inspired me with the whole Jem-wants-to-be-a-detective thing. (Because, let's face it, I don't ACTUALLY want him to grow up to be a high-functioning sociopath. Whereas Cormoran is an A* role model. (Not saying that just cause I fancy him a bit ... *ahem*))

      HISTORICAL ROMANCE?! EW. But yes yes yes you are right! She was writing contemporaries! We still class, eg, the Georgia Nicolson books as contemporaries ... but the first ones at least were published in the 90s?? It is all very confusing. Genres stress the heck out of me, if I'm honest.

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    2. Whoohoo! That's always exciting! I always feel so accomplished after finishing a series. A little sad that it's over perhaps. . . But it's such a huge, momentous thing to read all the books and be able to understand the fandom references without worrying about spoilers, you know? Shadow and Bone isn't exactly on my priority list either? But I am hoping to read it eventually.

      Oh, TMI? That's The Mortal Instruments, right? Have you read any of Cassandra Clare's books? I have not yet and I'm always hearing about them. I am super curious and want to read them sometime too, hopefully.

      Really? I did not know that Cormoran was a detecting Jem inspiration. That's interesting. Now I really want to read it.

      Genres are always stressing. *rolls eyes* I'll probably rant about via blogpost soonish.

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    3. YES. FANDOM REFERENCES WITHOUT SPOILERS. It is the best thing! I think about that surprisingly often >.<

      No I haven't, but yes I really want to because some of my friends are OBSESSED.

      He is indeed! I love him. A LOT.

      They're the worst D:

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  5. Did you say her blog is A*? You British people... xDD

    Ooh, my brothers like those Roman mystery books.

    That Di Caprio gif, though

    Romeo and Juliet. Oh my goodness, my 15 year old heart could not take the shallowness of those characters. They barely knew anything about each other!

    I also disagree with you on The Great Gatsby. I don't like any of the characters BUT it keeps drawing me in! And the annoying characters were so funny, I can't deny that! I'm a black person so I probably hate Tom that little bit more but I find this quote absolutely hilarious "And who is this Gatsby guy anyhow, some bootlegger?" (somewhere along those lines).

    Haven't read Narnia yet (I know, I know). But I really like The Book Thief!

    I should check out Why We Broke Up.

    I have bought Me Before You but I haven't read it because I want to finish some dystopian books (ie Divergent and Maze Runner) before my siblings ruin them for me!

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    1. What would you say?? (Where are you from?!) XD

      THEY ARE THE BEST. The best. Hijack your brothers' copies and thank me later.

      MY HEART.

      Nooooo! They don't need to! They know it is fate!

      GATSBY IS MY ONE LOVE. (But if you don't like Rom and Jul, I guess you wouldn't like Gatsby -- that is, GatsBAE -- either.) Tom is the absolute worst >.>

      NARNIA. It'll change your life, just saying, just saying. I need to reread TBT like, now. It's been too long.

      YEAH YOU SHOULD.

      Pesky siblings! I'm amazed you're still spoiler free on Divergent, I feel like the entire internet has an opinion on that series!

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    2. I see! Well. Yes. Her blog IS A*.

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  6. I need to read the Robert Galbraith books - I feel like I'm really missing out! Also, you're not alone in not having read Shadow and Bone - I haven't yet, but it is on my book shelf, so maybe someday soon I'll get around to it. You know, I didn't really have any interest in reading All the Light We Cannot See, until I saw the movie trailer that is - it has piqued my interest in giving it a shot.

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    1. I forgot to add - if you're looking for steampunk you might want to try "Revenge and the Wild" by Michelle Modesto, "Soulless" by Gail Carriger, or "Leviathan" by Scott Westerfeld. I haven't read much of the genre, but those are some of my favorites! :)

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    2. YOU ARE MISSING OUT. THEY ARE SO GOOD. And whilst they're very different to HP, I do feel that there are many connections, and-- I JUST LOVE JKR SO MUCH. SO MUUUUCH. Huh, I'm glad I'm not the only one! Have you read Six of Crows? As for AtLWCS, I didn't have much interest, and then I found it in a charity shop and I actually read the first few pages but I didn't hook me so I left it, but THEN I found out it was a Pulitzer winner! Which did it. XD

      Thanks for the recs, I'll look out for them! :D

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    3. I haven't read Six of Crows yet either, I have the impression that I should read Shadow and Bone first.

      The Pulitzer definitely intrigued me, but I didn't really want to take the plunge until I saw that trailer. Someday I'll get to it, as soon as it comes back to the library! :)

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    4. I too have that impression. We will get there! (One day ...)

      When you do, let me know! :)

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  7. So many books, looks at all the books I need to still buy, and at the teetering pile I still need to read. Why not add some to the list. :D

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    1. Why not!? Hahaha it is a real struggle XD

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  8. Thanks for tagging me! I'm going to be reading the first book of the Harry Potter series soon. I'm excited lol. Shadow and Bone is on my list too. XD I need to read that book.

    storitorigrace.blogspot.com

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    1. Are you?!! THAT IS SO EXCITING. I COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED FOR YOU. *ahem*

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  9. How am I a month behind on your blog, Emily? HOW? I seem to have trouble balancing all the things... When I keep up with people's blogs, beta reading suffers. And since I've been catching up on beta reading, my blog commenting has gone downhill. Whyyyy...

    But anyway, I'm here, so expect a lot of Tracey comments. XD

    I never read more than one novel at once, either. You're right, it DOES feel like an affair. (BTW, I love how worn your Bible is in that picture.)

    When it comes to classics, genres are indeed blurry. And I don't think classics has ever been my most-read genre. EVER. >.< I admire your distinguished reading tastes. And if you want to try out steampunk, I highly recommend Illusionarium by Heather Dixon! ;)

    LOL, you quoted my "ew" line. XD Oh my word, A Suitable Boy is GINORMOUS. And I thought Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell was long...

    AHHH, BUT THIS POST IS FULL OF SO MANY WONDERFUL-SOUNDING BOOKS. I like the sound of The Library of Unrequited Love--such a cute idea! And you are actually the second-last person on earth who hasn't read Shadow and Bone, because I haven't either. :P

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    1. FEAR NOT! I am often to be found striding gaily to someone's blog three weeks late. It happens.

      I look forward to responding to all of them :D

      IT IS IMPOSSIBLE. Ha, I've had that Bible since I was about seven. It's the only one I have. I remember my parents gave it to me for Christmas ... I was kinda like “great. A Bible." ... The things I did not know fully then ... !

      Illusionarium is definitely on my radar, thanks to you!

      Your ew line did make me lol! ASB is the longest book I have every read, it's nearly 1500 pages, but WORTH EVERY ONE OF THEM. I love that book a LOT.

      TLoUL is wonderful, I love it! Ah, glad someone's in the same boat as me ... We will have to compare notes one day!

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Thanks for commenting! :)