I am hardcore procrastinating some edits…so let me flop across my blog with a book tag.
I often have people say “oh so you’re a blogger turned author?” but, look, let me be perfectly honest with you. I was a writer first. I started blogging to constructively procrastinate lmaooo. I confess to being a little thin on ideas right now, but I was most thankfully tagged for the…
20 Questions Book Tag
thanks to Heather and Lilian! and I love answering questions so thank you! (Also, feel free to tag me for things! If I don’t do it, it’s only because I already have…I have been here for 7 years ok I’m like an ancient tree.)
But before I dive in…I have a new blog look! In case you haven’t heard my dramatic perilous saga before: back in October my blog just gave up emailing people my posts. Devastating? I think yes. My sister’s husband does my blog maintenance and hosts it, etc, so we decided to try a new theme to see if that would fix the issue. (Trust me, I tried everything. I deleted half my frikkin’ widgets at one stage.)
I’m pretty much holding my breath and hoping this post will turn up in people’s inboxes again. (UNIVERSE, PLEASE.) Because I have a book coming out in 40 days and I kind of want !! to be able to promote it !! I haven’t been the best blogger lately and this is partially due to a blogging-crisis (I perhaps will post about that) and partially because of my broke blog.
I’m still tidying and I have to reformat all of my featured images — so if you see anything untamed, let me know and I’ll fix it! And tell me if it emails you again!! (I’m really excited to have my instagram feed displaying at the end of my blog!! And my books are in the side bar all shiny and professional!)
20 Questions Book Tag
1. How many books are too many for a series?
Mate, if you’re enjoying it, then the answer is: NEVER TOO MANY. My preference of delight is either trilogies or quartets. I love duologies, don’t get me wrong, but there has literally never been a duology where I didn’t say “ummm wait I want more” like the ungrateful sea urchin I am. For instance: Strange the Dreamer and Muse of Nightmares? PERFECTION. Did I want more? Heck yes.
Ok ok but I do admit if a series goes on too long, then I fall into problems. Like (1) do I reread them each year?! bc I only feel like it if I’m absolutely obsessed with the series and that’s rare. And (2) sometimes I outgrow the series before it’s done and that’s p a i n.
2. How do you feel about cliffhangers?
I will whinge for yeeeeeeeears. But also please do this to me. Just hurl my limp carcass off a cliff, go on. I will (a) remember the book better, and (b) buy the next book faster.
3. Hardcover or paperback?
I love collecting hardcovers but I prefer reading paperbacks! So in a well-ordered universe where I am a billionaire and have a castle in Scotland full of books — I will collect both. Currently my collection is mostly paperbacks because (a) cheaper! and (b) Australia is allergic to hardcovers anyway. *
* seriously why don’t we print tHeM?!?!?!?!
4. Favourite book?
As if this question has a SINGULAR ANSWER. I’m going to turn into a stressed coral reef and collapse at this rate thx so much. Just let me…have a list.
(And we’re assuming that me putting the first book in a series = the whole series is the best.)
5. Least favourite book?
With the whole “am an author and not just a blogger now” thing…I’m actually piping down on negative opinions. Obviously I’m not against them!! Analysing and critiquing literature is part of blogging! So go for it. But I’m going to hush. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
6. Love triangles, yes or no?
If Cassandra Clare writes them then 10000 x yes.
Look I kind of hate triangles because they’re sloppy?! It’s always so obvious who’ll get chosen. BUT. There are so many cool twists that excite my little bookworm soul. So please leave me with triangles that: (a) they all break up (shhsh I’m mean), or (b) they just all kiss, (c) they decide they’re not actually in love, they just make a good team, or (d) two parts are fighting over one part but then THEY fall in love instead and run off from the one who couldn’t choose between them.
Aw so many options for such a tired trope!
7. The most recent book you couldn’t finish?
I finish everything sob sob. Sometimes I wish I didn’t?! But I hate things that linger — like half read books and ghosts and siblings who hover when you get the chocolate out.
8. A book you’re currently reading?
➸ The King’s Men by Nora Sakavic — actually a reread because I’m so in love with this series and how it sTAbs me in the chest after every chapter.
➸ Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott — I mean technically as I write this post I haven’t started it…!! But I will today!
9. Last book you recommended to someone?
With every last wisp of air in my lungs, I will forever tell you to read The Raven Cycle. FOR EVER. (Have you yet???)
10. Oldest book you’ve read by publication date?
Oh wow. Make me stop and think why don’t you…
I’ve read a fair few classics? So I don’t know…Treasure Island or Oliver Twist or Robinson Crusoe, I guess?! (Ooh the latter was 1719 so probably dear old Crusoe…WHO I HATED. What a racist creep.)
11. Newest book you’ve read by publication date?
➸ Keep This To Yourself by Tom Ryan! It doesn’t come out till May 7th. (Also it was good! It’s a murder mystery with some serious twists and it’s #ownvoices queer!)
But seriously pause for a moment for me to climb atop a small box and shout — LOOK I HAVE MY ACT TOGETHER FOR AN ARC FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE.
12. Favourite author?
There. are. so. many. Let’s go with my auto-buy authors, including: Maggie Stiefvater, Cassandra Clare, K. Ancrum, Adam Silvera, Laini Taylor, and Holly Black.
13. Buying books or borrowing books?
At this point in my life: I buy books more than I borrow. This is because I don’t have a good local libraryyyyy and my soul is turning to miss and fading into the carpet.
I love libraries so so much. Why? Because (1) no pressure reading, (2) no demands for WHEN to read, aka like it is with ARCs, and (3) if I don’t like it, no worries, I didn’t waste money!
(But my book buying budget is very small because I am very small. Most of my books are gifts from publishers or book boxes I work with!)
14. A book you dislike that everyone seems to love?
everything by s a r a h j m a a s
15. Bookmarks or dog ears?
That this even has to be ASKED is disturbing?! Tell me the majority of us use bookmarks??? PLEASE???
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16. A book you can always re-read?
I’m planning on doing yearly Stiefvater rereads! But that surprises no one haha. I also have read The Wicker King, The Foxhole Court and The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue several times and always am here for mooooore.
17. Can you read while listening to music?
I can’t do anything while listening to music. [insert wail here] I need 1000% quiet if I want to focus. I have pretty intense sensory processing disorder, so everything is too L O U D for me all the time.
18. One POV or multiple?
Ooof. I love one because it can truly immerse you in the story and you can be entirely someone else for 300+ pages. And some books would lose impact if they had multiple perspectives. HOWEVER. Almost all my favourites have several POVs.
19. Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?
I love reading books in ONE day + MULTIPLE sittings. But I have this tragic habit of avoiding books I can’t read in one day. And that’s ridiculous, Cait?? Can you please get your life together??? Like I will literally read nothing for a day instead of pacing myself out to read a book over several days.
I have like zero explanation except for being a chronic overachiever?? If you can’t SUCCEED all at once, then WEEP.
20. Who do you tag?
Anyone! I have no idea who has vs hasn’t done this tag…so go for it if you want to! I also don’t know who invented it, but if anyone knows, shout out and I’ll credit this better.)
ahhh your new blog look is GORGEOUS! it feels like i can breathe a bit more with all the white space, everything seems more organised and it’s just wonderful!! i hope i do start receiving emails again soon.
I don’t really MIND how long a series is as long as there are no filler books. Like if a series needs to be 7 books long then GO FOR IT!! I like duologies a lot because I feel like they don’t have filler books most of the time? but also I am daunted by long series all the time! so it depends. and love triangles, well. I mean i’m reading an ember in the ashes and normally i have a strong opinion on who i want to be together in the love triangle BUT I HAVE NO IDEA. i hate being indecisive. i usually don’t mind them too much tbh if they’re not like the focal point of the novel. i don’t like when it becomes really whiny and full of miscommunication though!!
Aw I’m so glad you think so!! 😍 I’m really happy with how it turned out and it’s kind of amazing how a new look can also reinvigorate you for blogging?! I am FULL of blogging power 🎉🎉 (lol while it lasts)
And yes agreed about the filler books! I think duologies do take away that pressure, also they’re easier to commit to? I just still whine when they’re over because I almost always want more. 😂Ooh I see you like Ember? I totally shipped the wrong people in that one lmao, but I do want to get back and read the rest.
OH HEY I CAN VOTE ON POLLS AGAIN.
Anyway. The blog looks great, Cait! I think for me like 4 books is a maximum in series because more just seems to make it drag out a bit. Also agree with SJM. I’ve been turned off her writing forever. But hey, live and let live. If people enjoy her books, more power to them.
I can’t stand love triangles unless they’re done WELL. (which they aren’t most of the time…)
I’m currently reading a series of indie books but I am so eager to read Vengeful from Queen Schwab now that I have a beautiful shiny hardcover that I got for Valentine from my Boo. It’s so nice to have a boyfriend that understands my bookish needs. Also I pre-ordered Jeff Zentner’s new book and Aurora Rising and A Curse So Dark And Lonely is on its way too. TOO MANY BOOKS AND SO LITTLE TIME. WHY????
Anyway, I’m hoping to poke my head back in the blogging world soon. Here’s hoping nobody has forgotten about me. 😭😭
AHHHH I’m glad some things are working here lmao.😂 And also I do think 4 is a good solid number. Like I am HERE for any length of series Cassandra Clare wants to write, also Riordan tbh. But I have to be really invested in the series and they have to not be like 700+ pages each. *coughs at SJM again* But I agree with you. I’m not here to hate on people who like SJM books. I’m just out. 😂
I hope you like Vengeful!! I think I liked Vicious better, but they’re both so masterfully written. (And I haven’t forgotten about you *hugs*)
Love the new theme!!! 💙
I hate love triangles bc sometimes I’ll ship both sides and it gets all messy.
And the email came straight into my inbox instead of the social tab so good for you!!!!!!
The biggest series I can stand is Harry Potter. Anything more and I’ll stay far, far away
omg I’m so glad you got the email 😭💛 I have no idea if this is working or not lmao, but hopefully it continues! And Harry Potter was pretty long! I think my longest is A Series of Unfortunate Events at 12.
For the record, I don’t think I ever stopped getting the emails, so something must be working. With dogearing I think you have to own the book and it should probably be paperback. My brother used to dogear library books and it was one of the biggest conflicts we’ve ever had. 🙂 Are you excited for the Ronan trilogy coming out in November?
omg really!? Then I have zero idea what’s up with wordpress 😂 I wash my hands of it. It can just mock me in the dark distance lmao. But yes! I am totally for people treating their books HOWEVER they want: as long as they own them.😂
(I’m about to pass out due to my excitement for the Ronan books.) !!!!!!!!
I’m liking the new blog design, it’s very neat 🙂 also I DID get the email
I think I have cracked my series preferences: trilogies and quartets are my favorite, trilogies because they’re relatively short and if done well it can feel like one big three act structure and quartets because you get rid of the middle book problem. And eight is too many for me, I don’t know why but I’ve never read a series last eight books, the longest series I’ve read is Harry Potter and anything five books and beyond scares me (seriously if on Goodreads I see a series is 5+ books I am 87% less likely to click the to-read button)
I think love triangles in theory are good but I haven’t seen them done very well. Like the only love triangle that comes to mind that has actually enhanced my experience is the main one in Vampire Academy because I have become trash for that series and will be crying about it for 3638362826382637 years. Although I haven’t read any Cassandra Clare books yet and I am interested to see what I’ll think of the love triangles in those.
Also I ‘m currently reading The Raven Cycle because you’ve been recommending it forever, thanks for the pain :’)
omgggg you got the email?! 😱 some people say they did, some they didn’t…I DIDN’T. I’m so confused but like oh well, by this point. WordPress, just go do your thing and I’ll just be an awkward lump in the background.
I do like the structure of trilogies too! And I agree that really long series do make for commitment troubles. I think my maximum favourites are probably the Shadowhunters (with 6 for TMI) and The Raven Cycle (with 4). But then there are spin-offs like Riordan’s immense worlds, but I love them. And Lemony Snicket. 😂 But middle grade is different lmao. They’re so short.
And you’re WELCOME for reading TRC. Honestly my goal on this earth is just to recommend it to everyone. So I am here, succeeding. 😌
I dogeared books in college! It’s because we were allowed to bring our books to the final exam so we could look up quotes, but we weren’t allowed to bring paper (including bookmarks). I dogeared pages with quotes I thought I’d use. Poor books. I felt so bad while I was mangling them.
That makes total sense tbh 😂 and also like textbooks probably shouldn’t count haha.
Loved reading this! Your blog and book photography is so pretty! ❤️👍
omg thank you !!! 😍 this is so kind of you to say!
I am currently reading four books which speaks about the dire state of my reading progress. My brain has been having difficulties to focus lately and I’m one step away from sobbing earnestly.
Confession: I ACTUALLY ADORE LOVE TRIANGLES. They’re painful to read (and irritating if not written well) but I quite enjoy reading them.
Also, I agree that there’s never enough books in a series if you enjoy reading it. If Rick Riordan decides to write a series with a hundred books in it, I will still support it 100%.
P. S. I read TRC because of you and I LOVE IT TOO. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I’ll totally sob in earnest with you. Total mood tbh. And hey I’m glad you like love triangles!! I think a lot of us got thoroughly burnt on them a few years back, but they’re like any trope: write it well and it can be fab.
Riordan can write Percy Jackson 49849 and I will read it.
(ASFJDKALD I’m so glad I convinced you to TRC. 😭💛💛💛💛 my rEASON to be on this earth.)
I struggled through… a lot of Sarah J. Maas books. I just… couldn’t, for some reason, accept that they just weren’t my thing? I’ve spoken to so many people who just had SUCH a different reading experience from the one I had, to the point where it feels like we read a different book? But yeah, very much not my cup of tea. Due to a combination of personal storytelling preferences and stuff that she seems to favour that honestly just makes me cringe a bit… Which is something I PROBABLY should have figured out before attempting to read a 7th book authored by her, but we all have our personal failings and one of mine is, apparently, an inability to learn a lesson the first six times.
I get it! Truly! I actually liked the first books but then her style and content drastically changed. It wasn’t even a character arc, it was just this absolute switch to a completely different character/storyline and I’m not here for horny 20+ year olds growling and having sex and backstabbing their friends.😂 I’m out. (Also the problematic diversity content makes me cringe.)
AHH Cait, your new blog design looks so, so pretty, I love it SO much! <3 I really hope that will solve your email issue, fingers crossed! <3
I loved reading your answers! I so agree with you about hardcovers and paperbacks, I love hardcovers but, I just prefer reading paperbacks overall, they're way more practical and easier to read somehow, too? and I LOVE your list of favorite books, RADIO SILENCE YAY YAY YAY. I love this book SO much <3 <3
I’m confused as to if it’s solved the email issue or not tbh 😂 Some people say it has but some it hasn’t so who knooooows. WordPress is just laughing at me.
And I’m glad you’re with me on the paperbacks vs hardcovers! (Radio Silence is a GIFT to this world.)
I have actually read The Raven Cycle based on your recommendation and now its probably my favourite series.
Also, I have been getting all your emails except in October/November but these past months I have got them all.
omg my day is MADE. this is my purpose here 😍 I shall convert everyone to TRC!!!
(Also omg the emails work!??! I’M SO HAPPY.)
I have to admit…I dog ear books…sometimes. I mean, I try not to, but, lowkey, when I hate a book as much as I hate books I have to read for school like Crime and Punishment sometimes I just…do it… *hides in shame* Most of my all time favorite books have multiple POVs too like Lunar Chronicles and Six of Crows<3
😂😂 I’ll forgive you hahaa. But no seriously, people should do what they want with their books! (Six of Crows is AMAZING.)
I like the new design! I’m not sure if it’ll have any impact on the e-mails (I was still getting them, even if my e-mail was putting them in weird folders). I guess we’ll see going forward.
I’m struggling with the love-triangle question. I think it’s because it’s been ages since I read a book with a love triangle! (Actually, it’s been ages since I read a YA novel, which is where most love triangles seem to live. The last YA novel I read didn’t really have one.) I don’t mind love triangles, as long as there isn’t one completely unappealing ass who’s thrown in there just for the sake of making a triangle. I want both options to be good!
Ohhh wait you were still getting emails?! I’m SO CONFUSED. 😫 i don’t know what’s going on lmao. I’ll just go live in a well.
And I do think love triangles just have to be written right! I hate it when someone is randomly introduced, like you said, and it’s all suddenly “and they’re in love TOO” and I’m over here like: since when. 😂
Currently scrolling through blog posts to avoid editing my WIP and finishing my new blog design lol. Your pictures are gorrrrrrgeous! Completely agree about cliffhangers, by the way. I’ll complain until the day the next book comes out but give em to me anyways.
Aww thank you about my pictures! And honestly procrastination by blogging is my entire mood so *hi fives*
OOH I love tags…so I’m going to do this!
Also YES I agree that love triangles are great if Cassandra Clare writes them!!
They’re so much fun! All the bookish questions. 😂🎉🎉
I LOVE THE NEW DESIGN i loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
And I prefer stand alones and trilogies in general no more of that
I don’t like love triangles too
I read while listening to music and I read while I walk 🙂 and I do not fall jajaja
I’M SO GLAD, THANK YOU NINA!!! But hey wait, you read AND WALK!? You are a wizard. It’s official.
I LOVE the new look and I am so happy you kept the same header. I was worried that it would change but YAY it didn’t!! I’ve done this tag, its a lot of fun to do and read. BOOKMARKS FOR THE WIN!! And actually I never stopped getting your emails except for once a while ago??
I thought I should keep it because it’s kind of ME now, right?!😂 Everyone would get lost lmao. But I’m so glad you like the new design! just a little different but fresh and fun. (Bookmarks are LIFE.)
Also omg you still get my emails?????? What is going on.😂I have no idea.
I might do this. I’m having a terrible time with inspiration at the moment.
I too think duologies are too short – more Six of Crows, please! I think I like long series? I don’t really worry about growing out of them. Saying that though, standalones can be more rewarding in the short term.
I just found out that the oldest book I’ve read is from BC rather than AD and that’s kind of freaking me out. Also, Goodreads have added two new types of stats! 😍
Inspiration is being a fickle beast for us both, I see. *wails* I have great ideas when I’m NOT blogging, but when I sit down to write them I’m like “what is this dribble” 😂😂
And yes exactly! Like I LOVE duologies but I want more so …let me be greedy here.😂 Also good on you for reading a BC book!!
(Ugh, so sorry you’ve been having all those problems with your blog! That’s gotta be frustrating! I definitely got the email this time, so that’s good.)
I’m currently reading a book called Arcady’s Goal and it’s historical fiction about life under Stalin in the 1930s.
I want to do this tag now!! 😀
WOOOO YOU GOT THE EMAIL!?!! I’M SO HAPPY!!! 😂💛💛 Some people are telling me they’re still not, so idek what’s going on. My blog is dysfunctional that’s for sure haha. (And your current read sounds like a good but intense one!)
Aww the new design is beautifullllll!! And this was such a fun tag to read! I usually like to read trilogies or stand alone books, but more than four is just too much for me cause then I’m spending a whole month in a series 😂😂
I’m just finishing up the Heros of Olympus books and I’m planning to read Markus Zusak’s Bridge of Clay next! I’m excited for that.
And good luck on the upcoming release of The Boy Who Steals Houses!!
I’m so glad you like it! 😍 I’m really excited at how fresh and clean everything is eep. And oh I hope you like Bridge of Clay! It’s on my TBR but the size is sort of terrifying me. 😂
(And thanks about TBWSH!!)
Loving the new blog look! I hope it helps. I was one that had stopped getting email notifications. And I was worried that you had fallen off the face of the Earth and were now floating around in space somewhere, and what if the Guardians of the Galaxy didn’t know to look for you?! So I checked your blog, just to be sure before sounding the alarm, and realized you were still posting, so it was okay.
Dog-earing books hurts my soul. xD Have you ever seen the magnetic bookmarks? I didn’t know these were a thing, but my mother-in-law got me a set for Christmas. They are now officially my favorite things ever, because they’re sturdier than regular bookmarks and they don’t randomly fall out of pages when I inevitably drop my books because I have the grace of a bull on ice. Unfortunately, I use them just as often as regular bookmarks, but yay, they came in a set of eight lol.
I like shorter series. I mean, I will read (and have read) longer series, but the author has to really just have *it*. You know, that special sauce, probably garnered through selling their soul or ritual sacrifice, that drags you kicking and screaming through every book. Most longer series I read just don’t have that, so I inevitably fizzle out towards the middle, and then I’m mad that I don’t know how it ends.
Also, I’m currently reading Wishtree by Katherine Applegate (which is really a day read, at best) and it’s fabulous and everyone should read it and now I care way too much about trees and if they’re happy.
Aww thanks Sammie!! I’m really excited to have a new design after, woah, how many years?! At least 3 or 4. But I don’t think the emails have actually fixed which sucks a lot, gah. I don’t know what to do now so I’ll probably just drown myself in chocolate and ignore my problems.😂
I have seen the magnetic bookmarks but haven’t tried on yet. I should, I’m guessing?! I tend to lose bookmarks so fast it’s a problem haha.
And yes i love those series I’m TOTALLY obsessed with and won’t care how many books are in it, because I’ll follow with total dedication. 😍
Chocolate fixes all problems. And if you put out enough chocolate, you’ll probably attract the people not getting emails. xD I had to refollow the blog myself in order to get emails again, but it seems to be working since I did that. So I’m guessing a glitch somewhere just up and erased my subscription? Or maybe it took trying to resubscribe to get my email back in the system. I don’t know. Chocolate sounds pretty good now .xD
I meant to say I lose (not use, but also that I guess) them as much as regular bookmarks lol. The good thing is they’re really cheap. Like $4 or $5 for a pack of eight (though, my mother-in-law found them at the dollar store, so that was an even better deal lol). I don’t know where you can find them in Australia. I find everything on Amazon, personally.
Ohhh that’s interesting that a resubscribe worked?! It won’t send them to me which I find super frustrating, gah. But yeah!! CHOCOLATE FTW.
Hope your email problem is straightened out!
I usually remember my place in my book, so I don’t use anything to mark where I’m reading. Definitely don’t mutilate books though.
keturahskorner.blogspot.com
Apparently the emails are still broken *cries* 😂😫😫 But hey that is a total talent that you remember your place without a bookmark! I could not do that!!
omg your blog design is so nice on the phone and i’m so glad you kept your ICONIC and PRETTY arrow!! 💖💖💖💖💖 also question: is the staying hush on books you don’t like an optional thing or do publishers specifically request it?
Eeeep I’m so glad! particularly that it’s nice on the phone too. 😍
(And oh that’s totally on me for deciding not to do negative reviews! I tossed up about it for a LONG time pre-publication and this is what I decided just to minimise anxiety and causing waves. 😂)
Well, I’ve been getting your Mailchimp emails after re-subscribing when your WordPress emails stopped coming (and haven’t started up yet). A really nice new design, but after the old one for so long, it’ll take a little bit of getting used to lol
I’m glad the mailchimp ones come through…I don’t even know what to do about WordPress now. 😫This was like my FINAL idea on how to fix it afjdksladh. I’ll just go sit and cry for a while lmao.
Yes new designs do take a bit of adjustment! I tried to choose one that’s not too different. 😂
There is no perfect number when it comes to series. A series should continue until the moment it should stop. Unfortunately, there is no perfect formula for determining when a series should stop, so there are a lot of authors still writing a series that should have stopped ages ago. And there are a few of these series that I am still reading ’cause I’m just addicted.
Annnnnywho.
Love triangle opinions. A love triangle should be organic and there to provide character development, not reader angst and conflict. If you want conflict, there are much better ways to do that.
My currently reading stack is 30 books high, but I’ll list them for you…
The Tomb of the Sea Witch; Magic Kingdom for Sale – Sold!; Question Quest; Streams of Civilization Vol. II; Fawks; Daughter of the Pirate King; Isle of Swords; The Color of Her Panties; The Theif, the Maiden, and the Dragon; Cinderella’s Dress, The Songweaver’s Vow; Sinking; Mark of the Raven; The Land Without Color; Ashlynn’s Dreams; Unbound Enchantment; The Convenient Marriage, Of Sea and Shadow; The Redeemer Chronicles; Paws, Claws, and Magic Tails; Mansfield Park; The Last Motley; The Wolf Prince; Beast Hunter; Dagger’s Sleep; The Tower Princess; The Stealthmaster’s Shadow; the original Beauty and the Beast; A Stargazer’s Question and Beyond the Ecliptic; and The Little White Horse.
Happy now?
I kind of don’t think any author CAN write a series past where it “should” stop, because isn’t that so subjective?! Like me telling another author to stop assumes I know more about their work than they do.😂 And that’s not right lmao. There are definitely authors I’m over their long series because I grew out of them, but they’ve got an audience so I’ll leave it to them haah.
You have so many books you’re reading at once!! 😱
I assure that I’d be the last person on earth who would tell an author, still enjoying their work, that they should stop writing it. In fact, I’d argue that what I mean is kinda the opposite. I’m referring to series that, were it up the AUTHOR would have ended five books ago, but because they’re popular with readers/sell well/publishers demand more, they just keep writing the books, frequently resulting in books that become formulaic. And I can’t fault anyone for trying to write what sells and trying to satisfy their fans, but it just makes me sad, tbh, when I look at an author, trapped in a series, and wonder what they could have moved on to, but they haven’t yet. It also annoys me when they STOP writing a series that they clearly enjoy, just because it’s not selling.
It’s for this reason that I really respect Rick Riordan as an author – he could be trying to write all of the mythology himself, trying to cash in on the franchise that he has built, but instead he is fostering creativity in other authors, who can handle and really dig deep into a mythology better than he can.
Ohhh! Sorry for misinterpreting you! Sometimes I totally don’t read comments right and I’m very embarrassed about that.
I guess it’s always hard to tell what’s going on “behind the scenes” especially with traditionally published authors? Because like from our view point, it might look like they’re being told to write books they don’t want to. But in reality we’re just the ones not feeling it while they’re still in love with their work? I LOVE that Riordan has spread his platform to lift up other voices. 💛 They’re still all pretty formulatic but I love it and I know, as a kid, I would’ve been there for it.
(I do agree that it seems some authors get trapped into ONE series and can’t move on. JK Rowling? 😂😂)
Okay first the good news: l love your design, AND I now am able to vote in polls like a normal-ish person, woooo! Bad news, I am still not getting emails. Sorry ♥
I love seeing your books in the sidebar, it’s just so… lovely. I would never dog ear. EVER. Also, I don’t know that I have a lead-favorite book either, and since I’ll amount to nothing, I have no problem sharing my negative opinions 😉 But seriously, I mean, I can probably list a few books I’d not recommend but I luckily haven’t hated anything *that* much?
Oh, and I don’t mind a love triangle, IF it is done well, and feels authentic to the story. Because let’s face it, sometimes it probably happens. Obviously to people who aren’t me, unless we’re talking the losing end, BUT STILL.
The emails are killlllinggggg meeeeeeee. *screams into the void* 😭😭😭 Shall I just give up? lmao. What is my blogging life. BUT!!! At least the design is fresh and I’m all motivated to blog haha.
I do not understand why one would dog-ear. I mean I’m trying not to judge but also…why.
I think most tropes CAN be good (even the annoying ones haha) if they’re well written!? I think so many books just follow the formula route with them though, so it gets boring. 😂
I love the new layout! I hope it all works out better for you. & I feel the saaame way about Sarah J. Maas, actually. Sometimes scrolling through bookstagram I feel like the ONLY PERSON ALIVE who dislikes her & everyone else seems to love her & I just…I just don’t get it. NOW I KNOW I AM NOT ALONE
omg good that I’m not alone in being over SJM stuff. 😂 And SAME with bookstagram?! Her books are usually everywhere and my eyes glaze over a little. We little rebels must stick together.😂
I’ve still been getting your posts emailed for a while since you fixed it with something else when it first broke, so I’m still following! 🙂
And AWE THANK YOU for remembering me!!! Even though I did this tag like…a year ago? XD Honestly I forgot I even tagged you for this, and then I started reading and I thought “this feels familiar, was it one of the ones I tagged her in? …uh, yup.” XD 😛
omg you do??? that’s so weird that some people don’t. 😫 I don’t…lmao sob. And this post didn’t fix that so I kind of give up. (Also was THIS A YEAR AGO???? I’m so sorry. 😂 Lilian tagged me for it just now and I’m like, oh yeah I’ll combine this with Heather’s! *facepalm* I didn’t realise how old that draft post was.)
so much fun. I did it too!
It’s a fun tag!😂
What a fun book tag! I was also running out of ideas for a post this week, so I completely understand. I’m currently reading Summer Bird Blue and The Darkest Part of the Forest. SBB has great representation of Hawaii so far, the best I’ve read yet. And I’m struggling to get through TDPF, though I’m not entirely sure why.
I’m glad you liked it!! It’s kind of hard to think up posts sometimes, right? I get my best ideas when I CAN’T blog and by the time I sit down to write I’m like: what on earth was I trying to say. 😂 Aw I love TDPOTF so I hope it ends up working for you!
hmmmmm I’m slightly in love with your new blog design, I love the font and the headlines and everything is so clean and nice I love it!
anyway, I don’t necessarily mind love triangles but I want them to be *more* than just a cliché of jealousy and annoyance. I want polyamorous people or someone dying or whatever. (damn I sound like fun haha)
I’m in such a reading slump right now, I want to read this ARC called The Bird King but I also want to reread Raven Boys but I also just wanna sleep??? help???
yesss I’m so glad you like the design 😍It’s not like massively different, but just enough that it feels really fresh?! I’m excited!
And agreed about the triangles. Basically let them be queer.🎉
Just reread the Raven Boys < -- me giving great life advice while your TBR probably yells at us both 😂
Ahh I’m loving this new look! It all looks so clean and shiny, and I can also cast my votes on your posts again 😀 I love paperback too and I think trilogies are the sweet spot for many series. I’m all for longer series if I really enjoyed it, but in general if it’s something I haven’t read and there’s like 30 books out already, I would be intimidated!
I’m so glad you like the design! 😍 I’m super happy with it even though the email don’t seem to be working still aghhhh…next step is to just eat chocolate and ignore my problems. 😂
(Also agreed with the intimidation! Like people tell me to read Terry Pratchett, but he has fifty million books out and I have NO idea where to start.)
I think that I get discouraged if I see a series is super long. I give up before even starting the series. Unless I’ve already started the series, in which case I sometimes just stop reading in middle because I can’t keep up with (AND REMEMBER) everything that’s going on. So I actually like standalones, but if it’s going to be a series I like it at tops four books. I’ve found that I like duologies and quartets better than trilogies for some odd reason.
I also found it a lot of fun to read your list of favorite authors and go “Yup. Classic. Of course. Obviously.” You’re great at giving your favorite authors all the love in your posts!
I can get discouraged too 😂 like, woah there are 7 books and they’re stretching beyond 600 pages each!? help 😂 And the remembering is the worst, if we’re waiting YEARS between books omg. This is why adult fantasy kills me.
And aw that actually makes me smile! I love promoting my faves! 😍
Okay, in my defense, the only time I dog-ear pages is when I’m reading a reference book for school.
I preordered TBWSH and I’m so excited to read it!!!!!! Currently I’m rereading Inkspell, by Cornelia Funke.
omggg thank you for preordering! YOU ARE AMAZING. And also Cornelia Funke is incredible. I adore her Reckless series so much.
I still haven’t read The Raven Cycle and I feel like I seriously need to rectify this – I own both Raven Boys and Shiver and yet haven’t picked either up?! I also have to finish everything I read! I hate the idea of not knowing how things end even if it’s terrible! Also the new blog design is lovely! <3 x
samanthafrances.co.uk
You haaaaave to 😍😍 they’re just the best things of my life and I’m always thinking about them!!! Also I’m so glad you like the new design!!☺️
I like the redesign! It feels…professional. Authorly. Is that even a word.
Lately, I’ve been having slight issues viewing images on your site – unrelated to the redesign, since it started a couple weeks earlier. When I first go to a page, none of the images load. I have to click “View Image” on the spot where an image should be, then hit back, and then suddenly all the images appear. Nobody else seems to have mentioned this, so hopefully it’s just my computer being weird? FWIW I use Firefox.
Aw thank you! 😍 Now I just have to … um, be authorly to go with it. 😂
Also I’ll look into the image thing, but I do have a lazy load widget? It’s supposed to make the blog load faster, but it means it only loads the images directly on your screen, so they might take a few seconds to show up?
Loved your answers, Cait 😊
I hope the new theme solves all your blog issues. It is looking good so far.
I like trilogies. A series having more than 3 books seems loke too much chore to me 🙈
And yes, I haven’t read The Raven Cycle yet just so you know, whenever I would pick it, that will will be because of you only 😂
I have recently ordered Five Feer Apart and can’t wait to read it. Waiting for your views ☺️
Eeep thank you Sim!!💛 I hope you do try the Raven Cycle even though you prefer trilogies haha. But I do agree, once the series gets really long, unless you’re MASSIVELY invested, it gets tedious?!
I love your posts so much, so thank you for continuing through your broken blog meltdown and providing us fellow bookworms with great, funny content! But as soon as I read your response to Q:6 I was a grinning, giggling mess, I loved your answer, every alphabeticalised sub-cateregory/possible outcome of the love triangle WERE COMPLETE PERFECTION AND WISH I HAD THOUGHT OF MYSELF! I just needed to say that, thank you! 😀
Aww that’s so kind of you to say 😫💛💛💛 I really enjoy blogging so it’s nice to know people like my posts too!! (And so glad we agree on the triangles lmao.) 😂
Yay for the new theme. I share the pain of not be able to DNF books, even if I steel myself to do it I come right back to it after a book or two. But unlike you I so hate and despise cliffhangers. I won’t buy a book that ends in a cliffhanger, forget the next one.
P.S you don’t have a commentLuv plugin anymore?
I’m glad you like the new theme! And yeah, I just hate the lingering questions I have if I DNF. Not worth it for me. 😫
(I deleted CommentLuv because I was worried it might’ve been broken?)
Oooff, I’d like to say I like duologies/trilogies, but I mostly fall in love with quartets and five+ book-series! Idk why, I guess I like to suffer. But I enjoy both reading and writing giant book series. Look at the Lunar Chronicles, it has prequels and two graphic novels plus the main books of the series and I. need. more. I’ve only read the first book of Percy Jackson but I’m ready to dive in Riordan’s wold and read more and more and more.
I’m going to be honest, I have a strange love-hate relationship with Sarah J. Maas’ books, particularly the Throne of Glass series. I think she’s great at plot twists and banter and Celaena becoming best friends with anyone who gives her chocolate, but I’ve suffered since she changed the whole course of the story after the first two books. No joking.
I hate love triangles unless they’re mine xD Not long ago, Abbie Emmons posted on both her youtube channel and her blog about writing triangles and I think she nailed it. I think she gives great advice on how to write it and I’m definitely going to follow her method for my stories. But tbh, so far, I haven’t read a triangle that satisfies me and so I don’t have a favorite one. Unless you count Blue and all the Raven Boys–series I’m reading thanks to you! And I’m loving it! Adam’s my favorite and I want to protect him with all my heart!
I lOVE this new design!! And by the way, I never stopped getting the emails…
I feel like once I really fall in love with a character cast, I don’t want it to end?! Like The Raven Boys 😭💛 I just so badly wanted more and four sooo wasn’t enough (thank goodness we’re getting another spin-off trilogy). And Riordan is AMAZING at keeping on going in the same world. I love his spin-offs!!
I actually really liked the first ToG books and I was a fan back in the day lmao. But she writes a lot of problematic content and reps diversity carelessly and often badly and it just sort of spiralled into a sex-fest of growling? Caelena didn’t have a character arc. SJM just wrote a new character 😂
I LOVE BLUEEEEEE and her boys. Although I don’t even know if it’s a triangle? Because she wasn’t attracted to Gansey until she broke up with Adam.😂
Yikes, I thought you were on a long hiatus! I still haven’t received any email from your blog, though I tried resubscibing. Do you know if others have been receiving them?
I often find a trilogy to be satisfying. Speaking of which, I need to get back to The Wheel of Time series – which has 14 books!!!
noooo I’m so sad and frustrated 😭 I lost SO many people through this. (Also 14 books is really intense there eep!)
Hope the new design solves your email issues!!
So far it hasn’t 😂 but I can live in hope, right?!
I don’t particularly have a preference! Like you, I find duologies unsatisfying because there always feels like there should be more. I like a trilogy, there’s something incredibly satisfying about arcs of three, but they do have a tendency to suffer from middle book syndrome. I would say however many books is needed to tell a story is the perfect amount, as long as it’s not feeling dragged out then I’ll read to the very end. I despise love triangles, like you I find them predictable and so often, they’re not well done. I’m currently reading A Curse So Dark and Lonely and Hamilton and Peggy: A Revolutionary Friendship.
Three is just a satisfying number right?! It is THE number. I like three. Although I agree that we get middle-book syndrome too often from them, sigh. (Also I hope you like A Curse So Dark! I LOVED that one!)
I think we don’t do hardbacks because I’m pretty sure half our country are illiterate bogans. or at least most of country victoria anyway
Ok that is true. I can’t argue. 😂 You should see QLD.
Cait, the new blog design looks great! Even though I’ll miss the large text & the big pictures, I am absolutely in love with the look of this more minimalist design. It makes the colors of your pictures pop even more!
And I totally relate with you on “avoiding books you can’t read in one sitting”. Last year, my reading schedule was pretty much a mess, and I’d pick up a book > read in one day > not pick up anything else for the next two months. My motivation to read was practically Cinderella, so I kinda had to take advantage of the time I had. I ended up post poning a lot of books I wanted to read, like Obsidio, and only concluded it this year! But I mean, better late than even later, right?
(And absolutely YAY for multiple perspectives. Except for when one of them is suuuuuper boring and it’s almost painful to get through it, but also incredibly rewarding when you switch to the more entertaining one).
Once again, great design, Cait! Hopefully, the problem with your e-mails will be sorted out with the change!
I’m so glad you like it!! I hope the text isn’t TOO small. I didn’t really pick that, but just went with it and I’m loving how clean my posts are looking. I think I could go a bit overboard with the graphics/photos haha.
And omg I’m glad you understand the feel of wanting short books. It’s probably not totally wise of us, but it’s just how the brain works sometimes, right?! Obsidio is AMAZING though ahh. I ended up listening to the audiobook though, so I wouldn’t be scared off the size. 😂
(P.S. I had to resubscribe to your blog a while ago but I’ve been getting notifications just fine since then? (Maybe a month or two ago)).
Ahhh I’m glad it works! Although I complicate things by sometimes sending out the emails manually through Mail Chimp?
Haha…you know I have discovered that most very old books are extremely racist… like I bought this gorgeous illustrated book of fairytales that was originally published FOREVER ago (like 1700s…earlier? I dunno?) and I was like… I’m gonna read this to my kid one day (if I have a kid one day) and then I saw how the n -word featured just so heavily in every single story and I changed my mind.
The pictures were gorgeous though….
Oh this is the truth…and it’s awkward. Like I was thinking about a childhood Australian series I used to love (have you heard of Billabong?) and holy wow, just thinking about how racist they were makes me NOT want to reread. Even though…I remember loving them…back when I did not know much. 😭
This is a great tag!! Definitely going to participate although I am already stressing at the favorite book question hahah. I have accidentally done a yearly TRC reread myself… after a certain amount of time I’m like I miss those books, I should read them again, and it happens every year like clockwork.
Every time that “choose your favourite question” comes up, it’s like maximum stress for all bookworms involved right?! And I miss TRC when I’m not reading it too eep. I hope I’ll get them all reread before Call Down the Hawk 😍
i am WEEPING over your new design. this font? what is it pls because i want to write everything in it, all the time. it’s absolutely gorgeous and i just-
i’m with you on cassie clare’s love triangles being Superior and unless they all acknowledge they’re actually all in love with each another, what’s the point??? i also finally read the scorpio races and oh. my. god!! *cue weeping* it was glorious. absolutely, wholly, spectacularly wonderful and remind me to read everything and anything you recommend again because you have perfect tastes and i’m in your debt forever
AHHHH I’m so glda you like the design! And tbh I have no idea what the font is, but I’m loving it too. 😍
And I’m so here for Clare upping her triangle game by just putting all 3 together. She should’ve done that in the Clockwork series too ahhh. And The Scorpio Races is the purest thing omg. I TOLD YOOOOU.
I think 5 books in a series is plenty. Perhaps the abolsute max would be six, but no more than that. I have a series that is like 15 books and no. Just no. I stopped reading after book 4.
Not a big fan of love triangles though, there is always one you’ll like more than the other, and if not, then you’ll be disappointed with whoever is chosen.
Currently reading (or rereading) The Fellowship of the Ring. I am really loving The Lord of the Rings triology.
Also, I HAVE been getting emails about your new posts!
Yeah I feel like 6 is maximum too?! I haven’t read many series beyond that anyway. But after that it becomes really hard to keep it all in your head unless you read them all at once!
Aw I’m glad the emails are going through!!! FINALLY SOME LUCK.
I’m not gonna lie, I really enjoy love triangles. They are kind of one of the best tropes ever. I can’t think of one I haven’t liked. As far as the number of books in a series, well, it depends on the story. I don’t have a hard and fast number. I’m currently reading like 9 books right now but most recently I started reading Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant.
Ahh I’m glad you do though! I think they can definitely be done well…it’s just like any trope: once it gets overused and tired, then it becomes a bit of a chore to read. 😂
I absolutely love this post and I’m so glad I’ve stumbled across your blog!! I live in Australia too and its so rare to find hardcovers in any book stores here so I definitely recommend checking out Book Depository they’re online and you can actually get hardcovers for a pretty reasonable price (they do so many discounts on the books) plus its free shipping so massive win! All the love girl x
Sophie Maie: http://www.sophiemaie.com
Hi! Coming a bit late to the party! Had to do a quick chime in.
1. While I’d like to say there is no magic number (because I love the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew); however, as my to be read list grows i tend to look at the number and decide that way. For instance I saw in a goodreads newsletter a new release that was #21 – I’m not going to start that series. Loved Morganville Vampires and that had 15 plus all the shorts. So…it just depends.
2. Cliffhangers – not bad unless you have to wait 2 years for the next installment. Also not bad IF the author picks up at the same instant the previous action stopped. Michael Scott ended each Nicholas Flamel book with one page one of the next book picks up mid cliffhanger. I’ve read others where you jump in after a resolution and that’s not quite right.
3. Either
4. Like you there is no singular answer to my favorite book. Too many favorites to list.
5. As a book lover it takes a lot for me to feel dislike for a book. Saying that I have read 3 that I wanted to actually burn. Either the content was so horrific I had to stop reading or I felt betrayed by the author because they did not deliver what was promised.
6. As you said, well written triangles are a-okay. The ones that seem forced (like those that pop up in cozy mysteries) could be phased out.
7. Currently I have 3 on my “currently reading” list. I will get back to them eventually.
8. Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins.
9. Forgotten gods series by Kennedy Daly and Red rising series by Pierce Brown. (I know you’ve read the latter; I highly suggest the former).
10. Oh, yikes! I have no idea. I guess The Canterbury Tales…no. Beowulf.
11. Children of the Forgotten Gods and When the Gods Forget (hasn’t made my goodreads list read list yet, but I had an ARC) by Kennedy Daly
12. Too many to list
13. I like to buy, but as I am losing space I’m looking at borrowing more. then if I absolutely adore the book I can buy it.
14. I feel I have answered this before, but can’t remember what that book was. LOL
15. Bookmarks
16. Any of The Cat Who, Harry, Potter, Sherlock Holmes, Twilight, Morganiville Vampires, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Agatha Christie, Mallory Towers books. I think there are a few more.
17. Yes.
18. I don’t mind either style as long as it is clear when we are changing character POV.
19. I can only read in one day if I start on a weekend. Otherwise I read during lunch and before bed.
20. No tags right now. perhaps in the future if I can get my life together and have the “girls” fill this out on my blog. 😀
Thank you for a great post!