Paper Fury

Two of my top fears in life are (1) rotting exploded pumpkins, and (2) very very long books.

Don’t even get me started on my pumpkin explosion story ok, because it’s traumatic and I’m still withering from the disgusting smell. Also it happened while I was home alone, therefore dousing the pantry with cleaner to try and get rid of the odour while considering renting a kayak and disappearing into the mountain river system.

Anyway.

We’re actually here to talk about books, believe it or not (since apparently I DO run a book blog). And I have said it quite a few times but: I AVOID LONG BOOKS. It is a bit ridiculous because I’ll read two 300-page books in 2 days but I hate reading one 600-page book in 2 days. Does it make sense? No. Will I eventually out grow this and get some sense? Also no.

(ILLOGICAL) REASONS I AVOID LONG BOOKS

• I actually have lost my attention span as I get older wow were did it go.
• I like ticking off my TBR fast ah ahah, sorry, this is a terrible confession. But I can tick off 2 smaller books faster = makes me feel industrious.
• Most long books just seem to draaaag. Like if you can’t say it fast, then I WANT TO KNOW WHY.
• They’re huge and my hands are so smol.
• They’re DAUNTING.
• Seriously, it could’ve been edited much shorter…
• If I don’t like the book = I’m stuck with it forever because I finish everything I read ugh.
• If I drop one on my face while reading, I will die.

However I DO like a lot of long books and I DO have a lot of long books on my TBR that I want to read!! But am avoiding them!! Which leads us to:

Let me just list 10 Really Long Books that I haven’t read yet, but WANT TO SOMEDAY.

Probably. And also yes I’m aware 500pages is probably not “long” to some people, but it is to me so laugh at me, ok, but softly as I am delicate.

 

Top Ten Tuesday [Longest Books I’ve Ever Read]…I’m twisting the prompt just a little. REBELLION ARRIVES.

 

1. THE ASSASSIN’S APPRENTICE

Page Count: 490

Okay laugh at me, because this isn’t even 500 pages sO WHAT AM I WHINING ABOUT??? Well, sir, I whine about everything. Just give me a chance and I will come through. But I also just find epic fantasy really daunting at the moment. Getting into worlds and staying focused…ahhhh. Watch my brain fritz.

However I fully intend to start some Hobb books soon because my friend adores them!!

2. THE SECRET HISTORY

Page Count: 600

So I’m not even sure I’d like this because it’s adult and kind of literary isn’t it??? But I’ve heard it’s about dysfunctional teen squads and the blurb also indicates they all end up betraying and corrupting each other which is honestly what I am here for. SLYTHERINS??? DO I SEE YOU???

I’m so so undecided about this one bUT YET…

 

 

3. REPLICA

Page Count: 520

I actually got this one at a library sale for 50cents!! And it is so huge…so so huge. I actually love a love/hate relationship with Lauren Oliver books so I will probably just look at this one and scream vaguely at it for the next 15 years.

Why must it be so long though.

 

 

4. JONATHAN STRANGE & MR. NORRELL

Page Count: 1,006

Why are adult book covers so freaking boring though. It’s like all the cover designers got together and were all: “Ok adulthood sucks so let’s make sure book covers reflect that so no one thinks there’s any possibility of fun.”

Anyway. This is about books isn’t it? I’m 99% sure it’s about books and magic and that is what I aspire to in life. BUT AT 1000 FLIPPING PAGES LONG. what the heck and why the heck.

5. TALES FROM THE SHADOWHUNTER ACADEMY

Page Count: 670

Now I’m just being a little wilted daisy here because I love Shadowhunter books. ALL OF THEM. I’m so obsessed with Lady Midnight and that series is clocking well about 600 per book.

But yet (sobbing) I’m just finding it hard to start this one because it’s so looooong.

I shall procrastinate a little more until it, perhaps, gets smaller over time. This seems logical.

6. CITY OF BRASS

Page Count: 533

I mean look at that freaking cover!! LOOK AT IT!! This book is so pretty you would name your kid after it! Or, like, your goldfish or something. But moving forward! I was so excited for it until I got an ARC in an Illumicrate box and…it…is…huge.

I keep waiting for it to magically transfer its words —> to my head —> without me stressing over the page count, but it has yet to happen. Rude.

 

7. BRIDGE OF CLAY

Page Count: 592

Look at these adult covers go again. DO WE NOT DESERVE GLITTER WHEN WE ARE OVER THE AGE OF 25???? But regardless, I was so lucky to get sent a surprise ARC of this and … I’m only slightly panicking that I haven’t read it yet. I was going to read this via audio (I find long books much more manageable that way) SO THIS CRISIS ISN’T EVEN MY FAULT.

Also my ARC says “most anticipated book of the decade” and pfft, um, excuse you? My book was the most anticipated of the decade. I mean, for me and my dog and my mum probably. But still. Settle down there, Clay.

8. BEFORE SHE IGNITES

Page Count: 480

I could’ve sworn this would’ve been like seventy billion pages long because the hardcover sure looks like it? Anyway. Apparently not. Apparently I’m panicking over nothing.

I actually got this in an Owlcrate box and it’s about DRAGONS so whyyyyy have I failed my own good name and not read it?! It’s not even over 500 omg.

 

9. THE QUEENS OF INNIS LEAR

Page Count: 570

Ok to be fair, I actually (1) used to think this was YA but it isn’t, and (2) I realised reading a retelling of King Lear might not make sense if you don’t know the original, um, at all.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I’M SMART, I TELL YOU. So I was going to buy this one, but it’s being pushed further and further to the bottom of my list.

I don’t know if I’ll ever read it?? Or if I will just complain recreationally.

 

10. THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE

Page Count: 840

Now this isn’t out till February 2019!! So It’s not like it’s on my TBR actively yet. But I’m so torn?!! I didn’t like The Bone Season but tHIS HAS DRAGONS. And the author is awesome on twitter, making me feel like an overturned codfish for not liking The Bone Season. I realise I don’t make sense, shh.

When I get back from panicked sobbing about the fREAKING PAGE COUNT I will probably try and read this! It has DRAGONS and hopefully oranges which are delicious. I don’t actually understand the title at all…? But I do love orange.

And psst before you go, just know that I DO love some long books incredibly much! I’m not a total limp seaweed spiral! So here are some I’ve read and adored and wouldn’t miss a page.

       

 

hey! chat with me!

do you like or avoid long books? what do you consider a daunting page count?? tell me which of these are still on your TBR too?! should i hurry up and read some?? HELP

As I’ve said quite often: authors are mystical beings whom I revere and therefore avoid talking to at all costs.

I should also mention two things here: (1) I am an author, so I am in the midst of avoiding myself at all costs, and (2) I misspelled “mystical” and autocorrect wanted me to go with “hysterical” and I’m like…where is the lie.

Most authors = mystical wondrous beings.
Me, as an author = hYSTERICAL

Now I’m also very very very shy. Many people don’t believe me when I say it, because I’m very outgoing online, but I’ve worked up to this! Talking to people in real life?!? AH HAHAHA HA NO. So when other bookworms are all “Oh I’m dying to meet my favourite author”…I am over here, dying to not meet anyone. (I have social anxiety eep.)

Online I am marginally better at making connections. All my very closest friends are people I’ve met exclusively online. And I WILL work up courage now and then to talk to authors. Although I most adore them from a distance. I mean that’s the obvious conclusion right??? If you admire someone you absolutely and entirely IGNORE THEM.

Self five.

Now it’s time to tell you about 10 Online Author Interactions I’ve had that didn’t end up with me turning into demon smoke and vanishing. Which is a very very real thing I do.

This is actually a part 2! And you can see part 1 here, where I confess to talking to Cornelia Funke, Jennifer Niven, Derek Landy, and Leigh Bardugo on twitter in the past. (Spoiler: I DIED.)

 

I’m also twisting the Top Ten Tuesday prompt of “Authors I’d Love to Meet”  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

1. LAINI TAYLOR

So no big deal but LAINI THE QUEEN TAYLOR congratulated me on my debut novel’s release and I just….!!!!! I mean she also follows me on twitter and this is totally unrelated to me becoming a truly dedicated fan who would be eaten by a leviathan in some far mystical realm for her. Totally unrelated.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

(No but seriously. As a debut author who largely gets ignored by most writers now for reasons I am completely lost by…THIS means everything.)

2. AKEMI DAWN BOWMAN

She’s also a new(ish) author too and I know has anxiety so I thought, “Ok!! Anxious people unite!” Which is hilarious considering anxious people do not unite…we hide from each other. But regardless, when Akemi posted about some things she wished she’d known in her debut year (a totally encouraging and incredible post by the way) I actually replied and said how helpful the post was!

AND SHE REPLIED BACK.

Awww!! And she’s excited about my book, which (by the by) you should read Starfish because it is actually a little similar to A Thousand Perfect Notes. They would make good friends.

3. KAYLA ANCRUM

Now you ALL KNOW how much I adore and love The Wicker King to the point where I’ve read it twice this year and frequently look at it upon my bookshelves and let out a high, keening wail. (This is true love, obviously.) I never actually tag the author in all my flails because I am shy. So shy. So ridiculously shy…

Anyhow, this happened:

I’M SOBBING. I LOVE HER SO MUCH. (Also 10000% respect that her author photo doesn’t face the camera either. Kinship here omg.)

(Also I find it hilarious how I’m like “Oh authors won’t see me being a flailing fangirl haha!” when I, as an author, search hashtags for my books to spy on people flailing. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It’s like my logic has holidays, and these holidays are 363 days of the year.)

4. JAY KRISTOFF

He’s really cool ok and famous and I think as tall as 17 people on top of each other. I think I must’ve been fuelled by the power of the new moon (when I am at my strongest) because I replied to a tweet of his randomly. (I think his reply was just a laugh but I only screeshot this much.)

ALSO EVERYONE ELSE THINKS I’M FUNNY TOO I GUESS.

(Also the audio of Nevernight truly is fantastic but also not something you listen to while eating lunch, as I discovered while wondering why my sandwich wasn’t so appealing whilst listening to gory bloodbath scenes.)

5. NEIL GAIMAN

This is absolutely cheating because a retweet doesn’t count as an “author interaction”. But WHO CARES. NEIL GAIMAN RETWEETED ME THIS ONE TIME AND I IMMEDIATELY FOUND THE DOOR TO ANOTHER DARK DIMENSION AND GREW MAGIC BUTTON EYES.

6. RACHEL CAINE

I was super lucky to be on the blog tour for her latest book, Smoke & Iron, and might’ve fangirled quite a little in my blog post. And by “quite a little”, I mean “I splattered my flailing all over the place.”

I hopefully can work this into, like, my resume or something. SKILLS INCLUDE: MAKING AUTHORS SNORT THEIR MORNING COFFEE WHILE LAUGHING. I have peaked.

7. CJ REDWINE

Two things first: (1) this was actually on instagram and I very nearly died, and (2) if I had a glorious name like “CJ REDWINE” I would be writing epic magical fantasy too. Her name is the name of perfection, I swear.

This made me perfectly DIZZY WITH FLAILS. Seriously I can’t even say how much it means when a famous author says congrats to a little tiny newbie.!!! I’m still screaming softly. Forever!! AHH!

8. ELIZABETH MAY

We actually follow each other on twitter too and I so admire the way she doesn’t take nonsense from sexist/racist men. What a complete and utter hero omg. (Also I was super excited when she tweeted that she was on the autistic spectrum too! Absolute proof yet again that autistic authors can be traditionally published. Let none tell you otherwise!)

ANYWAY SHE BOUGHT MY BOOK, NO BIG DEAL. I’M FINE.

9. JULIA EMBER

It’s always excellent to know that I’m not the only one who thinks writing blurbs is an indignant sort of torture. I’m still waiting for publishers and agents to accept pitches via pinterest aesthetic boards and a list of what Hogwarts Houses my characters are in. BUT ANYWAY.

Julia Ember is clearly amazing!! She talked to me!!! Of course she is!!

10. NADINE BRANDES

I think Nadine is possibly the kindest and sweetest person ever?! She actually emails with me on occasion and has encouraged me so much during my debut year. I CRY. I am so grateful. Also (1) Fawkes is brilliant and I love it so much, and (2) she’s hilarious on instagram AND youtube so omg go follow her.

I mean no no no you’re crying about this afjdkslad these are definitely not tears on my face, it is just some odd reflection of the light. (But seriously NADINE IS SO KIND TO ME.)

things we can take away from this post?

★ I am a FANGIRLING DORK and I love it and I love promoting authors and books and am unlikely to stop.
★ Authors are magical creatures.
★ Whilst I am shy of talking to authors, you can 100% be sure not to be shy of me because I’m literally a faNGIRLING DORK. We’ve already established this. Come fangirl with me please. About all things bookish.
★ it is pretty apparent that saying 2 nice words to me will ensure I am a fan for life.
★ I have no idea how to be a proper professional author but I am, absolutely, very cute. So that counts for something.
★ And lastly, I will NOT be telling these authors I gushed about them lmao, so don’t you dare either.

 

also you can DEFINITELY take away the fact that I am super awkward! so you have utter permission to be super awkward around me! (in other words, don’t be shy of me ah hahaha. we are fRIENDS around here)

hey so chat with me!

do you talk to authors very often online?? are you very shy? have you met authors in REAL life also?? and lastly: are you more of a mystical or hysterical being?

One thing I say quite often is “Oh I love this author SO MUCH and want to read everything they ever write!”

Which is very heartfelt of me but also such a huge lie, WOW CAIT. I mean the wanting part isn’t the lie. I do want to read everything they ever write. But most of the time I (A) have ample opportunity to do so as they often have plenty of backlist titles, and yet (B) I proceed to do exactly nothing.

Why??? Why.

Well I made a vague list to make myself feel justified…so here we are:

REASONS I MIGHT NOT HAVE READ ALL BOOKS BY A FAVOURITE AUTHOR

☆ what if I don’t like it as much as the other books of theirs I’ve loved???
☆ their other titles actually aren’t interesting to me? mY BAD
☆ genuinely haven’t. had. a. chance. yet. THERE ARE SO MANY BOOKS TO READ.
☆ I CAN’T FIND IT ANYWHERE. WHERE IS IT. COME BAAAAAACK INTO PRINT.
☆ I’m procrastinating it for genuinely no good reason. This is just who i am as a person.
☆ I didn’t realise they had more books out…because apparently I never pay attention to anything.

Regardless of all those pretty excuses…I really need to get my life together and read more of my favourite authors’ books!! So today I’m writing a little list of ones I need to get to. Soon!! I vaguely promise!!

I actually posted about this last year so this is pretty much part 2! (Last time I mentioned VE Schwab, Patrick Ness Cassandra Clare, Rick Riordan, Neal Shusterman etc etc.) Have things improved from that list now? Lmao. No. But I will mention DIFFERENT authors this time! Just to see how deeply out of control I am!

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books By My Favourite Authors That I Still Haven’t Read

1. SUZANNE COLLINS

Aww, I love The Hunger Games! I owe them so much! They not only got me into YA and therefore blogging and I discovered Maggie Stiefvater (aka my favourite author of life) through them so they have a super special place in my heart.

(Awww! Look at me go! I even admitted I have a heart! Cold and gnarly though it be.)

I actually didn’t even KNOW there was so many Gregor books ha. And the first didn’t appeal to me at all. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

2. LAINI TAYLOR

I love her writing. I’m actually in the midst of rereading Strange the Dreamer and then I’m onto Muse of Nightmares (I’m so freaking lucky my publisher sent me an ARC. Like, mate, author perks of being with an epic publisher.) And I’m so ridiculously in love with the prose?! The style. The characters?! The way the descriptions literally melt in your mouth ahhhhhHHH!H!!!!!

Um, so awkward moment here, but I didn’t even realise she’d written books prior to Daughter of Smoke And Bone. I have failed myself here wow.

I genuinely want to read THEM ALL THOUGH NOW…even though I didn’t even realise she wrote faerie books until 2 seconds ago while getting this post together. Haha…oops.

3. RENEE AHEDIEH

I’m just annoyed at myself about this because I loved The Wrath and the Dawn…fully best read of 2015 (WOAH back when the dinosaurs roamed) but yet I haven’t touched a single other of her books and she has 4 more???? When I went to write this post, I actually thought there were only two more. So they’re popping out of the sNOW LIKE DAISIES NOW.

 

4. KIERSTEN WHITE

There are some authors who pretty much don’t sleep. THAT’S THE ONLY CONCLUSION I CAN DRAW WOW. Anyway this actually gives me hope because I can’t sleep and like to write things about stabbing so hopefully (!) I will grow up to be like Kiersten White.

I love the Conqueror’s Saga books so much (Lada, stabbing! Radu, cinnamon perfection!) and I’m really excited for Elizabeth Frankenstein…except for that cover. It makes my skin crawl. Apparently people love it?? I might read it as an ebook and save myself. Ha. Yes I am weak apparently.

5. HANNAH MOSKOWITZ

I love finding authors who don’t write “normal” things…like bE STILL MY BEATING HEART. I love how her books are full of monsters and claws and sad boys and sharp girls and so so much diversity and have odd plots that totally capture my heart. Never over Teeth. NEVER OVER IT. That, um, person sobbing in the corner is someone…else.

I actually struggle to find her books for sale in Australia though. What is this failure of a planet we reside on.

(Also ANOTHER AUTHOR WHO DOESN’T SLEEP??)

6. BENJAMIN ALIRE SÁENZ

Most of his backlist titles are in Spanish, adult fiction, or poetry collections sooo…I don’t even know if I’d go back and try to read some?? Maybe this is awful to admit, but I’m really only interested in his new books (AKA THE SEQUEL TO ARI AND DANTE OMG COME TO ME PLEASE).

Although it is nice to remember that authors did, indeed, exist before 2014 when I started reading YA widely. Who would have thought.

 

7. MARIE RUTKOSKI

Honestly I think I’ll get the award for being the person most surprised by my own post…?? But I had no idea she had other books! I’m actually waiting desperately for her to announce new books because I neeeeeed more. (It’s also been two years?! Which is practically a lifetime for someone who is very very short. Shh. This is logical.) Her older ones appear to be mostly MG too which I don’t usually gravitate to honestly.

8. CORNELIA FUNKE

I FELL IN LOVE WITH MIRRORWORLD. SO HARD. I’m anxiously waiting for book 4 yet it still doesn’t have a release date. And I know this is out of authors’ hands most of the time — but I would sacrifice many chocolates and annoying boys to the trees to get to know what happens next. They were the perfect amounts of MAGICAL and DARK.

As for her other books? Ok going through Goodreads showed me most weren’t in English (I am tragically bound by one language) and also lots of picture books/chapter books. Even if I love an author, I often don’t read their MG selections. I’m sorry. I don’t mind a lot of MG! But mostly I feel too old.

I would like to finish off Inkheart but tbh that’s all.

9. ADAM SILVERA

Look technically ONE BOOK isn’t enough to be on this list…but I just wanted to flail because I love his work so much!! It’s not underrated but can the world ever flail too much over a good book?! I THINK NOT, SIR. So here I am to say that History Is All You Left Me totally smashed my heart and therefore is my favourite.

But this is also 900% of the reason why I am procrastinating More Happy Than Not is because I think I’m going to be More NOT Happy Than Anything Else Thanks Why Are You Like This Mr. Silvera Who Hurt You. (That seems like a good retitling.)

ok tell me firstly (a) where you surprised to know any of these authors had more books?! and (b) tell me some of YOUR favourite authors who you still haven’t read all their works yet!

Sometimes we book bloggers get stuck talking about the same books over and over.

This can be for two reasons, like (1) we just are sUPER passionate about our favourites and can’t stop talking about them !!!, or (2) we legit can only retain the memory of about three books overall so that’s why we repeat ourselves.

Which am I? Ah HAH AHA HA HAHA…yeah ok fine I am the second.

I love a lot of books with wild and deep abandon and yet I forget to talk about them?! It’s a terror. But at least books aren’t the only ones who suffer, because ask me my favourite food and I’ll just say “oh…cake!” Because I always say it. But you know what else I really really like? CORN CHIPS. I would sell my siblings all for a corn chip. (MAKE ME AN OFFER.)

Anyway. It’s time to FIX MY LIFE and talk about…

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Hidden Gems

1. ALL OF STEPHANIE KUEHN’S BOOKS

You know those books that are really super disturbing and you finish them and go, “EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING IS FREAKING ME OUT” and then slap on all the stars anyway??? Here you go. This author is here to fulfil all your needs for mind bending plots, twists that make your stomach flee, tragic characters, horrible characters, mental illnesses, and everything weird of ever.

My favourite is Charm & Strange, but also try When I Am Through With You, Delicate Monsters, The Smaller Evil, and Complicit.

2. WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS

This is about a boy named Adam who is really soft and loves to bake (literally got his girlfriend through making her lasagna) and…is also dealing with very severe schizophrenia. It is such a good book and will absolutely gut you several times. It’s told in a journal format too wHICH I LOVE.

I have no idea why I don’t talk about this book??? I have failed myself. There are literally whole pages devoted to his baking, c’mon.

3. WORDS IN DEEP BLUE

Clearly if a title has “words” in it, I just automatically forget it?  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I don’t make the rules here! My brain does! My brain and I do not talk so don’t ask for explanations!

Anyway this is an Aussie book, but it’s published in America too. Anyhow, basic summary: BOOK TOTALLY DEVOTED TO BOOKWORMS AND BOOKSTORES. It’s the gift we all deserve and an absolutely enabler to your bookstore addictions.

(I also am sitting here realising I read this in 2016 and remember like 14% of it…but I did love it!! I need to reread wow.)

4. TYLER JOHNSON WAS HERE

Yeah Tyler was here bUT YOUR HEART ISN’T BECAUSE IT’S LEFT THE BUILDING SOBBING. Which is the kind of literature we all need. Also this book is seriously beautifully written, heartwrenching, and #ownvoices about black kids who disappear and how it feels to have someone you love murdered by police.

It’s only been out since March so it is still a baby book…but I do wonder why it didn’t get much hype?

5. ALL THE KATRINA LENO BOOKS TOO

I am so massively cheating here by listing multiple books under one point, wow it’s impressive! I’m outdoing my usual rule breaking! Anyway I am firstly ashamed that I still down own any physical copies of her books, but they are super good and constantly underrated. Summer of Salt just came out but it’s all magical realism with sapphic romance + lowkey witches. But her older ones: The Lost & Found and Everything All At Once and The Half Life of Molly Pearce are so so good too.

REEEEAD THEM. Her books are full of anxious people and I, an anxious person, relate.

6. LAST NIGHT I SANG TO THE MONSTER

According to Goodreads, this has like 20,000 adds…which makes it emphatically NOT underrated in the world’s eyes. However I have never seen bloggers talk about it and it was published back in 2009 whICH IS PRACTICALLY NOAH’S ARK ERA. When this book came into existence I was 15 years old and thought I could exist on peanut butter alone. (Spoiler: I couldn’t. I was also allergic, wow, smartest teen ever.)

Anyway. This book is about: alcoholism and depression. It’s really tough to read at times and mostly set in a rehab facility. I love that it was about healing though! Usually books are about the downward spiral. But it’s really good!! I cry for Zach! Not as good as Aristotle And Dante, but still go read it.

7. WHITE RABBIT

This isn’t about Alice in Wonderland but it is about illegal drugs— OH WAIT. Kind of like Alice in Wonderland! (Shhh, Lewis Carroll was taking something when he wrote this, we know it.)

This, again, is a little baby book…only out since April! But hype? We don’t know her. It’s a shame, because it’s excellent. It’s a murder mystery with angsty queers (#ownvoices too) and it’s set over one night!

I also liked the author’s debut, Last Seen Leaving, but also feel that title describes me at any social situation.

8. A LIST OF CAGES

I mean…I actually mention this one from time to time. But not recently so let’s just go with it: I freaking love this book and it rips out my heart and watches me cry into my tea cup. It’s about broken tragic boys, disability (ADHD and dyslexia rep) and child abuse. And it has the sweetest friendship ever. I want to reread omg.

 

9. A TAXONOMY OF LOVE

I protest how this only has like 4,000 adds on Goodreads. Dude. This book is cute and fluffy AND deals with some seriously heavy topics (like depression and grief). It’s also about a boy with Tourette’s and I really look hard for books featuring disability so I’m glad this one is out there!

And I STILL love it even though it features wrestling?! Like I can think of few things more gross than wrestling (MAYBE ROTTEN EGGS) and yet here I am still recommending it.

10. THE WICKER KING

I’ll partially cheat here because I mention this one a lot (!!!) but I will mention it again (!!) because it is one of my downright favourite books. Definitely in my top ten (of ever) and I’ve read it twice this year and my heart still is all over the place. Adfjksald. It’s also about hallucinations + queer cast + very intense relationships/friendships + how society stigmatises mental health + tragic sad characters to steal your heart. And it hasn’t passed 10K adds on Goodreads which is criminal. It deserves the world omg.

MY #1 REC OF THIS YEAR.

(Also the author is super nice and noticed my wild and loving recommendations even though I don’t tag authors because #shy. And I both adore her and am mortified AHHHHHHH. I’m such a dork.)

tell me some of YOUR favourites that you never mention?! and do you tend to get stuck talking about the same books, or do you try to talk about everything you read??

When it comes to hyped YA books, I have absolutely no standards and yes please I want to read them all.

I mean, I want to read all the YA books hence I plan to live forever. This will work out I’m sure. (The sacrifices happening in my neighbourhood MEAN NOTHING. IT’S FINE.) I know a lot of bookworms are cautious of overhyped books and crave the smaller elusive titles…and, like, I want those too. And the hyped ones. I have an actual problem but do I look like I’m stopping. No.

Now some hyped books…not that great oops. But the majority I enjoy! I actually have a list as to why that is, so here, I will share it with you though you neither wanted nor asked for it.

You’re welcome.

IT TURNS THE WORLD INTO A BOOK CLUB!

Which is actually super awesome, I am so here for this. I love being able to see other bloggers talk about a book and say “Oh yeah I’ve read this too!” It actually brings a sense of community together because oH HI STRANGER, we have something to talk about!

I’D SECRETLY LOVE TO BE A FAMOUS/HYPED AUTHOR. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I have no shame it’s…yeah just no shame. I am also an overachieving ambitious Slytherin here and cursed to be equally split believing I’m a genius and a disaster. (DISASTER GENIUS???) So when I see a newfoundling author who’s just broken out of the damp deep forests and crawled to the surface and their book is hyped?! I’m just massively happy for them!! I will cheer! Karma, are you listening!

THEY MIGHT BE HYPED BECAUSE THE AUTHOR IS AN OLD FAVOURITE.

Aka — I know I’ll like this one anyway! So often times it’s a 97% chance of a good read!

HYPING AND ANTICIPATING BOOKS IS GOOD FUN.

Basically if I have a book = eh, I’m not so enthused. If I don’t have a book and it’s still coming out = THEN I WANT IT SO SO BADLY AND WILL TALK ABOUT IT FOREVER. Thanks, brain.

MORE BOOKS ARE HYPED THESE DAYS TO CHEER ON DIVERSE AUTHORS!

I love love this. Heck yes to bestseller lists being dominated by POC women and queer lead characters! It’s about TIME. I am so here to hype minority voices.

Top Ten Tuesday: Popular Books that Lived Up to the Hype

1. THE RAVEN CYCLE BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER

Fun storyyyyy….I LIKED THIS BEFORE IT WAS FAMOUS. I feel like that is the most hipster thing to say about a hyped book and I probably should be ashamed. Yet shhhh I love the Raven Cycle so so much. Just go see my bookstagram account. If a photo doesn’t have a hidden Raven Boy in it, IS IT REALLY MY PHOTO??? I’m so obsessed afjdkslafd. Everything Maggie Stiefvater writes is perfect and there is no other opinion.

2. SIX OF CROWS BY LEIGH BARDUGO

All the bird books apparently! I genuinely did distrust this book at first because (1) I heard it had 3989 narrators and I can’t even remember my own middle name half the time so help, and (2) I didn’t actually love Shadow & Bone so much? It was good! But it didn’t light up my world. I hate the Darkling. Fite me (Actually don’t. I am fragile…) But anyway, this is the duology of LIFE and I will level cities for my precious, murderous, often psychopathic Kaz Squad.

3. ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE BY BENJAMIN ALIRE SÁENZ

Sometimes I take a nap after writing out this title. (Also as someone who has a 4 word title for my own book and suffers trying to squeeze it into my twitter bio…I TAKE MY HAT OFF TO THIS AUTHOR.) Anyway. My actual first impression of this book was: “No I do no understand the hype??” Then I hit around like page 150 and…omg…no no I’m not absolutely in love and just feeling my heart leak out my chest that’s SOMEONE ELSE. It’s just a really good story about depression and not understanding yourself. I love it. I have reread it many times.

4. LEGENDARY (CARAVAL #2) BY STEPHANIE GARBER

My absolute DARLING. I still am thinking of this and still am absolutely hopelessly starstruck with the idea that I might write something as gorgeous as this someday. I just !! I am !!! in love !! The schemes and the writing and the viciously beautiful characters and everyone lying and trying to murder each other…but immediately panicking and crying if they like, ya know, succeed. Bless.

5. THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE BY MACKENZIE LEE

I appreciate the length of the title for this one SOLELY because it’s ridiculously pretentious — aka, summarises Monty so much. I LOVE MONTY. He is an absolute clueless goat and would fall in love with a lamppost. He is the definition of the meme, “Move I’m gay” and everything about this book is PERFECT.

(I also read this one really really early!! And was suffering waiting for everyone to catch up!)

6. THE HATE U GIVE BY ANGIE THOMAS

Which is so wildly famous I’m just in awe!?? IT DESERVES IT. This is one of the stories that has, no joke, touched millions and thousands and if any book deserved to be hyped — yes it’s THUG. Woooooow. It broke your heart, made you laugh in places, and called for change. I think it’s been on the NTY bestseller list since release day. Can we appreciate that for a moment?!?

7. TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN BY JOHN GREEN

Obviously all John Green’s books are hyped buuuuut, this one was particularly special for me. It is both a love and hate letter to the all-consuming spiral that is anxiety (specifically OCD although it wasn’t named in the book…and a ton of this just relates to anxiety disorders in general). I actually am frustrated with how people mock/dismiss John Green’s books. Anyway, I love TFIOS and I love Turtles and I love pretentious teens who use big words and philosophy because these kids exist. (Literally my sister and I were that kind of teen.)

8. LORD OF SHADOWS (THE DARK ARTIFICES #2) BY CASSANDRA CLARE

Again, Cassandra Clare, is the kind of automatically-hyped author who just has to breathe and we are all “HYPE HYPE HYPE”. But this was…this was magnificent. And horrible. I’m still traumatised ajfkdsla and literally am going to brEAK my mind when book 3 comes out. But forever in love with her work because (1) she features disabled characters !!!! which shouldn’t be as unusual as it is, and (2) she cares about ALL kinds of diversity, and (3) Magnus Bane is just a pile of glitter on legs. Goals.

9. STRANGE THE DREAMER BY LAINI TAYLOR

I still am debating whether this is YA…but I waaaaant to talk about it because IT’S GORGEOUS INSIDE AND OUT. The hype was wild for it and I feel it’s even wilder for Muse of Nightmares?!? All deserved. Laini Taylor is actually the nicest ever and talented and has pink hair. We can only aspire to be this great afjdsla. *

* Lowkey have become her eternal fan because she said congrats to me on my book’s release day. (SOBBING) FOREVER QUEEN. I’M SO EASILY BOUGHT. WILL SUPPORT FOREVER. (SOBBING)

10. THE CRUEL PRINCE BY HOLLY BLACK

Ok but HOLLY BLACK IS THE FAE QUEEN AND DESERVES LOVE FOR ALL HER BOOKS! I also (smug moment) liked her older books before The Cruel Prince went wild. Although this is definitely my favourite of her work! It’s as wickedly magical and dangerous as it is viciously gorgeous. I adore Cardan and Jules because they’re relationship isn’t a swoony romance. It’s basically: “Can we wickedly manipulate each other to get to the throne, stab each other, and maybe just kiss????”

You know the quote: “In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him” by Orson Scott Card??? THIS IS IT.

 

okay tell me some hyped books you LOVED?! (do we share any?) and do you avidly follow the hype or do you wait for reviews or only pick it up if it’s your style??

Sometimes I have very specific sensory memories attached to holding certain books.

This usually happens when I have to, like, fight with a spine to stay open or a book arrives wITH THE WRONG COVER (cuel 119 years of screaming) or else I picked up a library book and it had a strange…sticky…substance on the cover.

It’s always blood isn’t it??? I’m sure it is. I need to wash my hands until forever.

Now I usually have a really awful memory, but I’m very sensory sensitive. So while I probably don’t remember someone’s name or even six of the words spoken to me, I’ll remember how a chair felt to sit on, how the food made me feel, how loud it was, or if I shape-shifted into a dragon and ate the sun.

These things all happen equally for sure.

Anyway it’s time to talk about

I’ve also done posts on 10 Books That I Read While Outside and (OF COURSE) 10 Books That Made Me Really Hungry. I freaking love sensory posts, apparently!?

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books with Sensory Reading Memories

1. THE TIME A LIBRARY BOOK COVER WAS STICKY

Look let’s start with the obvious: dubious sticky matters on library covers. Um…ok just wait a second — WHILE I THROW UP. I’m still shuddering and this happened like 3 years ago guhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Anyway least to say I loved My Life Next Door but it very nearly did not get read. It was either some sticky spilt drink oR BLOOD OF ENTOMBED KINGS. I JUST CAN’T.

2. THE TIME A BOOK FELL APART WHEN I PICKED IT UP

So people assume a lot that I’m super rich and buy a ton of books. This bothers me because it’s like sooo not true! Case in point: I get a lot of books from op-shops (thrift stores) and library sales. Hence there was THIS ONE TIME I picked up a copy of The Name of The Wind (which I’d read on audio but like?? oooh! I want to own it too) and it just…

DIED

IN MY ARMS.

3. THE TIME THE COVER WASN’T EVEN?!??

THIS BOTHERS ME SO MUCH IT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL.

When I bought Scarlet (which I did because my old blog name “Notebook Sisters” is actually mentioned in the back ahh!!), this was my first time seeing the front cover not being flush with the edges. So you have that strip of red??? For reasons I cannot fathom. Like why, sir, why. My paperback of Caraval is like this too and I am just so so confused. I honestly thought it was a printing error.

4. MY FIRST TIME WITH DECKLED EDGES

Ok but “deckled” is not a real word. Also I don’t get the point of them????

I bought the Lemony Snicket series from a second-hand store when I was about…oh, maybe 14?? I hadn’t met deckled edges before and I AM NOT JOKING — I thought the books were old and wrecked ah hah hah haha. Oh dear.

5. SOFT COVER YOU CAN PET

Which is honestly the opposite of what Locke Lamora even stands for but minor details. So I bought this anniversary edition (which is frankly awful to photograph…#suffering) and I had no idea it would come with this soft sort of textured cover!?? There’s probably a term for it?? I KNOW NOT.

But you can pet it!!!

6. THE TIME I RIPPED THE COVER

The actual trial of library-sale-books is getting the old barcodes off. I was bEING CAREFUL. I’m…sobbing. Anyway I ripped the front of the dust jacket of How To Lead A Life Of Crime, so the book is pretty much dead to me. I only look at the spine to save myself.

And ripped paper is the opposite of a good sensory experience.

I AM A MONSTER.

7. HUMIDITY OUT TO RUIN MY LIFE THO

I LIVE IN TROPICAL FAR NORTH AUSTRALIA AND I HAVE 10000000 REGRETS.

Seriously the humidity wrecks so many books. I actually keep my TBR pile with the covers face down in their stack, so the fronts don’t curl. But otherwise everything freaking curls?! This is is Alice in Zombieland, who has the misfortune of being on top of a pile. She is one of many. My tears, like Alice’s, would make an ocean.

8. RAISED TITLES (ALSO PETTABLE)

You kneeew I would sneak a mention of my Favourite Ever Author™ onto here. And I was legit going to make up some nonsense about the time I picked up The Raven King and the sky opened and rained golden ravens and blue-eyed stags appeared from the mist. BUT. I actually have a real one!! (I mean. The others totally happened too.)

The Scorpio Races has raised font and it is SO PETTABLE (a real word) and shiny!! I may or may not spend time gently tracing the letters while I read. Totally normal. We all would.

9. BUT I CAN’T BREAK THE SPINES????

I actually asked for this deluxe editions of The Hunger Games for Christmas one year specifically so I could reread them. But I don’t know what they bound them with?!? Possibly the strength of aNGRY MEN??? I would very much have to break the spines in order to read them and I caaaaan’t.

NOT STRONG ENOUGH EMOTIONALLY.

But I read these in like 2012? I want to read them aaaaagain. #sobbing

10. WHEN THEY SMELL SO GOOD

There’s pretty much no denying that, at least once, you have sniffed a book. Of course the old ones will kill you with that musty smell if you have allergies but YOLO APPARENTLY. Anyway I’m going to go ahead and nominative Illuminae as really really beautifully smelling.

I think this is because they’re so inky due to all the designs?! Whatever. These books are worthy holding over your face, suffocating, and smelling the good smells of ink and dead tree skin.

(ALSO…the audiobooks are dramatised if you want a doubly sensory experience while reading!  I love them so much, but on 2 x the speed because nobody has time to listen to people enunciate. Faster faster, ok, I live life at double speed and this is why I never sleep.)

 

 

any particular sensory memories you have attached to a certain book?! and also please answer if you (a) sniff books, (b) enjoy petting textured covers, and (c) how you feel about deckled pages?! I MUST KNOW