Many years ago, when the world was cold and dinosaurs howled, Engie tagged me to do the Bookshelf Tag.
Okay, it was totally last week. But don’t question the dinosaurs howling. You have not lived where I have lived. Anyway. Thank you Engie! Although Mime is not here, and it’s just snivelling me. (I know you’re all sad, and I’m sorry! She’s doing school and exams and being fabulous.)
And, because I like to plug my favourite blogs, if you haven’t visited Musings from Neville’s Navel, you seriously need to. Engie posts all sorts of awesome things (not just books) and I probably stalk her blog a little too closely. You should too.
Because it’s a bookshelf tag, I figured it’s the perfect opportunity to also show you my bookshelf.
The Rules
Answer the following questions about books on your blog and then tag five other bloggers. You can answer the questions any way you want, whether it’s on your blog, in a video, or a combination of the two. Then remember to let whoever tagged you know when your post is up so they can read it.
1. Is there a book that you really want to read but haven’t because you know that it’ll make you cry?
This is a startlingly good question and yes, yes I have actually. The prize for this tissue-needing award goes to Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas.
I literally died when I read The Assassin’s Blade. For starters, I’m not supposed to be so emotionally involved in NOVELLAS. Gosh! They’re not even full length books! But my feels absolutely shredded and perhaps I stopped breathing for several weeks. It was trauma, plain and simple.
Do I want to go through it again? Well…yeah. But give me time to prepare my broken soul. Until then I’m handling it like Jack Sparrow would.
2. Pick one book that helped introduce you to a new genre.
I’ve read like every YA genre. I think. So if we rewind to the dark ages when I only read Narnia and Rangers Apprentice…I think The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater introduced me to a) paranormal/urban fantastical books, and c) Maggie Steifvater herself. I thinks he’s a genre all on her own, right? Right.
3. Find a book that you want to reread.
What do you mean ONE?! If I had time I would reared so many books! Like Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (in preparation for the movie…plus it’s been years since I read it) or The Fault in Our Stars (I bought it specifically for a reread!) or The Book Thief (even though I totally only JUST read it. I feel like I could eat it again).
4. Is there a book series you read but wish that you hadn’t?
You asked for it. The Last Thirteen series by James Phelan. It’s basically a book aimed at preteens (probably ones who haven’t grown brains yet) to load their tender neurons with cliches and tacky writing and less-than-stellar storytelling. One kid has to find 13 dreamers (because never heard the “dreamers” cliche before) and, after, THIRTEEN BOOKS he still can’t find the jolly lot!
The dude should be fired.
5. If your house was burning down and all of your family and pets were safe, which book would you go back inside to save?
I’m rather Vulcan for this one, unfortunately. Why would I save books that I could rebuy? I guess I’m supposed to have books with special emotional attachment. But I don’t. I DO have a signed bookmark by Veronica Roth which is awesome. (The actual book isn’t signed though. Just the bookmark. I don’t even care! It’s still awesome!) I might grab that.
6. Is there one book on your bookshelf that brings back fond memories?
Yes. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket brings back the best of memories. I was so obsessed with this series…and, as you can see, I own all 13 books.
I remember specifically going to a small 2nd hand bookstore in Brisbane and walking around and — SUDDENLY THERE THEY WERE. I only owned half the series, but, for $7.00 each, I completed my collection.
Mime owns two of these. I’m hoping she forgets and I can keep the set together forever.
7. Find a book that has inspired you the most.
This is an impossible question! I get inspired to do different things by different books! For instance:
The Book Thief: inspired me to write beautifully and dryly and meaningfully.
Dangerous Girls: inspired me never to go on holidays on little islands.
Throne of Glass: inspired me to write bigger and richer fantasy settings.
The Raven Boys: inspired me to not be scared of writing larger character casts.
How To Lead a Life of Crime: inspired me to always lock things. Everything.
The Hunger Games: inspired me not to be ashamed of loving food over boys.
8. Do you have any autographed books?
9. Find the book that you have owned the longest.
Does this mean a picture book? (I think we sold and relocated all of those.) Let’s make it more detailed and say “YA book you’ve owned the longest”. Yes, that makes sense. Probably Tillerman Cycle by Cynthia Voigt…specifically Dicey’s Song. Which is actually book #2, but the only one I owned for ages.
10. Is there a book by an author that you never imagined you would read or enjoy?
I’m not kidding: I read EVERYTHING. And I like (mostly) every YA genre, too. But, in the dark-ages-before-blogging, you wouldn’t have caught me dead with a contemporary. I know, right?! That’s one of my most read genres now.
And, more recently, I accidentally (honest! I don’t know how it happened) requested Some Boys by Patty Blount from Netgalley and I looked at the cover and thought, “Oh heck, this is going to be pain.” But it was brilliant. I’d recommend it to everyone, even a brick wall.
And to think I never read contemporary up until a few years ago…
Tagging people is difficult…
Because I have an awful memory and I don’t know if a) you like to be tagged, b) you’ve already done the tag, c) you’re tired of answering questions about your reading habits. So APOLOGIES in advance if I tag you and you groan. Ignore me. I’ll still love you.
(To be honest, I’m very particularly about which tags I do, but I loved these questions.)
But be ye warned: if you do this tag you HAVE to show us a picture of your bookshelf too! We want to see it! New rules. I made them up just now.
Kelly @ Diva Booknerd
Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf
Amanda @ Book Badger
Kara @ Diary of a Teen Writer
Lydia @ Planet Lydia come now. you must.
Although I basically want to tag you ALL because I’m curious and wish to see your magnanimous bookshelves. So if you do it, tell me! I want to read your posts!
Cait had quite a lot of fun with this questions! Although anything is better than the “who’s your favourite author” question which is both impossible and favouritism. What are we promoting here?! Equal love for multiple authors! Huzzah! Cait also wants you to appreciate the fact that she uses more varied gifs now and not JUST Supernatural. Although, be warned, those gifs will be coming back to you soon. (She can’t stay away.) Currently, she’s drawing a Thing and listening to HUSH HUSH.
TBR shelf is smart! Also, love that I see The Lunar Chronicles on the shelf of awesome.