The Greatest Showman Book Tag

Hello everybody!

Today, despite the fact I am yet to see the Greatest Showman, I’m doing the book tag, which I was tagged for by Kelly. Onto the post!

The Greatest Show – The greatest book you have ever read:

Way too hard. But, in terms of a standalone, probably Boy in the Tower. It’s exceptional; it should be so bleak and hopeless, but it isn’t at all. Recent favourite standalones are Jess Butterworth’s and the Children of Castle Rock.

A Million Dreams – A book that left you dreaming after you finished it

I don’t think I’ve actually ever had a dream based on a book. I’m going to interpret this as a book that really immersed me into its world, and something that definetely fits that description is Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone.

Come Alive – A book where a character finally accept themselves:

I have (at time of writing) agonised over this for over a week, and been unable to schedule this post because of it. So either though I’m using her in another question too, I’m going with Harriet from Geek Girl. Over the course of the series, she learns that she IS a geek, but there is nothing wrong with that, and anyone who can’t appreciate her for her real self doesn’t deserve her.

The Other Side – A character who changes your opinion of them:

I really wasn’t keen on Hermes when I read Who Let the Gods Out, but he absolutely won my heart in Simply the Quest (and I think everyone who’s read that book will be able to guess the scene that caused me to change my mind!)

Never Enough – An author/series you could never get enough of:

The Murder Most Unladylike books. I want there to be like 20 of them, because they really haven’t dwindled in quality at all.

This Is Me – A book you love despite everyone hating it:

I really struggled with this, but one I like that others don’t seem to is Girl Online. I thought it was a really enjoyable book, and I liked the characters.

Rewrite The Stars – A bookish OTP that overcame a lot to finally be together:

Harriet and Nick from the Geek Girl series are my ultimate bookish OTP, and they managed to overcome the long distance aspect and many other misunderstandings to be together.

Tightrope – A book/series that gives you trust issues:

The ending of the Lost and the Found blows my mind to this very day, and I read it YEARS ago now. It was packed full of twists and turns, and I never quite knew which characters to trust.

From Now On – A book you’ve ignored for SO long, you need to read it ASAP:

The Secret of Supernatural Creek. I’m thinking I’ll take it on my holiday in the summer, though I’m not sure anymore whether I’ll reread the first four before it as I love them so much I’m worried it could taint my opinion (I will most definetely reread them again one day though, because I adore them)

Thank you so much for reading! Do you like any of these books? Would you recommend this film? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl!

Amy xxx

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The I Spy Book Challenge

Hello everybody! Today, I’m going to be doing the I Spy Book Challenge, which I was tagged for by Kelly. Onto the post!

The Rules (which I broke, because you’d need to be a far faster typist than I am to do this in 5 minutes!): Find a book that contains (either on the cover or in the title) an example for each category. You must have a separate book for all 20, get as creative as you want and do it within five minutes!!”

1. Food

Confetti and Cake- this is the second in the Secret Cooking Club series, which I really like. It focuses on Scarlett as she navigates her newfound fame, friendships and complicated family.

2. Transportation

The Secret of the Night Train- while I do not actually own this yet, it sounds right up my alley and I definitely plan to read it at some point.

3. Weapon

First Class Murder- this book is a murder mystery set on the Orient Express (and yes, it’s every but as amazing as it sounds!), and the murder weapon features on it’s cover.

4. Animal

The cover of Alex Sparrow and the Furry Fury has a wide variety of gorgeous animals on it, my favourite of whom is the downright darling Mr Prickles, who is a hedgehog.

5. Number

The Crooked Sixpence- a really great MG fantasy with phenomenal worldbuilding, and I’mso excited for the last in the trilogy it’s part of, which comes out next month.

6. Something You Read

Bookshop Girl- not only does this have book in the title, it is about a love of reading and bookshops and saving them from closure. I can’t wait to read it!

7. Body of Water

Jourmey to the River Sea- I have read shamefully little Eva Ibbotson, but I did love this when I read it (though I can’t really remember it now as it was quite a few years ago)

8. Product of Fire

The Mist in the Flame- which is on my TBR after randomly picking it up one day when it was on Buy One Get One Half Price in Waterstones.

9. Royalty

Casting Queen- I actually read this when it was still under the title of Waiting for Callback , and it’s a funny contemporary YA about a girl trying to navigate the acting industry.

10. Architecture

My favourite standalone M.G- the Boy in the Tower.

11. Clothing

Rose’s Dress of Dreams- I read this lovely young MG last month, and it was lovely. It focuses on Rose, who is desperate to design dresses, as she moves to Paris. She’s based on real historical figure Rose Bertin.

12. Family Member

The Mum Hunt trilogy- this was one of my favourite series when I was young. The books tell the story of Esmie, as she tries to set her dad up on dates in the hope of finding a new mum.

13. Time of Day

Mystic and the Midnight Ride- this is the first of the Pony Club Secrets series, and it introduces them really well.

14. Music

Love Song- this is the story of Nina as she is whisked into the whirlwind lives of the Point, the world’s most famous boyband, and falls in love despite her broken heart.

15. Paranormal Being

I’m pretty sure vampires are paronormal beings, so I’ll go for the My Sister the Vampire series. I loved the worldbuilding and characters in these a lot, and I reread them quite a bit when I was younger.

16. Occupation

Demon Dentist- I struggled greatly with this question, and therefore had to go with something I haven’t read (and it isn’t on my TBR). I enjoyed a few David Walliams books, I will admit, but didn’t get to this one before disliking Ratburger and Awful Auntie, so don’t have any desire to pick it up

17. Season

Winter Magic- a great MG anthology, that I may well reread again this winter to get me in the festive mood, like I did in 2016 and 2017.

18. Colour

Indigo Blue- two colours in one title! This is one of Cathy Cassidy’s earliest books, and it’s about indie as she and her family leave her mum’s abusive partner and attempt to make a new life.

19. Celestial Body

As I write this, I’m currently reading Evie’s Ghost, which has a moon and some stars on it’s very beautiful cover.

20. Something That Grows

In Darkling Wood- there is a tree on the cover of this, and one of the main themes of the book is saving trees from being cut down, so it seems an apt choice. It’s by Emma Carroll, so it’s obviously completely, and it’s about a girl called Alice being sent to stay with her estranged gran whilst her little brother gets a heart transplant, and she meets an unusual girl called Flo who believes in fairies…

I tag Jo and Hannah.

What books can you think of that fit these prompts? Are you a fan of any of those I’ve mentioned? I’d love to hear in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl!

Amy xxx

This or That Book Tag

Hello everybody!

Today, I’m going to be doing the This or That Book Tag, which I was tagged for by my fellow MG-lover Laura. While I could swear I’ve done a tag by this name before, I also don’t recognise the questions so I think they’re different! Onto the post!

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One: Reading on the couch or on the bed?

On the couch, because my bed has a really weird headboard that hurts my head due to my scar, and I often get dizzy lying down. I still read in bed, of course, but I find the couch much comfier and easier.

Two: Male main character or female main character?

I genuinely don’t mind at all. I see very little differences based on their gender, and I have books I consider favourites which have main characters of different genders.

Three: Sweet snacks or salty snacks when reading?

Sweet! Chocolate and ice cream are my absolute favourite snacks ever.

Four: Trilogies or quartets?

I’m actually struggling to think of a quartet I’ve read, so I’ll have to say trilogies I think.

Five: First person point of view or third person point of view?

I do love some third person narratives, but lots of my absolute favourite books have first person narrators, so I think it’s first person.

Six: Reading at night or in the morning?

I read more at night!

Seven: Libraries or bookstores?

I use, and really enjoy using, both.

Eight: Books that make you laugh or make you cry?

Books that make me laugh AND cry, if at all possible, but even though some of my most recent favourites were more serious/broke my heart, I think it has to be funny books if I’m only allowed one. The main reason I read (and watch TV/films and listen to music) is for escapism, and I think funny books do that in a really special way. Sad books have to have something really special for me to truly love them, and it’s much rarer they lift me completely out of my world(Running on the Roof of the World and Being Miss Nobody accomplished it perfectly)

Nine: Black book covers or white book covers?

Black covers! I own much more black covers, not to mention the fact they’re a lot easier to keep clean (which is handy given I often stain books…)

Ten: Character driven or plot driven stories?

I think an engaging character/cast of characters is incredibly important, and often my favourite thing about a story (and that can be in TV/movies too actually). Though a good plot is great too of course!

I tag Charlotte and Christina 💜

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Thank you so much for reading! Do you agree with the choices I made, or would you have chosen the other option? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl!

Amy xxx

The Pick n’ Mix Book Tag

Hello everybody!

Today, I’m going to be completing the Pixk n’ Mix Book Tag, which I saw on Kelly’s Ramblings, and decided to do as I really liked the questions. Onto the post!

The Bookshelf Scavenger Hunt Tag

Hello everybody!

Today, I’m going to be doing the Bookshelf Scanner Hunt Tag (even though I actually keep my books in storage boxes…), which I was tagged for by Lucy-May. Onto the questions!

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01. Find An Author Name Or Title With A Z In It:

The only thing I can think of is the Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon, which has been languishing on my TBR for years and never been read. Something always stops me when I go to unhaul it though…

02. Find A Classic:

My absolute favourite classic has to be Charlotte’s Web. It’s such simple, yet spectacular, storytelling and I cannot imagine why you wouldn’t love Wilbur and Charlotte with every little bit of your heart.

03. Find A Book With A Key On It:

I came SO close to giving up on this question, and then Ithought of something! Sunflowers in February is on my TBR, and it’s published by Hot Key it has a key on the spine. I’m hoping to get to it soon!

04. Find Something On Your Bookshelves That Isn’t A Book:

In one of my boxes, I have a little box of bookish merchy things various people were lovely enough to send me from events/other things I’ve acquired. I particularly treasure my badges, which include a Moxie one (‘Feminist AF’) and a SUPER adorable Mr Prickles one the author of Alex Sparrow sent me recently.

05. Find The Oldest Book On Your Shelves:

If this means in terms of publication date, I think it’s something by Enid Blyton, though I’m not sure which of her books I own came first.

06. Find A Book With A Girl On It:

The Pony Club Secrets books all have a photo of a girl on them, who represents Issie, and then the horse that’s the focus of that book (each book has a new horse Issie meets who adds to her skill in some way, except for the last one and the Christmas special). I am getting beyond excited for my reread of these books, which I think I’ll do at the end of either June or July.

07. Find A Book That Has An Animal On It:

Well, Pony Club Secrets does, as I mention above, but I won’t repeat that! I’ll say another fabourite series instead, and that’s that all of the Laura Marlin Mysteries have an animal on them, mainly Laura’s (awesome) husky Skye but on Kentucky Thriller there’s a horse. I think the equally awesome Drift features on most if not all the Adventure Island covers too!

08. Find A Book With A Male Protagonist:

My favourite standalone MG, Boy in the Tower, has an absolutely LOVELY male protagonist called Ade. I adore him.

09. Find A Book With Only Words On The Cover:

This took me a while to think of, but my copy of Men Should Weep (which I’m studying in English, and will be writing about in my exam which is TOMORROW) only has words on it.

10. Find A Book With Illustrations On It:

My absolute favourite covers ever are Julian de Narvaez’s on Emma Carroll’s books for Faber, so I’ll say them. They’re drop dead levels of stunning and every time one is revealed I scream with joy. I CANNOT WAIT to see what he’ll do for Secret of a Sun King.

11. Find A Book With Gold Lettering:

The wonderful MG fantasy Nevermoor has absolutely gorgeous, embossed gold letter on the cover and spine. I’m so excited for the 2nd in the series, not least to see how pretty the cover will be!

12. Find A Diary, True or Fictional:

The only thing currently popping into my head that’s in proper diary format is the Raspberry Rules, which is by Karen McCombie. It was the first book of hers I ever read ad it hooked me completely on her writing.

13. Find A Book Written By An Author With A Common Name:

This question stumped me absolutely, so I decided to see if I’d read any books by authors who share a name in my 2018 reading so far. I’ve read books by several Sophies!

14. Find A Book With A Close Up Of Something On It:

I’m not sure how close something would need to be to be considered a close up, but I think the titular crown of The Buried Crown would fit the bill!

15. Find A Book On Your Shelves That Takes Place In The Earliest Time Period:

I think it would have to be Eliza Rose, which is set at the court of Henry the 8th during his marriages to Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard.

16. Find A Hardcover Book Without A Jacket:

The wonderful Winter Magic anthology doesn’t have a jacket, and I have to admit it does feel a bit odd.

17. Find A Teal/Turquoise Coloured Book:

The fabulous Mystery and Mayhem anthology, which features some of my absolute favourite writers such as Helen Moss and Robin Stevens, has a gorgeous cover this colour.

18. Find A Book With Stars On It:

The Starman and Me, which looks wonderful and is something I absolutely must bet to soonish, does. The cover is what made me want to read it initially…

19. Find A Non-YA Book:

I own tons of MG! And a couple of adult books I’m interested in.

I tag: Bex, Kelly and Rosie!

Thank you so much for reading! What do you think of the books I’ve mentioned? Can you think of a book with a key on it?! Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl!

Amy xxx

The A-Z Bookish Survey

Hello everybody!

Today, I’m going to be doing the A-Z Bookish Survey which I was tagged for by Kelly’s Ramblings. Onto the questions!

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Author you’ve read the most books from: either Enid Blyton or Ann M Martin, I’d guess.

Best Sequel Ever: I think I’ll have to go for Arsenic for Tea, which is probably my absolute favourite of all the Murder Most Unladylike books, and more than topped Murder Most Unladylike (which I totally adored too)

Currently Reading: At time of writing, Skylarks by Karen Gregory.

Drink of Choice While Reading: I only really drink flavoured water, water or milk, so one of those.

E-reader or Physical Book?: Physical.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School: Nick from Geek Girl is my ultimate book boyfriend.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance: I wasn’t a huge fan of All of the Above when I read it, so I’m so glad I still gave Margot and Me a go as I loved it.

Hidden Gem Book: for me, the Children of Castle Rock, because although I’ve enjoyed books from the author in the past, I absolutely didn’t expect to be so blown away by it.

Important Moment in your Reading Life: when I discovered the Adventure Island series and the Laura Marlin Mysteries.

Just Finished: the Children of Castle Rock was my last completed book.

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read: I don’t really like dystopia, sci-fi or horror, and I’m fussy with YA in general, but particularly fantasy, where I’m willing to give almost any MG, even in the above genres, a go.

Longest Book You’ve Read: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the longest I can remember.

Major book hangover because of: I always feel quite bereft every time I finish the Geek Girl series.

Number of Bookcases You Own: None at all! I use storage boxes for my books.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times: Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen is probably the standalone I’ve reread the most.

Preferred Place To Read: I prefer reading anywhere at home, but take books almost everywhere. The only place I don’t usually pick up a book is on public transport, I find it often triggers my nausea/makes it worse if it’s already present, as does reading in the car (though only occasionally, which is why I still do that sometimes)

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read: I can’t remember a specific quote, but the Japan pavement scene from Model Misfit gives me all the Freckles/Lion boy shipper feels. I love a lot of quotable moments in Geek Girl actually.

Reading Regret: spending so many years ashamed of DNFing and never doing it. Life’s too short for books I’m not enjoying; I read for escapism, so if a book is making me miserable I just get shot these days.

Series You Started And Need To Finish (all books are out in series): the Laura Marlin Mysteries and White Giraffe series, both by Lauren St John and both with only the 5th unread (mainly because they were released years after the others in both cases…)

Three of your All-Time Favourite Books: Boy in in the Tower, Love, Lies and Lemon Pies and Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others: I’m probably most excited for the Storm Keeper’s Island at the moment, but I have tons of books I’m anticipating.

Worst Bookish Habit: Maxing out my library card all the time 😂🙈

Your latest book purchase: Eliza and her Monsters, which I’ve only ever seem get 5 star reviews so I’m hoping I’ll enjoy.

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late): I can’t recall the last, but the one I’ve felt like this most with was How Not to Disappear by Clare Furniss.

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I tag whoever wants to do this, as I know loads of people I’d usually tag have done it already!

I’d love to hear some of your answers to these in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl, especially if we’ve got any in common!

Amy xxx

The Reading Habits Book Tag

Hello everybody!

Today, I’m going to be doing the Reading Habits Book Tag, which I found on Writing With Wolves. Onto the questions!

1. Bookmarks or random pieces of paper?

Always bookmarks nowadays. I used to just use another book as bookmark when I was young, hence why lots of my older copies are in a bit of a bad way.

2. Stop reading randomly or after a chapter/certain amount of pages?

I tend to try and stop at the end of a chapter, although that can be tricky if a book is especially gripping and I’m reading on a break at school, and I don’t put it down until I’m forced to by the bell.

3. Do you have a certain place at home for reading?

I read on my sofa a lot, and in bed. I also really like the armchair by the window, but I very rarely sit there as it’s usually claimed either by a dog or another family member.

4. Do you eat or drink whilst reading?

Yes! I love having a snack while reading (usually chocolate).

5. Multitasking: music or TV when reading?

I very occasionally read when other people have those things on, even though I find it quite distracting, but not on purpose.

6. One book at a time or several?

I do occasionally do this, but it’s usually a bit of an accident, such as leaving a book downstairs and being too lazy to go back and get it, so starting another.

7. Reading at home or everywhere?

Not everywhere, e.g. I struggle on trains or buses due to having easily induced nausea and them being too fast and bumpy, but if I’m stationary in a seat then yes, most places.

8. Reading out loud or silently?

Silently.

10. Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?

I don’t break spines on purpose, but as my childhood book collection will tell you, it doesn’t really bother me if the spine is literally peeling off.

11. Do you write in your books?

No. I can’t ever remember writing in one.

12. Who do you tag?

Charlotte, Cora and Kelly.

Thank you so much for reading! I’d love to hear your answers to some of these questions down in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl!

Amy xxx