Tag: Book Tag

The Mid Year Book Freakout Tag 2018

Hello everybody! Today, I’m going to be doing the Mid Year Book Freakout Tag, which I was tagged for by Cora. Onto the post!

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1. The best book you’ve read this year?

My joint favourites of the year so far are When the Mountains Roared and the Children of Castle Rock, which I adored. The former cemented Jess as one of my favourite writers at the moment as it was even better than her stunning debut and the latter was such a perfect Blyton-esque read that made me laugh so, so much.

2. The best sequel you’ve read this year?

I’ve read lots of excellent new additons to series this year, but the best sequel to a first book by far for me has been Alex Sparrow and the Furry Fury, which I thought was hilarious and exciting and immensely enjoyable, AND it had the added bonus of loads of brilliant animals.

3. New releases you haven’t read yet but want to.

So, so many. I’m very excited to finish off the Uncommoners trilogy, and I think the Storm Keeper’s Island and the Wild Folk look particularly amazing too.

4. Most anticipated releases for the second half of the year.

Emma Carroll’s Secrets of a Sun King, Robin Stevens’s Death in the Spotlight and Anna James’s Pages and Co are probably my top three. There are so many things coming out that I want to read that I’d take forever to list them all though!

5. Biggest disappointment.

I think it has to be the List of Real Things. I absolutely loved the two books I’d read from Sarah Moore Fitzgerald previously (Back to Blackbrick and the Apple Tart of Hope, which were stunningly written and so unique), but I found this one really hard to get into and not what I’d expected from the blurb.

6. Biggest surprise.

I thought I’d enjoy the Children of Castle Rock, but I had no idea I’d love it as much as I do. It feels like a book I’ve been waiting on forever without knowing it, as it combines so many of my favourite ingredients in a book; boarding school, adventure, friendship, beautiful writing and brilliant humour.

7. Favourite new to you, or debut, author.

I don’t feel like I’ve read as many debuts this year (though that could be my imagination!), but I’d say my favourite would be the House with Chicken Legs, which was a retelling of the Baba Yaga folk tale with lovely characters, some brilliant twists I did not see coming at all and a phenomenal setting/character in the house itself.

8. Newest fictional crush.

1000% Matt Finch from Open Road Summer. I love him. Unlike Reagan (the main character, who he is the love interest for), I am exactly the sort of person who’d love to have a song written for them.

9. Newest favourite character.

I’ve loved SO many new characters, but I think my absolute favourite is Finch, the narrator of Flying Tips for Flightless Birds. He took a little while to get to know, but he was such a joy to read despite being simeltaneously frustrating some of the time.

10. Book that made you cry?

When the Mountains Roared made weep at multiple points. Most books ehuch heavily feature animals do, to be honest.

11. Book that made you happy?

ALL OF THEM. But one in particular would be A Sky Painted Gold, which I read on the couch one day when I felt really unwell. It was so romantic, funny and well written that it made for perfect escapism.

12. Favourite book to film adaption?

I think I’ve only seen Love, Simon, but it’d still be Love, Simon if I’d seen fifty. I loved that film so much, and I didn’t really expect to since the book is one of my favourites and they changed quite a few things.

13. Favourite post you have done this year?

I think it would have to be this one because writing an entire post about why I love Geek Girl was such a joy.

14. Most beautiful book you have bought this year?

Easily Open Road Summer- I think all of the UK covers for Emery Lord are ridiculously pretty.

15. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

I want to get to so many things by the end of the year, but the main one I’ll mention is the Secret of Supernatural Creek because I bought it the day it came out, and have put off reading it for almost an entire year in case it doesn’t live up to the original Laura Marlin Mysteries quartet (which hold a very special place in my heart). There are lots of others I hope I can get to too.

If you’d like to read my 2017 version of this tag, you can do that here.

I tag Christina and Laura.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl!

Amy x

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The Chocolate Book Tag

Hello everybody!

Today, to celebrate World Chocolate Day, I’m going to be doing the Chocolate Book Tag, which was created by Faye. Onto the post!

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1. Dark Chocolate — A book that covers a dark topic (abuse, domestic violence, rape, lonlieness, bullying, death, etc)

The Summer of Telling Tales, which sees two sisters, their mum and their dog escaping a horrifically abusive household and attempting to start a new life, was one of my favourite reads of last year. It was heartbreaking, and I cried all the way through.

2. White Chocolate — Your favourite light-hearted/humourous read

I think everyone who’s read this blog before knows the answer, and I’ll be talking about it in a few questions time anyway, so instead I’ll mention some recent favourite funny reads: Noah Could Never, It’s a Wrap and Theatrical.

3. Milk Chocolate — A book that has a lot of hype that you’re dying to read.

I’ve heard lots of amazing things about Catherine Doyle’s the Storm Keeper’s Island, and I’m really looking forward to reading it at some point. It sounds like something I’ll probably enjoy quite a bit!

4. Chocolate with a caramel centre- Name a book that made you feel all gooey in the middle while you were reading it

The One Hundred and Dalmatians, because aogs trying to save their pups from death at the hands of a horrid villain is an adorable concept, and while it’s suspenseful in places, it’s quite relaxing at the same time. It also features a charming golden retriever, and my heart melts every time I read that bit.

5. Snickers — A book that you are going nuts about

I just read the Elsewhere Emporium, and I thought it was amazing. I’ll be reviewing it in my July reviews post next month, and I’m super excited to write it already. I thought it was even better than the first book; a perfect follow up that would also be an engrossing, exciting read for someone who’d never heard of the Nowhere Emporium before.

6. Hot Chocolate with cream and marshmallows- What book would you turn to for a comfort read?

Geek Girl, always. No matter how down I am, no matter whether I read the full series or a couple of pages, it always lifts my mood.

7. Box of chocolates — What series have you read that you feel has a wide variety and a little something for everyone?

I had to think REALLY hard on what I could pick for this one, but I’ve decided on the 39 Clues books. I really wish more people would read them because they’re brilliant and they do pack a lot in. There’s intriguing mystery, exciting action, well developed characters with interesting backstories and the opportunity to learn about some historical figures.

What are your favourite types of chocolate? What are your thoughts on the books I’ve mentioned? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl!

Amy x

The Summer Book Tag

Hello everybody!

Since I’m going on holiday today, it seemed only right to do the Summer Book Tag, which I found on A Book Lover’s Playlist. Onto the post!

1. What book cover makes you think of summer?

I think the covers of Morgan Matson’s books are really summery. I didn’t enjoy Since You’ve Been Gone much, but I’m hoping to finally read the Unexpected Everything over the summer/at some point this year, along with my newly purchased copy of Save the Date which I have heard fantastic things about. I love the concepts of both so much, along with Morgan Matson’s other books, so I’m really hoping I enjoy them.

2. What book has brightened your day?

Most recently, Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Ghosts; it made me giggle and was just lovely. It’s a Wrap and Theatrical also brought humour and heart to some rubbish days recently.

3. Name a book with yellow on it

The 4th Murder Most Unladylike book (which is set in autumn and is probably the darkest of the books, and therefore not very summery) Jolly Foul Play is yellow. It’s a very gripping, fast paced read, and and the plotting and character develepment are as on point as always.

4. What is your favorite summer beach read?

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book on the beach and my reading tastes remain much the same in summer, I think. I really enjoyed some of Emery Lord’s books last summer, and even though it was rainy when I read them, they’d probably be lovely to read in the sunshine. They’re so beautifully written, emotional and above all, romantic and hopeful and lovely.

5. What action book had you running for the ice cream man?

The action in the Defender of the Realm books, particularly the 2nd, is very tense and feels very cinematic! I’m looking forward to picking up the 3rd soon.

6. What book has left you with a bad ending?

I can’t even remember what happened now, but I remember being annoyed by the ending of Every Day when I read it last year.

7. What book gave you the happiest feeling when it ended?

The ending of each and every one of the Geek Girl books, even though some are incredibly bittersweet (looking at you, Picture Perfect, you destroyed me a bit). That world and those characters and the stories make me so happy every time I read them.

8. What book cover reminds you of a sunset?

I’ll go for No Filter, which I bought last summer and is still languishing on my TBR. I think the cover depicts a sunset, and I look forward to finally reading the book one day as it sounds like something I’ll probably enjoy.

9. What is one book series you hope to read this summer?

I don’t think I have any series on my TBR I’m 100% planning to read, though I hope to start the Improper Magick series at some point and may continue on with those if I like them. I’m definitely going to be reading some sequels, such as Noah Could Never and The Secret Ruby.

Do you have any of your summer TBR sorted yet? What are your favourite things about summer? Are you a fan of any of the books I’ve mentioned? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl!

Amy xxx

The Cliché Book Tag

Hello everybody!

Today, I’m going to be doing the Cliché Book Tag, which I was tagged for by Jenn! Onto the post!

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1. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS: A Book That Wasn’t or Couldn’t Be Better Than The Movie

I really didn’t enjoy Paper Towns or the Fault in Our Stars by John Green, but I adore the film versions of both. I don’t feel like the philosophical quotes as everyday speech thing works in text, but it’s much more bearable when actors are saying them.

2. THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE: A Rags to Riches or Riches to Rags Story

Typically, I can think of a ton of films for this but barely any books. The only thing coming to mind is Helen Bailey’s Running in Heels, which is one of her standalones after the Electra Brown series, which I thought was less good but still enjoyable. It’s about Daisy, as her dad is sent to prison and her having to adjust to a far less priveleged lifestyle.

3. THE APPLE DOES NOT FALL FAR FROM THE TREE: A Parent/Child Relationship That You Love

The relationship between Harriet and her parents in Geek Girl is the absolute best, and I adore Richard and Annabel. I think Felix and Stella in The Polar Bear Explorers Club had a really special bond too.

4. YOU CAN’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER: A Good Book That Needs a Better Cover

I adore the series so much, but the 39 Clues books have such dull covers. They’re pretty colours, but the design is boring, bland and pretty generic.

5. YOU CAN’T PLEASE EVERYONE: A Book You Hate That Everyone loves

This has to be the Loneliest Girl in the Universe I think. I really, really didn’t enjoy it, and it was easily one of the most hyped books of last year.

6. WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER: What’s a Book That Made You a Better Person For Having Read It

I don’t think there’s any one book for me; I think reading widely and experiencing so many diffferent experiences and worldviews has though. A recent read that fits this is the fantastic Fox Girl and the White Gazelle.

7. IGNORANCE IS BLISS: A Book That Is Bad But You Just Don’t Want to Admit It

I don’t say I enjoyed things I didn’t, so like Jenn, I’m skipping this question.

8. THERE IS NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT: What is Your Favourite Contemporary Book?

Geek Girl. You probably all know that by now, but it’s not even a choice of books. I love loads of contemporary, but those books hold such a special place in my heart and are just so wonderful I can’t ever envisage a time in the future where I wouldn’t love them.

9. BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY: A Book You Don’t Want to Read in Case It’s Bad

I’ve told you quite a few times about my nervousness over the Secret of Supernatural Creek, so I’ll talk about another book instead. After hearing incredibly mixed things, I’ve been procrastinating reading Leah on the Offbeat. Simon Vs is a book I really love, and I don’t want to be let diwn my the follow up.

I’m tagging Amy, who is returning from hiatus soon, and Ross.

What are your favourite clichés/tropes? What are your thoughts on the books I’ve mentioned? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @GoldenBooksGirl! A

Amy xxx

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

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 💜

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