#like I guess natasha pulley is my favorite author

[wordsgood]

I’ve only read one Mike Chen book and the first 5 pages of his time travel novel but I have suuuuuch a big fondness for we could be heroes that opening up lightyears from home feels like coming back to an old favorite author after ages away. is this how having an actual favorite author feels??

[aurorawest]

11 & 17 for the reading ask game! I'm hoping for book recs :)

11. What was your favorite book that has been out for a while, but you just now read?

Man, I read so many books this year, and many of them have been out for a while. I guess it depends on how we're defining 'a while!' My favorite classic book I read (when does a book become a classic? Are books that came out in the 90s classics now?) was The Charioteer by Mary Renault. It was published in...I want to say 1952 in the UK? Just a beautiful book. One of those where I'd come upon a particularly gorgeous line and have to stare into the middle distance to let it settle. I actually made a list of all my favorite lines, which I really should post.

For more recent books that have been out awhile, I'm torn between Champion of the Scarlet Wolf by Ginn Hale (2014) or The Bedlam Stacks by Natasha Pulley (2017). With both authors, I can't recommend them enough. Literally everything they've ever written. You can't go wrong.

17. Did any books surprise you with how good they were?

Tons of books surprise me with how good they are, so I'm trying to judge where the disparity was highest. Like, I never expected to love Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh enough to write fic for it, but I did expect to enjoy it. There was The Guncle by Steven Rowley, which I only bought because I'd been seeing it in bookstores for a few years, and I wanted to support an indie bookstore on Indie Bookstore Day—but it ended up being a 5 star read for me. After Francesco by Brian Malloy is another literary fiction that I didn't expect to love, but did. Pack of Lies by Charlie Adhara really took me by surprise with how wonderful it is (I can't wait for the sequel). The Klockwerk Kraken by Aidee Ladnier deserves a mention—that was one where I already expected to enjoy it, but I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the characters and story.

Thanks for asking!

end-of-year book ask

[practicefortheheart]

i'm open to any genres but my favorites are probably fantasy & historical fiction! i enjoy a little sci-fi & just normal realistic fiction as well

Okay! I’m not that knowledgeable about high fantasy, but I have some magic realism and things like that! I’m also focusing on female authors, because I feel like it, but there are some men on the list. 

Classics, to get it out of the way

Everything by Jane Austen. But I would like to recommend Persuasion. It’s the last novel she finished and it shows. It’s more mature and the main character, Anne Eliot, is older than the other heroines we’ve seen before. It’s a beautiful love story with a lot of pining.

Historical Fiction

Everything by Tracy Chevalier. I love everything she’s written. She does a lot of research and I always learn a ton while reading her books. She always writes interesting female characters. Her last book was lovely and featured some lesbian representation: A Single Thread.

Historical Fantasy / Magic realism

Madeline Miller. You probably already know about The Song of Achilles, but her second book, Circe, was just as good. Less gay, but absolutely heartbreakingly good.

The Thief of Time by John Boyne. About a man who’s body stops ageing at the end of the 17th century. He tells his story, weaving in big historical events he happened to witness.

Magical Realism / Fantasy

Neil Gaiman. I mean, does this need any clarification?

The Binding by Bridget Collins. This book is so good, it has a very interesting premise and a lot of angst and gay pining. Excellent. 

I need more fantasy / sci fi gays please

The Watchmaker of Filigree Street and the sequel The Lost Future of Pepperharrow (I’m reading this at the moment) by Natasha Pulley. This book ticks all my boxes: a lot of actual historical people/ events I can research on the side, soft domestic gay love, a mixed race relationship, non neurotypical characters, autistic representation. Mysterious and funny and just so refreshing. 

How about some gay stuff by female poc authors bitch 

The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas. This is basically time travelling poc lesbians. And a locked room murder mystery. All in one book. Awesome. 

Babyji by Abha Dawesar. A coming of age story where a young girl from a traditional family in Delhi explores her sexuality. 

Jackie Kay. I have read her autobiographical novel Red Dust Road, about her search for her biological parents. Her novel Trumpet is on my to read list.

Gimme more poc authors pls

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I can recommend Purple Hibiscus. I have Americanah on my to read list.

I just want to read about young people being fucked up but in a poetic sort of way I can relate to somehow

Sally Rooney.

Okay I have more but this seems like something to start with I guess? 

[asheepbyanyothername]

Mid-Year Book Tag 2020

Tagged by @oblivionsdream This is like half book tag, half call out post, because I’ve only read 26 new books this year. I’ve been slacking. 

Best book you’ve read so far in 2020

“The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson. It’s hard to go wrong with a good true crime novel. The only 5 star rating I’ve given this year, it seems.

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2020

“The Secret Chapter” by Genevieve Cogman. I love the “Invisible Library” series, and every new book is such a delightful romp, with interesting worlds and colorful characters. Also, I’m a sucker for a good heist, so this was already geared for success in my eyes.

New release you haven’t read yet, but want to

“The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives in Your Home” by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor. I bought the book already, but haven’t read it because I want to catch up with the “Welcome to Night Vale” podcast first.

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

Toss-up between “The Devil and the Dark Water” by Stuart Turton (who wrote my favorite book of 2018) and “The Betrayals” by Bridget Collins (who wrote my favorite book of 2019).

Favorite New Author (debut or new to you)

F.C. Yee. I just read both “The Epic Crush of Genie Lo” and “The Iron Will of Genie Lo” this year, and I want more. The books were full of Chinese folklore, and they’re very…Wendy Wu, Homecoming Warrior in all the best ways. The romance didn’t even annoy me like so many YA romances do. I read them both so quickly, they were great. I know F.C. Yee also wrote “Avatar, The Last Airbender: The Rise of Kyoshi”, so I have that on my list for this year.

Biggest Disappointment

I already knew this book wasn’t really my cup of tea based on the summary, but “Loveboat, Taipei” by Abigail Hing Wen. Based on the author’s biography, which is crazy impressive, I thought the book would at least be well written enough for me to overlook the love triangles, high school mean girl antics, “studious daughter leaves strict parental supervision and goes off the rails” trope, and “my parents want me to be a doctor, but I just want to DANCE!”-ness of this book, but it wasn’t particularly well written either. I was disappointed, because it was a Barnes and Noble YA Book Club book (meaning I had to read it), and we’d had a pretty good track record with the recent books, but this was a step back down. These characters, man.

Biggest Surprise

“Stepsister” by Jennifer Donnelly. I had the ARC of this book for so long, and never got around to it until this year, and man, am I glad I grabbed it. It was so good. I’ve come to realize that I’m really into whatever you would call a “modern reworking of fairy tales” genre. 

Book that made you happy:

“The House in the Cerulean Sea”, by TJ Klune. Magical children, found families, cute romance, and a whimsical book that’s aimed at adults. It covers some pretty heavy topics, but never feels like a heavy book. What’s not to like?

Newest Fictional Crush/Newest Favorite Character:

I’m about to embarrass myself, but like. Either Kevin Day (Queen of Exy) from Nora Sakavic’s “All for the Game” series, or Daniel Arlington (gentleman and scholar) from Leigh Bardugo’s “Ninth House”. I will not be taking questions at this time.

Book that made you cry

I don’t really cry over books like that. I guess the book that had the most moving (?) moment for me so far was “Shadow School: Archimancy” by J.A. White.

Favorite book to film adaptation you saw this year:

I have only watched one film adaptation this year, it was Artemis Fowl, and wow, let’s not talk about it.

Most beautiful book you’ve bought or received this year

“The Lost Future of Pepperharrow” by Natasha Pulley. Literally the reason I got into this series at all was because the cover caught my eye.

Book you need to read by the end of the year

“Kafka on the Shore” by Murakami Haruki. I’ve had a copy for years, and never read it, despite Murakami being one of my favorite authors. So that needs to get read this year.

Tagging: @chdmm, because I don’t know who else to tag

[stephreadssometimes]

I decided my first actual book post will be this end of the year book tag thingy I found on YouTube. It’s a long one, sorry!

1. Best Book You Read In 2017: Contemporary YA? I don’t really read contemporary YA. The only one I read this year was Eliza and her Monsters by Francesca Zapia and I thought it was only okay. Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic? Another genre I don’t read too much of, only two this year. I liked both but I think I liked The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin better. Historical Fiction? Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin Paranormal? I don’t know? I guess Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero Science Fiction? The Martian by Andy Weir Fantasy? Age of Sword by Michael J Sullivan.

 2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t? A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas. I still really enjoyed it, but not as much as the 2nd book in the series. It felt like a bit of a let down after A Court of Mist and Fury.

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book in 2017? The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett. I was told never to start the Discworld series with the first book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It wasn’t amazing, but it wasn’t as bad as everyone told me it was. 

4. Book you read in 2017 that you recommended to people most in 2017? I made my mom read Sourdough by Robin Sloan. It was so weird. I loved it.

5. Best series you discovered in 2017? I wouldn’t say I discovered it this year, because I’ve known about it for years, but I finally read the Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan and I loved it! I love all of his books.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2017? Michael J. Sullivan. I’ve only read two of his books so far, but I enjoyed them both a lot. 

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you? I guess Invasion of the Body Snatchers by Jack Finney. I like sci-fi, but that’s old school, classic sci-fi from the 50s. Definitely had a different feel from modern day sci-fi.

 8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2017? Warcross by Marie Lu. I can’t wait for the 2nd book!

9. Book You Read In 2017 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year? I don’t usually reread books, but I wouldn’t mind rereading Gemina by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman before the next book comes out.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2017? The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley. Gorgeous cover, kinda meh book.

11. Most memorable character in 2017? Persephone from The Legends of the First Empire series by Michael J. Sullivan. Really all the female characters in those books. They’re so strong and smart and badass.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2017? Sourdough by Robin Sloan, again. There’s something so strange and beautiful about the way he writes. 

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2017? Probably the Wolf by Wolf series by Ryan Graudin. I’m Jewish and it just had me thinking what if. What if this had actually happened? Would I be here today if it had?

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2017 to finally read? Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. 

15. Favorite Passage/Quote from a book you read in 2017? I have no clue. I should start writing them down.

16. Shortest & Longest book read in 2017? Shortest was Lumberjanes Vol 3 at 122 pages. The longest was It by Stephen King, the ebook is 1478 pages.

17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? THAT ONE SCENE AT THE END OF IT. WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT? WHY DID STEPHEN KING WRITE THAT? So gross.

18. Favorite Relationship from a book you read in 2017? Alex and Magnus from the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series by Rick Riordan. Cute!

19. Favorite Book you read in 2017 from an author you’ve read previously. I read the John Ceepak mystery novels by Chris Grabenstein a long time ago, and found out a few months ago that he was the one who wrote the Mr. Lemoncello books, so of course I marathon read them. They were so cute and fun. 

20. Best book read in 2017 that you read based SOLELY on a recommendation from somebody else.  The Saga series by Brian K. Vaughan. 

21. Genre you read the most from in 2017? Fantasy

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2017? Kai from the Invisible Library series by Genevieve Cogman. I mean he’s a dragon and essentially a prince, what more could you want?

23. Best 2017 debut you read? Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

24. Most vivd world/imagery in a book you read in 2017? Again, I’m going with the Legends of the First Empire series by Michael J. Sullivan. 

25. Book that was the most fun to read in 2017? I read a lot of middle grade this year which is always the most fun. I’m going to have to go with The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull. 

26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2017? Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin. 

27. Book you read in 2017 that you think got overlooked this year or when it came out? Over Ruled by Brittney Joy. I wouldn’t say it’s an omg amazing book, but I really enjoyed it and wish more people would read it. It only has 27 ratings on Goodreads and definitely deserves more.   ——————————————————————————————————— 1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2017 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2018? I really need to read the Infernal Devices series. I’ve been meaning to for like 2 years, but I keep putting it off.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2018 (non-debut)? Age of War by Michael J. Sullivan. Gimme!

3. 2018 Debut You Are Most Anticipating? I can’t think of any right now.

4. Series Ending You Are Most Anticipating in 2018? Obsidio by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman!

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2018? My reading goal is going to probably be about 50 books. I’m working more and going back to school, so I won’t have as much time as I did this year. This is a brand new blog, and I really only have two goals for it for 2018. Update somewhat regularly, and actually write reviews. I’ve never written a review, and I know I’m going to suck at them, but I’m hoping with practice, I will get better!

[asecondglassofcinnamonwine]

3, 4, 13, 17!!!!!!!!

3: What were your top five books of the year?

Red, White and Royal Blue (Casey McQuiston) was my favorite book of the year by a mile and romance is such a only-once-in-a-while thing for me, I have read like only eight romance books in my entire life. But McQuiston made those characters jump off the page and I fell deep into the book.

Other books I also loved, to round off the top 5:The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories (Angela Carter)The Watchmaker of Filigree Street (Natasha Pulley)The Affair of the Mysterious Letter (Alexis Hall)The Nevernight Chronicles (Jay Kristoff - technically a trilogy, but I’ll list it as one entry)

4: Did you discover any new authors that you love this year?

I’m (im)patiently waiting for the next release for both Pulley and McQuiston, and hope Hall will release more Scharazad Haas books. I also discovered N.K. Jemisin, who I have been hearing about for years and knew that one day I would read her stuff and love it, and this was the year for my first dip into her work. And Jesus did she blow me away.

13: What were your least favorite books of the year?

I read a collection of Charles Dickens Christmas short stories and a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale collection and didn’t really enjoy either of them. Both of those books were leftovers from an earlier time in my life when I, filled with hubris, thought I’d tackle classics, just-because-they’re-classics. And now I’ve read them! And can honestly probably donate them.

The King in Yellow and Other Stories (Robert W Chambers) was another one that I dragged my feet through, waiting for the bolt of lightning that would illuminate why other people like this guy’s work.

17: Did any books surprise you with how good they were?

Into the Drowning Deep (Mira Grant) was a pleasant surprise for me. It sucked me right into the mermaid/nautical horror of it all. Normally I like my horror to be in old houses and with a kind of gothic atmosphere to it, so getting sucked into a horror book that takes place on a ship in the middle of the Pacific was a nice change of pace

(and yeah, lol, I did see where you didn’t really get into this one - different strokes, i guess)

Autonomous (Annalee Newitz) was the beneficiary of lower expectations - I bought the book off a booktuber who unhauled it because she didn’t like it, but I enjoyed it a lot.

(also Red, White and Royal Blue, again, for the third time in these questions - I thought it was going to be a typical fluffy-and-angsty romance book but oh my god did it rock my world instead)