Book Tag

My Good Reading Habits Tag

~ Holly ~ 8 Comments

Back with another tag! I had never heard of this one before I was tagged in it, so I’m excited to dive in. Thanks so much to Rebecca @ Bookishly Rebecca for tagging me!

What intrigues me about this tag is the way it asks us to define “good” reading habits. Does “good” mean getting through as many books as possible? Treating books as though they’re objects to keep as pristine as possible? Is being a “good” reader sticking to the books you’ve listed as part of your TBR pile and never deviating from that stack? If so, then I must be a terrible reader! Here I’ve explained some of my reading habits that I consider to be “good” in my own personal experience as a reader.

  • Pingback to this post or me!
  • List some of your good reading habits, the things you think you do well
  • Nominate some of your blogging friends

+ I annotate books. I know this is a huge NO for many people, but hear me out! Annotating helps me organize my thoughts about what I’m reading so much more effectively than taking notes in a notebook on the side or just plowing through without writing anything. I also love going back and rereading a book that I previously annotated. It’s so interesting seeing what I thought the first time around, especially when it’s been a while since I first read something. Personally, I feel as though annotating is one of the best ways to get the most out of what you read.

+ I read from a wide variety of genres. This might be my favorite reading habit of all. I’ve always loved reading from a bunch of different genres, and that love seems to expand the more I read. From fantasy and science fiction to classic literature, memoir, young adult, non-fiction, essays, literary criticism, and even children’s literature, there aren’t many genres out there that I would refuse to dabble in. While I have genres that are certainly my favorites (classic literature and memoir, I’m looking at you), it’s nice to dip in and out of a bunch of different writing styles and topics.

+ I read more than one book at a time. Between books I have to read for class, what I’m listening to on audio book, and whatever is on my bedside table at the time, I’m almost always reading at least two or three books. This juggling of books is also where reading multiple genres comes in handy: it’s much easier to keep several books straight in your mind when they’re vastly different from one another. Reading multiple books at once also makes me feel as though I’m getting more reading done (even if it is just a placebo effect!).

+ I almost always carry a book with me. Going to the doctor’s office? Book in bag. Driving to work? Audio book on phone. Taking the train? Book in bag AND audio book on phone. It’s rare that I venture anywhere far without some sort of literature on me. You never know when you’ll have time to crack open a good book!

I’m not sure who has already done this tag, so forgive me if you’ve already been tagged!

Thanks again to Rebecca for the tag!

What are some of your “good” reading habits? What do you think of mine? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY

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Halloween Creatures Book Tag

~ Holly ~ 7 Comments

BOOO! Happy Halloween, everyone! I hope you’re having a lovely day of spooky celebrations and plenty of candy corn to go around. Today I’d like to celebrate with this Halloween Creatures Book Tag. Thanks so much to Theresa @ The Calico Books for tagging me!

Witch: A magical character or book.

How could I not mention one of my favorite books? The Hobbit is magical in so many senses of the word, from setting and characters to the warm, fuzzy feeling it gives me whenever I return to its faded pages.

Werewolf: The perfect book to read at night.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte has always struck me as the ideal book to read under the covers on a dark, stormy night. Is it the eerie setting? Cruel Heathcliff? Bronte’s lyrical writing? Or a combination of them all?

Frankenstein: A book that truly shocked you.

The existence of this book shocked me. I had no idea that my favorite movie and Michael Crichton’s brilliant book Jurassic Park was inspired by The Lost World, a 1912 novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, until I found it in a bookstore one day in Oxford.

The Devil: A dark, evil character.

The Rook by Daniel O’Malley is filled with complicated, ambiguous, surprising characters who may be considered a hero one minute and evil the next. I love a great character twist!

Grim Reaper: A character that should never have died.

I think Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling goes without explanation for this prompt. So sad!

Zombie: A book that made you hungry for more.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte was the book that made me eager to read more classic literature. What would I be reading nowadays if not for my favorite genre?

Gargoyle: A character that you would protect at all costs.

I’m going to say Jim Burden from My Ántonia by Willa Cather, one of my favorite novels. Ántonia could definitely hold her own, but I’m not so sure about poor Jim…

Vampire: A book that sucked the life out of you.

I really enjoyed reading War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, but it took a long, long time. A few summers ago I read about a section a week for two months or so–splitting it up over the course of a summer definitely helped!

Ghost: A book that still haunts you.

Beloved by Toni Morrison is one of the most striking, unsettling, powerful, haunting books I have ever read. It’s a novel that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Demon: A book that really scared you.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is hilarious and witty while simultaneously terrifying. What if society goes in this direction? What does our future look like? Huxley offers a frightening example.

Skeleton: A character you have a bone to pick with.

Emma by Jane Austen was such a tedious book to read because I found so many of the characters annoying. I think it might be worth rereading someday, but for now I’m fine just watching Clueless. 

Mummy: A book you would preserve through time.

I have a strange attachment to Founding Brothers by Joseph J. Ellis. I read it for an essay in my AP United States History class during my junior year of high school and I adored it.

Creepy Doll: A cover too scary to look at.

Even the spine of The Shining by Stephen King is creepy. I remember finishing this book while staying overnight in a lodge on a mountain in January… definitely fit the mood of the book!

YOU! Since Halloween is today, I’m not quite sure if anyone will want to do this tag. But if you’d like to, definitely go for it! Happy Halloween!!

What are your answers to these prompts? What do you think of mine? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY

The #NotAll Book Tag

~ Holly ~ 31 Comments

Thanks so much to Norees @ No Reads Too Great for tagging me! Also, thanks to the Orangutan Librarian for creating this #notall book tag in the first place. This is such a fun idea for a tag, so let’s dive right in!

#NotAll Cover Changes || A cover change you liked

Normally I’m not a fan of cover changes that involve movie adaptations, but the new cover of Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman is perfect. I love how simple it is and how the solid blue background really make the people and the typography pop.

#NotAll Adaptations || An adaptation you love more than the book

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. I enjoyed the book, but after watching the movie I knew it would be my favorite of the two. Not only was the film beautifully done, but the soundtrack is also incredible. I still listen to it years after having seen the film for the first time in theaters.

#NotAll Tropes || A trope you’ll never tire of seeing

BOARDING SCHOOLS. If you’ve been around this blog long enough, then you’re probably already aware of my adoration of books set at boarding schools, summer camps, etc. There’s just something about these kinds of settings that I love (lots of kids, little supervision, plenty of shenanigans, etc.).

#NotAll Insta-Love || You insta-loved this insta-couple

Usually I really dislike insta-love situations, but I couldn’t help rooting for Westley and Princess Buttercup from the very beginning of William Goldman’s The Princess Bride. I couldn’t think of a more stereotypically picturesque couple!

#NotAll Love Triangles || An example of a love triangle done well

This is a tricky one because I really dislike love triangles. Perhaps an exception would be Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy, although I guess that novel technically involves a love square. 

#NotAll Parents || Bookish parents that actually parent

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. I listened to the audio book version of this beloved classic a few months ago for the first time and couldn’t help but adore Marilla and Matthew. How could you not after reading this adorable book?

#NotAll Villains || A villain you love

I think he technically counts as more of an anti-hero than a villain, but I’m still going to go with Victor from Vicious by V.E. Schwab. There’s just something about his wit and ambiguity that makes him fascinating to read and think about, even years after I read the book for the first time.

#NotAll Chosen Ones || A chosen one you can get behind

Sophie from Roald Dahl’s The BFG. I want to be chosen to hang out with the BFG! Pick me! Please?! (As you can probably imagine, this was Young Holly’s childhood dream.)

#NotAll Hyped Books || A hyped book that lived up to the acclaim

One of my worst bookish pet peeves is when a book is spoiled by unrealistically high expectations. Fortunately, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley lived up to all of the hype and more. Such a bizarre, hilarious, thought-provoking novel!

#NotAll *Insert Favorite Genre* || A book you’re not keen on from your favorite genre

It’s no surprise that I LOVE classic literature. However, I must admit that I simply do not enjoy reading Ernest Hemingway’s novels. There’s just something about his choppy, terse writing style that grinds my gears.

#NotAll *Insert Least Favorite Genre* || A book you liked from a genre you don’t often read

I’m not sure I actually have an answer to this question! I tend not to read anything from my least favorite genres, so I think I’ll have to pass!

What are your answers to these questions? What do you think of mine? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY

Jurassic Park Book Tag

~ Holly ~ 45 Comments

It’s no secret that I adore Jurassic Park. Not only is it my favorite movie, but it’s also one of my favorite books. You can imagine my excitement when I learned that such a thing exists as a Jurassic Park Book Tag. I wasn’t tagged in this at all, but Camillea Reads showed me this post from the Literary Phoenix and I knew I had to do it, too!

“Spared no expense.”  ~John Hammond || A series that seems to go on forever. 

The longest series I’ve read recently is A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. It takes some dedication to wade through all thirteen books! Fortunately they’re quick and easy to get through, so they don’t take that long to read.

“Life finds a way.”  ~Ian Malcolm || A book with amazingly intricate world-building. 

I’m only halfway through The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, but it’s already clear that the world-building here is incredible. I love the way the novel is formatted as stories told within this larger story. It’s easy to forget that all of this happens in such a short span of time.

“Hold on to your butts.”  ~Arnold || What’s the fastest you’ve read a book, and what book was it?

I read I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith in one sitting in Heathrow Airport as I waited for my flight from London to Boston over winter break, which was pretty fast. I was stressed about traveling and definitely grateful for the distraction!

“Mr Hammond, after careful consideration, I’ve decided not to endorse your park.”  ~Alan Grant || A book you refuse to read (or finish).

There are few books that I would flat-out refuse to ever read, so I can’t say that one even comes to mind.

“Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.”  ~Ian Malcolm || A book that left you going ‘Why?’

I love this question–so many books can apply! I’m going to go with How to be Both by Ali Smith, which I had to read for a tutorial last term. This book is so bizarre that you can’t help but wonder why she makes the writing decisions that she does.

“We need more teeth!”  ~Gray Mitchell || A book with no human MCs. 

Animal Farm by George Orwell. I’ve only ever read the Spanish translation of this book, but I love it all the same. It’s one of those books that haunts you long after you finish the final page. I’d love to read the original English sometime.

“The kids? This will give the parents nightmares.”  ~Simon Masrani || A book that terrified you.

Definitely The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. I’ve read this book twice now and both times it has made me think twice about the direction in which our society is currently heading. I haven’t seen the TV series yet, but I can only imagine that it’s just as terrifying!

“Monster is a relative term. To a canary, a cat is a monster. We’re just used to being the cat.”   ~Henry Wu || A book that changed your perceptions on an issue/culture, etc.

I’ve talked about this book a lot on this blog, but I adored reading Girl Up by Laura Bates. It’s such a hilarious, fun, empowering read!

What are your answers to these prompts? What do you think of mine? Do you like Jurassic Park, either the book or the movie? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY

20 Questions Book Tag | 2

~ Holly ~ 23 Comments

Who doesn’t love a good game of Twenty Questions? Fortunately, the 20 Questions Book Tag is a lot more interesting than just “yes” or “no” answers. Thanks so much to Ash and Lo @ Windowsill Books for tagging me!

1. HOW MANY BOOKS IS TOO MANY BOOKS IN A BOOK SERIES?

It definitely depends on the series itself, but I think around four books is generally a good rule of thumb. For instance, I think the Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater works really well as four books, but more than that would make the series feel like it was dragging on forever. When I was younger I used to love reading really long series, but lately I’ve been appreciating the closure of a good standalone.

2. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT CLIFFHANGERS?

I love cliffhangers in the middle of series or at the end of chapters when you know that your questions will soon be answered; however, I dislike them at the end of series or books when there are countless important questions left unsolved.

3. HARDBACK OR PAPERBACK?

100 percent paperback! I hate how expensive, heavy, and awkward to read hardcover books can be. When given the choice, I will always choose paperback.

4. FAVORITE BOOK?

Ah yes, the most impossible question. Usually my answer to this horrid inquiry is The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien because it holds such a nostalgic place in my heart. It’s one that I never get tired of rereading!

5. LEAST FAVORITE BOOK?

Another really difficult question! It takes a lot for me to really hate a book, but I think I’m going to have to go with Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock. I started reading it several years ago and disliked it so much that I couldn’t even finish it!

6. LOVE TRIANGLES, YES OR NO?

NO. NO. NO.

7. THE MOST RECENT BOOK YOU JUST COULDN’T FINISH?

Last term I tried listening to the audio book of Bloodlines by Richelle Mead because one of my friends read this series when she was younger and said she was obsessed with it back then. The protagonist was so annoying that I literally could not bring myself to listen to the last few hours of it.

8. A BOOK YOU’RE CURRENTLY READING?

Grimm Tales: For Young and Old by Philip Pullman. I started reading this while traveling during my spring break and haven’t found the time to finish it now that term has started up again in Oxford. Maybe I’ll finally finish it on my eight-hour flight home? So far I’m really enjoying it!

9. LAST BOOK YOU RECOMMENDED TO SOMEONE?

Lately I’ve been telling so many people to read anything and everything by Zadie Smith and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I feel like these two writers are on a lot of TBR lists out there, but are not often prioritized. They’re such brilliant writers!

10. OLDEST BOOK YOU’VE READ? *PUBLICATION DATE*

According to Goodreads, the oldest book I’ve read is the Epic of Gilgamesh.

11. NEWEST BOOK YOU’VE READ? *PUBLICATION DATE*

It’s hard to tell on Goodreads what the most recently published book I’ve read is, so I’m just going to throw Turtles All the Way Down by John Green out there since it was just published on October 10, 2017.

12. FAVORITE AUTHOR?

Since I have many favorite authors and I tend to be quite indecisive in general, here are a bunch of authors that I love: John Green, J.R.R. Tolkien, Roald Dahl, William Faulkner, Willa Cather, E.L. Konigsburg, Frederick Douglass….the list goes on and on!

13. BUYING BOOKS OR BORROWING BOOKS?

I try to borrow books from libraries and fellow bookworms as much as possible because it’s less wasteful and definitely cheaper; however, there’s nothing quite like a great bookshop haul!

14. A BOOK YOU DISLIKE THAT EVERYONE ELSE SEEMS TO LOVE?

I was so excited to read An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir because so many people highly recommended it; however, I think the hype monster made my expectations a bit too high and I ended up being rather disappointed with it.

15. BOOKMARKS OR DOG-EARS?

Definitely bookmarks! Not only are they fun to collect, but they’re so much more easy to use than constantly having to fold down pages.

16. A BOOK YOU CAN ALWAYS REREAD?

Any Lord of the Rings book, Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta, The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place by E.L. Konigsburg… I just LOVE rereading books in general!!

17. CAN YOU READ WHILE HEARING MUSIC?

Yes! The only thing that really distracts me from reading is when I can distinctly hear a single conversation nearby.

18. ONE POV OR MULTIPLE POV’S?

It really depends on the novel, but generally I think books with multiple perspectives or story lines are really interesting.

19. DO YOU READ A BOOK IN ONE SITTING OR OVER MULTIPLE DAYS?

Once again, it depends on the book. Usually I end up reading books for fun over the course of multiple days and books for school in one sitting (so much required reading, so little time!).

20. A BOOK YOU’VE READ BECAUSE OF THE COVER?

SO. MANY. I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet, but some recent cover-buys for me were a few of the Penguin Modern editions that recently came out. They’re just so pretty!

What are your answers to these questions? What do you think of mine? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY

How I Choose My Books Tag

~ Holly ~ 15 Comments

When I’m not buried under mountains of required reading for coursework, I often ask myself an important question: How do I choose my books? Fortunately, that’s the very same question that this tag attempts to answer! I had never heard to this tag before I was tagged in it, so I’m really excited to take a look at these questions. Thanks so much to Krisha @ Bookathon for tagging me!!

Find a book on your shelves or e-reader with a blue cover. What made you want to pick up this book?

Since I’m currently studying abroad and don’t have access to my actual bookshelves at home, the closest I could come to a blue book is the turquoise Penguin Modern edition of Wendell Berry’s “Why I Am Not Going to Buy A Computer.” I chose this book not only because the design is brilliant but also because Ariel Bissett (one of my favorite booktubers) HIGHLY recommended it.

Think of a book you didn’t expect to enjoy, but did. Why did you read it in the first place? 

This situation happened to me when I tackled War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy last summer. It’s a novel that was always on my list of books that “I Should Probably Read At Some Point Because They’re Really Well Known and Are Referenced In A Lot of Other Things.” However, I finally decided to read it last summer because Laura @ Reading in Bed was hosting a read-a-long and I couldn’t resist.

Stand in front of your bookshelf with your eyes closed and pick up a book at random. How did you discover this book?

Once again using my limited shelves, I picked up Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I first discovered this book from major blogging hype and purchased a copy so long ago. However, I just got around to read it recently because it’s on my required reading list for Postcolonial Literature this term. Everything comes full circle eventually!

Pick a book that someone personally recommended to you. What did you think of it?

Whenever I think about books people have recommended me over the years, the first one that usually comes to mind is All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. The librarian at my high school recommended this to me when I was a senior and I LOVED it. Now I’m the one always recommending this brilliant novel to people! I’m so glad I decided to follow her suggestion!

Pick a book that you discovered through Youtube/book blogs. Did it live up to the hype?

I could list so many books in this answer, but I think I’m going to go with An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. For a while this book was everywhere in the blogosphere, so I decided to give it a try; however, it definitely didn’t live up to my expectations. If you want to read more about why I was disappointed with it, you can check out my book review here. 

Find a book on your shelves or e-reader with a one word title. What drew you to this book?

Since I’ve already used Americanah, I’m going to have to go with Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf because it’s the closest I can get to one word with the books I currently have on my limited shelf. While I was required to read this for two tutorials, I was also drawn to it because the entire novel takes place in a single day. I was so intrigued!

What book did you discover through a film/ TV adaptation?

Years ago I watched The Help movie with my family one night and immediately went to the library to check out the novel of the same name by Kathryn Stockett. Both forms of telling this story are amazing and I would highly recommend them in either order. I think this is definitely a case where the book and the movie are equally as well done.

Think of your all-time favourite book/s. When did you read these and why did you pick them in the first place?

For this question I have to go with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien I first read this series going into sixth grade (for a book project!), a time in my life when I was a very awkward kid and needed a respite from middle school awkwardness. These books will always hold a special place in my heart. ❤

  • YOU!!!

 

These questions were surprisingly difficult to answer! Thanks again to Krisha for tagging me ❤

What are your answers to these questions? What do you think of mine? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY

Inside Out Book Tag | 2

~ Holly ~ 18 Comments

Have you ever seen the heart-breaking, heart-warming, gut-wrenching, tear-jerking, laugh-inducing movie Inside Out? Well, you should! Today I’m here with the Inside Out Book Tag. Thanks so much to Kelly @ Just Another Book in the Wall for tagging me!!

A book that brings you joy

Girl Up by Laura Bates. This is one of the first books I read in 2018 and I still find myself thinking about it every once in a while. Not only is it hilarious and informational, but it’s also incredibly empowering.

A book that brings you sadness

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Poor Oliver! This novel was much darker than I initially expected it would be… although I should have known that any Dickens novel wouldn’t likely be sunshine and rainbows!

A book that makes you angry

Ann Veronica by H.G. Wells. As I explained in my Feminist Fridays post about this novel a few weeks back, I found Wells’ views on women, suffragettes, marriage, etc. to be very frustrating.

A book that disgusts you

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. I don’t find many books disgusting, so this question was a little more difficult than the others. However, the overt racism and violence in this classic novel definitely fit the bill.

A book that brings you fear

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Ah, good old deeply entrenched societal problems. The scary thing about this novel is that it is not an extremely unrealistic portrayal of what some women feel like in the world.

What are your answers to these questions? What do you think of mine? Do you like this movie? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY

Fantasy Tropes Book Tag

~ Holly ~ 31 Comments

Although I mostly read classics now (largely due to all of my course work) the genre that first got me hooked on reading was definitely fantasy. You can imagine how excited I was to see that I was recently tagged to do the Fantasy Tropes Book Tag. Thanks so much to Kelly @ Just Another Book in the Wall for tagging me!!

The Lost Princess: A book/series you lost interest in halfway through

I remember reading I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore several years ago when it was pretty popular, but after reading up to the third book in the series I lost interest in it. I think there are around seven books in total now, but I don’t plan on returning to finish the series at anytime soon.

The Knight in Shining Armor: A hyped book/series you were swept up by

The more I read the Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater, the more I became invested in the characters, plot, and series as a whole. This fantastical world steeped in reality is just too engrossing to let go.

The Wise Old Wizard: An author who amazes you with his/her writing

Is anyone surprised that my answer to this question is William Faulkner?

The Maiden in Distress: An undervalued character you wished had a bigger story line

So many characters in Harry Potter! I would definitely be up for a spin-off series about all of the side characters we don’t learn enough about (especially the Marauders!).

The Magical Sword: A magical item/ability you wish authors used less

Probably mind control, specifically the ability to move things telepathically (kind of like Eleven from Stranger Things). I think it’s overused at this point and not very creative.

The Mindless Villain: A phrase you cannot help but roll your eyes at

“She wasn’t like the other girls. She was different.” Someone please gauge my eyes out so I don’t have to read this anymore (figuratively speaking, of course. I like my eyes).

The Untamed Dragon: A magical creature you wish you had as a pet

I wouldn’t want a house elf as a pet (I definitely stand with Hermione and S.P.E.W.) but I would love to befriend one!

The Chosen One: A book/series you will always root for

Perhaps my favorite series ever: Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. I’ll never get tired of returning to these books time and time again!

Thanks again to Kelly for tagging me!

What are your answers to these prompts? What do you think of mine? Do you have a favorite fantasy book or series? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY

Jingle All the Way Book Tag

~ Holly ~ 15 Comments

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I can’t believe it’s finally here! To celebrate I’m going to answer some festive questions in the Jingle All the Way Book Tag, which was originally created by The Left Handed Book Lover. Thanks so much to Dani @ Perspective of a Writer for tagging me!!

JINGLE BELLS: A fun, lighthearted book

The Princess Bride by William Goldman? I love this entertaining, hilarious, captivating adventure story, especially the snarky narrator. I highly recommend the movie as well (this is one of the few cases in which the movie rivals the book for me!).

I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS: A book with a scandalous romance

I don’t know if the relationships in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights could necessarily be described as particularly “romantic” or “scandalous” per say, but they are certainly memorable!

I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS: A book you are determined to reread

I always say that My Ántonia by Willa Cather is one of my absolute favorite books, but I’ve only read it once. I adore rereading books, so I definitely want to read this one again in 2018!

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN: Your most anticipated release of 2017

Definitely Turtles All the Way Down by John Green. I was hesitant at first because I was afraid of being disappointed by all of the hype surrounding his new release, but it actually exceeded all of my expectations.

SILENT NIGHT: A beautiful book that everyone knows

I’m not sure I would say that everyone knows the story of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, but everyone definitely should. The lyrical writing in this novel is stunning and the story itself is incredibly captivating.

WINTER WONDERLAND: A book with great world-building

Ah, there’s so many to choose from! I think that I’ll have to go with Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. This science fiction series has some of the most interesting world-building I’ve ever read… come to think of it, I should definitely finish this series soon!

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN: An under-hyped book that is so great you want to tell everyone about it 

I absolutely adored The Rook by Daniel O’Malley when I read it a few years ago but know very few people who actually talk about it. It’s fantastic! So good! Read it! Please!

I SAW THREE SHIPS: Favorite trilogy

Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. This has been my favorite trilogy for a decade now and I can’t see that changing anytime soon! Unlike with most trilogies, my favorite book in LOTR is actually The Two Towers, the middle one.

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: A book with an underdog protagonist who rises up

Holes by Louis Sachar. How could you not want to root for poor Stanley Yelnats as he tries to survive his time at Camp Green Lake.

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS: A book that helped you get through troubling times

SO. MANY. I especially love reading The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien whenever I’m stressed or just need to be cheered up. As I explained recently in another book tag I definitely identify with Bilbo.

Thanks again to Dani for tagging me! I hope you all have a lovely holiday filled with family, friends, delicious food, carols, and fresh snow!

What are your answers to these questions? What’s your favorite holiday tradition? How was Christmas for you this year? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY

The “Me in Book Characters” Tag

~ Holly ~ 27 Comments

Ever wonder what kind of book characters I would be? Well, I’m here to tell you exactly that. Thanks so much to Ash and Lo @ Windowsill Books for tagging me in this original tag that they created!

  1. Thank the creators of the tag (Us! Ash & Lo @ Windowsill Books)
  2. Thank whoever tagged you!
  3. List 5 book characters who you are most like and explain why.
  4. Tag your friends!

Hermione Granger from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

I would be amiss if I didn’t include Hermione at the top of this list, mostly because she was such an influential character to me when I was growing up. I definitely prioritize academics and studying, but I also really value friendship and I’m not afraid to confront someone when I really feel strongly about a cause.

Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Like Bilbo at the start of this novel, I would certainly consider myself a homebody. I like being cozy at home instead out on risky adventures– that is, until I inevitably find myself tugged out the door! (I’m looking at you, study abroad…)

Pip from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Pip isn’t really sure of himself and is definitely still trying to figure things out even when he’s matured in age… sounds familiar!

Jane from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Perhaps this one is more aspirational, but I really admire and identify with Jane independence, wit, and thoughtfulness. I’ve always loved her as a character, especially her way of reflecting on her past. Besides, she says the best quotes:

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” 

Matilda from Matilda by Roald Dahl

Reading, reading, reading– that’s me!! When I first read Matilda this past summer I immediately saw myself in this voracious little bookworm. So many trips to the library, so little time!

What book characters are you most like? What do you think of the ones I’ve mentioned? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY