First, let me get this out of the way: I LOVE Stranger Things. I love its creepy vibe, the multiple story lines, the characters that you can’t help but support even when though they might make mistakes (I’m looking at you, Steve). As soon as I finished watching the first season I immediately felt the desire to go right back to the beginning and watch it all over again. (I didn’t, but if I had had a smidgen less will power I definitely would have.)
With that being said, I was ecstatic when I discovered that a book tag had been created by Nisha @ A Running Commentary based on this brilliant show. I haven’t been officially tagged by anyone, but I couldn’t resist joining in! Besides, it’s the perfect book tag for this Halloween season!!
Without further ado, let’s get started!
THE FIRST BOOK IN A SERIES THAT LEFT YOU INTRIGUED AND SLIGHTLY CONFUSED
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
I feel as though I’m destined to mention this book in nearly every book tag that I do. It just applies to so many different scenarios! This first installment definitely left me intrigued and excited for the next book, though I was a bit confused by the sudden burst of information released at the very end. I can’t wait to read the sequel!
A BOOK WITH A SETTING YOU WOULD NEVER WANT TO LIVE IN
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I feel like this is a pretty obvious choice, especially since both Panem and the Arena have been made even more gruesome by their time up on the big screen. Living in the Arena would be absolutely terrifying, though I imagine that living in Panem in general wouldn’t be much better. These settings are horrific enough to be the fuel for nightmares!
A BOOK YOU OWN THAT IS SOMEWHAT DAMAGED, BUT LOVED TO PIECES
The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place by E.L. Konigsburg
I bought a copy of this book at a Scholastic book fair when I was in third grade (remember those golden days?) and I have read it countless times since then. My copy is pretty beat up and torn in some places at this point, but it holds too many memories for me to part with it just yet!
A TRILOGY YOU ALWAYS GO TO WHENEVER YOU NEED A PICK-ME-UP
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
I have read this trilogy so many times that I feel like I could recite it by heart at this point. I first read them as I was entering middle school, a time when I definitely needed the comfort of a captivating story. These will forever be three of my all-time favorite books, and I cannot wait until the next time I sit down to reread them again.
A BOOK WITH A TERRIFYING BEAST YOU WOULDN’T WANT TO FACE IN A DARK ALLEY
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Is it just me, or are the R.O.U.S. (Rodents of Unusual Size) that Westley and Buttercup encounter in the Fire Swamp super terrifying?! (No? Just me?) They’re huge, they’re hairy, and they’re not afraid to pounce unexpectedly whenever the opportunity to attack arrives. Despite their numerous frightening qualities, I can’t help but adore their acronym. It’s so clever!
A BOOK WITH A VILLAIN WHO IS BOTH MANIPULATIVE AND DEDICATED
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
There are so many great villains out there, but I think I’m going to have to agree with Nisha and go with Eli Ever. Not only is he incredibly intelligent, but he’s also extremely talented at getting what he wants from people. He sort of reminds me of Moriarty in the BBC Sherlock series (at least, that’s how I picture him in my mind).
A BOOK YOU DIDN’T EXPECT TO LOVE
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Although I enjoyed reading Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury, it didn’t quite resonate with me as did As I Lay Dying. I love how this seemingly simple story unfolds with countless wrinkles and surprises as the tale is told. Faulkner is a master of authentically capturing dialect on a page. Long story short, this novel has officially converted me into a Faulkner fan.
A BOOK WITH A SETTING THAT’S JUST A LITTLE BIT STRANGE
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Somehow this is yet another fantastic children’s novel that evaded the reach of my reading radar when I was younger. The Phantom Tollbooth is honestly one of the most clever, creative, witty, and hilarious books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I’m so glad I finally read it… it only took me nineteen years!
Since I don’t know who has seen this show and who hasn’t, I’m going to tag ANYONE AND EVERYONE. Feel free to do this tag if you’d like to!
Do you like Stranger Things? (Who am I kidding– what’s not like?) What do you think of the books I’ve mentioned? Let me know in the comments section below!
Yours,
HOLLY
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Happy Tuesday!! This week’s Top Ten Tuesday topic (determined by That Artsy Reader Girl) is generally about series and whether or not we’re going to finish them. If there’s one bookish tidbit you need to know about me, it’s that I’m usually awful at staying up to date with series (this also includes TV series… I’m always SO BEHIND). Even though I might fail from an execution standpoint, most of the time I really do have the best intentions to follow through to the end of a series. This week I’d like to share ten series that I do plan on finishing someday… I’ve just put on hold for now while I’m distracted by other things. 
Which series have you given up on, momentarily or otherwise? What do you think of the series I’ve mentioned? Let me know in the comments section below!
