Rapid Fire Book Tag

Book tags are something that I have always been aware of, but never had the chance or guts to take part in (cue tiny pity violin, please). But, as I am gaining more confidence with my blog and feeling like I’m kinda finding my feet, I’m throwing caution to the wind and am doing a book tag, whether I was tagged in it or not.

This is the rapid fire book tag which I discovered on the wonderful almostamazinggrace‘s blog, and without further ado, let’s dive in.

book pile

E-book or physical book?

Physical, hands down. I don’t even own an e-reader, for crying out loud.

Paperback or hardback?

Oooookay, this one is slightly trickier. Paperbacks are so much more convenient for carrying around (and as I do about 72% of my reading on my commute to work, I always have at least one book on me, and so like to be able to pick up my bag without the help of a fork-lift truck), but then hardbacks look so satisfying on my bookshelves. I have been known to have both hardback and paperback copies of the same book, because as we all know, I have no control around books. But – actual answer: I’m going to cheat and say it depends on circumstance. (There we go. That’s an answer. What do you mean you don’t like it? NEXT.)

Online or in-store book shopping?

Uh, excuse me, I think there’s a mistake on my question paper – how can such a tricky question be followed by the World’s Easiest Question Ever?

In store. In store. In store.

(Although I have been known to pre-order books, which involves doing it online. But I will try my hardest to buy online from a proper, and preferably indie, bookshop, and not use Am*zon.)

Trilogies or series?

I don’t really mind to be honest, but I guess if I had to pick I’d go with trilogies simply because that’s less reading time… I currently tend to read the first in a trilogy/series and not go back for the rest, unless I am deeply invested. I’ve just got so much to read!

Heroes or villains?

Hmmmmm… I mean, you can’t really have one without the other? I mostly root for heroes, and I can’t think of any villains I’ve enjoyed reading about.

A book you want everyone to read?

That says ‘books’ as in plural, right? Right. In no particular order, my top 5:

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu
The Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell
The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Recommend an underrated book?

I’m torn on this; either Love That Dog by Sharon Creech, a beautiful gem of a book that is about a boy learning to love poetry, or Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin, which is a delightful take on where you go when you die and how life continues after death.

The last book you finished?

The Language of Thorns sampler. Can’t wait for the finished book!

The last book you bought?

The last book I bought brand new was Wonder Woman: Warbringer, and the last second-hand book was The Snow Merchant.

Weirdest thing you’ve used as a bookmark?

I think I’m fairly normal re: bookmarks; receipts and actual bookmarks and small scraps of paper all get used. I once used a price tag off some clothes, but I think that’s as weird as I get. I love it when the bookmark matches the book though *heart eyes*

Top 3 favourite genres?

Fantasy (adult, YA, and MG), contemporary, and fairy tale retellings.

Borrow or buy?

I love having my own copies of books, but I would soon bankrupt myself if I was allowed to live by that rule, so borrowing is a big part of my reading experience. Mainly from work and sometimes from the library, borrowing allows me to read as much as I want, without worrying about the cost and whether I enjoy the book or not.

Used books: yes or no?

YES. As someone who used to work in a charity shop, and someone who frequents them, I looooove searching for books that are second hand. The excitement of ‘what will I find today’ never ceases, and is probably a strong argument for Why I Need to Get Out More. But crashing on…

Characters or plot?

The plot has got to keep me interested, but if I don’t care for the characters, I most probably won’t finish it.

Long books or short?

Despite being a confident reader, I still love the satisfaction of finishing a book, and so would probably say short books. (Also there’s less chance of spine cracking when they’re short.) I do love a good chunky book every so often, though.

Long chapters or short?

Short to medium are my fave. I often find myself checking how long a chapter is (because I’m aware I’ll stop at the end of it), so when I find that there’s still a long way to go before the end, I can get disheartened. Plus short chapters keep the energy up and without fail make me repeatedly say ‘just one more chapter…’.

Name the first 3 books you think of…

Books that made you laugh or cry?

Laugh: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, cry: The Smell of Other People’s Houses, AND I LOVE THEM BOTH.

Our world or fictional world?

Fictional, especially if it’s a spin on the real world.

Audiobooks: yes or no?

Never tried them! I drift off a lot so I worry that I’d lose concentration and miss whole chunks of the story… One day I’ll definitely try them.

Do you ever judge a book by its cover?

Yup. Hand on heart, I do. Partly because I sell books for a living, so if it’s a hideous cover it’ll make it a harder sell, and partly because I hate covers with real people on. I Hate Them, sorrynotsorry.

Book to film or book to TV adaptation?

If it’s a good adaptation, then film, but I like how TV shows allow the storyline to be followed and expanded on more than it can be in a film.

A film or TV show you preferred to the book?

The Princess Diaries, hands down. Bloody love that film.

Series or standalones?

Standalones, mainly for the whole time thing…