Category: Tags

Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag | 2021

DeAnne4 Comments

Hey everyone! I figured it had been a while since I had done a tag, so I wanted to do one today. I have no idea where this one originated, but I figured it was the right time of year to do it!

Best book you’ve read so far in 2021 – This one is by far Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston. I absolutely fell in love with it and definitely see myself reading it again in the future!

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2021 – This one was hard for me because as of yet I haven’t read that many sequels this year, but I would probably say the conclusion to the Nightschool series.

New release you haven’t read yet but want to – I obviously can’t answer all of them, but picking one it pretty hard. Looking at the stack I have next to me though – I would say The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He.

Most Anticipated Release for the Second Half of the Year – Probably going to go with Riley Sager’s new one, Survive the Night.

Biggest Disappointment – Season 12 of canon Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I felt like it was unnecessary.

Biggest Surprise – The Girl from the Sea – I knew I was going to love it, but I didn’t know how much.

Favorite New Author – Going to have to go with B.B. Alston on this one.

Newest Fictional Crush – Eh, don’t really have one unless you count one of the characters I’m writing.

Newest Favorite Character – Cici from Cici’s Journal – she made lots of mistakes, but it was so fun reading from her perspective.

A book that made you cry – Where Hope Comes From by Nikita Gill.

A book that made you happy – Just Pretend by Tori Sharp, I saw a lot of myself in that one.

The most beautiful book you’ve acquired this year – Mythopedia, hands down – it is gorgeous.

What books do you need to read by the end of the year – Heh…heh….all of them? I really need to get through those I’ve picked in my TBR card game though.

So that’s it! What are some of your answers to these questions? Happy reading!

Tag Tuesday | End of the Year Book Tag

DeAnneLeave a comment

This one is floating around on youtube this time of year and I believe it was originally created by Ariel Bissett. Anyways, I thought it would be fun to do on the blog so I decided to tackle it!

Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?

Yeah, there are a few books that I currently have bookmarks in right now. I did do a great job of clearing out my currently reading shelf on Goodreads earlier in the year, but I haven’t been adding to it either. I’d say the book I’ve started that I definitely want to finish is The Silence of Bones by June Hur. I started this one and immediately got sucked in, it just got set down because I had to take care of some review books that had deadlines, but I’m hoping to finish it this month, fingers crossed!

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?

Hmm, not so sure on this one. I still have a number of spooky books that I wanted to get to in October which I’m still hoping to get to and most of those are set in fall or winter – so I’d say there’s quite a few.

Is there a new release you’re still waiting for?

I need to pick up a few books that have come out recently, but I’ve been resisting because my owned TBR is a very good size, but I would say the next new release I will probably pick up would be Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao (which came out today)!

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?

Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favorite book of the year?

I’m still planning on picking up Home Before Dark by Riley Sager, and I’m fairly sure from what I’ve been hearing that I’m going to love it!

Have you already started making reading plans for 2021?

Yes, I always have my physical TBR to pull from, and I do already have some blog tours set up for next year. Here’s hoping it ends up being a better year than 2020 has been!

Happy reading!

Behind the Blogger Tag

DeAnne2 Comments

I was looking for something to post today and found this Tag over at Love for Words and thought it looked fun, so here we go!

The Rules

  • Thank the person who nominated you
  • Answer all the questions down below
  • Pingback to the creator: Ellyn @ Allonsythornraxx
  • Nominate 5+ bloggers you’d like to know more about, to do this tag

Why did you start blogging and why have you kept blogging?

I really wanted to carve out a place for myself in the book community and not only talk about books but my writing. Booktube was a little too anxiety inducing to me, so I decided a blog would be the way to go.

What is your favorite type of blog post to write?

Probably reviews or blog tours. I do really enjoy interacting with publishers or the authors themselves. Having said that I really do enjoy writing about my writing journey, even if it’s to admit temporary failure.

What are your top 3 favorite posts?

My Review of Don’t Read the Comments by Eric Smith

The start of my Flashback Friday challenge (update coming soon, I swear).

All my wrap ups where I get to talk about my stats.

What are some of your favorite things to do to relax?

Well, definitely reading haha. If I had to pick things other than reading I would say writing, gaming and watching something mindless.

What are three of your favorite things?

My floofy baby – Calypso, have you met Calypso? You probably have, she likes to show up in my book hauls and wrap ups. My Nancy Drew collection and my boyfriend. 😛

What are your proudest blogging moments?

Getting contacted by authors and publishers and just getting to interact with people in general. It’s a very validating feeling and also makes this introvert feel accepted and seen. ❤

What are your hobbies outside of blogging?

We’ve already covered writing – I also like to make jewelry in my spare time, though I haven’t in a while. Also there’s music which is my other love.

Describe your personality in three words.

Loyal, Shy, Honest

What are your top 3 pet peeves?

People interrupting – I’m not talking about the accidental merging of voices, I’m talking about intentional talking over.

People answering a question with a question, such as me asking where someone wants to go and they respond asking me where I want to go. I know they are being courteous, or think they are, but it’s just a trigger.

Negativity/Poor attitudes – I know we can all get down, I suffer from anxiety and depression myself, but when someone is negative about something every single day for the sake of being nasty? Yeah, not ok. I’m extremely empathic and that stuff affects me horribly.

What’s something your followers don’t know about you?

Hmm. There’s a ton as I haven’t talked about a lot of personal stuff on here, so there’s so many things I could go with.

Ok, here goes, come closer, closer *whispers* I have an insane amount of penguins in my house. I love penguins. I have penguin plushies, art, figurines, socks, slippers, etc. My boyfriend feeds this addiction as he often contributes to said collection.

So that’s it! I’m not tagging anyone specific, so if anyone decides to do it from my post please just link back so I can take a look!

Happy reading!

Tag Tuesday: This or That Tag

DeAnne2 Comments

I was looking around looking for something to mix up the content on my blog and came across the This or That tag and thought it would be fun. I don’t know who originally created this one unfortunately. Let’s get to it!

Reading on the bed or couch? – Both! It really depends on where in the day I am since I will usually be on the couch during the day.

Male or female MC? – I typically prefer to read from a female point of view because it’s more able to be identified to, but a male MC will not make me dislike or choose not to read the book.

Sweet or salty snacks while reading? – Salty for sure, if I’m snacking I’m definitely going to lean more towards savory.

Trilogies or Quartets? – Any length of series is fine, but getting me to actually finish those series? Probably going to lean more towards a trilogy.

Reading in the AM or PM? – Any time of the day! Often if I’m having trouble sleeping I’ll just end up reading. Plus during the day at work I’m able to listen to audio books.

First or Third Person POV? – That one is just going to depend on the book to be honest. I can get into and enjoy any POV as long as it fits the book and the story that I’m absorbing.

Libraries or bookstores? – Um, why are you trying to cause me pain? Both, of course! If I had to pick one probably bookstore, because that means that something will be mine, but I also love utilizing my library to find out if I like something well enough to go out and own it.

Books that make you laugh or cry? – Either way I’m experiencing emotions so it’s good, but probably something that makes me cry just because that usually means it has more of an impact.

Black or white book covers? – Cover color really doesn’t matter to me, but I’m going to go with black just because it wouldn’t show dirt as easily as white.

Character or plot driven? – Books need both, but I usually lean more towards plot driven. I like books to feel like they are progressing and moving along.

So there you have it! I know most of them I leaned towards both, but sometimes that’s the way it is.

Happy reading!

Tag Tuesday: Reader Problems Tag

DeAnneLeave a comment

I was looking for a tag for today and I saw this one floating around so I thought I would give it a go. I’m not sure who originally created it, so if you know then let me know.

You have 20,000 books on your TBR, how do you decide what to read next?

I’m very much a mood reader, so it can be difficult, but I usually peruse my shelves if reaching for my backlist and grab what I gravitate to.

You’re halfway through a book and you’re just not loving it. Do you put it down or are you committed?

I’m usually pretty committed, but I have been allowing myself to DNF more if the book is not jiving with me.

The end of the year is coming fast and you’re behind on your reading challenge? Do you try to catch up? And if so, how?

Oh yeah, I will do pretty much anything to be able to achieve my goal. There have been mad dashes in the last week of the year reading a bunch of graphic novels.

The covers of a series you love do not match, how do you cope?

I may not like it, but it isn’t the end of the world. If it is a series I love then I may try to get some editions that match, but not to the point where it drives me crazy.

Everyone and their mother loves a book that you do not. Who do you bond with over your shared feelings?

Someone who hasn’t read the book yet lol, although reasonably I can usually vent to my own mother or my boyfriend.

You’re reading a book in public and you’re about to start crying your eyes out. How do you deal?

Usually I bite my bottom lip and hope that it works to hold off the tears, otherwise I may just stop reading.

The sequel to a book you loved just came out but you’ve forgotten a lot of what happens. Are you going to reread it?

Usually no, I may look up plot points or a summary to refresh myself; however, if it’s been forever I might sneak in a reread.

You do not want anyone to borrow your books, how do you politely say no when someone asks?

Oh, this is absolutely true, I DO NOT lend out books to anyone but my mother and that’s only cause I know where she lives and I have a key to her house. I tell people I don’t lend out books simply because I’ve been burned too many times by people who have ruined my books when they have borrowed them.

You have picked up and put down five books in the last month. How do you get over this reading slump?

I will usually go back and reread favorite books to help get me out of the slump, but sometimes you just have to let the slump happen and wait it out.

There are so many books coming out that you are dying to read. How many of them do you end up buying?

I will buy the ones from favorite authors or the ones that I know I can’t wait for them to be part of my library but really it can vary.

After you purchase all of these books that you’re dying to read, how long do they actually sit on your shelf before you read them?

Oh man…some of them way too long, it’s a little shameful. I’m working to decrease my TBR but it of course takes time.

What other tags would you like to see? Happy reading!

Tag Tuesday: Cats and Books Tag

DeAnneLeave a comment

When I found this tag I felt it was appropriate since my cat is one of the most important beings in my life. She’s my little emotional support floof, and just as anxious as I am. This tag was originally created by Spinster’s Library over on Youtube, so let’s get into it!

Calypso

1. Tell us about your cat(s)! Name, age, hobbies?
Her name is Calypso and she is six years old. She loves watching TV (looking through the window or sliding glass doors), catnip and holding down her humans so they don’t leave her. She is a bit crazy and has major separation anxiety, but when she’s in the mood for cuddles she’s the sweetest thing in the world.

2. Recommend a book that features, includes or mentions a cat?
Tailchaser’s Song by Tad Williams. I probably read this book way too young but it features a cat named Tailchaser as he goes on an epic quest to find his friend who has disappeared. Pretty much all the characters are cats and it includes an intricately woven world and society.

3. What’s your favorite fictional cat? This can be from literature, tv, movies, games etc
Grim from City of Ghosts and Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab. While Grim isn’t a huge character, the way his mannerisms are described are perfect and he gets even more page time in Tunnel of Bones that provide some of the best moments of the book. Even without actual communication, he has a great personality.

4. If your cat was the main character in a book, what sort of book would it be?
Oh man, probably something with a mystery in it. Calypso is a VERY curious cat which often gets her in trouble. She’s often scared a few years off my life because she wanted to investigate something and then lost her footing or misjudged her jump.

5. Recommend a book that your cat would enjoy if they could read.
She’d love something with a serial killer or murderer. She definitely has limits and will let you know if you’ve reached them. It ties into her anxiety, but when she doesn’t want to be touched the claws can come out, she’d probably like The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager since it includes murder, mystery and a game.

6. Which book or story would benefit from the inclusion of one or more cats?
Illuminae, just because I think Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman would make it even more epic if there were random cat sightings.

So that’s it! Feel free to do this tag yourself or check out other versions of it. Happy reading!