The A-Z Book Tag: 2021 Edition

I did this book tag two years and have absolutely no memory of it.

I guess we’ve had a whole pandemic since then, but still.

I’m doing it again because it pleases me.

I found it on Sahi’s blog. She did the tag again after a four-year gap – check out her post!

Author you’ve read the most books from

In terms of sheer quantity, I have read more Jeanne Betancourt books than anything else.

I’ve read every single Pony Pals book and at least three of Betancourt’s Three Girls in the City books.

Looking back, the City books were incredibly gay.

Must reread.

Hell, I should read the entire series at long last.

Best sequel ever

My film answer would be The Last Jedi.

With books, I feel like sequels are a much more complicated prospect.

I’m going to say A Court of Mist and Fury because it subverted a bunch of tropes, explored PTSD, and made me yell OUT LOUD at least five times.

I had an excellent reading experience.

Currently reading

I’m reading ten books at once and I don’t want to list them all.

I have Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones, Bonds of Brass by Emily Skrutskie, and the Sword Stone Table anthology going at the moment.

Drink of choice while reading

I got a tracking water bottle last month. For every bottle I finish, I get to roll up a colorful rainbow band.

I now drink tons of water while reading and/or writing.

E-reader or physical book?

I prefer to own physical books.

I’m finding, though, that e-books are much easier to transport when I’m out and about.

Fictional character you probably would have dated in high school

Are you kidding? I didn’t date in high school.

I can see my high school self crushing hard on Reid MacTavish from All of Us Villains while hoping to be noticed.

That was the extent of my love life in high school.

Glad you gave this book a chance

I bought The Angel of Crows after being on the fence about it for more than a year.

I’m only two chapters in and I already love it.

The prose and characters are so fun.

It’s a little like Piranesi but with the fanfic vibes of The Mortal Instruments.

Hidden gem book

The Bright Gay Seas: A Gay Pirate Romance cheered me up on a cold autumn evening when I felt exhausted and uninspired.

This book is silly and fun and surprisingly hopeful.

Important moment in your reading life

Audiobooks were a game changer for me.

I don’t think I would have read so many books this year without audiobooks and 1.5 speed.

Just finished

I just finished The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert.

This book took kind of an intense turn away from the d/s / romance content.

For the most part, though, I really enjoyed it.

It did what Royal Wedding wanted to do.

Kinds of books you won’t read

Business and leadership books. Get out of here.

I’m not here to be a better capitalist.

Also, for some reason, I despise winter holiday romances.

And I don’t know why.

Regular romances? Great.

Romances set during other holidays? Love em.

Not winter holidays, though. Get lost.

(That said, The Matzah Ball is on my TBR and I will absolutely be reading it.)

Longest book you’ve read

I’ve never read The Lord of the Rings as a single volume. I’m pretty sure it would kill me.

I have, however, read all three books.

So that counts.

Google puts The Lord of the Rings at 1137 pages.

WOOHOO. LOOK AT ME.

Major book hangover because of

I felt emotionally spent after finishing The Only Good Indians.

I started Mongrels by the same author immediately after and was too numb to really absorb any of the content.

Number of bookcases you own

I have three bookcases, plus one built-in bookshelf that came with the apartment.

My mom is trying to talk me into a fourth.

One book you have read multiple times

WHAT’S UP, NINTH HOUSE?

YOU SHOULDN’T COMFORT ME AS MUCH AS YOU DO, AND YET HERE WE ARE.

Preferred place to read

I don’t own much furniture, so I do all of my reading in bed.

I like it. It’s quiet in here.

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book

The line “I took Chainsaw out of my dreams” made me want to pick up the sequel to The Raven Boys immediately.

I aspire to write books that make readers feel the same way.

Reading regret

I was very put off by Clown in a Cornfield‘s synopsis, but I gave it a chance anyway.

I thought, “Maybe Adam Cesare will subvert my expectations.”

Instead, Cesare introduced me to his version of our society, where societal progress is just happening naturally and the only people who oppose it are crazy old clowns.

Progress just happens! Naturally! No effort needed! The kids are all right! Black kids and white kids dance together at parties, which means racism will end soon!

And he WON AWARDS FOR THIS.

The scariest thing about Clown in a Cornfield is that people bought this neoliberal drivel.

Series you started and need to finish (all the books are out)

I bought the rest of the Winternight trilogy after reading and liking The Bear and the Nightingale.

I’m a little nervous about the sequels, but I’m ready for more slow burn romance.

Three of your all-time favorite books

I recommend Everything Leads to You every chance I get. That book is magical.

I love how seen Nimona makes me feel.

I just got my tenth anniversary copy of The Scorpio Races. I love this book more than anything.

Unapologetic fangirl for

Romancing the Beat might be the best book on craft I’ve ever read.

I’ve been relying on it heavily this year for my NaNoWriMo project and it’s helping SO MUCH.

I want to hand a copy to all of my friends.

Very excited for this release more than all the others

I am obsessed with the cover for House of Sky and Breath.

Look at it! Look at the colors!

I wanted this as soon as I saw it.

It gave me an excuse to finally read House of Earth and Blood, for which I’m grateful.

Worst bookish habit

I delay DNFs indefinitely.

I’ll tell myself, “No, I’m enjoying this! I’m going to read it! I promise!”

Then I avoid the book for months, fall into a slump, and feel eternally guilty until I finally DNF it.

I hate this about myself.

X marks the spot: start at the top left of your bookshelf and pick the 27th book

My 27th book is Woven in Moonlight, which one of my internet friends bought me for Secret Santa.

Haven’t read it yet.

Your latest book purchase

Apparently I read horror now.

I just bought This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno.

Usually there’s a large gap between when I buy a book and when I finally read it.

I read and finished this book a day after I bought it.

UNHEARD OF.

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up way too late)

I got in bed after a rowdy D&D session and ended up reading The Dark Fantastic until 1:00 AM.

I just like reading about Ebony Elizabeth Thomas’s research!

THAT WAS THE A TO Z BOOK TAG.

Phew.

I ran through the whole alphabet.

Yes, I’m supposed to be working on my NaNo project.