Next week is the final of The Great British Bake Off. I only started watching this show last year but now I’m hooked, and of course it seemed like the perfect time to take part in this tag (although if I was really organised I would have posted it back when the first episode aired. Oh well). I was tagged by The Orangutan Librarian. Thanks for the tag, I had a lot of fun answering the questions for this one so I hope you enjoy reading my answers just as much.
Rules:
- Link back to the creator; Zaheerah at As Told by Zaheerah.
- Tag people or don’t. Just have fun.
- Ready, get set, bake! (or tag)
The Immortal Descendants series by April White
I’m a huge fan of time travel books, and The Immortal Descendants series is the best of the best. April White has created some amazing stories and characters, but the research that’s gone into these books is what stands out the most for me. I’ve learnt so much about history just from reading these books.
End of Days by Susan Ee
I loved the Angelfall and World After, and the End of Days was actually one of my most anticipated releases of 2015, but when I read it I was really let down. It felt rushed, there was too much crammed into one book, and it almost seemed like End of Days broke the rules that Susan Ee had set up in the previous books.
The Truth and Lies of Ella Black by Emily Barr
So I didn’t actually DNF The Truth and Lies of Ella Black, but I wish I had. In fact after being let down by The One Memory of Flora Banks I wish I’d never picked this one up. Ella was a horrible person whose actions I couldn’t get behind, the plot made no sense, and it had to worst case of insta-love I’ve ever read.
The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
This book, in fact this whole series, was one of the ones that defined my childhood. I got the first three as a present (either a birthday present or a Christmas present, I can’t remember which). I was hooked, and couldn’t wait for the release of the next one to find out what would happened to the Baudelaire orphans next.
Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West
After being disappointed by By Your Side and incredibly let down by Lucky in Love I was ready to give up on Kasie West’s books all together, but I decided to pick up Love, Life, and the List and my faith in her books was restored. This is what I want from West’s stories; a YA contemporary with a likeable main character and a cute romance, but above all good character development.
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
I have actually have recommended Morgan Matson’s books to some of my friends, and Second Chance Summer is one I’ve recommended to my sister. While reading this in Mauritius I was left a sobbing mess by the ending, so my sister who’s on holiday with me asked what I was reading. I told her, and then told her she needed to read it as well.
She still hasn’t yet, I wonder why.
Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige
I skimmed the blurb (although I didn’t skim it that well because I thought it was retelling Snow White), discovered it was a fairytale retelling, and requested it from NetGalley. Unfortunately I hated Stealing Snow and definitely won’t be continuing the series.
Passenger by Alexandra Bracken
I saw a fellow blogger mention she was adding this one to her TBR list, and when I read the blurb and saw that it was a time travel story that was all I needed to know to get me to pick this one up right away. Passenger was definitely a more successful whim read of mine.
The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry
This was one of the books I got through my Owl Crate subscription box. I didn’t bother looking up any reviews or doing more than skimming the blurb before I dove right in. Like nearly every other magical realism book I’ve read The Love That Split the World is a favourite of mine.
Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray
I don’t even think I read the blurb for this one; I saw the name Claudia Gray (the author of the Firebird trilogy which is a favourite of mine) and requested Defy the Stars from NetGalley. This is an incredible sci-fi series, and now I am so excited for the release of the third book.
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Can you imagine how different my life would have been if I’d never picked up Illuminae on a whim shortly after it was released? Probably not that different given how the hype for the whole trilogy would have eventually swayed me, I just would have read it later rather than sooner.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
I don’t think anyone is surprised to see this book as my answer for this question. It’s well known by now how much I love The Night Circus, and honestly there’s nothing more I can say about it that hasn’t already been said a hundred times before.
Except that if you haven’t read this one yet you need to get around to it ASAP.
Shades of Magic trilogy by V.E. Schwab
This is another pick that probably won’t be a surprise to a lot of people. V.E. Schwab is an all-time favourite author of mine, she has yet to release a book that I haven’t loved, but her Shades of Magic trilogy is the best of the best. I loved everything about all three books, and I am so excited to go back to that world in the Threads of Power series.
In Time by Alexandra Bracken | Sparks Rise by Alexandra Bracken
Even though these are only short stories they really do pack an emotional punch. They each add so much to the character development of Zu and Sam, and even though technically you don’t need to read them to understand the main series the events that happen in these short stories do have lasting repercussions in the main books.
My tags:
- Camilla at Reader in the Attic
- Kate at Reading Through Infinity
- Norrie at Reading Under the Blankie
- Sophie at Sophie’s Corner
Are you a fan of The Great British Bake Off, who’s your favourite baker from this season and who do you currently think is set to win; Kim Joy, Rahul or Ruby? What was the last book you grew so frustrated with you had to DNF, and what’s your favourite trilogy? Let me know, and if there’s anyone out there who wants to take part consider yourself tagged.
This tag is so much fun to read, I’ll be doing my version of this soon (adding this to favourites to find later), I do own Night Circus I just haven’t gotten to it yet, oops xD
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Thanks, and yes definitely do. I’d love to see your answers to these questions. 🙂 The Night Circus is probably my all-time, ultimate, favourite standalone. Definitely read it ASAP! 😀
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What a cute tag! The Great British Bake-Off is hands down my favorite baking show. Just so calming and lovely to look at haha. The Series of Unfortunate Events is always going to be one of my most memorable childhood reads 😀 And so happy that you picked up Love, Life, and the List. It was such a cute summer romance. I’m a little hesitant to read Lucky in Love now that you said that it didn’t really jive with you. But I think I’ll still give it a go one day. But for right now, I’m kind of on the fence with Kasie West. And yaaas, Second Chance Summer is a fantastic read. I’d recommend that book and Amy & Roger to anyone I know haha. Sooo happy that you gave Illuminae a chance. What a sad world it would be without having read that amazing book! I still need to read Defy the Stars! Your rave review of it really makes me want to read it. AND there they are. Never surprised to see Shades of Magic or The Night Circus on your posts 😉 LOL. Great post Beth! ❤
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It is, and it’s a lot of fun too. 🙂 Yep, and the bakes they do always look so yummy. I’d put on so much weight if I was a judge on that show! 😀
I still have my copies of that series stores somewhere, I don’t think they’re books I could ever get rid of, and yeah Love, Life and the List was a great summer read. I was not a fan of Lucky in Love at all, but maybe you’ll enjoy it more than I did. I think between Second Chance Summer and Amy & Roger’s I can’t pick which is my favourite Morgan Matson read.
Defy the Stars is a must-read, and yeah it’d probably be strange to not see Shades of Magic on one of my posts right?! 🙂 ❤️
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Oh I know right? Sometimes I wonder if they get sick from all the taste-testing. I’d think it’d be too sweet at some pt haha
Yeah, that’s a hard decision. Both Matson books are amazing. All her books are really good, but those two really stand out for me 🙂
It would lol ❤
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Yeah, I imagine it’d be a lot to taste at once, but at the same time I feel like when it comes to cakes I’m never too full! 😀
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Really glad you enjoyed doing this!! Such a shame about end of days
I remember your review for truth and lies- it did not sound good. I really want my sister to read second chance summer too! I’ve really not heard great things about stealing snow. Glad defy the stars was good though. Night circus and darker shade of magic are great picks! Awesome answers! 😀
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Well thanks for tagging me, it was so much fun! 🙂
Yeah I would recommend not picking up The Truth and Lies of Ella Black, it was terrible, and hopefully both our sisters will get around to Second Chance Summer soon then! 🙂
It was great, and yeah The Night Circus and Shades of Magic are always going to be faves of mine! 😀
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hehe yes!
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Great British Bake-Off omgggg I love that show!!!!???? It’s just so comforting and the contestants are ridiculously lovable. ❤ Also I just read The Night Circus over the weekend!!!! The prose was written so gorgeously sldkfjlsjdf
It was one of the only books that i loved almost 100% for the setting. The atmosphere/aesthetic was just SO STRONG. I'm very ready to drop everything and join the circus. 🙂 I felt entirely transported for the first time in so long.
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It’s brilliant right?! I’m always in awe of the things they bake because they always look so yummy. Have you been watching this years season?! It’s the final tonight and I’m really excited. 🙂
Oh I’m glad you enjoyed it. Yeah it’s a stunning book and I completely get what you mean. In tags now whenever there’s a question about what bookish world I’d want to live in The Night Circus is my go-to answer. 😀 ❤️
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oh gosh, I just checked and I’m actually on season 2???? I’M SO BEHIND. I’M A FAILURE, PLZ THROW ME IN THE TRASH.
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Oh wow that is a fair way behind, but think of all the baking episodes you still have to catch up on, and you won’t have to wait for next week’s episode if you don’t want to. You can jump straight from one into the next. 😀
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I’m heard so many people talks about this show, I’m intrigued. It does seem to have a solid fanbase 😀 I always recommend Second Chance Summer too whenever someone is asking for a contemporary recommendations 😀
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It’s brilliant, a feel-good show with lots of yummy baking, what more could you want from your TV? 😀 Yeah it’s a brilliant book, and definitely one of my top Morgan Matson reads as well! 🙂
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What a fun tag! I love watching The Great British Bake Off and its Flemish counterpart😃 It’s such a feel-good show!
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It’s a great show right? And there seem to be so many counterparts that it’s pretty much a world-wise thing now. 🙂
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Lovely answers for this tag, Beth! ❤ I really need to get around to reading more of Kasie West's books, she seems like such a great contemporary author! I also really want to read The Love That Split the World, I've been wanting to read that one for so long and I haven't just yet and ugh, I just don't know why. So many books, so little time, I guess, haha 🙂
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Thanks so much Marie. 🙂 ❤️ Yeah when it comes to Kasie West’s books she is a bit of a hit or miss author for me, but she’s one of those contemporary authors you can’t really help but recommend if you’re looking for a cute/fluffy read.
The Love That Split the World is one of highly recommend but yeah I know the ‘too many books too little time’ thing all too well! 😀 ❤️
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I’ve never watched British Bake Off, but I loved these tag questions and your answers Beth!
I’m definitely taking Ella Black off my TBR, I’ve heard too many negative things and I don’t have time for books like that 😂
omg Stealing Snow was the WORST. I try and erase that book from my memory.
One day I’m going to read The Night Circus!
Shades of Magic is the BEST. I’m still not over ACOL.
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It’s such a fun and wholesome show, I love it, and thanks so much Lauren. 😀
Yeah definitely can’t recommend that. It had a lot of potential it just massively failed in the execution of it. If I could erase books from my memory Stealing Snow would be one for me too.
The Night Circus is a must read, I’m sure you’ll love it, and I don’t think any of us will ever be over ACOL! 😀
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It definitely seems like it would be such a nice escape!
Such a shame! Thanks for the heads up though so I can avoid it 😂
Also, I forgot to say that In Time made me cry so hard haha. Even though it was a novella it’s honestly one of my fave books ever.
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That’s all right. And oh god yeah when it comes In Time that novella hits me harder than some full length books. That ending was kind of heartbreaking wasn’t it? 🙂
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Yes, same! I can’t believe how much it devastated me. Just thinking about it makes me wanna cry 😫😂
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And the fact that even that one small novella has repercussions in the main series and The Darkest Legacy as well. In my mind that shows great character development and story telling right?! 🙂
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Yes, definitely!!
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Hello Beth!
Thanks for the tag! This one seems like a fun one and I look forward to doing it (although I haven’t watched the Great British Bake Off!)
I absolutely agree about The Night Circus (which I will have to reread soon!) and the SOM series! I know what you mean about fantasy books breaking their own rules, which makes the story less intriguing and believable. The Lemony Snicket series was one of my favourites growing up (along with HP)! And I have to read Second Chance Summer soon (although it’s not summer anymore hahaha)
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That’s all right, and I’ll be looking forwards to seeing your answers for this one (when it came to tagging people I wasn’t sure who did and didn’t watch GBBO, I gave it my best go though :D)
I want to try and re-read it before this year is over as well. It’s one of those books I just have to read over and over again. Yeah something like that really pulls you out of the story, and same here. I still have my copy of the books somewhere stored in my loft.
Second Chance Summer is a book you could read at any point throughout the year, though it is heartbreaking I’m sure you’ll love it. 🙂 ❤️
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Even without knowing about GBBO I think this tag would still be a fun one to do 🙂
I’m definitely keeping Second Chance Summer in mind! I will be slowing down on my reading in November for Nanowrimo but I might get to it in December or next year 🙂
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Baking is fun in general, you don’t need to watch GBBO to be involved I guess. 🙂
I’m the same, my reading will pick up again in December but now my focus is my WIP, I can’t wait. 😀
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Yes!!!! I’m counting down the hours until Nanowrimo begins in my time zone (although I won’t start writing until the morning 🙂 ) Happy day 1 of Nano!!!
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Ha, yeah I’m not starting until my morning commute today. If it was a weekend or something maybe I’d start at midnight but I have to get up early for work so that’s a no-go this time around. 🙂 Yay, happy NaNo! 😀 ❤️
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Same here 🙂 I heard that some people do start at midnight but I also wouldn’t be able to do that because of work. How did your morning commute go? Hope your first day is going well!! ❤
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Yeah I like sleep too much to write at midnight when I have to wake up at 5:30 for work!
Not too bad, got a fair bit of writing done so I’ll try and do the same tomorrow. How did your first day of NaNo go?
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That’s great! I’m also liking the morning writing burst. I don’t have too much time on the train so I was only able to get 450 words in total during my morning and afternoon commute. However it is better than nothing, and I am glad to have knocked some words off my daily goal by the time I am back from work!
My first day was good 🙂 I was able to meet my daily word goal so I am happy!
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Yeah, I have a longer commute so I can usually get 1000 words done in the morning, managed to write a fair bit yesterday so I’ve got a head start on my word count. I’m going to need it going forwards I feel like. 🙂 ❤️
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Wow that’s awesome!! If you’re able to get 1000 words done on your commute, then you don’t have much more to write to get to your daily goal! That’s great that you got a head start 🙂 I got a little bit of a head start yesterday and I’m hoping to write more this weekend!
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I have a very long commute (it’s about two hours door to door and an hour and twenty minutes of solid train time). Yeah I’m sure you’ll be able to write loads on the weekend, I always find that’s when I do my best writing! 😀
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That is a very long commute. That’s great that you’re putting it to good use! Yes I love weekends when I have long stretches of uninterrupted time for writing.
Is it daylight savings time for you this weekend as well? (We get an extra hour :D)
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Daylight savings was actually last weekend for me, so I got my extra hour before NaNo started, I imagine if you had that extra hour you must have got loads written right?! 🙂
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Though I was able to write a lot yesterday, I ended up spending the extra 1 hour catching up on sleep haha (which I guess is also important 🙂 )
Hope your weekend is going well!
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Well I didn’t manage to write anything yesterday (I got distracted by another WIP so I spent Saturday planning that one) but I’m planning on catching up on my NaNo WIP today. Yeah sleep is definitely important. I would have spent the extra hour the same way. 😀
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That’s good to hear that it was a productive weekend though in a different way! Hopefully writing the new WIP was able to help you get it out of your head? (On the other hand, it’s still early in the game so you could possibly switch gears and work on the new WIP 🙂 )
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I’ll take any kind of productivity when it comes to writing! 😀
Ha, no I probably won’t be switching gears. I’ve done that before but I’m still in love with the WIP I’m writing for NaNo, and I do want to finish it this year.
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Yay ❤ glad that you are in love with your current WIP! That's all that matters!!! Can't wait to hear more updates ❤
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I’ve had my current WIP in my mind so much I need to get it out on paper, I don’t think I’d ever be able to abandon it! 😀
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Same here!! That’s the spirit 😀
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As someone who loves both Bake Off and books (obviously) this tag was so much fun to read 😁 I loved reading all your answers!
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It’s was great fun to take part in too, if you want to take part as well then feel free. I’d love to see your answers and thanks so much. 🙂
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I actually just DNFd the first Rick Riordan book I’ve ever read — The Sword of Summer. I think I would have loved it if I’d read it when I was a lot younger, but now it just seems too juvenile to me. My favorite trilogies are definitely The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien and All for the Game by Nora Sakavic.
Awesome post!
Eleanor | On the Other Side of Reality
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Oh that’s a shame. I haven’t gotten around to the Magnus Chase books (it’s the next series by Rick Riordan on my TBR list though) but for me nothing can beat his Percy Jackson series.
I actually recently read the All for the Game trilogy and loved it, I can definitely see why it’s a favourite of yours. 🙂
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This looks like such a fun tag! Some really good titles – I was so disappointed too by The Truth and Lies of Ella Black, and definitely need to get around to The Night Circus soon!
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It was a really fun tag, and I love the TV show too so added bonus there! 😀
Yeah I feel like Emily Barr’s books have a lot of potential they just never live up to, and The Night Circus is amazing I hope you love it. 🙂
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