Mid Year Reading Survey

 

2022 Mid-Year Reading Survey Questions:

Well, it is half-way through the year already! I haven't been reading the much, but I still like to do this tag every year.

Best book you’ve read so far in 2022

- I'm not sure yet, though one I enjoyed the most was my reread of the Harry Potter books.

Best sequel you've read so far in 2022

- That would have to be Where the Drowned Girls Go, as it is the only sequel I've read so far this year.

Favourite re-read.

- Well I just answered this for question one, but another great one was The Shadows Between Us

New release you haven't read yet, but want to.

- Gilded, still left on my TBR from last year

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.

- Final Gambit or My Imaginary Mary

Biggest disappointment.

- Maybe The Hunting Party

Biggest surprise.

- Maybe The Good Girl's Guide to Murder

Favourite new author. (Debut or new to you)

- I don't have an answer for this, since I haven't exactly been reading that much this year

Newest favourite character.

- Way too tough of a question!

Book that made you cry.

- Haven't had one yet this year

Book that made you happy.

- Again, I'll bring up my reread of the Harry Potter series

Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)

- I haven't bought any, maybe that's why I haven't been reading (that or my stopping of my Audible subscription...)

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

- I'll say A Sky Beyond the Storm, which has been on my list since it came out, but it's a last in a series, which I instinctively seem to postpone

Favourite video or post you've done so far this year.

- Not sure!

Favourite book community members.

- I've been enjoying Kayla's videos on Books and Lala, same answer as last year I believe

Read on lovelies,

S

 

Bookish Thanksgiving TAG

1. Bread- What book is purely fluff, and has no real plot line?

Now, I love bread. So I'm taking this prompt of "fluff" as a positive, and I'll go with Kasie West books.

2. Turkey- What book made you want to fall asleep?

Not actually fall asleep,but Winterkeep was a bit tough to get through, especially because of how much I loved Graceling.

3. Gravy- What book makes the whole series worth reading?

Funnily enough, I almost didn't continue reading one of my favourite series the Gallagher Academy, because I really didn't like the first book.

4. Stuffing- What book is stuffed full of action scenes?

I've been reading quite a bit of Agatha Christie books recently, and even though they're not packed with the typical "action" they have plenty going on in them!

5. Mashed Potatoes- What book looked good, and then wasn’t?

I don't think I have an answer for this one!

6. Cranberries- What book has the sweetest romance?

I'd say the Books of Bayern series.

7. Corn- What’s the corniest book you’ve ever read?

Maybe Kasie West's books?

8. Green beans- What book is too long and needs to be shortened?

That is a tough one! I'm hesitant to say it because I loved the previous books, but My Contrary Mary was not my favourite.

9. Pumpkin Pie- What book do you read to get out of a reading slump?

I think either a Harry Potter reread, or then a short fairytale or fairytale retelling.

10. Dog/Cat- What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food that you would steal from the table?

Pumpkin pie!

Read on lovelies,

S

 

End of the Year Book TAG

1) ARE THERE ANY BOOKS YOU STARTED THIS YEAR THAT YOU NEED TO FINISH?

I'm currently listening through the second Lord of the Rings and hope to also finish the third soon.

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2) DO YOU HAVE AN AUTUMNAL BOOK TO TRANSITION INTO THE END OF THE YEAR?

I tend to do a reread of at least one Harry Potter book, but have yet to!

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3) IS THERE A NEW RELEASE YOU’RE STILL WAITING FOR?

At the time of writing this the audiobook for Gilded is yet to be released, and I am definitely waiting for it.

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4) WHAT ARE THREE BOOKS YOU WANT TO READ BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR?

The Lord of the Rings, Gilded, Of Curses and Kisses,  and Iceman.

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5) IS THERE A BOOK YOU THINK COULD STILL SHOCK YOU AND BECOME YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK OF THE YEAR?

I don't really know, I mean I do tend to pick up books that I hope I'll like - so any of them could.

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6) HAVE YOU ALREADY STARTED MAKING READING PLANS FOR 2021?

Nope, still living in 2021!

Read on lovelies,

S

Intimidating TBR Book TAG

A book you’ve been unable to finish:

- I don't think I have an answer for this

A book you’ve yet been able to read because you haven’t had the time:

- A Sky Beyond the Time. Being the last one in the series, I've been pushing it further and further

A book you’ve yet been able to read because it’s a sequel:

- I don't know how to answer this since I don't own books if I haven't read the previous one first

A book you’ve yet been able to read because it’s brand new:

- My Contrary Mary just came out, but when I have the time I'll get to it

A book you’ve yet been able to read because you read another book by that author and 

didn’t enjoy it:

- That's an interesting question, because it just might make me not look into other books by that author. But actually I'm planning on listening the new the Lord of the Rings audiobooks when they come out in September. I've been iffy on it since the Hobbit wasn't my favorite, but I decided to give it a go

A book you’ve yet been able to read because you haven’t been in the mood:

- Mansfield Park is the last book by Jane Austen I haven't read, but I need to be in the mood in order to read older classics

A book you’ve yet been able to read because it’s humungous:

- It seems that so far all the books I've listed as answers are over 500 pages, so choose any of them

A book you’ve yet been able to read because you haven’t had the time:

- Iceman, the only physical book I own and haven't read

A book you’ve yet been able to read because it has bad reviews:

- I rarely look at those! Or if I do I do it before adding it to my Goodreads TBR and forget about it

The most intimidating book on your TBR:

- I think all the books fit a certain level of intimidating, but none of them stand out as the most intimidating

Read on lovelies,

S

Mid-Year Reading Survey

Mid-Year Reading Survey Questions:

Best book you’ve read so far in 2021.

- I'd say The Shadows Between Us, though I also gave the first two Winterborne Home books 5 stars

Best sequel you've read so far in 2021.

- That would be the Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mysteries then

Favourite re-read.

- Probably Graceling

New release you haven't read yet, but want to.

- My Contrary Mary

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.

- Gilded

Biggest disappointment.

- Maybe Instant Karma and although it wasn't bad by any means, it wasn't like the authors other books (which also makes sense, since it's a different genre)

Biggest surprise.

- Probably Shadows Between Us

Favourite new author. (Debut or new to you)

- I don't think I have an answer for this, but I will probably look into more books by Emiko Jean

Newest favourite character.

- Way too tough of a question!

Book that made you cry.

- The short-story Story of Your Life was definitely emotion packed, partly also since I read it after seeing - and loving - the movie

Book that made you happy.

- I listened to Pygmalion and Importance of Being Earnest from Audible, and they pack a laugh

Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)

- I don't believe I've bought or received any physical books this year, so the most beautiful audiobook cover I've bought this year are the Harry Potter books - maybe

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

- The Heart Principle and My Contrary Mary

Favourite video or post you've done so far this year.

- Not sure!

Favourite book community members.

- I've been loving Kayla's videos on Books and Lala, where I also saw this Tag done

Read on lovelies,

S

 

What Makes Me Pick Up A Book? TAG

Do you judge a book by its cover?

Yup, you see I often find new books by browsing Goodreads and I might read the synopsis depending on the cover and name

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Focusing just on the cover, what attracts you to pick it up?

Hmm I know I don't like real people on the cover, but other than that I'm not sure! Nice typography?

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Do you read the synopsis first, or prefer to go in without knowing anything about the book?

It depends, but usually I read the synopsis and add it to my TBR and when I go to read it I've often forgotten quite a bit of the synopsis

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Do you have any auto-buy authors – authors whose books you will always buy, even without knowing anything about them?

Some I think? First ones that come to mind are Marissa Meyer, Ally Carter, Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Kasie West? Though I still do often read the synopsis

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Are you more likely to pick up a book if it includes specific elements/themes? (e.g. LGBTQ+, mental health rep, disability rep, etc.)

Sure! Though I can't think of anything other than definitely being a sucker for fairytale retellings

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Do you ever read a book that has generally negative reviews just to form your own opinion of it?

Can't think of a time I did

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Do you ever buy a book just because another book blogger or BookTuber has reviewed it or talked about it a lot?

Not JUST because someone talked about it, but I am definitely influenced by hearing people talk about them

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Is there anyone whose book recommendations you will generally always trust?

I've read the most suggested by Books and Lala, but it's either a big hit or a total miss

Read on lovelies,

S

 

20 Questions Book TAG

1) How many books are too many for a series?

Though it really depends two to three books in a series is a sweet spot for me with more than four typically being too much.

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2) How do you feel about cliffhangers?

I don't mind them! Having small cliffhangers at the ends of chapters makes the reading go faster, not wanting to put it down. And books that end in cliffhangers makes me want to read the next one, though if it's a long wait it might get frustrating

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3) Hardbacks or Paperback?

I like and own both, though I do prefer paperback since I find them easier to read (and they are cheaper!)

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4) Favourite Book?

The only answer I can say is Harry Potter. It is sentimental, still loved and got me reading that much more

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5) Least Favourite Book?

That is a hard one! I have a Goodreads shelf for DNF books which currently has 20: link. This is not to say I dislike them all, but that at the moment I don't have plans to read them

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6) Love Triangles, Yes or No?

Let's just say that they need to be written extremely well in order for me to like it!

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7) The Most Recent Book You Couldn’t Finish?

Sorcery and Cecilia, it wasn't bad just not what I wanted at the moment

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8) A Book you are Currently Reading?

At the time of writing this it's The Shadows Between Us, though for updated info you can always check my Goodreads: link

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9) Last Book you Recommended to Someone?

I gifted Tulevaisuuden lukujärjesty to my father so that I guess? Though it might not count since I read the book myself after him

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10) Oldest Book you’ve Read by Publication Date?

Romeo and Juliet 1597

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11) Newest Book you’ve Read by Publication Date?

Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery published March 2nd 2021

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12) Favourite Author?

Not necessarily favorites, but ones I've read the most from:

Barnes (10), Doyle (10), Meyer (10), Parvela (10), West (10),

Christie (11), Rowling (11), Carter (15), Dahl (17)

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13) Buying Books or Borrowing Books?

I do both, but aim to only buy a book if I loved it (meaning I read it first through the library or as an ebook/audiobook)

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14) A Book you Dislike but Everyone seems to Love?

I'm not sure about this one!

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15) Bookmarks or Dog-Ears?

Bookmarks of the small sticky variety

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16) A Book you can always Re-Read?

Harry Potter is one that I can always go back to

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17) Can you Read while Listening to Music?

Nope!

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18) One POV or Multiple?

Both, though too many POV gets hard to remember for me

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19) Do you Read a Book in One Sitting or Over Multiple Days?

Both, really depending on the book and the time I have

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20) Who do you Tag?

Read on lovelies,

S

 

The ‘To-Be-Read’ Book Tag

How do you keep track of your TBR pile?

I use Goodreads (link) and an excel spreadsheet for keeping everything up to date. I also have a yearly blog post about my TBR which I update: link

Is your TBR mostly print or ebook?

Well, my Goodreads To Read shelf includes all the books I want to read so also books I don't own are included. Then I have separate TBR shelves for ones I own depending on the format.

For books in general on my "Want to Read" shelf there are 25 (+15 classics/Christie books). Currently of those I have 7 audiobooks I want to read (which I don't own but classify here), 8 e-books (to read that I own) and 1 physical book.

This is completely different to how it used to be, but I don't like owning books I didn't love so I tend to read them either in another format or from the library before choosing to buy a physical copy

How do you determine which book from your TBR to read next?

I usually now which genre I'm in the mood for and scroll through my Goodreads TBR and just choose one. I also tend to already choose my next read whilst reading something else

A book that has been on your TBR list the longest?

It was Sorcery and Cecilia, but I recently DNF'd it, so now I think it is Soul of Stars?

A book you recently added to your TBR pile?

My most recent (and only) physical book I have and haven't read yet is Iceman

A book on your TBR strictly because of its beautiful cover?

I don't think I've ever done this purely on the cover! Sure scrolling through Goodreads I see beautiful books, but then I read the synopsis and based on that it might be added to my "Want to read"

A book on your TBR that you never plan on actually reading?

I don't have an answer to this, since I actually want to read everything on my TBR! Though this does remind me that I do own two other physical books I haven't completely read, but they are in another category (Grimm's complete fairytales and Aeosop's fables)

An unpublished book on your TBR that you are excited for?

Gilded, the new book by Marissa Meyer

A book on your TBR that basically everyone has read except you?

Hmm I'm really not sure on this one. The book on my "Want to Read" shelf with most ratings on Goodreads is Fablehaven #3 so that I suppose?

A book on your TBR that everyone recommends to you?

Taking us back to the previous question, the Fablehaven series is only on my list because it was recommended to me

A book on your TBR that you’re dying to read?

My next read is Shadows Between Us though I really want to get to Sky Beyond a Storm, but I'm waiting for the right mood to finish that last book

The number of books on your Goodreads TBR shelf?

I already mentioned this, but my "Want to Read" shelf has 25 books, "Classics/Christie-to-read" has 15

Read on lovelies,

S

The Cake Book TAG

The Cake Book TAG

Today is my birthday, and in honor of that here is the cake book tag!

And I'm trying to keep the answers to books I read (or reread) last year

FLOUR

A BOOK THAT WAS A LITTLE SLOW TO START OFF BUT REALLY PICKED UP AS IT WENT ALONG

The Empress of Salt and Fortune. It is tiny and packed, but it took me some time in the beginning to get used to the style (you can find my review up on the blog in two weeks!)

BUTTER

A BOOK THAT HAD A RICH, GREAT PLOT

The Turn of the Key had a variety of characters with an indescribable atmosphere, all intertwining into a cohesive murder mystery plot unlike another I've read

EGGS

A BOOK YOU THOUGHT WAS GOING TO BE BAD BUT ACTUALLY TURNED OUT QUITE ENJOYABLE

I don't think I ever pick up a book thinking it'll be bad, but a book that was better than expected would be Faith: Taking Flight

SUGAR

A SUGARY, SWEET BOOK

Kasie Wests books, fluffy and easy books to fly through and the perfect answer for me - but not a read from last year though.

Oddly enough I didn't read any "sweet" and "fluffy" books last year, with the closest being Book Love the graphic novel about a book lover

ICING

A BOOK THAT COVERED EVERY SINGLE ELEMENT THAT YOU ENJOY ABOUT A BOOK (FUNNY MOMENTS, ACTION MOMENTS, SAD MOMENTS, ETC.)

The Lady Janies books, I read My Calamity Jane last year, but My Lady Jane in particular fits this question. From humor and action to romance, they have it all

SPRINKLES

A BOOK SERIES THAT YOU CAN KIND OF TURN BACK TO FOR A LITTLE PICK ME UP WHEN YOU’RE FEELING DOWN

The Harry Potter books would be the first thing that comes to mind, but I didn't reread any last year

Alice in Zombieland series are exactly this though as well, quick and easy reads to go back to!

THE CHERRY ON TOP

YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK THIS YEAR SO FAR

Out of the 5 books I've read this year (at the time of writing this), my favourite is Among the Beasts and Briars

Read on lovelies,

S

Baby It's Cold Outside Book TAG

 original creator: erin @ Reading On A Star 

Baby It's Cold Outside Book TAG

1. Snow Day – What’s your “comfort” book? 

- Maybe Harry Potter? It's something I could always pick up and enjoy, especially this time of year for some reason

2.  Snow Angels – What’s a book that you love so much you would want to be buried with it(a little morid, but…)? 

- Well to be honest, I haven't thought of that (shocking I'm sure) and can't even think of one

3. Warm Socks – What’s a book that makes you feel warm inside?(The fluffiest, cutest romance you’ve ever read?) 

- Kasie Wests books are my go to for a fluffy read, but the fluffiest might go to Stephanie Perkins

4. Hot Cocoa – What winter-themed novels have you previously read? 

- For some reason the only thing that comes to mind is the Snow Like Ashes series, but that might be just because of the weather in it

5. Sledding – What’s a book with the best plot twists? Who’s an author that always keeps you on your toes?

- Another tough one, but Jennifer Lynn Barnes has so many series and even though quite a few have been misses for me, I keep going back to her books hoping there will be another gem among them

6. Ugly Sweaters – What’s a book with the ugliest cover? 

- Looking at my shelves I think I'd have to go with my copy of The Naturals, because the face of a teen does not exactly convey the dark atmosphere of that one

7. Movie Marathon – What’s the last book you binge read? 

- The last books I read were the graphic novels Serenity Those Left Behind and Firefly The Unification War

8. Letter to Santa – What’s a book that’s on your wishlist this year? 

- Contrary to previous years I haven't wished for any specific books! Tulevaisuuden lukujärjestys is one from this year that I'd like to get at some point though and read

Read on lovelies,

S

Do I Have That OTHER Book TAG

Do I Have That OTHER Book TAG challenge, similar to a previous one (link) where you try to find a book for each prompt.

The Questions

1. Do you have a book with a fox on the cover or part of the plot?

- Aesop's Fables

2. Do you have a book that was published the year you were born, or within a 3-year radius?

- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

3. Do you have a book with music as a weapon or magic?

- The only music one I could think of is If I Stay, but that's definitely not in the context of weaponry

4. Do you have a series with mismatched covers?

- Oh most definitely. One I dislike the most is my Gallagher Academy collection because of the height changes in different paperbacks (and I also have one book as a hardcover!)

5. Do you have a book with a shapeshifter?

- Imposter has a "Variant" who can change appearances to become someone else

6. Do you have a book signed by the author?

- A couple! I think my first one was Torch Against the Night

7. Do you have a book with a mostly red cover?

- My copy of Catching Fire is pretty much completely red

8. Do you have a book between 287 – 306 pages?

- River Secrets has 290!

9. Do you have a book with a main character who wears glasses?

-Well the first one that popped into my head was Harry Potter, but other than that I'm not sure at all

10. Do you have a book with a title that has the same number of letters as your first name?

- Cress! That took a while to find

11. Do you have a book with cybercrime/technology as a plot point?

- Cinder and Ella

12. Do you have a book written in another language or translated to English?

- Some books in Finnish, though they are all translated like Ylpeys ja ennakkoluulo (Pride and Prejudice). Then there's the Ruby Red trilogy was originally in German and I have the English translations

13. Do you have a book written by an Asian author?

- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang I believe

14. Do you have a book with a moon on the cover?

- Hans Christian Andersen Collection

15. Do you have an illustrated children’s book?

- I have a Dr. Seuss collection

16. Do you have a collection of fairy tales or myths?

- Grimm's collection

17. Do you have a sci-fi/fantasy with an alliance between races?

- I'd say Snow Like Ashes counts? It has different alliances between people from different Seasons

18. Do you have a book with a narrow front cover? (paperback with a front cover that is slightly trimmed shorter/narrower than the rest of the book)

- If I Stay

19. Do you have a book that includes the first chapter of the sequel?

- The Goose Girl

20. Do you have a book with a broken spine?

- Divergent, my one and only one with a cracked spine

Bonus Question: Do you have a book that covers 3 or more of the above prompts??

- Well Harry Potter wears glasses, the third one was published the year I was born and I have the illustrated edition, but the illustrated edition was published way later. But it is in Finnish though! Oh, and would Remus or Tonks possibly be counted as shapeshifters?

Read on lovelies,

S