The Spring Has Sprung Book Tag

I do love a good tag, and this is my first one of 2018. Amy from Golden Books Girl tagged me to do this one, and as we’re officially in spring now (can someone tell the weather?) it seemed like an appropriate time to do a spring book tag. I love spring, it’s my second favourite season and I always feel a little more cheery when the sun is shining and the flowers start to grow again.

Have a pretty picture of a white bluebell before things get ranty around here.

1. Flowers: Look on your bookshelves. What is the most beautiful book both inside and out?

Start me off easy why don’t you. I’m going for my limited edition copy of The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman. I adore Lyra’s world. It’s been my favourite since I first read Northern Lights and this prequel-that’s-not-really-a-prequel is delightful.

2. Grass: What is a book that you find others like way more than you do?

I hate this question so much. I’m going with the Geek Girl books by Holly Smale. I’ve only read a couple and they’re not bad, they make me laugh, they’re cheerful, but I don’t seem to adore them as much as everyone else does. I guess happy is not my kind of book!

3. Rain: what’s a great book that lifts your spirits when you’re down?

This is so hard to answer, because down can mean so many things and it really depends on the kind of “down” I am feeling, Recently, it’s been Laura Steven’s The Exact Opposite of Okay, both paperback and audio book. They’ve made me smile and laugh and generally cheered me up.

4. Dew: What’s a book that made you feel alive?

Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman. I cannot tell you how much I loved this book. It spoke to my soul, made me think and gave me so much hope for the future. It’s beautiful.

5. Storms: What’s a book that you found unpredictable?

State of Sorrow by Melinda Salisbury. Honestly, every time I thought I had that figured out, there was a brilliant twist or a new piece of information to keep me on my toes. I love how Melinda does this in her books. It’s delicious.

6. Rainbow: What was that book that you struggled with, only to be happy that you read it in the end?

I use this book every time I’m asked this, but A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. Honestly, the first two thirds of that book are such a slog, and I don’t think I’d have finished were it not for a trusted friend urging me on. The ending made it all worthwhile.

7. Chilly weather: what’s a book that you couldn’t finish or didn’t enjoy?

This year there’s only one book I had to DNF and that was because I couldn’t click with it at all. The descriptions were just too violent for me. It was The Legacy of Old Gran Parks by Isobel Blackthorn. That’s not to say you won’t enjoy it, it started off well, but the violence just got a bit much for me.

8. Warm weather: what’s a book that you loved and wanted more of?

Goodbye, Perfect by Sara Barnard. I can never get enough of Sara’s writing and I did not want this story to end. I never want her stories to end.

9. Green: what’s a book that you haven’t read yet, but really want to?

Nevermoor. I’ve wanted to read this since it first came out, so much so I treated myself to the hardback. For reasons unknown I have not read it yet.

10. Pink: what’s a book in which you felt a strong connection to the characters?

Am I Normal Yet? by Holly Bourne. I really identified with the main character in this book, even though I don’t have OCD, I do have emetophobia and issues around germs and Evie’s symptoms and coping strategies really resonated with me.

11. Purple: what’s a book that when you read it, you feel safe?

I could answer this with any of my childhood favourites, but as I’ve recently re-read this whilst clearing my Nana’s house, I’m going to say Mouse Cafe by Patricia Coombs. It reminds me of happy times in my childhood with my grandparents reading to me.

12. Orange: what book do you feel is intelligently written?

It Only Happens in the Movies by Holly Bourne. This is a work of absolute genius. There are so many layers to this book. If you haven’t read it yet, I urge you to do so immediately.

13. Yellow: What book puts a smile on your face?

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff. Or Godsgrave. Either. They are my kind of deliciously dark book and the narrator is hilarious.

I’m not going to tag anyone specific for this, because I think most people have done it already, but if you read this and fancy giving it a go, then please link me to your answers, I’d love to read!