My last post was super heavy and I’m obviously still processing the extent of loss and grief that our family has experienced.

But it feels like it’s time for a lighter post. So I went through some old emails I’d saved and found this fun game! So here goes!

Twenty Questions… book edition

1.) How many books are too many in a series?

I am a big fan of trilogies and duologies. More than that is fine, BUT there should be a clear end. My pet peeve is when it just… keeps… going. When the series gets rambly, I lose interest. For example, I loved the first three books of Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series. LOVED. But then it just keeps going. Seven books in, and I honestly don’t know if it’s finished even yet. My issue with that is that it begins to feel like there isn’t a point to any of it. Like the author just doesn’t know how to stop.

2.) How do you feel about cliff-hangers?

I loooooooooove a good cliffhanger! If you’ve read my own books, you probably already know that. The ONLY stipulation is that whatever was left as the cliffhanger HAS to be big enough to keep me interested in the next one (even if there’s a wait), and that Thing (whatever it is) MUST be resolved in the next book. If those are true, then I’m all in. Bonus points if the cliffhanger is also a surprise. Big ol’ heart eyes from me.

3.) Hardcover or paperback?

Typically, I like trade paperbacks, but some books I do enjoy collecting in hardback if they are epic enough to have earned that spot on my shelf. Most recent purchase of a hardback was Heartless by Marissa Meyer. It very quickly claimed a spot on my favourites list and I neeeeeeeded it on my shelf!

4.) Favorite book?

Watership Down by Richard Adams

5.) Least favorite book?

Oh man. Harsh. I don’t know that I can pick a least favourite book ever. It was really only in the last few years that I have finally allowed myself to DNF a book, so there are pa-LENTY of books that just aren’t my cuppa and I put them down and never look back. So I suppose if I go back to my recently read books (and ones I actually finished), I’ll say that my least liked was the Princess Trials and I won’t list the author. The characters were so annoying, their choices so incredibly unbelievable, their dialogue so very illogical… it was one that I actually did finish, but when I was done, I hated it enough to actually write a scathing review (which I don’t usually do, being an author myself, but this one felt necessary).

6.) Love triangles, yes or no?

Absolutely YES… but only if they are logical and help to advance the plot (or even create an interesting sub-plot). If the love triangle is just about who is prettier, or the triangle IS the plot, then count me out.

7.) The most recent book you couldn’t finish?

I’ve been DNF’ing like it’s going out of style lately. Life’s too short, guys. Anyway, most recently was a book called Spoiler Alert. The synopsis sounded right up my alley, but it did not deliver. Too much unnecessary swearing (that’s not always a deal-breaker for me, but in this case it just felt ridiculous and gratuitous), and the main character who I soooooo wanted to like ended up being sort of shallow and emotionally abusive? Is that fair to say? Idk, but it was not for me.

8.) A book you are currently reading?

I’m currently listening to the Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard. It’s the sequel to the Red Queen and so far is very enjoyable. I’m also reading Again, but Better by Christine Riccio which so far is fine. I’m a sucker for an American traveling / studying abroad story, so it caught my eye.

9.) Last book you recommended to someone?

I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon. I have a thing for the Romanovs and this book was fascinating. It’s told in dual timelines, one beginning when Anastasia was a child, and one beginning with one of the ladies who claimed to be Anastasia at the end of her life. The first timeline moves forward, the second moves backwards and they meet at the massacre in the basement (and beyond) to solve the mystery of if the author is actually sold on this woman being Anastasia or not. It is SO well written and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out the truth, and completely 100% rooting for her to be the lost grand duchess. But I won’t tell. Spoilers, you know.

10.) Oldest book you’ve read? (publication date)

The Bible, I guess? I mean, it doesn’t get a lot older than the beginning of time, right? Or if that doesn’t count, then probably Beowulf or something along those lines for school. Although, if we’re counting things I read voluntarily, then probably Shakespeare. 

11.) Newest book you’ve read? (publication date)

I recently finished I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick, which was published June 2020, so that’s pretty recent. Especially for me. There are a few insta-buy authors for me, but none have released anything since then.

12.) Favorite author?

CS Lewis, Veronica Roth, Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu… I can’t pick just one. 

13.) Buying books or borrowing?

It’s incredibly rare for me to borrow a book. I’m not opposed to it in theory, but I just love owning them so I can highlight and underline and whatnot. People tend to frown on doing that to books I’ve borrowed from them. 

14.) A book you dislike that everyone seems to love?

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. I’ve tried to read it twice and just could not get into it.

15.) Bookmarks or dog-ears?

Bookmarks! Dog-ears bug the snot out of me. Don’t do that to your books.

16.) A book you can always reread?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling, Watership Down by Richard Adams, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, Paradise War by Stephen Lawhead.

17.) Can you read while hearing music?

If the book is good, I can read through anything. As a general rule, however, I prefer to have it quiet. I don’t purposely put on music in order to read.

18.) One POV or multiple POVs?

Whichever one tells the story better. Some are better served by only knowing one POV, and some are amazing because we learn from different voices. I don’t think I can make a general statement on that one.

19.) Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?

Multiple days, for sure. There are a few books I’ve read in one sitting (*cough* Kasie West *cough*), but usually it’s over a period of days or even a week or two if it’s lengthy or I’m not that into it.

20.) What are your deal-breakers in a book?

When I DNF or one-star a book, it’s usually for one of these reasons… Too much swearing for no reason, killing animals, stilted or unnatural dialogue, accidental zombies, explicit or graphic sex, changing genres without notice (no bait-and-switch! If you want to mix genres, GREAT! But tell me that ahead of time.).

This was a LONG post for me. Thanks for sticking with me. Any of those trigger responses from you? Let’s hear your answers!!