rosie abigail

Long time, no see, book tag! I was tagged by Janet over at The Storyteller to give this one a go. Now, I’m a fussy lass when it comes to tags, once in a blue moon kind of post. However, this one seems really fun! I suggest you give Janet a follow (and Beth over at BooksNest who started this tag), and let’s get going!

Rules

• Thank the person who tagged you and link back to their post
• Link to the creator’s blog (booksnest.co.uk) in your post
• Answer the questions below
• Tag 5 bloggers to take part
• ENJOY THE TAG!

Pre-drinks | A prequel/novella you’ve read

Wicked: Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West // Gregory Maguire

Oh I read this book yeeeears ago, back in the pre-university days (when I was a musical theatre obsessed fourteen year old). I remember I really didn’t enjoy the book at first, because although the book inspired the musical, they are very different. Now, aftering studying adaptation theory for five years, I should give it another go!

The taxi to town | A book about travel

Circe // Madeline Miller

Yes, I know, this book isn’t explicitly about travel. But it was the first one that came into my head when I saw this prompt! Travel mainly takes place around Greece and Crete in this novel, and as I had a beautiful holiday in Crete a few years ago, the locations in the novel just felt so alive to me. 

Trying to find a table | A book you didn’t like to start with, but then ended up loving

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings // Maya Angelou

I struggled with this book, a lot. I remember reading a chapter, crying, and putting it down for a few days, only to continue the cycle again. The book is written with such brutal honesty, my heart would break time and time again for the young Maya. It was only when I finished the book that I realised how beautiful and important of a novel it is, and why Maya Angelou is one of the greatest authors (nay, people) the world has ever seen. Read it. 

First round of drinks | A first book in a series

The Fellowship of the Ring: Lord of the Rings // J R R Tolkien

Yes, I know this is very generic; fight me. Apart from reading those popular childhood series (Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, The Hunger Games, Roman Mysteries, Twilight), I’ve never read a book series outside of Lord of the Rings. To me, I always associate book series with the fantasy or romance genre, neither of which are my cup of tea. Lord of the Rings fills my fantasy quota very much, thank you. In regards to The Fellowship of the Ring, there’s something about it that just fills me with warmth when I read it, and I love finding that in a book. 

The dance floor | A book that makes you want to jump up and down with excitement

Girl, Woman, Other // Bernadine Evaristo

I’m reading this book right now, and I’ve only got one section left! I’m so excited to curl up with a cup of tea and my duvet and finish it this evening (yes, a cup of tea and duvet is my equivalent of the ‘the dance floor’). I really love Evaristo’s writing style, it’s so different to anything else I’ve read. I can feel myself buying some more of her books in the future (aka on payday).

The toilets | A book you wouldn’t touch with a barge pole

Lolita // Vladimir Nabokov

Get this flaming hot pile of trash away from me. This is my least favourite book I have ever (tried) to read. I was meant to read this as part of my degree, and it’s the only book I have genuinely launched across the room in pure anger at. It stayed where it landed, under the table, until my boyfriend picked it up, knowing full well I wasn’t going near it. I don’t care if it’s meant to create a discussion or make a statement; I don’t want to read about a thirty-seven year old man lusting after a thirteen year old girl. I am never picking this book up again.

The first to bail | The last book you DNF’d

Dharma Bums // Jack Kerouac

Oh I had high hopes for this one. Maybe that’s why I DNF’d. It was such a slog to get through the first chapter, and when he started going on about finding himself, and having orgies to help that, I shut that book and put it back on the shelf. Maybe one day I’ll give it another go, but for now, it’s a no from me. 

The journey home | A book you can’t really remember the plot of anymore

Voyage in the Dark // Jean Rhys

This was another book on my university reading list, this time for a Modernism module. I remember going into the book thinking it would be dark and depressing, but was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it! Yes there were some tragic moments, but there were also moments of joy and realism. The thing is, I can’t exactly remember what those moments were. I guess I better give it another read!

The morning after | A comfort read

The Bell Jar // Sylvia Plath

This choice may seem odd to some people – those people who only associate Plath with suicide and depression. In all honesty, this is my number one comfort book. Everytime I read it, I notice reflections of myself, whether that be past me or present me. Sure, some of the subject matter can be a little tough, but it’s also an incredibly hopeful book. Give me an afternoon, some snacks, and a blanket, and I’ll read this book in one sitting. 

So, there’s my take on the Bibliophile’s Night Out book tag! Now, I know the rules say you are meant to tag five people, but I don’t normally like to do that. So I will say – give this a go if you want to! The only two people I will be tagging will be two new bloggers; my mum (Seeking Fullness of Life) and my friend Lucie! 

Rosie x

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